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Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge; Getty Image A former Florida sheriff who moved to Russia amid an FBI investigation is a Kremlin-backed propagandist responsible for viral deepfake videos and misinformation targeting Kamala Harris's campaign, according to European intelligence documents reviewed by the Washington Post.The GRU, Russia's military intelligence service, gave funding to John Mark Dougan, the operator of several fake news websites. According to documents reviewed by the Post, Dugan was responsible for several websites that seemingly published fake local news, including DC Weekly, Chicago Chronicle, and Atlanta Observer. The documents, which mostly focus on the time between March 2021 and August of this year, show that Dougan worked with Yury Khoroshevsky, an officer... Continue reading...

Image: The Verge Miles Brundage, OpenAI's senior adviser for the readiness of AGI (aka human-level artificial intelligence), delivered a stark warning as he announced his departure on Wednesday: no one is prepared for artificial general intelligence, including OpenAI itself.Neither OpenAI nor any other frontier lab is ready [for AGI], and the world is also not ready," wrote Brundage, who spent six years helping to shape the company's AI safety initiatives. To be clear, I don't think this is a controversial statement among OpenAI's leadership, and notably, that's a different question from whether the company and the world are on track to be ready at the relevant time."His exit marks the latest in a series of high-profile departures from OpenAI's... Continue reading...

It may be time to bury the M1 MacBook Air for good. | Photo by Becca Farsace / The Verge Apple might be updating several Macs with M4 chips as early as next week, but it's looking like the MacBook Air lineup might not join the party until early 2025. That said, if you're on an older MacBook and can't wait to upgrade, there have been few better times than now. The base 13-inch M2 MacBook Air with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage has fallen to an all-time low of $699.9 ($200 off) at Amazon, while the step-up 512GB model is down to $949.99 ($249 off) thanks to an on-page coupon. You can even grab the M3 MacBook Air 13 at Amazon starting at $899 ($200 off), which is $50 shy of its all-time low.Although the M1 Air was technically discontinued earlier this year, we still considered its $699 price a great value for routine... Continue reading...

Image: Bluesky Bluesky is working on a premium subscription that will add features like higher-quality video uploads and some profile customization options. Unlike the premium subscription offered by X, however, Bluesky's paid tier won't boost the visibility of your posts, nor will it give your account a verified" status. In a post on its blog, Bluesky also notes that the platform will always be free to use."Subscription revenue helps us improve the app, grow the developer ecosystem, and gives us time to explore business models beyond traditional ads," Bluesky chief operating officer Rose Wang wrote in a post. Paid subscribers won't get special treatment elsewhere in the app, like upranking premium accounts or blue checks next to their names."

Google's Magic Editor added several questionable items to this scene. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge There's no putting the genie back in the bottle when it comes to generative AI forever shaking our trust in photos, but the tech industry has a responsibility to at least be as transparent as possible when these tools are used. To that end, Google has announced that starting next week, Google Photos will note when an image was edited with the help of AI.Photos edited with tools like Magic Editor, Magic Eraser and Zoom Enhance already include metadata based on technical standards from The International Press Telecommunications Council (IPTC) to indicate that they've been edited using generative AI," John Fisher, engineering director of Google Photos, wrote in a blog post. Now we're taking it a step further, making this information... Continue reading...

Illustration: The Verge Apple is adding a new child safety feature that lets kids send a report to Apple when they are sent photos or videos with nudity, according to The Guardian. After reviewing anything received, the company can report messages to law enforcement.The new feature expands on Apple's Communication Safety feature, which uses on-device scanning to detect nudity in photos or videos received via Messages, AirDrop, or Contact Poster and blur them out. In addition to blurring the photo or video, Apple also shows a pop-up with options to message an adult, get resources for help, or block the contact.As part of this new feature, which is in testing now in Australia with iOS 18.2, users will also be able to send a report to Apple about any images or... Continue reading...

