Xiaomi has just given a global launch to two of its latest flagship phones, the Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra, along with a Leica-branded Leitzphone edition of the Ultra. There’s no sign, however, of the 17 Pro, which launched in China with an additional display mounted next to the rear cameras.
Technology
This bulletproof body armor exoskeleton innovation can take rounds from AK-47 assault rifle
There’s a new body armor and exoskeleton innovation that could be a game changer for those who serve and protect.
It’s called the ExoM Exoskeleton.
This revolutionary product is designed to protect the military and police in high-risk situations.
ExoM Exoskeleton (Stanko Gruden/Mehler Protection)
The features and benefits of the ExoM Exoskeleton
The ExoM Exoskeleton offers four main features and benefits that make it a game-changer for military and law enforcement personnel.
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1. Transformative load-bearing solution
One of the main challenges that military and law enforcement personnel face is the heavy load of equipment and gear that they have to carry for extended periods of time. This can cause physical strain, fatigue, injuries and reduced performance.
The ExoM Exoskeleton solves this problem by redistributing up to 70% of the load from the shoulders to the ground, using a titanium frame that supports the weight of the body armor and other equipment. This technology alleviates the burden on the wearer’s muscles and joints and allows them to focus on their duties without compromising their health and safety.
ExoM Exoskeleton (Mehler Protection)
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2. High-level full-body armor
Another challenge that military and law enforcement personnel face is the need for high-level ballistic protection, especially in hostile and unpredictable environments. The ExoM Exoskeleton provides this protection by covering the entire body with body armor panels that can withstand multiple impacts from high-caliber bullets and shrapnel.
The body armor panels are made of advanced materials that offer superior resistance and durability, while being lightweight and flexible. The ExoM Exoskeleton offers full-body coverage, which can protect the wearer from being hit by three 7.62×39mm rounds (which AK-47 rifles use) fired from a distance of approximately 33 feet.
ExoM Exoskeleton (Stanko Gruden/Mehler Protection)
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3. Exceptional ergonomics and mobility
A third challenge that military and law enforcement personnel face is the need for ergonomics and mobility, especially when navigating challenging terrains and confined spaces. The Exon Exoskeleton ensures this by providing a flexible spine, a sliding waist belt, and articulated hip, knee, and ankle joints that mimic the natural movements of the human body.
These features allow the wearer to maintain up to 99% of their usual ease and range of motion while wearing the ExoM Exoskeleton. This flexibility proves vital for performing tasks such as climbing, crawling, running, jumping, and kneeling, without compromising the stability and balance of the ExoM Exoskeleton.
ExoM Exoskeleton (Mehler Protection)
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4. Self-sufficiency in remote areas
A fourth challenge that military and law enforcement personnel face is the need for self-sufficiency in remote areas, where access to power sources and charging equipment may be limited or unavailable.
The ExoM Exoskeleton addresses this by functioning as a passive exoskeleton, which means that it operates without the need for external power sources or batteries. This feature makes the ExoM Exoskeleton perfect for extended missions or remote locations, where the wearer does not have to worry about running out of power or carrying extra weight.
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ExoM Exoskeleton (Mehler Protection)
The background of the ExoM Exoskeleton
The ExoM Exoskeleton is the result of a collaborative effort between three leading companies in the fields of ballistic protection, biomechanics, and tactical operations.
Mehler Protection is a German company that specializes in developing and manufacturing high-quality body armor and protective equipment for military and law enforcement sectors. Mawashi Science & Technology is a Canadian company that focuses on engineering and designing innovative biomechanical solutions for human performance enhancement.GIGN is a French elite police tactical unit that is part of the National Gendarmerie, and is responsible for counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and other high-risk missions. Together, these three partners have combined their expertise and experience to create a product that meets the needs and challenges of modern warfare and security.
We reached out to Mehler Protection to find out who they are selling the ExoM to and what the requirements are for purchasing it. They told us at this stage, they are not yet able to provide specific details on terms of purchase or on price but that they are working diligently to make this final information available.
