From security and privacy concerns to good old-fashioned cringe, there are all kinds of reasons you might want to delete your old social media posts. And there are plenty of tools for the job out there. The problem: most tend to focus on one or two social media networks. Redact, however, is a paid tool with support for deleting posts on 28 different services.

You can use it to scan for old posts and choose what to delete, or you can search for posts that mention specific topics. It can also be used to delete posts on a schedule—this is perfect if, for example, you wanted to delete all Bluesky posts a month after you post them. It’s a lot of power, basically, and it runs locally on your computer, meaning you’re in control.

The services supported are broad, including retro social networks you haven’t thought about in ages alongside common work tools. The complete list of supported networks is Bluesky, Bumble, Deviantart, Discord, Disqus, Facebook, Flickr, Github, Gyazo, email (anything that supports IMAP), Imgur, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Medium, MyAnimeList, Pinterest, Quora, Reddit, Skype, Slack, Stack Exchange, Steam, Telegram, Tumblr, Twitter, Vimeo, WordPress, and Yelp. That’s a broad cross-section of the social web, ranging from dating apps to business tools.

How to use Redact

To get started, you’ll need to download the application and create an account. After that you can start signing into the services you want to delete posts from, then choose which posts you want to delete. If you use Chrome, there’s support for grabbing all the sites you’re currently logged into from there.

Unless you pay for a subscription you will quickly notice all kinds of limitations—the free plan only supports Facebook, Twitter, Discord, and Reddit, and even for those networks there are limits on how far back you can scan for messages and how many message you can delete. The free version is really only useful for getting a feel for the service.

You will need a paid plan for most features—plans start at $7.99 per month, which works out to $95.88 per year (there is no annual discount). That adds up for ongoing use, granted, though if you’re just emptying out old posts from a bunch of accounts you might only need to pay for a single month. The Ultimate plan is necessary if you want to delete files from “work” accounts including Slack, Github, and Stack Exchange—that plan starts at $14.99 per month, which works out to $179.88 per year.

Credit: Justin Pot

The process works the same for most social media networks and service: You sign into your account and can then start scanning for and deleting posts. There are four main modes: Preview, which lets you scan for posts and browse them; Deletion, which deletes everything without asking any questions; Select & Delete, which lets you check off the posts you want to delete before proceeding; and Schedule Deletion, which lets you automatically delete posts on an ongoing basis. Note that, for scheduled deletion to work, you will need to leave the application installed and running on your device.

Credit: Justin Pot

It’s worth noting that every application supported has an Easy and an Advanced form. How this works depends on which social network you’re using. Reddit’s advanced form, for example, lets you filter posts by subreddit, the kind of post, keywords, the NSFW tag, and more. You can even opt to not delete posts that have a certain amount of karma. There are similar advanced rules for every network, meaning you can really take control of what you want to delete.

There are numerous options to explore here, all tailored to the specific social network you’re trying to clear out. The user interface explains what everything does and, when there are limitations, what those limitations are. If you’re looking for a way to wipe your posts from a bunch of different social networks, all with one tool, Redact is worth trying out.

Save up to $900 on the Galaxy S25 family of phones when you trade in your old one or save $300 without trade-in.

It’s been a while since Konami teased Silent Hill f, a mainline game in the franchise that’s set in 1960s rural Japan instead of the titular town. Now, the publisher has released a full trailer for the much-awaited game at an online event livestreamed on YouTube. Konami’s Motoi Okamoto, who’s in charge of the Silent Hill franchise, said the theme of the game is finding “beauty in terror,” which is common in Japanese horror. He explained that when something is too beautiful and perfect, it becomes deeply unsettling. Okamoto said the developers wanted to examine how the elements of beauty and terror can co-exist in a psychological horror story.

