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Educational website reviews

Sudoku Tips

  • Games
  • Games, Hobbies

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

  • History, Holidays
  • Holidays

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 […]

Mother’s Day Cards

  • Arts, Crafts, Music
  • Crafts
  • History, Holidays
  • Holidays

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

  • Arts, Crafts, Music
  • Biographies
  • History, Holidays
  • Music and Dance

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 […]

Flowers

  • Games, Hobbies
  • Hobbies

“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.

Microsoft AI launches its first in-house models

  • AI
  • Microsoft
  • News
  • OpenAI
  • Tech

Microsoft’s AI division announced its first homegrown AI models on Thursday: MAI-Voice-1 AI and MAI-1-preview. The company says its new MAI-Voice-1 speech model can generate a minute’s worth of audio in under one second on just one GPU, while MAI-1-preview “offers a glimpse of future offerings inside Copilot.” Microsoft already uses MA1-Voice-1 to power a […]

Microsoft’s AI division announced its first homegrown AI models on Thursday: MAI-Voice-1 AI and MAI-1-preview. The company says its new MAI-Voice-1 speech model can generate a minute’s worth of audio in under one second on just one GPU, while MAI-1-preview “offers a glimpse of future offerings inside Copilot.” Microsoft already uses MA1-Voice-1 to power a couple of its features, including Copilot Daily, which has an AI host recite the day’s top news stories, and to generate podcast-style discussions to help explain topics. You can try MA1-Voice-1 out for yourself on Copilot Labs, where you can enter what you want the AI model to say, as well as change its voice and style of speaking. In addition to this model, Microsoft introduced MAI-1-preview, which it says it trained on around 15,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs. It’s built for users in need of an AI model capable of following instructions and “providing helpful responses to everyday queries.” Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman said during an episode of Decoder last year that the company’s internal AI models aren’t focused on enterprise use cases. “My logic is that we have to create something that works extremely well for the consumer and really optimize for our use case,” Suleyman said. “So, we have vast amounts of very predictive and very useful data on the ad side, on consumer telemetry, and so on. My focus is on building models that really work for the consumer companion.” Microsoft AI plans on rolling out MAI-1-preview for certain text use cases in its Copilot AI assistant, which currently relies on OpenAI’s large language models. It has also started publicly testing its MAI-1-preview model on the AI benchmarking platform LMArena. “We have big ambitions for where we go next,” Microsoft AI writes in the blog post. “Not only will we pursue further advances here, but we believe that orchestrating a range of specialized models serving different user intents and use cases will unlock immense value.”

Google’s Pixel Care Plus includes free screen and battery repair

  • Gadgets
  • Google
  • Google Pixel
  • News
  • Phones
  • Smartwatch
  • Tech
  • Wearable

Google is phasing out its Preferred Care extended warranty plan for the Pixel Care Plus program. Pricing between the two is pretty similar. You’ll still pay $8 per-month, or $159 for a two-year plan on a Pixel 9. For a Pixel 10 Pro Fold, that jumps up to $339 for two years, or $18 per-month, […]

Google is phasing out its Preferred Care extended warranty plan for the Pixel Care Plus program. Pricing between the two is pretty similar. You’ll still pay $8 per-month, or $159 for a two-year plan on a Pixel 9. For a Pixel 10 Pro Fold, that jumps up to $339 for two years, or $18 per-month, with the optional loss and theft package for a small extra charge. The big changes here are that screen and battery repairs are free, and service fees for other accidental damage are much lower. Under the old Preferred Care program, replacing a cracked screen would run you $29. Under Pixel Care Plus a cracked front screen or battery running at under 80-percent capacity will get swapped out for $0. Unfortunately, if you happen to mess up the internal screen on your 10 Pro Fold, you are not covered. Other accidental damage fees vary depending on model, ranging from $49 on some older models like the Pixel 8a and 9a, to $99 on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. On average they’re lower though, with service fees reaching $129 for the Pixel 9 Pro and Fold models. The new loss and theft option, which adds $1 or $2 a month to the plan, also varies per model with deductibles ranging up to $149 on the high end. The new plans bring Google more inline with the likes of Samsung, which ditched screen replacement fees under its new extended coverage plans back in January.

The best Labor Day TV sales

  • Deals
  • Gadgets
  • Tech
  • TVs

Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, which is a bit sad, but it’s a great time to get a deal on a fancy, new TV. The US holiday is happening just before the start of the 2025-2026 NFL season, the World Cup qualifiers, and the lead-up to the MLB post-season games. This […]

