Technology news

UPDATE: July 8, 2024, 6:33 p.m. EST In a statement to Mashable, a Google spokesperson says that this so-called "experimental feature" isn't new: "Promoted pins in navigation are not new - they let people see relevant ads for businesses like gas stations, restaurants, and stores along their route. To avoid driver distraction, these ads do not pop up, expand only if they’re tapped on, and disappear quickly after a short time."Original article: July 8, 2024, 5:24 p.m. EST:Is Google Maps is te

Once upon a time, kids (and kids at heart) longed for the biggest present in the pile. But size doesn't matter when picking out the best tech gifts. Some of the year's top gadgets are small enough to fit inside your pocket, and thanks to digital downloads, many popular gaming gifts take up no physical space whatsoever.Our tech gift guide includes some of the best new releases of the year, most of which we've written about and reviewed. From the new Nintendo Switch OLED Mario Red Edition to new A

Illustration by Samar Haddad / The Verge It may sound funny to say this, but PDF files — electronic copies of printed documents — are still around and are still very useful. Short for Portable Document Format, PDFs allow you to create a digital version of a paper document, letting you store and access them a lot easier than having to rifle through a filing cabinet.While there are a variety of PDF apps available — Adobe Acrobat being the most well known — you actually don&

Generating the best affordable gift ideas is an art, much like gift-giving in general. And it's an art that Mashable shopping experts take very seriously, which is why we're bringing you these awesome gifts under $50.Yes, some people possess an innate talent for finding gifts on a budget. No matter the occasion (anniversary, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day) or recipient (wife, boyfriend, teens, in-laws), they somehow nail it every time — winning the unofficial "best gift-giver" award among t

Imagine this wallpaper, but then it shifts colors. | Image: Apple iOS 18’s third developer beta includes a “dynamic” version of the default iOS 18 wallpaper that shifts colors, as reported by 9to5Mac. Previous betas had four color options (and dark mode counterparts) for the wallpaper, but this new dynamic option changes between colors over time.Check out this video from leaker ShrimpApplePro to see the wallpaper and some of the color shifts. I think it looks pretty good!
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Multihypenate talent Donald Glover, who just dropped his new single "Lithonia," can add another accomplishment to his resume: a major collaboration on TikTok. OK, so it's not necessarily the same as the award-winning series Atlanta, but Glover teamed up with TikTokker @Jordan_The_Stallion8 to film a video joking about the fact that many folks seem to think they look alike. If you're unfamiliar with Glover, well, where have you been? He's a movie and TV star, an accomplished musician under the mo

Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge The best deal in laptops is back again for a limited time, as Walmart is selling the M1 MacBook Air for just $649 ($250 off). Walmart currently requires a Walmart Plus subscription to get the discounted price, but everyone else can get in and buy it from the retailer’s site at 5PM ET / 2PM PT today.We haven’t seen the price drop this low since March, shortly after the newer M3 Air debuted. Since then, Walmart has become pretty much the exclusive sell

OpenAI released a ChatGPT app for Mac less than two weeks ago – and there's already been a security issue.It turns out the ChatGPT for Mac app had been storing users' conversations with the AI chatbot in plain text. OpenAI has since fixed the issue with an update, so its important to download the latest ChatGPT for Mac version from the OpenAI website.SEE ALSO:It’s not just ChatGPT. A new AI chatbot is coming to iPhone, according to new report.
ChatGPT for Mac security flawLast w

Affinity says users are under “no obligation” to purchase the software after taking out the six month free trial. | Image: Affinity Design software developer Serif has launched a new six-month free trial for its Affinity creative suite, which is well regarded as being one of the few viable alternatives to Adobe’s professional design apps. The offer is available for Affinity Photo, Affinity Designer, and Affinity Publisher starting today on Mac, Windows PC, and iPad.
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The QuietComfort Earbuds II are no longer the best from Bose, but they’re still some of the best buds money can buy. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge I’m reeling from a weekend of “guess that pop.” Was it the endless stream of fireworks this time? Or gun-toting Texans spending their ammunition celebratorily in defiance of rules prohibiting such behavior? Thankfully, the guessing game didn’t last long — I decided to give my noise-canceling earbuds of choice a

Image: Microsoft Microsoft is launching its Xbox TV app on select Amazon Fire TV Sticks today. The app, which Microsoft first announced last month, provides access to Xbox Cloud Gaming, allowing subscribers of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to stream a variety of Xbox titles to some Fire TV devices.
The Xbox app will initially be available only on the Fire TV 4K Max (2023) and Fire TV Stick 4K (2023) and will be identical to the same app available on Samsung’s recent TVs and monitors. All you&rsq

