The Mandalorian season 3 debuts February 2023

Excited to see more Grogu? | Image: Lucasfilm

Disney announced at Star Wars Celebration that The Mandalorian’s third season will debut in February 2023 on Disney Plus.

The third season of The Mandalorian has been a long time coming — season two debuted all the way back in October 2020. Thankfully, we’ve seen Mando and Grogu a bit more recently than that, as they starred in some of the later episodes of The Book of Boba Fett, but it still feels like it’s been quite a while since the last dedicated season of The Mandalorian.

The Mandalorian and Grogu continue their journey in Season 3 of #TheMandalorian, streaming February 2023 only on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/CHqUL1gec7

— The Mandalorian (@themandalorian) May 26, 2022

At Star Wars Celebration, executive producer Jon Favreau...

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Microsoft confirms work on ‘Keystone’ Xbox game streaming dongle

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Microsoft’s long-in-the-works xCloud streaming device is going through some changes, as reported by Windows Central. The company first announced the dedicated streaming dongle in June 2021, but in a statement given to Windows Central, the company said it has pivoted from the “current iteration” of the device, which it says is codenamed Keystone.

Here is Microsoft’s full statement shared with Windows Central:

Our vision for Xbox Cloud Gaming is unwavering, our goal is to enable people to play the games they want, on the devices they want, anywhere they want. As announced last year, we’ve been working on a game-streaming device, codename Keystone, that could be connected to any TV or monitor without the need for a console.

As part of any...

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Watch the first trailer for Andor, coming to Disney Plus in August

Art from Star Wars: Andor shared by Disney in a trailer. | Image: Disney

Disney kicked off its Star Wars Celebration event with the first look at Andor. The upcoming Disney Plus series stars Diego Luna, who is reprising his role as Cassian Andor from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The show will hit the streaming platform on August 31st.

Details about the show have been relatively light, though Disney’s website describes the show as a “tense nail-biting spy thriller.” At today’s panel, it was confirmed the season will be 12 episodes long — much longer than a typical Star Wars show — and will take place five years before the events of Rogue One. “You’re not going to recognize Cassian Andor in the beginning,” Luna said during the panel. Here’s the official description:

The Andor series will explore a new...

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Apple’s reportedly flat iPhone production target for 2022 isn’t a great sign

Apple’s reportedly predicting flat demand for the iPhone 13 and 14. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Apple, one of the biggest tech companies on the planet, reportedly doesn’t think it’ll sell any more iPhones this year than it did last year, despite rumors that the iPhone 14 will come with some major improvements (via MacRumors). While it’s not necessarily a canary in the coal mine (or a Waffle House being closed) that the world will keep getting worse, Apple predicting that sales of its most popular product won’t grow could be a sign that the company’s relatively pessimistic about the state of things in the near future.

According to Bloomberg, the company is asking its suppliers to make around 220 million iPhones, which is similar to how many it requested in 2021. This runs contrary to some analysts’ predictions, which forecasted that...

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Twitter shareholder sues Elon Musk for tanking the company’s stock

Illustration by Kristen Radtke / The Verge; Getty Images

A new lawsuit on behalf of Twitter shareholders was filed against Elon Musk in federal district court in San Francisco on Wednesday night, alleging that the Tesla CEO has actively manipulated the company’s stock for personal gain.

The complaint focuses on Musk’s conduct since signing the purchase agreement with Twitter’s board on April 25th, particularly his recent statement that the deal “cannot move forward” without more information about automated accounts on the platform.

After signing the agreement, the complaint alleges, “Musk proceeded to make statements, send tweets, and engage in conduct designed to create doubt about the deal and drive Twitter’s stock down substantially in order to create leverage that Musk hoped to use to...

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Monarch butterflies saw a resurgence in Mexico

Photo by Sylvain CORDIER/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Monarch butterflies might be tougher than we give them credit for. The orange beauties made a surprising comeback in Mexico this winter, environmental organizations and Mexico’s commission for natural protected areas announced this week.

To avoid frigid temperatures further north, the butterflies flutter thousands of miles south from Canada and the US to spend the winter months in Mexico. This December, authorities there recorded a 35 percent rise in the monarch butterfly’s presence in Mexican forests.

They face serious threats

It’s a show of resilience for a species whose numbers have dwindled to worrying lows in the region over the past decade. They face serious threats from habitat destruction and climate change, so much so that the...

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Instagram is having some problems today

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

If you’re having trouble accessing Instagram right now, you are not the only one. Reports across the internet note issues with Meta’s more-than-just-pictures app, with many people seeing screens saying they’re not logged in, blank image posts, “Welcome to Instagram” messages like they have a brand new account, or feeds that stop loading after the first few pictures. Many Verge staffers are seeing similar issues while trying to access Instagram.

