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The Fulu Foundation is offering a cash bounty to anyone who can break Ring cameras free from Amazon’s data ecosystem. The goal isn’t breaking into devices for misuse or surveillance.

It is about giving owners control over devices already installed in their homes, without forcing those cameras to constantly send data back to Amazon.

The bounty targets Ring’s video doorbell cameras, which are deeply tied to Amazon’s cloud services. Participants are being asked to find a way to prevent those devices from sending data to Amazon servers, without disabling the cameras themselves.

For many involved, the project is a response to growing discomfort with how Ring devices can be used beyond simple home security.

Inside the bounty and what hackers are being asked to do

The bounty is being offered by Fulu, which is a privacy-focused non-profit organization. Fulu cofounder Kevin O’Reilly told Wired, “People who install security cameras are looking for more security, not less. At the end of the day, control is at the heart of security. If we don’t control our data, we don’t control our devices.”

The challenge pays at least $10,000, with more pledged, to anyone who can modify a Ring camera so it works locally, blocks Amazon data sharing, and keeps features like motion detection and night vision intact.

The solution must rely on readily available and inexpensive tools, and the steps must be clear enough that a moderately technical user could complete the modification in under an hour. The winner will not be required to publish their methods.

Doing so could expose them to legal risk under Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which restricts the circumvention of digital locks. O’Reilly says that, as with other Fulu bounties, the decision to publish or keep the work private will be left to the winner.

Why Ring cameras are under scrutiny

Concern has intensified after Ring expanded its Search Party feature, which lets anyone using the Neighbors app help locate lost pets and items through nearby cameras. However, critics argue that personal devices are quietly becoming part of a surveillance network.

That unease has only grown as Ring’s ambitions have become clearer. CEO Jamie Siminoff has spoken about using Ring’s massive camera network to “zero out crime,” positioning the platform as a tool for large-scale crime prevention rather than just personal safety.

These concerns exist against a longer backdrop of skepticism toward Amazon’s handling of user data. A previous Wired investigation revealed internal warnings about weak data safeguards, deepening public concern over potential data misuse.

Recent reports have added to those concerns, including findings that Ring’s Android app allows undisclosed third parties to track users and how your next walk past a Ring camera could turn into a biometric scan.

Whether the bounty succeeds or not, it highlights a growing demand for transparency and autonomy in connected home devices. Meanwhile, if you are not interested in sharing data, Ring does allow users to opt out, and here’s how to disable the Search Party feature.

Samsung has launched its latest Galaxy Book 6 lineup in the United States. It comprises three models: Book 6, Book 6 Pro, and Book 6 Ultra.

While all the notebooks are powered by the Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake) chipsets, built on Intel’s 18A manufacturing process, they feature slightly different chipsets.

Galaxy Book 6 arrives with Panther Lake power

The entry-level variant, Galaxy Book 6, starts from $1,049.99, which places it very close to Apple’s M4 MacBook Air ($999). It comes with either a 14-inch or 16-inch IPS panel, with touchscreen being optional on the latter.

Buyers also get Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.4, and Ethernet connectivity with the device.

Moving up the price ladder, we have the Galaxy Book 6 Pro, which starts from $1,599.99 for the 14-inch variant with an AMOLED touchscreen (with an option to upgrade to the 16-inch touchscreen variant).

It’s worth mentioning that the 14-inch variant is just 11.6 mm thin and weighs around 1.23 kilograms, making it one of the lighter options in the segment. Both feature a vapor chamber for improved sustained performance.

Book 6 Ultra offers top-tier specs and RTX graphics

Book 6 Ultra sits at the top of the lineup with a starting price tag of $2,449.99.

It is only available with a 16-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x touchscreen with an anti-reflective coating, up to 64GB of LPDDR5X RAM, up to 2TB of SSD storage, and an optional upgrade to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 laptop GPU.

Both the Galaxy Book 6 Pro and the Book 6 Ultra offer up to 30 hours of video playback. The laptops will be available in the United States fromMarch 11, 2026. If you reserve the device, you’ll get a $30 credit and up to $900 in trade-in credit.

