The Pixel 10 receives a security update that the majority of users will likely overlook.

      Google is enhancing the modem, which can potentially be attacked silently without user interaction.

      The Pixel 10 is receiving a security update that won't be evident in performance metrics or signal indicators, but it might be more significant than those aspects. Google has incorporated Rust into the modem firmware of the device, embedding memory-safe code into a particularly challenging area to secure in smartphones.

      This is critical because the modem is continually managing network traffic, and vulnerabilities in such low-level software can provide entry points for attackers. Google is specifically addressing memory-safety issues like buffer overflows, which are a common avenue for remote code execution.

      For the average user, the Pixel 10 will not feel any different due to this enhancement. However, this is what makes it especially important: the aim is to mitigate risks before they reach users.

      High-risk code gets focused attention

      The firmware in this section of the phone has traditionally relied on C or C++, two fast and widely utilized programming languages that are more prone to memory-handling errors. An error in the wrong location can transform standard network processing into a major security threat.

      Google is employing Rust to reduce this category of bugs before the product is released. In extreme scenarios, malicious radio signals or specially crafted SMS messages could potentially lead to remote code execution without user interaction, making this change more significant than yet another minor specification update.

      Google wisely prioritized the modem's DNS parser, rewriting it in Rust, and concentrated first on a component that consistently processes network data and is at a higher risk than most users may realize.

      What makes this remarkable

      Typically, phones are marketed based on their cameras, screens, and AI capabilities, not the security of their baseband firmware. That’s why this modification to the Pixel 10 stands out, as it tackles a previously overlooked aspect of phone security instead of adding another flashy feature.

      The company is not claiming improved reception or quicker downloads with this update. Instead, it is taking a quieter approach by focusing on preventing a dangerous class of bugs, which may be more crucial than introducing one more observable enhancement.

      What to look for next

      The Pixel 10 marks the first instance of integrating deeper Rust functionality into the modem, but Google’s plans indicate that this initiative will continue. The intent is to expand the use of Rust across additional modem components in future devices, transforming this targeted fix into a more comprehensive security evolution.

      This development suggests a lasting impact beyond a single product launch. For those following the Pixel line, the significant takeaway is that Google seems poised to prioritize modem firmware as a key element rather than merely a background feature.

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      Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus Review: Consistently Uninspired

      The same familiar design and features remain. So what’s truly changed? Let’s delve into it.

      The middle child has arrived. Over the years, Samsung has adhered to its established trio formula for the Galaxy S series: the standard version, the Plus, and the premium Ultra (formerly referred to as “we discontinued the Note but preserved its essence”). In this evolution, the Plus model has quietly lost its distinct identity.

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      How to Recover Deleted or Missing Contacts on Your iPhone

      Have you lost your iPhone contacts? Here’s how to retrieve them in just a few minutes!

      At some point, we all stopped memorizing phone numbers. This change came gradually, and now most of us can scarcely remember two or three numbers by heart. Therefore, when your iPhone contacts disappear, whether due to a software update or unintentional deletion, it can feel quite distressing.

      Fortunately, if you act quickly, restoring deleted contacts on your iPhone is straightforward. Before you start reaching out to others to get their numbers again, try these methods to recover your contacts. These approaches will work on all recent iPhone models.

      OnePlus Phones May Soon Introduce a Cool Lock Screen Information Feature

      Leaked images indicate that OnePlus is experimenting with a Samsung-like lock screen widget for calls and media.

      OnePlus might soon offer a more intelligent way to display live information before unlocking your phone. Images shared by OnePlus Club reveal a new bottom-aligned lock screen feature, referred to as a “Lockscreen Island,” designed to showcase media controls and call information.

      This would make OxygenOS 16.1’s lock screen more dynamic without cluttering it with too many alerts. The same post also hints at a revamped lock screen media player, suggesting that OnePlus is enhancing this aspect of the interface more broadly rather than just adding one floating widget.