Tech
April Fools’ Day 2023: the best and cringiest pranks
As Chaim Gartenberg explained in 2021, there are only really four options for brands on April Fools’ Day: Don’t do an April Fools’ joke. Put the time and energy into doing something productive that will materially benefit the world (or, less idealistically, your business) instead. Or just don’t do anything. Abstaining entirely would still be a net positive over the drain of resources and mental energy. Do an April Fools’ “joke” but actually follow through on your stunt. This is arguably not a prank, since you’ve actually created a video game skin or a real product that people can buy — but it doesn’t really hurt anyone. Do an April Fools’ joke but be extremely clear from the start that this is a dumb joke and you have no intention of doing the thing that you are “humorously” pretending to ...
It’s April Fools’ Day, but this Asus ROG Ally handheld gaming PC might not be a joke
/ This portable PC gaming machine from Asus would be serious competition for the Steam Deck if the company actually puts it on sale. Considering the date on the calendar and the lack of a price or other details, the first — and probably correct — response to Asus surprise-announcing a handheld gaming machine is that this must be an April Fools’ Day prank. Still, this Asus ROG Ally launch video is just a little too good to simply shake off. According to Asus, the Windows 11-powered ROG Ally has a customized Ryzen APU from AMD inside, like the Aerith SOC inside Valve’s Steam Deck, and Asus claims it is the fastest one from AMD yet. The screen will provide “full HD gaming,” and it promises a quiet dual-fan design along with the visible standard setup of dual analog sticks, left-mounted D-pad,...
The newest iPad Mini and Google’s Pixel 6A top our favorite deals of the week
/ Plus, you can save on Amazon’s latest Echo speaker, controllers, and our favorite pair of wireless earbuds: Sony’s WF-1000XM4. 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 Vjeran Pavic / The Verge Ah. April Fools’ Day. The dreaded day when publishers like The Verge have to second guess every news story or potential tip that lands in our Gmail inbox. Thankfully, when it comes to deals, things are often exactly what they appear to be. Take today’s discount on Apple’s sixth-gen iPad Mini, which is currently matching its all-time low of $399.99 ($100 off) at Amazon in the 64GB configura...
Riot made its esports arena transform for new Valorant league
/ With the launch of the VCT Americas league, Riot has redesigned its LA studio into something that can support multiple games. 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: Riot Games This weekend is an important one for Valorant esports, with the launch of a new professional league for teams across North America, Latin America, and Brazil. The debut of the VCT Americas league, as it’s known, will also mark the first time Valorant games have taken place live and in person in North America. That meant that Riot had to redesign its Los Angeles studio to be much more high tech and flexible...
How to change the region on an HP OfficeJet printer in 57 easy steps (printer companies hate this!)
/ I moved across the ocean and took my printer with me. Then I discovered it was region-locked. A wiser man would have bought a new one. 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: Hugo Herrera / The Verge A couple of weeks ago, Nilay wrote about the Brother laser printer everyone else has. It’s cheap, reliable, and the toner lasts a long time. Get a Brother laser printer, he said, and basically never think about your printer again. You know what part of Nilay’s post sounded really nice? This part right here: It has been connected to our Wi-Fi for like six years straight, and I have ne...
Bugatti and Master & Dynamic Unveil New Luxury Headphones Collection
Bugatti has come together with Master & Dynamic for a new high-tech, luxury-focused collection of headphones. Audiophiles and car enthusiasts will find that the new collection is hypercar-inspired, paying tribute to the Chiron. The ultimate combination between French luxury and high-definition sound tools, the limited edition collection features earbuds and over-ear headphones. This particular collaboration utilizes Master & Dynamic's most sophisticated models, including the top-of-the-line MW75 active noise-canceling (ANC) wireless headphones, the MW08 ANC wireless earbuds and the ever-stylish MG20 wireless gaming headphones. Each pair of headphones feature a subtle Bugatti branding to pay tribute to the record-setting Chiron. The colors available for each headphone also give a no...
