Technology news

Illustration: The Verge You can’t really blame Meta’s executives for wanting to limit the amount of political yelling on Instagram and Threads. That stuff can get pretty toxic. As a result, both of Meta’s social networks now limit what Meta terms “political content” from people you are not following.
However, if you are a Threads or Instagram user and you want to be exposed to posts “likely to mention governments, elections, or social topics that affect a grou

Not to sound hyperbolic, but April Fools' Day is the worst. Not because of all the shitty pranks by attention-starved YouTubers, but because of the shitty pranks by attention-starved multinational corporations.April Fools' Day is meant to be light-hearted and fun, but nothing takes the winds out of its sails than the onslaught of bad brand jokes. Thus to our torture, and to save you some time, we've gathered some of the worst April Fools Day tweets made by companies that are supposedly worth mil

Illustration by Laura Normand / The Verge The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a new way to combat the impersonation scams that it says cost people $1.1 billion last year alone. Effective today, the agency’s rule (PDF) “prohibits the impersonation of government, businesses, and their officials or agents in interstate commerce.” The rule also lets the FTC directly file federal court complaints to force scammers to return money stolen by business or government impersonation.
Im

Photo: Waffle House (Flickr) Get ready for the next battle… at the Waffle House. For a while now, Tekken fans on social media have been pestering Katsuhiro Harada, longtime Tekken producer, to add a Waffle House battle stage. All the posts seemingly got to Harada, who finally asked, “Why?” The resulting thread on X was a neat bit of American / Japanese cultural exchange in which fans explained the deep lore of the Waffle House franchise and why it’d make for a fitting ad

Apple Maps has been operating in the shadow of its largest competitor, Google Maps, since it launched over a decade ago. However, Apple has taken steps to enhance its mapping and directions app, resulting in some users actually preferring Apple Maps now.Still, as new rules and regulations like the Digital Markets Act in the EU are instated, companies like Apple will really need to up the ante in order to compete.Apple's latest patent filing, first spotted by Wccftech, shows the most recent examp

You can now edit DALL-E images if your AI-generated image needs a tweak here and there. This week, OpenAI released an editor interface tool, which lets users make edits by describing changes in a text prompts. As explained in the DALL-E help section which was updated this week with instructions for using the tool, there are two main ways of editing images. The first is by highlighting a part of the image and giving specific instructions for that area, and the second is by making overall changes

This composite image shows the progression of a total solar eclipse over Madras, Oregon, on Monday, August 21st, 2017.  | Image: NASA / Aubrey Gemignani Things are going to get a little wacky on April 8th, when a total solar eclipse will darken skies over North America. The Moon will line up perfectly to block the face of the Sun. Temperatures will drop around 10 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius). Birdsong will change from daytime to nighttime tunes. And millions of people are expected

Illustration: The Verge Google agreed to destroy or de-identify billions of records of web browsing data collected when users were in its private browsing “Incognito mode,” according to a proposed class action settlement filed Monday.
The proposed settlement in Brown v. Google will also mandate greater disclosure from the company about how it collects information in Incognito mode and put limits on future data collection. If approved by a California federal judge, the settlement coul

Illustration: The Verge OpenAI will no longer require an account to use ChatGPT, the company’s free AI platform. However, this only applies to ChatGPT, as other OpenAI products, like DALL-E 3, cost money to access and will still require an account for access. “We’re rolling this out gradually, with the aim to make AI accessible to anyone curious about its capabilities,” OpenAI said in a blog post.Ever since ChatGPT first rolled out at the end of 2022, interested users hav

Folks who fired up the New York Times' daily puzzle Connections on Monday were greeted with a major surprise. There were emoji where the words should be. This, of course, is a bit of April Fools' Day fun from the NYT's games editors. Connections usually has 16 words in little tiles. Players place the words into groups of four, hopefully noticing the common characteristic the words have in common. So it was quite the surprise to see emoji first thing on Monday.Folks online were quick to complain,

Save $24.01: As of April 1, grab a four-pack of Apple AirTags at Amazon for just $74.99, putting them just one cent away from their record-low price of $74.98. In total, you'll save 24% on their $99 MSRP. Opens in a new windowCredit: AppleApple AirTag (4-pack)$74.99 at Amazon $99.00 Save $24.01Get DealWhether you want to keep track of your luggage or your keys, Bluetooth trackers can be a lifesaver.For iPhone users and Apple fans, we consider the Apple AirTags the best choice, and as of April 1,

