JetBrains launches Rider 2026.2 EAP 5, bringing several AI improvements by David Uzondu JetBrains has released the fifth EAP version of Rider 2026.2, bringing a faster startup flow with the new non-modal startup screen and quality-check hooks for Claude Code and Codex. In the latest EAP release, Rider now has newly bundled "quality-check" hooks that run background tests on code edits before the external agent proceeds. For example, after Claude Code rewrites a class, Rider immediately triggers a PostToolUse hook that analyzes the code for syntax errors and formatting warnings. It then passes those findings back to the model as feedback, allowing the agent to fix its own output before finalizing the task. If Rider detects compilation errors, the IDE prevents the agent from treating the task as complete, while minor formatting warnings simply help guide the model toward better output. The "Explain with AI" feature can now tackle tricky build errors directly from the console, helping .NET developers who frequently wrestle with multi-targeting failures and MSBuild errors. JetBrains introduced Explain with AI back in the 2024.1 release cycle. With this feature, instead of forcing developers to copy long diagnostics into a separate chat window, Rider now lets you trigger these explanations directly from the error source. In similar EAP news, JetBrains recently opened the first EAP for IntelliJ IDEA 2026.2, with features that appeal to both those who are into AI-assisted coding and those who prefer "classic" manual development. For manual developers, the release adds revamped dependency completion for Maven and Gradle build scripts, which pulls data directly from the local cache to suggest relevant versions. It also brings the Spring Debugger update, displaying security indicators next to endpoints to visualize secured routes during runtime. In addition to database migration tools for Flyway and Liquibase, this build introduces a Hibernate debugger that shows the exact SQL or HQL queries that the framework plans to execute, letting developers jump directly to the Java code that triggered them.

I have updated my Series 9 Watch so I assume there is either a mistake in what was said, or as suggested - the new AI feature set isn’t supported on anything other than those listed above.

WhatsApp slams Isreali firm, NSO Group, for trying to spy on its users by David Uzondu WhatsApp has come out accusing Israeli cyber-intelligence firm, NSO Group, of deploying a fresh wave of highly targeted "spear phishing" attacks against users, which its security teams successfully thwarted. The Israeli firm, according to WhatsApp, ran this operation like its usual one-click phishing campaigns, trying to get people to click malicious links that lead them to external sites. To coordinate the campaign, the spyware vendor created fake test accounts and groups on the messaging app. WhatsApp said it is sharing the specific malicious domains, ikhwancast[.]com, ghazacast[.]com, and fr24cast[.]com, because potential victims need this data to check if they were targeted across other messaging systems or email platforms. The NSO Group is infamous for creating and selling Pegasus, a military-grade commercial spyware capable of silently compromising smartphones simply by sending a message or placing a missed call via apps like WhatsApp or iMessage. Users do not even have to interact with the incoming notification before the infection takes hold. Once Pegasus manages to break in, the spyware harvests private data, letting operators read private messages, emails, photos, and documents. It also tracks precise GPS locations, records keystrokes, activates the device's camera, and monitors live microphone audio. Independent investigations by cybersecurity watchdogs like The Citizen Lab and human rights organizations like Amnesty International have proven that governments use this software to track humanitarian workers, journalists, diplomats, and political dissidents. These findings directly contradict NSO Group claims that clients use the technology to spy on criminals and terrorists only. In late 2021, the U.S. Department of Commerce added the firm to its Entity List, effectively banning the vendor from buying hardware and software from American tech companies. WhatsApp said in its blog post that the spyware vendor violated a permanent court injunction with this new spear-phishing campaign. This injunction, which took effect in 2025, strictly prohibited NSO Group from targeting WhatsApp and its users. The platform is now asking a federal court to hold the firm in contempt.

Cool. It definitely needed some work before