Back in 2015, the two-person studio Metanet released N++, a brutally hard 2D platformer that was a decade in the making, building off of previous releases dating back to the freeware Flash title N. At the time, cofounder Raigan Burns issued some famous last words: “We hope it’s not another 10 years before we come up with a game.” But now here we are, more than a decade later, and N is getting another sequel. And this time the focus is on multiplayer.
Technology
Meta smart glasses privacy concerns grow
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Smart glasses promise a future where technology blends into everyday life. You can ask a question, snap a quick video or identify what you are looking at in seconds. It sounds convenient. However, a new investigation suggests the experience may come with a privacy tradeoff many users never expected.
According to an investigation by Swedish newspapers Svenska Dagbladet and Göteborgs-Posten, contractors reviewing AI data in Nairobi, Kenya, may have seen highly personal footage captured by Meta’s AI-powered smart glasses. In some cases, the videos reportedly showed bathroom visits, sexual activity and other intimate moments.
The allegations have already sparked legal action and renewed debate about how AI systems are trained.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg sported a pair of Meta Ray-Ban Display AI glasses while speaking at an event in Menlo Park, California, on Sept. 17, 2025. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter
Report claims Meta smart glasses captured private moments
The investigation focused on people who work as AI annotators. These workers review images, video or audio so artificial intelligence systems can better understand what they are processing. In simple terms, they help train the AI. Workers interviewed for the report said they sometimes review video captured by Meta’s smart glasses. According to the investigation, the footage can include extremely personal scenes recorded in everyday environments. One annotator told reporters they see everything from living rooms to naked bodies. Another worker said faces are supposed to be blurred automatically in the footage. However, the blurring reportedly fails at times, leaving some identities visible. In some clips, workers also said they could see credit cards or other sensitive details.
Why human reviewers analyze Meta smart glasses data
Many people assume AI systems learn entirely on their own. In reality, human reviewers often play a major role in training them. AI annotators help label what appears in images, identify spoken words and verify whether an AI response is correct. Without that human input, the system struggles to improve. Meta’s smart glasses include an AI assistant that answers questions about what a user is seeing. For example, a wearer might ask the glasses to identify a landmark or explain what an object is. To make those answers accurate, the system sometimes relies on training data reviewed by humans.
Meta responds to smart glasses privacy concerns
Meta says media captured by its smart glasses remains on the user’s device unless the user chooses to share it.
A Meta spokesperson provided the following statement to CyberGuy:
“Ray-Ban Meta glasses help you use AI, hands free, to answer questions about the world around you. Unless users choose to share media they’ve captured with Meta or others, that media stays on the user’s device. When people share content with Meta AI, we sometimes use contractors to review this data for the purpose of improving people’s experience, as many other companies do. We take steps to filter this data to protect people’s privacy and to help prevent identifying information from being reviewed.”
Ray-Ban Meta glasses include an LED indicator light that activates whenever photos or videos are recorded, helping signal to people nearby that content is being captured. The company’s terms of service also state that users are responsible for following applicable laws and using the glasses in a safe and respectful manner. That includes avoiding activities such as harassment, infringing on privacy rights or recording sensitive information.
Meta has also been in contact with Sama, a company that provides AI data annotation services. According to information shared by Meta, Sama said it is not aware of workflows where sexual or objectionable content is reviewed or where faces or sensitive details remain consistently unblurred. Meta is continuing to investigate the matter.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg appears at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 31, 2024, to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee alongside other social media executives. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Privacy policy changes added to the concern
The controversy arises as Meta has expanded the capabilities of its AI glasses. The glasses, created with eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica, include a camera and an AI assistant that responds to voice questions. Sales have surged. The company reportedly sold more than 7 million pairs in 2025, a dramatic increase compared with earlier years. At the same time, Meta updated its privacy policies. One change keeps the AI camera features active unless users turn off the Hey Meta voice command. Another removes the ability to opt out of storing voice recordings in the cloud. For privacy advocates, those changes make the investigation more troubling.
FACIAL RECOGNITION GLASSES TURN EVERYDAY LIFE INTO CREEPY PRIVACY NIGHTMARE
What this means to you
If you use smart glasses or similar wearable technology, the report highlights an important reality. AI devices often collect more information than people realize. When people share content with AI systems, human reviewers may analyze that material to help improve the technology. That means the footage captured by your device may be seen by someone else during the training process. Wearable cameras also record everyday life, which makes it easy for private or sensitive moments to be captured unintentionally. Even when companies use tools to blur faces or hide identifying details, those systems do not always work perfectly. As a result, personal information can sometimes still appear in the footage. Privacy policies also evolve as companies roll out new AI features. Staying aware of those updates can help you decide how comfortable you are with the technology you are using.
Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?
Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com
Mark Zuckerberg wears the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses while speaking at the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California, on Sept. 17, 2025. (Reuters/Carlos Barria)
Kurt’s key takeaways
Smart glasses are quickly moving from novelty to everyday gadget. The idea of having AI help you understand the world around you is undeniably appealing. However, the same technology that makes these devices powerful also raises complicated privacy questions. Cameras that are always within reach, AI systems that learn from real-world footage and human reviewers who help train those systems create a chain of data that many users rarely think about. As smart wearables become more common, transparency about how that data is used will matter more than ever.
So here is the bigger question. Would you feel comfortable wearing AI glasses if someone halfway around the world might review the footage your device captures? 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. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Related Article
The new game is called, absurdly, N Plus Infinity Times Two. Whereas N++ was meant to be the ultimate single-player version of the N concept, this game is described as “the ultimate virtual couch party game with a low skill floor and no skill ceiling.” That means the same slick, acrobatic platforming action and gorgeous graphic design-inspired visuals, but now built around playing competitively or cooperatively with pals across a handful of different modes. It’s launching on the PS5, Xbox, Switch 2, and PC at some point in 2027.
The duo at Metanet was up to a few different things over the last 11 years. In addition to uprooting from Toronto to Montreal, they’ve been prototyping ideas for a few potentially bigger projects, and last year released a 10-year anniversary update for N++. But then, “We started getting the ‘let’s take another crack at it’ bug in 2022,” Burns tells The Verge.
The studio operates in an unusual way, at least compared to most of the game industry. Despite having two hits in N+ and N++, Metanet hasn’t grown or scaled up in any way. And the reason comes down to the way they make games: It simply takes a lot of time to find a game idea that’s worth pursuing as a commercial project. “We’ve resisted doing something that would compromise our ability to keep iterating and prototyping until something good shows up,” says Burns.
“It’s important to feel that magic,” cofounder Mare Sheppard adds. “That’s what’s compelling about making games. That’s when we know that we’re doing it in a way that’s right for us.” Burns has a clear analogy for how they work: “We like being in a band. That’s fun. Being in a lot of meetings and doing a lot of managing: not fun.” This philosophy seems especially prescient given the state of the games industry, where even the biggest hits operate in a way that’s clearly unsustainable.
“We like being in a band. That’s fun. Being in a lot of meetings and doing a lot of managing: not fun.”
In the case of N Plus Infinity Times Two — unfortunately I can’t think of a good way to shorten that title — the spark came in part from watching how younger players interact with games. Even when they’re playing solo, kids are typically still chatting with friends on their phones, essentially turning everything into a multiplayer experience. Burns and Sheppard wanted to find a way to marry that idea with the couch co-op experiences they grew up on, which led to revisiting the N concept but with a multiplayer spin.
The two describe making N++ as a grueling experience. If you think the game’s levels are hard, just imagine having to playtest them over and over. Part of the excitement about N Plus Infinity Times Two wasn’t just finding a spin on the formula that would be fun to play, but also to develop. “This one really feels like we’re having fun,” says Burns. “We’re really fluent in this one instrument. So now the fun challenge becomes playing new styles of music we’ve never played before, but with this thing we’re really comfortable with.”
Image: Metanet Software
As creative industries from games to Hollywood become increasingly homogenous, Burns also believes that there’s something important about doing work that’s distinct, even if it means revisiting a previous idea, like through the multiple versions of N. It’s similar to titles like Hades II and Silksong: indie-developed sequels that iterated a core concept, but with a fresh angle that made them more than a by-the-numbers follow-up. “Being yourself is more fun and exciting anyways,” Burns explains. “But I honestly think it’s more commercially viable to do something only you can do, because then you have no competition.”
As for what’s next after N Plus Infinity Times Two, the pair obviously aren’t revealing anything just yet. There are a few bigger 3D game ideas kicking around, but those would necessitate some of that scaling up that the studio has so far avoided. What they won’t close the door on, however, is coming back to the idea of N again at some point in the future.
“If we can do something that expresses something new, or lets us see things in a different way, or we get a different perspective on what this game is or how to play it, that’s exciting,” says Sheppard. “I think we no longer think this is definitively going to be the last one. We’ve abandoned that idea. It doesn’t have to be.”
