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BBC News - Technology

The president says he would like TikTok to 'remain alive' as his extended deadline for its sale-or-ban approaches.

The often-explicit pictures are being stored without password protection, leaving them vulnerable to a hack.

The move could be aimed at protecting investors, who helped him buy purchase X, from losing money.

The site is littered with awful photos, particularly of celebrities - but a volunteer project is trying to fix that.

An IT consultant took charge of the Center Parcs UK's handle after the firm deactivated its account.

The Rocket League Championship Series Birmingham Major brings together the 16 best teams in the world

Shenzhen-based Tencent, which owns the popular messaging app WeChat, will hold about a quarter of a new subsidiary.

Trump also said he is willing to extend a 5 April deadline for a non-Chinese buyer of the platform to be found.

Security failings by the Advanced Computer Software Group led to a cyberattack in 2022 that impacted NHS services.

A new video game has brought the 1957 disaster in Cumbria back into the spotlight.

Some fear the move could mean less work for models, photographers and make-up artists.

The youth parliament says it wants more action from MPs and social media companies on violent online content.

Multiple users said they had problems after the DNA-testing firm filed for bankruptcy protection.

The Shenzhen-based firm says revenue for last year came in at $107bn, boosted by sales of its hybrid vehicles.

Hundreds of people contacted the BBC after Dave Baszucki spoke about safety on the hugely popular gaming platform.

A union says it should instead pay drivers more so they can take time off with their families.

Critics say the AI tool - which made people look overweight - was a form of body-shaming.

The tech giant confirmed it had "reached a resolution" but rejected the allegations made against it.

Ways are being developed for subsea cables to "sense" whether they are being disturbed or attacked.

Families want a website showing deaths of their loved ones to be taken down, as the online regulator gets new powers.

The billionaire has been accused of failing to properly moderate his app to reduce criminality.

The BBC - along with civil liberties groups and some US politicians - argue the case should be heard in public.

Josef Fares has found big success with co-operative two player games. Why aren't others doing the same?

The workers were laid off as part of the president's plan to scale back the size of the US government.

It is amongst the highest-grossing mobile games in the world, with 30 million monthly players.

The price of China-made smartphones, TVs and laptops could rise in the US and elsewhere, experts warn.

The gaming platform is wildly popular, but has been rocked by allegations it exposes children to harmful content.

The prosecutor's office said it raided 21 addresses in Belgium, according to local media.

Market researchers say the slumping popularity of the market-leading Apple Watch was to blame

Google says it is aware of an issue impacting some Chromecast devices and is working to fix.

China plans to invest more than a trillion dollars as it races against the US to rule advanced tech.

Hackers from the infamous Lazarus Group are in a cat-and-mouse game to launder their stolen funds from the ByBit heist.

Can we clean up air travel? Adrienne Murray explores developments in electric flight.

Noland Arbaugh has a chip in his brain to translate his thoughts into computer commands.

Lara Lewington explores how technology and AI are transforming what it means to be human.

How the US government’s crackdown on diversity deleted women’s military contributions.

Find out how holoportation 3D telemedicine technology is helping patients in Ghana.

With Amazon in charge of James Bond, could they use AI for scripts and casting?

From science-fiction to the real world, flying cars are here - but could the concept actually take off?

Start-up social media firms are looking to capitalise on dissatisfaction with the social media giants.

Noland Arbaugh has a chip in his brain to translate his thoughts into computer commands.

Robo-taxi services and driverless trucks are gaining ground but progress is painstaking.

Services that assess climate change risks are springing up for home buyers, insurers and lenders.

Ireland is investing billions of euros to revamp its healthcare service - will AI help?

EU nations hope that tax benefits might encourage young, skilled workers to stay, but will they work?

Quantum computers will be able to crack existing encryption and threaten critical infrastructure.

India is the world's biggest exporter of human hair but it wants more of the lucrative wig market.

Kindness influencers give away money and gifts but not everyone supports their work.

Many staff are using AI at work without the permission of their employers.

Many companies have left X but it's not always a simple decision.

The founders of important open source software are getting older, who will take over?

Should more AI be used to help GPs with consultations and administrative work?

Pharmaceutical firms are turning to AI to find new molecules that might be able to tackle disease.

Educational website reviews

Sudoku is a logic-based number puzzle that does not involve arithmetic. Although first published in an American puzzle magazine in 1979, Sudoku gained popularity in Japan in 1986 before becoming an international craze in 2005. The goal is to enter […]

Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) was first observed in 1868 to honor the soldiers of the Civil War. Its origins can be traced back to General John A. Logan who proclaimed: “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated […]

The history of American Mother’s Day can be traced to 1870 when Julia Ward Howe (author of the Battle Hymn of the Republic) called upon mothers to put an end to war. But it wasn’t until 1912 that West Virginia […]

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827) is one of the greatest composers in history. His work marked a turning point for composers, who had previously written primarily for religious services, to teach, or to entertain at social functions. But Beethoven’s […]

“April showers bring May flowers.” Perhaps this is why May is National Flower Month. Indulge your green thumb with this week’s website picks about flowers.

The Verge is about technology and how it makes us feel. Founded in 2011, we offer our audience everything from breaking news to reviews to award-winning features and investigations, on our site, in video, and in podcasts.

