The Verge - All Postshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52801/VER_Logomark_32x32..png2024-03-14T19:27:42-04:00https://www.theverge.com/rss/full.xml2024-03-14T19:27:42-04:002024-03-14T19:27:42-04:00The FCC has finally decreed that 25Mbps and 3Mbps are not ‘broadband’ speed
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<figcaption>Illustration by Grayson Blackmon / The Verge</figcaption>
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<p id="Ekor9z">“I think our new threshold, frankly, should be 100Mbps. I think anything short of that shortchanges our children, our future, and our new digital economy.” That’s what FCC commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2015/1/29/7932653/fcc-changed-definition-broadband-25mbps">argued nine years ago</a> — now, it’s finally happening. </p>
<p id="xs9o2r">Today, the FCC has <a href="https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-401205A1.pdf">changed its definition of “broadband”</a> to mean download speeds of 100 megabits per second and upload speeds of 20 megabits per second. It had been stuck at 25Mbps/3Mbps since 2015. As recently as 2021, outgoing FCC chairman Ajit Pai claimed <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/21/22242635/fcc-ajit-pai-internet-speed-advanced-telecommunications-3mbps">we still didn’t need more than that</a>.</p>
<div class="c-float-left c-float-hang"><aside id="bDSHco"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"What’s wrong with US broadband?","url":"https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/17/23460070/internet-bill-broadband-survey-data-consumer-reports-cost"},{"title":"The government is helping Big Telecom squeeze out city-run broadband","url":"https://www.theverge.com/23763482/municipal-broadband-biden-internet-funds-telecom-lobbying"},{"title":"We need to fix America’s internet","url":"https://www.theverge.com/22177154/us-internet-speed-maps-competition-availability-fcc"}]}'></div></aside></div>
<p id="oCcPZ7">These definitions matter, because they let the FCC report whether it’s failing or succeeding to close the broadband gap — and how much <a href="https://www.theverge.com/22177154/us-internet-speed-maps-competition-availability-fcc">to regulate</a> (or <a href="https://www.theverge.com/23763482/municipal-broadband-biden-internet-funds-telecom-lobbying">throw money at</a>) broadband providers to...</p>
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https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/14/24101313/fcc-new-broadband-definition-100mbps-20mbpsSean Hollister2024-03-14T19:23:02-04:002024-03-14T19:23:02-04:00The best instant cameras you can buy right now
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<figcaption>Image: Kristen Radtke / The Verge</figcaption>
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<p>We found the best cameras for your budget and needs.</p>
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<a href="https://www.theverge.com/23133103/best-instant-cameras-fujifilm-polaroid-kodak">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.theverge.com/23133103/best-instant-cameras-fujifilm-polaroid-kodakSheena Vasani2024-03-14T18:08:54-04:002024-03-14T18:08:54-04:00CIA allegedly made fake social media accounts to troll the Chinese government
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<img alt="An illustration of a woman typing on a keyboard, her face replaced with lines of code." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OoNEKPAVDgmmaiVhEEDpkP18y_c=/0x0:2040x1360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73207979/STK149_AI_Chatbot_K_Radtke.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Image: The Verge</figcaption>
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<p id="2KjpiQ">The CIA allegedly launched a secret operation to troll Chinese officials and turn public opinion against them through leaked intelligence and negative news on social media. </p>
<p id="rTPKES"><a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-launched-cia-covert-influence-operation-against-china-2024-03-14/"><em>Reuters </em>reports the operation</a> began in 2019 and was also aimed at causing paranoia within Xi Jinping’s government. CIA agents reportedly made fake social media accounts to spread rumors, such as allegations that Communist Party members hid ill-gotten wealth outside the country, and criticize Chinese government initiatives, like saying a program financing infrastructure projects in other countries was corrupt.</p>
<p id="qv4uM7">The CIA declined to comment to <em>Reuters</em>,<em> </em>which could not confirm whether the program is still in place. <em>Reuters</em> said the operation, authorized by then-President...</p>
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https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/14/24100984/cia-china-fake-social-media-spyingEmilia David2024-03-14T18:02:21-04:002024-03-14T18:02:21-04:00Pornhub shuts down in Texas to protest age verification law
