Technology news

Image: The Verge Microsoft is testing AI-powered Windows search in a new dev channel build for Windows 11 Insider testers. Announced in October, it uses semantic indexing to let users search for local files using more casual language. Like other Microsoft AI features, you’ll need a Copilot Plus PC to use it.
The feature applies whether you’re using search boxes in Settings, File Explorer, or the taskbar. And you don’t need to be connected to the internet for it to work, thanks

AutoGen represents Microsoft’s latest attempt to address the challenges of building multi-agent systems for enterprise applications. This article explores what this means for the state of agentic AI today, and how it compares to other major frameworks like LangChain and CrewAI. This article unpacks the implications of AutoGen’s update, explores its standout features, and situates it within the broader landscape of AI agent frameworks, helping developers understand what’s possib

Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called TikTok’s threat to “go dark” tomorrow a “stunt,” and said there is no reason that TikTok or any other companies should take any actions under the ban before the Trump administration is sworn in Monday morning, several news outlets are reporting.
“It is a stunt, and we see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Tr

Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called TikTok’s threat to “go dark” on Sunday, January 19th, a “stunt,” and that there is no reason for TikTok to shut itself down before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in on the 20th.
“It is a stunt, and we see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump Administration takes office on Monday,” MSNBC quote

Your perfect grid on your Instagram profile might soon be gone — if it isn't already. Instagram is rolling a big change this weekend: rectangles instead of squares. That means your carefully curated grid could be a mess as the dimensions of the content shift on your profile. "I know some of you really like your squares. And square photos are sort of the heritage of Instagram," Instagram chief Adam Mosseri said in an Instagram story. "But at this point, most of what’s uploaded, both p

Photo by NASA / Isaac Watson Canoo announced yesterday it is ceasing operations “immediately” and that it has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Delaware. The EV startup estimates in its filing that its assets are worth $126 million and that it owes over $164 million to its creditors, TechCrunch noted yesterday.
Now, the US will appoint “a Bankruptcy Trustee to oversee the liquidation of the Company’s assets and the distribution of proceeds to creditors,” Canoo write

Illustration by Kristen Radtke / The Verge Instagram will now let you upload Reels that are up to 3 minutes long, doubling the 90-second limit the platform had in place before, Instagram boss Adam Mosseri announced today.
He credits today’s change to users’ feedback saying that the 90 seconds “is just too short.” That’s a big turnaround for Mosseri, who said in July last year that the platform wouldn’t pursue longform videos because it could compromise the pla

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, a billionaire tech guy, has cozied up further to President-elect Donald Trump like, well, just about every other billionaire tech guy. In fact, he cozied up to Trump by trolling Democrats who sent a letter over concerns that Altman was...cozying up to Trump. Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bennet sent a letter to Altman worrying he was attempting to "cozy up to the incoming Trump administration" to "avoid scrutiny, limit regulation, and buy favor." The letter

Image: Laura Normand / The Verge Donald Trump has launched a new meme coin, according to posts from his X and Truth Social accounts last night. The posts, which have come just days before Trump’s inauguration, were initially met with suspicion by many that his accounts had been hacked.
Skeptics highlighted by Decrypt last night pointed to several red flags, such as that the millions of dollars seeding the project came from Binance and Gate, which only serve overseas customers. The coin&rsq

The Google Pixel Watch 3, one of our favorite smartwatches for Android users, is $50 off for a limited time. | Image: Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge The clock is ticking if you want to save on the Pixel Watch 3, the Fitbit Charge 6, and other Google gadgets. The company kicked off the year with a solid New Year’s sale, which is set to expire at 11:59PM PT today, January 18th. Other retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy, are currently matching Google’s pricing in some instances

Adam Scott in Severance’s season 1 finale. | Image: Apple After a long wait, Severance is back. Season 2 premiered on Apple TV Plus on January 17th, more than two years after the first season wrapped up. The wait was particularly hard because of how the season 1 finale ended — a massive cliffhanger that would completely upend the lives of almost everyone in this sci-fi thriller. Cliffhangers are a tricky business. They can help keep viewers interested in whatever comes next, but they

