This is Lowpass by Janko Roettgers, a newsletter on the ever-evolving intersection of tech and entertainment, syndicated just for The Verge subscribers once a week.
Technology
Casting is dead. Long live casting!
Last month, Netflix made the surprising decision to kill off a key feature: With no prior warning, the company removed the ability to cast videos from its mobile apps to a wide range of smart TVs and streaming devices. Casting is now only supported on older Chromecast streaming adapters that didn’t ship with a remote, Nest Hub smart displays, and select Vizio and Compal smart TVs.
That’s a stunning departure for the company. Prior to those changes, Netflix allowed casting to a wide range of devices that officially supported Google’s casting technology, including Android TVs made by companies like Philips, Polaroid, Sharp, Skyworth, Soniq, Sony, Toshiba, and Vizio, according to an archived version of Netflix’s website.
But the streaming service didn’t stop there. Prior to last month’s changes, Netflix also offered what the company called “Netflix 2nd Screen” casting functionality on a wide range of additional devices, including Sony’s PlayStation, TVs made by LG and Samsung, Roku TVs and streaming adapters, and many other devices. Basically, if a smart TV or streaming device was running the Netflix app, it most likely also supported casting.
That’s because Netflix actually laid the groundwork for this technology 15 years ago. Back in 2011, some of the company’s engineers were exploring ways to more tightly integrate people’s phones with their TVs. “At about the same time, we learned that the YouTube team was interested in much the same thing — they had already started to do some work on [second] screen use cases,” said Scott Mirer, director of product management at Netflix at the time, in 2013.
The two companies started to collaborate and enlist help from TV makers like Sony and Samsung. The result was DIAL (short for “Discovery and Launch”) — an open second-screen protocol that formalized casting.
In 2012, Netflix was the first major streaming service to add a casting feature to its mobile app, which at the time allowed PlayStation 3 owners to launch video playback from their phones. A year later, Google launched its very first Chromecast dongle, which took ideas from DIAL and incorporated them into Google’s own proprietary casting technology.
For a while, casting was extremely popular. Google sold over 100 million Chromecast adapters, and Vizio even built a whole TV around casting, which shipped with a tablet instead of a remote. (It flopped. Turns out people still love physical remotes.)
But as smart TVs became more capable, and streaming services invested more heavily into native apps on those TVs, the need for casting gradually decreased. At CES, a streaming service operator told me that casting used to be absolutely essential for his service. Nowadays, even among the service’s Android users, only about 10 percent are casting.
As for Netflix, it’s unlikely the company will change its tune on casting. Netflix declined to comment when asked about discontinuing the feature. My best guess is that casting was sacrificed in favor of new features like cloud gaming and interactive voting. Gaming in particular already involves multidevice connectivity, as Netflix uses phones as game controllers. Adding casting to that mix simply might have proven too complex.
However, not everyone has given up on casting. In fact, the technology is still gaining new supporters. Last month, Apple added Google Cast support to its Apple TV app on Android for the first time. And over the past two years, both Samsung and LG incorporated Google’s casting tech into some of their TV sets.
“Google Cast continues to be a key experience that we’re invested in — bringing the convenience of seamless content sharing from phones to TVs, whether you’re at home or staying in a hotel,” says Google’s Android platform PM Neha Dixit. “Stay tuned for more to come this year.”
Google’s efforts are getting some competition from the Connectivity Standards Alliance, the group behind the Matter smart home standard, which developed its own Matter Casting protocol. Matter Casting promises to be a more open approach toward casting and in theory allows streaming services and device makers to bring second-screen use cases to their apps and devices without having to strike deals with Google.
“We are a longtime advocate of using open technology standards to give customers more choice when it comes to using their devices and services,” says Amazon Device Software & Services VP Tapas Roy, whose company is a major backer of Matter and its casting tech. “We welcome and support media developers that want to build to an open standard with the implementation of Matter Casting.”
Thus far, support has been limited though. Fire TVs and Echo Show displays remain the only devices to support Matter Casting, and Amazon’s own apps were long the only ones to make use of the feature. Last month, Tubi jumped on board as well by incorporating Matter Casting into its mobile apps.
Connectivity Standards Alliance technology strategist Christopher LaPré acknowledges that Matter Casting has yet to turn into a breakthrough hit. “To be honest, I have Fire TVs, and I’ve never used it,” he says.
