AllYouCanTech

Google’s Initiatives to Tackle SMS Fraud

text message phishing scams. Scam texts have been bothersome for quite some time, but they have surged in prevalence in recent years. Whether it’s a deceptive message regarding a missed toll road charge or a notification about a package sent to the incorrect location, fraudsters are perpetually targeting unsuspecting individuals with shrewd phishing tactics.

In response, Google announced this week that it has initiated legal action aimed at dismantling a company responsible for a significant number of texting scams. Specifically, Google disclosed that it is suing Lighthouse, a notably large operation purportedly offering tools for customers to establish their own tailored phishing schemes. Overall, Google estimates that scams linked to Lighthouse in the U.S. have compromised between 12.7 million and 115 million credit cards.

“Malicious entities created Lighthouse as a phishing-as-a-service toolkit to orchestrate and execute extensive SMS phishing campaigns,” Google remarks. “These campaigns manipulate recognized brands such as E-Z Pass to hijack people’s financial data.”

Valve Unveils Release of Its Own Computer for Steam Players

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iOS 26.2 Beta 2 Launched for Developers Featuring Fresh Updates and Bug Corrections

released by mid-December, Apple is still evaluating the forthcoming iOS 26.2 update with beta 2. We’re in the process of uncovering the new elements introduced in today’s build, but it seems the company will persist in refining the initial features rolled out in the previous beta while incorporating several additional features and fixes along the way.

For instance, Apple has already announced that Live Translation will be introduced in the European Union as part of iOS 26.2. Initially postponed due to concerns regarding the Digital Markets Act, Apple indicates that this Apple Intelligence feature will be accessible to users in the EU in December.

Live Translation enables AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4 users with an iPhone 15 Pro or later to hear a real-time translation of what someone is communicating to them, and respond vocally in their own language with a translation shown on the iPhone’s display. It’s among the more fascinating inclusions of iOS 26, and now it’s set to reach a broader user base. However, that’s merely one component of the iOS 26.2 beta narrative.

Secure Ways to Dispose of Old Smartphones

when purchasing a new smartphone: Will you opt for the latest iPhone, or bypass the iOS for an Android option? You might also be considering changing your carrier. However, if you’re not trading in your previous phone to help with the cost of the new one, you’ll need to address how to responsibly discard your original mobile device.

Indeed, your old iPhone could simply sit in a drawer gathering dust indefinitely, but it’s important to back up any personal information on the device that you wish to retain. First of all, if someone comes into possession of your old phone, your personal data could become compromised. Secondly, eventually, your old phone’s battery might naturally deteriorate, making it unusable. And as a word of caution, if you ever face a home intrusion, you certainly wouldn’t want your old phone’s

Luckily, safeguarding and erasing your smartphone data is quite an easy task. To accomplish this, we suggest utilizing a cloud backup solution such as iCloud or Google One to save those old bits and bytes remotely. Additionally, ensure that you disconnect any accounts linked to your old phone. After you’ve thoroughly reviewed your device, the final step should be conducting a factory reset to eliminate any leftover information.

Steam’s Latest VR Headset Seeks to Tackle Key VR Issues

Following speculation prior to the announcement, Valve has finally revealed the new hardware lineup for Steam: a revamped controller, a hybrid PC-console known as the Steam Machine, and a fresh VR headset — the Steam Frame. Characterized as a “streaming-first” wireless VR headset, the Steam Frame includes controllers that are compatible with your entire Steam library. They feature a divided gamepad design, providing a joystick for each hand, reminiscent of the Meta Quest 3 and 3s controllers, but clad in an all-black aesthetic adorned with Steam buttons and logos, as expected.

What makes the Steam Frame particularly thrilling is its solution to a prevalent issue with VR systems concerning the visual experience. The Frame is equipped with a 6GHz wireless adapter for both VR and non-VR streaming. This 6GHz adapter enables wireless streaming functionality. Unlike the conventional methods of connecting to a PC via DisplayPort or HDMI, the Frame utilizes the wireless adapter. This establishes a dedicated endpoint for your VR headset, but additionally, the Frame can connect through a separate general internet connection to eliminate challenges you might encounter via your local Wi-Fi network.

The general connection facilitates game downloads, updates, access to the store, and other essential online functions. The 6GHz adapter’s role is to synchronize the audio and visual streams, ideally minimizing lag or connectivity problems. When engaging in VR gaming, such connection issues can be quite disruptive.

