WhatsApp will let you use passkeys for your backups

WhatsApp is rolling out passkeys for backups, which is great news for anyone who has been on the platform for years. This will add another layer of security to anything that's been backed up, including chats, photos, voice notes and more.

It's also convenient because passkeys don't force users to keep track of yet another password or encryption key. For the uninitiated, passkeys allow users to access personal data via biometric markers like fingerprints and face scans. However, these particular passkeys will also work with screen lock codes on certain devices.

The feature is rolling out today, but it'll take a few weeks to reach every user. WhatsApp is a gigantic global platform. Once updated, folks can get started by heading to the Settings tab.

This is just another layer of security for WhatsApp users, as these backups are already end-to-end encrypted. The platform has been doing that since 2021. It began offering passkey support just last year.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/whatsapp-will-let-you-use-passkeys-for-your-backups-130022640.html?src=rss

AYN Thor Dual-Screen Handheld : Combines Nostalgia & Power

AYN Thor Dual-Screen Handheld : Combines Nostalgia & Power

What if the Nintendo DS, a device that defined a generation of gaming, was reimagined for today’s tech-savvy world? Enter the AYN Thor Dual-Screen Handheld, a modern marvel that fuses the charm of dual-screen nostalgia with innovative innovation. With its AMOLED displays, customizable features, and powerhouse performance, this handheld doesn’t just nod to the past, […]

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OpenAI’s character cameos will let you put pets and original personas in Sora videos

OpenAI has rolled out the capability to create character cameos of your pets, doodles, original personas or even objects in the Sora app, which you can put in your videos. You can start the process by going to your profile page in the Sora app, tapping on the "Create cameo" button and then uploading a video of the character (or pet) you want the model to generate. The company says just a few seconds of footage are enough, and you can even use old Sora-generated videos as reference. 

You can then give your character a display name and describe how you want the model to animate it. In the example OpenAI uploaded, for instance, the description for a wicked green witch character reads: "She glides with a mysterious, whimsical grace, speaks in rhymes when casting spells, and her pointed hat always tilts as if listening to secrets on the wind." You can choose permissions for each character you create. Under the "Who can use this" permissions section, you can choose between several options: Only me, People I approve, Mutuals, Everyone and Everyone (excluding specific sets of users). Whenever you want to generate a Sora video with a cameo in it, you can just tag a specific character.

Sora 2 launched with a cameo feature that lets you create an avatar of yourself, but this is a new application of the capability. Cameo, the app that allows users to buy videos from celebrities, just sued OpenAI over trademark violation by using the "cameo" name. It said that OpenAI's use of the word is likely to cause consumer confusion and dilute its brand. OpenAI disagreed "that anyone can claim exclusive ownership over the word 'cameo.'"

In addition to character cameos, OpenAI has introduced "stitching," allowing you to stitch several clips together and connect videos. There's now also a leaderboard that shows the most cameod and most remixed videos.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openais-character-cameos-will-let-you-put-pets-and-original-personas-in-sora-videos-123043189.html?src=rss

Samsung Galaxy October 2025 Update: Full Details

Samsung Galaxy October 2025 Update: Full Details

Samsung has rolled out a comprehensive software update for its Galaxy smartphones, focusing on improving performance, stability, and security. While this update does not introduce new features, it emphasizes refining the core functionality of your device. If you own a Galaxy smartphone, this update is designed to enhance your phone’s overall performance and safeguard your […]

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NVIDIA DGX Spark: Your Local AI Development Hub

NVIDIA DGX Spark: Your Local AI Development Hub

What if the power of an entire AI data center could fit within the confines of a single, compact system? The NVIDIA DGX Spark boldly redefines what’s possible in artificial intelligence development, offering a solution that combines innovative performance with unmatched versatility. Imagine running complex machine learning models, processing massive datasets, and fine-tuning workflows, all […]

The post NVIDIA DGX Spark: Your Local AI Development Hub appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

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Advent calendars for 2025: Our favorites from Pokémon, Lego, Funko Pop, Magna-Tiles and more

Advent calendars aren’t just about chocolate anymore. Recent years have shown that the countdown to Christmas Day can be packed with fun surprises. Whether you’re into building Lego sets, adding more minifigures to your collection or curiously intrigued by scientific experiments, advent calendars can fill that desire (and they make for great gifts, too). Each door hides a new surprise that brings a bit of joy, nostalgia or nerdy fun to the holiday season.

