Technology news

Image: The Verge The House Committee on Energy and Commerce has advanced two high-profile child safety bills that could remake large parts of the internet: the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0). The proposed laws passed on a voice vote despite discontent over last-minute changes to KOSA, in particular, that were aimed at quelling persistent criticism.KOSA and COPPA 2.0 would give government agencies more regulatory power ove

A radio device exploded in the city of Baalbek is seen as wireless communications device explosions continued for a second day across Lebanon. | Photo by Suleiman Amhaz/Anadolu via Getty Images A day after exploding pagers targeting Hezbollah members killed 12 people, including two children, and injured nearly 3,000 people in Lebanon and Syria, the attacks started again. The New York Times reports 14 people have died, along with hundreds injured in the second wave of explosions. Lebanese state m

At Made on YouTube on Wednesday, Sept. 18, in New York, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan announced various new AI tools for creators on the platform. SEE ALSO:YouTube to add tools to detect AI-generated faces and voices
The AI tools aim to "support creators at every step of the journey" and range from AI-powered inspiration to AI video generators. Mohan emphasized AI's ability to further YouTube's mission of being "the best home for creators" and ensured creators that it will build on its "track record of

It can’t be used as a speakerphone, but at $24.99 Soundcore’s new Select 4 Go Bluetooth speaker is claimed to have 20 hours of battery and can be paired for stereo sound. | Image: Soundcore Soundcore has launched another ultralight wireless speaker called the Select 4 Go. It’s priced at $24.99, making it the most affordable option in Soundcore’s current lineup of Bluetooth speakers, and much cheaper than similarly sized options such as Ultimate Ears’ recently launch

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge It’s been nearly six years since we warned you that ads were coming for your pause button, and 18 months since Google revealed that YouTube would serve them up, too.Now, YouTube confirms advertisers can broadly target your paused screentime: “As we’ve seen both strong advertiser and strong viewer response, we’ve since widely rolled out Pause ads to all advertisers,” YouTube comms manager Oluwa Falodun confirms to The Verge.
Te

Apple made history this month when a feature in the company's forthcoming AirPods Pro 2 was approved by the Food and Drug Administration as the first over-the-counter (OTC), clinical-grade hearing aid software. The Hearing Aid Feature, as Apple refers to the software, amplifies sound for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment (it also features a user-friendly hearing test). Stigma over hearing loss — and old-school hearing aids — persists, even though over 30 milli

Photo by Owen Grove / The Verge Google is rolling out an update that’ll let you adjust the brightness levels of its newest Nest Learning Thermostat, fixing a key issue that made it difficult to read, according to Android Authority.
The Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) is Google’s biggest redesign of the smart thermostat since it launched in 2011. Released in August, one of the thermostat’s major new features was the 2.7-inch display, which was double the size of its predecess

Photo by Owen Grove / The Verge Google is rolling out an update that’ll let you adjust the brightness levels on its newest Nest Learning Thermostat, fixing a key issue that made it difficult to read, according to Android Authority.
The fourth-gen Nest Learning Thermostat is Google’s biggest redesign for the smart thermostat since it launched in 2011. Released in August, one of the thermostat’s major new features was the 2.7-inch display, which was double the size of its predece

Image: PayPal Roughly 25 years after it launched payment processing, PayPal is “ushering in a new era for customers” with some generic black text. The company has a new logo, designed by Pentagram, that looks incredibly plain — especially compared to previous iterations of the logo that featured a rakish slant, two shades of blue, and prominent PayPal P’s.Image: PayPalThe evolution of PayPal’s logo.
The company justifies the change by saying that the new black stand

LinkedIn has been training generative AI with user data — a quiet change the public noticed on Wednesday.Users of the professional social networking platform owned by Microsoft were the first to notice a new option pop up in their data privacy settings called "Data for Generative AI Improvement."SEE ALSO:How to turn off Google AI Overviews
The setting options come with an explanation saying that this feature gives "LinkedIn and its affiliates" permission to "use your personal data and cont

Image: Substack Substack is now letting creators stream live videos as another way to connect with their audiences.Substack has increasingly been expanding from its roots as a newsletter platform, including adding Twitter-like Notes posts, the ability to publish video podcasts, and even letting people follow other users without subscribing to them. As of last month, you don’t even need to set up a publication to share content. With live video, creators will be able to interact with their f

