Technology

The humble screenshot might be the key to great AI assistants

Published

11 months ago

April 18, 2025

The humble screenshot might be the key to great AI assistants

If you want to make the most out of a world increasingly filled with AI tools, here’s a habit to develop: start taking screenshots. Lots of screenshots. Of anything and everything. Because for all the talk of voice modes, omnipresent cameras, and the multimodal future of everything, there might be no more valuable digital behavior than to press the buttons and save what you’re looking at.

Screenshots are the most universal method of capturing digital information. You can capture anything — well, almost anything, thanks a lot, Netflix! — with a few clicks, and save and share it to almost any device, app, or person. “It’s this portable data format,” says Johnny Bree, the founder of the digital storage app Fabric. “There’s nothing else that’s quite so portable that you can move between any piece of software.”

A screenshot contains a lot of information, like its source, contents, and even the time of the day in the corner of the screen. Most of all, it sends a crucial and complex signal; it says I care about this. We have countless new AI tools that aim to watch the world, our lives, and everything, and try to make sense of it all for us. These tools are mostly crap for lots of reasons but mostly because AI is pretty good at knowing what things are, but it’s rubbish at knowing whether they matter. A screenshot assigns value and tells the system it needs to pay attention.

Screenshots also put you, the user, in control in an important way. “If I give you access to all of my emails, all my WhatsApps, everything, there’s a lot of noise,” says Mattias Deserti, the head of smartphone marketing at Nothing. There’s simply no reason to save every email you receive or every webpage you visit — and that’s to say nothing of the privacy implications. “So what if, instead, you were able to start training the system yourself, feeding the system the information you want the system to know about you?” Rather than a tool like Microsoft Recall, which asks for unlimited access to everything, starting with screenshots lets you pick what you share.

Until now, screenshots have been a fairly blunt instrument. You snap one, and it gets saved to your camera roll, where it probably languishes, forgotten, until the end of time. (And don’t get me started on all the screenshots I take by accident, mostly of my lockscreen.) At best, you might be able to search for some text inside the image. But it’s more likely that you’ll just have to s scroll until you find it again.

The first step in making screenshots more useful is to figure out what’s actually in them

The first step in making screenshots more useful is to figure out what’s actually in them. This is, at first blush, not terribly complicated: optical character recognition technology has long done a good job of spotting text on a page. AI models take that one step further, so you can either search the title or just “movies” to find all your digital snaps of posters, Fandango results, TikTok recommendations, and more. “We use an OCR model,” says Shenaz Zack, a product manager at Google and part of the team behind the Pixel Screenshots app. “Then we use an entity-detection model, and then Gemini to understand the actual context of the screen.”

See, there’s far more to a screenshot than just the text inside. The right AI model should be able to tell that it came from WhatsApp, just by the specific green color. It should be able to identify a website by its header logo or understand when you’re saving a Spotify song name, a Yelp handyman review, or an Amazon listing. Armed with this information, a screenshot app might begin to automatically organize all those images for you. And even that is just the beginning.

With everything I’ve described so far, all we’ve really created is a very good app for looking at your screenshots, which no one really thinks is a good idea because it would be just one more thing to check — or forget to check. Where it gets vastly more interesting is when your device or app can actually start to use the screenshots on your behalf, to help you actually remember what you captured or even use that information to get stuff done.

In Nothing’s new Essential Space app, for instance, the app can generate reminders based on stuff you save. If you take a screenshot of a concert you’d like to go to, it can remind you that it’s coming up automatically. Pixel Screenshots is pushing the idea even further: if you save a concert listing, your Pixel phone can prompt you to listen to that band the next time you open Spotify. If you screenshot an ID card or a boarding pass, it might ask you to put it in the Wallet app. The idea, Zack says, is to think of screenshots as an input system for everything else.

It’s one thing to screenshot a band you like. It’s another to be able to find them again later.

Image: David Pierce / The Verge

Mike Choi, an indie developer, built an app called Camp in part to help him make use of his own screenshots. He began to work on turning every screenshot into a “card,” with the salient information stored alongside the picture. “You have a screenshot, and at the bottom there’s a button, and it flips the card over,” he says. “It shows you a map, if it was a location; a preview of a song, if it’s a song. The idea was, given an infinite pool of different types of screenshots, can AI just generate the perfect UI for that category on the fly?”

If all this sounds familiar, it’s because there’s another term for what’s going on here: it’s called agentic AI. Every company in tech seems to be working on ways to use AI to accomplish things on your behalf. It’s just that, in this case, you don’t have to write long prompts or chat back and forth with an assistant. You just take a screenshot and let the system go to work. “You’re building a knowledge base, when today that knowledge base is confined to your gallery and nothing happens with it,” Deserti says. He’s excited to get to the point where you screenshot a concert date, and Essential Space automatically prompts you to buy tickets when they go on sale.

