Technology news

Sam Altman. | Image: OpenAI An independent investigation commissioned by OpenAI’s nonprofit board has found that CEO Sam Altman’s conduct “did not mandate removal.” After surviving an attempted boardroom coup in November, he will now rejoin the board.
In a press release, board chair Bret Taylor said the law firm WilmerHale interviewed board members, employees, and reviewed “more than 30,000 documents” to reach the conclusion that Altman and co-founder Greg Bro

Sam Altman. | Image: OpenAI An independent investigation commissioned by OpenAI has found that CEO Sam Altman’s conduct “did not mandate removal.” After surviving an attempted board coup in November, he will now rejoin the the organization board.
Board chair Bret Taylor also announced three other board members on Friday: Sue Desmond-Hellmann, the former CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Nicole Seligman, a former legal executive at Sony, and Fidji Simo, the CEO of In

Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 2: Myths & Mortals | Image: Epic Games The launch of Fortnite’s Greek mythology-themed Chapter 5: Season 2 has been on hold since early this morning after the usual downtime for maintenance didn’t end on schedule. Epic usually takes the servers down at 3AM ET to prepare for a big update, but then the battle royale game never came back online, with messages saying the work would take a few hours longer than usual.The most recent message from the Fortnite

Illustration: The Verge Google has fired an employee who publicly protested the company’s work for the Israeli military. During a presentation by an executive with Google’s Israel branch on Monday, the now-former Google Cloud engineer stood up and shouted, “I refuse to build technology that powers genocide or surveillance.”
Google confirmed the firing, which was first reported by CNBC, in an email to The Verge. “Earlier this week, an employee disrupted a coworker wh

The Digital Markets Act (DMA), a new set of EU regulations that forces Big Tech companies to open themselves to competition on their core platforms, went into effect on Thursday. By Friday, the DMA had already resolved the latest conflict between Apple and Epic Games."The DMA went through its first major challenge with Apple banning Epic Games Sweden from competing with the App Store, and the DMA just had its first major victory," Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney posted on X. "Following a swift i

Illustration by Haein Jeong / The Verge Two Florida middle schoolers were arrested in December and charged with third-degree felonies for allegedly creating deepfake nudes of their classmates. A report by Wired cites police reports saying two boys, aged 13 and 14, are accused of using an unnamed “artificial intelligence application” to generate the explicit images of other students “between the ages of 12 and 13.” The incident may be the first US instance of criminal char

Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge Logitech is rolling out a firmware update for its popular G Pro X Superlight 2 mouse this week that will enable 4kHz response rates. The higher polling rate is designed for high DPI / low in-game sensitivity players who play esports PC games, which is who Logitech markets its Superlight series of mice toward.A higher polling rate on a mouse essentially means that when a frame is rendered, you get a more recent and accurate cursor position shown on your screen.

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

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

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

Apple will soon be making significant changes to its mobile platforms in response to new regulations in the EU called the Digital Markets Act (DMA).Thanks to the DMA, Big Tech companies identified as "gatekeepers" must open up their core platforms to competition or third-party alternatives. Case in point: Apple can no longer monopolize app distribution on iOS in the EU with the App Store. This means, for example, that developers can distribute their apps through alternative application marketpla

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 “movi

Best early MAR10 Day dealsBest game deal'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'$39.99 at Nintendo(save $20) Get DealBest accessory dealPowerA Enhanced Wireless Nintendo Switch Controller (Mario Pop)$52.99 at Amazon(save $7) Get DealBest subscription dealNintendo Switch Online 14-day free trial$0 at Nintendo Get Deal
Once per year, we get to collectively celebrate our favorite Italian plumber with a massive sale on games, accessories, and more that'll have you wanting to blurt out a quick "wahoo!"On March 10, MAR1

Sadly, the Oscars won't be a walk in the dog park this year. One of the most beloved Hollywood rising stars, Messi, won't be in attendance.Messi, the blue-eyed border collie who matched Best Actress nominee Sandra Hüller's performance in Anatomy of a Fall as Snoop, became a fan favorite of this awards season and an apparent industry enemy. SEE ALSO:Here's why celebs might sport red buttons on the Oscars red carpet
The Palm Dog recipient attended the Oscars nominees luncheon where he met a s

SAVE $20: As of March. 8, get a digital copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for Nintendo Switch for $39.99. That's a 37% discount.Opens in a new windowCredit: Best BuyMario Kart 8 Deluxe (Digital Copy)$39.99 at Best Buy $59.99Save $20.00Get DealThere are Nintendo Switch games, and then there are must-have Nintendo Switch games: Super Mario Odyssey, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and certainly Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. These are just some of the first games anyone should c

In a move accompanied by little, if any, public support, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has deployed the National Guard to New York City subways in a stated effort to crack down on crime. For New York City residents, all this effort will do is hassle people going about their business and increase the number of armed men and women scrolling their phones in subway stations. I've lived in New York City for a decade now, unlike Hochul, and I've never seen a subway issue resolved by law enforcement. Not

UPDATE: Mar. 8, 2024, 12:15 p.m. EST This story has been updated with latest pricing for robot vacuums on sale during the first weekend in March.A quick look at the best robot vacuum deals this week:Best budget dealShark Matrix RV2300$199 at Walmart(save $100.99) Get DealBest self-emptying dealRoborock Q5+$399.99 at Amazon(save $300 with Prime) Get DealBest vacuum-mop combo dealiRobot Roomba Combo j5+$499 at Amazon(save $300.99) Get Deal
Only three things are certain in life: Death, taxes, and

