Technology news

Just look at those eyes. | Image: Sony As expected, Sony’s limited edition Astro Bot DualSense controller for the PS5 is now available for preorder for $79.99. The forthcoming gamepad, which is currently only available through the PlayStation Direct storefront and Antonline, will launch alongside the next Astro Bot game on September 6th, giving those who’ve secretly been wishing their peripherals had more, huh, eyes, another option to consider.This isn’t the first time Sony Int

Nearly 3 billion people are affected by a recent data breach at a background check company. A large database compilation filled with billions of users' credentials was published just last month. Customers with AT&T, ADT, and countless other firms have had their sensitive data stolen by cyber criminals recently.Data breaches are seemingly on the rise. Many times, there's little to nothing that the average consumer can do about it. Sometimes, affected individuals aren't even aware that their d

Nova Launcher, in a very dated screenshot on top of the project’s website. | Image: Nova Launcher Nearly the entire team working on Nova Launcher, one of the biggest names in Android homescreen replacements, has been laid off. The team is now down to just one full time developer: Kevin Barry, the launcher’s founder.
Barry said development will continue and that he will remain in charge of the project. But team members who were laid off said work on Nova will have to slow down, and Ba

Illustration: Alex Castro / The Verge Instagram has starting testing a new feature that looks a whole lot like Snap Maps.
This allows Instagram users to post text and video updates to a map based on where they were taken. The map is shared with friends, whose updates can all appear alongside each other. It is, pretty much, just Snap Maps, which was originally launched in 2017.
The difference for now seems to be that Instagram may have much more limited privacy settings. Users have to choose a &l

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge Signal is being blocked in Venezuela and Russia. The app is a popular choice for encrypted messaging and people trying to avoid government censorship, and the blocks appear to be part of a crackdown on internal dissent in both countries.
In Venezuela, the blockage follows the disputed results of the country’s presidential election last month, which have led to protests and arrests as president Nicolás Maduro clings to power, according to MSNBC

Final Fantasy VI is a hallmark of the series thanks in part to its dark story. | Image: Square Enix It’s wild to think that the Final Fantasy series is nearly four decades old, but it’s thankfully less hard to believe you can get all six of the original games in cleaned-up remastered form for just $60. That’s exactly what’s happening now with this weekend deal discounting the Final Fantasy 1-6 Pixel Remaster bundle to $59.99 ($15 off) at Humble (PC), the Nintendo eShop, a

Image: Netflix Several upcoming anime titles from Netflix have shown up on X and 4Chan, including season two of Arcane and Terminator Zero. Today Netflix confirmed the leaks, as reported earlier by IGN.
“One of our post production partners has been compromised and footage from several of our titles has unfortunately leaked online. Our team is aggressively taking action to have it taken down,” Netflix spokesperson Sabryna Phillips said in a statement provided to The Verge.
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Illustration by Cath Virginia / The Verge Google might be having a big Pixel phone event next week, but this week the company had to reckon with a major loss to the Department of Justice, who found the company liable for violating US antitrust law.Naturally we had to break the entire case down on The Vergecast. So Lauren Feiner, who covered the case, and Alex Heath, who has been reporting on the reactions from the tech world, joined Nilay and myself to cover the best bits of the judge’s de

ChatGPT's Voice Mode has some security flaws, but OpenAI says it's on top of it. On Thursday OpenAI published a report on GPT-4o's safety features, addressing known issues that occur when using the model. GPT-4o is the underlying model that powers the latest version of ChatGPT, and comes with a Voice Mode that was recently released to a select group of users with a ChatGPT Plus subscription.SEE ALSO:What OpenAI's Scarlett Johansson drama tells us about the future of AI
The "safety challenges" id

Photo by Tom Warren / The Verge Intel has a big update on its crashing 13th and 14th Gen desktop CPUs — including a hint that maybe, just maybe, it might be able to do something about chips that are already failing instead of requiring you to return them.You can read its statement below in full, but here are the parts I find interesting:Intel says it’s now distributing the microcode that addresses elevated voltage issues to all its partners, not just Asus and MSI. (Updating your BIOS

