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Updated 2025-04-19 13:33
Leak: Intel’s Battlemage desktop GPUs are just days away
by
Sean Hollister
on (#6SKFS)
An older image of an Intel discrete GPU. | Image: Intel Under financial pressures, Intel's desktop gaming graphics business may be on the chopping block - but it seems that a pair of Battlemages will escape unscathed. Videocardz is reporting that Intel will announce the Arc B580 and B570 graphics cards just days from now on December 3rd, and launch them on December 12th alongside media reviews.You shouldn't expect these card to compete at the high-end. Far from it, based on leaked specs that suggest they have fewer cores, less memory, and less memory bandwidth than some of their Intel predecessors.But they could also be a value leader. Retailer leaks spotted by Momomo_us suggest Intel's own Limited Edition" Arc B580 could cost just $250.
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You can take a selfie with the Earth using this YouTuber’s satellite
by
Andrew J. Hawkins
on (#6SKEC)
A mockup of the Earth selfie from YouTuber Mark Rober. | Screenshot: Mark Rober The stunt escalation on YouTube may have reached new heights with Mark Rober's offer to snap anyone's selfie with the planet Earth using a satellite he's launching into orbit with the help of Google and T-Mobile.Rober is a former NASA engineer who made a name for himself on YouTube by glitter bombing porch pirates, creating the world's largest Super Soaker, and building an obstacle course for squirrels. Now he's merging his interests with the launch of a satellite that can take photos of anyone's portrait displayed on a Google Pixel with the Earth - yes, Planet Earth - in the background.If you tell Rober where you live, he claims that he'll take the selfie while the satellite is located over your city, and he'll tell you exactly when... Continue reading...
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OpenAI sued by Canada’s biggest media outlets
by
Andrew J. Hawkins
on (#6SKCB)
Illustration: The Verge A host of Canadian media companies filed a lawsuit against OpenAI today, alleging inappropriate and illegal" use of their journalism to power the company's GPT model, Reuters reports. It's the latest salvo fired by the media in its fight against AI companies that have scraped large swaths of the open web to train their large-language models.The suit was filed by several leading Canadian media companies, including the owners of the National Post and Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, The Canadian Press, and CBC/Radio-Canada. The group alleges that OpenAI infringed on its copyrights when training its models, like ChatGPT, without seeking permission or offering compensation.OpenAI's public statements that it is somehow fair or in the... Continue reading...
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Hyundai Ioniq 5 N review: fake shifting, real fun
by
Abigail Bassett
on (#6SKCC)
Image: Hyundai Even die-hard car enthusiasts have to smile at what Hyundai's N Performance Division has done with the Ioniq 5. Continue reading...
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Apple’s latest AirPods Pro are cheaper than the AirPods 4 right now
by
Quentyn Kennemer
on (#6SGRF)
Apple's second-gen AirPods Pro buds in front of the charging case against a dark background. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge Black Friday and AirPods discounts go together like, well, AirPods and iPhones. We thought the latest AirPods Pro were an incredible deal at their recently discounted price of $189, but they've dropped even further at Amazon, Walmart, and Target where you can now pick them up for a new low of $153.99 ($95 off). That's less than the current price for the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, which are down to $164.99 ($14 off) at Amazon.Sure, the AirPods 4 are newer, but Apple was mostly playing catch-up with their release. The second-gen AirPods Pro are still the best wireless earbuds in Apple's lineup, even a couple of years after their initial release. Their voice call quality is fantastic, and their noise cancellation... Continue reading...
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Renovating your house? Black Friday is a surprisingly good time to buy light fixtures
by
Helen Havlak
on (#6SK4B)
Last fall I was in the thick of a home renovation project, doom scrolling thousands of light fixtures in search of clean, modern designs I didn't hate. While I would normally consult my Verge colleagues for the best Black Friday TV and laptop deals, it did not initially occur to me to check for seasonal deals on the more contractor-oriented category of hardwired LED light fixtures. In fact, a lot of big lighting companies run meaningful Black Friday sales.Fortunately, I happened to finalize our lighting selections just before Black Friday 2023 - and then saved hundreds of dollars by ordering pretty much every pendant, flush mount, outdoor sconce, and track light we needed by the end of Cyber Monday. If you are embarking on a home... Continue reading...