ExoM Exoskeleton (Stanko Gruden/Mehler Protection)
Kurt’s key takeaways
By providing military and law enforcement personnel with a super suit that enhances their strength, endurance, and protection, the ExoM Exoskeleton has the potential to save lives, prevent injuries, and improve performance. It isn’t only a remarkable technological innovation, but also a valuable tool for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of those who serve and protect us.
What do we do when our enemy gets their hands on this? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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Polymarket has been allowing people to bet on when the US would strike Iran next. Obviously, now that it’s actually happened and people have died, the prediction betting market is feeling some pressure. The site has been at the center of controversy before, including suspicions of insider trading on the Super Bowl halftime show and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
In a statement posted on its site, Polymarket defended its decision to allow betting on the potential start of a war, saying that it was an “invaluable” source of news and answers, before taking shots at traditional media and Elon Musk’s X. The statement reads:
…
Read the full story at The Verge.
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Google has officially discontinued its Dark Web Report feature, a free tool that once scanned known dark web breach dumps for personal information tied to a user’s Google account. The service delivered notifications when email addresses and other identifiers appeared in leaked datasets.
According to Google’s support page, the system ceased scanning for new dark web data Jan. 15, 2026, and the reporting function was removed entirely on Feb. 16, 2026, meaning users can no longer access the feature.
The company said the decision reflects a shift toward security tools it believes provide clearer guidance after exposure, rather than standalone scan alerts.
If you previously relied on the free dark web scan as an early warning signal for leaked data, this change removes one of your sources.
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Google officially ended its Dark Web Report tool, removing free breach alerts tied to user accounts. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
So what did users really lose?
Google’s Dark Web Report acted as a basic exposure scanner. It checked whether personal information linked to a Google account had surfaced in known breach collections circulating on the dark web.
When a match is found, users receive a notification identifying which type of data appeared in a leak. Depending on the data breach, that could include an email address, phone number, date of birth or other identifying details commonly harvested during large-scale hacks.
The report did not display stolen credentials or provide access to the leaked database itself. It also did not trace the origin of the compromise beyond referencing the breached service when available.
After an alert was issued, the next steps were left to the user. Google recommended actions such as changing passwords, enabling stronger authentication methods and reviewing account security settings. With the tool now removed, that automated breach check tied directly to a Google account is no longer available.
What you still have access to
Google directs users to its Security Checkup, a dashboard that scans your account for weak settings and unusual sign-in activity.
Its built-in Password Manager includes Password Checkup, which scans saved credentials against known breach databases and prompts you to change exposed passwords. Google also supports passkeys and two-factor verification to lock down account access.
The Results About You tool lets users search for personal information in Google Search and submit removal requests for certain publicly indexed details.
149 MILLION PASSWORDS EXPOSED IN MASSIVE CREDENTIAL LEAK
Without the automatic scan, users must now check for leaked data using other security tools. (iStock)
Alerts don’t always mean protection
Once personal information is compromised, it often ends up far beyond the breach itself. Stolen credentials and identity data are regularly trafficked on underground platforms where buyers can search for information tied to real people.
The BidenCash dark web marketplace was taken down by U.S. authorities in June 2025, and the Justice Department confirmed that the platform peddled stolen personal information and credit card data.
These illicit markets operate with a level of organization not unlike legitimate online stores. Search tools and bulk data sets are up for grabs and can be used to target any online account. This makes credential stuffing easier, where attackers test leaked passwords across multiple services in hopes of barreling into your account.
A breach alert tied to a dark web scan points to a leak at one moment in time; it does not follow whether that information has been sold to third parties or used in subsequent fraud attempts. For everyday users, this means that just knowing your data appeared in a leak doesn’t help much.
THINK YOUR NEW YEAR’S PRIVACY RESET WORKED? THINK AGAIN
Stolen personal information can circulate for years, making ongoing monitoring more important than a one-time alert. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Identity monitoring may be a better option
With Google’s scan gone, some people may consider dedicated identity protection services instead. Many of these services offer continuous monitoring of your personally identifiable information and send alerts about changes to your credit reports from all three major U.S. credit bureaus. That can include notifications about new inquiries, newly opened accounts and monthly credit score updates. Some plans also monitor a broader range of personal identifiers, such as driver’s license numbers, passport numbers and email addresses.
