Category: Technologies

Google’s Android ecosystem chief has put an end to rumors that Android might copy Apple’s Liquid Glass visual style, at least for Pixel handsets. Reacting to a fake Liquid Glass design for a Pixel 11 shared on X, Sameer Samat replied, “Not happening. Y’all are wild.” This clarification brings relief to Android enthusiasts who have seen numerous brands replicate Apple’s look in recent months.

Many Android Makers Have Already Followed Suit

Since Apple revealed Liquid Glass at WWDC last June, multiple Android brands have duplicated the style in their custom interfaces. OnePlus, Vivo, Oppo, Honor, and Xiaomi have all released UI updates that adopt the translucent, frosted-glass appearance Apple introduced. This trend has become so common that it has sparked concerns about Android’s unique visual identity.

Google, at least for its own Pixel line, is resisting the pull.

Material 3 Expressive Already Stands Out

Google unveiled its own refreshed design system, Material 3 Expressive, at I/O 2025, introducing bolder colors, more dynamic motion, and fluid shape transitions across the system UI, notifications, and core apps. It gives Pixel devices a distinctive personality.

Material 3 Expressive already gives Google a design story it can stand behind without borrowing from a competitor, and Samat’s response signals the company intends to stick to it. For those who use Pixel phones, the comment amounts to a guarantee that Android’s design language will stay its own.

Liquid Glass may spread further across third-party Android skins, but Google’s own devices will ship with a design system built on its own terms. Whether other Android manufacturers follow Google’s lead remains to be seen.

AI-powered coding assistants have drastically simplified the process of creating web applications, reducing setup time to mere minutes. This accessibility has democratized app development but has also introduced a fresh wave of challenges. What occurs when these AI-generated applications are deployed without proper security measures? The result is often sensitive information being inadvertently exposed across the internet.

A report by WIRED sheds light on a critical security flaw associated with “vibe-coded” applications, which are developed using AI platforms like Lovable, Replit, Base44, and Netlify.

Why This Security Gap Is More Serious Than It Appears

Security expert Dor Zvi and his team at RedAccess examined thousands of these applications and identified over 5,000 that lacked basic security protocols or authentication mechanisms. Many of these apps could be accessed by anyone who stumbled upon the correct URL. Some had only rudimentary barriers, permitting entry with any email address. According to Zvi, nearly half of these exposed applications contained sensitive data, including medical records, financial documents, corporate presentations, strategic plans, and customer service chat logs.

The investigation reportedly also uncovered hospital work assignments containing personally identifiable information, advertising purchase data, market presentation strategies, sales figures, and even customer conversations including names and contact details. Several of these applications remain online, although WIRED could not confirm if all the data reviewed was authentic or sensitive.

How Vibe Coding Has Become a Risk in IT

This issue extends beyond a single instance of poorly secured AI apps. These tools enable individuals without software engineering or security expertise to build and deploy applications rapidly, often bypassing standard IT approval workflows. Consequently, a marketing team member, operations staff, or founder can create an internal tool, link it to live data, and inadvertently expose it to the public internet.

Zvi likened this situation to the previous wave of exposed Amazon S3 buckets, where misconfigurations caused companies to leak sensitive data on a massive scale. Security researcher Joel Margolis told WIRED that AI coding tools only execute what they are instructed to do. Therefore, if a user does not explicitly request security features, the resulting app may lack them by default.

wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock

Responses from the Companies Involved

Replit CEO Amjad Masad wrote on X that some users had published applications on the open web that were intended to be private, noting that public apps being accessible online is expected behavior. Meanwhile, Lovable stated that it takes exposed data and phishing reports seriously and is currently investigating. Base44’s parent company, Wix, asserted that its platform offers security and visibility controls, arguing that public access reflects user configuration choices rather than a platform vulnerability.

This serves as a reality check for anyone treating vibe coding like a fast track to startup success. AI-generated apps can move quickly, but that speed comes with real trade-offs. From weak oversight to hidden vulnerabilities, AI-built apps can become a serious problem once a product is in users’ hands.