Indeed, the world of Silent Hill f is beautiful, even during moments that are supposed to be terrifying. It’s set in the fictional town of Ebisugaoka based on the town of Kanayama, Gero in Gifu, which is mostly made up of mountains and forest. In the game, you play as high school student Shimizu Hinako who has to solve puzzles and confront monsters to survive after her hometown was consumed by a fog that transformed it into a grotesque copy of the real world. The game’s setting was mostly imagined by Ryukishi07 known for the When They Cry visual novel horror and murder mystery series. 

Silent Hill f doesn’t have a release date yet, but it will be available on the Playstation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Epic Games.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/silent-hill-f-trailer-shows-the-games-beautiful-backdrop-and-unsettling-mood-123024347.html?src=rss

HP CEO Wins JUST Capital’s Lifetime Achievement Award

Enrique Lores, the CEO of HP Inc., has been honored with the prestigious JUST Capital Lifetime Achievement Award. His remarkable journey from an intern to the leader of one of the world’s most innovative technology companies is a testament to his dedication, talent and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Lores began his illustrious career at HP as an intern, a position that allowed him to gain a deep understanding of the company’s culture and values. Over the years, he climbed the corporate ladder, taking on various roles that showcased his strategic vision and leadership abilities. Today, as CEO, he continues to embody the principles that have made HP a cornerstone of the tech industry.

HP History

Since its inception, HP Inc. has focused on three core audiences: employees, customers and stockholders. This triad of priorities has been the foundation of the company’s success, fostering a culture of innovation, customer satisfaction and shareholder value. Lores’ long tenure at the company has deeply tied him to these ideals, making him an exemplary leader who understands and upholds HP’s commitment to its stakeholders.

Under Lores’ leadership, HP has flourished, becoming one of the best companies to work for, invest in and buy from. His vision has driven the company to new heights, emphasizing sustainability, diversity and inclusion. These efforts have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by HP Inc.’s high ranking in the JUST Capital top companies list, where it stands second only to HPE.

What Sets Enrique Lores Apart

What sets Enrique Lores apart as a CEO is not just his professional achievements but his personal qualities. Despite his high-ranking position, he remains an unusually approachable and humble leader. His warmth and friendliness have earned him a reputation as one of the most down-to-earth CEOs in the industry. Employees at all levels feel comfortable approaching him, knowing that their feedback and concerns will be met with genuine interest and understanding.

This approachable demeanor extends beyond the walls of HP. Lores is known for his active engagement with customers and stockholders, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are met. His ability to connect with people on a personal level has fostered a sense of trust and loyalty that permeates every aspect of HP’s operations.

In addition to his interpersonal skills, Lores is a visionary leader who has steered HP through some of its most challenging times. His strategic initiatives have not only stabilized the company but also propelled it forward, positioning HP as a leader in sustainability and social responsibility. His commitment to these principles is reflected in HP’s numerous accolades and awards, further solidifying its reputation as a pioneer in the tech industry.

A Fitting Award

Enrique Lores’ recognition with the JUST Capital Lifetime Achievement Award is a fitting tribute to his exceptional career and his contributions to HP. His journey from intern to CEO is an inspiring example of what can be achieved through hard work, dedication and a steadfast commitment to one’s values. Lores has not only led HP to success but has also set a benchmark for ethical leadership in the corporate world.

As someone who has had the privilege of knowing Enrique Lores personally, I can attest to his character and competence. He is truly one of the most caring and capable individuals I have ever met, and his leadership style embodies the very best of what a CEO should be. His dedication to his employees, customers and stockholders is unwavering, and his ability to balance these priorities with grace and humility is truly remarkable.

Wrapping Up

Enrique Lores is a deserving recipient of the JUST Capital Lifetime Achievement Award. His journey at HP is a testament to his exceptional leadership and commitment to the company’s core values. Under his guidance, HP has become a beacon of innovation, sustainability and inclusivity, setting new standards for excellence in the tech industry. I believe that Enrique Lores is not only an outstanding CEO but also one of the most genuine and caring individuals I know. His recognition with this award is a well-deserved honor that celebrates his remarkable contributions to HP and the broader business community.

The DJI Power 1000 portable power station is capable of 2200W output and dropped in price by 58%.

