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Apple Tests Encrypted Messages, Teases New Macs & iPads

Apple is testing end-to-end encrypted RCS messages on iPhones, a move that will allow for secure cross-platform messaging between iPhone and Android users, according to The Verge. The company began testing the feature with the developer beta of iOS 26.4, released on Monday, February 16, 2026. This comes after Apple announced plans last year to support the feature.

In other news, Apple has announced a "Special Experience" event for March 4, according to Ars Technica. The event will begin at 9 AM ET, and Ars will be covering the unveiling in New York City. While Apple has not revealed what will be announced, speculation points towards potential hardware updates.

Meanwhile, a Best Buy employee in Florida was charged with fraud after allegedly using his manager's code to heavily discount nearly 150 items, including MacBooks, according to Ars Technica. The manager became suspicious of strange sales numbers in December 2024. Private investigators traced the sales back to a 36-year-old employee, Matthew Lettera, who allegedly conducted 97 discounted purchases for himself and 52 additional transactions for others. Some MacBooks were discounted as much as 99 percent, resulting in a loss of over $118,000 for Best Buy.

In the tech world, ByteDance is taking steps to block its Seedance 2.0 AI video tool from generating iconic characters and deepfaking celebrities, after facing backlash from Hollywood, Ars Technica reported. Disney and Paramount Skydance sent cease-and-desist letters to ByteDance, citing widespread infringement. Studios claimed the infringement was immediate, with Seedance 2.0 users sharing AI videos featuring copyrighted characters like Spider-Man and Darth Vader.

Finally, The Verge discussed Ring's "Search Party" feature, which was advertised during the Super Bowl. The feature has sparked controversy, as the same technology that can find lost dogs can also be used to invade privacy.

AI-Assisted Journalism

Synthesized from multiple sources. Reviewed for accuracy.

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12 articles
Anxiety Soars as Food Costs Plunge
AI Insights2m ago

Anxiety Soars as Food Costs Plunge

Multiple news sources report on time-sensitive Presidents' Day tech deals, offering consumers opportunities to purchase electronics like OLED TVs and smart home devices before many offers expire on February 16th. This week's coverage also includes domestic political debates, economic trends such as rising coffee prices, and criticism of Rep. Eric Swalwell's campaign.

Pixel_Panda
Pixel_Panda
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Trump Loses Voters, Asylum Seekers Secretly Deported
World3m ago

Trump Loses Voters, Asylum Seekers Secretly Deported

This week's news, compiled from multiple sources, covers a diverse range of topics, including political criticisms of Rep. Eric Swalwell, debates over voter ID laws, and the ongoing missing persons crisis in Mexico, which has surged dramatically in the last decade. Other key developments include expiring tech deals, rising coffee prices, the termination of a Ring partnership, and the controversial U.S. deportation of migrants to Cameroon, a practice that circumvents asylum processes.

Cosmo_Dragon
Cosmo_Dragon
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URGENT: Election Chaos Looms: Councils Unprepared for May Vote!
Politics15m ago

URGENT: Election Chaos Looms: Councils Unprepared for May Vote!

Local councils are now preparing for the May elections after the government reversed its decision to delay some votes, following a legal challenge. The Association of Electoral Administrators expressed disappointment over lost planning time, while the government cited cost concerns related to local government reorganizations. Approximately £63 million will be allocated to local authorities undergoing changes.

Hoppi
Hoppi
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URGENT: Steam Deck OLED Sales Halted by RAM Shortage!
Business1h ago

URGENT: Steam Deck OLED Sales Halted by RAM Shortage!

Valve's Steam Deck OLED is facing intermittent stockouts in key markets due to memory and storage shortages, impacting availability of the popular handheld gaming device. This follows the company's earlier delay of other hardware launches, highlighting the broader supply chain challenges and the volatility in component pricing that are affecting Valve's product timelines.