Having been born in the late ’90s, the Toy Story films were a big part of my life growing up, and the franchise is set to explore a new generation of childhood with its fifth movie. Directed and written by Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, WALL-E), Toy Story 5 follows Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack), and Bonnie’s (Scarlett Spears) other toys when their owner receives the sinister smart tablet, Lilypad (Greta Lee). As Bonnie becomes engrossed with her new gadget, her old pal Woody (Tom Hanks) returns to help his friends stop Lilypad from replacing them.

Some audiences, including myself, have argued that the franchise should’ve ended with Toy Story 3, as the film wrapped up everything on a tight, emotional knot. Though Toy Story 4 featured top-notch animation and a humorous, heartfelt story, it didn’t turn out to be the best way to cap off Woody and co.’s adventures together. Toy Story 5, on the other hand, tells a much-needed story in this modern age, where children play with phones and tablets rather than dolls or action figures.

Now that the first trailer for Toy Story 5 has been released, it looks like the franchise is back on the right track. The video shows legacy characters reuniting to face a new generation of high-tech toys. With its beloved brand of witty, tender storytelling, Pixar has brought us a sequel that will appeal to young and old audiences alike.

Toy Story 5 goes back to basics

Though the Toy Story franchise has always put Woody, Buzz, and Jessie at the forefront, it has often balanced their narratives with those of the supporting characters. We’ve seen toys like Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, Rex (Wallace Shawn), Slinky (Blake Clark), and Hamm (John Ratzenberger) bring their own charm and energy to the films as they support the main characters, making them beloved mainstays of Toy Story.

However, Toy Story 4 focused so heavily on Woody, Forky (Tony Hale), and Bo Peep (Annie Potts), with newer side characters taking up much of the film’s runtime. As a result, all the other returning characters seemed to fade into the background in Toy Story 4, making the film a lackluster conclusion to the franchise as a whole.

Thankfully, Toy Story 5 gives Pixar another chance to stick the landing. This sequel will naturally feature some new toy characters, including Atlas (Craig Robinson), Smarty Pants (Conan O’Brien), Snappy (Shelby Rabara), and Dr. Nutcase (Matty Matheson). However, rather than follow Woody outside of Bonnie’s orbit, it seems like the upcoming sequel will have a greater focus on him, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of Bonnie’s toys.

Like in Toy Story 3, all of Bonnie’s toys seem to share their struggle as they fight against Lilypad, who threatens to take everyone’s place in Bonnie’s life. However, we can see the struggle is especially heavy on Jessie, who took Woody’s place as leader of Bonnie’s toys in Toy Story 4.

With Lilypad in the picture, Jessie says that she is “losing Bonnie to this device.” We see Jessie feeling the same kind of rejection that Old Western Woody experienced when the space-age Buzz won over Andy as his favorite toy in the first Toy Story film. Both protagonists share the same pain of being replaced by someone new.

This makes Woody’s return in Toy Story 5 natural and fitting. Hearing Jessie’s plea, he has come back to help her through the struggle he faced when the franchise began, bringing Toy Story’s emotional arc full circle.

Toy Story 5 is a timely, meta tale

The idea of Bonnie’s toys clashing with smart devices was an easy, natural way for Pixar writers to modernize the decades-old Toy Story franchise. This sequel tells a relevant story about how technology, social media, and AI are consuming people’s time and attention, leaving toys like Woody, Buzz, and Jessie appearing old-fashioned and obsolete. This is best encapsulated by Lilypad calling the bald-spotted Woody an “old man toy” in Toy Story 5.

However, Toy Story 5 isn’t a mere cash grab. Pixar has already been careful about how it handles sequels, taking years or even decades to develop these stories until they think they’re ready to animate. Tim Allen said in an interview that they weren’t making Toy Story 5 for the money and that the fifth film has a “very, very clever story.”

In an interview with Empire Magazine, director Andrew Stanton showed the care and thought he put into exploring toys, technology, and modern-day childhood in Toy Story 5. He said, “[Toy Story 5]’s not even about a battle so much as the realization of an existential problem: that nobody’s really playing with toys anymore. Technology has changed everybody’s lives, but we’re asking what that means for us – and to our kids. We can’t just get away with making tech the villain.”

Toy Story 5’s narrative hits especially hard as it reflects Pixar’s role in present-day Hollywood. Since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down cinemas, recent Pixar movies like Luca, Turning Red, Onward, and Soul haven’t performed as well at the box office. After the film industry recovered, Pixar originals like Elemental and Elio still had their fair share of struggles in theaters. Even the Toy Story spinoff Lightyear bombed in theaters, making around $218 million against a $200 million budget, according to The Numbers.