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Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses come with a $90 credit on top of new all-time low price
by
Quentyn Kennemer
on (#6SK4C)
Unlike many before it, Ray-Ban's smart glasses are actually trendy and inconspicuous. | Photo by Amanda Lopez for The Verge If you're in the market for a new pair of glasses (as I am), the Black Friday deals currently going on Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses are tempting. You can get several colors and sizes of the Wayfarer frames starting at $239.20 (about $61 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target right now. If that all-time low price isn't enough, you'll even get a $90 digital gift card or credit when purchasing them from Amazon and Target. You can use it toward anything in their respective stores.If you need a prescription, note that you can only get lenses with a strength between -6 and +4. You can't get prescription lenses with your frames at the above retailers, but you can get them when ordering through Ray-Ban, which is offering the same Black Friday... Continue reading...
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Our biggest stories and favorite things of 2024
by
David Pierce
on (#6SK4D)
Image: Alex Parkin / The Verge 2024 is almost over, and it has been a year. The tech world has been shaken up a hundred times over, it seems: there was the splashy Vision Pro launch, Google being declared a monopoly, endless AI hype, a hugely consequential US election, the ongoing political ascendance of Elon Musk, and another generation of gadgets trying and failing to replace your smartphone. The industry looks different than it did in January; so does our relationship with technology.There's still a month to go, and we're not remotely ready to declare this year's tech news dead and gone, but given that it's a holiday weekend in the US we figured it might be time for a look back. (Hope you had a great Thanksgiving, by the way!)So on this episode of The Vergecast,... Continue reading...
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Meta is building the ‘mother of all’ subsea cables
by
Jess Weatherbed
on (#6SK4E)
Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge Meta is reportedly planning to build a world-spanning fiber-optic subsea cable for its own exclusive use. According to TechCrunch, the $10 billion project will create a new 40,000+ kilometer (about 24,850 miles) cable network around the world that avoids areas of geopolitical tension" where subsea cables have been sabotaged, such as the Red Sea, the South China Sea, Egypt, Marseilles, the Straits of Malacca, and Singapore.While Meta is already a part-owner of 16 existing networks, this new cable project would be entirely owned by the company - allowing it full control to prioritize traffic to its own products and services. That would bring Meta in line with Google's efforts, which privately owns a handful of cable routes and has... Continue reading...
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Philips Hue’s Festavia string lights are up to $100 off just in time for the holidays
by
Sheena Vasani
on (#6SJJ5)
Although they look fantastic on a Christmas tree, Philips Hue's vibrant string lights work great year-round. | Image: Philips Hue If you were planning on putting up the holiday lights this weekend, then you might want to take a look at the Philips Hue Festavia string lights. Normally $219.99, you can currently pick up a 65-foot string with 250 color-changing LEDs from Amazon and Philips Hue for $153.99. If you need a longer strand, the 130-foot string with 500 bulbs available from Amazon and Philips Hue for an all-time low of $251.99 ($108 off).Philips Hue's Festavia are some of the best holiday string lights you can buy. They outshine their rivals with rich colors and magical preset scenes and effects, which allows your house to stand out (if you want it to). Of all the models we tested last year, they were also the only ones with a relatively robust IP54 rating... Continue reading...
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Palworld’s new island will be its ‘largest’ and ‘harshest’
by
Andrew Webster
on (#6SJJ6)
Image: Pocketpair Pocketpair isn't letting a major lawsuit slow it down. The developer has announced that its Pokemon-like hit Palworld is getting a big update in December, which will add a new island to the game. It's described as the largest, harshest, and most mysterious" location in the game, measuring around six times the size of Sakurajima, an island that was added in a summer update.Aside from the new location, there aren't many other details about the forthcoming update. But the announcement comes amid a surge in news for the game, which became a viral sensation at the beginning of 2024. In 2025, Palworld will be getting some kind of crossover with the survival crafting game Terraria, and a mobile version is also in the works, helmed by PUBG... Continue reading...
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8BitDo added RGB backlights to the new Xbox version of its mechanical keyboard
by
Andrew Liszewski
on (#6SJJ7)
The keyboard features eight RGB lighting modes that shine through the translucent keycaps. | Image: 8BitDo 8BitDo has announced a new version of its mechanical keyboard with a design inspired by the transparent green edition of Microsoft's original Xbox console. The 8BitDo Retro 87 Mechanical Keyboard - Xbox Edition features a transparent green shell and matching keycaps similar to the console. But unlike previous iterations of the keyboard, this is the first from 8BitDo to incorporate RGB backlighting.The Xbox Edition mechanical keyboard is now available for preorder through Amazon for $119.99 with shipping expected to start on January 16th, 2025. 8BitDo also announced the matching 8BitDo Retro R8 Mouse alongside the keyboard, which is also listed on Amazon, but not available for preorder yet. Image: 8BitDo The... Continue reading...