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<img alt="A photo showing Pornhub’s website open on a laptop" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/A2FzgOvc8KWqzwGele9IeoXo-8A=/0x0:3543x2362/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73207959/1246842106.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo Illustration by Adrien Fillon/NurPhoto via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="GoUnx4">Pornhub has disabled its site in Texas in response to the state’s online age verification law. The site now displays a message to users in the state that says having to provide an ID when accessing an adult website “is not an effective solution for protecting users online.”</p>
<p id="zHa0s0">Last year, <a href="https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-ken-paxton-wins-major-victory-protecting-children-obscene-materials">Texas enacted</a> a <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/31/23854369/texas-porn-age-verification-law-blocked-judge">previously blocked</a> age verification law (<a href="https://legiscan.com/TX/text/HB1181/id/2819916">HB 1181</a>) that requires users to upload photos of their government IDs (or use another third-party verification service) before accessing a pornographic website. The law <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/12/23914832/texas-hb-1181-porn-age-verification-vixen-media-group">also requires porn sites</a> to display health warnings that claim porn impairs “human brain development,” among other unproven issues. <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/27/24084615/texas-ken-paxton-pornhub-aylo-lawsuit-age-verification">Texas sued Pornhub’s parent company</a> Aylo in February, alleging that Pornhub failed to comply with the...</p>
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https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/14/24101116/pornhub-texas-age-verification-law-shut-downEmma Roth2024-03-14T17:43:31-04:002024-03-14T17:43:31-04:00SpaceX successfully launched its Starship, but the vehicle was ‘lost’ after reentry
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<img alt="The SpaceX Starship rocket taking off from the Starbase launch facility in Boca Chica, Texas, at 9:25AM ET on March 14th, 2023." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/P8ZWs6kLBroVFVsUPVZKeyNGJhk=/93x0:2384x1527/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73206486/Screenshot_2024_03_14_132749.0.jpg" />
<figcaption><em>The third Starship test flight has fared far better than SpaceX’s previous two attempts.</em> | Image: SpaceX</figcaption>
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<p id="5MveEN">SpaceX’s massive Starship took off from the company’s Starbase launch facility in Boca Chica, Texas, at 9:25AM ET on Thursday morning. </p>
<p id="wnW4YJ">This test flight was far more successful than its two predecessors, as the vehicle <a href="https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-3">became</a> “the first Starship to complete its full-duration ascent burn” after the six Raptor engines powered it to its expected orbit. It completed the hot-staging separation from its Super Heavy booster and opened a payload door to demonstrate how it could be used for missions like delivering Starlink satellites into orbit. </p>
<p id="zFVH8e">The vehicle remained in one piece until contact with the Starship spacecraft was lost shortly before its anticipated splashdown in the Indian Ocean. According to SpaceX, “The flight test’s conclusion...</p>
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https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/14/24100501/spacex-starship-launch-third-flight-test-successJess WeatherbedRichard Lawler2024-03-14T16:59:33-04:002024-03-14T16:59:33-04:00Max annual plans are up to $60 off ahead of March Madness
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<img alt="Vector illustration of the Max logo." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nIhT008fRnnm_CL_TM6prj6eEZw=/0x0:2040x1360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73207822/STK055_HBOMAX__C.0.jpg" />
<figcaption><em>With Max, you can stream sports as well as shows and movies like </em>Wonka<em> and </em>The Last of Us<em>.</em> | Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge</figcaption>
