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Updated 2025-07-09 18:15
Warner Bros. is removing Adult Swim Games from console stores and Steam
Image: Adult Swim Even Warner Bros. Discovery games are subject to the capriciousness of the executive suite. Several developers of games published under Adult Swim Games, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, have said that the company has reached out to inform them that their games will soon be removed from digital storefronts on PC and console.It saddens me to announce that we received notice from Warner Bros. Discovery (the owners of Adult Swim Games) that Fist Puncher will be retired and removed from Steam in the next 60 days," wrote Matt Kain, one of Fist Puncher's developers, on Steam.Other developers with Adult Swim Games said they received the same message. Within the next 60 days, Soundodger+ will be removed from Steam," wrote Studio Bean on X.S... Continue reading...
The HomePod and HomePod Mini are both receiving a rare discount
The HomePod Mini isn't for everyone, but it's still a solid choice for Apple users. | Photo by Dan Seifert / The Verge With most of the Apple news this week revolving around the new M3 MacBook Air and Apple's ongoing app store kerfuffles in the EU, it's not surprising that Best Buy's current promos on the HomePod Mini and second-gen HomePod have slipped under the radar. That's a shame, however, given the smart speakers are on sale for $79.99 ($20 off) and $269.99 ($30 off), respectively, which doesn't happen often.If you're deciding between Apple's latest Siri-based smart speakers, there are a few things to consider. The latest HomePod is essentially a rehash of the original model from 2018, only this time, it comes with support for spatial audio, the new Matter standard, and temperature and humidity sensing. The pint-size HomePod Mini, meanwhile,... Continue reading...
How to use Alexa’s Drop In feature
Illustration by Samar Haddad / The Verge Amazon's Drop In feature has become a useful tool for contacting people in your household, finding out what your kids are up to (especially when they're being too quiet), and checking in on elderly relatives. It allows you to literally drop in" using an Alexa-capable device, either just via audio or with audio and video. But since you don't want anyone dropping in on you unwanted, it's a good idea to understand how to set it up and how to use it.Set up your device for Drop InIn order to allow somebody to drop in on an Echo or Fire device (or any Alexa-capable device that allows you to make calls), first you have to enable the Drop In feature on that specific unit.
Rivian R2, R3, and R3X launch event: the EV company’s more affordable SUVs are here
Image: Abigail Bassett / The Verge The R2 won't go on sale until 2026, but this smaller electric SUV is a crucial product for the young company. Continue reading...
Epic Games just got unbanned by Apple — again
Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge Epic Games will be able to open its iOS app store in the European Union after all. The game publisher had its developer license revoked by Apple earlier this week, but Epic Games now says that Apple has reversed its decision following an inquiry from the European Commission.In an update on its website, Epic Games says Apple has committed to the European Commission that they will reinstate our developer account." The company is now moving forward as planned to launch the Epic Games Store and bring Fortnite back to iOS in Europe."Apple confirmed the decision in an email to The Verge. Following conversations with Epic, they have committed to follow the rules, including our [Digital Markets Act] policies," said Apple spokesperson Fred... Continue reading...
One fan spent three years saving a Final Fantasy game before it shut down
Image: Square Enix It took three years, two terabytes, and over 100 hours of cutscenes to preserve Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia. Continue reading...
The MSI Claw has arrived to take on the Steam Deck
Image: MSI The MSI Claw has officially arrived, as the base model of MSI's Core Ultra-powered handheld gaming machine is now available from MSI's website for $699.There are two other higher-specced models, too, but they're listed as coming on March 12th. Here's how the three models stack up:
Chevy lifts stop-sale order on glitchy Blazer EV — and slashes prices
Photo by Andrew J. Hawkins / The Verge Chevy lifted the stop-sale order on the Blazer EV that was put in place last December after numerous owners and reviewers reported significant issues with the vehicle's software, including blank infotainment screens and error messages while charging.Chevy rolled out a software update that it says should fix the problems as well as provide a few enhancements for Blazer EV owners. In addition, Chevy announced it was cutting the Blazer EV's price by an average of $5,900 and that the vehicle will qualify for the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit when sales resume.Chevy rolled out a software update that it says should fix the problemsWe are excited to have the Chevrolet Blazer EV available again, this time with a compelling price,... Continue reading...