There's a banner printed on the top of the card that tells you there's a gift card inside. | Image: Hallmark Hallmark announced new physical greeting cards that include digital gift cards inside. The Gift Card Greetings" line means you can hand someone a real card, paired with the convenience of not needing to tape on an extra piece of plastic. It's a little bit more personal than buying someone an e-gift card and having a code land somewhere in their email inbox.The gift card comes in the form of a QR code printed on the inside flap of Hallmark's card that is used for both loading and redeeming its value. The new cards are an expansion of Hallmark's other digital-gift-in-a-physical-card idea that lets you include cash via Venmo, so you don't have to go to the ATM.For the new cards, the buyer peels off a sticker to reveal the QR code, and... Continue reading...

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge Verizon has relaunched its family-tracking app with a Safe Walk SOS feature, allowing users to share their real-time location with emergency contacts and send notifications when they arrive safely. Users can also access a silent SOS button that will alert contacts if they need help.The new Verizon Family app replaces the Smart Family service that the carrier launched in 2019. It comes with many of the same features, including ways to track the locations of family members, view how much time a child is spending on their phone, and set limits on screen time.The Verizon Family app also lets parents view their child's call and text activity (without actually viewing their messages), monitor their teen's driving activity, and set location... Continue reading...

Illustrations by Alex Castro / The Verge Governments face a deadline in early 2025 to update their national climate plans, 10 years after the adoption of the landmark Paris accord. Before that can happen, Americans will face a crucial decision on Election Day that will have consequences for the whole world.If the US misses that deadline under a president who thinks this is no big deal, it could be a serious blow to global efforts to stop climate change. This isn't about the US being the world's savior. It's about cleaning up after itself considering the planetary mess it's made and continues to make.What's at stake? Only debilitating impacts to people, planet and economies," the latest United Nations report on greenhouse gas emissions released today tells us.We are a... Continue reading...

The Razer Barracuda X Chroma headphones feature size zones of customizable RGB lighting. | Image: Razer Razer has announced a new version of its Barracuda X wireless gaming headset that adds a glowing Razer logo and a ring of color-changing LEDs outlining each earcup. The new Barracuda X Chroma headphones are now available for preorder in a black or white colorway for $129.99 and are expected to ship in late October or early November.As with other Razer headphones featuring RGB LEDs, the Barracuda X Chroma's accent lighting can be customized through the Razer Chroma Studio desktop app or the Razer Audio mobile app. The headphones feature six zones that can be set to one of 16.8 million colors to match the motif of a gaming room or other hardware, or you can choose from preset effects, including lighting that corresponds to over 300... Continue reading...

Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images The Department of Justice sent America PAC - the political action committee Elon Musk set up to help reelect former President Donald Trump - a letter warning that Musk's $1 million lottery targeting swing state voters may be illegal. It's the latest government attempt to regulate Musk, but it may go nowhere, even though campaign finance experts are adamant that he broke the law.A vocal Trump supporter, Musk is using his vast fortune to influence the election. He's contributed $75 million to the PAC thus far and has been stumping for Trump in Pennsylvania, a battleground state, since last week. But Musk's actions go far beyond typical - and legal - wealthy donor behavior.Musk has made payouts to voters a key element of his campaigning.... Continue reading...

Satechi's magnetic charging pad gets a Qi2 upgrade and a small price bump. | Image: Satechi Satechi has announced an updated version of its Trio Wireless Charging Pad that increases the power delivery to smartphones to 15W through an upgraded Qi2 charger. The new Satechi Qi2 Trio Wireless Charging Pad now also supports 5W fast charging for the Apple Watch, including the Series 7, 8, and 9 and both versions of the Ultra.Made from a mix of aluminum, vegan leather, and soft silicone to prevent devices from getting scratched, the charging pad is available starting today through Satechi's website for $129.99. That's $10 more expensive than the original version, but in addition to potentially faster charge times, Satechi has also included some design improvements on the new Trio. Image: Satechi Devices... Continue reading...