Check out the rest of our gift ideas here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/advent-calendars-for-2025-our-favorites-from-pokemon-lego-funko-pop-magna-tiles-and-more-120042234.html?src=rss

YouTube is offering employees buyouts as part of an AI-focused reorganization

As part of an AI-focused reorganization, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan told employees that it will offer voluntary buyouts, according to an internal company memo. At the same time, he emphasized that there would be no specific role eliminations as part of new structure.

"Looking to the future, the next frontier for YouTube is AI, which has the potential to transform every part of the platform," Mohan wrote. "We also understand some of you may be ready for a new challenge, so we've decided now is the right time to offer a voluntary exit Program." 

The restructuring is designed to help YouTube focus on fast-growing areas like AI while "driving faster decision making and execution," the memo states. To that end, the platform is organizing into three separate product organizations: viewer products, creator and community products, and subscription products. 

Viewer products will focus on the viewer experience by making improvements to search & discovery, engagement, the living room experience and "our foundation of responsibility." Creator and community products, meanwhile, is "driving creation through genAI tools, Shorts, Live and creator support. Subscription products, as you'd expect, will operate around subscription growth across Music, Premium and OTT (YouTube TV) platforms. 

Mohan noted that YouTube has been the number one streamer in the US for the last two years. So far, it has signed up 125 million Premium and Music subscribers, along with 8 million YouTube TV subs. The platform has paid out $100 billion to its ecosystem (presumably, creators and recording artists). 

YouTube isn't the only tech giant reducing headcount while citing AI as an impetus. Amazon recently announced that it had laid off 14,000 people, while citing the need to be "lean" due to transformative technology like AI. Meanwhile, YouTube parent Alphabet announced its first-ever $100 billion quarter, largely on the strength of cloud services and search.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/youtube-is-offering-employees-buyouts-as-part-of-an-ai-focused-reorganization-120047466.html?src=rss

M5 iPad Pro Setup: Don’t Miss These 25 Hidden Tips in iPadOS 26!

M5 iPad Pro Setup: Don’t Miss These 25 Hidden Tips in iPadOS 26!

The M5 iPad Pro 2025 is a highly advanced device engineered to enhance productivity, creativity, and convenience. To unlock its full potential, it’s important to configure the device properly, explore its extensive features, and adapt it to your specific needs. The video below from HotshotTek outlines 25 essential steps to help you optimize your iPad […]

The post M5 iPad Pro Setup: Don’t Miss These 25 Hidden Tips in iPadOS 26! appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

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Google’s Quantum Leap: How Quantum Echoes Are Changing Science Forever

Google’s Quantum Leap: How Quantum Echoes Are Changing Science Forever

What if the key to solving humanity’s most complex challenges, curing diseases, creating sustainable energy, or even unraveling the mysteries of the universe, was hidden in the quantum realm? With its latest breakthrough, Google has taken a monumental step toward unlocking this potential. Powered by the innovative Willow chip and a new algorithm known as […]

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5 Best Tiny Homes Of October 2025

October 2025 has been absolutely incredible for tiny home enthusiasts. We’ve seen designs that push boundaries, challenge conventions, and prove that small spaces can deliver big on style and functionality. These aren’t your typical cookie-cutter tiny houses cramming everything into a loft bedroom. Instead, we’re looking at homes that solve real problems and create genuinely livable spaces.

What strikes me most about this month’s standout designs is how each one tackles a different challenge in tiny living. Whether it’s making homes accessible for everyone, creating space for creative work, or bringing genuine luxury to compact living, these five homes show just how far the movement has come. Each represents a different philosophy about what tiny living can be.

1. Mark VI – VIC

Finally, someone gets it right. The Mark VI – VIC is the first tiny home I’ve seen that truly prioritizes accessibility without treating it as an afterthought. Sonic Steel deserves serious credit for recognizing that climbing into a loft bedroom isn’t realistic for everyone. This single-floor design opens tiny house living to people who have been shut out of the movement entirely.

Walking through this converted shipping container feels surprisingly spacious despite the constraints. The central living room works brilliantly as both a gathering space and a natural room divider between the bedroom and kitchen. What really impressed me is how they’ve managed to fit full-sized appliances without making the kitchen feel cramped. The fridge, oven, induction cooktop, and even a microwave are all here, along with storage that actually makes sense for daily living.

What we like

• Single-floor accessibility opens tiny living to seniors and people with mobility challenges who’ve been excluded from loft-based designs.

• Full kitchen with proper appliances means you can actually cook real meals instead of surviving on microwaved food.

What we dislike

• Container width feels restrictive when you’re trying to move around, especially with two people.

• No vertical storage means you really have to commit to minimalism, whether you want to or not.