AI coding tools have made it ridiculously easy to build a web app, and it only takes a few minutes to set up now. This ease has lowered the barrier to app development, which is causing a new set of issues. So what happens when these AI-made apps go live without anyone checking the locks? You get secrets spilling out all over the internet.

A WIRED report highlights a major security problem around so-called “vibe-coded” apps, which are built using AI development platforms such as Lovable, Replit, Base44, and Netlify.

Why this is a bigger issue than you think

Security researcher Dor Zvi and his team at RedAccess analyzed thousands of these apps and found more than 5,000 that had little to no security or authentication. Most of these apps could practically be accessed by anyone who found the ‘right’ URL. A few of these had only minimal barriers, allowing visitors to sign in with any email address. Nearly half of these exposed apps appeared to contain sensitive data like medical information, financial records, corporate presentations, strategy documents, and customer chatbot logs, said Zvi.

The investigation reportedly also revealed hospital work assignments with personally identifiable information, ad purchasing data, market presentation strategies, sales information, and even customer conversations with their names and contact details. Several of these apps were still online, although WIRED couldn’t verify whether all the data it reviewed was real or sensitive.

How vibe coding has become dangerous in IT

This story isn’t just limited to one batch of sloppy AI apps. These tools allow people who may not have software engineering or security experience to build and publish apps quickly, which are often outside normal IT approval processes. So a member of the marketing team, operations worker, or founder can create a tool for internal use, connect it to real data, and accidentally leave it open to the web.

Zvi compared it to the old wave of exposed Amazon S3 buckets, where misconfigurations led companies to leak sensitive data at a massive scale. Security researcher Joel Margolis told WIRED that AI coding tools only do what’s asked of them. So if a user does not ask for security explicitly, the app may not be secure by default.

wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock

What did the companies say?

Replit CEO Amjad Masad wrote on X that some users had published apps on the open web that should have been private, adding that public apps being accessible online is expected behavior. Meanwhile, Lovable said it takes exposed data and phishing reports seriously and is investigating. Base44 parent company Wix stated that its platform provides security and visibility controls, arguing that public access reflects user configuration choices rather than a platform vulnerability.

This is a reality check for anyone treating vibe coding like a fast track to startup success. AI-generated apps can move quickly, but that speed comes with real trade-offs. From weak oversight to hidden vulnerabilities, AI-built apps can become a serious problem once a product is in users’ hands.

Google has taken its most significant step yet into the wearable fitness market. The company behind the Pixel Watch has launched the Fitbit Air, a display-free health band available for $99.99. While Whoop requires a paid subscription to access fitness metrics, the Fitbit Air provides essential health tracking capabilities at no additional cost.

Now available for pre-order, the device will begin shipping in 21 countries on May 26, 2026. Buyers can select from four Pixel-inspired finishes—Obsidian, Lavender, Fog, and Berry—and choose between three band options: Performance Loop, Active Band, and Elevated Modern Band.

What health metrics does the Fitbit Air monitor?

Weighing only 12 grams with the strap (5 grams without), the Fitbit Air includes a comprehensive set of sensors designed for dedicated fitness enthusiasts.

The band delivers continuous heart rate monitoring with AFib irregular rhythm alerts, heart rate variability (HRV), blood oxygen levels (SpO2), skin temperature readings, and standard step and calorie counts. It also tracks sleep phases and duration, plus automatically recognizes physical activities.

The absence of a screen is a deliberate design choice. This approach keeps your wrist uncluttered during workouts while the device quietly gathers data in the background, syncing it to your smartphone via Bluetooth.

With water resistance up to 50 meters, the tracker is suitable for swimming. A full charge takes approximately 90 minutes using the magnetic charger and provides up to seven days of battery life.

Fitbit Air Stephen Curry limited edition is worth $129.99 Google

How does the Fitbit Air stack up against Whoop?