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge Peacock's multiview feature isn't just for sports - it's also good for tracking the action on election night, apparently. As votes roll in on November 5th, Peacock will show three different livestreams that you can jump between.One window will have a stream of NBC News Now, which will show breaking news and real-time election results from anchors Lester Holt and Savannah Guthrie. The multiview setup will also include a Kornacki Cam" with analysis from correspondent Steve Kornacki as well as a map with election results from across the country.Just like the multiview option for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Peacock will let you move between each screen, toggle the audio on or off for specific streams, and select a livestream to watch in full... Continue reading...

Illustration by Cath Virginia / The Verge | Photos by Getty Images The latest AI manifesto, from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, says a lot about the industry's current moment. Continue reading...

Google Calendar on the web's new dark mode started rolling out to users on October 23rd. | Image: Google Google is finally introducing a dark mode to the web version of Google Calendar and rolling out a refreshed user interface." The new UI will include buttons, dialog boxes, and sidebars that are more modern and accessible" with improved typefaces.The update started rolling out this week and soon it will be available to everyone, whether they're using a personal Gmail login or any sort of paid Google Workspace account.Once it's available on your account, you can turn on the dark mode by clicking the settings icon in the top right corner of the Google Calendar interface, which presents a new drop-down menu with the dark option available under Appearance." Users can also switch back to the light option or choose to match their... Continue reading...

Image: Activision Activision's Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is launching on Nvidia's GeForce Now game streaming service on Friday, October 25th - the same day it launches on all other platforms. It's the first time a Call of Duty game is launching day one on GeForce Now, which follows Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023 and a deal to launch its games on Nvidia's service.New Call of Duty releases had exclusive content deals with PlayStation for many years, but Microsoft struck a deal with Sony as part of a promise it would bring parity for the franchise's future launches when it acquired Activision Blizzard. Microsoft had to compromise in its buyout of Activision Blizzard to get past regulators, which included bringing games from the... Continue reading...

Image: Minecraft Minecraft will officially stop supporting all virtual reality headsets after March 2025, according to an update posted to the Bedrock changelog. The update means Minecraft will no longer support devices like the Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality headsets, or the Meta Quest (through Quest Link), as reported earlier by UploadVR.Last month, Minecraft developer Mojang also announced that the game would end support for PlayStation VR headsets next March. When Minecraft's spring update rolls around, Mojang says you'll still be able to keep building in your worlds, and your Marketplace purchases (including Minecoins) will continue to be available on a non-VR/MR graphics device such as a computer monitor."As pointed out by UploadVR, you'll... Continue reading...

Image: Snapchat Starting this week, Snapchat is introducing a faster way for iPhone users to take snaps when they're in a rush. iPhones running iOS 18 or later can replace the flashlight or native camera shortcuts at the bottom of the lock screen with shortcuts to Snapchat's camera.With the new shortcuts, you can launch the Snapchat camera directly from the lock screen with a single tap, making it easier to capture moments before they pass. Using these controls enables iPhones to launch and take photos in Camera Only" mode while locked, but sending or editing the snaps will still require users to unlock the device.To set this up, users need to tap and hold the Lock Screen, hit Customize, and then select Lock Screen to replace one of the default... Continue reading...

Photo by Selcuk Acar / Anadolu via Getty Images Automatic emergency braking (AEB) isn't perfect, but the technology is improving, according to a recent study conducted by AAA. The research comes on the heels of a new federal rule requiring all vehicles to have the most robust version of AEB by 2029.AAA wanted to see how newer vehicles with AEB fared compared to older models with the technology. AEB uses forward-facing cameras and other sensors to automatically tell the car to apply the brakes when a crash is imminent. And according to the test results, newer versions of AEB are much better at preventing forward collisions than older versions of the tech.The motorist group conducted its test on a private closed course using older (2017-2018) and newer versions (2024) of the same... Continue reading...