Echo Spot | Image: Amazon Ahead of Prime Day 2024, Amazon has launched an updated version of its Alexa-connected smart speaker / alarm clock, the Echo Spot. Similar to the one that launched in 2017, it’s designed to sit on your nightstand and offer control via a small touchscreen or with voice commands, but Amazon has addressed our biggest gripe about that device by removing the camera.It’s also launching at a lower price. While the 2017 version cost $149.99 at launch, the 2024 Echo

YouTube Music is stepping up its game with an exciting new AI feature that lets users create custom radio stations just by asking. Spotted by an eagle-eyed Reddit user, kater_pro, this experimental feature is currently rolling out to a lucky few.SEE ALSO:YouTube has delivered an important update to its audio eraser tool
When fully launched, the new feature will introduce an "Ask for music any way you like" card on the Home feed. This card, displayed in vibrant purple and pink hues, is similar in

GET $300 OFF: As of July 8, Target Circle members can snag a Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop for just $399.99, down from $699.99. Opens in a new windowCredit: Shark Our pick: Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop$399.99 at Target $699.99 Save $300.00Get DealIf you’re looking for a new robot vacuum that can handle mopping duties, the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop (previously known as the Sharl AI Ultra 2-in-1) might be your best option. SEE ALSO:Target'

A quick look at the best summer deals at Best BuyBest TV dealToshiba 75-inch C350 4K Fire TV$449.99(save $200)Get DealBest Apple deal5th gen Apple iPad Air, 10.9-inch (M1, 64GB, WiFi)$499.99(save $100)Get DealBest laptop dealAsus Vivobook Pro QLED, 16-inch (Intel 13 Gen i9, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD)$1,399.99(save $600)Get DealBest headphones dealSennheiser Momentum 4$251.99(save $128)Get Deal
In the same way that Black Friday has become more of a season than a singular day, the entire month of July cou

Courtesy of Marvel Television The months Marvel spent trotting out new names for Agatha All Along made it hard to get a read on what to expect from the studio’s first WandaVision spinoff, but it seems like a promising horror turn from the looks of its first trailer.
Though WandaVision’s finale made it seem as if Agatha Harkness might be left in a nightmare sitcom of her own, Agatha All Along’s new trailer reveals that she’s been stuck in a Mare of Easttown-style crime dra

Tesla’s apparent “Juniper” Model Y refresh in the wild. | Image: Reddit user JacklJack An apparent “Juniper” Tesla Model Y was spotted under the veil in California, reigniting reports that the automaker is prepping a redesign of its popular electric SUV.A new image was posted on Reddit showing a black Model Y with its front and rear bumpers covered up and, as Not a Tesla App reports, a front-mounted camera that should help with parking assistance since Tesla had rem

For many, Apple AirPods are a daily essential. From enjoying a podcast on a morning commute to cranking favorite tunes during a workout, Apple AirPods let you immerse yourself in your favorite audio entertainment on the go. These days, there are plenty of different AirPods models on the market to fit a variety of budgets and needs. Today's Best Target Circle Week Apple AirPods deals:Best Apple AirPods (2nd Generation) dealApple AirPods (2nd Generation)$79.99 at Target(save $50)Get DealBest Apple

GET $50 OFF: As of July 8, Target Circle members can get a Keurig K-Mini Go for $49.99, down from $99.99 at Target. Opens in a new windowCredit: Keurig Our pick: Keurig K-Mini Go$49.99 at Target $99.99 Save $50.00Get DealIt’s officially Target Circle Week, meaning tons of deals and discounts are just waiting for you to snatch them up. And, with Prime Day just a week away, Target wants to make sure you get the best deals possible — from beauty to smart home tech to small countertop ap

The best noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds deals ahead of Prime DayBest headphones dealApple AirPods Max$449.89 at Amazon(Save $99.11)Get DealBest earbuds dealBeats Studio Buds +$129.99 at Amazon(Save $39.96)Get Deal
Whether you're looking for peaceful summer travel or a little more focus at work, noise-cancelling headphones are a worthwhile investment, and with Amazon Prime Day just around the corner, it's one of the best times of year to pick up a pair.SEE ALSO:Amazon just announced the