Ampler made one of the first modern e-bikes I ever tested, and now it’s selling the first commercial electric bikes — the Nova and Nova Pro — I’m aware of that can be charged over a USB-C port integrated right into the frame. Hell, that same jack will even charge your gadgets in a pinch, but not […]

Up to 140W off a USB-C PD 3.1 laptop charger you might already own. | Image: Ampler Ampler made one of the first modern e-bikes I ever tested, and now it’s selling the first commercial electric bikes — the Nova and Nova Pro — I’m aware of that can be charged over a USB-C port integrated right into the frame. Hell, that same jack will even charge your gadgets in a pinch, but not in the US because this e-bike is for Europe only. Estonia-based Ampler is best known for making reliable direct-to-consumer e-bikes from its home in Tallinn using decent, mostly off-the-shelf parts that can be serviced at any local bike shop. Adding USB-C charging from a laptop charger you might already own makes a ton of sense as Europe standardizes on the port to eliminate redundancy and reduce waste. It also makes it easier to find a compatible bike charger if you leave yours at home. You can charge the relatively small 48V 336Wh integrated batteries (removable for service only) on the Nova series e-bikes from zero to full in as little as three hours from a USB-C PD 3.1 charger operating at up to 140W. That’s very respectable. Some e-bikes fitted with a battery this same size can take five hours or longer to refill from chargers with proprietary connectors, and others fitted with larger batteries and 300-plus-watt charging bricks can bring that down to around two hours. Fortunately, 240W USB-C chargers are now starting to ship, so USB-C is well in position to compete. Ampler has also tested its bikes to work with less capable Ikea and MacBook chargers that support the older USB-C PD 3.0 spec. If you don’t already have such a charger, Ampler will sell you its own 140W USB-C PD 3.1 charger for €80 (about $87). And while the USB-C port is bidirectional on the Nova series, it’s only capable of charging your USB-C gadgets at a modest 15W. Both the €2,990 (about $3,230) Nova and €3,490 (about $3,770) Nova Pro are available in step-through and step-over frames in three sizes to accommodate most riders, with EU standard 250W motors maxing out at a basic 25km/h. They’re essentially improved Stout and Stella models designed to be more compatible with accessories like U-locks, third-party saddles, and child carriers. The base Nova model is fitted with wide 27.5-inch tires and depends on an oily chain and derailleur for its nine-speed transmission. The Nova Pro, however, is the bike I’d opt for, with its slightly larger 28-inch wheels, Gates Carbon belt drive, and a 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain baked into the hub. Both the Nova and Nova Pro are available to preorder starting today in the UK, EU, and Switzerland, with shipping set to begin in June. Ampler is backed by official service centers in Germany and a network of “Ampler Friendly” workshops scattered around Europe. Each bike comes with a two-year warranty and a 14-day return policy.

Amazon’s first big sale event of 2025 — the Big Spring Sale, as it is known — is in its final day. It ends tonight, meaning you still have plenty of time to get in on the many great deals we’ve found for you below. Once it’s over, we won’t see deals of this magnitude […]