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<p id="AiyXgM">Whether you’re looking for cheap cable-free ways to watch the NCAA championship games or are simply worried about Max’s <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/5/24091397/max-password-sharing-crackdown-netflix">forthcoming password-sharing crackdown</a>, today’s Max deal arrives at the perfect time. Right now, Max is taking an additional 30 percent off of its annual subscription for one year, for a total 40 percent discount compared to the cost of a monthly subscription. The annual plans start at <a href="https://max.prf.hn/click/camref:1101lqHRA/pubref:Verge/ar:MM031524/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fauth.max.com%2Fproduct">$69.99 ($30)</a>, which is like paying $5.83 per month, but you can go ad-free for <a href="https://max.prf.hn/click/camref:1101lqHRA/pubref:Verge/ar:MM031524/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fauth.max.com%2Fproduct">$104.99 ($50 off</a>) while the Max Ultimate Ad-Free tier is down to <a href="https://max.prf.hn/click/camref:1101lqHRA/pubref:Verge/ar:MM031524/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fauth.max.com%2Fproduct">$139.99 ($60 off)</a>. Even better, new, returning, and existing subscribers are eligible for this deal, so everybody can save.</p>
<div class="c-float-left c-float-hang"><aside id="1l5OEK"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Sonos soundbars and speakers are on sale just in time for March Madness","url":"https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/14/24100247/sonos-ray-beam-sub-mini-move-2-march-madness-deal-sale"},{"title":"Release dates and trailers for the biggest streaming movies and TV shows in 2024","url":"https://www.theverge.com/24065499/netflix-disney-plus-max-release-date-trailer-streaming-calendar"}]}'></div></aside></div>
<p id="3ez4vP">The main difference between the plans is that the ad-free tiers let you...</p>
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<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/14/24100899/max-march-madness-the-boy-and-the-heron-deal-sale">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/14/24100899/max-march-madness-the-boy-and-the-heron-deal-saleSheena Vasani2024-03-14T16:48:43-04:002024-03-14T16:48:43-04:00Google I/O 2024 is happening on May 14th
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<img alt="Google’s I/O logo on wireframes" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AacppwfyjfNZ4GaN4ZvU5RWN-W4=/148x0:1702x1036/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73207794/Screenshot_2024_03_14_at_4.16.44_PM.0.png" />
<figcaption><em>Google I/O 2024 will be on May 14th. </em></figcaption>
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<p id="ACSNzL">Google’s next I/O developer conference will kick off exactly two months from now on May 14th. Just like last year, the I/O 2024 keynote will be “broadcast in front of a limited live audience” and available for anyone to watch virtually. </p>
<p id="s8Ygnu">This year’s I/O will likely focus on AI, especially now that Google released its new <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/6/23990466/google-gemini-llm-ai-model">flagship AI model, Gemini</a>, and its smaller <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/21/24078610/google-gemma-gemini-small-ai-model-open-source">version, Gemma</a>. </p>
<p id="GDr46j">The Gemini bot’s image generator caused a controversy that Google CEO <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/28/24085445/google-ceo-gemini-ai-diversity-scandal-employee-memo">Sundar Pichai called “completely unacceptable”</a> after its attempt at creating pictures showing diversity had some unintended consequences. Throw in the flubbed facts from Google’s <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/8/23590864/google-ai-chatbot-bard-mistake-error-exoplanet-demo">Bard launch last year</a>, and while the company has a lot of AI advances to celebrate, it will also have to explain...</p>
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<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/14/24101171/google-io-2024-announced-may-14-android-ai-gemini">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/14/24101171/google-io-2024-announced-may-14-android-ai-geminiEmilia David2024-03-14T16:41:30-04:002024-03-14T16:41:30-04:00The FTC and DOJ think McDonald’s ice cream machines should be legal to fix
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<img alt="An image showing McDonald’s ice cream machine" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qlscuD0iKERzgvXg9dW-SeYIRDM=/232x0:2506x1516/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73207778/ifixit_mcdonalds_ice_cream_machine.0.png" />
<figcaption>Image: iFixit <a class="ql-link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uCpY3tFTIA" target="_blank">via YouTube</a></figcaption>
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<p id="IhAPE3">The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice’s antitrust division filed a comment with the US Copyright Office asking for an expanded exemption to copyright law for the right to repair certain devices. The <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/ATR-FTC-JointComment.pdf">comment</a> was submitted on Thursday, amid the Copyright Office’s deliberations over whether to issue new exemptions to Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), a law that prohibits breaking software copy protection. Under Section 1201, repairing your own devices can often become a copyright violation.</p>