The Focus Vision looks like it’s a bit of a chonker! | Image: HTC HTC has announced the Vive Focus Vision, a new VR headset that builds on the Vive Focus 3 with features like color passthrough and better PC tethering support. The $999 Focus Vision is available for preorder from now until October 17th on HTC’s website.
The Focus Vision can be used either as a standalone device or tethered to your PC using USB-C. It’s essentially a beefed-up version of the Focus 3, which the comp

Illustration: Alex Castro / The Verge YouTube creators can now break their videos up into different seasons and episodes to make them easier for viewers to navigate — and binge watch — on TV. The upcoming feature comes as YouTube has increasingly been pushing into the living room, with YouTuber revenue on TVs up 30 percent year-over-year, according to the company.
Content creators can soon tailor their uploads for viewers in a format that looks very similar to Netflix and other strea

SAVE $40: As of Sept. 18, the Ninja Professional Plus Blender Duo with Auto-iQ is down to just $109.99 at Target. That's 27% in savings and cheaper than at competing retailers.Opens in a new windowCredit: NinjaNinja Professional Plus Blender DUO with Auto-iQ$109.99 at Target $149.99 Save $40.00Get DealAs we transition from frozen margarita season to soup season, you might want to check and see if your blender is up to par. If you could use an upgrade, the Ninja Professional Plus Blender Duo is o

Ekaterina Zaharieva hasn’t even started work as the EU’s first startup commissioner, but tensions are already rising around her role. The Bulgarian politician was nominated for the job on Tuesday. Alongside startups, her brief will also cover research and innovation. But first, her appointment needs approval from the European Parliament. Her critics hope that confirmation never comes. Here are three big reasons for their opposition. 1. She lacks experience in tech Zaharieva was

A scene from Megalopolis, one of Lionsgate’s upcoming releases. | Lionsgate AI startup Runway has made a name for itself building generative models seemingly trained on unlicensed content from around the internet. Now the company has signed a deal with Lionsgate that will give it access to the studio’s massive portfolio of films and TV shows.
Today, Lionsgate — the studio behind films like the John Wick and Hunger Games franchises — announced that it is partnering with Ru

As long as there’s a breeze, the Shine 2.0 wind turbine can generate power all night long. | Image: Aurea Technologies Unlike solar panels that can only generate power while the sun’s shining, Aurea Technologies’ new Shine 2.0 portable wind turbine can potentially work all day long. That is, as long as the weather cooperates and provides an 8mph breeze needed to keep the turbine’s blades spinning.
Now available for preorder through a Kickstarter campaign offering discount

Google is expanding efforts to properly label AI-generated content, updating its in-house "About This Image" tool with a global standard for detecting the origins of an AI-edited image. The new label was formulated as part of Google's work with the global Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA). Members of the C2PA have committed to developing and adopting a standardized AI certification and detection process, enabled by a verification technology known as "Content Credentials."

SAVE $70: The Marshall Major IV headphones are on sale at Amazon for just $79.99, down from the list price of $149.99. That's a 47% discount.Opens in a new windowCredit: MarshallMarshall Major IV headphones$79.99 at Amazon $149.99 Save $70.00Get DealThere's a particular heart-sinking feel when you take off for the day only to realize your headphones have exactly zero charge left. If you encounter this problem regularly, Amazon has a special deal in store for you today.As of Sept. 18, the Marshal

The best pet tech deals at Amazon as of Sept. 18:Our top picks: Best automatic pet feeder deal Voluas Automatic Pet Feeder$38.39 at Amazon (save $9.60)Get DealBest water dispenser deal RIZZARI Automatic Pet Waterer$17.99 at Amazon (save $8)Get DealBest de-shedding tool deal Maxpower Planet Pet Grooming Rake$9.49 at Amazon (save $0.50)Get Deal
I have two beagles, and they’re my world. I’m always looking for stuff they do and don’t need (it’s a shame we can’t claim ou

If you're sending a "View Once" message, photo, or video through WhatsApp, don't be so sure that the receiver can't view it again.Security researchers with crypto wallet ZenGo recently discovered a bug that allowed WhatsApp users to view "View Once" messages as many times as they liked.SEE ALSO:Meta updates WhatsApp and Messenger third-party chats in Europe
In response, WhatsApp patched the issue. But, ZenGo researchers then discovered another exploit in WhatsApp's temporary fix that once again

