Tech
‘LEGO Fornite’ Is The First of Three Modes Coming To The Game
LEGO Fortnite is also the first of many in-game experiences coming to Fortnite.
Insta360’s Tiny GO 3 Action Camera is Now Available in Black
Insta360 is releasing a stealthy Midnight Black version of its super-compact GO 3 action camera that originally launched in Arctic White earlier this year.The new colorway is identical to its predecessor in terms of functionality, offering the same 2.7K shooting resolution, FlowState Stabilization, and two storage options at 64GB and 128GB (it's important to note, however, that the GO 3 does not offer additional storage due to its lack of SD card slot). The GO 3 also comes ready with all of the software updates made to the launch model, including Webcam Mode, improvements made to stabilization in low light, and support for multiple accessories like the Insta360's own GPS Action Remote and the Apple Watch. All of this is packed into one of the world's smallest action camera bodies that stil...
The new Mammoth app is a much simpler take on Mastodon
/ With Smart Lists and a For You feed, Mammoth is trying to help you find all the good stuff in the fediverse. By David Pierce, editor-at-large and Vergecast co-host with over a decade of experience covering consumer tech. Previously, at Protocol, The Wall Street Journal, and Wired. Share this story The new Mammoth app is all about getting into Mastodon quicker.Image: Mammoth One of the best things about Mastodon is the sheer number of apps available for it. The official Mastodon app is fine, but there’s also Ivory, Mona, Fedilab, Ice Cubes, Elk, Mastoot, and many others. This openness is part of the whole appeal of the ActivityPub-powered social networking ecosystem, and it has already led to some solid new ideas. (I’ve personally been a very happy Ivory user for a while now.) Mammoth won...
The best Garmin watches for training and everyday life
Buying Guide Garmin may be best known for its hardcore fitness watches, but it’s got an extensive line of lifestyle offerings, too. By Victoria Song, a senior reporter focusing on wearables, health tech, and more with 11 years of experience. Before coming to The Verge, she worked for Gizmodo and PC Magazine. Few brands are as synonymous with outdoor sports as Garmin. You’ll find these fitness trackers and smartwatches on dozens of wrists at any 5K, marathon, or Ironman. You’ll also find Garmin devotees among divers, thru-hikers, golfers, kiteboarders — you name it. But these devices aren’t just for athletes. The company’s made significant strides in its lifestyle offerings, so regardless of your fitness level, there’s a Garmin for everyone. If you’re coming from a more traditional smartwat...
Google Debuts Its “Largest and Most Capable” AI Model, Gemini
On Wednesday, Google debuted its "largest and most capable" AI model to-date, titled "Gemini."The massive language system comes with a suite of different-sized categories: Gemini Ultra, the most-adept model specializing in highly-complex tasks; Gemini Pro, the best for scaling across a wide range of tasks, and Gemini Nano, the most efficient model for tasks on mobile devices. With sophisticated reasoning and advanced coding, Gemini looks to be multimodal, meaning it can "generalize and seamlessly understand, operate across and combine different types of information including text, code, audio, image and video," per Demis Hassabis, CEO and co-founder of Google DeepMind.Google has tested its Gemini models with a vast assortment of tasks across image, audio, video and mathematical understandi...
Google Debuts Its “Largest and Most Capable” AI Model, Gemini
On Wednesday, Google debuted its "largest and most capable" AI model to-date, titled "Gemini."The massive language system comes with a suite of different-sized categories: Gemini Ultra, the most-adept model specializing in highly-complex tasks; Gemini Pro, the best for scaling across a wide range of tasks, and Gemini Nano, the most efficient model for tasks on mobile devices. With sophisticated reasoning and advanced coding, Gemini looks to be multimodal, meaning it can "generalize and seamlessly understand, operate across and combine different types of information including text, code, audio, image and video," per Demis Hassabis, CEO and co-founder of Google DeepMind.Google has tested its Gemini models with a vast assortment of tasks across image, audio, video and mathematical understandi...