Today’s deal marks a great opportunity to upgrade if you’re on an older model. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge I’m looking down at my aging Apple Watch 6 and noticing that it’s April 1st, so I had to double-check Amazon’s listing for the Apple Watch Series 9 just to make sure the price wasn’t a joke. The 41mm / GPS model with the midnight case and Sport Loop band is on sale at Amazon for $299.99 ($100 off) — only $30 more than its lowest pr

Samsung is planning on devoting serious attention to its Bixby voice assistant through a beefy artificial intelligence (AI) upgrade, according to a CNBC interview with Executive Vice President Won-Joon Choi. SEE ALSO:Samsung reveals its new 2024 flagship TVs and Music Frame speaker
Watch out, Siri — Bixby is getting an updateNot one to be left behind its competitors, the Samsung EVP said that the company is investing in "generative AI and LLM (large language model) tech" for its core voice

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Looking to start your week w

We all know that music brings people together. When you have a portable Bluetooth speaker, you can bring the music to the people you love most no matter where you are. Today's best JBL portable speaker deals as of April 1:Best party speaker dealJBL PartyBox 110 $299 at Amazon(save $100.95) Get DealBest boombox dealJBL Boombox 3$449.95 at Amazon(save $50) Get DealBest small portable speaker dealJBL Charge 5$129.95 at Amazon(save $50) Get Deal
Today at Amazon, JBL portable speakers are on sale for

For years, the iPhone SE has been a safe haven for Apple fans who prefer a real home button. That, however, seems to be changing.Leaker @MajinBuOfficial (rest in peace Akira Toriyama) posted images that allegedly reveal the case of the next-generation iPhone SE. These images, if legit, reveal that Apple will drop home button and add a notch. If the older iPhone SE had the body of an iPhone 8, this newer one resembles the iPhone 14.SEE ALSO:iOS 18: Everything we know about the next big iPhone upd

$100 OFF: Score a GoPro MAX 360 for just $399.99 at Best Buy and Amazon.Opens in a new windowCredit: GoPro GoPro MAX 360$399.99 at Best Buy$499.99 Save $100.00Get DealWhether you're an adrenaline junkie looking to capture your wildest adventures or a vlogger wanting to take your content to the next level, the GoPro MAX 360 action camera is the tool for the job. And right now, it's on sale for just $399.99 at both Best Buy and Amazon. That's a $100 discount, and according to our research, the low

Save $60: If you've been waiting to score a great deal on a Dyson Airwrap dupe, this is your time. As of April 1, the Shark FlexStyle in both the curly & coily and wavy & straight hair systems are on sale at Amazon for just $239.99, instead of its usual $299.99, netting you a 20% discount. Opens in a new windowCredit: SharkShark FlexStyle $239.99 at Amazon $299.99 Save $60.00Get DealSimply put, we think the Dyson Airwrap is a great hair styling tool that's way too expensive.With that sai

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in America. Easy to pick up and learn, it's an accessible way to stay active, and have some fun in the process. Plus, it doesn't take a lot of money to get your own equipment. Today's best pickleball paddle deals as of April 1:Best four-player bundle VINSGUIR Pickleball Paddles$33.99 at Amazon(save $6) Get DealBest two-player bundle Panel Sound Pickleball Paddles$19.99 at Amazon(save $9.96) Get DealBest single-paddle dealMTEN Pickleball Paddle$25.4

The Verge It looks like the fediverse is opening up. In late March, Meta’s Threads introduced a beta feature that allows users from the US, Canada, or Japan to cross-post and view likes from Mastodon and, presumably, other federated social networks.If you’re a Threads user from one of these three countries and want to give this beta a try, it’s not difficult. You can do it from the mobile app or the web version:On Threads’ mobile app, tap your profile icon in the lower ri

GET 31% OFF: As of April 1, you can get an Anker Prime Power Bank for just $89.98, down from $129.99. That's a 31% discount or $40.01 off the list price.Opens in a new windowCredit: AnkerAnker Prime Power Bank $89.98 at Amazon $129.99 Save $40.01Get DealIf you're tired of losing power on your phone, laptop, or any other device while on the go, you might want to consider getting a portable power bank. These little gadgets can be a lifesaver when traveling, camping, or running errands (and you don