Unlike Whoop, the Fitbit Air delivers essential tracking capabilities without requiring a subscription fee.

Notably, buyers receive a complimentary three-month trial of the Health Premium subscription with their Fitbit Air purchase. Google has also verified compatibility with both Android and iOS platforms. For the first time, users can link both a Pixel Watch 4 and a Fitbit Air to a single Google Health account.

The Fitbit Air represents Google’s most targeted effort to capture Whoop’s large user base. By offering core health features at no cost and pricing the Health Premium membership below Whoop’s annual fee, Google aims to attract fitness-focused consumers to the Fitbit Air.

Techgeeks reports that Google has taken a significant step into the wearable fitness market with the launch of the Fitbit Air. This new health band, priced at $99.99, features no screen and competes directly with Whoop by offering essential health tracking features without requiring a subscription.

The device is currently available for pre-order and will begin shipping to 21 countries on May 26, 2026. Buyers can select from four Pixel-inspired color options—Obsidian, Lavender, Fog, and Berry—and choose between three strap types: Performance Loop, Active Band, and Elevated Modern Band.

What capabilities does the Fitbit Air offer?

Weighing only 12 grams with the strap (5 grams without), the Fitbit Air includes a robust set of sensors designed for dedicated fitness enthusiasts.

Google

It provides continuous heart rate monitoring with AFib irregular rhythm notifications, heart rate variability (HRV), blood oxygen (SpO2), skin temperature, and standard step and calorie tracking. Additionally, it monitors sleep stages and duration, and features automatic activity detection.

The absence of a display is a deliberate design choice, aiming to minimize distractions during workouts while the device quietly records data in the background and syncs it to your smartphone via Bluetooth.

With water resistance up to 50 meters, it is suitable for swimming. A full charge takes approximately 90 minutes using the magnetic charger and provides up to seven days of battery life.

Fitbit Air Stephen Curry limited edition is worth $129.99 Techgeeks

Fitbit Air vs. Whoop: Key Differences

In contrast to Whoop, the Fitbit Air provides its fundamental health tracking capabilities without requiring a monthly subscription fee.

Fitbit Air Stephen Curry limited edition is worth $129.99 Google

However, accessing advanced tools like the Google Health Coach, a Gemini-driven AI assistant for fitness data analysis, along with long-term insights, requires a Google Health Premium subscription ($9.99/month).

Fortunately, buyers receive a complimentary three-month trial of Health Premium with the Fitbit Air purchase. Google has also confirmed compatibility with both Android and iOS, and for the first time, users can sync both a Pixel Watch 4 and a Fitbit Air to a single Google Health account.

The Fitbit Air represents Google’s strategic effort to capture Whoop’s large user base. By offering core health features for free and positioning its premium subscription at a lower cost than Whoop’s annual fee, Google aims to attract fitness-focused consumers to the Fitbit Air.

Grand Theft Auto 6 has been simmering in Rockstar Games‘ kitchen for quite some time. Yet, after ten years of crafting one of the most anticipated titles in gaming history, the financial toll is becoming staggering.

In a recent Business Insider profile of Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick, the executive refused to disclose the exact figure. His sole admission was that the project “was expensive.” Nevertheless, industry experts project the final cost could range from $1 billion to $1.5 billion.

Surpassing Hollywood’s Spending Limits

The predecessor, GTA 5, moved over 225 million copies globally and generated more than $1 billion in revenue within just three days of its 2013 launch. Consequently, the latest installment in this wildly successful series faces the challenge of surpassing that legacy over a decade later. To put it in perspective, Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2 was already among the costliest games ever produced, with a price tag estimated between $379 million and $550 million.

Rockstar Games

Why GTA 6 Might Permanently Shift Game Pricing

Development costs are only half the equation. Experts quoted in the report also anticipate that GTA 6 will break the current price barrier for AAA titles. One analyst suggested the game might even command a three-digit price point. This strategy could prove difficult, particularly as shoppers are already grappling with rising costs for consoles, games, and everyday expenses.

