The Verge
HP Elite Dragonfly Max review: pretty fly for a steep buy
This laptop is flying business class.
The VergeThe VergeThe next pro iPhone might finally ditch the notch
Image: Apple
The iPhone 13 isn’t even here yet, but speculation about Apple’s future phones never slows down. While some rumors about Apple’s event last week didn’t pan out, certain leaks were right on, including analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’s information about a smaller notch and high refresh rate screens.
Now Kuo reports (via 9to5Mac and MacRumors) that plans for next year’s iPhones point to high-end Pro and Pro Max models that ditch the notch entirely in favor of hole-punch front cameras, with 48MP wide cameras on the back. However, Kuo expects that in-screen fingerprint scanning for Touch ID is off until 2023, despite his earlier reporting that it could happen as soon as this year.
A possible foldable iPhone is even further off, slipping from its p...
The VergeScammers allegedly earned $195,000 referring fake drivers to delivery apps
Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
The Justice Department has charged over a dozen people with running a scam on ride hailing and delivery apps. Prosecutors say the alleged scam ring created fake accounts using stolen personal information, then sold those accounts to otherwise unqualified drivers — while also collecting referral bonuses and building software to trick the apps.
The indictment was revealed on Friday and adds to wire fraud claims first revealed in May. It accuses 14 people — all Brazilian nationals and most living in Massachusetts — with identity theft against five unnamed companies. (Prosecutors filed the wire fraud charges against 19 people in total, and 16 have been arrested.) The wire fraud charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while...
The VergeUS agencies reportedly split over blacklisting Huawei hardware spinoff
Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge
Federal agencies like the Pentagon and Commerce Departments can’t decide whether to place Huawei’s former smartphone company, Honor, on the US’s export blacklist, according to a _Washington Post_report on Sunday.
According to The Post, top officials at the Commerce, State, and Energy departments, along with the Pentagon, met last week to decide whether to place the smartphone manufacturer on the US’s entity list. Pentagon and Energy staffers supported placing the company on the list while Commerce and State Department officials opposed the idea. If blacklisted, Honor would be unable to receive US tech exports without a license.
Huawei launched Honor in China in 2013 to compete against other popular smartphone companies like Xiaomi. Nearly...
The VergeiOS 15 and iPadOS 15 review: foundational fixes
Apple’s latest updates lay good groundwork, but don’t add many big new features
The VergeTwitter wants to settle with angry investors for $809 million
Twitter has settled a class action suit for $809.5 million | Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge
Twitter said Monday it is proposing an $809.5 million settlement for a 2016 securities class action lawsuit that alleged the company misled investors about its user engagement figures. The complaint alleged violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, according to a news release. Twitter said it expects to use cash on hand to pay the settlement amount likely in its fourth quarter.
The lawsuit alleged that Twitter provided misleading information to investors about growth metrics to make the company appear financially healthier than it was. The complaint points to a 2014 event Twitter held with financial analysts where the company provided “unrealistic” growth projections that called for its monthly active users (MAU) “to double to...
The VergeExtreme heat prompts new rules to protect US workers
A contractor uses a saw to cut siding for a house under construction in Walnut Creek, California, U.S., on Thursday, June 17, 2021. | David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Extreme heat is becoming such a big threat to workers in the US that the federal government plans to craft a new federal standard for workplaces, the Biden administration announced today. It’s part of a broader initiative to protect workers and people living in the places most vulnerable to heat-related illness and death.
“Over the past few weeks, I have traveled across the country to see firsthand the devastating human and economic toll of extreme weather exacerbated by climate change,” Joe Biden said in a statement today. “And while we have all seen the graphic and heart-wrenching images of super-storms, wildfires, and floods in recent weeks, another climate disaster is lurking just below the radar: extreme heat.”
“Another climate...
The VergeiOS 15 will give doctors a window into Apple Health app data
Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images
With the iOS 15 launch today, some iPhone users will have the option to share data from their Health app directly with their doctors through their electronic medical records. Six health record companies are participating in the initial launch, and some of those companies say that doctors and medical practices on their systems are eager to start using the feature.