Messenger is finally getting end-to-end encryption by default
/ Years after Mark Zuckerberg said encrypted chats were coming to Messenger, it’s finally being enabled by default. By Jay Peters, a news editor who writes about technology, video games, and virtual worlds. He’s submitted several accepted emoji proposals to the Unicode Consortium. Share this story Illustration: Nick Barclay / The Verge Meta is rolling out end-to-end encryption for one-on-one chats and calls on Messenger, finally fulfilling a promise that’s been in the works for quite awhile. When end-to-end encryption is on, only you and the person you send a message to in Messenger can see its contents, the company claims. Encrypted chats were first introduced as an opt-in feature in Messenger in 2016, but after a long windup, end-to-end encrypted messages and calls for conversations betw...
Ex-Twitter security head claims the company fired him to flout regulations
/ The former global head of security for Twitter claims in a lawsuit that the company fired him for protesting cost-cutting measures that could keep it from complying with the law. By Wes Davis, a weekend editor who covers the latest in tech and entertainment. He has written news, reviews, and more as a tech journalist since 2020. Share this story Illustration by Kristen Radtke / The Verge; Getty Images Alan Rosa, former head of security for Twitter, filed a lawsuit against X, Elon Musk, and company adviser Steve Davis, alleging that he was wrongly fired for protesting Musk-led cost-cutting measures. Lawyers for Rosa wrote in the complaint that the cuts hampered Twitter’s ability to comply with the regulatory demands of the Federal Trade Commission and the European Commission. The lawsuit ...
The second season of The Last of Us will debut in 2025
/ In a new teaser, Max confirmed the second chapter of the critically acclaimed show will arrive in 2025 along with the next seasons of Euphoria and The White Lotus. By Sheena Vasani, a writer covering commerce, e-readers, and tech news. She previously wrote about everything from web development to AI at Inside. Share this story If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement. Image: HBO The second season of HBO’s The Last of Us will debut in 2025. A new teaser dropped by Max confirmed the date and also offered a glimpse into its 2024 lineup. The news comes after showrunner Craig Mazin revealed production will start on February 12th, 2024, which is later than originally planned because of the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes. ...
McDonald’s will use Google AI to make sure your fries are fresh, or something?
/ The fast food company says it will be applying generative AI to its operations starting in 2024. By Allison Johnson, a reviewer with 10 years of experience writing about consumer tech. She has a special interest in mobile photography and telecom. Previously, she worked at DPReview. Share this story Big Mac meets machine learning.Illustration: The Verge McDonald’s is partnering with Google to deploy generative AI beginningin 2024, when “thousands” of stores will get hardware and software upgrades. Along with updates to other systems including ordering kiosks and the company’s mobile app, McDonald’s will be able to use generative AI on massive amounts of data to optimize operations. At least one outcomewill be — according to the company — “hotter, fresher food” for customers. Large orders ...
Squid Game: The Challenge gets a second season — and a video game
/ Squid Game fans will once again act out the bizarre fictional TV series in the toned-down reality show version’s second season. By Wes Davis, a weekend editor who covers the latest in tech and entertainment. He has written news, reviews, and more as a tech journalist since 2020. Share this story If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement. Squid Game: The Challenge gets a second season.Image: Netflix In the least surprising move ever, Netflix has greenlit its popular Squid Game: The Challenge for a second season and is recruiting contestants right now. The company also mentioned it’s making a video game “in the Squid Game universe” — missing an opportunity to coin the term “Squidiverse.” Actually, I’m sorry I just typed that. Netflix ...
The Verge’s 2023 gaming and entertainment holiday gift guide
Gift Guide Even if someone is the type to buy all the latest big games, we’re certain we can help you find them a unique and adequately geeky gift this holiday. By Antonio G. Di Benedetto, a writer covering tech deals and The Verge’s Deals newsletter, buying guides, and gift guides. Previously, he spent 15 years in the photography industry. For better or worse, gamers can be a fickle bunch. That’s why, when it comes to shopping for any purveyor of fine video games and pop culture entertainment, it may be tempting to pull the cord and just go with a gift card. But alas, there are all kinds of unique gifts you can get for someone of the geekier persuasion. Admittedly, The Verge staff is almost exclusively comprised of nerds who spend countless hours playing games and tracking the latest goin...