Screenshot by Jay Peters / The Verge Warner Bros. Discovery has updated Cartoon Network’s website to remove basically everything and turn it into a page pointing to the Max streaming service. Before the change, the website let you watch free episodes of shows like Adventure Time and Steven Universe. The switchover appears to have happened on Thursday, Variety reports, and follows Warner Bros.’ announcement last week that it would be shutting down Boomerang, its streaming service for

Screenshot by Jay Peters / The Verge Warner Bros. Discovery has updated Cartoon Network’s website to remove basically everything and turn it into a page pointing to the Max streaming service. Before the change, the website let you watch free episodes of shows like Adventure Time and Steven Universe. The switchover appears to have happened on Thursday, Variety reports, and follows Warner Bros. announcement last week that it would be shutting down Boomerang, its streaming service for classic

SAVE $105: As of August 9, the Apple iPad (9th gen) is $224 at Amazon. That's 32% off its normal price of $329 and the new lowest price we've tracked. Opens in a new windowCredit: AmazonApple iPad (9th gen)$224.00 at Amazon $329.00 Save $105.00Get DealStill looking to add a new iPad to your tablet collection? There's a new deal floating around that beats a similar one that we tracked earlier this week, and you won't want to miss out.As of August 9, you can snatch up the Apple iPad (9th gen) at A

The last-gen bot vacuums well, mops hardwood floors, and comes with an auto-empty dock for $679. | Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge Basic robot vacuums can speed up the cleaning process, but they don’t do much for hard floors. If you want a robovac that requires less work, consider the Roomba Combo j7 Plus, which can mop your floors and features an auto-empty dock. Now through August 10th, it’s down to a new low Wellbots, where Verge readers can buy the Roomba Combo j7 Pl

SAVE 46%: Get Cync by GE smart light bulbs for just $12.99 at Best Buy, down from the list price of $23.99. That's a discount of $11, almost 50% off. Opens in a new windowCredit: CEGE Cync Direct Connect smart light bulbs (pack of two)$12.99 at Amazon $23.99 Save $11.00Get DealIt's back-to-school time, and there are a ton of deals right now on products for kids and teens alike. If you've been looking for an affordable way to jazz up a teen's bedroom or a college dorm room, this GE Cync Direct Co

Image: Stellantis Dodge has let rip the final version of its virtual engine sound profile for its upcoming Charger Daytona electric muscle car, and it sounds like a gallon of gasoline combusting in a hot flash.
The new Charger Daytona is, of course, an EV that does not burn any gas. But that isn’t stopping Dodge from trying to trick owners and onlookers with its new “Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust” system that sounds like it’s carrying some sort of Hemi engine but built expr

SAVE 40%: As of today, Aug 9, the GoveeLife Smart Tea Kettle is on sale for just $35.99. This limited-time Amazon deal saves shoppers $24 off the smart tea kettle's usual price of $59.99. Opens in a new windowCredit: GoveeLifeGoveeLife Smart Tea Kettle$35.99 at Amazon $59.99 Save $24.00Get DealNew - and high up - on the list of things I never knew I needed until just now: a smart, voice-controlled tea kettle for brewing tea just as it was intended. Today at Amazon, you can score the GoveeLife Sm

SAVE $59.99: As of Aug. 9, you can get Madden NFL 24 on the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 for just $10 at Best Buy. Snag this deal and prepare for the launch of Madden NFL 25 on Aug. 16.'Madden NFL 24' dealsXbox Series X/S'Madden NFL 24'$10 at Best Buy(save $59.99)Get DealPlayStation 5'Madden NFL 24'$10 at Best Buy(save $59.99)Get Deal
Look, we know that Madden NFL 25 is out in just a few days on Aug. 16, and under normal circumstances, there'd really be no point in hopping into the previous

