The Verge - All Postshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52801/VER_Logomark_32x32..png2024-03-18T20:00:00-04:00https://www.theverge.com/rss/full.xml2024-03-18T20:00:00-04:002024-03-18T20:00:00-04:00We’re one step closer to a global cybersecurity standard for smart home devices
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<figcaption><em>The Verified Product Security Mark is a new labeling program from the CSA designed to help users easily identify what cybersecurity protections an IoT device has in place. </em> | Image: CSA</figcaption>
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<p id="0aFgCd">As useful as connected devices like video doorbells and smart lights are, it’s wise to exercise <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/parks-associates-54-of-us-internet-households-report-experiencing-a-data-privacy-or-security-issue-in-the-past-12-months-an-increase-of-50-over-five-years-302017235.html">caution when using connected tech</a> in your home, especially after years of reading about <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2022/12/20/23517973/ring-doorbells-swatting-yahoo-email-arrest">security camera hacks</a>, <a href="https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/01/is-your-refrigerator-really-part-of-a-massive-spam-sending-botnet/">fridge botnet attacks</a>, and <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/14/20802774/june-smart-oven-remote-preheat-update-user-error">smart stoves turning themselves on</a>. But until now, there hasn’t been an easy way to assess a product’s security chops. A new program from the <a href="http://www.csa-iot.org">Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA)</a>, the group behind the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/22832127/matter-smart-home-products-thread-wifi-explainer">smart home standard Matter</a>, wants to fix that.</p>
<p id="YjZDHB">Announced this week, the <a href="https://csa-iot.org/newsroom/the-connectivity-standards-alliance-product-security-working-group-launches-the-iot-device-security-specification-1-0/">CSA’s IoT Device Security Specification</a> is a baseline cybersecurity standard and certification program that aims to provide a single, globally recognized security certification for consumer IoT devices. </p>
<p id="vmu2Fi">Device makers who adhere to the <a href="https://csa-iot.org/developer-resource/specifications-download-request/">s...</a></p>
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<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/18/24104906/csa-iot-device-security-specification-product-security-verification-mark">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/18/24104906/csa-iot-device-security-specification-product-security-verification-markJennifer Pattison Tuohy2024-03-18T18:39:34-04:002024-03-18T18:39:34-04:00Steam streamlines its family sharing features
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<figcaption>Image: The Verge</figcaption>
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<p id="ygJv0u">Today, Steam launched Steam Families, an <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/593110/view/4149575031735702628">overhaul of its family sharing system</a>. The new system gets rid of limits on how many people can play games from one library, makes buying games for your kids easier, and adds new parental controls and sharing options. </p>
<p id="jckn2X">Before, you needed to use two different systems — Family Sharing and Family View — if you wanted to share your library but limit which games your kids could play. Also under the old approach, only one person at a time could play a game from another’s library. Now — to use Steam’s example — if you’re playing your copy of <em>Portal 2</em> and someone else wants to play <em>Half-Life</em> from your library, that’s fine. They’ll only be booted if you start up <em>Portal 2</em> while they’re playing it from your...</p>
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<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/18/24105220/steam-families-shared-library-parental-controls">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/18/24105220/steam-families-shared-library-parental-controlsWes Davis2024-03-18T18:15:11-04:002024-03-18T18:15:11-04:00The best Android phones for everyone
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<figcaption>Image: The Verge</figcaption>
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<p>Whether you want everything but the kitchen sink or top-tier performance for a midrange price, you’ve got options.</p>
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<a href="https://www.theverge.com/23674658/best-android-phone">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.theverge.com/23674658/best-android-phoneAllison Johnson2024-03-18T17:53:01-04:002024-03-18T17:53:01-04:00Here are the best AirPods deals you can get right now