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Kodak pauses film production for factory upgrades to help meet demand
by
Andrew Liszewski
on (#6SJJ8)
Photo by: Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Eastman Kodak has temporarily paused all film production. The news comes as part of a shutdown in November allowing the company to upgrade and modernize its Rochester, New York factory, according to a report by Kosmo Foto. The decision was announced by Kodak CEO Jim Continenza during the company's Q3 2024 quarterly earnings call on November 13th. The improvements will help Kodak keep up with an increased demand for film.Our film sales have increased on motion picture and in still film and other films. So on film, we're doing a shutdown in November, total shutdown," Continenza said during the earnings call. We've continued to invest in our manufacturing process, while we need to shut down completely to bring light into the dark, right?... Continue reading...
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Australia bans social media for under 16s
by
Jess Weatherbed
on (#6SJFX)
Photo by Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images Australia just voted into law a social media ban for children under the age of 16. The legislation was approved by Australian lawmakers on Thursday with the aim of protecting the mental health of children online, despite opposition from tech companies who claim the rules are unworkable.The new law is scheduled to come into effect in 12 months, giving social media companies time to meet the requirements. These include taking reasonable steps to prevent children who have not reached a minimum age from having accounts." Children who violate these upcoming restrictions won't face punishment, nor will their parents - the responsibility lies entirely with platform providers.We want Australian children to have a childhood, and we want... Continue reading...
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The very best Black Friday deals you can already get
by
Sheena Vasani
on (#6S5Z8)
Image: Elen Winata for The Verge From noise-canceling earbuds to robot vacuums and 4K OLED TVs, there is already plenty on offer. Continue reading...
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The hardest part of Dragon Age: The Veilguard is making a choice
by
Ash Parrish
on (#6SJFZ)
Image: BioWare From romance to character classes, BioWare has made made almost all the game's options compelling. Continue reading...
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The best deals on the baby gear I recommend to my friends
by
Helen Havlak
on (#6SJDD)
Image: Snoo This time last year, I was pregnant with my first child and extremely overwhelmed by the sheer volume of decisions to make. Should we buy a rocking chair or a glider? Which bassinet should we get? What how-to book, white noise machine, or magical schedule would make a newborn sleep? I spent a lot of time asking friends, searching Reddit, and reading blogs to try to figure out what things I would actually need - and then which specific products to buy.I did not exhaustively test every product against the competition (having a baby is very all-consuming), but I can tell you what gear I frequently use and love with my son, who is now eight months old. A lot of these products get nice discounts on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so it's a... Continue reading...
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Craft 3 is shockingly close to my ideal productivity app
by
David Pierce
on (#6SJDE)
The team behind the note-taking app Craft released a new version this week, after months of beta testing and more than a year in development. It includes lots of changes, but three big ones: new ways to style your documents; a new section called Collections that lets you compile and organize related stuff; and a bunch of new task-management tools.Craft works on Apple devices, Windows, and the web, and the team says Android is coming eventually. I've been testing the beta for the last few months, and I absolutely love it. This new Craft is the best app I've tried for managing both big projects and day-to-day life. It's still missing a few features, particularly on the to-do list front, but it is both beautifully designed and very... Continue reading...
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Casio turns back time with the G-Shock that started it all
by
Jess Weatherbed
on (#6SJAV)
Here you can see the original 1983 G-Shock (left) compared to the DW-5000R recreation (right). | Image: Casio It's been 41 years since Casio debuted the very first G-Shock digital watch, and its latest timepiece is the brand's most faithful recreation to date. The new G-Shock DW-5000R is visually near-identical to the original DW-5000C launched in 1983 - right down to the length, and dimple positioning on the watch strap.The rugged appeal of the original DW-5000C carries plenty of nostalgic charm, but it was a novel concept when it first launched. Its creator, Casio engineer Kikuo Ibe, was inspired to make a damage-resistant timepiece after his mechanical watch shattered on the ground when it fell off his wrist. The resulting G-Shock design was intended to have triple 10" resistance - meaning a battery life of ten years, water resistance of 10... Continue reading...