There doesn’t appear to be any acknowledgment of an issue from Instagram, Facebook, or their parent company so far. The outage doesn’t appear to be tied to any specific area, and other services are still working.

Image: Instagram

Instagram’s sample outage status message

...

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Tesla, other EV companies ask for federal investment in heavy-duty truck charging

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Tesla, along with other electric vehicle companies and environmental groups, asked the Biden administration to invest in charging infrastructure for electric buses, trucks, and other medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

The groups want the administration to allocate 10 percent of the money for electric vehicle charging in the bipartisan infrastructure bill signed last November — a pot that includes $7.5 billion — to go toward infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, they said in a letter to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg this week.

“Most public EV charging infrastructure has been designed and built with passenger vehicles in mind,” the letter, also signed by the Environmental Law...

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Google opens up Chrome and Chrome OS to enterprise security, control integrations

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Google is highlighting how Chromebooks can work in “zero trust” corporate environments with its new Chrome Enterprise Connectors Framework. The new integration system is designed to make the Chrome browser and Chrome OS devices easier for IT departments to implement with existing security, endpoint, and authentication solutions as well as bother management solutions.

Google Chrome OS exec John Solomon describes the new tools as a “plug and play” solution that lets other companies helm Chrome OS management functions like remote-wiping a Chromebook using BlackBerry Unified Endpoint Management or flagging malware downloads with Splunk. These types of management functions previously worked through the Google Admin console.

Managing and...

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The HP Envy x360 2-in-1 is on sale for its lowest price ever at HP

The HP Envy x360 is one of our favorite 2-in-1 laptops. | Photography by Monica Chin / The Verge

With Memorial Day right around the corner, many retailers are putting some awesome deals into effect early. For instance, the HP Envy x360 13 convertible laptop is currently available for $854.99 at HP instead of its usual $1,099.99 when you check out with the code 5MDSHP. This well-built 13-inch convertible laptop offers excellent productivity performance thanks to its Ryzen 7 5800U processor and even managed to surprise us with its capability in handling games with its integrated AMD Radeon graphics.

The multitouch-enabled IPS display features a resolution of 1920 x 1080, and while a screen with 400 nits of brightness is far from the brightest screen available, it's more than sufficient for combating glare in brighter environments. In...

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Amazon Astro review: too much Alexa, not enough arms

While it’s not the robot we were looking for, Astro is rolling in the right direction.

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The Xbox Series X is readily available to order from Microsoft and Costco right now

The flagship Xbox console occasionally dabbles in easy availability. | Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

If you’re on the hunt for the Xbox Series X, we may currently have a brief respite from some of the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it console restocks. The flagship Xbox has never been quite as difficult to get as a PlayStation 5, but at times, it flirted with being readily available. Right now, we have one of those lulls where a couple retailers have the Xbox Series X available to order without much fuss. Costco members can get it in a bundle with an additional controller for $549.99, and anyone can freely order the standalone console for $499.99 direct from Microsoft.

Like other retailers, both Microsoft and Costco have had many moments where the consoles popped up with limited availability and instantly sold out, but right now, these listings...

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Scientists grow cells on a robot skeleton (but don’t know what to do with them yet)

The cells were placed in a replica shoulder joint that was moved around to stimulate growth. | Image: Fisher Studios

The science of tissue engineering — or growing human cells for use in medicine — is very much in its infancy, with only the simplest lab-grown cells able to be used in experimental treatments today. But researchers say a new method of tissue engineering could potentially improve the quality of this work: growing the cells on a moving robot skeleton.

Typically, cells used in this sort of regenerative medicine are grown in static environments. Think: petri dishes and miniature 3D scaffolds. A few experiments in the past have shown that cells can be grown on moving structures like hinges, but these have only stretched or bent the tissue in a single direction. But researchers from the University of Oxford and robotics firm Devanthro thought...

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Apple’s digital state ID cards are now available for Maryland residents

You can present your card from your Apple Watch as well. | Image: MVA / Apple

Apple’s Wallet app now supports Maryland state IDs and driver licenses, marking it as the second state after Arizona to gain the digital identification feature (via MacRumors). Residents of the Free State can now use their iPhone or Apple Watch at certain TSA checkpoints at participating airports, including Baltimore / Washington International and Reagan National. The iPhone won’t carry a “picture” of the card, only a means to transmit info to a receiving device — and you use biometrics to confirm the information being sent to the device.

The digital IDs aren’t a replacement for physical ones, though. Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration (essentially, the DMV) website states that law enforcement does not accept Maryland Mobile ID,...