Besides a lack of available content, LaPré also believes Matter Casting is a victim of brand confusion. The problem: TV makers have begun to incorporate Matter into their devices to let consumers control smart lights and thermostats from the couch. Because of that, a TV that dons the Matter logo doesn’t necessarily support Matter Casting.
However, LaPré also believes that Matter Casting could get a boost from two new developments: Matter recently added support for cameras, which adds a new kind of homegrown content people may want to cast. And the consortium is also still working on taking casting beyond screens.
“Audio casting is something that we’re working on,” LaPré confirms. “A lot of speaker companies are interested in that.” The plan is to launch Matter audio casting later this year, at which point device makers, publishers, and consumers could also give video casting another look.
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
This weekend’s scheduled Blue Origin rocket launch is rather momentous. Success would signal an end to SpaceX’s monopoly on reusable orbital launch vehicles, and set up a three-way race to make that “No Service” indicator on your phone disappear forever.
On Sunday morning, Jeff Bezos’ massive New Glenn rocket is scheduled to launch with the first-stage booster that launched and landed on the program’s second mission last November. It’s a critical test, because cost-effective booster reuse is what’s made SpaceX’s Falcon 9 so dominate.
Amazon desperately needs a reusable rocket of its own to accelerate its Leo launches. Without one, it’s only been able to launch 241 Leo satellites, putting it well behind schedule. In that same 12-month time period, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket was able to deploy over 1,500 satellites to its Starlink constellation.
Sunday’s mission will carry AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite to low Earth orbit. Instead of blanketing the region with thousands of small satellites like Amazon and SpaceX, AST’s plan is to deploy fewer satellites that are much more powerful. Bluebird 7 features a massive 2,400-square-foot phased-array antenna, making it the largest commercial communications array ever deployed in low Earth orbit. It’s essentially a cell tower in space, and will be the second of the company’s “Block 2” next-generation satellites to launch.
The BlueBird 7 is designed to provide 4G and 5G broadband, at speeds exceeding 120 Mbps, to the phones we already carry. AST plans to have 45 to 60 satellites launched by the end of 2026. When AST lights up its service sometime this year, it will be in direct competition with Starlink’s direct-to-cell service, already operating with T-Mobile in the US, and Globalstar, the satellite network snapped up by Amazon that keeps iPhones and Apple Watches communicating in dead zones.
Cyber expert shares tips to avoid AI phishing scams
Kurt ‘The CyberGuy’ Knutsson shares practical ways to avoid falling victim to AI-generated phishing scams and discusses a report that North Korean agents are posing as I.T. workers to funnel money into the country’s nuclear program.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
You probably think your messages are safe. After all, apps like WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram promote strong encryption.
But a new warning from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows that attackers do not need to break encryption at all.
Instead, they are going after you.
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
- Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
- For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
- Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
FBI WARNS ABOUT FOREIGN APPS AND YOUR DATA
A new federal advisory says phishing campaigns tied to Russian intelligence are going after messaging app users instead of trying to break encryption. (MStudioImages/Getty Images)
What the FBI and CISA just revealed
According to the joint advisory, cyber actors tied to Russian intelligence are running large-scale phishing campaigns targeting messaging apps.
These attacks are not random. They have focused on high-value targets like government officials, military personnel and journalists. However, the tactics can easily spread to everyday users.
Here is the key takeaway: Hackers are not cracking the apps themselves. They are tricking people into giving up access.
How these messaging app attacks actually work
This is where it gets interesting and a bit unsettling. Instead of breaking encryption, attackers use phishing to gain control of individual accounts. Once inside, they can:
- Read private conversations
- Access contact lists
- Send messages as if they were you
- Launch new scams targeting your contacts
It becomes a chain reaction. One compromised account can quickly lead to many more. In some cases, attackers impersonate trusted contacts. That makes the scam feel real and urgent.
Why encryption is not enough anymore
Encryption still matters. It protects messages as they travel between devices. But here is the problem. If someone logs into your account, they see everything just like you do.
That means even the most secure app cannot protect you if your login gets compromised. This is a shift in how cyberattacks work. The weakest link is no longer the technology. It is human behavior.
AI IS NOW POWERING CYBERATTACKS, MICROSOFT WARNS
The FBI and CISA are warning that attackers are targeting users of encrypted messaging apps by tricking them into handing over account access. (BackyardProduction/Getty Images)
Who is at risk from messaging app phishing attacks
While the advisory highlights high-profile targets, the tactics are not limited to them.