Making sense of screenshots isn’t always so straightforward

Making sense of screenshots isn’t always so straightforward, though. Some you want to keep forever, like the ID card you might need often; other things, like a concert poster or a parking pass, have extremely limited shelf lives. For that matter, how is an app supposed to distinguish between the parking pass you use every day at work and the one you used once at the airport and never need again? Some of the screenshots on my phone were sent to me on WhatsApp; others I grabbed from Instagram memes to send to friends. No one’s camera roll should ever be fully held against them, and the same goes for screenshots. Lots of these screenshot apps are looking for ways to prompt you to add a note, or organize things yourself, in order to provide some additional helpful information to the system. But it’s hard work to do that without ruining what makes screenshots so seamless and easy in the first place.

One way to begin to solve this problem, to make screenshots even more automatically useful, is to collect some additional context from your device. This is where companies like Google and Nothing have an advantage: because they make the device, they can see everything that’s happening when you take a screenshot. If you grab a screenshot from your web browser, they can also store the link you were looking at. They can also see your physical location or note the time and the weather. Sometimes this is all useful, but sometimes it’s nonsense; the more data they collect, the more these apps risk running into the same noise problem that screenshots helped solve in the first place.

But the input system works. We all take screenshots, all the time, and we’re used to taking them as a way to put a marker on so many kinds of useful information. Getting access to that kind of relevant, personalized data is the hardest thing about building a great AI assistant. The future of computing is certainly multimodal, including cameras, microphones, and sensors of all kinds. But the first best way to use AI might be one screenshot at a time.

Technology

Soundcore new Space 2 promise improved ANC and sound

Published

6 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Soundcore new Space 2 promise improved ANC and sound

We finally have an update to the Soundcore Space One that launched two and a half years ago. At MWC 2026, Soundcore has announced the Space 2, which will be available in the US on April 21st in three colors — linen white, jet black, and seafoam green — for $129.99. That’s $30 more than the Space One’s original price.

According to Soundcore, the Space 2 have had a full-band noise cancellation upgrade with the focus of those improvements on the low-frequency sounds we all generally use ANC headphones to block — things like airplane, train, and bus engine sounds while traveling. The Space 2 use the same number of microphones as the Space One for noise canceling, instead relying on optimized mic placement and structure and materials improvements for the boost in performance.

Redesigned 40mm drivers incorporate dual layers in their design. There’s a silk diaphragm with metal ceramic that supposedly results in faster transient response — the driver’s ability to respond to sudden sound quickly and accurately — with better balanced sound reproduction. The Space One had great sound performance for the price, but I’m all for any improvement to sound performance accuracy. Like the Space One, the Space 2 will support LDAC high-res audio.

The headphones connect wirelessly over Bluetooth 6.1, although they do not support Auracast transmissions — an unfortunate exclusion. There’s also a 3.5mm jack for a wired connection.

Battery life has been increased to up to 50 hours with ANC and 70 hours with ANC off. This is up from 40 hours with ANC and 55 hours without ANC with the Space One headphones. With a five-minute charge the Space 2 get an additional four hours of listening.

The Space 2 will include many of the features found on the Space One. You can use HearID 3.0 to go through a series of sound samples to tune the headphones’ sound to your preferences. It worked well for me on the Space One to get them closer to a sound I liked, with a bit of the edge taken off the higher frequencies. There’s also a sensor that detects when you remove the headphones and stops playback so you don’t miss any of your music or podcast. They once again come with a cloth bag that matches the color of the headphones instead of a case, which is one change I wish Soundcore had made, as the cloth bag doesn’t offer as much protection if you tend to throw your headphones into your backpack or bag.

The Soundcore Space One were among the best budget ANC headphones when they came out, and still hold up to more recent releases. But with the bump in price to over $100 for the Space 2, there’s a bit more expectation on them. ANC performance continues to improve — and products get cheaper — across manufacturers, so the Soundcore Space 2 has some competition from companies like Sony, EarFun, and JLab. If the ANC on the Space 2 stands up to current budget headphones and they still sound as good and are as comfortable as the Space One, you can expect to see the new Soundcore Space 2 on many recommendation lists.

Technology

Tired of websites blocking your VPN? A dedicated IP fixes that

Published

7 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Tired of websites blocking your VPN? A dedicated IP fixes that

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If you have ever turned on your VPN and suddenly could not log in to your bank, email, streaming service or work portal, you are not imagining things. In fact, this is one of the most common frustrations VPN users face today.