Google has terminated Project Mariner, the autonomous web navigation tool it first introduced at I/O last year. The system, which could navigate Chrome, complete forms, search results, and arrange travel by capturing screenshots and visually identifying interface components, has been removed. Its official page now displays a notice indicating the service ended on May 4, 2026.

Mortal Kombat 1 marks just the beginning of NetherRealm’s journey back to the fighting ring. Following the 2023 reboot, creator Ed Boon revealed in a Collider interview that the studio is “definitely pursuing another Mortal Kombat game,” offering the most direct indication to date that the franchise is far from over.

While NetherRealm has confirmed the project’s existence, specific details remain under wraps. No title, release date, platform lineup, character roster, or narrative focus has been disclosed. The upcoming installment is confirmed to be in development, but not yet at a stage where it can be showcased.

Current Insights

Boon’s statement addresses long-standing fan questions following Mortal Kombat 1. NetherRealm is clearly not treating the 2023 launch as a conclusion, nor is it allowing the franchise’s future to remain ambiguous.

The phrasing used is significant. Boon did not clarify whether the next game will directly continue Mortal Kombat 1’s storyline or diverge entirely, leaving ample room for speculation while distinguishing confirmed development from fan hope.

For now, the most accurate interpretation is that another Mortal Kombat title is actively in development, with defining details kept confidential.

Beyond a Single Sequel

While the next game dominates headlines, NetherRealm’s ambitions appear broader. Boon noted the team is “definitely doing more as well,” mentioning “a lot of pots on the stove.”

This activity spans multiple media. Boon highlighted projects outside gaming, aligning with the franchise’s expansion into film. This also explains his reluctance to confirm projects like Injustice 3, even while hinting at future reveals.

NetherRealm is managing expectations by confirming direction while withholding specifics. This keeps the next Mortal Kombat game as the most concrete detail within a larger, largely undisclosed slate.

Looking Ahead

Fans should await official announcements rather than extrapolating timelines from Boon’s remarks. He mentioned “a lot of great announcements that are coming,” but NetherRealm has not attached names or dates to most of these plans.

This makes the upcoming phase both exciting and prone to overinterpretation. Until NetherRealm reveals the next Mortal Kombat game, Boon’s statements should be viewed as confirmation of intent, not scheduling.

The OnePlus 16 is beginning to resemble a flagship device that makes a bold entrance rather than a subtle one. Recent information from tipster Digital Chat Station indicates a 200MP periscope zoom camera, a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro processor, and a battery capacity potentially hitting 9,000mAh.

OnePlus

Techgeeks reports that Spotify is broadening its widely used DJ tool to reach a global audience. The streaming giant is launching its AI-hosted DJ service to Premium subscribers in additional regions, such as Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, South Korea, and Switzerland, raising the total number of supported countries to more than 75.

In addition to reaching new markets, the DJ feature now supports four additional languages: French, German, Italian, and Brazilian Portuguese.

What is Spotify DJ and how does it function?

For those unfamiliar, Spotify DJ serves as an artificial intelligence-driven companion that operates like a personal radio host within your app. It leverages your listening habits, personal tastes, and Spotify’s editorial knowledge to provide a personalized music stream, complete with brief commentary between songs.

The voice of the original English DJ is based on Spotify’s own Xavier “X” Jernigan, offering a listening experience that feels more dynamic than a standard playlist. It also adapts based on your feedback, improving its ability to fulfill your song requests the more you engage with it.

Spotify DJ Accepts Song Requests Like a Live DJ

Premium subscribers can also ask Spotify DJ for specific tracks using voice commands. Simply press and hold the DJ button located in the bottom right corner of the screen until you hear a beep, then specify your request, such as a mood, genre, artist, or general vibe.

Spotify has recently been making significant updates. To address the surge in AI-created music, the platform has launched verified artist badges to help users distinguish between human-made and AI-generated content.

In an unexpected development, the app now allows users to purchase physical books and functions as a fitness coach with integrated Peloton workout sessions.