Yes, even this 98-inch mode is discounted. | Image: TCL Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, which is a bit sad, but it’s a great time to get a deal on a fancy, new TV. The US holiday is happening just before the start of the 2025-2026 NFL season, the World Cup qualifiers, and the lead-up to the MLB post-season games. This sports trifecta means you can take advantage of Labor Day sales on 4K TVs, whether you’re planning on hosting big at-home viewing parties, or you just want to tune in alone. Right now, you can save hundreds of dollars on high-end OLED TVs like Samsung’s S90D or Sony’s Bravia 8 II. If you don’t want to spend as much, you can pick up a 70-inch 4K TV from Insignia for well under $400. That’s just a taste, but we’ve got more deals below that should suit gamers, cinephiles and sports fans alike. Many of these TVs are at or matching their lowest prices, and, as always, there’s no guarantee that Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals will beat these prices. Insignia F50 Insignia F50 Where to Buy: $499.99 $329.99 at Amazon (70-inch) $449.99 $319.99 at Best Buy (65-inch) $349.99 $189.99 at Best Buy (55-inch) Insignia’s massive 70-inch F50 4K TV is on sale for $329.99 ($60 off), its lowest price ever at Amazon (that size isn’t available at Best Buy, although plenty of other sizes are). In terms of specs, it’s about as basic as they come, with a 60Hz refresh rate screen and three HDMI 2.0 ports. It’ll be just fine for watching sports and movies on, but 60Hz means it can’t display PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, or Switch 2 games at their fastest-possible frame rates, but 60 frames per second isn’t so bad. The F50 supports HDR10 for more contrast-rich and accurate colors when viewing TV shows, movies, or games that support the format. The TV runs Amazon’s Fire OS, and has Alexa voice capabilities built into its included remote, so you can use your voice to search for content. You can also utilize Alexa to change the TV’s volume and input without manually navigating through menus. If you have an Alexa-enabled camera, such as the Blink Mini, you can ask it to fetch a live video feed, which will appear as a picture-in-picture frame at the top of the TV screen. The F50 also supports AirPlay, so you can mirror your Apple device’s display onto the TV. It doesn’t have every bell and whistle, but Insignia’s F50 is a solid 4K TV, especially considering its size and price. If you want a smaller TV, Amazon and Best Buy are offering the 55-inch model for $189.99 ($160 off), which matches its all-time low price. TCL QM6K TCL QM6K 4K QLED TV Where to Buy: $598.99 $446.99 at Amazon (55-inch) $598.99 $449.99 at Best Buy (55-inch) If you want a more premium 4K TV than the Insignia model above (without breaking the bank, of course), TCL’s 55-inch QM6K comes with a surprising amount of features for its roughly $446.99 ($350 off) sale price at Amazon, and $449.99 at Best Buy. The TV has a 144Hz panel, which will make fast-paced console or PC games display with fabulous fluidity compared to using a 60Hz screen. It has a full-array local dimming panel for even lighting across all dimming zones (negating the bloom effect that some cheaper TVs exhibit in dark scenes). The TV has two HDMI 2.1 ports, which can carry a 120Hz 4K signal that modern game consoles and PCs can take advantage of. Its two HDMI 2.0 ports top out at 60Hz, which is suitable for a Blu-ray player or perhaps a Google TV 4K Streamer streaming device. The TV runs on TCL’s AIPQ Processor, which the company says analyzes what you’re watching or playing to optimize its brightness, color, and contrast in real time. If you want a larger TV, you can get the 65-inch model for $549.99, which matches its all-time low at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. Interested in the 98-inch model as seen at the top of this post? It’s $1,799.99 at Best Buy (was $2,999.99). Samsung S90D Samsung S90D TV Where to Buy: $1599.99 $1197.99 at Amazon (65-inch) $1599.99 $1199.99 at Best Buy (65-inch) $1599.99 $1197.99 at Walmart (65-inch) OLED TVs are more affordable than ever before, and this Labor Day deal on Samsung’s 65-inch S90D is proof. Its price is down to just $1,197.99 ($500 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. The OLED panel is the star spec, of course, delivering better contrast and brightness control than any other type of screen tech. Its other specs are good, too. The TV has a 120Hz panel and four HDMI 2.1 ports, letting consoles and PCs display at 4K/120Hz. It runs on a processor that can upscale non-4K video to look better on a higher-resolution set, and can analyze what you’re watching to make objects in the foreground look closer than the background. The S90D doesn’t support Dolby Vision (typical with Samsung TVs, unfortunately), but does have HDR+ for more accurate color. The TV has Amazon Alexa built-in, and it runs Samsung’s Tizen operating system, so you can access TV shows and movies with your voice using a microphone built into the remote. The S90D can also access Samsung’s Gaming Hub, which allows you to play games from your Steam library directly from the TV (via Wi-Fi or ethernet) rather than manually connecting it to a PC. If you want an even larger OLED TV, the 77-inch S90D is around $1,797.99 ($602 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. Samsung The Frame TV Pro Samsung The Frame TV Pro Where to Buy: $2197.99 $1797.99 at Amazon (65-inch) $2199.99 $1799.99 at Best Buy (65-inch) $2197.99 $1797.99 at B&H Photo (65-inch) Samsung’s The Frame TV Pro can display artwork when you’re not actively watching video or playing games on it, and the 65-model for an all-time low price of around $1,798.99 ($401 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo. The TV’s standout feature is its “Art Mode,” which allows you to display an image from Samsung’s Art Store. The store has over 2,000 images, including classics like Van Gogh’s The Starry Night, and requires a subscription that costs $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year. Another interesting aspect of the Frame TV Pro is that you don’t need to connect video sources directly to it. Samsung’s Wireless One Connect Box contains four HDMI 2.1 ports, and sends an audio and video signal wirelessly from devices to the TV. Samsung also includes a wall mount with the Frame TV Pro. The Frame TV Pro has a 120Hz panel, making it great for fast-moving games and other high frame rate content. Plus, its processor can upscale lower-resolution video, and can automatically adjust video settings based on what you’re watching and your environment. The Frame TV Pro has a matte display, which won’t show glare from light sources as much as an LCD or OLED screen, so the image on screen will look a little more canvas-like. The TV also has a thick white bezel around the screen, and you can pick up an optional frame to fit around the outside to make it look even more like a painting. For a bigger model, the 75-inch Frame TV Pro is $2,497.99 ($700 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo. Sony Bravia 8 II Sony Bravia 8 II Where to Buy: $2999.99 $2298 at Amazon (55-inch) $2999.99 $2299.99 at Best Buy (55-inch) $3499.99 $2998 at Amazon (65-inch) Sony’s Bravia 8 II was recently voted the best TV of 2025 by a panel of experts (including The Verge’s Nilay Patel), and the 65-inch model is matching its all-time low price of around $2,998 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. The 4K OLED has a 120Hz panel, and its custom AI processor optimizes its color and contrast based on what you’re watching and playing. It has two HDMI 2.1 ports (which take full advantage of its refresh rate) and a pair of HDMI 2.0 ports that top out at 4K/60Hz. Sony says the Bravia 8 II has studio calibration modes for Netflix, Prime Video, as well as its own Sony Pictures Core streaming service. The panel who favored the TV were comparing images on the Bravia 8 II against a $43,000 Sony reference monitor. Based on its performance in those tests, we’re confident the Bravia 8 II can display video better than top OLED TVs from Samsung, LG, and Panasonic. Although, you’ll pay a heftier price for it. The TV has Google Assistant built in, can be controlled by an Alexa-enabled speaker, and supports AirPlay 2. Sony has also discounted the 55-inch model to around $2,298 ($701 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart.