If you use messaging apps for:
- Personal conversations
- Work communication
- Sharing sensitive information
You are a potential target. Phishing works because it relies on simple mistakes. A quick tap on the wrong link is often all it takes.
What this means for you
This warning highlights a bigger trend. Cyberattacks are becoming more personal. Instead of attacking systems, hackers are targeting people directly. That makes awareness your strongest defense. The more you understand how these scams work, the harder it becomes for attackers to succeed.
Ways to stay safe from messaging app phishing attacks
You do not need to be a cybersecurity expert to protect yourself. You just need to slow things down and follow a few smart habits.
1) Be skeptical of unexpected messages
If a message feels urgent or out of place, pause. Even if it looks like it came from someone you know.
2) Never click suspicious links
Avoid links sent through messages unless you can verify them independently. Strong antivirus software can help detect suspicious behavior after a compromise. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
3) Turn on two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second layer of protection even if your password gets exposed.
TECH GIANTS UNITE TO FIGHT ONLINE SCAMS
Officials say hackers can read messages, access contacts and impersonate users once they gain control of a messaging app account. (FreshSplash/Getty Images)
4) Watch for login alerts
Many apps notify you when a new device signs in. Do not ignore these warnings.
5) Verify requests in another way
If a contact asks for something unusual, call them or confirm through another channel.
6) Use a data removal service
Limit how much of your personal information is available online. Data removal services work to delete your data from broker sites, making it harder for scammers to target you with convincing phishing messages. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.
7) Keep your device and apps updated
Install updates regularly. Security patches fix vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit after gaining access.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Messaging apps feel private. They feel secure. That sense of comfort is exactly what attackers are counting on. The technology is still strong. The real question is whether your habits are keeping up. So the next time a message pops up that feels slightly off, trust that instinct and take a second look.
Have you ever received a suspicious message that made you stop and question if it was real? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
- Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
- For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
- Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
YouTube is making some changes that might affect how you share videos from the mobile app. From the app, you can finally share videos from a specific timestamp, which will make it easier to point someone to a part of a video you might want them to see while you’re on your phone. However, this change will replace the Clips feature that lets you make a shareable clip from a video.
You’ll still be able to watch any Clips that you’ve already made. But moving forward, “the ability to set an end time or include a custom description when sharing will no longer be available,” YouTube says. The company notes that while clipping is “important way for creators to reach new audiences,” it says that “a number of third-party tools with advanced clipping features and authorized creator programs are now available to do this across different video platforms.”
The company originally introduced the Clips feature in 2021.
Wisconsin7 minutes ago
Wisconsin Weekend: Art in Bloom, Milwaukee Film Festival, Wee Whiskey Fest and more
West Virginia13 minutes ago
E-News | RSVP to attend Common Waters Symposium April 22
Wyoming19 minutes ago
Keeping Casper’s past for the future: WWII-era Veterans Museum undergoes complete restoration
Crypto25 minutes ago
Current price of Bitcoin for April 17, 2026 | Fortune
Finance31 minutes ago
El Paso GOP congressional candidates file no finance reports; SISD oversight nears end
Florida1 year ago
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Oregon2 years ago
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Connecticut2 years ago
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
Virginia2 years ago
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana2 years ago
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Politics2 hours ago
Minnesota Republicans reveal which far-left candidate they want to challenge in open Senate race
World3 hours ago
Swedish rights groups slam ‘honest living’ criteria for migrants
News4 hours ago
Orbán’s defeat is a win for democracy and a warning to Trump, some say
News13 hours ago
Firefighters Likely Had Limited View of Approaching Plane in LaGuardia Crash
Politics14 hours ago
Tennessee governor signs nuclear family month resolution as critics push back on exclusions
-
Ohio3 days ago‘Little Rascals’ star Bug Hall arrested in Ohio
-
Georgia1 week agoGeorgia House Special Runoff Election 2026 Live Results
-
Arkansas7 days agoArkansas TV meteorologist Melinda Mayo retires after nearly four decades on air
-
Austin, TX1 week agoABC Kite Fest Returns to Austin for Annual Celebration – Austin Today
-
Politics3 days agoDem fundraising giant in the hot seat as GOP lawmakers demand answers over dodged subpoena
-
Politics6 days agoTrump blasts Spanberger ahead of Virginia meetings, says state faces tax base exodus like New York, California
-
Health1 week agoWoman discovers missing nose ring traveled to her lungs, causing month-long cough
-
San Francisco, CA5 days agoPresident Trump terminates Presidio Trust