Rivian’s CEO has ‘complete certainty’ EVs will win
Getty Images for Rivian In a packed theater in Laguna Beach on Thursday morning, Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe opened his presentation to resounding whoops from the audience, well before the company unveiled its three buzzy new vehicles, the Rivian R2, R3, and R3X.While it's not uncommon to pack a room with fans for a vehicle launch, it is unusual for the CEO of a car company outside of Elon Musk to get the kind of response that Scaringe did. For a vehicle unveiling to feel upbeat and exciting without feeling cringe is even rarer. Getty Images for Rivian Every decision we've made, the products, the strategy, what we're building, how we go about building our business, the way we structure our teams, the way we think about our... Continue reading...
Rivian has already received 68,000 reservations for the R2
Image: Rivian Less than 24 hours since its launch, the Rivian R2 is already proving to be quite popular. The company's CEO, RJ Scaringe, said it's already taken in more than 68,000 reservations" for the $45,000 midsize electric SUV.We are thrilled to see this vehicle resonate so strongly with our community!" Scaringe said in a post on X.Rivian unveiled the R2, as well as the more compact R3 and R3X, at an event in Laguna Beach, California, on Thursday. The new EVs are meant to be more affordable than the company's current lineup, currently made up of the R1T truck and R1S, each of which sells for over $70,000.To be sure, the bar for reserving an R2 is quite lowTo be sure, the bar for reserving an R2 is quite low. The deposit is only $100 and... Continue reading...
Microsoft says Russian hackers stole source code after spying on its executives
Illustration: The Verge Microsoft revealed earlier this year that Russian state-sponsored hackers had been spying on the email accounts of some members of its senior leadership team. Now, Microsoft is disclosing that the attack, from the same group behind the SolarWinds attack, has also led to some source code being stolen in what Microsoft describes as an ongoing attack.In recent weeks, we have seen evidence that Midnight Blizzard [Nobelium] is using information initially exfiltrated from our corporate email systems to gain, or attempt to gain, unauthorized access," explains Microsoft in a blog post. This has included access to some of the company's source code repositories and internal systems. To date we have found no evidence that Microsoft-hosted... Continue reading...
Living with the ghost of a smart home’s past
Illustration by Adrian Astorgano My brother and his wife got a house. He mentioned it appeared to have a lot of tech installed by the last owner. I told him that was an exciting mystery for the two of us. Whatever speakers and weird smart home junk had been set up, we'd be able to repurpose. But then he moved in. Slowly, over weeks of tech support calls and hours digging through shockingly deep coat closets, we learned that while the old owner was gone, his digital ghost remained. It was lurking in the home's lights and shades and thermostat, turning what should have been a smart home into a very haunted one.I didn't think I'd have to be the IT equivalent of a Ghostbuster when my brother first texted me about it. I've set up multiple smart homes, worked in... Continue reading...
The New York Times is targeting Wordle clones with legal takedowns
Some developers have already taken down their Wordle clones to avoid a legal battle with The New York Times. | Photo by Mike Kemp / In Pictures via Getty Images Hundreds of games inspired by Wordle, the popular web-based word puzzle, are at risk of being deleted due to copyright takedowns issued by The New York Times. As reported by 404 Media, The New York Times - which purchased Wordle back in 2022 - has filed several DMCA notices over Wordle clones created by GitHub coders, citing its ownership over the Wordle name and copyrighted gameplay including 5x6 tile layout and gray, yellow, and green color scheme.Two takedown requests were issued in January against unofficial Korean and Bosnian-language versions of the game. Additional requests were filed this week against Wirdle - a variant created by dialect group I Hear Dee in 2022 to promote the Shaetlan language - and Reactle, an open-source W... Continue reading...