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<figcaption><em>The third-gen AirPods start at $139.99 ($40 off).</em> | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge</figcaption>
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<p id="NjCYhY">If you know where to look, you can often score discounts on Apple’s ever-popular AirPods. Since Apple launched the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/18/22671344/apple-new-airpods-3-spacial-audio-specs-price-release-date-features">third-gen AirPods</a> at the end of 2021, we’ve seen the starting price of the second-gen, entry-level model slowly dip to under $100. And now that the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/23878402/apple-airpods-pro-usb-c-adaptive-audio-conversation-awareness-test-review">latest AirPods Pro</a> has been on the market for over a year, we’re also seeing their price fall more often, too. We’re even seeing great deals land on the newer updated <a href="https://www.theverge.com/23878402/apple-airpods-pro-usb-c-adaptive-audio-conversation-awareness-test-review">AirPods Pro with USB-C</a>.</p>
<div class="c-float-left c-float-hang"><aside id="cAewsn"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Apple Vision Pro review: magic, until it’s not","url":"https://www.theverge.com/24054862/apple-vision-pro-review-vr-ar-headset-features-price"},{"title":"Apple’s wearable ideas include smart glasses and cameras in your ears","url":"https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/25/24082760/apple-smart-glasses-airpods-cameras-smart-ring"},{"title":"This DIY AirPods Max mod means you can stop waiting for a USB-C upgrade","url":"https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/28/24085141/apple-airpods-max-usb-c-ken-pillonel-mod"}]}'></div></aside></div>
<p id="E6INSh">Here, we’ve curated the best deals currently available on each model, including the entry-level AirPods, the AirPods Pro, the third-gen AirPods, and the AirPods Max.</p>
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<h2 id="ej2msf">The best AirPods (second-gen) deals</h2>
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<p id="eg29V6">In 2021, Apple lowered the list price of the second-gen AirPods — now the...</p>
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<a href="https://www.theverge.com/21302051/best-apple-airpods-deals">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.theverge.com/21302051/best-apple-airpods-dealsSheena Vasani2024-03-18T16:39:02-04:002024-03-18T16:39:02-04:00Nvidia reveals Blackwell B200 GPU, the ‘world’s most powerful chip’ for AI
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<figcaption><em>The Blackwell B200 GPU.</em> | Image: Nvidia</figcaption>
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<p id="IqCPyn">Nvidia’s must-have H100 AI chip made it <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/23/24080975/nvidia-ai-chips-h100-h200-market-capitalization">a multitrillion-dollar company</a>, one that may be worth <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/14/24073384/nvidia-market-cap-passes-amazon-alphabet">more than Alphabet and Amazon</a>, and competitors have been <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/1/24058186/ai-chips-meta-microsoft-google-nvidia">fighting to catch up</a>. But perhaps Nvidia is about to extend its lead — with the new Blackwell B200 GPU and GB200 “superchip.” </p>
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<cite>Image: Nvidia</cite>
<figcaption><em>Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang holds up his new GPU on the left, next to an H100 on the right, from the GTC livestream.</em></figcaption>
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<p id="uwE3yQ">Nvidia says the new B200 GPU offers up to 20 <em>petaflops </em>of FP4 horsepower from its 208 billion transistors. Also, it says, a GB200 that combines two of those GPUs with a single Grace CPU can offer 30 times the performance for LLM inference workloads while also potentially being substantially more efficient. It...</p>
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<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/18/24105157/nvidia-blackwell-gpu-b200-ai">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/18/24105157/nvidia-blackwell-gpu-b200-aiSean Hollister2024-03-18T15:56:54-04:002024-03-18T15:56:54-04:00Cyberpunk is out and solarpunk is in, according to Figma’s CEO
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<img alt="Dylan Field at Vox Media Podcast Stage Presented by Atlassian at SXSW on March 9, 2024 in Austin, Texas." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XalLpUOu4WP2lZQGeLiE0laVIJc=/0x0:3724x2483/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73216194/2071157324.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Rick Kern / Getty Images for Vox Media</figcaption>
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<p id="gEmGjS">Cyberpunk design has been all the rage for several years now — this very website was once <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2016/11/1/13484656/verge-5th-anniversary-relaunch-2016">awash in neon colors</a> and hard edges, you might recall — but Figma CEO Dylan Field says he sees glimmers of optimism taking over. </p>