People who use the option can use the new sharing function on the Health app to let their doctor see data like their heart rate and time spent exercising, as collected through the Health app. It could help physicians keep a closer eye on metrics that might be relevant to a patient’s health without the patient having to take an extra step to manually share the information.
E...
The VergeNetflix’s Midnight Mass is more slow-burning horror from the creator of Hill House
Photo: Netflix
Throughout the Haunting anthology, creator Mike Flanagan has carved out a very particular brand of horror. Both Hill House and Bly Manor are slow and methodical, with intricate stories that carefully weave together ghostly scares with family drama. Their small scope keeps them focused. Flanagan’s latest, Midnight Mass, isn’t part of that anthology, though in many ways it feels like it is. It has the same patient build-up, the intense focus on family dynamics, and even some of the same cast. But Midnight Mass also increases the scope — and the scares. Instead of a single family home, its story encompasses a small fishing village, and instead of ghosts it’s more about monsters. It takes a bit to get going, but by the end it descends into...
The VergeEpic’s high-fashion collaboration with Balenciaga in Fortnite includes a hoodie for a walking dog
It’s Doggo in a hoodie. | Image: Epic Games
Epic Games is partnering with fashion house Balenciaga to bring the first-ever high-fashion Fortnite skins into the game. But the two companies aren’t just working on virtual clothes. They’re also partnering on an in-game Balenciaga-themed hub and a real-world clothing line that you’ll be able to buy.
There will be four new skins, which you can see in the below photo, and each will have alternate styles. Epic is also planning to sell other Balenciaga-themed accessories, including a pickaxe based on the Speed Sneaker and Balenciaga backpack back blings.
Image: Epic Games
The new Balenciaga-themed skins coming to_Fortnite._
The new gear will be available both in in Fortnite’s usual in-game storefront and in the...
The VergeDoorDash expands alcohol delivery to 20 states, Canada and Australia
DoorDash is expanding its alcohol deliveries | Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge
Food delivery platform DoorDash said Monday it’s expanding its alcohol delivery service to 20 new states and the District of Columbia, Canada, and Australia, which it says will reach 100 million adults worldwide.
“Customers in select markets, where legally permissible, can toggle to the Alcohol tab of the DoorDash app to browse and safely order from a wide selection of drinks from restaurants, grocery stores, local retailers, and convenience stores,” the company said in a press release. DoorDash cited a 2020 study from the National Restaurant Association that found 56 percent of customers over 21 would order alcoholic beverages if offered as part of food delivery from a restaurant.
The feature is only available to customers 21 and older...
The VergeThe latest Apple TV 4K is $30 off through Apple’s refurbished store
Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
If you’ve been waiting on a deal for the latest Apple TV, which has a faster processor and includes the new Siri remote, you can save $30 on it by buying refurbished through Apple itself via Slickdeals. The 32GB model costs $149 (was $179) and the 64GB model is $169 (was $199), but supplies are likely limited. While buying refurbished usually comes with a few words of caution, Apple’s refurbished program ensures that products are in brand-new condition, with a full one-year manufacturer warranty. It even supports AppleCare, so you can extend the warranty if you’d like. Read our review.
Another great deal comes from Woot, where you can find the best price yet for Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Pro wireless earbuds. These debuted earlier this...
The VergeRoku’s latest update is making free live TV even easier to stream
Roku’s live TV app displayed on the home screen in Roku OS 10.5. | Roku
Roku is making finding stuff to watch more of a breeze by expanding voice command support and making it easier to watch free live TV.
With the Roku OS 10.5 update, Roku users will be able to access the live TV guide — which now boasts more than 200 channels to stream for free — faster by pinning it to their home screens alongside their other apps and channels. After updating, users just need to search for “Live TV on The Roku Channel” and will be able to install it as they would any other app or streaming service.
Additionally, for those who navigate the Roku experience using voice commands, Roku says its voice command support extends to “nearly any channel” in search. That includes Spotify and Netflix as well, two previously notable...
The VergeRoku’s new $50 Streaming Stick 4K replaces one of the company’s best players
Image: Roku
Roku today announced the Streaming Stick 4K, the company’s latest streaming device. Priced at $49.99, the new product replaces the popular Streaming Stick Plus, which has long been a go-to recommendation as one of the best streamers for under $100.