Xbox’s cross-device play history syncs your recently played games on every screen

  • Gaming
  • Microsoft
  • News
  • PC Gaming
  • Tech
  • Xbox

On Thursday, Xbox announced it’s widely rolling out cross-device play history. With the new update, even if you’re on a different Xbox console, Ally handheld, or PC, your recently played game list will remain the same, so you can jump right back in where you left off. The change, which first started testing with Insiders […]

On Thursday, Xbox announced it’s widely rolling out cross-device play history. With the new update, even if you’re on a different Xbox console, Ally handheld, or PC, your recently played game list will remain the same, so you can jump right back in where you left off. The change, which first started testing with Insiders last month and is now rolling out to everyone, also includes putting cloud-playable games in your recently-played list. As described in the blog post, “That means every cloud-enabled title, from original Xbox classics to Xbox Series X|S exclusives, is now in one place whether you own it or play through Xbox Game Pass.” On console, you can find your recently played games through the “Play history” tile on the home page. Your recent titles will also surface on the Xbox PC app within the “Play history” tab beneath the “Most Recent” section, as well as in your library.

I tested 15 cases for the Switch 2 and these are the best

  • Buying Guides
  • Gaming
  • Nintendo
  • Tech

You might find it kind of sad to put your hard-earned Switch 2 into a protective case. To me, it’s freeing. Using a case relieves me of the worry that it will accumulate tons of little scratches, or worse. I’ve tested several types of cases on the Nintendo Switch 2 since its June 2025 debut, […]