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<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@decoderpod/video/7347783332186443054" data-video-id="7347783332186443054" data-embed-from="oembed" style="max-width:605px; min-width:325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@decoderpod" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@decoderpod?refer=embed">@decoderpod</a> <p>Figma CEO Dylan Field talks to Nilay live at SXSW about the rise of Solarpunk as a counter to cyberpunk aesthetics, using the example of the Tesla Cybertruck and the Rivian R3. <a title="sxsw" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/sxsw?refer=embed">#sxsw</a> <a title="cyberpunk" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cyberpunk?refer=embed">#cyberpunk</a> <a title="solarpunk" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/solarpunk?refer=embed">#solarpunk</a> <a title="design" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/design?refer=embed">#design</a> <a title="dystopia" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/dystopia?refer=embed">#dystopia</a> <a title="tesla" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tesla?refer=embed">#tesla</a> <a title="cybertruck" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cybertruck?refer=embed">#cybertruck</a> <a title="rivian" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/rivian?refer=embed">#rivian</a> <a title="cars" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cars?refer=embed">#cars</a> </p> <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - Decoder with Nilay Patel" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7347783441377299242?refer=embed">♬ original sound - Decoder with Nilay Patel</a> </section> </blockquote>
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<p id="CYMSdd">“I think that we were really futurist, really cyberpunk for a while,” the founder of the popular design tool company <a href="https://www.theverge.com/24102160/figma-ceo-adobe-deal-design-ai-web-future-regulation-sxsw-decoder-interview">told the crowd at a live taping of <em>Decoder</em> at SXSW</a> when asked to compare the Cybertruck...</p>
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<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/18/24104890/figma-ceo-dylan-field-cyberpunk-solarpunk-trends-sxsw-2024">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/18/24104890/figma-ceo-dylan-field-cyberpunk-solarpunk-trends-sxsw-2024Nilay Patel2024-03-18T15:52:02-04:002024-03-18T15:52:02-04:00The Supreme Court is skeptical of restricting the White House from talking to social media platforms
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<img alt="Photo illustration of the Supreme Court building with pixelated sky." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CRHpNjJ-QwG35MLNrXHos_3vRfU=/20x0:2021x1334/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73216184/STK463_SCOTUS_B.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Cath Virginia / The Verge | Photos via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="40DUx2">During oral arguments on Monday, both liberal and conservative justices on the Supreme Court appeared wary of imposing broad limits on how the government can communicate with social media companies about problematic content it thinks should be removed.</p>
<p id="1Lv969"><a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/15/24101298/supreme-court-murthy-missouri-speech-social-media">The case at issue is called <em>Murthy v. Missouri</em></a>, and it asks the court to determine whether the Biden administration’s communications with platforms coerced the companies to take down content, like misinformation about covid vaccines, thereby violating the First Amendment. It also asks the court to consider whether the government’s encouragement to take down such posts actually transformed the platforms themselves into state actors.</p>
<p id="gNGzPI">But several justices seemed skeptical of the arguments...</p>
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<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/18/24104892/justices-limiting-government-social-media-communication-murthy-v-missouri">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/18/24104892/justices-limiting-government-social-media-communication-murthy-v-missouriLauren Feiner2024-03-18T15:08:29-04:002024-03-18T15:08:29-04:00MrBeast’s $5 million game show for Prime Video could one-up Netflix’s Squid Game
