Category: Technologies

For more than a decade, the global messaging landscape has been defined by a handful of dominant platforms. Despite incremental updates, the core experience has remained largely unchanged: text, media sharing, and voice or video calls layered on centralized infrastructure.

Yet a new category of messaging platforms is beginning to emerge — one that treats communication not as a standalone function, but as part of a broader digital ecosystem.

Verum Messenger is one of the more ambitious entrants in this space. Rather than competing solely on interface or speed, it is positioning itself as an integrated environment that combines communication, privacy infrastructure, connectivity, and financial tools within a single application.

Beyond Messaging: Feature Density as Strategy

At the surface level, Verum includes many of the features now expected in modern messaging platforms, such as an AI assistant embedded directly within conversations, scheduled message delivery, disappearing messages after being read, and the ability to edit sent messages.

But it extends further into behavioral transparency and control. Users can receive notifications when someone takes a screenshot, copies, or forwards their messages, while also having the ability to block screenshots entirely and prevent screen recording. These controls are complemented by granular privacy settings, pinned messages, smart notification prioritization, message reactions and quick replies, customizable chat interfaces, and advanced notification controls.

Privacy as Infrastructure, Not Feature

Where Verum attempts to differentiate more aggressively is in its security architecture. The platform incorporates end-to-end encryption across all communications, including encrypted voice and video calls, along with automatic message deletion timers.

Account-level control is also emphasized through one-tap account deletion, restricted chat access, and active session management. Personal data protection is reinforced by storing security keys exclusively on the user’s device and implementing a multi-layered security model.

Additional safeguards include advanced privacy configuration, biometric authentication such as Face ID or Touch ID, passcode-based app locking, protection against unauthorized access, and dedicated private communication modes.

A Built-In Digital Layer

One of the platform’s more distinctive elements is its attempt to consolidate multiple digital services into a single environment.

This includes an integrated VPN, disposable anonymous email addresses, and built-in eSIM functionality, enabling connectivity across more than 150 countries. The application is designed to unify multiple services while supporting international communication, large file transfers, and group chats of up to 10,000 participants.

These are complemented by broader communication tools and an overarching goal of functioning as a centralized hub for managing digital interactions.

Financial Integration Without Fragmentation

In parallel, Verum incorporates a set of financial utilities that aim to reduce reliance on external applications. These include peer-to-peer transfers in fiat currencies, in-app balance top-ups, and a virtual payment card.

Support for Apple Pay and similar services is intended to streamline transactions, while built-in financial management tools suggest a move toward embedding everyday financial activity directly within the messaging layer.

Toward Network Independence

Perhaps the most forward-looking aspect of the platform lies in its recent technical developments.

Verum has introduced messaging capabilities that function without a traditional internet connection, relying instead on direct peer-to-peer communication between devices. This architecture reduces dependence on centralized servers, aligning with a broader industry trend toward decentralization and resilience.

At the same time, the platform incorporates on-device message translation, supporting dozens of languages with local processing. By avoiding cloud-based translation, this approach attempts to preserve user privacy while enabling cross-language communication.

A Broader Industry Signal

Whether Verum itself achieves mainstream adoption remains an open question. Network effects continue to favor established players, and feature breadth alone does not guarantee user migration.

However, the platform illustrates a broader shift in how messaging applications are being conceptualized. Increasingly, they are evolving into multi-functional environments that combine communication, privacy infrastructure, connectivity, and financial interaction.

In that context, Verum is less a direct competitor to existing messengers and more an early example of what a fully integrated digital platform might look like — one where messaging is no longer the product, but the foundation.

Mercedes-Benz is using the cabin to make its first electric C-Class feel like a bigger step than a normal model update. Ahead of the car’s April 20 world premiere, it has shown an interior centered on a sweeping digital display, extra space, and a more upscale finish that leans hard into comfort and theater.

The key visual is the new MBUX Hyperscreen, with Mercedes also offering a Superscreen setup. Both are designed to stretch the digital interface across the front of the car and blend the center console into the instrument panel, giving the dashboard a cleaner and more dramatic shape than the current C-Class.

A dash built to impress

Mercedes says the Hyperscreen uses matrix backlighting with about 10 million pixels and adjustable brightness zones. That should help the display do more than just look expensive, with clearer driver information and separate entertainment functions for the front passenger built into the same broad panel.

The company is also piling on the atmosphere. The new electric C-Class gets ten ambient visual styles, lighting that reaches across the dash, doors, center console, and optional panoramic roof, plus upgraded sound features meant to make the interior feel more immersive on everyday drives.