The woes of a blundering first-time smart home owner
Illustration by Adrian Astorgano I dueled my HVAC and lived to tell the tale, but the smart lighting cold war is another story. Continue reading...
Fortnite’s new season brings Greek gods to the battle royale
Image: Epic Games Fortnite is going even more old school for its next season. Epic just launched Chapter 5: Season 2 of the battle royale game, dubbed Myths & Mortals," and it's all about Greek mythology. That means playing as Greek gods, fighting across Mount Olympus, and wielding Zeus' thunderbolt. The launch was preceded by a clever in-game event involving Pandora's box.First up, the new locations. A number of mythological locales have been added to the map, including Mount Olympus and the underworld, which, naturally, is guarded by Cerberus. To go along with this are a number of power-ups and items to collect, including the Wings of Icarus so you can fly, Zeus' bolts which let you rise into the air and hurl lightning bolts at your target," and a... Continue reading...
How to watch President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address
Cath Virginia / The Verge | Photos from Getty Images, Nathan Howard / Stringer President Joe Biden is set to deliver his third State of the Union address on Thursday as he hurdles toward a likely rematch with former President Donald Trump in November.Biden will deliver the speech at the US Capitol at 9PM ET.This year's address comes just a couple of days after Super Tuesday, where Biden and Trump each dominated primary ballots across multiple states. That brings them one step closer to entering the official general election campaigning stage.We'll be watching for what Biden has to say that could shape the tech policy issues at the forefront of both the presidential campaign and the next few legislative months. The White House has made the safe deployment of artificial intelligence a priority in the past year... Continue reading...
Stephen Dubner is bullish on the podcast industry
Stephen Dubner speaking at On Air Fest | Alexa Hoyer This is an excerpt of an interview that took place at On Air Fest on March 1st between Freakonomics Radio host Stephen Dubner and Hot Pod reporter Ariel Shapiro. The conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.Alright so, you know podcasting. You know economics. What do you make of this moment in the podcasting industry?It really depends on what angle you're coming at it from. The short version is that there was probably a little bit too much panic, because of the combination of the recession that never quite happened, and then the big iOS adjustment and how it's playing out in reality and in perception. Additionally, from the platform side, there was just massive, massive acquisition, acquisition, acquisition,... Continue reading...
EA just added classics like Dungeon Keeper, SimCity 3000, and Populous on Steam
Populous. | Image: EA There hasn't been a lot of good news out of EA lately, but here's some: the company just launched a bunch of classic games on Steam. The new (old) releases include nine games in total, spanning franchises like Dungeon Keeper, Populous, and SimCity.Here's the full list:
Here’s where you can preorder Apple’s new M3-powered MacBook Air
The new MacBook Airs are equipped with the M3 chip, which allows for CPU and GPU improvements. | Image: Apple There's a new MacBook in town. Following months of rumors, Apple has announced a new pair of entry-level laptops, both equipped with Apple's latest M3 chip. The 13- and 15-inch MacBook Air will start shipping tomorrow, March 8th, but you can still preorder them today for $1,099 and $1,299, respectively.According to Apple, the M3-powered MacBook Airs are faster than their M2-equipped predecessors, which is likely true in our limited testing (albeit by a small margin). Thanks to the new chip, the laptops also feature an improved 16-core Neural Engine that can run optimized AI models," along with hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading. They both include a Liquid Retina display and up to 500 nits of brightness, as well as... Continue reading...
Rivian surprises with R3 and R3X electric SUVs
Rivian took a page from Steve Jobs and had one more thing" to show off during its R2 reveal event in California today. And it was a stunner.The Rivian R3 is a slightly shorter, sportier-looking electric SUV than the R2, and it will come in a performance variant badged as R3X. Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe said the R3 takes the package of R2 platform [and] shrinks it."The R3 is designed with even tighter dimensions-and at a lower price point-than R2," the company said - though it didn't immediately release the price of the R3. Reservations for the R3 will start at a later date.The R3 and R3X have sloping rear ends compared to the boxier R2. And like the R2, it will come in two battery sizes, both with over 300 miles of range... Continue reading...