Illustration: The Verge Roblox is making some potentially major changes that will limit what pre-teens can access and give parents more control over what their kids do on the platform, according to an email sent by the company and shared with The Verge. The changes follow recent reports highlighting how Roblox has failed to protect children.In July, for example, Bloomberg published a big report about predators on the platform. Turkey blocked access to Roblox in August, saying it was a necessary measure to protect its children. (Roblox said this week that it would open an office in the country if access was restored.) Earlier this month, a popular financial newsletter accused Roblox of enabling child abuse and the investment firm Hindenburg Research alleged... Continue reading...

The Bookcase undoes years of smartphone makers working hard to reduce the size of screen bezels. | Image: Astropad Astropad's new Bookcase is a smartphone accessory designed to make reading on a smartphone feel more like reading on an e-reader. No, it doesn't give your phone an easy-on-the-eyes screen, longer battery life, or any other features that have made devices like the Kindle popular. Instead, for $50 the Bookcase is really just designed to make a smartphone easier to hold like a book, while making your favorite reading app more accessible.The Bookcase is essentially a magnetic attachment that adds chunky plastic handles on either side of your phone, making it roughly the size and shape of a paperback novel or an e-reader. Astropad says any smartphone that can be attached to a magnetic wireless charger can be used with the Bookcase" even... Continue reading...

Illustration: The Verge Google's SynthID text watermarking technology, a tool the company created to make AI-generated text easier to identify, is now available open-source through the Google Responsible Generative AI Toolkit, the company announced on X.Now, other [generative] AI developers will be able to use this technology to help them detect whether text outputs have come from their own [large language models], making it easier for more developers to build AI responsibly," Pushmeet Kohli, the vice president of research at Google DeepMind, told MIT Technology Review.Watermarks have become increasingly important tools as large language models are used to spread political misinformation, generate nonconsensual sexual content, and for other malicious... Continue reading...

2024 Dodge Charger Daytonas. | Image: Stellantis Stellantis says it will put a demonstration fleet" of Dodge Charger Daytonas on the road by 2026, equipped with solid-state battery technology that's lighter, more energy-dense, and could eventually make for cheaper EVs. The company calls the demo fleet a key next step" toward making solid-state EVs that you can actually buy.The cars will be built on its STLA Large EV platform, which is meant to underpin more than just the Chargers it's demoing next year. If its demo is successful, there's a chance that cars from brands like Maserati and Jeep will get the new battery tech, too. Image: Stellantis A demo fleet of the Dodge Charger will get semi-solid-state batteries in 2026, Stellantis says. There's probably a... Continue reading...

Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images On the heels of its highly anticipated but ultimately disappointing robotaxi event, Tesla published its third quarter earnings report, in which it reiterated its plan to launch a more affordable" electric vehicle in the first half of 2025.In order to continue accelerating the world's transition to sustainable energy, we need to make EVs affordable for everyone, including making total cost of ownership per mile competitive with all forms of transportation," the company said. Preparations remain underway for our offering of new vehicles - including more affordable models - which we will begin launching in the first half of 2025."Preparations remain underway for our offering of new vehicles"Earlier this year, Tesla abandoned its... Continue reading...

The iOS 18 updates keep rolling. | Photo: Allison Johnson / The Verge When Apple said that iPhone owners in the EU would be able to set new default apps for things like calling and messaging, it sounded a lot like only people in the EU would get that option.That's not the case, though: a note on Apple's developer website states that all users worldwide can set new default apps for calling and messaging in iOS 18.2. Maybe the continental divide between iPhones in the US and EU won't be so wide after all.The first iOS 18.2 developer beta went out today, and it didn't take long for 9to5Mac to spot the new options. There's a whole new section in the settings menu dedicated to managing default apps. This includes defaults you could already reassign, like your browser or email app. Other options include call... Continue reading...

Image: Microsoft Microsoft has made Windows Update significantly faster in its latest big update to Windows 11. Version 24H2 started rolling out earlier this month with lots of useful improvements, but now Microsoft is revealing this big update also reduces install time, restart time, and even CPU usage for monthly Windows updates.Microsoft typically distributes monthly cumulative security and non-security updates, which are designed to roll out new features or protect against new threats. Windows 11 version 24H2 includes new ways to update the OS that make it more efficient and speedier, including parallel processing of components, scalable use of system RAM, and an optimized cache to update components.These changes mean Windows 11 version 24H2 can... Continue reading...