Comfort gets equal billing

The rest of the cabin is doing plenty of work too. Mercedes says the EV platform and panoramic glass roof open up more room inside, while new high-end seats add massage, ventilation, memory settings, lumbar support, and 4D audio aimed at making long trips easier to live with.

Material choices are another big part of the pitch. Mercedes highlights new trim finishes, metallic details, revised speaker grilles, and a vegan-certified interior package, while also promising quicker cold-weather heating, lower energy use through a heat pump, and a quieter ride through extra insulation and laminated front glass.

The real test comes next

That all sounds promising, but Mercedes is still holding back some of the numbers buyers will care about most, including pricing, trims, range, charging, and performance.

The giant screen grabs attention, though the bigger question is how much of this polished interior will reach versions that sit below the top end of the lineup.

Xiaomi has been known for building some surprisingly cheap gadgets that still feel a little more premium than they should. But that philosophy apparently does not extend to electric cars.

According to ITHome, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun said during a livestream for the company’s SU7 endurance challenge on April 17 that Xiaomi will not make vehicles priced below 100,000 Yuan. That works out to be just under $15,000. Lei explained that if consumers expect an electric car to deliver strong intelligent features, software, and overall capability, the cost is harder to squeeze down that far.

Why Xiaomi is ruling out ultra-budget EVs

The comment came in response to a viewer’s question about whether Xiaomi plans to release a plan under 100,000 Yuan. He claims that making intelligent EVs work pushes the cost higher. This is quite the stand in China’s EV market, which is known for its crowded lower-priced models. The segment is brutally competitive and full of models built around cost efficiency first.

Considering its current EV lineup, the company’s decision showcases the focus on more premium EV positioning, where software, smart driving, and higher-spec hardware are the highlights.

Xiaomi would rather absorb costs than race to the bottom

During the livestream, Lei Jun also said that the new-generation SU7 includes more than 100 upgrades, and that material costs alone rose by nearly 20,000 Yuan. Yet, Xiaomi raised the retail price by only 4,000 Yuan to keep the updated model in the budgets of new buyers. And with the new 219,900 Yuan SU7 model reportedly seeing 15,000 orders in just 34 minutes, the company is confident about the strong demand for its cars without diving into the ultra-affordable segment.

So Xiaomi may still be the company that sells dirt-cheap gadgets. But when it comes to cars, Lei Jun is making it clear that Xiaomi would rather stay above the bargain basement.

If you’ve ever wrapped up a long editing session with a stiff back, tight shoulders, and that slow, creeping fatigue that only comes from sitting too long—you’ll understand this immediately.

As an editor, my day rarely involves movement. It’s hours of rewriting drafts, scrubbing timelines, reviewing footage frame by frame, and jumping between multiple screens. You start the day upright and focused, but somewhere along the way, posture slips. Your shoulders hunch, your lower back gives up, and before you know it, you’re shifting constantly just to stay comfortable.

The problem isn’t just the workload. It’s the chair.

And that’s where the Welax S9 Pro Ergonomic Chair enters the conversation—not as a luxury, but as a genuinely practical solution to a problem most professionals quietly live with every day.

Sitting Isn’t Passive – It’s Physically Demanding

We tend to think of sitting as rest. In reality, it’s anything but. Modern work habits have turned sitting into a prolonged, static activity that puts continuous strain on the body. Whether you’re an editor, designer, developer, or someone working remotely, chances are you’re spending anywhere between 6 to 10 hours a day seated.

But the real issue isn’t just how long we sit – it’s how poorly we’re supported while doing it.

Traditional office chairs are built for short-term use. They assume a fixed posture, offer minimal adjustability, and rarely accommodate the natural shifts in position that happen throughout the day. Over time, this mismatch leads to fatigue, poor spinal alignment, and even chronic discomfort.

For editors specifically, the problem is amplified. You lean forward while typing, sit upright during calls, tilt slightly while reviewing visuals, and occasionally recline to reset your posture. A static chair simply cannot keep up with that rhythm.

The Welax S9 Pro is designed with that reality in mind.

Designed For Movement, Not Just Sitting

The first thing you notice about the S9 Pro is that it doesn’t force you into a single “correct” posture.

Instead, it adapts.

Throughout a typical workday, your posture changes dozens of times, often without you realizing it. The S9 Pro accommodates those micro-adjustments seamlessly, allowing you to shift between focused work, relaxed browsing, and casual leaning without resistance.

This is where it begins to feel less like a chair and more like an extension of your workflow.

At the core of this experience is its one-touch adjustment system, which simplifies what is usually a frustrating process. Most ergonomic chairs rely on multiple levers and knobs, requiring trial and error to get right. Here, adjustments are intuitive and immediate.