Some of the best Switch games are $20 off in the lead-up to Mario Day
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, arguably the best game in Nintendo's iconic series, is down to just $39.99 through March 17th. | Image: Nintendo These days, it feels like every day is a recognized holiday of some sort, whether it be National Donut Day, National Dress Day, or some other made-up holiday designed to celebrate... well, something. And while March 10th - aka Mario Day - may not be formally recognized by the US government, it's one of the ones we at The Verge look forward to most. That's because it's one of the best opportunities of the year to save big on games starring Nintendo's mustachioed mascot.This year, Nintendo is taking off the wraps early, slashing prices on a variety of Nintendo Switch titles, all of which will be discounted through 11:59PM PT on March 17th. The list of eligible Mario-related games is fairly expansive, but the standout is clearly Mario... Continue reading...
Overwatch 2’s Cowboy Bebop collaboration has won me back
Image: Blizzard Overwatch 2 has had a few collaborations since its launch. First there was the One Punch Man collaboration with the big-fisted hero Doomfist getting the highly appropriate Saitama skin. The next crossover was for the K-pop fans, with Overwatch's prominent female heroes getting skins from the girl group Le Sserafim. But this latest collaboration, in my not so humble opinion, is the one best yet. 3... 2... 1... Let's Jam.On March 12th, Overwatch 2 is bringing Cowboy Bebop to the game, and you'll be able to unlock skins for the Bebop crew: Spike Spiegel as Cassidy, Faye Valentine as Ashe, Jet Black as Mauga, Ed as Sombra, while the adorable corgi Ein gets a Wreckingball skin. The detail that went into these legendary skins is blowing my... Continue reading...
Rivian R2 revealed: a $45,000 electric off-roader for the masses
Rivian revealed its next electric vehicle, the R2, a more affordable SUV that the company is counting on having a much broader appeal than its stylish - and expensive - R1T trucks and R1S SUVs.The R2 won't go into production until the first half of 2026, but when it does it will come with an estimated range of over 300 miles, a 0-60mph time of three seconds, and a starting price of $45,000 - placing it slightly below the current average selling price for a new internal combustion vehicle. The price could be even lower if it ends up qualifying for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. Image: Abigail Bassett / The Verge Interested buyers can reserve an R2 starting today for $100, with deliveries expected to begin in the... Continue reading...
Apple will cut off third-party app store updates if your iPhone leaves the EU for a month
Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge Apple won't let your iPhone update software installed by third-party app stores if you leave the European Union for more than 30 days. In an update to its support page on Thursday, Apple says you can continue using apps from alternative marketplaces while traveling for long periods - but you'll need to come back to the EU to get the latest version.Shortly after the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) went into effect on Wednesday, users noticed an Apple support page stating users would lose access to some features" when leaving the EU for short-term travel." But now, Apple has made this policy more specific by carving out a 30-day grace period, which could be inconvenient for frequent travelers.This doesn't change your ability to use... Continue reading...
Apple’s last-minute App Store changes come with a catch — here’s what developers think
Image: The Verge Apple's plans to comply with the European Union's new rules governing big tech have already gotten off to an interesting start, and not just because Apple pulled Epic Games' developer license. Apple made last-minute tweaks to the Digital Markets Act (DMA) compliance plan to add flexibility, but they've met mixed reactions among developers.Developers considering Apple's post-DMA fee structure, which comes with a new Core Technology Fee," can now try them out and then switch back to the original terms - instead of, as originally announced, making the change a one-way trip. In an update posted on Tuesday, Apple says it created the one-time option" to revert to Apple's standard agreement in case of unexpected business changes" or if... Continue reading...
The SEC’s new climate disclosure rule already faces legal challenges
SEC Chair Gary Gensler attends a meeting of the Financial Stability Oversight Council at the U.S. Department of Treasury on December 14, 2023 in Washington, DC. | Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images A landmark climate disclosure rule adopted by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday is already facing mounting legal and legislative challenges. Ten states filed suit yesterday shortly after the rule was finalized. Environmental advocates also say they're considering challenging the rule.If implemented, the SEC's new rule would force large, public companies to disclose risks they face due to climate change and share partial information about their greenhouse gas emissions. It would lead to dramatically more transparency than there's been in the past, but would still paint an incomplete picture of a company's environmental footprint since companies would only be mandated to divulge a portion of their emissions.I... Continue reading...