GET A $75 GIFT CARD: As of March 8, you can get a free $75 Best Buy gift card when you purchase an eero 6+ AX3000 Dual-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System (3-pack). Opens in a new windowCredit: eeroeero 6+ AX3000 Dual-Band Mesh WiFi 6 System (3-pack) $299.99 at Best BuyGet a $75 Best Buy gift card with purchaseGet DealMost people can't afford to live without a reliable internet connection. It keeps us connected to the world, work, and entertainment. Whether we're using it to stream our favorite shows, atte

The next major update, iOS 18, should roll out to users alongside the expected iPhone 16 launch later this year. Although we're still several months away from its highly anticipated release, leaks about iOS 18 have been circulating to feed into our speculation.SEE ALSO:iOS 18: Everything we know about the next big iPhone update
iOS 18 update: 2 rumored new featuresAccording to MacRumors, which cites "industry sources," iOS 18 is set to offer, at the very least, two new accessibility-related perk

Great news! The limited edition SpongeBob Xbox — the Best-Buy-exclusive one that sold out in under two minutes — is available for purchase again. The bad news? It's only on eBay, and it's about $2,000.The eBay resellers are back at it again and doing what they do best: Scooping up limited-edition drops in an instant, then listing them for prices way above the product's MSRP. First, it was sneakers, now it's game consoles that resemble beloved cartoon characters.SEE ALSO:Gaming starte

SAVE $80: The Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell is just $49.99 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $129.99. That's a 62% discount. Opens in a new windowCredit: ArloArlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell$49.99 at Amazon $129.99Save $80.00Get DealWe live in an incredible time—practically anything you want can arrive at your doorstep in just a few days, if not a few hours. However, this convenience comes with the concern of unattended packages sitting on the front porch. If you tend to ch

In a refrain that feels almost entirely too familiar by now: Generative AI is repeating the biases of its makers.A new investigation from Bloomberg found that OpenAI's generative AI technology, specifically GPT 3.5, displayed preferences for certain racial in questions about hiring. The implication is that recruiting and human resources professionals who are increasingly incorporating generative AI based tools in their automatic hiring workflows— like LinkedIn's new Gen AI assistant for ex

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:$699: Core Ultra 5 / 512GB SSD
$749: Core Ultra 7 / 512GB SSD
$799: Core Ultra 7 / 1TB SSDYou can also preorder all three MSI Claw models from Newegg, with availability starting March

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 b

GET $50 OFF: As of March 8, the 'Marvel's Spider-Man 2' PlayStation 5 digital edition console is available for just $399.99 at PlayStation, GameStop, Target, and Best Buy.Opens in a new windowCredit: PlayStationOur pick: Marvel's Spider-Man 2 PlayStation 5 digital edition console$399.99 at Best BuyGet DealThe PlayStation 5 console has been nearly impossible to get a hold of since its release in 2020. Now, the company is rewarding gamers for their loyalty and patience by offering limited-time dea

Welcome to March. The month when sunsets get later each day and we start to feel hope that warmth will soon return. For those who suffer from allergies, March holds some of the last days before spring pollen takes hold and has us ordering tissues in bulk quantities. If you deal with seasonal allergies, stay ahead of the pollen with these deals on Coway air purifiers at Amazon.Best Coway air purifier deals todayBest single-room air purifierCoway Airmega AP-1512HH air purifier$151.47 at Amazon(sav

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

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

SAVE $180: As of March 8, get the Eufy Clean X8 Pro robot vacuum for just $319.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 36% and the lowest price we've seen.Opens in a new windowCredit: AmazonEufy Clean X8 Pro$319.99 at Amazon $499.99Save $180.00Get DealTired of having to take time out of your schedule to vacuum your home? Wish you had someone else to do it for you? You need a robot vacuum. It's high time you welcome one into your home if you haven't already, because these dirt-hungry devils are better

GET 30% OFF: Level up your mobile gaming with the Backbone One controller for just $69.99 (save $30)! Opens in a new windowCredit: Backbone Our pick: Backbone One mobile gaming controller for iPhone $69.99 at Amazon$99.99Save $30.00Get DealLooking to upgrade your mobile gaming experience? Amazon's got you covered with 30% off the Backbone One Mobile gaming controller.This nifty gadget has responsive analog triggers, tactile buttons, and clickable thumbsticks so you can transform your mobile devi

A British startup has set a new pressure record using the world’s strongest pulsed power machine, as it looks to forge a cheaper, faster path to fusion energy.  First Light Fusion launched a projectile at over 20 kilometres per second (72,000 kph) into a piece of quartz crystal producing pressure upwards of 1.85 terapascals — almost four times the pressure found at Earth’s core.   The startup achieved the feat using the Z Machine, a nuclear-era device located in Albu

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 n

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 fr

In October last year, researchers at the Alan Turing Institute sounded the alarm that there was an “urgent issue” of gender imbalance in artificial intelligence investment. No one, unfortunately, was surprised. However, it is always good to have the data. The report found that female-founded companies accounted for only 3% of AI startup VC funding over the past decade. While the study focused solely on the UK, similar findings have been reported in other countries. With the boom in