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There’s now a $950 Gucci version of the Oura Ring

it’s $950. But at least you get a lifetime membership? | Image: Oura

The Oura Ring was one of the buzziest gadgets during the pandemic. Not only did it spark a weird sleep competition between Gwyneth Paltrow and Kim Kardashian, but it was also featured in the NBA’s COVID prevention plans, and there were several studies to see whether wearables could predict COVID-19. And now, there’s a Gucci version that costs an eye-watering $950.

The Gucci x Oura Ring is made out of “black synthetic corundum” detailed with a braided border and an 18-karat gold Gucci G. It weighs four grams, and the band measures 0.3 inches thick. Other than the luxe design, this is basically the same as the “regular” $299 Oura Ring Generation 3. The main benefit of the Gucci version is that it comes with a lifetime membership. Starting...

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Logitech MX Master 3S review: everything just clicks

A minor update to one of the best productivity mice on the market

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Logitech MX Mechanical Mini review: a sensible keyboard for sensible people

Logitech’s new mechanical keyboard is all substance

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How to use Apple Pay

If you’re on an iPhone, Apple Pay is the easiest way to get started with contactless payments. Not only is the digital wallet service free to use but it’s also already built into your phone.

Apple Pay works by letting you add a digital version of a debit or credit card to the Wallet app. Once you’re set up, you can use Apple Pay to buy things online, in apps, and in person without having to carry your physical credit cards, cash, or a separate wallet. You can also use Apple Pay to send money to friends and family through the Messages app. In some cities, you can even use Apple Pay to replace a transit pass for public transportation.

Generally, Apple will walk you through setting up Apple Pay when you first boot up a new gadget. But, if...

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What to expect at Netflix’s Geeked Week

Sonic Prime. | Image: Netflix

We’re still a few weeks out from Netflix’s second annual Geeked Week event, which kicks off on June 6th through the 10th. The company already did some teasing via a trailer earlier this month, but a new poster and blog post give some more detail on what will be on display over the five-day-long event. Netflix says more than 60 projects will be featured.

Each day will have a specific theme, starting with a Monday centered around various TV shows. Expect to get early looks at the live-action adaptations of The Sandman and One Piece, as well as news about series like The Umbrella Academy (which is speeding towards its third season), a new take on Resident Evil, as well as ongoing favorites like All of Us Are Dead, Locke and Key, and Sweet...

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Fortnite’s giant pink mech returns for its next live event

We’re approaching the end of Fortnite’s latest season, and developer Epic is teasing the game’s next live event that will bring it to a close. It’s called “Collision,” and it will kick off on June 4th at 4PM ET; as with past live events, it’ll be a be there or miss it kind of experience. Epic says that players will be able to queue up for the event 30 minutes before it begins.

As for what will actually happen, that’s still a bit of a mystery, but it will clearly involve the giant pink mech that long-time players will remember from 2019. In the lead-up to the event, the mech can be seen in the game’s lobby screen, while a giant tower has been erected at the center of the map. In addition to witnessing the mayhem live, attending players...

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Pony.ai’s license to test autonomous vehicles with safety drivers in California is revoked

Pony.ai, an autonomous vehicle startup based in Silicon Valley and Guangzhou, China, is no longer able to test its vehicles in California after the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles revoked the company’s license for “numerous” safety violations. The news was first reported by TechCrunch.

The issue is that the company’s workforce of safety drivers are not very safe drivers. The DMV said that, while reviewing Pony.ai’s testing license, it found “numerous violations” on the driving records of the company’s safety drivers. Pony.ai currently has 41 autonomous vehicles and 71 safety drivers registered on its permit in California.

“Because of the critical role of safety drivers to facilitate the safe testing of autonomous technology and...

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Broadcom is acquiring VMware for $61 billion

Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Broadcom is acquiring VMware in a $61 billion cash-and-stock deal. It’s one of the biggest tech acquisitions ever, behind Dell’s $67 billion EMC deal and Microsoft’s pending acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion. Broadcom is known for its chip business, designing and manufacturing semiconductors for modems, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth chips across multiple devices.

This giant acquisition for VMware is designed to boost Broadcom’s software business. VMware, which was owned by Dell until it was spun off last year, focuses on cloud computing and virtualization technology. If you’ve used a virtual machine at work over the past decade, the chances are it was powered by VMware or its competitor Citrix. Devices from Apple, Google, and...

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Apple raises retail hourly starting salary to $22 amid labor challenges

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Apple is increasing the amount it pays its retail and corporate employees as it contends with a tight labor market, unionization pushes, and high inflation levels, CNBCand the Wall Street Journal are reporting. The starting hourly rate for retail workers is increasing from $20 to $22 per hour — though some regions will start higher — and starting salaries are also reportedly increasing.

“Supporting and retaining the best team members in the world enables us to deliver the best, most innovative, products and services for our customers,” an Apple spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal in a statement. “This year as part of our annual performance review process, we’re increasing our overall compensation budget.”