The company behind Roomba robovacs told investors earlier this week that revenue was substantially down and it’s struggling to pay its debts. Amazon was briefly tapped to acquire the robot company iRobot, but the threat of a European Commission investigation led to the retailer terminating the deal — apparently happy enough to pay off the $94 million termination fee.

That, however, isn’t enough to tackle the $200 million loan iRobot took out to survive long enough for Amazon to come to the rescue. It’s extra rough when the company announced, just the week before, a bunch of new models, including a new Roomba that can compact debris and dust, so it only needs to be emptied every few weeks.

At the same time, rival robot vacuum cleaners are getting more versatile, more complicated and more intriguing. This year’s CES had a standout barrage of new robovacs that can multitask and even pack robot arms inside, like something from a cartoon.

But many of these devices haven’t yet launched in earnest, while iRobot has delivered solid floor cleaners for years. Hopefully, it can continue that run.

— Mat Smith

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Apple Mac Studio M4 Max review

A creative powerhouse.

Engadget

The Mac Studio is Apple’s ultimate performance computer, and that’s true with either an M4 Max or an M3 Ultra processor. It might seem like a step backward, but the M3 Ultra is indeed Apple’s best-performing processor. But it comes at a cost. The M3 Ultra starts at $4,000 and goes up from there if you want to boost other specs to match it. We tested the M4 Max model — the one most people will want as the base configuration is half the price. Read on for our review, but it’s a solid proposition for creators.

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Microsoft might finally be getting into handhelds

With a PC maker partner.

A report from Windows Central says Microsoft is partnering with a PC maker to create a portable device, codenamed Keenan. It would feature Xbox design elements, likely run Windows 11 and could be revealed this year.

The plan may be to simplify Windows for handheld use, potentially with a launcher or console-like interface — one of the major pain points on handheld gaming PCs, and something SteamOS and Steam Decks largely avoid.

Jason Ronald, VP of Next Generation at Microsoft, hinted at these projects at CES earlier this year. He said Microsoft wants to bring “the best of Xbox and Windows together” and hinted there would be more to share later this year.

Continue reading.

PlayStation experiments with AI-powered characters you can talk to

They may even offer contextual hints to improve your chances.

Sony

An internal video from Sony’s PlayStation group was leaked to The Verge, demonstrating an AI-powered version of Aloy, the Horizon game series’ protagonist.

Aloy was able to both narrate and converse with the presenter as you play the game. The character could also respond in real-time to questions, with a synthesized voice that matched facial animations. The face-to-face chat between the presenter and the on-screen character wasn’t super remarkable, but Aloy’s running commentary was a little more intriguing. She could explain enemies typically found in the surrounding area and flag her own health levels and that she’s under attack.

Unfortunately, the video was pulled offline, but with GDC around the corner, hopefully, Sony will have more to share soon.

Continue reading.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-121544992.html?src=rss

Welcome to Edition 7.35 of the Rocket Report! SpaceX’s steamroller is still rolling, but for the first time in many years, it doesn’t seem like it’s rolling downhill. After a three-year run of perfect performance—with no launch failures or any other serious malfunctions—SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket has suffered a handful of issues in recent months. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s next-generation Starship rocket is having problems, too. Kiko Dontchev, SpaceX’s vice president of launch, addressed some (but not all) of these concerns in a post on X this week. Despite the issues with the Falcon 9, SpaceX has maintained a remarkable launch cadence. As of Thursday, SpaceX has launched 28 Falcon 9 flights since January 1, ahead of last year’s pace.

As always, we welcome reader submissions. If you don’t want to miss an issue, please subscribe using the box below (the form will not appear on AMP-enabled versions of the site). Each report will include information on small-, medium-, and heavy-lift rockets as well as a quick look ahead at the next three launches on the calendar.