You can modify seat depth, tilt, and height in seconds, without interrupting your work. For someone constantly switching between tasks—editing, writing, reviewing – that ease of adjustment makes a noticeable difference.

Comfort becomes automatic, not something you have to actively manage.

Dynamic Lumbar Support That Keeps Up With You

If there’s one area where most chairs fail, it’s lumbar support. Many models offer fixed support that assumes you’ll stay perfectly upright all day. In reality, that never happens. As soon as you shift, that support becomes ineffective.

The S9 Pro takes a different approach. Its dynamic lumbar support system adjusts as you move, maintaining consistent support regardless of your position. Whether you’re leaning forward into your desk or reclining slightly during a break, it continues to support the natural curve of your spine.

For editors and desk-bound professionals, this is where the chair proves its value. Instead of ending the day with that familiar lower back fatigue, you notice something unusual – there’s less strain. Less need to stretch constantly. Less discomfort building up over time. It doesn’t eliminate fatigue entirely, but it reduces it enough to matter.

6D Armrests: Precision Where It Counts

Arm support is one of the most overlooked aspects of ergonomics. Yet for anyone working on a keyboard and mouse for hours, it plays a critical role in preventing shoulder and wrist strain.

The S9 Pro includes 6D fully adjustable armrests, allowing movement in six directions. This means you can fine-tune the position based on your activity—typing, editing, gaming, or simply resting.

In practical terms, this translates to better alignment and reduced tension in the upper body. Your shoulders don’t feel as tight. Your wrists stay in a more neutral position. Over long sessions, these small adjustments add up. It’s not a flashy feature, but it’s one you’ll appreciate daily.

Breathable Materials For Real-World Comfort

Comfort isn’t just about structure – it’s also about materials. Traditional cushioned chairs tend to trap heat, especially during extended use. Over time, this leads to discomfort, particularly in warmer environments or during intense work sessions.

The S9 Pro uses German-imported breathable mesh, designed to maximize airflow and maintain a consistent temperature. The result is a chair that feels cool even after hours of use.

This might sound like a minor detail, but in practice, it makes long sitting sessions far more manageable. Combined with its high-back design and adjustable headrest, the chair provides full-body support while maintaining a lightweight, modern feel.

Built For Stability And Longevity

Durability is where the S9 Pro reinforces its value proposition. The chair is built with a reinforced aluminum alloy base and supports users up to 330 lbs (150 kg). This ensures stability across a wide range of body types and use cases.

It also features an SGS-certified Class-4 gas lift, which provides safe and reliable height adjustment. These components are not just about specifications – they directly impact how secure and long-lasting the chair feels. In day-to-day use, this translates to confidence. The chair doesn’t creak, wobble, or feel fragile. It feels built for consistent, long-term use.

Mobility And Flexibility In Modern Workspaces

Modern work setups are rarely static. You move between desks, reposition frequently, or adjust your setup throughout the day. The S9 Pro supports this with silent 360-degree mobility, thanks to premium 65mm PU casters. Movement feels smooth and controlled, without the noise or resistance that cheaper wheels often introduce.

Additionally, the chair includes a reclining backrest and built-in footrest, allowing it to transition from a work-focused setup to a more relaxed position.

For editors and creatives, this versatility is surprisingly useful. After hours of focused work, being able to lean back and decompress without leaving your workspace adds an extra layer of comfort.

High-End Features Without The Premium Price

One of the most compelling aspects of the S9 Pro is its pricing strategy. Chairs with similar feature sets – dynamic lumbar support, multi-directional armrests, premium materials – often come at significantly higher price points. Welax manages to keep the S9 Pro competitive by leveraging in-house manufacturing and streamlined production.

For users, this means access to high-end ergonomic features without the typical premium markup. It positions the chair as not just an upgrade, but a practical investment.

Designed For A Modern, Demanding Lifestyle

The S9 Pro is clearly built with modern users in mind. Whether you’re working from home, managing a hybrid setup, gaming, or creating content, the chair adapts to a wide range of environments. Its design balances functionality with aesthetics, making it suitable for both professional and personal spaces.

For editors specifically, it addresses one of the most persistent issues – long hours of uninterrupted sitting. It doesn’t promise perfection. But it delivers meaningful improvement.

Final Thoughts: A Chair That Understands Real Work

The Welax S9 Pro Ergonomic Chair doesn’t rely on gimmicks. It focuses on solving real problems – posture fatigue, lack of adjustability, and discomfort during long sitting sessions.