This is an exoskeleton that assists your movements while hiking. The Dysns is leading the race in advanced AI walking assistance. A chain clasps belt made from 3D knitted material secures around the user's waist and legs. The device has a motor that offers up 83lbs of weight reduction. Using its built-in motion sensor the Dysns recognizes any posture at a thousand times per second. This allows the device to be used in most complex terrains. Clicking the boost mode enables the device to assist th

Image: The Verge Microsoft, possibly hoping to deflect the blow of an ongoing antitrust investigation in the EU, is spinning Teams off from Office 365 to sell as its own separate app globally, Reuters reported today. A company spokesperson told Reuters it was making the change to its business chat and conferencing app “to ensure clarity for our customers” after already doing so in the EU last year.
Microsoft’s existing customers should be able to keep their current deal, which

Opens in a new windowCredit: KlaviyoMarketing platform that powers smarter digital relationshipsAI-powered marketing platformShop NowLet’s face it: No matter how smart we are and how much effort we put into something, we’d all benefit from offloading certain tasks to AI. AI can inarguably make our lives easier — and the sooner we stop scratching our heads over it and start using it to tackle repetitive, time-consuming tasks, the sooner it can boost our personal and professiona

TL;DR: Through April 7, this refurbished MacBook Air with 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD is on sale for just $369.99.If you're in the market for a reliable laptop, you have options other than shelling out a small fortune on a new one. Depending on your requirements, you might not need the latest tech to be productive. This refurbished MacBook Air is on sale for just $369.99 for a limited time. It can save you some money and provide you with the performance you need.This 2017 MacBook Air has a grade "B" r

TL;DR: Through April 2, you can grab a lifetime license to MS Office 2021 for Windows for only $55.99 with code ENJOY20, or the Mac version for $69.99.Others can copy its dress, but no one can ever steal Microsoft Office's crown. While there are free (and freemium) alternatives, the entire Microsoft Office suite, which includes apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, remains the gold standard for workplace efficiency and productivity.If your access to the suite is limited to your work-is

TL;DR: Through April 2, access this beginner-friendly Microsoft Excel training for only $16.97.Microsoft Excel shouldn't just be a "skill" you flex on your résumé when you're trying to impress a potential employer. And while it does have tons of uses in the workplace, including sorting and managing raw data, it can also be incredibly useful in your daily life, like when you're figuring out your travel budget or visualizing your fitness progress.But if you admittedly don't know squa

TL;DR: Through April 7, travel smarter with this Bellboy 5-in-1 Portable Wireless Charging Station for $54.99 (reg. $69).Going on vacation is a treat. Whether you're driving across the country to see the national parks or flying out to a Caribbean beach getaway, you will need to bring your devices to capture the sights, capture special moments, and stay connected. But the charging situation while away can be a bit stressful to manage when you're on the move or have packing anxiety. This Bel

TL;DR: Microsoft Visio Professional 2021 for Windows is on sale for £19.78, saving you 90% on list price.Does your job require complex data sharing? Do org charts and flowcharts take up a big part of your or your team's workweek? If so, you may want to look into this software from the big brains at MS Visio Professional 2021.This software offers more straightforward ways to present your data. It gives you access to diagramming tools that make it possible to unlock a new realm of productivi

TL;DR: Watch the 2024 MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.We're still only in the early stages of the 2024 MotoGP calendar, but it's already looking like an exciting and unpredictable season. You never know who is going to win the next race (unlike F1), which is exactly what fans love. Every race weekend throws some surprises your way.If you're interested in watching the 2024 MotoGP Grand Prix of

TL;DR: Watch the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix for free on ORF, ServusTV, RTBF, or RTL ZWEE. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.Believe it or not, but Max Verstappen doesn't win every single F1 race. Carlos Sainz Jr. took the win in Australia, giving hope to everyone that this season might be a little more competitive. Sure, Verstappen was forced to retire from the race after just four laps. But forget all about that. Competitive racing is back.If you're

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for April 1's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to b

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for April 1's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, kee