The new hardware improves on the old with features like Dolby Vision HDR and speedier performance. It now boots up 30 percent quicker and has a long-range Wi-Fi receiver that delivers speeds that are up to twice as fast. Roku says the device can intelligently optimize bandwidth and streaming performance based on your network conditions. Like its predecessor, the Streaming Stick 4K supports Apple’s AirPlay 2 and HomeKit and can also be tied into Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant smart homes.
...
The VergeHisense’s new promo will let you test drive some of its best TVs for 100 days
Buying a TV can be a big decision, but Hisense’s latest promotion wants to help; starting today the company is offering what it calls its “100 Day Guarantee,” which will let you buy a Hisense TV, try it out for 100 days in the comfort of your own living room, and then, if you don’t like it, you can send it back for a full refund.
A number of Hisense’s latest models are included in the offer, including the U6G, U7G, and U8G. But more surprisingly, even the 75-inch, U800GR 8K (which costs $2,699.99) and the company’s high-end 100-inch and 120-inch L9G laser TV projection setups (which cost $5,500 and $6,000, respectively) are eligible — meaning that if you’re willing to lay out the cost, you can test drive the fanciest TVs that Hisense...
The VergeNvidia releases Windows 11 driver with DLSS support for more than 100 games
Photo by Sam Byford / The Verge
Nvidia is releasing a new display driver today that adds DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) support to 28 games, and is now certified for both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The 28 additional DLSS games brings the total of games to more than 100, an important milestone for Nvidia’s AI-based temporal upscaling. DLSS upscale games from a lower resolution to provide smoother frame rates without a noticeable compromise in image quality.
Most of the new DLSS additions come courtesy of the Unreal Engine 4 DLSS plugin that’s making it easier for developers to integrate DLSS into their games. _Alan Wake Remast_ered will ship with DLSS support next month, and Nvidia is promising an up to 2X performance boost at 4K. Every GeForce RTX GPU can get over...
The VergeiPhone 13 deals are extra aggressive this year, here’s why
Image: Apple
“You get free iPhone upgrades for life!”
“You get a $500 gift card for switching carriers!”
I can almost hear Oprah shouting the many competing offers from all the carriers — AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon — as soon as the Apple “California Streaming” event was over. They’re all offering huge incentives to entice you to trade-in an old device, switch carriers, then sign up for a top-shelf cellular plan. If you’re in the market for a new carrier and iPhone right now, you can probably land yourself a “free” iPhone 13 (or only pay a nominal fee for the flagship iPhone 13 Pro Max), even if you’re preordering before the phones hit stores.
Many of these offers seem too good to be true and are a bit surprising to see on new iPhones that h...
The VergeOnePlus says no 9T this year, 2022 flagship will run merged Oppo OS
2021’s OnePlus 9. | Photo by Becca Farsace / The Verge
OnePlus CEO Pete Lau has confirmed that the company doesn’t plan to release its traditional T-series device in the second half of this year. He also announced that next year’s OnePlus flagship phone would run on a newly unified operating system, following the company’s integration with fellow BBK Electronics subsidiary Oppo. OnePlus announced it would be merging the codebases of its Android-based OxygenOS operating system with Oppo’s ColorOS in July.
This means we’re unlikely to see a OnePlus 9T following up this year’s OnePlus 9. Despite the similar names, the company’s T-series phones have offered significant upgrades over its flagships from earlier in the year. For example, the 8T had around double the charging speeds of the 8, while...
The VergeAmazon leaks new Kindle Paperwhite with larger 6.8-inch display
Amazon’s last Kindle Paperwhite, released in 2018. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
A new generation of Kindle devices appears to have leaked via a since-removed comparison chart on Amazon Canada, GoodEReader reports. Two new devices are shown in the chart, a CA$149.99 (around $117) Kindle Paperwhite, and a CA$209.99 (around $164) Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. Both feature a larger 6.8-inch E ink display compared to the current 6-inch Paperwhite, but only the more expensive model has the new wireless charging, alongside more storage and lights that adjust based on the brightness of the environment.
The basic Kindle Paperwhite appears to include 8GB of storage, while the Signature Edition has 32GB, the same as the two storage options available for the current Paperwhite. The 300ppi resolution is also unchanged....