Best Target Circle Week DealsBest tech dealApple iPad Mini (6th gen, 64GB, WiFi)$399.99 at Target(Save $100)Get DealBest gaming dealThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for Nintendo Switch$34.99 at Target(Save $25)Get DealBest kitchen dealCuisinart air fryer toaster oven$99.99 at Target(Save $130)Get DealBest home dealShark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 robot vacuum & mop$399.99 at Target(Save $300)Get DealBest toy dealCostway 12V Kids Ride-on Tractor$153.99 at Target(Save $316)Get Deal
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Microsoft quietly rolled out spellcheck and autocorrect features to Windows 11 Notepad over the last few days, per The Verge. These additions went into limited preview testing back in March, but now they're available for all. This is pretty wild because Notepad has been around in some form or another since 1983 and only got spellcheck now.SEE ALSO:The best Windows laptop of 2024 so far: 17-hour battery life and MacBook-beating performance
Naturally, it seems to work more or less the same way as

Can you believe we're just a week away from Amazon Prime Day? Neither can we. This one really crept up on us. But as usual, we're more than prepared to help you hunt down the best deals during the big event, as well as ahead of it. That's right, the discounts have already begun — but we're on top of it.If you're looking to buy a new laptop during this year's Prime festivities, you're in luck — Prime Day is always a good time to shop for a new computer, and this time around is no diff

GET $50 OFF: As of July 8, Target Circle members can get a Bose SoundLink Flex portable speaker for just $99.99, down from $149.99. That's $50 off the listing price. Opens in a new windowCredit: Bose Our pick: Bose SoundLink Flex$99.99 at Target $149.99 Save $50.00Get DealWith just one week until Prime Day, Target is throwing its biggest sale of the season: Target Circle Week. Through July 13, you can score deals on everything from beauty products to home essentials to electronics, including por

A law protecting child influencers in Illinois has officially gone into effect. The state passed a bill into law in August 2023, after it was introduced by Democratic Sen. David Koehler. It has now been implemented since July 1, 2024, as a part of Illinois' existing Child Labor Law, stating that children under the age of 16 "perform[ing] in an artistic or creative service" are entitled to compensation from their parent or guardians' digital content. SEE ALSO:Child influencers in Illinois can now

Whether you're a fitness fanatic constantly setting new goals or making lifestyle changes to get better sleep, an Apple Watch can help you gather and analyze the metrics you need to better understand your overall health and wellness.Today's best Target Circle Week deals:Best GPS-only Apple Watch Series 9 dealApple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS)$329.99 at Target(save $100)Get DealBest GPS and Cellular Apple Watch Series 9 dealApple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS, Cellular)$599.99 at Target(save $100)Get D

Image: FIA World Rallycross Championship After two seasons of all-electric racing, the World Rallycross Championship (or World RX) held its first mixed powertrain races between electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) cars this weekend in Höljes, Sweden. Unlike traditional point-to-point rally racing, rallycross puts those cars on a circuit, but with similar racing over dirt and gravel surfaces, as well as plenty of jumping and drifting through turns.
There were six EVs and four ICE ca

Dreading the chaos of back-to-school season? The endless shopping lists, last-minute scrambles, and forgotten essentials can overwhelm anyone. Cathy Pedrayes, a trusted lifestyle expert and mom friend extraordinaire, has curated a list of 12 must-have back-to-school items to help you start the new year on the right foot. You’ll be surprised by some of the fun finds she spotted at Walmart, mixed in with essential basics and new gadgets. Here’s what she had to say for her picks:

GET 20% OFF: Back-to-school shopping just got easier! Teachers and college students can score 20% off one item with Target Circle 360. Opens in a new windowCredit: TargetTeachers and college students can get 20% off one item Get DealNext semester doesn’t start for another month, but back-to-school shopping season is already in full swing for teachers and college students. This year, Target is offering teachers, school staff, and college students with a brand-new Target Circle 360 membershi

Image: CMF Nothing’s affordability-focused subbrand, CMF, launched more than just a $199 smartphone today. It also debuted a new pair of $59 wireless earbuds and a $69 smartwatch that incorporate the unique flair that Nothing has become known for.
The Buds Pro 2 are CMF’s follow-up to the earbuds it released last year. Unlike CMF’s first iteration of the Buds Pro (which are $10 cheaper), the Buds Pro 2 have a charging case with a “smart” dial that you can twist to a

The Apple Watch Series 10, which could potentially be called "Apple Watch X" to celebrate the smartwatch's 10-year-anniversary, is getting several key upgrades, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman via his Power On newsletter.Gurman claims that users who dig the Apple Watch Ultra's big screen, but don't want to pay Apple Watch Ultra prices, can enjoy a similar display with the next Apple Watch Series inductee. Check out the other features that will reportedly debut on the Apple Watch Series 10.S