Tech
Your Android phone may soon read QR codes from across the room
/ If you’ve had trouble scanning QR codes on your Android, perhaps on a wall across the room, Google’s testing a new feature with developers that could make scanning from a distance easier. a:hover]:text-black [&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-black dark:[&>a:hover]:text-gray-e9 dark:[&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-gray-63 [&>a]:shadow-underline-gray-13 dark:[&>a]:shadow-underline-gray-63″>Google’s sample of the code scanner API auto-zoom.
X/Twitter Blue Subscribers Can Now Hide Their Blue Verification Badge
The latest rebranding of Elon Musk's Twitter Blue to X Blue will now give subscribers the option to hide their blue verification checkmarks. Since Musk changed the policy that would only give those who pay for the blue check a verification, many of those who have received their checkmark can now avoid memes about how "this mf paid for twitter."In a X support article, it discusses the new hide function, "The checkmark will be hidden on your profile and posts. The checkmark may still appear in some places and some features could still reveal you have an active subscription. Some features may not be available while your checkmark is hidden." The debacle of the blue checks began when Musk allowed anyone to be "verified" through the Blue subscription. Later Twitter began removing blue checks fr...
Google Assistant to Get AI Supercharge
While virtual assistants are nothing new and have been using artificial intelligence (AI) in subtle ways since their inception, Google is looking to take things to the next level and potentially "supercharge" its Assistant offering using advanced AI -- like that found in its Bard chatbot.Word of an AI-powered Assistant began to spread following a leaked internal email published by Axios, part of which read, "As a team, we need to focus on delivering high-quality, critical product experiences for our users. We've also seen the profound potential of generative AI to transform people's lives and see a huge opportunity to explore what a supercharged Assistant, powered by the latest LLM technology, would look like."The email was signed by Google Assistant's VP Peeyush Ranjan and product direct...
Let’s all play the Phone Challenge
/ What if my phone is just a tool? a:hover]:text-black [&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-black dark:[&>a:hover]:text-gray-e9 dark:[&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-gray-63 [&>a]:shadow-underline-gray-13 dark:[&>a]:shadow-underline-gray-63″>That’s right, my phone and I have had an important relationship talk.a:hover]:text-black [&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-black dark:[&>a:hover]:text-gray-e9 dark:[&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-gray-63 [&>a]:shadow-underline-gray-13 dark:[&>a]:shadow-underline-gray-63″>If you’re looking at this and going, “Nice brag, Liz,” you are a good candidate for the Phone Challenge. The point isn’t to limit my contact with the internet — I still get to use my laptop as much as I want. But my laptop use is more deliberate tha...
The Galaxy Watch 6’s Thermo Check app is a solution looking for a problem
/ While it’s entertaining to use, this isn’t really a compelling use for smartwatch temperature sensors. a]:text-gray-13″>If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement. a:hover]:text-gray-63 [&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-black dark:[&>a:hover]:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-gray [&>a]:shadow-underline-gray-63 dark:[&>a]:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a]:shadow-underline-gray”>Photo by Victoria Song / The Verge Have you ever wondered what the temperature of your desk surface is? Me neither, but the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 says it’s a balmy 81 degrees Fahrenheit. The other day, it said my cat’s fluffy belly was 88 degrees. My arm was apparently 86 degrees, and a cup of tea, Earl Grey, hot, was roughly...
Amazon Q2 2023 Sailed Past Estimates, Earning $134.4 Billion USD in Revenue
Amazon is aiming high in Q2 2023 after a series of disappointing quarters. In its recent quarterly report, the e-commerce site recorded blowout profits, posting its biggest earnings since Q4 2020. The company showed that it returned to double-digit revenue growth, indicating that CEO Andy Jassy's cost-cutting efforts are working. According to CNBC, Amazon began its cost-cutting initiatives when it had its largest layoff in the company's history. The company cut 27,000 jobs last Fall and has since froze corporate hiring. Global headcount fell 4% to 1.46 million people by the end of Q2. This past quarter, the company filed net income of $6.7 billion USD with an EPS of 65 cents over the 35 cents expected. The net sales hit $134.4 billion USD, higher than the the projected $131.6 billion USD. ...