By combining dynamic lumbar support, intuitive controls, breathable materials, and robust construction, it creates an experience that feels noticeably better over time. For editors, creators, and anyone tied to a desk, this isn’t just about comfort. It’s about sustainability – being able to work longer, better, and with less physical strain.

Because in a world where sitting has become unavoidable, the way you sit matters more than ever.

Geely, the Chinese auto giant that also owns Volvo, has just unveiled a new RV that really does not look like it belongs anywhere near the budget end of the market.

The company has just kicked off the presales in China for the Galaxy Starshine 7, with its pricing starting at 112,900 yuan or about $16,550. For that money, buyers get a midsize electric sedan with a sleek fastback silhouette, full-width lighting, a richly trimmed cabin, and even an available dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup that can hit 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds.

Why it looks too fancy for its price

Cheap EVs are usually easy to spot because they cut corners somewhere obvious. But the Starshine 7 doesn’t exactly scream entry-level. The official images show a sedan with a clean nose design, sharp light signatures, flush door handles, a panoramic roof, and a cabin dominated by a large central screen and a bright, lounge-like color scheme for its interiors.

The model measures 4,930mm long with a 2,915mm wheelbase. In photos, it lands somewhere between a mainstream electric sedan and something trying very hard to look premium. And at a first glance, it mostly succeeds.

But do the specs keep up?

Geely’s Starshine 7 will be offered in rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive forms. The RWD version uses a 190kW motor, while the AWD model adds a 150kW front motor for a combined 340kW output. The company is also offering two battery options, a 58.4kWh and 73.6kWh, with CLTC range figures of up to 610km depending on the variant.

Inside, the car gets a 15.4-inch floating center display, which also showcases a premium interior. The pictures also depict wood-like trim, layered materials, and a generally softer look that isn’t often associated with a budget EV.

This model joins the recently announced $15,000 extended-range EV called the Boyue EREV SUV. So the Galaxy Starshine 7 is another reminder of just how aggressive China’s EV market has become. It is trying to make affordability look aspirational, which is a pretty different trick, and one that Western automakers still seem to struggle with. As always, there is no word regarding a US or European release.

Anthropic has introduced a new AI-powered design tool called Claude Design, aimed at helping users create visual content such as prototypes, presentations, and marketing assets through simple conversational inputs. The product, developed under Anthropic Labs, is currently available in research preview for paid Claude subscribers and is being rolled out gradually.

Claude Design is powered by the company’s latest vision model, Claude Opus 4.7, and is positioned as a tool that bridges the gap between technical design expertise and everyday creative needs.

A New Approach To Design Workflows

The core idea behind Claude Design is to simplify the process of creating visual content. Instead of relying on traditional design tools that require manual input and expertise, users can describe what they need, and the AI generates an initial version. From there, designs can be refined through conversation, inline comments, direct edits, or adjustable controls.

The platform supports a wide range of use cases, including creating interactive prototypes, product wireframes, pitch decks, and marketing materials. It also allows teams to quickly explore multiple design directions without the time constraints typically associated with manual workflows.

Built-In Design Systems And Collaboration

One of the key features of Claude Design is its ability to automatically build and apply a company’s design system. During onboarding, the tool can analyse existing design files and codebases to replicate brand elements such as colours, typography, and components.

This ensures consistency across projects without requiring designers to manually enforce guidelines. Teams can also maintain multiple design systems and refine them over time.

Collaboration is another major focus. Users can share designs within their organisation, grant editing access, and work together in real time. The platform also supports exporting projects to formats like PDF, PPTX, and HTML, or integrating with tools such as Canva for further refinement.

Why This Matters For Creators And Teams

Design work often involves multiple iterations, feedback loops, and coordination between teams. Claude Design aims to streamline this process by reducing the time required to move from idea to execution.

For non-designers, the tool lowers the barrier to entry, making it easier to create professional-looking content. For experienced designers, it offers a way to explore more ideas quickly and focus on refinement rather than repetitive tasks.

Early feedback highlighted in the announcement suggests that teams can move from concept to working prototypes in a single session, significantly reducing turnaround time.

What It Means For Users

For users, Claude Design represents a shift toward more accessible and collaborative creative tools. It allows individuals without formal design training to bring ideas to life, while also supporting advanced workflows for professionals.

The integration with other tools and the ability to generate interactive prototypes without coding further expands its potential use cases across industries.

What Comes Next

Anthropic has indicated that additional integrations and features will be introduced in the coming weeks, making it easier to connect Claude Design with existing workflows and tools.