STOCK UP AND SAVE: Prep for hurricane season with emergency preparedness deals at Amazon. Save on flashlights, power banks, generators, and more essential supplies. Our top picks: Best flashlight deal GearLight LED Flashlights (Two-Pack)$15.20 at Amazon (save $4.79)Get DealBest battery dealEnergizer Battery Pack (48 Count) $28.48 at Amazon (save $10.50)Get DealBest power bank deal 24,000mAh Anker Power Bank $103.99 at Amazon (save $46)Get Deal
Hurricane season officially began on June 1, but dep

There's something sinister about much of reality television. So often these shows appeal to our most hedonistic desires, deliberately stoking discord amongst their cast in pursuit of spectacle and commercial gain. Yet despite this, we just can't seem to stop watching.Indie game The Crush House seizes upon this voyeuristic thirst for drama, positioning you as a reality show producer tasked with recording the flirting, fighting, and failed friendships synonymous with shows like Love Island, Big Br

Some customers of ADT security equipment may have had personal information leaked onto the internet.The home security giant acknowledged as much this week in an 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), per BleepingComputer. Hackers apparently got into ADT's systems and stole limited customer information to post on a hacking forum. SEE ALSO:The best home security systems
"After becoming aware of the incident, the ompany promptly took steps to shut down the unauthorized access

Whether you want to take gorgeous portraits or snap tons of pics at that party you have coming up, the best camera deals this week have you covered. Shop our picks below: Best Camera DealsBest Mirrorless CameraCanon EOS R100$399 at Amazon(Save $200)Get DealBest Point and Shoot CameraSony ZV-1$648 at Amazon(Save $101.99)Get DealBest Instant Camera DealKodak Mini Shot 2 ERA (60 sheets bundle)$159.99 at Amazon(Save $30)Get Deal
When was the last time you took a photo with an actual camera? It might

Amazon deals of the day at a glance:OUR TOP PICKApple AirTags 4-pack$74.99 at Amazon(save $24.01)Get DealBEST EARBUDS DEALSony LinkBuds S$128 at Amazon(save $71.99)Get DealBEST STREAMING DEALAmazon Fire TV Stick 4K$29.99 at Amazon(save $20)Get DealBEST TABLET DEALApple iPad, 9th generation (A13 Bionic chip, 64GB, WiFi)$224 at Amazon(save $105)Get Deal
Before you kick off your weekend plans, you might want to check out some of the deals Amazon has to offer on Aug. 9. It may not be a big shopping

Illustration: The Verge Apple is tweaking its App Store rules in the EU after regulators charged the company with breaking the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in June. At first glance, the updated rules appear to give developers more freedom when linking to outside purchases — but a restrictive new fee structure will force developers to pay Apple a commission for sales made across any platform, not just iOS, for as long as they include outside links.
Starting this fall, all developers in the EU

While back-to-school shopping has already begun, don't let it put a ticking clock on your summer. There's still plenty of time to get outside and make summer memories with friends and family, whether you're hitting the beach, taking off for a camping trip, or getting out to enjoy your local trails and parks. That's why we're rounding up some of the best outdoor deals at Amazon for this week - including paddleboards, beach chairs, and more. These are the best outdoor deals of the week:Best beach

Great news, cat lovers (and anyone who likes video games). The beloved dystopian feline adventure, Stray, is coming to the Nintendo Switch on Nov. 19. Announced by Annapurna Interactive on Aug. 8, which also happens to be International Cat Day, the award-winning game will be fully ported over to the popular handheld in all of its glory in just a few short months. It's unclear if this version will launch with any bonus content or extras at the moment, but we don't expect it to.SEE ALSO:The best g

Illustration by Kristen Radtke / The Verge Apple Maps will finally let you manually refresh your search as you pan around to find similar destinations in adjacent (or distant) areas. In the iOS 18 beta, Apple Maps displays a new “search here” button after you search for things like coffee shops or restaurants and then shift the map to a new area. Image: The VergeSometimes when I’m hungry, I want to know my options in the next town without waiting for Apple Maps to refresh.In th