“As part of our annual...

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Google’s ad dominance targeted by a second probe from the UK’s competition watchdog

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a new investigation into Google’s advertising business over fears the company is unfairly freezing out competitors. It’s the second open probe the CMA has on Google, following the announcement in March of a joint investigation with the EU over alleged collusion between Google and Facebook-owner Meta.

The new investigation will dive deep into the “ad tech stack” — the collection of tools that make up the complex online ad market. The CMA notes that Google has “strong positions at various levels of the ad tech stack,” and is examining three key elements where the US company is the largest player. These include the market used by companies to advertise their ad space; the ad...

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Tangle-free magnetic USB cables are here

Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge

What if your cable could magnetically stick to itself, forming a neat coil that doesn’t get all floppy and tangled in your drawers and bags? What if they were good cables, too, capable of charging and syncing all the things over USB-C, Lightning, and more?

Well... you can now buy USB cables that do thefirst part! And they’re cool enough that I really wish cable manufacturers would figure the rest of that shit out.

For the past few weeks, I’ve been testing some seriously nifty USB cables that can actually do the magnetic coiling snake trick. Originally brought to the English-speaking world’s attention by a brand called SuperCalla, they’re now sold by a whole bunch of no-name brands at the likes of Amazon and Alibaba. And they are...

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Joby Aviation inches closer to getting full government approval for its electric air taxis

Joby Aviation, a leading electric aviation company based in Northern California, announced that it has received its first certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The agency awarded the company with a Part 135 Air Carrier Certification, which Joby will need to operate an on-demand air taxi service.

The certification was awarded ahead of schedule, with Joby initially targeting the second half of 2022 for its receipt. Under Part 135, Joby can officially conduct commercial air taxi services — though it still needs two more certifications, alongside type certification and production certification, before its aircraft can legally carry passengers. Type certification means the aircraft meets all the FAA’s design and...

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Microsoft Flight Simulator’s Top Gun expansion launches as a free update

The Top Gun Flight Simulator expansion is available now. | Image: Microsoft

Microsoft’s long-awaited Top Gun: Maverick expansion for Microsoft Flight Simulator is now available free for all players. After being delayed to match the movie’s shifted release date, the Top Gun expansion arrived on Wednesday to test players piloting skills.

The free update includes a Top Gun: Maverick Edition livery for the F/A-18E Super Hornet, three training missions for the Super Hornet, and even a particularly demanding aircraft carrier landing challenge. The training missions are designed to train Microsoft Flight Simulator players to learn unrestricted take-offs, high-speed maneuvering, and the low altitude stunts that are found in Top Gun: Maverick.

Once training is over there are five challenges that will test traversing...

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PlayStation VR2 set to launch with over 20 ‘major’ games

The previously-revealed design of the PlayStation VR2. | Image: Sony

Sony expects to have over 20 “major” titles available for its PlayStation VR2 headset at launch, according to a company investor presentation. While it didn’t confirm the names or developers of all the games, a slide confirmed that the list will be made up of a combination of first- and third-party titles, and suggested it’d include the previously announced Horizon spinoff — Horizon Call of the Mountain.

“There is a considerable amount of money being spent on partnerships with independent and other third-party developers to secure a considerable pipeline of attractive VR content at the launch of PlayStation VR2,” said Sony Interactive Entertainment president Jim Ryan, in comments reported by Video Games Chronicle.

I...

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Sony wants around half its games to be on PC and mobile by 2025

Image: Sony

Sony plans for roughly half of its game releases to be on PC or mobile by 2025, according to a presentation given during the company’s annual investor day. A chart shown during the presentation suggests this would be a major increase from its releases this year, when around a quarter of the company’s releases will be on PC and mobile, with the remainder split between its PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles.

“By expanding to PC and mobile, and it must be said… also to live services, we have the opportunity to move from a situation of being present in a very narrow segment of the overall gaming software market, to being present pretty much everywhere,” said Sony Interactive Entertainment president Jim Ryan in comments reported by V...

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Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft returns to Earth, wrapping up critical test mission

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft landing under parachutes in the New Mexico desert | Image: NASA/Bill Ingalls

After spending a little less than a week at the space station, Boeing’s new passenger spacecraft, the CST-100 Starliner, returned to Earth this afternoon, landing intact with the help of parachutes and airbags in the New Mexico desert. The successful touchdown brings an end to a crucial test flight for Starliner, one that showcased the vehicle’s ability to launch to space, dock with the station, and then return home safely.

Shaped like a gumdrop, Boeing’s Starliner capsule was built in partnership with NASA in order to launch the agency’s astronauts to and from the International Space Station, or ISS. The mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which challenged private companies with creating space taxis to carry people to low...

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