Amazon’s first big sale event of 2025 — the Big Spring Sale, as it is known — is in its final day. It ends tonight, meaning you still have plenty of time to get in on the many great deals we’ve found for you below. Once it’s over, we won’t see deals of this magnitude available until Prime Day in July. So, scroll down to find steep savings on video doorbells, headphones, smartwatches, air purifiers, and loads of other tech while you can. While having a Prime subscription means your packages will certainly arrive more quickly, you don’t necessarily need to be a member to get in on these tried-and-tested Verge favorites (only in rare cases are deals exclusive to Prime members, and we’ll note when that’s the case). We’ll also be keeping an eye on deals at competing retailers, including Best Buy, Walmart, and Target. Featured deals Robot vacuum deals Headphone and earbud deals Portable charger and cable deals Speaker and soundbar deals Smart home deals Tablet and e-reader deals Smartwatch and fitness tracker deals Other Verge favorites Featured deals Robot vacuum deals The Dreame L20 Ultra is on sale for a new low of $549.99 ($450 off) at Amazon. It lacks the self-retracting arms found on the newer, more powerful X40, but otherwise it’s a great cleaning machine. The dual mop pads can still extend to clean baseboard and corners, while its 7,000Pa of suction power does a good job of sucking up unwanted dirt and debris. The robovac is also capable of emptying its own dust bin and water tanks (as well as refilling them), in addition to washing and drying its own mop pads. Verge smart home reviewer Jennifer Pattison Tuohy recommends the Roborock Q5 Pro for those who want a budget-friendly robot vacuum that’s skilled in the arcane art of sucking up pet hair. Fortunately, the Q5 Pro Plus model is on sale at Amazon with its auto-empty bin for just $299.99 ($400 off) — a $70 upcharge on the standard Q50 Pro that’s well worth it if your space has a lot of fur to sweep up. Headphone and earbud deals The Beats Studio Pro are on sale at Amazon and Walmart for $179.95 ($170 off), which remains one of the best prices we’ve seen. Looks-wise, they’re not drastically different than prior Beats models, though they tack on a useful transparency mode, personalized spatial audio, and lossless playback over USB-C. Plus, unlike most noise-canceling headphones, they offer native support for both iOS and Android software features. Read our review. The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e — aka, the best-sounding wireless headphones you can buy — are available at Amazon starting at $295.60 (about $103 off), or from Bower & Wilkins or Best Buy for $319 ($80 off). The British audio brand isn’t as well-known as Sony or Bose, though with the S2E, you’re getting superb sound, superior build quality, and controls that rely on physical buttons as opposed to the sometimes finicky tap/swipe gestures found on mainstream noise-canceling headphones like Sony’s XM5. Read our review. The Beats Solo 4 have returned to $129.95 ($70 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which represents their second-best price to date. It’s a shame they lack noise cancellation, but the headphones still offer good value with bass-rich sound as well as features like spatial audio and lossless playback over USB-C (or 3.5mm). They also offer native support for both iOS and Android, making them a good buy if you want some platform flexibility. Read our review. Anker’s Soundcore Sport X20 earbuds are on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart for $63.99 ($16 off), matching their second-best price to date. The fitness-friendly buds are a lot like the Sport X10 — which were once our favorite budget earbuds for the gym — only they offer longer battery life, a more robust IP68 water resistance rating, and multipoint support. They also supposedly offer better noise cancellation and continue to sport an adjustable ear hook, which is a boon if you’re someone who struggles with keeping traditional earbuds in during intense gym sessions. Portable charger and cable deals Power banks with built-in USB-C cables are the hot thing right now. As it turns out, having a battery pack that can charge your device in a jiffy and double as a lanyard is pretty great. Luckily, you can snag one of the most affordable 20,000mAh models out there, Anker’s 30W Zolo power bank, for $24.61 (about $11 off) at Amazon. While it’s not powerful enough to quickly charge a Steam Deck that’s running games, it’ll do just fine for charging it (as well as other USB-C devices) while they sleep. If you’re someone who owns (or, someday, envisions owning) USB-C gadgets that draw a lot of power, it’s wise to buy cables with high wattage passthrough, just so you’re ready for the future. Anker’s six-foot 240W USB-C cable is a great candidate, especially since it’s discounted to $16.99 ($8 off) at Amazon. Ugreen’s Uno lineup of charging accessories aims to be more personable. To that end, its 6.6-foot 1ooW USB-C cable — which is currently discounted to $10.39 ($2.61 off) at Amazon — has expressive, Tamagotchi-like eyes. The reason? There’s no reason — it’s just cute, okay? If you’re not ready to pony up for a Qi2 charger, Ugreen’s Magnetic Wireless Charging Station has fallen to an all-time low of $21.99 ($14 off) at Amazon. Unlike the newer Qi2 offerings that provide 15W charging speeds, Ugreen’s charger can only supply 7.5W of power to MagSafe-compatible devices, or 5W to a pair of wireless earbuds or any Qi-ready device if you’re using the integrated charging stand located on the bottom. If you need a cheap way to charge your gadgets, Anker’s 30W Nano Charger is matching its all-time low of $12.99 ($3 off) in select colors at Amazon and Anker’s online storefront (with code WS7DV29VBNV2). The single-port USB-C offering doesn’t include a charging cable; however, it does come in a few fun colors and sports a set of folding prongs that allow you to stow it just about anywhere. Speaker and soundbar deals JBL’s Charge 5 is on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart in multiple colors starting at $119.95 ($60 off), which is the best price we’ve seen on the portable speaker since July. We’re not huge fans of the oversized JBL logo, but the powerful Bluetooth speaker hits all the right marks when it comes to functionality and performance, offering an impressive 20 hours of battery life and a built-in USB-A port that lets you top off your phone while listening to music. Despite the fact the Sonos app has been a bit of a debacle as of late, I have few qualms about recommending the Sonos Era 100 for around $199 ($50 off), its current price at Amazon, Best Buy, and Sonos’ online storefront. It’s a great smart speaker with stereo sound, privacy-conscious microphone controls, and support for both Bluetooth and line-in connections. It can also connect to Spotify and every other music service you can think of and supports AirPlay 2, letting you stream content from Apple devices. Read our review. Amazon’s latest Echo Dot is down to $39.99 ($10 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Kohl’s. The tiny, orb-shaped smart speaker features onboard microphones and produces good sound for its size, making it a solid option for listening to music, issuing smart home commands, checking the weather, and making other various Alexa requests. It also includes a built-in temperature sensor, which can tell you the temperature in the room and trigger various Alexa Routines, if necessary. Read our review. Sony’s SRS-XB100 speaker is available at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target