Alpha rocket preps for weekend launch. While Firefly Aerospace is making headlines for landing on the Moon, its Alpha rocket is set to launch again as soon as Saturday morning from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The two-stage, kerosene-fueled rocket will launch a self-funded technology demonstration satellite for Lockheed Martin. It’s the first of up to 25 launches Lockheed Martin has booked with Firefly over the next five years. This launch will be the sixth flight of an Alpha rocket, which has become a leader in the US commercial launch industry for dedicated missions with one-ton-class satellites.

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These days, we all could use a bit of quiet time away from the rise and grind. That’s where meditation comes in. This practice may not be the ultimate cure-all for everything that ails you like some claim, but it can still help with sleep, stress, mood and focus. I’ve been meditating most of my adult life, with varying degrees of regularity, and I’ve tried plenty of different techniques. I’ve done silent retreats. I’ve done transcendental meditation (RIP David Lynch.) I’ve followed along in crowded rooms. This is something well worth your time and effort.

This is where meditation apps can come into play. Of course, practicing mindfulness doesn’t require an app; people have been doing it for thousands of years, with nary a smartphone in sight. But mindfulness apps can be useful in a number of ways. They provide access to all kinds of guided meditations to suit different styles. Some even offer social connections, which can motivate you to keep up your practice via the magic of peer pressure. They are also particularly well-suited to beginners, with many of them offering a free trial. With all of this in mind, I downloaded some of the most popular meditation apps and set about sitting calmly on a comfortable chair to test them out. What follows is a comparison aimed at real people just looking to squeeze a bit more joy and relaxation out of daily life.

How we tested meditation apps

Every brain is different, so I did not rate these apps based on if they sync up with my preferred meditation style. First and foremost, I looked for apps that cater to various methods and those that offer guided meditations that go beyond what’s free on YouTube. All of the items on this list are available on both Android and iOS, so you won’t have to worry about something being only for iPhone owners.

Of course, there’s lots of free stuff out there, from podcasts and videos on YouTube to audio tracks on streaming services. You can even find guided breathing sessions on an Apple Watch or Fitbit, as well as meditations in Fitness+, Samsung Health or any number of workout video providers. For this guide, I focused on apps that stood out in some way. I liked apps with huge libraries of guided meditations and those that offer additional mindfulness activities, like yoga routines. I also looked for easy-to-use apps with well-designed layouts. You don’t want to start your meditation journey with a clunky app that actually increases anxiety.

The most important thing with meditation is to keep doing it, so I awarded points for clever gamification elements, simple social network integration and anything else that encourages repeat visits. Finally, I considered extra features that set an app apart from the glut of competitors out there. For example, some meditation apps offer novel ways to track your progress, access to yoga routines and a whole lot more.

At the end of the day, each of these apps has its strengths. But if installing an app or using a device is not how you prefer to meditate, you can always turn off your phone and find a quiet room or environment. For those of us who need a little help from a digital guru, though, here are our favorite apps for meditation.

Other meditation gear we tested

Brain-tracking wearables have been around for years, but there are some newer devices that have been tailor-made for meditators. These gadgets track the brain during meditations and offer real-time feedback. It’s a real boon for the data-obsessed, but also a real bank account drainer, with some gadgets costing thousands of dollars. I took two of the more-popular options for a spin to see what they’d make of my brain.

Sens.ai Neurofeedback System

Sens.ai is a weird contraption that not only claims to track brainwaves, but gives real-time feedback to “teach” people how to meditate and enter a flow state. The device involves a giant headset that’s stuffed with brainwave sensors that detect beta, alpha, theta and gamma waves, in addition to heart-rate sensors. It also comes with a truly bizarre companion gadget that uses light stimulation (transcranial photobiomodulation) to keep an eye on focus and attention levels. The whole thing is combined with an app that keeps track of dozens of data metrics and allows access to various guided meditations.