SAVE $35: As of Sep. 18, get the Google Pixel Buds A-Series for $64 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount and the lowest price we've seen. Opens in a new windowCredit: AmazonGoogle Pixel Buds A-Series$64.00 at Amazon $99.00 Save $35.00Get DealApple may have just debuted its newest set of earbuds with the AirPods 4, but what if you don't use iOS devices or just want something a little more affordable? Good news: there are plenty of headphones and earbuds out there, and you can get a great pair for far

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge Amazon’s warehouse workers and delivery drivers, the people critical to the company’s ability to get you things fast via Amazon Prime, will soon get Prime subscriptions as part of their employment. The new perk was revealed along with other benefit updates, including an average pay raise, announced by the company on Wednesday.
The free Prime subscription will be part of the benefits package for “front-line” workers starting “e

TL;DR: Live stream Club Brugge vs. Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League for free on Tabii. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.The new format of the Champions League will not be for everyone, but the fact is fans are getting more big games between the best sides. And we're all for that.Club Brugge and Borussia Dortmund are next up in an interesting first-round matchup. Both sides will believe they can secure three points and make a mark on the tour

TL;DR: Live stream Manchester City vs. Inter Milan in the Champions League for free on RTL ZWEE. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.The new Champions League format is throwing together more massive matchups between the biggest clubs in Europe, which is great news for fans. We all want to see sides like Manchester City and Inter Milan doing battle. And you can do just that without spending anything.If you want to watch Manchester City vs. Inter Milan in

TL;DR: Live stream Celtic vs. Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.It has been a while since Celtic really impressed in the Champions League, but this could be the year. An opening round win over Slovan Bratislava could set Celtic on their way to a successful campaign. Of course, there are no easy games in this competition, and Slovan Bratislava will be desperate for three points fr

TL;DR: Live stream Bologna vs. Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League for free on Tabii. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.The first round of Champions League fixtures has already produced some really entertaining games, and we're expecting more of the same between Bologna and Shakhtar Donetsk. Sure, these aren't the biggest teams competing in the competition, but these evenly-matched teams could produce something special.If you want to watch Bologn

SAVE $50: The new black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + cellular) is on sale for paid members of the My Best Buy program starting at $749 (typically $799). Meanwhile, non-members can get it for $779.99 at Amazon. It's set for release on Sept. 20.Opens in a new windowCredit: AppleApple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + cellular) with black titanium case$749.00 at Best Buy $799.00 Save $50.00My Best Buy Plus/Total membership requiredPre-Order HereThe Apple Watch Ultra 2 will stun in a slick new satin black

Photo by Sjoerd van der Wal / Getty Images The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a bill Wednesday requiring new cars to have AM radio, which was introduced in response to an increasing number of vehicles coming out without the first-generation radio broadcast technology. The bill passed the committee on a roll-call vote of 45-2 and now heads to the full House for final approval.
The bill, titled the AM for Every Vehicle Act, would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrat

In its most expensive project to date, Germany’s Cyber Agency (Cyberagentur) has awarded three different contracts to four quantum computing startups — Quantum Brilliance, ParityQC, Oxford Ionics, and neQxt. Their mission is to deliver the world’s first quantum computer for “mobile security and defence” by 2027. After that, phase four of the project will kick in, and only one of the candidates will remain. Qubits from defect diamonds A portable quantum computer wil

SAVE $30: The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is on sale at Amazon for just $99.99, down from the list price of $129.99. That's a 23% discount.Opens in a new windowCredit: GarminGarmin Dash Cam Mini 2$99.99 at Amazon $129.99 Save $30.00Get DealDriving and owning a car comes with a lot of responsibility, not to mention anxiety when you have to park your car somewhere you can't see it. But thanks to today's deal on a dash cam at Amazon, you can have peace of mind at a discounted price.As of Sept. 18, the G

The iPhone 16 Pro Max was like the Energizer Bunny on our battery life test. It just kept going, and going, and going.The flagship Apple device knocked the Google Pixel 9 off its throne, the former reigning battery life champion.The Pixel 9 lasted over 19 hours — 19 hours and 20 minutes, to be exact — on a single charge, which is impressively long. However, as it turns out, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is even more power-efficient than the Google entry-level model.iPhone 16 Pro Max battery