The appeal of the Steam Frame as a noteworthy advancement

Naturally, the Steam Frame also allows for standalone usage, similar to rival VR headsets. It’s driven by a Snapdragon 8 Series processor and boasts 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM — sufficient power for playing VR games directly on the device instead of streaming, should you choose. It operates on SteamOS, akin to the Steam Deck or the new Steam Machine. Most importantly, it offers a legitimate means of playing PC VR games without the need for a tethered connection, granting you greater freedom to move. This could alleviate many constraints associated with current PC VR configurations, particularly concerning performance when utilizing a wireless connection. The Steam Frame could rival the Meta Quest 3, which is among the finest VR headsets available today.

It comes with storage options of 256GB and 1TB, and it has a microSD card slot for potential expansion. Additionally, it incorporates a rechargeable 21.6 watt-hour lithium-ion battery, a rear USB-C port for charging, a detachable integrated head strap, and inside-out camera tracking. For visuals, it offers a 2160 x 2160 LCD resolution for each eye, featuring a refresh rate of 72 to 144Hz, an IPD target range of 60mm to 70mm, and a maximum eyeglasses width of 140mm. It also boasts a significant field of view of 110 degrees. In terms of connectivity, the Steam Frame is compatible with Wi-Fi 6E via the included 6GHz adapter, Wi-Fi 7 2×2, and Bluetooth 5.3.

Going forward, it appears that excitement is about to escalate for Steam users. While streaming Steam games on your phone is possible, why would you choose that over the Steam Frame in your living space? Alternatively, you could consider the recently announced Steam Machine to enjoy those games on your living room television instead.

OpenAI Unveils Release of GPT-5.1, Improving Conversational Abilities

ChatGPT has undergone another significant enhancement, this time with the introduction of GPT-5.1. OpenAI asserts that the update will enable “easier customization” of the chatbot while offering a “smarter, more conversational” interaction overall.

Today, the company announced the rollout of GPT-5.1 in a [blog post](https://openai.com/index/gpt-5-1/), highlighting the inclusion of two new models named GPT-5.1 Instant and GPT-5.1 Thinking. Instant aims to deliver a “warmer, more intelligent” model that excels in adhering to user instructions, whereas Thinking will concentrate on providing sophisticated reasoning. OpenAI indicates that ChatGPT will not only manage simple tasks more effectively but will also possess an improved understanding of intricate tasks.

The company shared examples illustrating how the outputs from GPT-5 and GPT-5.1 Instant will vary, showing that the company’s idea of “playfulness” is indeed more apparent in the communications. Moreover, the firm mentions that GPT-5.1 Instant will employ adaptive reasoning to assess whether it should contemplate before answering more challenging inquiries, enhancing accuracy without significantly slowing down the system.

New avenues for customizing ChatGPT

Instant isn’t the sole model designed to deliver a warmer interaction, as OpenAI states that Thinking will also provide a more comforting and empathetic response mechanism, even highlighting the distinction between it and GPT-5. However, the notable point is that this “release is a significant advancement” for the models, not just in functionality but also in user-friendliness. A considerable aspect of this is attributed to the newly introduced personalization features.

In addition to adding support for GPT-5.1, users can now further tailor ChatGPT’s responses based on personality traits. The examples shared in OpenAI’s blog post present options like Candid, Quirky, Efficient, Professional, Friendly, and others. Once chosen, the personality will apply across all AI models. The prior Nerdy and Cynical options will still be available.

The company is also experimenting with more detailed customization methods, which may allow for even finer adjustment options in upcoming releases similar to the [custom instructions](https://www.bgr.com/tech/chatgpt-custom-instructions-were-only-for-paid-subscribers-but-now-you-can-use-them-for-free/) currently available for the AI. There was no mention of the recently [leaked ChatGPT group chat feature](https://www.bgr.com/2024447/chatgpt-group-chat-feature-leaked/), so we will have to wait for further details on that front. Auto will continue to enable you to depend on the AI to identify which model is most appropriate for a given task. Additionally, if the more inviting response from GPT-5.1 is excessive, you can always revert to GPT-5 through the legacy models option in ChatGPT, just as you

George RR Martin Initiates Legal Action Against ChatGPT’s Game of Thrones Fan Fiction

Creative Methods to Give New Life to Your Old Cameras

utilized DSLR cameras, compact point-and-shoot cameras from the early 2000s, vintage camcorders, or even analog cameras, there are numerous fantastic ways to repurpose them today. And these vintage cameras don’t even have to be operational to infuse them with new energy. Whether you possess a collection of old equipment in the attic or you’ve just discovered a valuable item at the antique shop, let’s delve into some imaginative methods to ensure that the potential of that photographic gear isn’t wasted.