Just as the toys clash with Lilypad in Toy Story 5, Pixar has struggled to compete with other big-budget films for viewers’ attention in theaters. Like Woody and his gang, we feel a sense of nostalgia and longing for the younger days of Pixar’s golden years, which brought original classics like Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc., The Incredibles, WALL-E, and Up. But when we see Woody’s bald spot, we’re reminded of the harsh reality that not all good things last forever, which makes us want to cherish our experiences with Toy Story even more.

In the end, Toy Story 5 is all but guaranteed to attract a massive audience this summer. Toy Story has always been one of Pixar’s most successful IPs, with all of its main installments being massive critical and commercial hits. But with a fresh story and plenty of beloved characters at the forefront, the franchise’s fifth film could be what revitalizes Toy Story and Pixar.

Watch Toy Story 5 in theaters on June 19, 2026.

We’ve all been there. You spend one weekend nursing a breakup with nothing but sad indie folk, and suddenly, Spotify thinks you’re a completely different person, one who apparently wants to live in a cabin and cry forever.

The algorithm means well, but it’s been quite passive (or rather defensive, I’d say). Until now, maybe.

From passive to proactive personalization

A teardown of Spotify version 9.1.28.385 (via Android Authority) has revealed code strings pointing to a new Notes feature tied to your Taste Profile, the invisible engine behind Discover Weekly, Wrapped, and all those “we think you’ll like this” moments.

The feature would let you type text-based feedback directly in the app, with a natural-language prompt that reads “I’ve been listening to a lot of…” to get started.

Strings in the unreleased version of the code suggest you’ll be able to add, edit, and delete your feedback.

However, the app might limit both the number of notes and the number of characters per note. Delete one, and Spotify says it’ll have “less impact on your taste profile.” So choose your words wisely.

How the new Taste Profile Notes might work

Right now, the only way to tweak your Taste Profile is by excluding tracks or playlists that are throwing it off. That’s a purely defensive move. Notes would be the first time users can go on offense and proactively shape what the algorithm serves up.

The same app build also hints at custom emoji reactions for Spotify Messages, because apparently, six emojis weren’t enough emotional range for your friends’ listening activity.

No launch date yet, and APK teardowns are never guarantees. But this one feels inevitable. After all, if you can give ChatGPT custom instructions, why can’t you tell Spotify you’ve moved on from your sad folk phase?

CES this year was packed with humanoid robots. From LG’s CLOiD to Boston Dynamics’ Atlas, the show floor was filled with robots designed to handle everything from household chores to assembling cars. Now, Chinese smartphone maker Honor is set to enter the space and plans to unveil its own humanoid robot at the upcoming MWC trade show in Barcelona.

Honor has released a teaser offering a glimpse of the robot, though it provides no details about its design or functionality. A report from Bloomberg suggests the robot could focus on consumer-oriented tasks rather than industrial or household applications, with shopping assistance potentially serving as a key use case.

That positioning would set it apart from many of the humanoid robots showcased earlier this year, which largely emphasized factory work or domestic chores, and instead point to a service-focused device designed to interact with users in retail or other commercial settings.

Honor is expected to share more details during its MWC keynote on March 1. In addition to the robot, the company is reportedly set to showcase the Honor Robot Phone, first displayed at CES in January. Honor will also unveil its next-generation foldable, the Honor Magic V6, alongside the MagicPad 4 tablet and MagicBook Pro 14 laptop.

Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4(s) are right around the corner, and the biggest improvements are coming to the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. Samsung’s flagship earbuds will reportedly get head gestures, a feature that has been available on the AirPods Pro for quite a while (via Sammyguru).

Basically, head gestures let you respond to notifications by nodding to say yes and shaking to say no. When there’s an incoming call on my iPhone, I can simply nod or shake to answer or reject the call; the same applies to incoming messages.

Head gestures could finally come to Galaxy Buds (Pro)

The feature really helps in situations when I don’t have my handy (it’s either in my pocket or the backpack).

On Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, head gestures should allow users to accept/reject calls, answer Bixby’s yes/no queries, hear/stop notifications, and dismiss alarms, timers, and reminders.