Nothing Announces New User-Friendly Smartwatch
London-based tech company Nothing is rising to become one of the leading retailers in the space. Nothing's affordable line-up is expanding from smartphones and earbuds to include a user-friendly smartwatch that goes head-to-head with Apple technology. Following the announcement of Nothing's Ear (2) in black, the brand is preparing to launch its budget-conscious smartwatch. Nothing's recent company update, led by CEO Carl Pei, promised "a new range of products that make better design more accessible." Items currently in the works include new smartwatches and earbuds in custom "color, material, and finishes." Both products will expand on Nothing's modern technology, highlighting sleek designs accessible for all via considerable pricing. Nothing's new smartwatch and earbuds will offer fresh d...
Shortwave’s Google Inbox replacement arrives on Android
/ Shortwave replicates many of the features that were once found on Google’s now-defunct Inbox client. a]:text-gray-13″>If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement. a:hover]:text-gray-63 [&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-black dark:[&>a:hover]:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-gray [&>a]:shadow-underline-gray-63 dark:[&>a]:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a]:shadow-underline-gray”>Image: Shortwave Shortwave — an email app for iOS and the web that serves as the spiritual successor to Google Inbox — has fully arrived on Android devices following 18 months of beta testing. Version 1.0 of Shortwave is available to download via Google Play. The basic version is free to use, though you’ll need to pay a $9 month...
Nintendo Sees Record-Breaking First Quarter Profit
Nintendo's notable year, bolstered by the success of Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, has paid off, exemplified in the results from the gaming giant's first-quarter financial report. Operating profit during the company's first quarter reached ¥185.4 billion ($1.3 billion USD) – a jump of 82% from this same period last year.The two contributing factors to Nintendo's staggering first quarter are the widespread success of Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom game, which has now sold 18.51 million units since its debut this May, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which since its release in April, has since garnered over $1.3 billion USD at worldwide box offices. Nintendo's previous quarter one record was reached back in 2020, when the company hit a ¥144.7 b...
CASETiFY Releases New Spider-Man and Venom AirPods Max Cases
In celebration of Spider-Man Day, which just passed on August 1, CASETiFY has released new Spider-Man and Venom Airpods Max cases.In collaboration with Marvel, the new cases bring a fun way to elevate the style of the popular headphones – fit for comic book and movie lovers. Leading the charge is the silver Spider-Man case, which features a web design and the superhero's eyes. For a darker offering, the Venom case comes in black and is also complete with a web design and white eyes. Interested fans might want to act quickly as both cases are limited-edition pieces.But the Spider-Man celebration does not end with the Airpods Max cases. The lifestyle accessory brand also offered up a range of phone cases, magnetic wireless chargers, cross-body rope straps, earbud cases, iPad cases, MacBook A...
“Every single” Amazon team is working on generative AI, says CEO
/ Andy Jassy used Thursday’s earnings call to underscore just how much the company is investing in artificial intelligence. a:hover]:text-gray-63 [&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-black dark:[&>a:hover]:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-gray [&>a]:shadow-underline-gray-63 dark:[&>a]:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a]:shadow-underline-gray”>Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge “Every single one” of Amazon’s businesses has “multiple generative AI initiatives going right now,” Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said on the company’s Q2 2023 earnings call on Thursday. The company offers infrastructure and services via AWS that can help power many generative artificial intelligence applications, which Jassy did discuss on the call, but he also stressed just how important AI is ...
Microsoft called out for “blatantly negligent” cybersecurity practices
/ The CEO of Tenable says Microsoft has engaged in a ‘repeated pattern of negligent cybersecurity practices.’ a:hover]:text-gray-63 [&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-black dark:[&>a:hover]:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-gray [&>a]:shadow-underline-gray-63 dark:[&>a]:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a]:shadow-underline-gray”>Illustration: The Verge Microsoft is facing mounting criticism in the wake of last month’s attack on Azure. In a post on LinkedIn, Amit Yoran, the CEO of the cybersecurity company Tenable, says Microsoft’s cybersecurity track record is “even worse than you think” — and he has an example to back it up. On July 12th, Microsoft disclosed a major breach targeting its Azure platform, which it traced to a Chinese hacking group known as Storm-0558....