for around $48 ($12 off), matching its second-best price to date. Despite the fact that it’s tiny, the Bluetooth speaker delivers crisp, clear sound along with up to 16 hours of continuous battery life. It also sports IP67 dust and water resistance, so you can take it hiking or to the pool without worrying. Read our review. Smart home deals The newer Eero Max 7 routers are also down to some of their best prices to date, with Amazon and Eero selling a single router, which can cover 2,500 square feet, for $479.99 ($120 off). You can also buy two for $919.99 ($230 off) or three for $1,359.99 ($340 off). The mesh routers support Wi-Fi 7 and feature a pair of 10GB ethernet ports, along with two 2.5GB ethernet ports. They also support Matter as well as Zigbee, and can act as a Thread border router. You can buy the Eve Energy Smart Plug and Power Meter at Amazon for $29.95 ($10 off), an all-time low. Like other smart plugs, Eve’s handy device can turn traditional indoor gadgets like lamps and fans into smart devices; it’s also capable of monitoring your energy use and works with all the major smart home platforms (Amazon Alexa, Google Home, etc.) thanks to its support for the newer Matter standard. You can grab a four-pack of Meross Smart Plug Minis on sale at Amazon for an all-time low of $28.99 ($15 off) when you clip the on-page coupon. That brings the handy, hubless smart plugs down to just over $7 a pop, allowing you to control a range of traditional devices via Apple Home, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa without breaking the bank. Want a compact smart display for your nightstand? Amazon’s latest Echo Show 5 is on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo for $69.99 ($20 off), which is a pretty typical discount. The Alexa-enabled smart display is Amazon’s smallest at 5.5 inches, though it’s still plenty big enough for managing smart home devices and controlling music playback. It also has a 2-megapixel camera (with an integrated privacy shutter), just in case you want to use it for more than a smart alarm clock. The Blink Wired Floodlight Camera is on sale for $69.99 ($20 off) at Amazon and The Home Depot, which is $20 shy of its all-time low and the best price we’ve seen since the holidays. The inexpensive, Alexa-compatible outdoor security camera offers decent 1080p video, sports a 105dB siren, and provides 2,600 lumens of brightness via two onboard floodlights. You can also mount it horizontally or vertically, and the camera provides local recording — assuming you opt for the optional Sync Module 2 and a USB stick. Amazon’s Smart Thermostat has returned to $61.99 ($18 off) at Amazon and Kohl’s, which has sort of become its base sale price in recent months. The modern, easy-to-use thermostat allows for easy control of your HVAC even while you’re not home and supports Alexa “hunches” to try and predict what changes you need based on your habits, which could help you save on your monthly bill. Read our review. Amazon’s Smart Air Quality Monitor is on sale for $54.99 ($15 off) at Amazon, which is $10 shy of its best price yet. Not only does the budget-friendly gadget let you know when your air quality is poor, it can also help improve it by automatically turning on Alexa-enabled devices — including smart thermostats and air purifiers — via Alexa Hunches. Read our original review. Tablet and e-reader deals If you prefer a big-screen, note-taking alternative to the Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Colorsoft, the 2024 Kindle Scribe is matching its all-time low of $324.99 ($75 off) at Amazon and Best Buy with 32GB of storage. It remains the biggest Kindle available thanks to its 10.2-inch 300 ppi display, which features a textured cover that makes it feel more akin to writing on paper. The latest model offers a host of new writing features, too, including a tool that lets you jot notes directly in your book. Read our review. Smartwatch and fitness tracker deals Other Verge favorites The Blue Yeti microphone is on sale at Amazon in a myriad of colors starting at $90.99 ($39 off). That’s not the lowest price we’ve seen — it’s fallen to around $70 in the past — but it’s still a good deal on what has become a certifiable classic USB mic in the era of never-ending Zoom meetings. The versatile mic is easy to set up and simple to use, with a three-capsule microphone that can capture clear, warm sound that should appeal to both amateur podcasters and anyone wanting a more professional setup. Govee may be best known for its ambient TV backlighting, but it also makes lighting products to illuminate your entire living space in shades of RGB. One of its most stunning lights, the Smart Table Lamp 2, is on sale for $55.99 ($14 off) at Amazon. It can provide vibrant lights for a gathering, or you can adjust its color temperature to suit your bedtime and wake-up rituals better. Cagiwiru’s Cordless Air Blower / Duster is down to an all-time low of $18.04 ($7 off) at Amazon (at checkout). It might not be as powerful as a can of compressed air, but it’s close, and it’s much more versatile with its swappable tips, built-in light, and ability to recharge via USB-C. The AeroPress Go is nearly matching its best price to date at Amazon, where you can pick it up for $31.95 ($18 off). It’s basically a lighter, more self-contained version of the original AeroPress, which has become a well-known staple amongst Verge staffers. It’s a simple way to make great coffee on the go, especially since it comes with a filter holder, a scoop, a mug, and other accessories designed to make life a little easier. Pet owners who strive to keep pet hair to a minimum shouldn’t overlook the ChomChom Roller, especially since it’s currently on sale at Amazon for $19.59 ($5 off). This simple tool can de-fur your couch faster and more effectively than most vacuums, even if it’s not the best tool for ridding clothes of unwanted hair. Jsaux’s 5-in-1 Docking Station for the Steam Deck (model HB0602) is down to just $18.89 (about $11 off) at Amazon for Prime subscribers. The simple, reliable dock plugs into the PC handheld’s USB-C and offers ports for USB-C pass-through charging, ethernet, two USB-A, and HDMI-out at up to 4K / 60Hz (which is more than enough for the Steam Deck’s specs). We like Hoto’s svelte toolkits for a couple of reasons. They strike a minimalistic look, for one thing, and they incorporate at least one power tool. The company’s Drill Tool Set — which is on sale at Amazon for a new low of $159.58 ($40 off) — is no exception, as it comes with a power drill, a bunch of bits, and several other handy tools. Having access to clean drinking water everywhere you are is a privilege, but not guaranteed. If you’ll be out in the wild, or if you’re vacationing but want to be cautious when it comes to water intake, the LifeStraw Peak is worth picking up at Amazon for its current price of $18.62 ($6 off). It’s essentially a thick straw outfitted with a filter that’s capable of removing 99.9 percent of bacteria, parasites, and microplastics from the water you’re drinking. Wildfire season might be a ways off, but if you’d like to get ahead, you can pick up Coway’s Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty from Amazon for $165 ($75 off), which nearly matches its second-best price to date. The compact HEPA air purifier features a four-stage filtration system, and though we don’t do a ton of dedicated air purifier testing here at The Verge, we can personally attest to the effectiveness of this midrange model for smaller rooms. Update, March 31st: Updated to reflect current pricing/availability and remove several expired deals.