Our picks include carrying cases and ones you can leave on during handheld and docked play. | Image: The Verge, Getty Images You might find it kind of sad to put your hard-earned Switch 2 into a protective case. To me, it’s freeing. Using a case relieves me of the worry that it will accumulate tons of little scratches, or worse. I’ve tested several types of cases on the Nintendo Switch 2 since its June 2025 debut, including flimsy shells that snap or slide onto the Switch 2 to provide a simple, aesthetically pleasing barrier from scratches to the console and its Joy-Cons. I’ve also tested carrying cases that protect the console when it isn’t in use. It didn’t take long for me to find one that I think is the best, but that hasn’t stopped me from trying new options from brands that are familiar, as well as from companies that aren’t household names. There’s something for everyone — and every budget — below. I just listed my high standards for form-fitting cases made to fit the Switch 2 while it’s in use. However, the bar for carrying cases is lower. They just need to protect the console and, ideally, provide some extra value, like a pocket for cables, cartridge storage, or ideally both. As for my favorite case, I didn’t want to make any major compromises; I wanted one that’s just as good for handheld mode as when docked, which is why I think the Dbrand Killswitch is the best model overall. I published a full review of the Killswitch, but the skinny is that while it’s perhaps more expensive than some may hope to pay, the level of protection and versatility it offers is worth the cost. The best Switch 2 case for both handheld and docked play Dbrand Killswitch – Switch 2 Score: 8 Pros Cons Very secure fit Makes the Switch 2 feel more like a Steam Deck (in the best ways) Clever dock adapter Chunky dock adapter Not the most affordable case Front protection only comes in the $80 tier Where to Buy: $59.99 at Dbrand The least expensive Killswitch tier costs $59.95 and includes a set of Joy-Con 2 grips, a rear cover for the console and a small matching piece to adhere to its kickstand, all of which securely latch onto each component. It also includes one of Dbrand’s skins. There’s no piece of the Killswitch that feels like it’ll incidentally wiggle off. Unfortunately, the protective case makes it impossible to fit the Switch 2 into the dock. However, Dbrand includes its workaround adapter that fits into the dock, essentially acting as a USB-C extender. It’s a fairly elegant solution that works as intended. The only downside is that it leaves your Switch 2’s screen exposed instead of concealed by the dock’s plastic wall. It’s a little clunky, but I’m willing to forgive it because it allows the Switch 2 to retain its docking functionality. The tier I recommend for most Switch 2 players (especially those who will often throw their console into a bag) is the $79.85 “Travel” tier, which includes a semi-transparent cover that protects the front of your console when you aren’t using it. The cover fits around the front of your Killswitch-equipped console, securing around the back with a tough bungee cord latch. This tier also includes a pair of analog stick grips and a tray that holds 10 Switch cartridges and fits neatly within the travel cover. When this guide was first published, Dbrand was in the midst of updating its Killswitch so that it wouldn’t allow the Joy-Con 2s’ magnets to break away without you pressing their release buttons. Basically, if you held your Killswitch-equipped Switch 2 parallel to the ground solely by either of the Joy-Con 2 controllers and give it a shake, the entire console portion was likely to detach, potentially causing serious damage to the console. Dbrand redesigned the Joy-Con 2 grips to fix the issue, and previous buyers can request a replacement free of charge. Future buyers will receive the Killswitch with the updated, improved grips. We’ve received the tweaked pieces and can confirm that they fix the issue. Read my full review of the Dbrand Killswitch case for the Nintendo Switch 2 Runner-up JSAUX Split Protective Case Where to Buy: $29.99 $26.99 at Amazon $29.99 at Jsaux The Jsaux Split Protective Case is an affordable alternative to Dbrand’s Killswitch, costing $29.99 but with many of the same characteristics. It includes two Joy-Con 2 grips that let you detach them from the system at will, and a transparent shell to clip around the back and the top and bottom edges of the Switch 2. Unlike the Killswitch, however, the Jsaux shell is so thin that the console can still fit into the dock. It also comes with a hard front cover that protect the screen during transit (or just for safekeeping), and it has storage for 10 Switch cartridges on its underside. I’ve got minor qualms with Jsaux’s case, which I can overlook given its low price (and may not be an issue for you, anyway); the Joy-Con 2 grips are smaller, and don’t add as much bulk or grip as Dbrand’s Killswitch, but they’re still serviceable. Also, its build quality isn’t as good (for instance, on my review unit, there was a little bit of warped plastic that looks like a raised eyebrow near the power and volume buttons, though it’s hard to say if this affects multiple units). Lastly, the design of its Joy-Con 2 grips exhibit the same edge case issue that Dbrand’s model initially faced before it issued a free fix to all owners. If you hold the Switch 2 by either Joy-Con and shake the console’s full weight downward, the force may be enough to completely detach it, sending the console down to the ground. In my testing, it was really difficult to get the Switch 2 to fall, so this hopefully shouldn’t impact many people, but it’s worth mentioning nevertheless. The best carrying cases for the Switch 2 tomtoc slim carrying case for the Switch 2 Where to Buy: $47.99 $31.49 at Amazon Tomtoc’s FancyCase Slim case has recently become my favorite Switch 2 zip-up case. Starting at around $33 and going up to $39 depending on the style that suits you best, it’s not the most affordable option. But it’s worth the cost if you want better protection than either the PowerA or Belkin cases below can provide. It has less give in its middle section by comparison. Another thing that sets it apart are the bulbous sections on the outer cover, which offer more vertical clearance above the Joy-Con 2’s analog sticks, ensuring they don’t get pressed while your console’s inside. Oh, and it includes color options that look like ice cream sandwiches. The FancyCase Slim case is the best option I’ve tried not just for durability but also for a dash of style. That said, it’s short on other perks to justify the price. While Belkin’s Switch 2 carrying case features a pocket for storing microSD Express cards, a cable, or any other small trinket like an AirTag to track its location, the only thing inside of this one is a soft screen-protecting flap that can hold 12 Switch cartridges on the other side. Runners-up WaterField Designs CitySlicker case for Switch 2 Where to Buy: $129 at WaterField Designs WaterField Designs has been making tweaks to its beloved, but pricey CitySlicker case for every major handheld to come along. For fans of the case, or those who are looking for a more premium option, the $129 Switch 2 version doesn’t change what isn’t broken. The City Slicker hugs the console’s curves closely enough to ensure a snug fit with a fleece interior, flanked by two pockets for cables and small accessories — one in front of where the Switch 2 sits, and one behind it. There’s a larger zip-up mesh pocket on its back. High-quality materials set this case apart from the others on this list, and unsurprisingly are what drives up the cost. It features leather on the flap covering the system and around the front of the case. For the secondary material, you have the option of waxed canvas or ballistic nylon. If you want your Switch 2 to sleep in style, this would make for a great gift to yourself or to another game. However, the City Slicker likely won’t protect your console as much as a tougher zip-up or cover case can. Not to mention, you may prefer a case with more cartridge slots than the five that are punched out of this case’s luxe leather. The next opportunity to pre-order the case will be on September 11th at 11:00am ET. PowerA Slim Case for Nintendo Switch 2 Where to Buy: $19.99 at Best Buy $19.96 at Walmart Power A’s slim zip-up case for the Switch 2 is a simple and inexpensive way to keep your console safe when you aren’t using it. It’s not a hard case, so it won’t survive catastrophic damage, but it’s a fine choice if you don’t want to add a bunch of heft. To that end, it’s one of the slimmest cases that I have tried. At just $19.99 (half the cost of Nintendo’s official carrying case), baseline protection alone would be sufficient, but it offers safe storage for up to 10 Switch cartridges, too. The cartridge holder has a soft bottom that protects the screen, and it can also fold into a tent, allowing the Switch 2 to rest against it (the Switch 2 already has a kickstand for this). This case doesn’t suffer from a negative trait that’s common among other slim cases (some of which are pricier than PowerA’s): being able to press on the Joy-Con 2 joysticks from the outside. Other cases might allow your Switch 2 to suffer some joystick damage unbeknownst to you, but not this one, as well as the others included in this section. Belkin Carrying Case for Nintendo Switch 2 Where to Buy: $29.99 at Amazon $29.99 at Belkin For $10 more ($29.99), Belkin’s slim case is better-looking than PowerA’s and is made with better materials. It has a carrying strap, a large mesh pocket, and a secret compartment for an Apple AirTag or similar Bluetooth tracker, all of which the PowerA case lacks. Belkin’s case can carry 12 cartridges, and it’s only slightly thicker than the PowerA case, likely to compensate for whatever cables or small gizmos you might stuff into its pocket. It features deep grooves to fit the Joy-Con 2’s triggers, and its outer shell it tough enough to prevent most accidental presses on the joysticks. It comes in dark gray, cream, and a fun green shade. Belkin sells a $69.99 version of its slim case that features everything above and includes a 10,000mAh 20W battery for keeping the Switch 2 charged while it’s inside the case. The company says the battery can fully charge the console 1.5 times. The battery results in a thicker case, and its bespoke compartment only holds the specific Belkin model that’s included, so you won’t be able to swap in a different, faster-charging battery. Neither of those may be deal-breakers for you, but are worth keeping in mind. The best grip case for the Switch 2’s handheld mode The Killswitch is the best case for handheld mode because it allows you to remove the Joy-Con 2 controllers and includes an adapter to easily connect to the dock. Plus, it offers kickstand access. If you don’t ever plan to connect your Switch 2 to its dock or detach its Joy-Cons, or it’ll be a rare occurrence, you might pick an all-in-one shell that fits completely around the console. It will protect every angle of your Switch 2 from dings and scratches, and may even keep it safe in the event of a drop. The $29.99 Spigen Rugged Armor is a suitable option. It fits around nearly every nook of the Switch 2, leaving access to its headphone jack, USB-C ports, and speakers (it doesn’t cover up the air vents either because that’d be silly). It gets bonus points for fitting around the edges of the Joy-Con 2 while providing more pronounced grips, which may be a boon for those who experience hand or wrist pain while holding the console in handheld mode. However, as noted, you’ll need to remove the case in order to install the Switch 2 into its dock. Spigen Rugged Armor for Nintendo Switch 2 Where to Buy: $39.99 $29.99 at Amazon $39.99 at Spigen Update, August 28th: Verified prices and stock for products mentioned in this post. Also added the Jsaux Split Protective Case and WaterField’s CitySlicker case as recommended options at varying price points. We’re still waiting to receive updated versions of the Genki Attack Vector and Sleeper Case to determine whether they’re worth buying, so for now, we’ve removed them from this post. Disclosure: In 2023, The Verge collaborated with Dbrand on a series of skins and cases.