<p id="jwTTdG">Exemptions to DMCA Section 1201 are issued every three years, as per the Register of Copyrights’ recommendation. Prior <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/27/22747310/us-copyright-office-dmca-section-1201-exemption-rulemaking-report">exemptions</a> have been issued for jailbreaking cellphones and repairing certain parts of...</p>
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<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/14/24101023/ftc-doj-comment-dmca-ifixit-ice-cream-machines">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/14/24101023/ftc-doj-comment-dmca-ifixit-ice-cream-machinesGaby Del Valle2024-03-14T16:00:00-04:002024-03-14T16:00:00-04:00Spotify says its iPhone app updates in the EU are getting held up by Apple
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<img alt="An illustration of Spotify’s logo." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7kLZIck-Zl86M-MPHm-Pkhb8JxU=/0x0:2040x1360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73207641/STK088_VRG_Illo_N_Barclay_5_spotify.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Image: Nick Barclay / The Verge</figcaption>
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<p id="an6zpV">Even after Apple was <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/4/24005938/european-commission-antitrust-apple-investigation-anti-steering-rules-app-developers">hit with a $2 billion fine</a> in the European Union over years-old complaints from Spotify about its App Store rules, Spotify says Apple is stonewalling updates issued in compliance with that very ruling. In an email to the European Commission obtained by <em>The Verge</em>, Spotify writes that Apple has “neither acknowledged nor responded to Spotify’s submission” to bring subscription pricing information into the app, preventing it from updating the app at all for its users, even to put out fixes for bugs or add other features.</p>
<p id="nnqpm9">On March 5th, <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/5/24091430/spotify-links-pricing-information-iphone-eu-app">Spotify submitted an update</a> to Apple that puts links to Spotify’s website, along with pricing information for different subscription options, directly in the EU version of its app, without...</p>
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<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/14/24100944/spotify-ios-app-update-eu-apple-dma">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/14/24100944/spotify-ios-app-update-eu-apple-dmaEmma Roth2024-03-14T14:40:52-04:002024-03-14T14:40:52-04:00Netflix is bringing back Black Mirror in 2025
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<img alt="Annie Murphy in Black Mirror" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xipD6xdQwNz8P99sJpSWES4JNGo=/149x0:1274x750/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73207440/black_mirror_s6.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Image: Netflix</figcaption>
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<p id="NYk6Ic">A seventh season of <em>Black Mirror</em> is on the way. Netflix has confirmed that Charlie Brooker’s sci-fi anthology will return in 2025 and that the new season will be six episodes long.</p>
<p id="NzxdmR">There aren’t many details yet, of course. But the company does say that, while it’ll otherwise consist of new stories, one of the episodes will be a sequel to “<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Callister">USS Callister</a>” from season 4, which starred Jesse Plemons. “Robert Daly is dead, but for the crew of the USS Callister, their problems are just beginning,” the description reads.</p>
<div class="c-float-left c-float-hang"><aside id="Hr7CP7"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Black Mirror season 6: exploring Netflix’s sci-fi anthology, one episode at a time","url":"https://www.theverge.com/23760609/black-mirror-season-6-episode-reviews"}]}'></div></aside></div>
<p id="fVFXPr">The show’s return will mark a relatively brief hiatus, at least by <em>Black Mirror</em> standards. <a href="https://www.theverge.com/23760609/black-mirror-season-6-episode-reviews">Season 6 premiered last year</a> and included some strong episodes, covering everything from <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/15/23761949/black-mirror-season-six-beyond-the-sea-aaron-paul-josh-hartnett-review">space-themed horror</a> to <a href="https://www.theverge.com/23763326/black-mirror-mazey-day-review-season-6-netflix">a paparazzi thriller</a> to...</p>
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<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/14/24101013/black-mirror-season-7-netflix-date-trailer">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/14/24101013/black-mirror-season-7-netflix-date-trailerAndrew Webster