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Space changes the rules for almost everything, including how a robot should move. On Earth, legs help us stand, balance and walk across a room. In microgravity, those same legs lose much of their purpose.
That is why Orbit Robotics, an academic spinout from ETH Zurich, took a different approach with Helios. The robot was built with four arms so it can grip, brace and work inside a spacecraft. Two arms can hold on while the other two handle tools, cargo and equipment.
It is a smart design for a place where floating is easy and staying steady is the real challenge. Here is how Helios works and why it could change the way astronauts get help in orbit.
Join CyberGuy Live: Lock Down Your Phone in 30 Minutes (Saturday, June 13, 10 a.m. ET)
- Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data. In this free, live online class, Kurt the CyberGuy will walk you step by step through simple phone security fixes you can do in real time. You’ll learn how to improve your privacy settings, spot the latest phone scams, use trusted security tools and walk away with a simple checklist to stay protected. Register here: CyberGuyLive.com
IS THIS SPACE CAPSULE HOW WE WILL LIVE AND WORK IN ORBIT IN THE FUTURE?
Helios uses two arms to anchor itself while the other two move cargo, tools and equipment inside a spacecraft. (Orbit Robotics)
Why the Helios space robot has four arms
Helios uses two pairs of arms with different jobs. One pair can anchor the robot to interior surfaces. The other pair can handle tools, unload cargo, move equipment or perform other work inside a spacecraft.
That setup is important because stability and work need to happen at the same time in orbit. A floating robot cannot casually plant its feet, bend over and pick something up. It needs to hold on while it works.
That is where Helios makes sense. Two arms can keep it steady while the other two get the job done. In microgravity, legs become extra hardware unless they can grip, brace or manipulate objects. Helios skips that problem by turning the whole body into a tool for movement and work.
How this four-armed space robot works
Orbit Robotics says Helios uses a tendon-driven system. Instead of placing motors at every joint, the robot keeps many of those motors closer to the shoulders. Cables and pulleys then transmit force through the arms.
That design can reduce weight at the ends of the limbs. In space, heavy limbs can create awkward movement. A robot also needs control, especially when it is holding cargo or tools near expensive equipment.
Helios also uses a rolling-contact elbow joint. That may sound like a tiny detail. In orbit, it can make a big difference. A sudden jerk could destabilize the robot. It could also send whatever the robot is carrying drifting across a spacecraft. Smooth movement becomes a safety feature.
How IKARUS helped shape Helios
Before Helios, the team built an earlier robot platform called IKARUS. That project helped test ideas such as teleoperation, imitation learning and dual-arm manipulation. In other words, IKARUS gave the team a way to learn how a robot could move, copy tasks and handle objects in a space-like setting.
Those lessons helped shape Helios. That is important because space hardware rarely gets a second chance. A robot designed for orbit has to be reliable, compact and useful in cramped conditions. It also has to behave predictably around humans. Helios builds on that earlier work with a body that better fits the environment.
QUADRUPED ROBOT PLAYS BADMINTON WITH YOU USING AI
Why astronauts need robotic help in orbit
Orbit Robotics says its mission is to free astronauts, not replace them. That sounds reassuring. It also makes practical sense. Astronauts are highly trained people doing some of the most expensive labor imaginable. Yet a major chunk of crew time aboard the International Space Station goes toward maintenance.
Some estimates put maintenance at roughly 35% of crew time. At an estimated $140,000 per astronaut-hour, basic logistics can become shockingly expensive. That means sorting supplies, moving equipment or handling routine work can carry a huge price tag. Helios does not need to be a genius to help. It needs to move through narrow corridors, stay stable without gravity and manipulate objects with care. That is the point of the design.
Orbit Robotics built Helios with four arms so it can grip, brace and handle tools inside spacecraft in microgravity. (Orbit Robotics)
What Helios could do in space
The first job for Helios appears focused on interior spacecraft work. That could include unloading cargo, helping manage supplies, moving gear and assisting with routine maintenance. Those jobs may sound boring. In orbit, boring tasks still take time, training and attention.
Over time, Orbit Robotics sees a broader role for robots like Helios. That could include satellite servicing. It could also include in-space construction as commercial stations and orbital habitats become more common.
If launch costs keep falling, more equipment will head into orbit. More hardware means more maintenance. More stations mean more logistics. That creates a clear opening for robots like Helios, built for space from the start.