Amazon is sweetening the Prime deal. | Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge Amazon Prime members are getting a new perk: extra savings at the pump. By linking your Amazon account with BP's loyalty program, you'll be able to save 10 cents a gallon whenever you fuel up at a participating BP or Amoco station. Incidentally, it's a discount much like the one Walmart offers at Exxon stations through its Prime competitor program, Walmart Plus.Naturally, you need to agree to let BP collect information about you to get your discount. But what's the harm in joining just one more loyalty program? And so what if BP is walking back its carbon emission goals to maximize profits while the planet burns? Because there is no ethical consumption under capitalism, and also because everything is so god damn expensive lately, I went... Continue reading...

Illustration: The Verge The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has announced fines totaling $89 million against Apple and Goldman Sachs because the companies illegally mishandled transaction disputes and misled iPhone purchasers about interest-free payment options" with the Apple Card. The CFPB says the issues affected hundreds of thousands of Apple Card users."Apple didn't send tens of thousands" of Apple Card transaction disputes to Goldman Sachs, according to the CFPB. The CFPB says that Goldman Sachs didn't complete timely inquires on disputes it received in accordance with federal law, either.Cardholders were also led to believe that they would automatically get interest-free financing if they bought Apple devices using the Apple Card, but... Continue reading...

Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra, one of our favorite fitness trackers, is up to $150 off at Amazon right now. | Photo by Victoria Song / The Verge Samsung's Galaxy Watch 7 is a good Android smartwatch, especially if you're already embedded in Samsung's ecosystem, but it's best suited for casual fitness tracking. If you're the outdoorsy type or simply want the most full-featured Samsung smartwatch on the market, Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra is the better choice - one that's currently on sale at Amazon starting at a new low of $499.99 ($150 off).Built for adventurous types, the Galaxy Watch Ultra offers features you won't find in other Galaxy Watches, including an emergency siren, a multisport activity for triathletes, as well as a customizable shortcut button for quick access to the flashlight and workout app. The wearable also offers longer battery life than the Galaxy Watch 7 -... Continue reading...

The Lomo'Instant Wide Glass features a 90mm multi-coated glass lens for sharper instant prints. | Image: Lomography Lomography has announced an upgraded version of its Lomo'Instant Wide Camera that swaps the original's 90mm plastic lens for one made with multi-coated glass. The company says its new Lomo'Instant Wide Glass is the sharpest instant camera on earth," but while it probably outperforms other Lomography offerings, it's up against instant alternatives like the Nons SL660 which is compatible with EF mount lenses. And in either case, it's still going to be held back by the limitations of instant film.Those upgraded optics come with a much steeper price tag. The Lomo'Instant Wide Glass is available now for $279, where as the all-plastic Lomo'Instant Wide Camera Black Edition is still $169. Fujifilm's own Instax Wide 400 is even cheaper at... Continue reading...

The Boox Palma looks slick in either black or white. | Image: Boox Kindles and Kobos are relatively comfortable to use, but if those are too big and restrictive, the smartphone-like Boox Palma is a fantastic alternative that's grown on us considerably. A new model is on its way, but if you don't need the smoother performance it promises, you can save a bit on the original today. It's down to $245.99 ($34 off) at Amazon, which is a new all-time low price.The Palma's hardware sheet and appearance resemble a smartphone, but it has neither calling capabilities nor a traditional display. It uses a 6.13-inch backlit E Ink Carta 1200 display instead, offering a crisp 300 ppi resolution. There's a microphone and speaker, a microSD card slot for expanding its 128GB of internal storage, volume buttons that can... Continue reading...