As AI continues to reshape creative industries, tools like Claude Design highlight a growing trend toward conversational interfaces that simplify complex tasks. While still in early preview, the platform offers a glimpse into how design processes may evolve in the near future.

Anthropic has introduced a new AI-powered design tool called Claude Design, aimed at helping users create visual content such as prototypes, presentations, and marketing assets through simple conversational inputs. The product, developed under Anthropic Labs, is currently available in research preview for paid Claude subscribers and is being rolled out gradually.

Claude Design is powered by the company’s latest vision model, Claude Opus 4.7, and is positioned as a tool that bridges the gap between technical design expertise and everyday creative needs.

A New Approach To Design Workflows

The core idea behind Claude Design is to simplify the process of creating visual content. Instead of relying on traditional design tools that require manual input and expertise, users can describe what they need, and the AI generates an initial version. From there, designs can be refined through conversation, inline comments, direct edits, or adjustable controls.

The platform supports a wide range of use cases, including creating interactive prototypes, product wireframes, pitch decks, and marketing materials. It also allows teams to quickly explore multiple design directions without the time constraints typically associated with manual workflows.

Built-In Design Systems And Collaboration

One of the key features of Claude Design is its ability to automatically build and apply a company’s design system. During onboarding, the tool can analyse existing design files and codebases to replicate brand elements such as colours, typography, and components.

This ensures consistency across projects without requiring designers to manually enforce guidelines. Teams can also maintain multiple design systems and refine them over time.

Collaboration is another major focus. Users can share designs within their organisation, grant editing access, and work together in real time. The platform also supports exporting projects to formats like PDF, PPTX, and HTML, or integrating with tools such as Canva for further refinement.

Why This Matters For Creators And Teams

Design work often involves multiple iterations, feedback loops, and coordination between teams. Claude Design aims to streamline this process by reducing the time required to move from idea to execution.

For non-designers, the tool lowers the barrier to entry, making it easier to create professional-looking content. For experienced designers, it offers a way to explore more ideas quickly and focus on refinement rather than repetitive tasks.

Early feedback highlighted in the announcement suggests that teams can move from concept to working prototypes in a single session, significantly reducing turnaround time.

What It Means For Users

For users, Claude Design represents a shift toward more accessible and collaborative creative tools. It allows individuals without formal design training to bring ideas to life, while also supporting advanced workflows for professionals.

The integration with other tools and the ability to generate interactive prototypes without coding further expands its potential use cases across industries.

What Comes Next

Anthropic has indicated that additional integrations and features will be introduced in the coming weeks, making it easier to connect Claude Design with existing workflows and tools.

As AI continues to reshape creative industries, tools like Claude Design highlight a growing trend toward conversational interfaces that simplify complex tasks. While still in early preview, the platform offers a glimpse into how design processes may evolve in the near future.

In recent weeks, tech and business circles have been активно discussing Elon Musk’s plans to launch a new messenger, XChat.

According to international media reports, the product will become part of the X ecosystem and will include features such as encryption, disappearing messages, file sharing, and chat protection.

At first glance, this looks like a step into the future.

However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear: many of these features have already long been implemented in existing solutions.

Technologies That Already Exist

While the market обсуждает the upcoming launch of XChat, the Verum Messenger platform already offers similar—and in some cases more advanced—functionality.

Among them:

— message editing
— self-destructing messages
— protection against screenshots and screen recording
— built-in financial tools
— in-chat transfers
— offline functionality

The ability to communicate without an internet connection stands out in particular—a feature that remains rare even among the largest tech companies.

The Ecosystem Race

The launch of XChat is not just the release of a new messenger. It is part of a global trend in which communication platforms are transforming into ecosystems.

Musk himself has repeatedly stated his intention to turn X into an “everything app”—an application that combines:

— communication
— finance
— digital services

However, it is important to note that this model is already being implemented by other projects.

Who Is Ahead?

Unlike XChat, which is only entering the market, Verum Messenger has already:

— integrated a financial system
— implemented digital assets
— developed an independent communication architecture
— combined multiple services within a single app

This places it not in the position of catching up, but as one of the early participants in this new wave.

A New Stage of Competition

The emergence of XChat confirms one thing: the messenger market is entering a new phase.

Competition is no longer limited to chat convenience. It is now built around:

— privacy
— independence
— financial capabilities
— service integration

And in this race, the winner is not the one who makes the loudest statements, but the one who implements real solutions faster.

Conclusion

Elon Musk’s plans to launch a new messenger confirm the global trend of industry transformation.

But the paradox is that the future being discussed is already partially here.

And it is projects like Verum Messenger that demonstrate what the next stage of digital communication could look like.