Apple is working to make it easier to switch from iPhone to Android because of the EU
Apple's latest flagship iPhones, the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. | Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge Apple is preparing to allow EU-based iPhone users to uninstall its first-party Safari browser by the end of 2024 and is working on a more user-friendly" way of transferring data from an iPhone to a non-Apple phone" by fall 2025. That's according to a new compliance document published by the company, which outlines all the ways it's complying with the European Union's new Digital Markets Act that comes into force this week.Other user-facing initiatives detailed in Apple's document include a browser switching solution" to transfer data between browsers on the same device, which it plans to make available by late 2024 or early 2025. It'll also be possible to change the default navigation app on iOS by March 2025 in the EU.The document... Continue reading...
TikTok is urging users to call Congress about a looming ban
Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge As support grows for a bill in Congress that would effectively ban TikTok in the US, the video platform is trying to rally support among a key group: its own users.TikTok sent users in the US a push notification on Wednesday, warning that Congress is planning a total ban of TikTok" that would [strip] 170 million Americans of their Constitutional right to free expression." The page says that a ban would damage millions of businesses, destroy the livelihoods of countless creators across the country, and deny artists an audience." The alert includes a way for users to find their representative and call their office. Screenshot: Mia Sato / The Verge The notification comes shortly after the White House expressed... Continue reading...
How to watch Rivian’s R2 electric SUV reveal event
Image: Rivian Rivian is pulling the cover off its latest electric vehicle today, and unless you live anywhere near Laguna Beach, California, you'll probably be watching the livestream.The event starts at 10AM PT/ 1PM ET. According to details that leaked from the Laguna Beach City Council, the company plans to hold the event in the park adjacent to the former South Coast Theater, now named the Rivian South Coast Theater, which serves as the company's first flagship retail location."The event will be livestreamed on YouTube (embedded above). Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe will introduce the R2, a compact SUV that is expected to have broader appeal than the company's $70,000-plus R1T truck and R1S SUV. There may be other products introduced as... Continue reading...
Texas electric utility says its equipment was ‘involved’ in starting massive Smokehouse Creek Fire
Firefighters battle flames from the Smokehouse Creek fire on March 03, 2024 near Sanford, Texas. | Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images Electric utility Xcel Energy admits that its equipment likely helped ignite the devastating Smokehouse Creek Fire that's blazed across Texas since last week.Xcel Energy has been cooperating with the investigations into the wildfires and has been conducting its own review. Based on currently available information, Xcel Energy acknowledges that its facilities appear to have been involved in an ignition of the Smokehouse Creek fire," the company said in a statement today.The blaze has grown into the largest in state history, consuming more than a million acres, killing at least two people, and destroying hundreds of structures. It was still only 44 percent contained as of Thursday morning.Xcel Energy acknowledges that its facilities... Continue reading...
Discord is partnering with game developers to sell themed avatars and profile effects
Illustration: Alex Castro / The Verge Discord says it will sell official game-themed items in its store soon. Discord launched its in-app store in November with avatar decorations and profile effects available for anyone willing to buy them. Anime and fantasy effects have proved popular, so now, Discord is partnering with game developers to create game-themed versions.We've heard a lot of feedback on the kinds of decorations that you'd like to see, including cosmetics themed to the games you love," says the Discord team in a blog post. We've come up with a way to make this happen by working with developers to bring themed profile effects and avatar decorations to the Shop. And most importantly, we'll be sharing the revenue of those purchases with developers so they can... Continue reading...
Pokémon Horizons: The Series is an evolutionary fresh start for the anime
Image: Netflix Pokemon Horizons brings a refreshing new energy to the anime franchise by amping up the action and making the larger Pokemon world feel like a more cohesive place. Continue reading...