However, the issue is not that VPNs stopped working. Instead, websites have become far more aggressive about blocking traffic that looks suspicious.

As a result, the way your VPN is built now matters just as much as whether you use one at all.

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Shared VPN IPs often trigger red flags, which is why banks, email providers and streaming sites sometimes block access. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why websites block many VPN connections

Most VPNs give you a shared IP address. As a result, hundreds or even thousands of people can appear online from the same address at the same time. From a website’s perspective, that traffic pattern raises red flags. When platforms detect too many logins, rapid location changes or unusual activity tied to one IP, they step in quickly. In many cases, they respond by:

Blocking access
Triggering captchas
Requiring extra verification codes
Temporarily locking accounts

Meanwhile, you did nothing wrong. Instead, you end up dealing with restrictions caused by other users sharing that same IP address.

What a dedicated IP does differently

With a dedicated IP, you get an address that belongs only to you. Unlike shared VPN connections, no one else uses it.

Each time you connect, you use the same IP address. As a result, you avoid sharing traffic, rotating locations or competing with random users whose activity could trigger blocks.

Because of that consistency, your connection looks much more like a typical home or office internet setup. And that simple difference can dramatically reduce website suspicion and login headaches.

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A dedicated IP gives you a consistent address that looks more like a normal home connection, reducing captchas and login alerts. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What a dedicated IP can do that shared VPN IPs usually can’t

That consistency does more than reduce suspicion; it improves how smoothly you access the sites and services you use every day.

Access more websites without blocks

Banks, government portals, healthcare sites, and streaming services are far less likely to block a dedicated IP because it does not show heavy or erratic traffic patterns.

Reduce captchas and security challenges

Those endless “prove you’re human” messages are usually triggered by shared IP abuse. A dedicated IP dramatically reduces them.

Make banking and email logins smoother

Financial institutions and email providers often flag constantly changing IP addresses as suspicious. A dedicated IP stays consistent, so login alerts and lockouts happen far less often.

Support remote work and secure systems

Some employers only allow access from approved IP addresses. Shared VPN IPs cannot be approved. Dedicated IPs can.

Improve streaming reliability

Shared VPN IPs are often the first to get blocked when streaming services crack down. Dedicated IPs are less likely to be flagged because traffic looks normal and predictable.

What a dedicated IP does not do

A dedicated IP:

Does not remove encryption
Does not expose your identity
Does not weaken your privacy

Your traffic remains encrypted, and your real location stays hidden. You simply get a connection that websites trust more.

Who benefits most from a dedicated IP

A dedicated IP is especially helpful if you:

Use online banking regularly
Travel and access sites from different locations
Work remotely
Stream often
Get tired of captchas and blocked pages
Want a VPN that feels normal to use

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With fewer blocks and smoother logins, a dedicated IP helps your VPN work quietly in the background instead of getting in your way. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How to choose a VPN that offers a dedicated IP

If you want these benefits, look for a VPN provider that offers a dedicated IP option built directly into its service. Some providers include it in premium plans, while others offer it as an add-on. Either way, the process should be simple. You should be able to select your dedicated IP inside the app without advanced setup or manual configuration. Before signing up, check that the provider also offers strong speeds, reliable uptime and clear privacy policies. A dedicated IP improves access, but overall performance still matters.

What to look for beyond a dedicated IP

A dedicated IP reduces blocks. However, a quality VPN should also deliver strong security and smooth performance.

Fast, stable connections: Speed matters for streaming, video calls and everyday browsing. Look for providers known for consistent performance.

Wide server coverage: More server locations give you flexibility when traveling and help reduce location errors.

Clear privacy practices: Choose a VPN with a strict no-logs policy and independent audits when possible.

Secure server technology: Modern VPNs often use RAM-based servers that automatically wipe data on reboot.

Easy-to-use apps: Protection should feel simple, not technical. Clean apps across major devices make daily use effortless.

For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

Kurt’s key takeaway

If your VPN keeps getting blocked, the problem may not be the VPN itself. It may be the shared IP address behind it. Websites are increasingly aggressive about suspicious traffic. When hundreds of users share the same IP, banks, email providers and streaming platforms take notice. That is when the captchas, verification codes and account lockouts start. A dedicated IP changes that experience. You still get encryption. You still protect your real location. But your connection looks stable and predictable, which helps you avoid constant interruptions.

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Should protecting your privacy really mean fighting with your bank, email, and streaming apps? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

Polymarket defends its decision to allow betting on war as ‘invaluable’

Published

18 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Polymarket defends its decision to allow betting on war as ‘invaluable’

It might be World War III, but at least I won $20. | Image: Polymarket / The Verge

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.