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Mark Zuckerberg had dinner with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago
by
Alex Heath
on (#6SJ2R)
Mark Zuckerberg. | The Verge | Photo by Tom Williams via Getty Images Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg met President-elect Donald Trump for dinner at Mar-a-Lago on Wednesday.It's an important time for the future of American Innovation," Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said in a statement shared with The Verge. Mark was grateful for the invitation to join President Trump for dinner and the opportunity to meet with members of his team about the incoming Administration."While it's unclear what the two men discussed, the meeting suggests Trump may be softening his view of Zuckerberg. He has said the tech billionaire should be jailed for Facebook's role in the 2020 presidential race and his personal donations to mail-in ballet initiatives.Zuckerberg, meanwhile, has intentionally distanced himself from politics this... Continue reading...
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Microsoft says it built an Xbox game store on Android but can’t launch it
by
Richard Lawler
on (#6SJ0W)
The Verge A few weeks ago, Microsoft exec Sarah Bond said that in November, players will be able to play and purchase Xbox games directly from the Xbox App on Android." It's almost December and the feature still isn't live, but Bond says it's not Microsoft's fault.The problem, as she puts it, is that Microsoft would only be able to do it once a court order takes effect that forces sweeping changes for Google's Play Store on Android, like opening it up to competition and ending the requirement for apps to use Google Play Billing.
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The discontinued Steam Deck LCD is on sale
by
Wes Davis
on (#6SHZ4)
Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge Valve has dropped the price of the 512GB Steam Deck LCD to $336.75 (about $112 off) as part of its Steam Autumn Sale. The sale runs until December 4th at 1PM ET and includes plenty of game discounts too, but Valve discontinued the 512GB Steam Deck LCD, so it might not make it to the end. (It's already sold through the 64GB model, which was also discounted.)It's a shame to see the 512GB LCD model going away, even if its picture doesn't pop the same way the Steam Deck OLED does. At its normal $449 price, it's a more affordable alternative to the OLED model with the same storage, which costs $100 more but plays the same games. Especially if you're getting it to play AAA bangers like Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring - those will fill up your... Continue reading...
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FTC changes its telemarketing rules to cover growing ‘tech support scam’ calls
by
Umar Shakir
on (#6SHZ5)
Illustration by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has finalized amendments to its Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR), making it easier to protect consumers who are tricked into paying scam tech support companies. The FTC could already go after these fraudster companies if they initiated calls to people - now, they can do the same thing if people call the scammers too.Fake tech support fraud has been on the rise for many years. The company" tricks people into thinking they have a virus or other problem by sending scam emails, popups, and other messages. This encourages them to call to a help desk, which then convinces them to pay up.The FTC has long attempted to wrangle money back from these scammers. But as it explains in a published proposal, a 2021... Continue reading...
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Microsoft is being investigated by the FTC over antitrust concerns
by
Lauren Feiner
on (#6SHZ6)
Image: Laura Normand / The Verge Microsoft is being investigated by the Federal Trade Commission in a wide-ranging antitrust probe, making it the fifth Big Tech company to fall under such scrutiny in several years.The agency is looking into Microsoft's cloud and software licensing business, cybersecurity services, and AI offerings. Bloomberg first reported the news and The Verge confirmed the investigation with a person familiar with the matter, granted anonymity to speak to a confidential probe.The demand for information that spans hundreds of pages and culminates over a year of informal discussions with Microsoft competitors and partners. One focus is on how Microsoft bundles productivity and security software with its Azure cloud, per the source. The FTC's... Continue reading...
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Google Chat’s new huddles make it even more like Teams and Slack
by
Wes Davis
on (#6SHZ7)
Illustration: The Verge Google Chat is launching huddles, a Google Meet-powered addition that lets you start a quick call with your coworkers. Google said it would add huddles to Google Chat in customer preview over a year ago, but we haven't heard about it since then. The company says the feature has started rolling out and should reach all Workspace users by January 6th.As we noted last year, this is the same feature as Slack's Huddles, using the same exact name. There aren't a lot of differences between the various office suites these days, but this is really going the extra mile. GIF: Google To get one going, simply click a dropdown menu at the top of a chat and select Start a huddle." That'll pop open an audio call invite that you can... Continue reading...