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections &mdas

Illustration by Cath Virginia / The Verge | Photos from Brandon Bell, Getty Images With Donald Trump stepping back into office, advocates are warning that access to important environmental and public health datasets could be at risk.
Information about climate change vanished from federal websites under Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called climate change “a hoax.” Now, federal agencies could face deep staff and budget cuts overseen by Trump cronies Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Th

Image: Summitsphere Antonblast is kind of like playing a zany Saturday morning cartoon. It’s brash, maximalist, and often, you’ll feel like you don’t actually understand what’s happening. Somehow, that chaos gels into something that actually makes sense — and, at times, is even calming.
Antonblast just launched in 2024, but it looks like a long-lost side-scrolling platformer from the 16-bit era of the SNES or Sega Genesis. That’s not just due to the fantastic

Most small galaxies that stopped making new stars in the early universe never resumed operations. Something caused their celestial factories to shutter. But researchers have used the James Webb Space Telescope, a collaboration of NASA and its European and Canadian space counterparts, to zero in on a dwarf galaxy that bucked the trend,rebooting its star formation after a billions-of-years-long hiatus. The dwarf galaxy, known as Leo P and about 5.3 million light-years from Earth, is offe

TL;DR: Enjoy unrestricted online freedom and privacy with the Deeper Connect Air Portable VPN Travel Router for just $169 (reg. $219).When it comes to staying secure online, the Deeper Connect Air gives you something different than digital subscriptions. Some would say a smarter, simpler choice. This pocket-sized VPN router protects your data with military-grade encryption, giving you peace of mind on public Wi-Fi, whether you're at a coffee shop, airport, or hotel. And the best part is it&rsquo

The sight of Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg sitting together at Donald Trump's inauguration — as they reportedly will do Monday — would be a shock for their 2016 selves.Back then, these titans of the tech world were way to the left of Trump, whose political stances put him about as far to the right as Republicans get, then and now. Musk, once a vocal Barack Obama supporter, voted for Trump's opponent Hillary Clinton in 2016. The Bezos of that year blasted candidate Trump f

Nothing feels as good as a deep, genuine laugh. It's an expression of joy! It's a workout. It's a sign that you're having a good time. Netflix has a dazzling selection of comedy movies that put that good-time feeling on demand. Whether you're craving action-spiked shenanigans, quirky coming-of-age adventures, awkward humor, stranger-than-fiction silliness, madcap musical numbers, or crime with a spree of laughs, there's a perfect pick for you. And we've made singling it out all the easier by hig

Armored isopods crawl on the seafloor, feasting on fallen carrion. And they can grow quite big.So big, in fact, scientists reference the largest types as "supergiants." Biologists have identified a new such species, Bathynomus vaderi, named for its resemblance to Star Wars' Darth Vader — though, rest assured, these deep sea animals aren't evil Siths.They reach a foot long, making them appear as striking 14-legged critters. And in recent years, they've apparently become a delicacy in Vietna

TL;DR: Live stream Detroit Lions vs. Washington Commanders for free on TVNZ+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.The NFL Playoffs naturally include some absolutely massive matchups between the best teams in the business. We're so excited by what's to come, especially as it's possible to watch every game without spending anything at all.Looking for the best way to watch Detroit Lions vs. Washington Commanders for free from anywhere in the world? We have

TL;DR: Live stream Inter Miami vs. Club America for free on Apple TV. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.Inter Miami are starting their 2025 preseason tour with a huge game against Club America. Inter Miami will play five preseason matches, but this is the big one. And better yet, you can watch all the action without spending anything. If you want to watch Inter Miami vs. Club America for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.W

TL;DR: Live stream Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans for free on TVNZ+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.Kansas City Chiefs are looking to win their third Super Bowl in a row, something no team has done before. The NFL Playoffs bring together the best of the best, so it's not going to be easy for the Chiefs to progress. They start with a tough matchup against the Texans. It's going to be electric.Looking for the best way to watch Kansas City Chie

TL;DR: Bring binoculars into the digital age with Mini Digital Night Vision Binoculars that record HD photos and videos for just $89.97 (reg. $159).Opens in a new windowCredit: MesayMini Digital Night Vision Binoculars$89.97 $159.99 Save $70.02with 1080p HD RecordingGet DealThese are not the big, clunky binoculars you had when you were a kid. The Mini Digital Night Vision Binoculars take classic outdoor gear into the digital age. Whether you’re scouting wildlife, night fishing, or camping