OpenAI has raised $40 billion in a new investment round led by SoftBank, vaulting the company to a $300 billion valuation. It’s the largest funding round for a private tech company in history, according to CNBC. OpenAI is set to receive $10 billion up front (SoftBank will invest $7.5 billion along with $2.5 billion “from […]

OpenAI has raised $40 billion in a new investment round led by SoftBank, vaulting the company to a $300 billion valuation. It’s the largest funding round for a private tech company in history, according to CNBC. OpenAI is set to receive $10 billion up front (SoftBank will invest $7.5 billion along with $2.5 billion “from an investor syndicate,“ according to Bloomberg). The remaining $30 billion is slated to arrive by year’s end, CNBC reported — but only if it officially converts into a for-profit company by then. If not, it reportedly stands to lose a quarter of the deal. The funding comes just a few months after OpenAI announced Stargate, a $500 billion joint venture with backing from SoftBank, Oracle, and the Abu Dhabi fund MGX to build out massive AI datacenters over the next four years. The company has been in a full sprint lately: On Monday, CEO Sam Altman posted that OpenAI gained 1 million users in a single hour in large part thanks to a new feature called Images in ChatGPT that went viral due to its ability to produce Studio Ghibli inspired AI art. Altman also announced on Wednesday that the company would “release a powerful new open-weight language model with reasoning in the coming months.” The funding announcement claims that ChatGPT serves 500 million people every week. Despite the explosive growth the startup has seen thanks to ChatGPT, it’s still burning a ton of cash. Bloomberg recently reported that the startup is expecting to earn $12.7 billion in revenue this year alone, which is a massive jump from the $3.7 billion it earned in annualized recurring revenue last year. Still, the report claims OpenAI doesn’t expect to be cash flow positive until 2029, when its projections predict a whopping $125 billion in revenue. OpenAI’s funding announcement emphasized the startup’s goal of building “AGI that benefits all of humanity.” Altman has been clear that it’ll take a lot to pull this all off—compute, energy, global infrastructure, and yes, a staggering amount of cash. This round, the startup claims, brings it one step closer.

The commercial space industry is booming, and it’s only expected to keep growing as more billionaire-led companies send rockets into the sky. Elon Musk’s SpaceX continues to dominate the space industry with dozens of launches each year, but it could soon have some serious competition with Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin launching its rival New Glenn […]

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from launch pad 30A at the Kennedy Space Center, carrying four astronauts to the Space Station. | Photo by Manuel Mazzanti/NurPhoto via Getty Images The commercial space industry is booming, and it’s only expected to keep growing as more billionaire-led companies send rockets into the sky. Elon Musk’s SpaceX continues to dominate the space industry with dozens of launches each year, but it could soon have some serious competition with Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin launching its rival New Glenn rocket for the first time in January. Plenty more launches are to come, including another test of SpaceX’s massive Starship rocket, which exploded while in flight in March. Blue Origin is also set to send Katy Perry into space aboard its New Shepard as part of an all-woman mission on April 14th. Then there’s Boeing, which NASA isn’t giving up on even after issues with Starship resulted in astronauts having to extend their week-long stay at the Space Station to nine months. NASA and Boeing are aiming for another crewed flight later this year or in early 2026. The European Space Agency’s Ariane 6 rocket is also in the mix, which embarked on its first commercial mission in March. Follow along below for all the latest updates on rocket launches. This attempt at a first orbital launch from Europe lasted about 30 seconds. NASA and Boeing investigate Starliner’s ‘anomalies’ before its next crewed flight Katy Perry blasts off to space next month. SpaceX Crew-9 and the Boeing Starliner astronauts have landed safely. The Starliner astronauts are on their way back to Earth. SpaceX’s latest Starship explosion lights up the sky over the Caribbean again SpaceX’s 8th Starship flight test ends in another explosion. Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket takes off on its first commercial mission. SpaceX’s next Starship test flight has been delayed again. Jeff Bezos is sending Katy Perry to space SpaceX thinks it knows why Starship exploded on its last test flight SpaceX’s fiery Starship explosion put on a fantastic show but delayed and diverted flights That’s not a meteor shower, that was a Starship. SpaceX catches Starship booster for a second time but loses the spacecraft Bezos’ Blue Origin successfully launches SpaceX rival Blue Origin prepares for a high-stakes New Glenn launch Two private landers head to the moon to aid future NASA astronauts Returning SpaceX rockets are disrupting airline flights. Blue Origin sets a new window for New Glenn launch. New Glenn: Blue Origin’s big rocket launch is… scrubbed Blue Origin’s New Glenn launch is delayed again. Blue Ghost Lunar Lander scheduled to launch on January 15th

From the Kindle Colorsoft and Samsung’s new Galaxy S25 to the top-of-the-line Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, Amazon’s Big Spring Sale has brought steep discounts on some of our favorite gadgets. There’s just one problem: a large chunk of them will set you back at least several hundred dollars, if not more. That can be a tough […]