The VergeSurface Duo 2 passes through the FCC with 5G, NFC, and wireless charging support
The original Surface Duo. | Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge
Microsoft is expected to announce its new Surface Duo 2 handset at a special Surface hardware event on Wednesday September 22nd. While rumors have so far pointed towards a triple-camera system, the device appears to have passed through FCC certification with 5G, NFC, and wireless charging support.
_Windows Central_reports that the dual-screen Android device has been spotted in FCC documents published last week. The documents mention “Wireless Power Transfer,” but it’s not entirely clear whether the Qi standard will be supported for wireless charging here. Windows Central speculates that the Surface Duo 2 may include support for inductive charging for the Surface Pen instead.
The FCC documents also confirm 5G and NFC support, both of which...
The VergeGoogle reportedly has a second foldable in the works
Samsung’s recent foldable, the Z Flip 3, is more hamburger than hotdog. | Photo by Dan Seifert / The Verge
Google appears to be internally testing a second foldable Pixel smartphone, according to 9to5Google’s sources. The device is said to be under development with the codename “Jumbojack,” that’s referenced in a future version of Android 12 which 9to5Google identifies as “Android 12.1.” This is the latest foldable codename we’ve heard about at Google, following reports of another device called “Passport.”
Not much is known about what form Jumbojack could take, but 9to5Google has a couple of key details. It seems to have two screens, with one that deactivates when the device is folded. That suggests we’re looking at a similar design to Samsung’s foldables, which combine a small external screen with a larger internal folding display. There’s...
The VergeIkea’s $39.99 pad adds built-in wireless charging to almost any table
Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge
Ikea got in relatively early on selling furniture embedded with wireless charging coils, but what if you don’t have one of its powered-up desks or shelving units? If you want seamless Wireless Qi charging without redecorating, then next month, there will be a solution. Meet the Sjömärke, a $39.99 wireless charging pad made to work with furniture you already own.
This device isn’t like most Qi charging pads, where you’d put your phone or earbuds directly on the mat. Instead, the seven-inch by three-inch aluminum and plastic charger works through plastic or wood, so you can use its double-sided tape (or screws, not included) to put it on the underside of a table or shelf.
Image: Ikea
Image: Ikea ...
The VergeNew trailers: Succession, You, Nightmare Alley, Hawkeye, and more
Kendall Roy, smiling because he is happy Succession is returning soon (probably) | HBO
OK so the latest _Ted Lasso_spends almost the entire episode on Coach Beard in its most unusual, dream-like episode ever. I didn’t hate it (and I know it’s one of the two episodes added to the mix after Apple said it wanted 12 episodes instead of the 10 the writers had already sketched out. The Christmas episode was the other), but I wish we had actually gotten to know Beard a little better. “I listen more than I talk” seems like a line that could be his mantra.
The Morning Show is back and honestly the first episode seemed rushed to get certain characters to do specific things we as the audience know they must do in order to have a show at all. I’ll stick with it for a bit, remembering that this was a show that took a little while to...
The VergeEmmys 2021: How to watch online, and who’s nominated
The 73rd Emmy Awards will be held on September 19th. | Getty Images
The 73rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is tonight at 8PM ET (5PM PT), and streaming platforms like Apple TV Plus, Netflix and HBO Max are poised to win big. Cedric the Entertainer will host the show, which will be broadcast live from outside the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, to accommodate social distancing, which also means the audience will be limited to nominees and their guests.
Where DO I WATCH THE EMMYS?
This year, CBS will broadcast the Emmys, so you can watch on your local CBS affiliate. The show will also stream live on CBS’ Paramount Plus streaming app. You can sign up for a free trial of Paramount Plus to check it out if you’re not already a subscriber.
HOW DO I WATCH THE EMMYS ONLINE
There are plenty of options...
The VergeNTSB official says Tesla should address “basic safety issues” before expanding full self-driving
NTSB chair says Tesla should address safety issues before expanding its so-called “full self-driving” mode. | Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge
Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, told the Wall Street Journalthat Tesla should address “basic safety issues” before the carmaker expands its so-called “full self-driving” (FSD) mode.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said earlier this month that the company was aiming for a wider release of FSD by the end of September, making a “public beta button” available to more Tesla customers. As the_WSJ_reports, an upgrade to the software— which was designed primarily for driving on highways— is expected, in order to make the vehicles ready for driving on city streets.