TL;DR: Make every drive smarter and safer with the 9" Wireless Car Display — Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible for just $119.99 (reg. $179).Looking to upgrade your car’s infotainment system without dipping into your savings? The 9" Wireless Car Display is the easy, budget-friendly alternative solution to pricey upgrades or buying a new car.At just $119.99 (regularly $179), this sleek touchscreen display brings Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and phone mirroring to any car model,

TL;DR: It's only $19.97 (reg. $199) to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro with a lifetime license. Opens in a new windowCredit: Retail KingMicrosoft Windows 11 Pro$19.97 $199.00 Save $179.03Lifetime licenseGet DealWindows 10 has served us well, but it’s time to say goodbye. Microsoft is pulling the plug on support for it this year. So, if you’re still hanging onto it, now might be the perfect time to consider an upgrade. And no, you don’t have to settle for the basic Windows 11 Hom

TL;DR: Live stream Washington Wizards vs. Golden State Warriors in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.The Washington Wizards head to Chase Center to face the Golden State Warriors in a non-conference matchup. The Wizards are 6-33, which puts them in dead last (15th) in the Eastern Conference. The Warriors are 20-20, which puts them in 11th place in the Western Conference.With just six wins, there's not a lot of green on the Wizards schedule. The team hasn't won a game since January 1 a

TL;DR: Live stream Phoenix Suns vs. Detroit Pistons in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.The Phoenix Suns head to Little Caesars Arena to face the Detroit Pistons in a non-conference matchup. The Suns are 20-20, which puts them in 11th place in the Western Conference. The Pistons are 21-20, which puts them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.The Suns have won four of their last five games, and are coming off a win over the Washington Wizards. The Pistons have won three of their

TL;DR: Live stream Philadelphia 76ers vs. Indiana Pacers in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.The Philadelphia 76ers head to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to face the Indiana Pacers in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Sixers are 15-24, which puts them in 11th place. The Pacers are 23-19, which puts them in sixth place.The Sixers are sliding a bit. The team has lost four consecutive games, which is their third longest losing streak this season. They've lost five games in a row on two differe

TL;DR: Live stream Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.The Atlanta Hawks head to TD Garden to face the Boston Celtics in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Hawks are 21-19, which puts them in seventh place. The Celtics are 28-12, which puts them in second place. The Hawks have won three of their last five games, and are coming off back-to-back wins over the Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns. The Celtics have lost three of their last five games, and are c

TL;DR: Live streamHouston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs on YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV.NFL playoffs include a massive matchup between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs this weekend. Both teams are atop their divisions. The Texans have a record of 10-7 in AFC South and the Chiefs have a record of 15-2 in AFC West.The two teams last played on Dec. 21, when the Chiefs beat the Texans 27-19. The Chiefs have a very high chance of winning the game, which you can stream live.When is Texans vs.

TL;DR: Live stream Detroit Lions vs. Washington Commanders on YouTube TV or Sling TV.It's playoff time. Two strong teams face off on Saturday night, Detroit Lions vs. Washington Commanders. The Lions have only lost two games this season, placing them atop NFC North with a record of 15-2. The Commanders have also had a strong season with a record of 12-5, placing them second in NFC East, right below the Philadelphia Eagles.The Lions and Commanders haven't played each other since 2022. Although th

TL;DR: Live stream Getafe vs. Barcelona in La Liga for free on ITVX. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.It is possible to live stream select La Liga fixtures without spending anything, including Getafe vs. Barcelona. That's great news for fans around the world, because this fixture features two teams battling it out at either end of the table. Barcelona are fighting to keep pace with Real Madrid, whilst Getafe are struggling to stay outside the relegation zon

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 today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.SEE ALSO:Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO:NYT Connections today: Hints and answers

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, w

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans. Like the original Connections, 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

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games 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 today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve

Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images TikTok says it will go dark on Sunday, January 19th if the Biden administration doesn’t intervene.
The company says it will be “forced to go dark” on the 19th unless the outgoing administration provides a “definitive statement” assuring the app’s “most critical service providers” that they won’t be held liable for breaking the law. Those providers include Apple, Google, Amazon, and Oracle.
TikTok