Why robots may take on more space work
Human spaceflight still captures the imagination. It always has. However, the human body has serious limits in space. Astronauts can face radiation exposure, bone loss, vision problems and cognitive effects linked to fluid shifts in the brain.
Those risks grow during longer missions. Robots do not need air, food, sleep or radiation protection in the same way humans do. They can also take risks that would be unacceptable for astronauts.
That does not make astronauts obsolete overnight. Still, it changes the conversation. If machines can handle more work in orbit, humans may spend less time on routine tasks and more time on science. That could mean more attention on research tied to aging, cancer treatments, organ bioprinting and other experiments that benefit from microgravity.
CHINA’S COMPACT HUMANOID ROBOT SHOWS OFF BALANCE AND FLIPS
Could space robots build the next space economy?
If commercial space stations grow, they will need constant care. Cargo will need to be sorted. Equipment will need to be moved. Structures may need inspection or repair. Satellites may need servicing. Future habitats may need robots that can assemble, maintain and adapt.
That is where a machine like Helios becomes more than a cool prototype. It could become part of the labor force that keeps space infrastructure running.
The big question is whether humans remain at the center of that work or move into a more selective role. We may still send astronauts into orbit, but their jobs could change dramatically.
Instead of doing every task by hand, they may supervise robots built for a place where the human body struggles.
The four-armed Helios robot was designed for zero gravity, where legs are less useful than gripping and bracing. (Orbit Robotics)
What Helios could mean for future space robots
Engineers are starting to design machines for specific environments instead of forcing them into human-shaped bodies. That shift could affect more than space exploration.
On Earth, robots already work in warehouses, factories, hospitals and disaster zones. In each case, the best design may not look human. It may look strange, specialized and a little unsettling.
Helios shows why that can be a good thing. A robot built for its environment can work more efficiently. It can also take on risky jobs and help humans focus on work that needs judgment, creativity or science training.
For space, that could mean safer missions. It could also mean fewer astronauts spending precious hours on routine maintenance.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Helios stands out because it was built for the place it is meant to work. In orbit, walking offers very little help. Gripping, bracing and handling equipment become much more important. That is what makes the four-armed design so practical. It gives the robot a way to hold on while it works, which is exactly what astronauts need in microgravity. Orbit Robotics says Helios is meant to help astronauts, not replace them. Still, this robot raises a bigger question. As machines grow more capable, they could take on more of the risky and repetitive work beyond Earth. That could give astronauts more time for science, discovery and decisions that need human judgment. It could also change how we think about sending people into space in the first place.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Would you rather see astronauts doing the work in orbit, or robots taking over the risky stuff? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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.
Whether you’re considering starting a Sonos speaker setup, or adding to an existing group, the Sonos Era 100 is worth picking up. The compact, capable smart speaker is currently marked down to $189 ($30 off) at a variety of retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, and directly from Sonos. If you want an even lower price, Sonos is selling refurbished Era 100 speakers for just $134. They come with fresh accessories and packaging, and sport the same one-year warranty as its new speakers.
The wireless speaker has a rich, detailed sound profile, with room-filling audio despite its small size. You might be able to improve the sound further with the Sonos Trueplay feature, which uses either your phone or the speaker’s built-in microphone to automatically tune it to your space. The Era 100 can easily connect with other speakers in the Sonos ecosystem for multi-room play, even with different Sonos models.
The Era 100 has expanded functionality from previous entry-level Sonos speakers, adding in Bluetooth and USB-C wired audio, as well as improved onboard controls. While the speaker features built-in voice assistant support for both Sonos and Alexa, you can flip a switch on its back to cut power to the microphone.
-
Texas2 minutes ago
NCAA denies Texas Tech’s appeal regarding Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility
-
Utah7 minutes agoSouthern Utah car enthusiasts hold procession for man who died driving Model T Ford
-
Vermont14 minutes ago
VT Lottery Mega Millions, Gimme 5 results for June 5, 2026
-
Virginia17 minutes agoVirginia Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 Night results for June 5, 2026
-
Washington22 minutes agoStorm Team4 Forecast: More highs in the 90s, rain chances later
-
Wisconsin29 minutes agoWisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for June 5, 2026
-
West Virginia32 minutes agoWest Virginia Rep. Riley Moore secures $13M, including $6M for Oglebay Grow Center
-
Wyoming37 minutes agoAs immigrants self-deport from Wyoming, small towns could get ‘hollowed out’