The Climeworks AG Mammoth carbon removal plant in Hellisheidi, Iceland, on May 8th, 2024. | Photo: Getty Images Tech companies think they can reverse climate change with fancy new tools to take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. But new research throws cold water on the idea that cooling the planet after it has already heated beyond a key turning point can avoid serious damage. Much of the toll climate change takes - from rising seas to lost homes - can't be undone, recent research published in the journal Nature warns.That makes it all the more urgent for governments and companies with climate goals to slash pollution from fossil fuels now, rather than offsetting or capturing their greenhouse gas emissions after the fact.Climate change comes with irreversible consequences."Climate change comes with irreversible consequences. Every degree... Continue reading...

Eero Outdoor 7 is the company's first outdoor-rated Wi-Fi access point. | Image: Eero Mesh Wi-Fi pioneer Eero is tackling a new frontier: the outdoors. Today, the Amazon-owned company announced the Eero Outdoor 7. Starting at $349.99, the dual-band 2.4 and 5Ghz Wi-Fi 7 access point boasts an IP66 rating and can provide up to 15,000 square feet of outdoor coverage with speeds of up to 2.1Gbps. That should be enough to stream movies to your outdoor TV or projector, get good connectivity for your security cameras, and even funnel some decent Wi-Fi to that shed at the end of the garden.With connectivity now a necessity for so many things we do, from work to play, extending your Wi-Fi network beyond your home into your yard feels increasingly more important. Nick Weaver, CEO of Eero, told The Verge in an interview that a... Continue reading...

For an extra $700 you buy a matching wooden tripod for Marantz's new wireless speakers. | Image: Marantz Marantz, a 70-year-old brand best known for high-end audio gear like amplifiers and receivers, announced its first speakers this week. The Marantz Horizon and Grand Horizon both pair an array of drivers with a central subwoofer and feature robust wireless connectivity with direct access to streaming services.Both speakers will be available starting on January 14th, 2025, in three different colorways: midnight sky, moon ray, and champagne. The Marantz Horizon will sell for $3,500, while the larger Grand Horizon will be $5,500. Marantz will also sell a matching tripod made from American walnut wood for $700. Image: Marantz The larger Marantz Grand Horizon offers a little extra power and includes two more drivers than... Continue reading...

Image: Apple Like a lot of tech companies, Lumon Industries is instituting a return-to-office policy for employees, but of course, this version looks a little scarier than real life. At least, that's how it seems based on the first proper trailer for season 2 of Severance.Following last season's incredibly tense finale, the show picks up with Mark S (Adam Scott) heading back to Lumon to find things a little different than he remembers them, including a number of his coworkers. But some things haven't changed - namely, the disorienting office hallways and the unyielding intensity of Milchick (Tramell Tillman), who looks intimidating even while holding party balloons.For the uninitiated, Severance is a sci-fi story about a medical procedure - the... Continue reading...

Image: Adobe Adobe is attempting to lure illustrators to join its creative software platform by making its dedicated drawing and painting app entirely free for everyone. Fresco is essentially Adobe's answer to apps like Procreate and Clip Studio Paint, which all provide a variety of tools for both digital art and simulating real-world materials like sketching pencils and watercolor paints.Adobe Fresco is designed for touch and stylus-supported devices, and is available on iPad, iPhone, and Windows PCs. The app already had a free-to-use tier, but premium features like access to the full Adobe Fonts library, a much wider brush selection, and the ability to import custom brushes previously required a $9.99 annual subscription. That's pretty affordable... Continue reading...

Illustration by Samar Haddad / The Verge Anyone who has followed a social network knows that sometimes the most innocuous post can attract unpleasant responses, especially on apps like Instagram, where your content - whether video, image, or text - can be out there for anyone to see. There are any number of reasons you might want to set your account to private, even if only temporarily. It would make it so that only people you approve can follow you and see the stuff you post on your grid or in your Stories.This isn't a perfect solution. For example, although only your followers can see your posts while your account is private, some aspects of your account, such as your profile, will remain public.Anyway, let's begin. Screenshot: Meta It's not hard to... Continue reading...