2. Nouvelle Danse

Baluchon continues to blow my mind with their attention to detail, and Nouvelle Danse might be their masterpiece yet. This isn’t just a tiny house with a sewing corner tucked in somewhere – it’s a purpose-built creative studio that happens to be a beautiful home. The fact that they’ve managed to integrate a full sewing workspace into a two-bedroom layout without everything feeling cramped is nothing short of architectural wizardry.

The exterior alone makes this home worth talking about. That interplay between natural wood and matte black trim creates visual drama that photographs beautifully but also works in person. Inside, light pours through every window, creating the kind of bright, inspiring atmosphere that creative work demands. The workspace integration feels seamless rather than forced, which is exactly what you want when your home doubles as your studio.

What we like

• Purpose-built creative workspace proves tiny homes can accommodate specialized professional needs without compromise.

• Natural light flooding every corner eliminates that cramped, tiny house feeling.

What we dislike

• Specialized design limits appeal to people who don’t need a dedicated creative workspace.

• Baluchon’s premium craftsmanship comes with a price tag that puts it out of reach for many buyers.

3. The Escapada

The Murphy bed concept isn’t new, but Tiny Tect has executed it flawlessly in the Escapada. This is exactly the kind of flexible thinking tiny homes need more of. Instead of accepting that bedrooms are dead space during the day, they’ve created a room that transforms based on what you actually need. Office in the morning, yoga studio in the afternoon, guest room when friends visit.

At just 20 feet long, every design decision matters, and Tiny Tect has made smart choices throughout. The kitchen doesn’t feel like an afterthought – there’s room for a proper oven, cooktop, and cutouts for full-sized appliances. Those wraparound windows are genius for making the narrow width feel more spacious. The optional loft keeps storage options open without dominating the design like most tiny house lofts do.

What we like

• Murphy bed transforms the bedroom into whatever space you need throughout the day.

• Smart appliance cutouts mean you can have a washing machine and a full-sized fridge without sacrificing functionality.

What we dislike

• Setting up and breaking down the bed daily could get old fast for some people.

• Narrow width creates traffic flow challenges when two people are trying to move around.

4. The Homesteader

Family living in 272 square feet sounds impossible until you step inside the Homesteader. Nordic & Spruce has created something special here – a home that proves families don’t need massive houses to live well together. The Scandinavian design philosophy shines through every detail, creating spaces that feel calm and intentional rather than chaotic and cramped.

What sets this apart is how the design promotes wellbeing alongside functionality. Those clean lines and natural materials create a sense of serenity that’s genuinely beneficial for family mental health. The ANSI and NOAH certifications give peace of mind about structural integrity, which matters when you’re making this kind of lifestyle change with kids involved. This home works for families ready to embrace intentional living.

What we like

• Proves families can thrive in small spaces when design prioritizes flow and functionality over square footage.

• Scandinavian aesthetic creates a calming atmosphere that supports family wellbeing and intentional living.

What we dislike

• $75,000 price point challenges the affordability goals that draw many families to tiny living.

• Successful family living requires major lifestyle changes and significant downsizing of possessions.

5. The Harper

The Harper takes tiny home design into luxury territory without apology. Those curved walls alone set it apart from every other tiny house on the market. Paired with architectural birch plywood and rich oak flooring, this feels like a boutique hotel suite rather than a compromise on space. The 2.5-meter kitchen with Caesarstone countertops proves that tiny doesn’t have to mean cheap materials or finishes.

Every storage solution feels considered and elegant rather than purely functional. The built-in lounge seating hides storage without looking like furniture designed around storage needs. That queen bed with integrated storage and curved sanctuary walls creates a bedroom that rivals luxury hotels. Floor-to-ceiling windows ensure the space never feels closed in or dark.

What we like

• Premium materials and curved architecture create a genuine luxury experience that rivals high-end conventional homes.

• Thoughtful storage integration maintains elegant aesthetics while maximizing every available space.

What we dislike

• Luxury features and custom curved construction likely price this out of reach for most tiny home buyers.

• Sophisticated materials and unique design elements may require specialized maintenance and repairs.

Where Tiny Living Is Headed

These five homes represent different visions of what tiny living can become. We’re seeing the movement mature beyond basic shelter into sophisticated architecture that often delivers better living experiences than conventional homes. Size constraints aren’t holding designers back – they’re pushing them to create smarter, more thoughtful spaces that actually improve how we live daily.

From accessibility-focused designs to creative workspaces, family-friendly layouts to luxury finishes, October 2025 shows tiny living continuing to evolve while staying true to its core values of sustainability, affordability, and intentional living. The future of tiny homes looks brighter and more diverse than ever.

The post 5 Best Tiny Homes Of October 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.