Homendy had harsh words for Tesla’s use of the term “full self-driving,” which she called “misleading and irresponsible,” adding that Tesla “has clearly...
The VergeThe Chevy Bolt recall is burning up what’s left of GM’s EV good will
Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
General Motors plans to launch 30 new electric vehicles around the world by 2025, and aspires to sell only zero-emissions vehicles by 2035. But over the last few years, the United States’ biggest automaker has once again squandered the advantages it held in the still-burgeoning field of electric vehicles through bad politics, bad investments, and now most notably, a massive recall of the Bolt — currently its only all-electric vehicle — thanks to around a dozen reported fires.
On Thursday, GM announced that it is extending the Bolt’s production shutdown until mid-October, as it apparently hasn’t been able to get supplier LG to produce replacement batteries that are up to snuff. It will need a lot of them, too, as GM has recalled all...
The VergeSurface Pro 8 leaks with 120Hz display and Thunderbolt support
A leaked image of the Surface Pro 8. | Image: Shadow_Leak (Twitter)
Microsoft is preparing to launch a new Surface Pro 8 model next week, and a leak appears to have revealed exactly what to expect. Twitter account Shadow_Leak has published a photo of the Surface Pro 8 from what appears to be a retail listing. The account claims the Surface Pro 8 will ship with a new 13-inch 120Hz display with narrow bezels and two Thunderbolt ports.
The Verge reported last week that the Surface Pro 8 would ship without USB-A ports, in favor of USB-C and Thunderbolt. We also reported that Microsoft has been testing 120Hz displays for the Surface Pro lineup. The leaked image and specs line up with what we’ve heard from sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans.
Microsoft Surface Pro 8 Exposure ✅
- Intel's 11th-generation...
The VergeTikTok parent ByteDance adds time limit for kids under 14 on its video app in China
TikTok is branded under the name Douyin in China | Getty Images
The Chinese version of the popular short video app TikTok, known as Douyin, will limit users in China who are under 14 years old to 40 minutes a day, parent company ByteDance said in a blog post Saturday.
The app’s youth mode keeps it in line with the Chinese government’s new restrictions on access to video games for younger children. Teens under 14 will be able to access Douyin between 6AM and 10PM, but won’t be able to use the app outside of that window, the company said. The rules will apply to “real-name authenticated users” under 14, and the company encouraged parents to help their children complete the real-name authentication process, or activate youth mode when prompted by the app.
The Chinese government has been focused on...
The VergeSpaceX’s Inspiration4 crew returns to Earth, capping first fully private mission in orbit
SpaceX
SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule carrying four private citizens plunged through Earth’s atmosphere Saturday night and splashed down off the east coast of Florida, closing out the company’s first all-civilian mission in space. The Inspiration4 crew — the mission’s billionaire funder Jared Isaacman, geoscientist Sian Proctor, physician assistant Haley Arceneaux, and data engineer Chris Sembroski — became the first crew to hang out in Earth orbit without any professionally trained astronauts.
“it was a heck of a ride”
The crew’s splashdown zone in the Atlantic Ocean was roughly 30 miles east of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where they launched to space atop SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket on Wednesday. Beginning at about 7:02PM ET, Crew Dragon deployed...
The VergeSpaceX CEO Elon Musk says Starlink internet service leaving beta in October
Photo by Nilay Patel / The Verge
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweeted Friday that the company’s Starlink satellite internet network would come out of its open beta phase next month. That’s two months later than the August date Musk gave at Mobile World Congress, when he also said he expected the service to have “possibly over 500,000 users within 12 months.”
The Starlink system calls for a constellation of nearly 12,000 satellites in low-Earth orbits that will beam continuous broadband internet service. A terminal costs $499 and there’s a $99 monthly fee for service. It opened its public beta test in October 2020, and Musk said in August that SpaceX had shipped 100,000 Starlink terminals, which includes a satellite dish and a Wi-Fi router, to users in 14 countries. As the beta...