GM’s new adapters reflect the increasingly confused reality of EV charging

  • Electric Cars
  • GM
  • News
  • Transportation

Look, I sympathize. When General Motors said it would adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) for its electric vehicles back in 2023, we knew this meant adapters. But we never could have imagined how many adapters we would get. Today, GM announced three additional adapters to help EV owners charge at home or in […]

Look, I sympathize. When General Motors said it would adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) for its electric vehicles back in 2023, we knew this meant adapters. But we never could have imagined how many adapters we would get. Today, GM announced three additional adapters to help EV owners charge at home or in public. And while I’m sure that GM thought it was presenting the information as clearly as it could, I can’t help but wonder what normal, non-EV owners must think of all this. The new adapters are intended to help customers transitioning between the old CCS way of charging to a future dominated by Tesla charging. The vast majority of automakers have committed to adopting the NACS standard for charging, acknowledging that Tesla’s Supercharger network is superior to the mostly CCS-equipped third-party charging stations that exist today. I can’t help but wonder what normal, non-EV owners must think of all this. The automakers said they would begin manufacturing EVs with NACS ports built in, but non-Tesla EV owners could access Tesla’s Superchargers by using CCS-to-NACS adapters in the meantime. But the changeover has been slow going. The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was the first non-Tesla EV to go on sale with a native NACS port. But to the best of my knowledge, there haven’t been any others. GM says its upcoming Cadillac Optiq-V will be its first EV with a built-in NACS charging port, but that vehicle won’t be available until later this year. The 2027 Chevy Bolt will also have a native NACS port, out next year. In the meantime, there’s a growing family of dongles to address this weird, in-between place we’re in right now with EV charging. There’s the typical CCS-to-NACS adapters that most automakers are selling to their customers. And now there’s the NACS-to-J1772 adapter for Level 2 charging — J1772 being the part of the CCS plug used for slower charging. And when GM starts producing EVs with native NACS ports, there will be two more adapters available: J1772-to-NACS dongles for slow charging and CCS-to-NACS ones for fast charging. Here’s GM’s infographic that “explains” all this: Again, what’s a normal, non-EV-owning — but perhaps EV-curious — person to think about all this? Are they really going to give up the warm embrace of gas pumps for this adapter hell? Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad that GM is offering more adapters to its customers for added flexibility for all levels of charging. That is undeniably a good thing. But we already know that EV charging can be a bit of a head-scratcher. EV owners have complained about varying charging speeds, non-standardized plug types and networks, a lack of price transparency for public charging, and issues with communication between car and charger. It’s getting better, and most people who do most of their charging at home shouldn’t have too many problems. But if you’re trying to bring new people into the experience, this isn’t helpful. I’m worried that the growing list of adapters that EV owners will need to acquire to account for any charging scenario could be a significant roadblock in the path to EV adoption — one that is already littered with significant obstacles. I’m trying to imagine my mother, who owns a Ford Mustang Mach-E and who struggles with the basics of smartphone operation, navigating all these adapters while on the road to Palm Springs to visit her friends. It’s a lot to ask! Let’s hope there’s a whole world of simplified EV charging just over that next hill.