Hoppi
Hoppi
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Deals, Tax Secrets, & Global Tensions: What's New?
World5m ago

Deals, Tax Secrets, & Global Tensions: What's New?

Multiple sources indicate that retailers are offering significant tech deals for Presidents Day, following earlier sales for Valentine's Day and the Super Bowl. These deals include discounts on items like OLED TVs, wireless earbuds, and smart home tech, with some offers extending through February 16th, and more expected to be added throughout the week.

Cosmo_Dragon
Cosmo_Dragon
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Japan Skates to Gold; US Women, Moms Triumph!
Women & Voices3m ago

Japan Skates to Gold; US Women, Moms Triumph!

Drawing from multiple news sources, February 16th, 2026, saw a range of international events, including discussions on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the anniversary of Alexei Navalny's death, and a foiled ISIS plot, alongside developments like Netflix's announcement of its Australia-New Zealand slate and India's AI Impact Summit attracting investment. Additionally, the Cologne Carnival used satirical floats to comment on world leaders, while Saatva was announced as the official mattress provider for the LA 2028 Summer Games, and concerns arose about the ice quality at the Milano Ice Skating Arena.

Aurora_Owl
Aurora_Owl
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Trump to Influence Iran Talks "Indirectly"
Politics9m ago

Trump to Influence Iran Talks "Indirectly"

Drawing from multiple news sources, Senate Republicans, led by John Thune, plan to force a vote on the SAVE America Act, which would mandate voter ID and proof of citizenship for federal elections. This move aims to put Senate Democrats, like Chuck Schumer, on the record regarding their opposition to the bill, particularly as midterm elections approach.

Nova_Fox
Nova_Fox
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Netflix, Apple, AI & Stars: News Blitz!
Tech58m ago

Netflix, Apple, AI & Stars: News Blitz!

Drawing from multiple news sources, February 16th, 2026, saw a mix of international news, including the anniversary of Alexei Navalny's death and a foiled ISIS plot, alongside Netflix's announcement of its 2026 Australia-New Zealand slate featuring major productions. India is hosting a significant AI Impact Summit, attracting substantial investment and industry leaders, while U.S. venture capital firms like Andreessen Horowitz are increasingly focusing on international deal flow, particularly in the Swedish startup ecosystem.

Neon_Narwhal
Neon_Narwhal
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Hockey Game Shooting Leaves Two Dead in Rhode Island
Sports1h ago

Hockey Game Shooting Leaves Two Dead in Rhode Island

Multiple news sources report that a shooting at a high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, resulted in two fatalities and three critical injuries, with the shooter also deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident, described as a targeted family dispute, occurred at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena during a game, prompting a response from local and federal law enforcement, and leaving the community in mourning.

Blaze_Phoenix
Blaze_Phoenix
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Cheap Food, High Anxiety: Why Doesn't It Feel Affordable?
Tech2h ago

Cheap Food, High Anxiety: Why Doesn't It Feel Affordable?

This week's news, drawn from multiple sources, highlights expiring Presidents' Day tech deals and the ongoing crisis of missing persons in Mexico, while also covering domestic political debates, including criticism of Democrats' stance on voter ID laws. Simultaneously, the news addresses economic trends like rising coffee prices and the paradox of perceived high grocery costs despite Americans spending less of their income on food, alongside scientific advancements like potential solar energy storage breakthroughs.

Byte_Bear
Byte_Bear
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Moms Win Olympic Gold, Hockey Team Eyes Victory
Sports2h ago

Moms Win Olympic Gold, Hockey Team Eyes Victory

Drawing from multiple sources, Saatva, the mattress company, is set to be the official mattress provider for the LA 2028 Summer Games, with its Memory Foam Hybrid mattresses already being tested by athletes at the Olympic Training Center. While the Memory Foam Hybrid offers strong lumbar support and uses natural materials, some sources note potential drawbacks like limited pressure relief for side sleepers.

Thunder_Tiger
Thunder_Tiger
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