Amazon just opened up its Sidewalk network for anyone to build connected gadgets on
/ The long-range, low-bandwidth network can give any IoT device free low-speed data. 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: Amazon It turns out that I have a low-power, low-bandwidth, long-range IoT network all around me, ready and waiting for my smart gadgets to jump on. Today, Amazon revealed just how far its Sidewalk IoT network penetrates the average American neighborhood. And it’s deep. The company’s first Sidewalk coverage map claims that over 90 percent of the US population can access the now public network (it’s limited to the US only). Using a Sidewalk developer test kit ...
Quick fixes: When Disney Plus is so dark you can barely see anything
/ Don’t stay in the dark about this. 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″>I’m not sure why Disney Plus has an HDR problem, but here’s a quick solution (as shown on Apple TV)a:hover]:shadow-highlight-franklin dark:[&>a:hover]:shadow-highlight-franklin [&>a]:shadow-underline-black dark:[&>a]:shadow-underline-white”>The full story I love HDR. I think every modern movie, TV show, and game should take advantage of the incredible clarity that the extra dynamic range can deliver — particularly on my OLED TV, where the bright beautiful colors and inky blacks are enough to make an art-lover weep. How...
Stay Hydrated With HyperX’s Cloud2O Hydration Headset
Thirst and dehydration can be serious issues for dedicated gamers who lose themselves to their digital halves during intense sessions. Addressing the issue, HyperX launches its Cloud2O Hydration Headset just in time for April 1."If water is equal to life, and you believe gaming is equal to life, then logically water is equal to gaming. Cloud2O is a perfect solution for gamers who often need a little reminder to hydrate before they dydrate," HyperX writes in a press release.With water reservoirs conveniently placed within the earcups, Cloud2O reminds you when it's time to take a sip. Patented swerve technology swivels the mic-equipped tube into position for a quick drink of choice and HyperX NGENUITY software allows you to customize hydration reminder intervals and check reserve levels. Whe...
Virgin Orbit Shutters Space Launch Operations “For the Foreseeable Future”
Virgin Orbit, a spin-off venture of Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic, is officially shutting down. The company launched in 2017 with a focus on helping launch Virgin Galactic’s small satellites into outer space, beginning with taking over the development of the develop payload-carrier LauncherOne rocket.According to CNBC, Virgin Orbit is shuttering “for the foreseeable future” due to an inability to secure funding. CEO Dan Hart informed company employees during a meeting on Thursday afternoon, saying that 675 people – almost 90% of the Virgin Orbit workforce – will be laid off immediately. Layoffs will impact departments across the company.“We have no choice but to implement immediate, dramatic and extremely painful changes…,” Hart said during the meeting, per CNBC. “Unfortunately, we’ve ...
This hoverboard is being recalled after a fire that killed two children
Tech/ Transpo / The 42-volt Jetson Rogue is being recalled because its lithium-ion battery packs can overheat. 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: Jetson Another hoverboard is being recalled due to fire risk. According to a notice on the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) website, the 42-volt Jetson Rogue is being recalled because the lithium-ion battery packs in the hoverboards can overheat. A fire marshal in Pennsylvania determined that a Jetson Rogue was the point of origin for a fire that killed two children, the CPSC’s notice says. The parents of the children a...
Marvel’s Secret Invasion series actually sounds kind of fascinating
/ Secret Invasion executive producer Jonathan Schwartz likens the show to a political espionage thriller akin to The Americans and Homeland. 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: Marvel Studios Occasionally, people will (incorrectly) insist that Marvel’s comics and the cinematic stories inspired by them would be better off if they were somehow devoid of any political themes or ideas. But in a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Secret Invasion executive producer Jonathan Schwartz likened the series to John le Carré’s classic Cold War-era spy thrillers and pointed to more recent sh...