Anker’s latest GaN charger features four USB ports on the underside — a welcome twist on the typical port layout. From the Kindle Colorsoft and Samsung’s new Galaxy S25 to the top-of-the-line Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, Amazon’s Big Spring Sale has brought steep discounts on some of our favorite gadgets. There’s just one problem: a large chunk of them will set you back at least several hundred dollars, if not more. That can be a tough sell in a day and age when eggs are twice as expensive and tariffs loom large. We’re well aware of the current financial climate here at The Verge, so we’re highlighting some of our favorite budget-friendly picks alongside the best deals overall. These gadgets and gizmos — many of which will remain available through the end of today, March 31st — are cheap-ish in price but not in quality. In fact, many of the items featured below, all of which can be had for less than $100, are some of the best available. What’s more, many of them don’t require you to sign up for Amazon Prime, meaning everybody can join in on the savings. Headphone and earbud deals Bluetooth speaker deals Charging accessory deals Smart home deals Smart security deals Other Verge favorites Headphone and earbud deals Anker’s Soundcore Sport X20 earbuds are on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart for $63.99 ($16 off), matching their second-best price to date. The fitness-friendly buds are a lot like the Sport X10 — which were once our favorite budget earbuds for the gym — only they offer longer battery life, a more robust IP68 water resistance rating, and multipoint support. They also supposedly offer better noise cancellation and continue to sport an adjustable ear hook, which is a boon if you’re someone who struggles with keeping traditional earbuds in during intense gym sessions. If you’re in the market for a pair of headphones, Sony’s WH-CH520 are on sale at Amazon starting at $35.95 (about $24 off), their lowest price to date. The over-ears offer a solid set of features for their price, including up to 50 hours of battery life, decent sound, and support for both Google Assistant and Siri. Bluetooth speaker deals Amazon’s latest Echo Dot is down to $39.99 ($10 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Kohl’s. The tiny, orb-shaped smart speaker features onboard microphones and produces good sound for its size, making it a solid option for listening to music, issuing smart home commands, checking the weather, and making other various Alexa requests. It also includes a built-in temperature sensor, which can tell you the temperature in the room and trigger various Alexa Routines, if necessary. Read our review. The Echo Spot is also on sale for $64.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, which is a decent $15 discount. The Alexa-enabled smart alarm clock offers a customizable 2.83-inch screen that displays information like the weather; however, unlike Amazon’s larger smart displays, the Spot lacks a camera, so there’s less of a need to worry about privacy when you place it on your bedside table. Read our review. Sony’s SRS-XB100 speaker is available at Amazon and Best Buy for around $48 ($12 off) or at Target for $39.99 if you’re a member of the retailer’s free loyalty program. Despite the fact it’s tiny, the Bluetooth speaker delivers crisp, clear sound along with up to 16 hours of continuous battery life. It also sports IP67 dust and water resistance, so you can take it hiking or to the pool without worrying. Read our review. Soundcore’s Select 4 Go is on sale at Amazon starting at just $19.99 ($10 off), which matches its all-time low. The floatable Bluetooth speaker can last up to 20 hours on a single charge and can be paired with a second Select 4 Go for stereo sound. Charging accessory deals If you’re someone who owns (or, someday, envisions owning) USB-C gadgets that draw a lot of power, it’s wise to buy cables with high wattage passthrough, just so you’re ready for the future. Anker’s six-foot 240W USB-C cable is a great candidate, especially since it’s discounted to $16.99 ($8 off) at Amazon. Ugreen’s Uno lineup of charging accessories aims to be more personable. To that end, its 6.6-foot 1ooW USB-C cable — which is currently discounted to $10.39 ($2.61 off) at Amazon — has expressive, Tamagotchi-like eyes. The reason? There’s no reason — it’s just cute, okay? Power banks with built-in USB-C cables are the hot thing right now. As it turns out, having a battery pack that can charge your device in a jiffy and double as a lanyard is pretty great. Luckily, you can snag one of the most affordable 20,000mAh models out there, Anker’s 30W Zolo power bank, for $24.61 (about $11 off) at Amazon. While it’s not powerful enough to quickly charge a Steam Deck that’s running games, it’ll do just fine for charging it (as well as other USB-C devices) while they sleep. The Baseus Free2Pull Retractable USB-C Cable that changed how Verge editor-at-large David Pierce packs his tech bag is on sale at Amazon for just $10.39 ($7 off), its best price yet. The 3.3-foot cable supports 100W passthrough, and perhaps it’ll revolutionize your gadget loadout, too. The Sharge Retractable 65 is on sale for $36 at Amazon for Prime members, down from $49.99. The transparent 65W travel charger sports a classy look, while featuring a built-in retractable USB-C cable and USB-C port so you can charge laptops, phones, and other devices at the same time. If you’re not ready to pony up for a Qi2 charger, Ugreen’s Magnetic Wireless Charging Station has fallen to an all-time low of $21.99 ($14 off) at Amazon. Unlike the newer Qi2 offerings that provide 15W charging speeds, Ugreen’s charger can only supply 7.5W of power to MagSafe-compatible devices, or 5W to a pair of wireless earbuds or any Qi-ready device if you’re using the integrated charging stand located on the bottom. Smart home deals Govee may be best known for its ambient TV backlighting, but it also makes lighting products to illuminate your entire living space in shades of RGB. One of its most stunning lights, the Smart Table Lamp 2, is on sale for $55.99 ($14 off) at Amazon. It can provide vibrant lights for a gathering, or you can adjust its color temperature to suit your bedtime and wake-up rituals better. Want a compact smart display for your nightstand? Amazon’s latest Echo Show 5 is on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo for $69.99 ($20 off), which is a pretty typical discount. The Alexa-enabled smart display is Amazon’s smallest at 5.5 inches, though it’s still plenty big enough for managing smart home devices and controlling music playback. It also has a 2-megapixel camera (with an integrated privacy shutter), just in case you want to use it for more than a smart alarm clock. You can buy the Eve Energy Smart Plug and Power Meter at Amazon for $29.95 ($10 off), an all-time low. Like other smart plugs, Eve’s handy device can turn traditional indoor gadgets like lamps and fans into smart devices; it’s also capable of monitoring your energy use and works with all the major smart home platforms (Amazon Alexa, Google Home, etc.) thanks to its support for the newer Matter standard. You can grab a four-pack of Meross Smart Plug Minis on sale at Amazon for an all-time low of $28.99 ($15 off) when you clip the on-page coupon. That brings the handy, hubless smart plugs down to just over $7 a pop, allowing you to control a range of traditional devices via Apple Home, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa without breaking the bank. Amazon’s Smart Thermostat has returned to $61.99 ($18 off) at Amazon and Kohl’s, which has sort of become its base sale price in recent months. The modern, easy-to-use thermostat allows for easy control of your HVAC even while you’re not home and supports Alexa “hunches” to try and predict what changes you need based on your habits, which could help you save on your monthly bill. Read our review. Amazon’s Smart Air Quality Monitor is on sale for $54.99 ($15 off) at Amazon, which is $10 shy of its best price yet. Not only does the budget-friendly gadget let you know when your air quality is poor, it can also help improve it by automatically turning on Alexa-enabled devices — including smart thermostats and air purifiers — via Alexa Hunches. Read our original review. Smart security deals The Blink Wired Floodlight Camera is on sale for $69.99 ($20 off) at Amazon and The Home Depot, which is $20 shy of its all-time low and the best price we’ve seen since the holidays. The inexpensive, Alexa-compatible outdoor security camera offers decent 1080p video, sports a 105dB siren, and provides 2,600 lumens of brightness via two onboard floodlights. You can also mount it horizontally or vertically, and the camera provides local recording — assuming you opt for the optional Sync Module 2 and a USB stick. Other Verge favorites Pet owners who strive to keep pet hair to a minimum shouldn’t overlook the ChomChom Roller, especially since it’s currently on sale at Amazon for $19.59 ($5 off). This simple tool can de-fur your couch faster and more effectively than most vacuums, even if it’s not the best tool for ridding clothes of unwanted hair. Jsaux’s 5-in-1 Docking Station for the Steam Deck (model HB0602) is down to just $18.89 (about $11 off) at Amazon for Prime subscribers. The simple, reliable dock plugs into the PC handheld’s USB-C and offers ports for USB-C pass-through charging, ethernet, two USB-A, and HDMI-out at up to 4K / 60Hz (which is more than enough for the Steam Deck’s specs). The AeroPress Go is nearly matching its best price to date at Amazon, where you can pick it up for $31.95 ($18 off). It’s basically a lighter, more self-contained version of the original AeroPress, which has become a well-known staple amongst Verge staffers. It’s a simple way to make great coffee on the go, especially since it comes with a filter holder, a scoop, a mug, and other accessories designed to make life a little easier. The Blue Yeti microphone is on sale at Amazon in a myriad of colors starting at $90.99 ($39 off). That’s not the lowest price we’ve seen — it’s fallen to around $70 in the past — but it’s still a good deal on what has become a certifiable classic USB mic in the era of never-ending Zoom meetings. The versatile mic is easy to set up and simple to use, with a three-capsule microphone that can capture clear, warm sound that should appeal to both amateur podcasters and anyone wanting a more professional setup. Cagiwiru’s Cordless Air Blower / Duster is down to $18.88 (about $7 off) at Amazon, nearly matching its all-time low. It might not be as powerful as a can of compressed air, but it’s close, and it’s much more versatile with its swappable tips, built-in light, and ability to recharge via USB-C. Having access to clean drinking water everywhere you are is a privilege, but not guaranteed. If you’ll be out in the wild, or if you’re vacationing but want to be cautious when it comes to water intake, the LifeStraw Peak is worth picking up at Amazon for its current price of $18.62 ($6 off). It’s essentially a thick straw outfitted with a filter that’s capable of removing 99.9 percent of bacteria, parasites, and microplastics from the water you’re drinking. Update, March 31st: Updated to reflect current pricing/availability and several new deals, including discounts on Tekton’s Everybit Tech Rescue Kit and Jsaux’s 5-in-1 Docking Station.