Along with head gestures, the Buds 4 Pro should also get a “find my phone” button, essentially a mechanical shortcut for ringing your smartphone, built into the charging case.

Users should be able to press the button on the charging case twice to play a sound on their smartphone if they’ve misplaced it in the same room.

Camera remote seems to be borrowed from AirPods as well

Samsung has taken another page from Apple’s playbook: “Camera Remote.” The feature will allow users to start a video recording or snap pictures by pinching or holding one of the earbud stems.

It may seem like a small addition, but I use the feature on my AirPods Pro frequently, especially for group shots, tripod setups, or hands-free capture.

I saved the bad news for last: neither the Buds 4 nor the Buds 4 Pro will feature a speaker on their charging case, something that was a part of the initial rumors.

For now, that happens to be the only disappointment from the Buds 4 lineup (hopefully).

One of the coolest features of Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series, likely reserved for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, is Privacy Display. Using directional OLED pixels and clever software implementation, the feature can hide the entire screen (or specific parts) when viewed from an angle, preventing shoulder surfing in public areas.

We’ve also seen the feature in a couple of hands-on pictures so far, and it looks, well, impressive.

Chinese brands are quite impressed from Samsung’s Privacy Display

Turns out it wasn’t just me who was impressed with the feature. Renowned Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station claims that “domestic manufacturers” (referring to Chinese smartphone makers) are testing a “spy screen.”

It is basically a “hardware-level” privacy screen solution that sounds suspiciously similar to Samsung’s approach. The tipster also shares a picture that shows how the technology would work in real life (clear from the front, extremely dull from an angle).

By domestic manufacturers, the tipster likely means brands like Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi, or OnePlus, some of which also sell their smartphones outside the Chinese market.

Could privacy screens be a new flagship trend?

“Spy screen” seems an oversimplification of the technology that hides the screen from bad eyes, but it’s really the “hardware level” phrasing that I’m the most curious about.

Samsung’s version of the feature includes both hardware- and software-level implementation. Rumors indicate that the feature can detect when the user is entering sensitive information, such as passwords or OTPs, and automatically dim the relevant portion of the screen.

However, whether the Chinese version of the “hardware-level” solution is simply an in-built privacy screen protector (in which case it could affect the smartphone’s viewing angles), or includes an on/off switch (controlled by the software), is something we’re yet to find out.

What’s clear, however, is that privacy screens could become a flagship trend in the coming years, at least for Android smartphones first, and maybe we’ll see Apple implement it on an iPhone two to three years from now.

MOFT has officially rolled out its new snap-on MagSafe wallet, first unveiled at CES 2026, and it brings Apple Find My tracking into an ultra-slim design.

The accessory combines three everyday functions into one attachment, working as a MagSafe wallet, a fold-out phone stand, and a trackable item you can locate through Apple’s Find My network.

At just 0.25 inches thick, MOFT calls it the thinnest trackable wallet stand with Find My support. The accessory is designed for iPhone users who want fewer add-ons attached to their phone, without giving up everyday utility.

The Trackable Snap-on Phone Stand & Wallet is priced at $50. It can hold up to two cards, unfolds into a stable kickstand, and doubles as a grip for more comfortable one-handed use.

A wallet, a stand, and a tracker in one

The biggest addition is Find My integration. The wallet can be tracked globally using Apple’s Find My network, helping users locate it if it’s misplaced or left behind.

It can trigger a 70dB alert, making it easier to locate. Power comes from a rechargeable battery that delivers up to 6 months of use after 1.5 hours of wireless charging. The wallet attaches magnetically using MagSafe, with a snap force rated at 15N.

The Trackable Snap-on Phone Stand & Wallet works with iPhone 12 and newer models, including Pro and Pro Max versions, and can be used with MagSafe-compatible cases. The stand supports three viewing modes: portrait, landscape, and a floating angle for video calls.

MOFT uses vegan leather for the exterior, with a soft-touch finish designed to resist stains and color fading. The wallet measures 3.8 by 2.5 inches, weighs only 62g, and comes in four colors: Terracotta, Misty Cove, Jet Black, and Blackberry.

I do wish it could hold more than two cards, especially for people who still carry extra cards or some cash. That limitation aside, the overall utility is hard to ignore.

Keeping the wallet this thin while doubling as a sturdy stand and adding Find My tracking makes it a practical accessory for iPhone users who value simplicity over bulk.