Technologies

This Duck-Billed Microphone Protects Against Eavesdroppers, But It Sure Is a Look

At CES 2026, this privacy accessory drastically quiets your conversations, though if you use it in public, you’ll surely raise questions.

Ever wanted to have a phone conversation without others listening in? At CES 2026, I saw a solution to this privacy problem, the Mutalk 2, a wearable microphone that muted my voice from people around me. It also made me look like a cyberpunk platypus.

Coming from Japanese company Shiftall, the Mutalk 2 is a $200 accessory that you wear over your mouth and nose, sealed by a rubber gasket, with a plastic oval extending out for a few inches. It connects to phones or devices over Bluetooth or wired 3.5mm jack. In a demonstration, I wore the Mutalk and chatted over the phone with someone 10 feet away who could hear me clearly on the call, but could pick up only the barest mumbling otherwise.

There’s no getting around the Mutalk’s strangeness, and I would expect to raise eyebrows if I ever wore it in public, as strapping one on made me look like I was wearing a gas mask. To be fair to Shiftall, I don’t have the design chops to suggest a better look for a microphone that incorporates tech to muffle my voice. Granted, I could imagine plenty of reasons to use it in the comfort of one’s own home, like to chat with online friends while gaming late at night without worry of waking up roommates, partners or babies.

From my brief time with the Mutalk 2, it appears to work as intended, and $200 isn’t prohibitive compared to the prices of other microphones. While it undeniably looks odd, its design is more functional than exotic. After I adjusted its rubber straps that went around my head, the accessory sat comfortably enough on my face, and was light enough that it wouldn’t seem to drag down during a longer conversation. The rubber gasket that covers the mouth and nose is removable, making it easy to clean.

If you want private conversations while you’re out in public, there may be less obtrusive ways to go about it than the Mutalk 2, like a throat microphone. But Shiftall’s design has other benefits, such as blocking lip-reading. And it’s worth pointing out that some people out there would love to rock that cyberpunk platypus look. I mean, folks did line up to buy the Razer Zephyr RGB mask — some people embrace parts of the bleeding-edge technological future that’re different from anything else around.

Technologies

The Fourth Episode of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Out

Verum Messenger has released the fourth episode of its AI mini-series SHADOWS, created using Verum AI. The new episode, titled “No Borders,” continues the story of a team trying to stay out of the OMEGA corporation’s sight.

Following the events of the previous episodes, the team moves between cities and countries while OMEGA continues its search. The new episode puts particular emphasis on Verum Messenger’s capabilities that allow users to conceal their location.

“No Borders” is another chapter in a story about privacy, freedom of communication, and technologies that erase borders between people.

The VERUM AI mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 4 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Technologies

Verum Messenger Introduces Built-In Verum Chess

Verum Messenger has released a new update for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, adding another feature to its growing ecosystem — Verum Chess. Users can now play chess directly inside the messenger without switching between different applications.

The new feature allows users to start a game in just a few taps while reinforcing Verum’s vision of a unified digital environment where communication and everyday services come together in a single platform.

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional ecosystem that combines secure chats and calls, AI tools, a built-in VPN, anonymous email, eSIM, financial services, cryptocurrency features, and offline communication. With the introduction of Verum Chess, the platform now also offers a new way for users to interact and spend time together without leaving the app.

The update is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on the App Store.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Watch on Instagram
Watch on YouTube