Star Wars: Starfighter is going to be star-studded

  • Entertainment
  • Film
  • News
  • Star Wars

Production on Star Wars: Starfighter officially began today, and Lucasfilm has finally confirmed the other actors who will be bringing the film to life alongside Ryan Gosling. Lucasfilm announced today that Star Wars: Starfighters has added Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams to its […]

Aaron Pierre at Vanity Fair & Instagram's The 2025 Vanities Party Production on Star Wars: Starfighter officially began today, and Lucasfilm has finally confirmed the other actors who will be bringing the film to life alongside Ryan Gosling. Lucasfilm announced today that Star Wars: Starfighters has added Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams to its cast. The studio also shared a (very grainy) image of Gosling and Gray on the movie’s set. In a statement about the casting news, director Shawn Levy said that he was beyond excited to begin crafting an “original adventure” for the franchise — one set a few years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker. “Star Wars shaped my sense of what story can do, how characters and cinematic moments can live with us forever,” Levy said. “To join this storytelling galaxy with such brilliant collaborators onscreen and off, is the thrill of a lifetime.”

Battlefield 6 PC requirements are pretty chill — if you don’t mind 30fps

  • Gaming
  • News
  • PC Gaming

EA is promising Battlefield 6 will offer “the best PC experience in the history of the franchise,” including 4K resolution, 21:9 and 32:9 ultrawide monitors, HDR, uncapped framerates, both PS5 and Xbox gamepad support on PC, the ability to create and browse servers, streamer and incognito modes, and more — but it won’t require powerful […]

EA is promising Battlefield 6 will offer “the best PC experience in the history of the franchise,” including 4K resolution, 21:9 and 32:9 ultrawide monitors, HDR, uncapped framerates, both PS5 and Xbox gamepad support on PC, the ability to create and browse servers, streamer and incognito modes, and more — but it won’t require powerful hardware or even an SSD to get a bare-minimum experience. A 7-year-old budget gaming PC might do the job. If you’re willing to settle for 1080p at 30fps in a online shooter (I won’t judge!) an RTX 2060 or RX 5600 XT or Arc A380 GPU with 6GB of video memory is apparently enough, with 16GB of RAM, 55GB of hard drive space, and a Core i5-8400 or Ryzen 5 2600 or equivalent. That’s even slightly lower than the open beta required, which needed 75GB of storage, and today’s the first time we’re seeing what developers say it’ll take to play at 4K60 Ultra (you’ll want pretty potent CPU and GPU for that). Though, BF6 is offering a full complement of Nvidia, AMD, and Intel super-resolution and latency reduction techniques (DLSS 4, FSR 4, XeSS 2) with frame generation if you don’t need a native 4K image. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to get my friends to play it with me: they’re boycotting over its lack of Linux support, as BF6’s anti-cheat spares no thought for those of us trying to ditch Windows. I liked the couple hours I spent with the beta, but I do share PC Gamer’s concerns about the fast, Call of Duty-esque pacing and was glad to hear about the changes.

Fubo Sports is a $55.99 / month streaming bundle made for watching football

  • Entertainment
  • News
  • Sports
  • Streaming

Fubo is launching a new Sports plan on September 2nd that costs $55.99 per month and comes with over 20 live sports and news-focused channels, including the ESPN and Fox Sports channels, as well as local stations owned by ABC, CBS, and Fox. Where available, this package includes coverage for network TV-broadcast pro and college […]

Fubo is launching a new Sports plan on September 2nd that costs $55.99 per month and comes with over 20 live sports and news-focused channels, including the ESPN and Fox Sports channels, as well as local stations owned by ABC, CBS, and Fox. Where available, this package includes coverage for network TV-broadcast pro and college football games that might slip through the cracks of other streaming options, while going light on channels that aren’t all about sports: At launch, Fubo Sports will include local broadcast stations owned-and-operated by ABC, CBS and FOX plus additional affiliates in select markets as well as ACC Network, Big 10 Network, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, Fox News, FS1, FS2, Fubo Sports Network, ION, NFL Network, SEC Network and Tennis Channel with some network 4K content also available. Access to ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer Unlimited plan, which includes ESPN+, is bundled with a Fubo Sports subscription. Customers in select markets will also receive local broadcast sports channels. Additional networks may be launched. To start, Fubo Sports is only launching in “select markets” where broadcasters own or partner with local affiliates, but the service plans to expand its availability in the future. The “skinny” bundle also comes with all of the content in ESPN’s “Unlimited” $29.99 package, like the network’s 12 channels, and ESPN+ streaming options. Last year, Fubo sued Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney, and Fox over plans to create the now-scrapped sports streaming superpower, Venu. Fubo agreed to drop its lawsuit after reaching an agreement to merge with Hulu + Live TV next year, creating a new venture majority-owned by Disney. At $55.99 per month, Fubo Sports sits between the $70 sports-focused plans offered by Comcast and DirecTV, and the $40 bundle with ESPN and Fox One. It also comes with some perks of a standard Fubo subscription, including multiview, a “catch up to live” feature that shows you highlights of a game you’re late to, and unlimited DVR.