GET UP TO 33% OFF: As of August 9, Samsung is offering up to 33% off OLED TVs as part of its Samsung OLED Week sale. Our top picks:Best gaming TV deal Samsung 42-in Class OLED Gaming TV (S90D)$1,149.99 at Samsung (save $250 )Get DealBest 55-inch TV deal Samsung 55-inch Class OLED (S85D)$1,299.99 at Samsung (save $400)Get DealBest 65-inch TV deal Samsung 65-inch Class OLED (S90C)$1,599.99 at Samsung (save $1,000)Get Deal
There are some staple items in every home that cost a lot upfront but provid

SAVE 27%: The Dirt Devil Portable Spot Compact is an affordable carpet cleaner, down to just $79.99 right now at Amazon. That's a $30 discount from its list price of $109.99.Opens in a new windowCredit: Dirt DevilDirt Devil Portable Spot compact carpet cleaner$79.99 at Amazon $109.61 Save $29.62Get DealOwning and maintaining carpets is hard work, which is why it's best to rely on carpet and upholstery cleaners to do the maintenance part. Although the Bissell Little Green Machine is our top recom

The Samsung Odyssey headset with Windows Mixed Reality from 2017. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge Microsoft has reportedly struck a deal with Samsung for OLED panels that could power a new line of mixed reality headsets. Korean outlet The Elec reported earlier this week that (as per a machine translation) the partnership is still in its very early stages, with mass production not started until 2026. A source told the outlet the order could be for “hundreds of thousands”

Cath Virginia / The Verge | Photo from Getty Images The Biden administration released new priorities today for safeguarding clean energy infrastructure from possible cyberattacks.Smart grids and EVs can have big benefits when it comes to saving energy and cutting down pollution. But as more pieces of our lives become electric and digital, new cybersecurity challenges arise. That’s why the Biden administration is releasing guidance today on how to keep new parts of our energy infrastructure

Image: Samar Haddad / The Verge The Biden administration released new priorities today for safeguarding clean energy infrastructure from possible cyberattacks.Smart grids and EVs can have big benefits when it comes to saving energy and cutting down pollution. But as more pieces of our lives become electric and digital, new cybersecurity challenges arise. That’s why the Biden administration is releasing guidance today on how to keep new parts of our energy infrastructure safe from harm.
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Samsung handed out nearly 17,000 smartphones to athletes and “Olympic family.” | Image: Samsung For the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, Samsung created almost 17,000 exclusive Galaxy Z Flip 6 Olympic Edition phones to be given away to athletes and “Olympic family.” As the Olympic Games now draw to a close, many of those phones are being flipped online and are available to those who weren’t chasing a spot on the podium, as spotted by Mobile Syrup.
A quick eB

As Love Is Blind makes its big return to screens, this time with UK-based contestants, the dating reality TV series has shone a light on an important health issue for many women and AFAB (assigned female at birth) people.One of the show’s contestants, Demi — who sat in the pods talking to an array of eligible men on her quest for love — was refreshingly candid about her experiences of endometriosis and how it's impacted her dating life in the past.One particular conversation wi

Are you concerned about how to keep up with what’s trending? Don’t worry we’ve got you.This past week has been full of game releases, competitions, and challenges with cash prizes. The best part is we’ve listed 10 videos you should know about so you can keep up in the conversations about the latest trends.  Mr. Beast - Survive 100 Days In Nuclear Bunker, Win $500,000 Mr. Beast is back at it again with a viral video that explores two strangers working togeth

Lifestyle influencer Tiffany Davidson is a mom of four energetic, on-the-go kids ranging from elementary to middle school age, so she knows firsthand how hectic back-to-school shopping can be. With different supply lists, trendy clothes, and the right tech to find, it can quickly become overwhelming.To tackle this challenge, Tiffany shares her go-to solution: "I absolutely love shopping at Walmart to pick out the essentials I’ll need to make the transition smoother for me and my kiddos," s