Why people are falling in love with AI chatbots
Illustration: The Verge Our Thursday episodes of Decoder are all about big topics in the news, and this week, we're wrapping up our short series on one of the biggest topics of all: generative AI.In our last couple of episodes, we've talked a lot about some of the biggest, most complicated legal and policy questions surrounding the modern AI industry, including copyright lawsuits and deepfake legislation. But we wanted to end on a smaller, more emotional note: How is AI making people feel? And in particular, how is it affecting how people communicate and connect?Verge reporter Emilia David has covered AI chatbots, specifically AI romance bots, quite a bit. So, we invited her on the show to talk about how generative AI is finding its way into dating because... Continue reading...
Netflix’s next live event is a fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson
Photo by Al Bello / Getty Images Netflix's foray into sports is going in a new direction. Today, the streamer announced that its next major event will be a fight between YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson that will stream live on Netflix. The bout will take place on July 20th at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.The move is part of a steady expansion into sports from Netflix. So far, that has meant going all in on sports documentaries - including a doc about Paul's fledgling boxing career - as well as a handful of live events featuring golf and tennis. But two headline (if controversial) names duking it out in an NFL stadium that seats 80,000 marks arguably the biggest bet from the company yet. (And it comes at a time when other b... Continue reading...
How to collaborate on playlists in Apple Music
Illustration by Samar Haddad / The Verge I used to enjoy sharing my favorite new music with friends and family via a carefully compiled piece of physical media. Sadly for those of us above a certain age, the switch to digital and streaming music has made the mixtape (or the mix CD) redundant. However, while streaming music apps may have killed off the mixtape, they've brought with them collaborative playlists: being able to easily compile a list of tunes with other people, even if those people aren't in the same physical place you are.This is a feature that's been in Spotify for years, but it's now arrived in Apple Music with iOS 17.3 and macOS 14.3. (So make sure the software on your devices is up to date before you get started).Collaborative playlists on iOS ... Continue reading...
Amazon’s new Fallout trailer looks just like the games: grim, goofy, and gruesome
Image: Amazon It's still too early to say if Amazon's live-action take on Fallout will be any good. But the first few trailers at least make one thing clear: the show seems like it's nailing the distinct vibe of the games.The newly released second trailer follows a lot of the same beats as the first, tracking a Vault Dweller named Lucy (Ella Purnell) heading out into the Wasteland only to discover how dangerous things have become two centuries after the apocalypse. The show looks gritty and violent, as you'd expect from a post-apocalyptic series, but also balances that out with a goofy sense of humor and playfully retrofuturistic style. Case in point: a Mister Orderly bot that simply wants to harvest Lucy's organs. No big deal.Aside from that, the... Continue reading...
Leica put all of its best specs into the new $6,995 SL3
The new $6,995 Leica SL3 has a 60-megapixel sensor. | Image: Becca Farsace / The Verge Today, Leica announced the new SL3, the latest version of its full-frame mirrorless camera system that succeeds the SL2 from 2019. Inside its all-metal body are the guts of the Leica Q3 that launched last spring. It includes a 60-megapixel sensor, improved autofocus, and the ability to shoot video in 8K. But what sets the SL3 apart is hardware that's better suited for pros, including a very large hand grip for extended use and IP54 water resistance for more peace of mind out in the elements. There is no mistaking that the SL3 is a Leica with that huge logo on the front. Outside of specs, what sets the SL3 apart from the SL2 is a slightly smaller size, although it's still very large and in charge, and hardware tuned... Continue reading...
Smart home hubs: what they are and why you need one
Illustration by Adrian Astorgano If you're planning a truly smart home, then you're going to need a smart hub. Here's what you need to know. Continue reading...