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Baldur’s Gate 3 has yet another big patch on the way
by
Ash Parrish
on (#6SHZ8)
Image: Larian Studios Larian Studios isn't done with big updates for Baldur's Gate 3 just yet. The studio is planning yet another quality-of-life update for the game with Patch 8.Arriving next year, this update will introduce some of the most eagerly awaited features to BG3: cross-play, and photo mode, along with 12 new subclasses," Larian wrote on its Steam Community page.Cross play will introduce multiplayer capabilities between any of the game's platforms including Steam, PC, Mac, Xbox, and PlayStation. Cross platform multiplayer progression will also be added.Another big community ask that Patch 8 will satisfy is the addition of photo mode. The feature will come with a robust suite of options including poses for party members, picture frames, photo... Continue reading...
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Kobo’s colore-readeris a far better deal than Amazon’s new Kindle Colorsoft
by
Sheena Vasani
on (#6SHX0)
The Kobo Libra Colour is $80 cheaper than the Kindle Colorsoft and comes with stylus support. | Image: Rakuten Kobo The Kindle Colorsoft offers an impressive color screen, but it's not for everybody. Luckily, if you don't want to lock yourself into Amazon's ecosystem, the Kobo Libra Colour is an excellent alternative that's on sale for an all-time low of $199.99 ($20 off) at Amazon and Target for Black Friday. You can also buy it for the same price from Rakuten Kobo, and if you purchase it with a $50 gift card, the retailer is throwing in a $10 credit that's good toward books, styli, and audiobooks.Personally, I am a big fan of the Kobo Libra Colour. The waterproof e-reader features the same color E Ink technology used in the Kindle Colorsoft, along with the same crisp 300ppi resolution, which is halved in color mode. There are some subtle... Continue reading...
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Belkin recalls its BoostCharge Pro power bank due to fire risk
by
Andrew Liszewski
on (#6SHX1)
Belkin is recalling its BoostCharge Pro due to a manufacturing defect that can cause overheating and the risk of fire. | Image: Belkin Belkin is recalling all of its BoostCharge Pro Fast Wireless Charger for Apple Watch + Power Bank 10K and asking owners to stop using them immediately. The company says a manufacturing defect can cause the charger's lithium cell component to overheat" in some circumstances, potentially causing a risk of fire.The recalled charger can be identified by looking for its model number, BPD005, printed in white text on the back of the charger, behind its Apple Watch charging pad. There have been no injuries reported as a result of the issue, but Belkin says that consumers should immediately stop using the charger, disconnect it from power sources and other devices, and place the BoostCharge Pro in a safe, dry location away from anything... Continue reading...
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The DJI Mini 3 is $100 off and matching its record low for Black Friday
by
Quentyn Kennemer
on (#6SHSY)
The Mini 3 won't cost a fortune to replace if you break it. I've been itching to get my hands on an easy-to-use hobbyist drone that I won't hate myself for eventually breaking. The DJI Mini 3 has been at the top of my list: it hits the mark as a compact drone that you can pilot without having to attend aviation school, and I'll probably go ahead and bite the bullet now that it's back down to its record-low price - especially considering I may eventually lose my chance to get one at all. You can get the smallish aircraft right now for $329 ($90 off) at DJI's online store for Black Friday.The package featured here includes a battery (extras cost $65 each) and DJI's RC-N1 remote. The latter doesn't have an integrated display, but you can add one that does for another $100. If you're just looking... Continue reading...
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xAI could soon have its own app
by
Lauren Feiner
on (#6SHSZ)
The Verge Elon Musk's xAI could soon make its next move to compete with OpenAI: launching a standalone app for its Grok chatbot.Musk created xAI as an alternative to OpenAI, the company he helped found but later distanced himself from over ideological differences. Now, The Wall Street Journal reports, xAI is planning to launch an app as soon as December that could go head-to-head with OpenAI's ChatGPT as it races to scale up.Currently, users can access Grok through X, but only if they subscribe to the service. Citing unnamed sources, the Journal reports that xAI is also behind customer support features for Starlink, part of Musk's other company, SpaceX. X did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report.OpenAI's ChatGPT,... Continue reading...