The release of  Apple’s iOS 18.4 on Monday includes good news for robot vacuum owners. The update includes support for controlling robot vacuums and adding them to automations and scenes in the Apple Home app via the Matter protocol. With the official rollout of iOS 18.4, companies like Roborock, iRobot, and Ecovacs are introducing firmware […]

Several companies, including iRobot, have announced updates and support for Apple Home through Matter. | Image: iRobot The release of Apple’s iOS 18.4 on Monday includes good news for robot vacuum owners. The update includes support for controlling robot vacuums and adding them to automations and scenes in the Apple Home app via the Matter protocol. With the official rollout of iOS 18.4, companies like Roborock, iRobot, and Ecovacs are introducing firmware updates so their robovacs will be fully compatible with Apple Home. Roborock’s firmware update “enhances the implementation of the Matter protocol across several of its premium robot vacuum models,” according to a press release from the company. Roborock models that will be getting this expanded Matter support include the S8 MaxV Ultra, Saros Z70, Saros 10, Saros 10R, Qrevo Curv, Qrevo Edge, and Qrevo Master. Roborock says the supported models will receive the firmware update sometime between April 1st and April 10th, allowing users to control their robovacs through the Home app on devices including the iPhone, Apple Watch, HomePod, and iPad. The update will also improve connectivity and Matter support with smart home platforms based on Google Home and Amazon Alexa. (That’s of course why Matter was created in the first place – to help make smart home devices platform-agnostic.) Additional models, including the Roborock S8 Max Ultra and Qrevo Slim, will be getting Matter support in updates scheduled to be released “in the upcoming weeks and months.” iRobot announced that the Roomba Combo 10 Max robot and Auto Wash Dock, released last August, will be its first robovac “compliant with Matter protocol and compatible with the Apple Home ecosystem.” Users will be able to start, stop, and schedule cleanings for specific rooms using the Home app or voice commands through Siri. Several of Ecovacs’ robot vacuums, including the Deebot X2, X2 Combo, T50, T50 Max, and X8, will also be getting Matter 1.4 firmware updates starting today. The updates will start “rolling out across these models in phases,” Ecovacs’ Associate Brand Marketing Director, Michelle Jones, told The Verge in an email. Apple originally announced support for robot vacuums in Apple Home through Matter during WWDC 2024 as one of the many changes coming with iOS 18, though the features will be limited to power control, switching between vacuuming and mopping modes, and specifying which rooms to clean. Matter doesn’t support more advanced cleaning features like mapping and configuring zones for robovacs to avoid, so those functions might only be available through each manufacturer’s own app.