How smart home technology made my home more accessible
Illustration by Adrian Astorgano When it comes to smart home technology, what many reviewers and users may see as convenience, other people see as accessibility. In other words, using one's phone or voice to flip a light switch may be convenient for you because you don't need to get up. For me and other disabled people, this makes it accessible.The best illustration of this concept involves the AmazonBasics microwave. The Alexa-powered device (which, as far as can be determined, has not been available for sale for over a year) was admittedly a bit gimmicky. Why would you want to talk to your microwave to heat your food? The controls are right there. But while it is true that the microwave is pretty mediocre - my partner constantly bemoans how small and... Continue reading...
SwitchBot’s robot hand to unlock your door gets a big upgrade
The new retrofit smart door lock from SwitchBot has a sleeker look than its predecessor. | Image: SwitchBot SwitchBot has launched a new version of its retrofit smart lock. The SwitchBot Lock Pro ($119.99) offers a few upgrades over the company's first lock, the SwitchBot Lock, including an aluminum alloy body, a more secure installation, and a new quick key lock / unlock mechanism.The SwitchBot Lock Pro costs $119.99 (139.99 / 139.99) - or $199.99 (239.99 / 239.99) if you want the keypad and Matter hub bundle. This adds fingerprint, NFC tag, and keypad unlocking via the Bluetooth keypad, plus the hub brings compatibility with all the major smart home platforms through Matter and control of the lock when you're away from home.Rather than replacing your entire deadbolt, as most smart locks do, a retrofit lock turns the existing mechanism... Continue reading...
Microsoft confirms Surface and Windows AI event for March 21st
Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge Microsoft has quietly announced a digital event" for Surface, Windows, and Copilot later this month. The March 21st new era of work" event is targeted at Microsoft's business customers and will feature new Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 devices for businesses, as we reported earlier this week, with a focus on Microsoft's upcoming AI improvements to Windows 11.The Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 commercial versions will be minor spec bumps, according to sources familiar with Microsoft's plans. Microsoft will also offer an OLED display on the Surface Pro 10 for consumers, which the company is expected to reveal later this spring.The Surface Laptop 6 may include a new designThe new Surface Laptop 6 could be the most... Continue reading...
Nikon is acquiring RED cameras
Nikon will now own RED's catalog of professional film cameras, like the V-RAPTOR XL platform (pictured). | Image: RED Nikon is acquiring RED Digital Cinema, the company founded by Jim Jannard (founder of Oakley) and best known for digital cinema cameras including the RED One 4K and V-Raptor X. Exact terms of the deal were not disclosed in Nikon's press release, which outlined how RED will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the camera company.Nikon hopes to use the deal to expand into the professional digital cinema camera market, drawing from RED's knowledge in cinema cameras, including unique image compression technology and color science." RED boasts that its cameras have been used to film numerous major films and TV shows, including multiple Marvel productions like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Captain Marvel, nature documentaries like Planet... Continue reading...
SpaceX allegedly fostered serial sexual abuse, according to this lawsuit
SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California, in 2021. | Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images A SpaceX employee says that she spent seven years working at the company's headquarters in Hawthorne, California enduring sexual abuse, unequal pay, discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation, in a new lawsuit against the company. But her story paints a much graver picture than those individual words can convey, describing widespread harassment and coordinated action to not only enable but also later give cover for sexual coercion, by a man she says was her direct supervisor.The employee, Michelle Dopak, also claims that SpaceX's president and vice president of the company ignored her pleas for action. The details of her complaint are especially grim; while they echo the 2021 stories of five former SpaceX employees and eight... Continue reading...
Target will launch unlimited rush shipping subscription to rival Amazon Prime
Target is launching Target Circle 360, a $99 annual subscription that will offer free, unlimited delivery and rush shipping on online orders. First announced during Target's earnings call on Tuesday, the new plan will rival similar offerings by Walmart and Amazon that axe shipping costs for an annual fee. Target Circle 360 members will receive free two-day shipping and free same-day delivery on orders $35 and up. The plan will debut on Aprill 7, and will be priced at $49 until May 18 as a launch promotion.This isn't Target's first entry into paid subscriptions. In fact, Target Circle 360 doesn't appear to be a new plan as much as a rebranding and upgrade of its current delivery offerings. Shipt, which is owned by Target, already offers... Continue reading...