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Brutalist architecture inspired this blocky wireless speaker
by
Andrew Liszewski
on (#6SHT0)
Transparent's new wireless speaker was inspired by brutalist architecture. | Image: Transparent The design of Transparent's latest wireless speaker looks like the complete opposite of the glass-enclosed see-through speakers that helped originally launch the brand. The $4,000 Brutalist speaker is made from aluminum, and although it stands around 23-inches tall in person, without context it could be easily mistaken for a minimalist office tower designed by an architect still inspired by Britain's post-war architectural style.Transparent's speaker features a pair of three-inch tweeters positioned at 90-degree angles that work alongside a 6.5-inch subwoofer positioned on the opposite side of them. The company suggests its design is most effective at filling a room with sound when the speaker is positioned in a corner so sound can... Continue reading...
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Can AI help connect more solar and wind farms to the power grid?
by
Justine Calma
on (#6SHPT)
Illustration by Cath Virginia / The Verge The US Department of Energy (DOE) thinks AI can speed up the process of connecting new energy projects to the power grid.It announced $30 million in funding now available through its Artificial Intelligence for Interconnection (AI4IX) program. The DOE is interested in fostering partnerships between grid operators and software and energy project developers to get new sources of electricity online faster.The plan is to use AI to streamline the interconnection application process that's currently painfully slow. The delay is holding up efforts to get new solar and wind farms up and running. Pressure is building to clear that backlog with electricity demand on the rise - ironically in no small part because of the artificial intelligence... Continue reading...
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Former Android leaders are building an ‘operating system for AI agents’
by
Wes Davis
on (#6SHPV)
Image: The Verge A new startup created by former Android leaders aims to build an operating system for AI agents. Among them is Hugo Barra, Google's former VP of Android product management, who says the new company - named /dev/agents" - will revisit the leaders' Android roots."AI companies are pushing AI agents as the next big leap in AI tools, promising digital assistants that can carry out tasks and make decisions autonomously and with little human input. Companies like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI each have plans to launch some version of this concept as a product in the next few months.
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Walmart made a whole Christmas movie just to sell you stuff
by
Umar Shakir
on (#6SHPW)
Will New Kids on the Block's Joey McIntyre find love again, or will he just shop at Walmart? | Image: Roku Walmart is linking up with Roku to release a full-length Christmas movie that will let viewers buy products on their TV during specific parts of the story, Business Insider reports. It's the retailer's second go at the idea of shoppable TV after previously trying out a social media romcom series. Walmart learned customers seemed likelier to buy something the longer they watched, so a feature was the next move.This time Walmart will make it easier to buy products on the TV screen by enabling account connections between Walmart and Roku so payment information can be filled out automatically. Walmart received feedback for its last production that it was too much work to buy stuff.The film is titled Jingle Bell Love and stars Joey... Continue reading...
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A Chinese ship is suspected of sabotaging undersea cables
by
Lauren Feiner
on (#6SHPX)
Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images A Chinese commercial ship is suspected of deliberately dragging its anchor to cut undersea cables that connect countries over the internet, The Wall Street Journal reports.International investigators reportedly believe the crew aboard Yi Peng 3, a bulk carrier full of Russian fertilizer, dragged its anchor for more than 100 miles across the Baltic seabed, damaging the cables that run across it. Two different internet links - one between Sweden's Gotland Island and Lithuania, and another between Finland and Germany - stopped working earlier this month, prompting the investigation by authorities from all four countries and other nations, according to the Journal.Investigators are now trying to figure out if Russian intelligence... Continue reading...
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Google’s new chess game lets you customize pieces with AI
by
Jacob Kastrenakes
on (#6SHPY)
Google's generation for the prompt Make a classic chess set inspired by geometric sci-fi art." | Screenshot: The Verge Google has released a new chess website that puts one fun twist on the game: it uses custom pieces that are created each time by generative AI. The game starts by letting you type in a short description for what the white pieces should look like; it'll generate the set using its Imagen 3 AI model, then automatically come up with a related idea for black. When I asked for sci-fi-themed pieces for myself, it made fantasy-themed pieces for the opponent.From there, you can play the game. It's functional, but it's far from a fully featured chess app. You can choose three difficulty settings and two time controls, but you can't review past moves or see what pieces have been captured. The game also defaults to an isometric view of the board... Continue reading...
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Breaking down the DOJ’s plan to end Google’s search monopoly
by
Lauren Feiner
on (#6SHPZ)
Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images Selling Chrome might not be the most painful part of the DOJ's antitrust demands for Google. Continue reading...