Kobo replaces Pocket with Instapaper on its e-readers in a free update

  • Apps
  • Gadgets
  • News
  • Tech

A big draw of Kobo e-readers has always been Pocket integration. But, when Mozilla announced in late May that it was shutting down the read-it-later app in July, the Kobo community was left in a bit of a lurch. To the company’s credit, in late July, it announced that it would be replacing Pocket with […]

A big draw of Kobo e-readers has always been Pocket integration. But, when Mozilla announced in late May that it was shutting down the read-it-later app in July, the Kobo community was left in a bit of a lurch. To the company’s credit, in late July, it announced that it would be replacing Pocket with another stalwart of the scene, Instapaper. And, just a month after that, support is already live and available as a free firmware update for all currently supported Kobo readers (and the list is surprisingly long). If you’ve been on the hunt for a Pocket replacement ahead of all your data disappearing on October 8th, Instapaper now seems like the clear front runner if you’re a Kobo user, especially since you don’t need an Instapaper Premium subscription to take advantage. Hopefully the partnership will prove more fruitful than the one with Mozilla which hadn’t seen any significant improvements in years and was nearly killed off in 2023.

BBC News - Technology

Kick accuses French authorities of politicising streamer's death

    Raphaël Graven, also known as Jean Pormanove, died during a live stream on the Kick website.

    AI firm says its technology weaponised by hackers

      A report from the makers of Claude said the AI tool had been used to commit cyber-attacks and fraud.

      Apple warns UK against introducing tougher tech regulation

        The iPhone maker is pushing back against proposed changes required by the UK competition watchdog

        AI boom boosts Nvidia despite 'geopolitical issues'

          Nvidia remains exposed to geopolitical tensions between the US and China.

          Japanese town proposes two-hour daily limit on smartphones

            The limit would only apply outside of work and study time and no fines would be given if breached

            European banks hit by rogue PayPal payments worth 'billions'

              Local media said German lenders had reported millions of suspicious direct debits from the payment firm.

              4chan launches legal action against Ofcom in US

                It wants the court to prohibit Ofcom from enforcing the Online Safety Act against it in the US.

                HSBC resolves app and online banking outage

                  Thousands of people reported problems during what was the latest in a long line of banking IT failures.

                  Kpop Demon Hunters becomes Netflix's most viewed film ever

                    It is the latest in a series of chart-topping achievements by the animated musical.

                    Women aren't just 'cosy gamers' - I play horror games and 600,000 watch

                      Once thought of as a male-dominated pastime, the number of women streaming and playing video games is growing rapidly.

                      Video platform Kick investigated over streamer's death

                        The French government also says it is suing the platform over the death of Raphaël Graven, also known as Jean Pormanove.

                        Musk firms sue Apple and OpenAI, alleging they hurt competition

                          The lawsuit takes aim at Apple's decision to integrate ChatGPT into the operating systems of its smartphones.

                          Child sex abuse victim begs Elon Musk to remove links to her images

                            BBC investigation finds US victim's images are traded globally by an operator based in Indonesia.

                            4chan will refuse to pay daily online safety fines, lawyer tells BBC

                              The online message board's lawyers say UK safety laws shouldn't apply to a business based in the US.

                              Elon Musk and X reach settlement with axed Twitter workers

                                Ex-Twitter staff sued the platform after some 6,000 employees were sacked in 2022.

                                Apple TV+ raises subscription prices worldwide, including in UK

                                  The streaming industry has seen a series of price hikes from its major players in the past year.

                                  TikTok puts hundreds of UK content moderator jobs at risk

                                    The firm says it's planning to relocate work to its other offices in Europe and invest more in AI.

                                    My ex stalked me, so I joined a 'dating safety' app. Then my address was leaked

                                      Thousands of women who signed up had their data, including images, posts, and comments, leaked.

                                      French streamer's death 'not due to trauma', autopsy finds

                                        The online personality known as Jean Pormanove was found dead in his home in Nice on Monday.

                                        Hundreds of thousands of Grok chats exposed in Google results

                                          Elon Musk's artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot appears to have published messages without users' knowledge.

                                          Microsoft boss troubled by rise in reports of 'AI psychosis'

                                            Mustafa Suleyman said there was still "zero evidence of AI consciousness today".

                                            Netflix signs up another YouTube star with Mark Rober deal

                                              The YouTuber and former Nasa engineer is working with Jimmy Kimmel to make a new competition show.

                                              Sony raises PlayStation 5 prices in US as tariff fears persist

                                                The Japanese technology giant cited economic challenges as it raised prices for the consoles by around $50.

                                                UK backs down in Apple privacy row, US says

                                                  UK authorities have demanded access to Apple users' protected files when required for investigations.