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<figcaption>Photo by Chris Unger / Zuffa LLC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="oaezmW">YouTuber MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) has <a href="https://press.amazonstudios.com/us/en/press-release/prime-video-orders-ibeast-gamesi-from-mrbeast-and-">struck a deal with Prime Video</a> to host a new reality competition series called <em>Beast Games</em>. The show will have 1,000 contestants competing for a $5 million reward, which the press release claims is “the biggest single prize in the history of television and streaming.” There aren’t any details yet about what kinds of challenges <em>Beast Games</em> contestants will participate in.</p>
<p id="dml6Qd">It’s a remarkable turn of events, even for someone who’s hosted many similar competitions on his YouTube channel, like recent ones where <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_z-W4UVHkw">people from every country</a> competed for $250,000 or a group of people from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM7Z-Xq8Drc">ages 1 to 100</a> went head-to-head for $500,000. </p>
<p id="k9yt8J">In 2021, Donaldson made a <a href="https://youtu.be/0e3GPea1Tyg?si=rFwb-p2mj1c6feMC"><em>Squid Game </em>in real life</a> video for his YouTube...</p>
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<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/18/24104976/amazon-mrbeast-prime-video-beast-games">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/18/24104976/amazon-mrbeast-prime-video-beast-gamesEmma Roth2024-03-18T14:00:00-04:002024-03-18T14:00:00-04:00The return of Gamergate is smaller and sadder
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<img alt="Men playing video games with a red gradient obscuring their faces sitting in front of an image of a screaming mouth." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jhI8QJZxkL7N3t4tunk3xk0SaPo=/0x0:2040x1360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215743/247046_GamerGate2_AParkin_2.0.jpg" />
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<p>A group of gamers has mobilized a harassment campaign against a story consultant company, marginalized developers, and journalists in protest of what they see as ‘forced’ diversity in gaming.</p>
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<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/18/24104799/gamergate-2024-sweet-baby-inc-diversity">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/18/24104799/gamergate-2024-sweet-baby-inc-diversityAsh Parrish2024-03-18T13:48:12-04:002024-03-18T13:48:12-04:00Pixel 8 drops below $500 for the first time
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<img alt="Close-up of the Pixel 8’s rear camera bar." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1EM1iUikrS_3_UcctfwQ-d9P-c0=/0x0:2040x1360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215717/236823_Pixel_8_8Pro_Watch2_VPavic_0011.0.jpg" />
<figcaption><em>There aren’t many smartphones that can do what the Pixel 8 does at this price.</em> | Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge</figcaption>
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<p id="825yAC">If you’re in need of a solid smartphone upgrade without the bill creeping into mortgage territory, there aren’t many better options than the <strong>Google Pixel 8</strong>. When you can get one for under $500? Even better. The 128GB unlocked model is down to $499 ($200 off) at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Google-Pixel-Unlocked-Smartphone-Advanced/dp/B0CGTD5KVT?tag=theverge02-20" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://howl.me/clRi6yOdCnT">Best Buy</a>, and the <a href="https://store.google.com/us/product/pixel_8">Google Store</a>. That’s $50 cheaper than the price we saw during Black Friday last year. The 256GB model is also $200 off at those retailers, bringing it down to $559.99. Both are down to the lowest prices we’ve seen so far.</p>
<div class="c-float-left c-float-hang"><aside id="86dwit"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Google’s latest Pixel feature drop adds Circle to Search, Magic Compose, and more ","url":"https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/24/24049669/google-pixel-8-pro-feature-drop-circle-to-search-update"},{"title":"The Pixel 8 won’t get Gemini Nano because of “reasons.”","url":"https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/7/24093603/the-pixel-8-wont-get-gemini-nano-because-of-reasons"},{"title":"Google’s Pixel 8 phones now come in a new mint color ","url":"https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/24/24049317/google-pixel-8-pro-mint-color-announced-hands-on"}]}'></div></aside></div>
<p id="q4o4k9">The Pixel 8 is really solid, especially if you’re not interested in the gimmicky extras that can bloat the user experience on other devices. Google has optimized the software specifically for its custom Tensor G3 chipset, which offers...</p>
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<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/18/24104732/google-pixel-8-tp-link-kasa-smart-bulbs-apple-tv-4k-tcl-qm8-deal-sale">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/18/24104732/google-pixel-8-tp-link-kasa-smart-bulbs-apple-tv-4k-tcl-qm8-deal-saleQuentyn Kennemer