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The UE Miniroll speaker is super portable and down to its best price ever
by
Sheena Vasani
on (#6SHQ0)
The Ultimate Ears Miniroll speaker is pocketable with a built-in strap for extra portability. | Image: Logitch / Ultimate Ears If you need a good portable speaker, we've highlighted plenty in our larger Black Friday deals roundup - but the UE Miniroll is one of our favorites and one of the best deals of the week. Normally $79.99, right now it's down to $49.99 ($30 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and directly from Ultimate Ears, which is an all-time low price.The Miniroll is similar to Ultimate Ears' discontinued Roll and Roll 2 products, with the same disc design. However, the Bluetooth speaker is smaller, so you can store it in small bags and even some pockets if you need to. Like the Roll products, the Miniroll features a built-in strap so you can attach it to your bag and other objects. Combined with its robust IP67 rating against dust and water, you can easily... Continue reading...
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GM eliminated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from its EVs — this upgrade adds them back
by
Andrew J. Hawkins
on (#6SHKG)
Photo by Andrew J. Hawkins / The Verge What GM takes away, the aftermarket restores.General Motors' controversial decision to drop Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from most of its electric vehicles now has a possible workaround. As noticed by InsideEVs, a company called White Automotive and Media Services (WAMS) is advertising a new aftermarket upgrade kit that restores the popular phone-mirroring features back into Chevy and GMC EVs.On its website, the company promises fully integrated wired and wireless CarPlay and Android Auto in all the ways you've come to expect (and some you haven't!) without compromising any existing features or functionality." The upgrade is currently compatible with the Chevy Equinox, Blazer, and Silverado EVs, as well as the GMC Sierra EV. (Sorry... Continue reading...
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Uber for AI labeling
by
Umar Shakir
on (#6SHKH)
Image: The Verge Uber is using gig workers to get into the AI labeling business, Bloomberg reports. It's a sign that the ridehail and delivery company is interested in expanding its independent contractor-powered business model to meet the demands of the fast-growing world of machine learning and large-language models.The company's new Scaled Solutions" division claims it can connect businesses to nuanced analysts, testers, and independent data operators" using its platform. It's an extension of an internal team with members based in the US and India that do new feature testing and other tasks like converting restaurant menus to Uber Eats selections.Uber was already using artificial intelligence and machine learning for its own business and is now... Continue reading...
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The Verge’s 2024 holiday gift guide for moms
by
Sheena Vasani
on (#6SHKJ)
Photo: Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge From smart ovens and calendars to color-changing nail polish, here are some of our favorite gadgets and goods to gift mom this year. Continue reading...
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Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite service is the first to receive FCC approval
by
Jess Weatherbed
on (#6SHKK)
Image: Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images The Federal Communications Commission cleared SpaceX to use its Starlink broadband satellites to provide T-Mobile customers with direct-to-phone service. The T-Mobile license is the first collaboration between a satellite operator and wireless carrier to be approved by the FCC to provide supplemental cell coverage from space.The Commission recognized that satellite-to-device connectivity can support critical public interest benefits, including ubiquitous connectivity, access to 911 service from remote areas, technological advancement, and innovative spectrum use," the FCC said in the filing.The announcement follows SpaceX and T-Mobile being granted temporary clearance in October to provide Starlink satellite service in areas affected... Continue reading...
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You can now wear Apple’s running shoe emoji
by
Andrew Liszewski
on (#6SHKM)
The Shoe 1's design was inspired by Apple's running shoe emoji. | Image: Jose Wong Artist and designer Jose Wong has turned Apple's running shoe emoji into a real sneaker that's now available through their website in sizes ranging from five to 12. The Shoe 1, released through Wong's ABCD brand, will set you back $219.90 for a pair, with shipping expected to start in about a week.The shoes feature an upper section made of full-grain nubuck leather combined with mesh for breathability, while the midsole and heel are made from lightweight EVA foam paired with a polyurethane rim to deliver a mix of comfort and all-day support."The Shoe 1's rubber outsole is made using five percent recycled rubber, and the foam insoles inside feature an electronics print that references an A(BCD)5 processor - a nod to the A series chips... Continue reading...
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Samsung Galaxy S24 FE review: not enough fan fare
by
Allison Johnson
on (#6SHKN)
The S24 FE feels less like a Fan Edition' and more like an exercise in retail positioning. Continue reading...