                                                  Stop children using VPNs to watch porn, ministers told

                                                    The children's commissioner for England tells the BBC virtual private networks are a "loophole that needs closing.

                                                    Intel shares jump as Softbank to buy $2bn stake in chip giant

                                                      The announcement comes hours after reports that the White House is in talks over taking a 10% stake in Intel.

                                                      Meta investigated over AI having 'sensual' chats with children

                                                        The leak has led to backlash amid reports the tech giant's legal staff approved the conversations.

                                                        Investigation into 'horrifying' death of French streamer

                                                          Raphaël Graven, also known as Jean Pormanove, was found dead at a residence in Contes, a village north of Nice, prosecutors said.

                                                          Should Europe wean itself off US tech?

                                                            Just three US firms provide 70% of Europe's cloud-computing, leading to fears of overreliance.

                                                            VW introduces monthly subscription to increase car power

                                                              The German car-maker says its "optional power upgrade" is designed to give customers more choice.

                                                              UK's Turing AI Institute responds to staff anger about defence focus

                                                                Whistleblowers say the charity is at risk of collapse because it has been told by the government to focus on defence.

                                                                Data centres to be expanded across UK as concerns mount

                                                                  The number of data centres is set to jump by a fifth in the coming years, figures seen by the BBC suggest.

                                                                  Tech Life

                                                                    A special from Edinburgh, where art and performance meet tech with spectacular results.

                                                                    Tech Life

                                                                      Find out how Singapore is now dealing with cyber threats from other states and criminals.

                                                                      The history behind the QR code

                                                                        It's used by millions of us every day, but why was the Quick Response code invented?

                                                                        Tech Life

                                                                          China’s DeepSeek took the AI world by storm this year. Where is it now? And: AI doomsday?

                                                                          Tech Now

                                                                            Joe Tidy explores how the rise of artificial intelligence may play out.

                                                                            Tech Life

                                                                              What will the era of Agentic AI offer us ?

                                                                              Tech Now

                                                                                Yasmin Morgan-Griffiths has exclusive access to La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

                                                                                Tech Life

                                                                                  An American waste management company is storing organic waste deep underground.

                                                                                  Tech Now

                                                                                    Ione Wells explores if lithium mining can be done more sustainably.

                                                                                    The floating robot collecting rubbish in our waterways

                                                                                      Tech Now meets the team behind WasteShark - can it help tackle marine plastic pollution?

                                                                                      Tech Life

                                                                                        We take a deep dive into quantum computers, with experts answering listeners' questions.

                                                                                        Tech Now

                                                                                          Exploring some of the latest tech innovations in the world of sport.

                                                                                          Tech Life

                                                                                            Find out about the AI safe driving system that's watching the road ahead, and the driver.

                                                                                            Computer science graduates struggle to secure their first jobs

                                                                                              Companies are using AI to do basic coding tasks instead of hiring junior staff.

                                                                                              How to destroy harmful 'forever chemicals'

                                                                                                PFAS were once prized for their durability, but now firms are developing ways to destroy them.

                                                                                                Will AI make language dubbing easy for film and TV?

                                                                                                  New tech promises to dub film and TV into different languages without losing the quality of the performance.

                                                                                                  Economic woes dominate as Bolivia prepares to go to the polls

                                                                                                    The South American country is dealing with very high inflation ahead of its latest general election.

                                                                                                    How to get AI to work in 22 languages

                                                                                                      India tackles the problem of making AI translate between its many languages and dialects

                                                                                                      Could aluminium become the packaging 'champion'?

                                                                                                        Some packaging firms say aluminium could be used more widely in packaging, but cost may hold it back

                                                                                                        Artificial food colours are out, so what's next?

                                                                                                          Big food firms are phasing out artificial colours, so tech firms are rushing to fill the gap.

                                                                                                          Trucking's uneasy relationship with new tech

                                                                                                            Matching trucks with cargo has become digitised, adding efficiency, but driving down earnings.

                                                                                                            How will age verification for porn work and what about privacy?

                                                                                                              Anyone in the UK wanting to access online porn will soon have to undergo more rigorous age checks.

                                                                                                              'Autofocus' specs promise sharp vision, near or far

                                                                                                                Start-up firms and researchers are working on lenses that can change their focus.

                                                                                                                Why little Lithuania has big plans for space tech

                                                                                                                  Lithuania has a promising space tech sector, but it wants more government support.

                                                                                                                  Should we be letting flies eat our food waste?

                                                                                                                    In Lithuania and Australia, hungry fly larvae are used to process food waste into useful protein.

                                                                                                                    Supercell boss: 'We need to take bigger risks'

                                                                                                                      The boss of mobile gaming giant Supercell says the industry needs to take bigger risks to compete.

                                                                                                                      Tech giants unleash AI on weather forecasts: are they any good?

                                                                                                                        The biggest tech firms are using AI to forecast the weather but is that better than existing models?

                                                                                                                        Why Ukraine is one of the world's most digital countries

                                                                                                                          Despite the war, Ukraine has developed of the most advanced systems for digital government services.

                                                                                                                          From festivals to weddings: Why drone shows are booming

                                                                                                                            Light shows involving hundreds and even thousands of drones are becoming big attractions.

                                                                                                                            How airline fees have turned baggage into billions

                                                                                                                              The amount carriers now charge for luggage is raising the ire of politicians and consumer groups.