Beyond credit monitoring, certain services track linked bank, credit card and investment accounts for unusual activity. They may also monitor public records for changes to addresses or property titles and alert you if your information appears in those filings.
Many providers include identity theft insurance to help cover eligible out-of-pocket recovery costs. Coverage limits vary by plan and provider. Additional features often include spam call and message protection, a password manager, a virtual private network (VPN) and antivirus software.
No service can prevent every form of identity theft. However, ongoing monitoring and recovery support can make it easier to respond quickly if your information is misused.
See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Google’s decision to drop its Dark Web Report may seem small. But it removes a tool many users relied on. For some, those alerts were the first warning that their data appeared in a breach. That automatic scan is now gone. Google still offers Security Checkup, Password Checkup, passkeys and two-step verification. However, none of them actively scan dark web breach dumps for you. Stolen data does not disappear. Criminals copy, sell and reuse it. One alert shows a single moment. Ongoing identity theft monitoring helps you stay aware over time.
Now that Google has dropped its dark web monitoring feature, will you actively check your data exposure or assume someone else is watching it for you? Let us know your thoughts by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Related Article
The 17 and 17 Ultra will apparently be available soon in the UK, Europe, and select other markets. The 17 — pitched as a rival to the likes of the iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy S26 — will cost £899 / €999 (about $1,200), while the larger and more capable Ultra starts from £1,299 / €1,499 ($1,750). The limited-edition Leitzphone will be substantially more expensive at £1,699 / €1,999 ($2,300), though it includes 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, along with a few extra accessories.
The 17 is an extremely capable small-ish flagship, with a 6.3-inch OLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and large 6,330mAh silicon-carbon battery (though sadly smaller than the 7,000mAh version launched in China). I won’t be writing a full review of the 17, but did spend a week using it as my main phone, and found that the battery cruised past the full-day mark, though wasn’t quite enough for two full days of my typical usage. That’s far better battery life than you’d find in similarly sized phones from Apple, Samsung, or Google.
The cameras impress too, with 50-megapixel sensors behind each of the four lenses, selfie included. Pound for pound, you won’t find many better camera systems in any phone this size.
1/10
The Ultra, unsurprisingly, takes things to another level. It’s much larger, with a 6.9-inch display, and weighs a hefty 218g. Despite that, the 6,000mAh is actually smaller, though I found it delivered pretty similar longevity.
The enormous camera is, as ever for Xiaomi’s Ultra phones, the highlight. There are 50-megapixel sensors for each of the main, ultrawide, and selfie cameras, with a large 1-inch-type sensor behind the primary lens. The periscope telephoto is even more impressive: 200-megapixel resolution, a large 1/1.4-inch sensor, and continuous optical zoom from 3.2x to 4.3x, the equivalent of 75-100mm. Xiaomi isn’t the first to pull off a true zoom phone — Sony’s Xperia 1 IV got there first in 2022 — but the telephoto camera here is far more capable than that phone’s, with natural bokeh and impressive performance even in low light.
The camera capabilities are supported by Xiaomi’s ongoing photography partner Leica, but it’s the pair’s Leitzphone that really emphasizes that. Slightly redesigned from the 17 Ultra Leica Edition that was released in China last December, this includes Leica branding across the hardware and software, a range of Leica filters and shooting styles, and a rotatable rear camera ring that can be used to control the zoom. It’s the first Leica Leitzphone produced by Xiaomi — after a trio of Japan-only Sharp models — and comes with additional branded accessories, including a case with a lens cap and a microfiber cleaning cloth.
Xiaomi has plenty of other announcements alongside the 17 series phones at MWC this year, including a super-slim magnetic power bank, the Pad 8 and Pad 8 Pro tablets, and a smart tag that supports both Google and Apple’s tech-tracking networks.
Photography by Dominic Preston / The Verge
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