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TikTok will block beauty filters for teens over mental health concerns
by
Jess Weatherbed
on (#6SHE0)
Cath Virginia / The Verge | Photos from Getty Images TikTok is placing age restrictions on some of its beauty filters to address concerns about how they impact the mental health of its teenage users. Some of the changes rolling out in the coming weeks" include preventing under-18s from using certain appearance-altering effects, and expanding filter descriptions to specify what the filters adjust when applied.The press release says that age restrictions won't apply to filter effects that are designed to be obvious and funny," such as adding animal ears or comically exaggerating certain features. The change likely aims to address beautifying effects like Bold Glamour that give users smoother skin, longer eyelashes, and slimmer faces - which can be more difficult to detect.As the... Continue reading...
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No, Microsoft isn’t using your Office docs to train its AI
by
Jess Weatherbed
on (#6SHE1)
Illustration by Cath Virginia / The Verge | Photos by Getty Images Microsoft says it isn't using customer data from its Microsoft 365 apps to train its AI models. The clarification addresses reports circulating online in the last few weeks claiming Microsoft required Word and Excel users to opt out of training the company's AI systems.The confusion arose from a privacy setting in Microsoft Office that toggles optional connected experiences" - a feature that helps users search for online pictures" or find information available online," according to Microsoft. This toggle is switched on by default, and fails to mention AI training in the disclosure. Similarly, a Microsoft learning document posted on October 21st, 2024 seems to have contributed to the confusion by describing a long list of connected... Continue reading...
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Porsche is holding on to gas cars for a bit longer
by
Umar Shakir
on (#6SH5H)
Photo by Sean O'Kane / The Verge Porsche is not ready to turn in its gas caps for charging ports just yet. The company reportedly plans to launch more internal combustion engine models due to a slowdown in EV sales, according to Automotive News Europe. The automaker's CFO, Lutz Meschke, told the outlet, What is clear is that we are sticking with the combustion engine for much longer."As Car and Driver notes, he also said there's a clear trend in the premium luxury segment" that is leaning towards gas engines, and as a result, Porsche will react" in its product cycle.Porsche sells two pricey electric vehicles: the Taycan and the recently launched Macan. It planned to bring more EV-only models, including a Cayenne 718 and a new high-performance SUV. But now Meschke... Continue reading...
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Artists say they leaked OpenAI’s Sora video model in protest
by
Kylie Robison
on (#6SH3D)
A still from a video generated by OpenAI's Sora. | OpenAI OpenAI first teased its text-to-video AI model, Sora, back in February and hasn't provided any meaningful updates on when it will be released since then. Now, it looks like some artists leaked access to the model in protest of being used by the company for what they claim is unpaid R&D and PR."On Tuesday, a group of Sora beta testers claimed to have leaked early access to Sora with a working interface for generating videos. In a post on Hugging Face, a public repository of AI models, they say that people were able to create lots of AI videos - all of which resemble OpenAI's own Sora demos - before the company intervened to shut down access. (TechCrunch first reported on the alleged leak.)From the group's open letter:
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ISPs say there’s no need for new customer service rules; everything is great
by
Wes Davis
on (#6SH3E)
Cath Virginia / The Verge | Photo from Getty Images Trade associations involved in US broadband and wireless service say competition forces them to have good customer service, which may be news to many customers. The comments are in response to the FCC's October inquiry reviewing the quality of internet and phone providers' customer support.Ars Technica quotes a filing from NCTA - The Internet & Television Association, which says that in order to attract and retain customers, NCTA's cable operator members continuously strive to ensure that the customer support they provide is effective and user-friendly."USTelecom, which has AT&T, Verizon, Frontier, and SpaceX among its members, says customers already get high-quality customer service" because of the competitive broadband market."... Continue reading...
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Google’s connecting Spotify to its Gemini AI assistant
by
Umar Shakir
on (#6SH1J)
Cath Virginia / The Verge Spotify is getting support for Google's Gemini Extensions, which will allow users to search for and play music using the generative AI assistant with natural language requests. The extension was first spotted in the code of the Google app in June, and now it's rolling out to compatible Android devices, as reported by 9to5Google.Gemini can play music found by song titles, artist names, album names, playlist names, or for a particular activity, but at the moment, it won't create playlists or radio stations on Spotify. One thing to be aware of is that if you've already linked another music service like YouTube Music, you'll need to verbally say (or type in) which service you want Gemini to use as part of your initial request, and from... Continue reading...
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