The biggest stories from Hot Pod Summit
Ira Glass and Ariel Shapiro on stage at Hot Pod Summit. | Alexa Hoyer This is Hot Pod, The Verge's newsletter about podcasting and the audio industry. Sign up here for more.Hello! I have almost recovered from Hot Pod Summit. Thank you so much to everyone who came out this year. People from across the industry showed up ready to talk business, and we had a lot of lively and challenging discussions about advertising and business models. Did we solve all of the podcasting's troubles? Hardly, but I know I am feeling more optimistic about the future of the industry. Below, I have some key takeaways from the events of the day.I also made my first appearance at On Air Fest interviewing Freakonomics Radio host Stephen Dubner. It was a lot of fun to talk craft (plus business, obviously) and get his perspective... Continue reading...
Google engineer indicted over allegedly stealing AI trade secrets for China
Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge A federal grand jury has indicted a Google engineer, Linwei Ding, aka Leon Ding, for allegedly stealing trade secrets around Google's AI chip software and hardware on March 5th, before he was arrested Wednesday morning in Newark, California. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement that Ding stole from Google over 500 confidential files containing AI trade secrets while covertly working for China-based companies seeking an edge in the AI technology race."Much of the stolen data allegedly revolves around Google's tensor processing unit (TPU) chips. Google's TPU chips power many of its AI workloads and, in conjunction with Nvidia GPUs, can train and run AI models like Gemini. The company has also offered access to the... Continue reading...
LinkedIn was down
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Just one day after Meta's network went offline for a while, LinkedIn was inaccessible around the world, cutting off job listings, resumes, and even influencers. DownDetector started noting reports of problems after 3:45PM ET.Both the apps and website went offline temporarily, while LinkedIn's status page confirmed the issues with a message posted at 4:04PM ET saying, Some members may be experiencing issues on LinkedIn. We're actively working on this and will provide updates as we have them. Thanks for your patience!" As of 5:05PM ET, the most recent message says, This has now been resolved and we're back up and running. Apologies for any inconvenience caused and thanks for your patience!"
Meta explains how WhatsApp’s encrypted chats will work with third-party services
Illustration: The Verge Now that the EU's new rules for digital gatekeepers" are live, Meta is ready to tell everyone how WhatsApp and Messenger will offer end-to-end encryption (E2EE) while complying with the Digital Markets Act's (DMA) third-party chat requirements.The DMA requires that Meta must be ready to enable interoperability with other services within three months of receiving a request," but according to the blog post, actually turning it on for public use could take longer than that. The requirements also only mandate support for one-on-one chats and sharing files like images, videos, or voice messages in year one" of the new regulation before they expand over time to include group chats and calls.Meta says third-party providers will have to... Continue reading...
The M2 MacBook Air is already on sale for $100 less than its new starting price
The M2 MacBook Air is still a great value when it can be had for under $1,000. | Photo by Dan Seifert / The Verge With the launch of the M3 MacBook Air, Apple is finally phasing out the aging M1 model. The latter has arguably been Apple's best product from a value standpoint over the past few years, and now, the M2 MacBook Air seems poised to pick up where it left off. We're already seeing retailers like B&H Photo offering the best price we've seen on the 13-inch base model with 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and an eight-core M2. It's down to $899, which is $200 off the original MSRP and $100 cheaper than its new $999 starting price. You can also step up to 16GB of RAM for $1,149 ($150 off) or get it with 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM for $1,299 ($200 off).The M2 MacBook Air isn't majorly different from its predecessor (save for ditching the t... Continue reading...
Twitch is focused on mobile and streamer collaboration in 2024
Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge Twitch has published an open letter from CEO Dan Clancy highlighting the plans the streaming platform has for the upcoming year. This letter gives an early peek at some of the things we are doing in 2024 to help improve the service to better meet your needs," Clancy wrote. Those plans include updates to its mobile platform, its collaboration tools, its sponsorship partners, and more. You can read all about them here, and Clancy is planning a livestream today at 3:30PM ET to talk more about the open letter.
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