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Sept. 18:OUR TOP PICKRoku Ultra$69.99 at Amazon(save $30)Get DealBEST HOME SECURITY DEALTP-Link Tapo Wire-Free MagCam$69.99 at Amazon(save $50 with on-page coupon)Get DealBEST SMARTWATCH DEALGarmin Instinct 2 Solar smartwatch$299.99 at Amazon(save $100)Get DealBEST EARBUDS DEALBeats Studio Buds$99.99 at Amazon(save $49.96)Get DealBEST ROBOT VACUUMiRobot Roomba i3+ EVO$299.99 at Amazon(save $250)Get Deal
We've still got a few weeks before Amazon's

Photo by Sheena Vasani / The Verge OnePlus typically offered competitive specs and features in its devices at aggressive prices, but that’s softened a bit in recent years. The fairly recent OnePlus Pad 2 has some nice qualities, like a 3000 x 2120 resolution / 144Hz display that looks great, but its $550 price plus add-ons isn’t exactly cheap — though there’s a sweet deal right now that helps.
You can get the OnePlus Pad 2 for $449.99 ($100 off) directly from OnePlus when

Photo by Sheena Vasani / The Verge OnePlus typically offered competitive specs and features in its devices at aggressive prices, but that’s softened a bit in recent years. The fairly recent OnePlus Pad 2 has some nice qualities, like a 3000 x 2120 resolution / 144Hz display that looks great, but its $550 price, plus add-ons, isn’t exactly cheap. Right now, though, there’s a sweet deal that helps.
You can get the OnePlus Pad 2 for $449.99 ($100 off) directly from OnePlus when yo

Adrian Wojnarowski looks on during the 2024 NBA Draft | Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images Adrian Wojnarowski has been reporting insider NBA news for ESPN since 2017, but he’s best known for his news-breaking tweets about trades, free agency signings, and other deals. Now Wojnarowski says he’s retiring from the NBA beat.
For basketball fans, “woj bombs” became a reason to have your phone on and Twitter notifications set, both to get instant updates about player

SAVE $10: As of September 18, save $10 when you spend $50 on eligible Starbucks coffee at Amazon for National Coffee Day. Opens in a new windowCredit: Amazon$10 off $50 of eligible Starbucks coffeeGet DealThere's a holiday for just about everything these days, and coffee is no exception. National Coffee Day, a celebration of all things java, is September 29, and Starbucks is getting in on the fun. But instead of requiring you to go in-store to take advantage of its deals, Starbucks is serving up

GET $100 OFF: As of Sept. 18, the Dyson Supersonic Origin hair dryer with two complimentary attachments is $299.99 on the Dyson website, $100 off the sticker price. That's 25% off.Opens in a new windowCredit: DysonDyson Supersonic Origin hair dryer $299.99 at Dyson $399.99 Save $100.00Plus two complimentary attachments ($79.98 value)Get DealIf you’ve been dying to own at least one Dyson hair care tool, now might be your chance to do it for under $300 (*gasp*).As of Sept. 18, you can get th

Photo: Nilay Patel Apple rolled out updates to all of its major operating systems this week, and the Vision Pro was no exception. With visionOS 2, the company has a chance to show the relative few who bought its spendy headset — and those who might yet — that it’s still committed to the new platform.
After a few months of using it in beta, visionOS 2 isn’t a dramatic change — it’s more like a smoothed-out version of the software the headset launched with. The

Not to be outdone by Huawei, Samsung is reportedly making an absurdly large smartphone with a new form factor.According to a scoop by the Korean outlet The Elec (via Sammobile), Samsung is developing a smartphone with a rollable screen with the intent of launching in 2025. The phone would have a 12.4-inch display when unrolled, making it absolutely massive by smartphone standards, even bigger than the 10.2-inch tri-fold Huawei Mate XT that took the internet by storm recently. SEE ALSO:iPhone 16

Get Ninja kitchen appliances up to 35% off at Amazon as of Sept. 18. Here are some of our top choices:Best Ninja deals at AmazonBest Ninja deal overallNinja Foodi Air Fryer Pressure Cooker Combo$129.99 at Amazon(save $70)Get DealBest coffee maker dealNinja Pods & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker$79.99 at Amazon(save $20)Get DealBest air fryer for small kitchensNinja AF101 Air Fryer (4-quarts)$89.99 at Amazon(save $40)Get Deal
Somehow, we're all way too busy. We tell ourselves that