I’m as surprised as you to say that this thing appears to work, with some caveats. It’s uncanny how well it monitors the brain during meditations. If I got lost in a thought spiral about lasagna at six minutes in, sure enough, there would be a dip in analytics at the six-minute mark. It’s also fairly easy to use, despite a process that involves wetting a number of electrodes. As magical as the accurate brain-tracking seems to be, however, I wasn’t as keen on the actual training portion, which often involves staring at a screen throughout the entirety of the practice. It’s also not for the financial faint of heart, as the Sens.ai device costs $1,500.

NeoRhythm Omnipemf

NeoRhythm’s Omnipemf is another wearable to help people get into that ever-elusive flow state. It doesn’t track your brain, but rather floods it with electromagnetic fields at specific frequencies to make it more susceptible to meditation and focus. This is supposed to prime your brain for the meditative state and, in theory, make it easier to capture that zen. However, I didn’t get much from it, other than a placebo-esque buzzing in my head.

To use it, you simply pop on the wearable and go about your day. You aren’t tied to an app, so you can meditate in whatever way you like. There are multiple modes that go beyond meditation, as this thing is supposed to help with focus, pain relief and sleep. I’d wait for some peer-reviewed studies, however, before buying this.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/best-meditation-app-140047993.html?src=rss

When RCS messaging became available on the iPhone with the rollout of iOS 18, the technical director of the GSM Association teased that the next major milestone for the messaging standard is the addition of interoperable end-to-end encryption. Now, six months later, GSMA has released an updated set of specifications for RCS messaging, which includes end-to-end encryption (E2EE) based on the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol. The new RCS profile will ensure that messages and files remain safe and confidential when sent between iOS and Android devices. 

“…RCS will be the first large-scale messaging service to support interoperable E2EE between client implementations from different providers. Together with other unique security features such as SIM-based authentication, E2EE will provide RCS users with the highest level of privacy and security for stronger protection from scams, fraud and other security and privacy threats,” said Tom Van Pelt, the Technical Director of GSMA. RCS, or Rich Communication Services, gives people a way to send images, videos and audio clips to each other through text across different platforms. Google’s implementation of RCS has had default end-to-end encryption for both one-on-one and group chats since early 2024, but only if all participants are using Google Messages with RCS chats turned on. Meanwhile, iMessages are already protected by E2EE.

In a statement sent to 9to5Mac, Apple said that it was “pleased to have helped lead a cross industry effort to bring end-to-end encryption to the RCS Universal Profile published by the GSMA.” It also vowed to add support to end-to-end encryption to iOS, iPadOS, macOS and watchOS “in future software updates.” Without a definite timeframe, it’s hard to say when Apple is rolling out an update to support the security feature, but when it does, it will prevent third parties from intercepting and accessing potentially sensitive and private messages. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/rcs-messaging-adds-end-to-end-encryption-between-android-and-ios-120020005.html?src=rss

It’s both a great and bad week for Apple. In this episode, we dive into Devindra’s review of the excellent M4-equipped MacBook Air (and briefly chat about the new Mac Studio). We also discuss Apple’s surprise announcement that it’s delaying its smarter, AI-infused Siri, which may not arrive until next year. Did Apple over-promise last year, or is it wise to hold off on advanced AI features until they’re ready? After all, Apple doesn’t want a fiasco like Microsoft’s Recall announcement.

Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you’ve got suggestions or topics you’d like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcast, Engadget News!

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Topics

• The MacBook Air M4 refresh maintains Apple’s seat on the ultraportable throne – 1:40

• …but the delay on a Siri upgrade could spell trouble long-term – 15:32

• Xbox’s first handheld might not be made by Microsoft – 34:29

• The White House turns into a Tesla dealership – 41:30

• Meta attempts to block unflattering expose book already on sale – 45:52

• Around Engadget: Ninja Swirl and Eero Pro 7 router reviews – 46:38

• Working on – 49:21

• Pop culture picks – 50:26

Credits 

Hosts: Devindra Hardawar and Cherlynn Low
Producer: Ben Ellman
Music: Dale North and Terrence O’Brien

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/engadget-podcast-macbook-air-m4-review-apple-delays-smarter-siri-113018766.html?src=rss