Microsoft is making its AI features widely available on Copilot Plus PCs equipped with Intel and AMD chips. One of the most notable of these features will be Live Captions, which translates audio to English subtitles from dozens of different languages in real time. Microsoft first started testing Live Captions on Intel and AMD devices […]

Microsoft is making its AI features widely available on Copilot Plus PCs equipped with Intel and AMD chips. One of the most notable of these features will be Live Captions, which translates audio to English subtitles from dozens of different languages in real time. Microsoft first started testing Live Captions on Intel and AMD devices last December, and it’s now available through the latest Windows 11 update. The update also includes Cocreator, an AI tool in Paint that creates an image based on a text description and what you’re currently drawing. On top of that, Microsoft is also expanding access to its AI image editor and generator in the Photos app. These features were previously only available on Copilot Plus PCs with Qualcomm chips. Microsoft started testing Recall, an AI feature that takes screenshots of your activity on a Copilot Plus PC and lets you search through them, with Intel and AMD devices last year, though there’s still no word when it will become widely available. Additionally, Microsoft is updating Voice Access — an accessibility feature that lets people control their PC with their voice — on Qualcomm-powered Copilot Plus PCs. Microsoft says Voice Access users on these devices will now “be able to communicate with their PCs using more descriptive and flexible language.” It’s also adding the ability to translate 27 languages into Simplified Chinese. Microsoft says it plans to roll out both of these features to Intel and AMD devices in the future.

Smart plugs are great, but unfortunately, they can’t automate everything. Thankfully, there is a cheap cube-like contraption called the SwitchBot Bot that can add a touch of modern functionality to your garage door, light switch, and other traditional devices. It would normally run you $29.99, but right now you can buy it directly from SwitchBot […]

The simple contraption quickly attaches to both buttons and rocker switches. Smart plugs are great, but unfortunately, they can’t automate everything. Thankfully, there is a cheap cube-like contraption called the SwitchBot Bot that can add a touch of modern functionality to your garage door, light switch, and other traditional devices. It would normally run you $29.99, but right now you can buy it directly from SwitchBot for just $20.99 ($9 off) using promo code BKLP15 or at Amazon for $22.49 (about $8 off) if you’re a Prime member. SwitchBot’s smart switch button pusher is incredibly easy to set up: just use the included tape to mount it to a standard button or rocker switch, which will let you use your phone to control devices you would typically turn on and off via a button. It works with compatible garage door openers and light switches, along with coffee makers, rice cookers, pet feeders, monitors, laundry machines, and other button-based gadgets. It also lets you create schedules and, when paired with a SwitchBot hub, issue voice commands via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. It even supports Matter, though you will need to own the latest SwitchBot Hub 2 to take advantage of the newer smart home standard. There are some caveats to bear in mind, though. You can’t use the Bot on toggle switches, for one thing. Also, while the button pusher supports Bluetooth, you’ll have to buy a separate hub if you want to control it remotely. That said, the SwitchBot Hub Mini is currently on sale at Amazon for $27.99 ($12 off), which is worth considering.

Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is happening now through the end of today, March 31st, with several dozen good-to-great deals available that don’t require an Amazon Prime membership. Our main roundup has you covered with more than 100 deals on Verge-favorite gear with quite a high price ceiling. But, for this post, we wanted to provide […]

The Select 4 Go, Soundcore’s latest Bluetooth speaker, is on sale starting at just $19.99 for a limited time. Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is happening now through the end of today, March 31st, with several dozen good-to-great deals available that don’t require an Amazon Prime membership. Our main roundup has you covered with more than 100 deals on Verge-favorite gear with quite a high price ceiling. But, for this post, we wanted to provide some low-cost alternatives that, to us, are just as appealing as the pricey ones. All of these deals come from Amazon, with the exception of one that’s on Woot (which is owned by Amazon). We’ll keep our eyes out for more $30 and under candidates as the sale nears its final hours, just in case you’re hoping to pick up an inexpensive pair of earbuds, a retractable charger, or another accessory before the clock strikes midnight. Update, March 31st: Verified existing discounts are still in effect and added several new deals, including those for SwitchBot’s Smart Switch Button Pusher and Ugreen’s Magnetic Wireless Charging Station.

Apple has released iOS 18.4, and one of the biggest features is priority notifications, which use Apple Intelligence to highlight “important notifications that may require your immediate attention,” according to Apple’s patch notes. The priority notifications will appear at the top of your notification stack on your Home Screen, as shown in the picture below […]

Apple has released iOS 18.4, and one of the biggest features is priority notifications, which use Apple Intelligence to highlight “important notifications that may require your immediate attention,” according to Apple’s patch notes. The priority notifications will appear at the top of your notification stack on your Home Screen, as shown in the picture below from Apple’s website. The update (as well as the just-released iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4) also expands the availability of Apple Intelligence to “many new languages, including French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (simplified) — as well as localized English for Singapore and India,” according to an Apple press release. EU users will also be able to use Apple Intelligence on iPhone and iPad. Apple Intelligence is now available on Vision Pro as well as part of visionOS 2.4. And Apple is launching a Vision Pro app for iOS with today’s software updates to help you find content for the headset. Other notable features in today’s software updates include a recipes section for News Plus subscribers and some changes to Photos.