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Netflix Q1 Earnings: Price Hikes Pay Off, Advertising Revenue to Double

2025-04-18

Netflix Q1 Earnings: Price Hikes Pay Off, Advertising Revenue to Double

Netflix's Q1 earnings report revealed $10.5 billion in revenue, a 13% year-over-year increase, and a net income of $2.9 billion. This success is attributed to January's price increases, coupled with continued membership and advertising revenue growth. While Netflix no longer discloses precise subscriber numbers, it projects a doubling of advertising revenue by 2025. The company also plans a TV app homepage redesign, an interactive search feature using generative AI, and further expansion into live content, including talk shows and boxing matches, solidifying its position as a streaming giant.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech Earnings Report

Meta's Antitrust Trial: Redacted Slides Spark Fury From Competitors

2025-04-17

Meta's Antitrust Trial: Redacted Slides Spark Fury From Competitors

Meta's antitrust trial took a turn today as Apple, Google, and Snap expressed outrage over easily removed redactions in slides presented by Meta. The tech giants accused Meta of negligence, jeopardizing confidential information and raising concerns about Meta's commitment to data security. While the revealed information itself wasn't particularly sensitive—internal assessments of user preferences and competitor success—the competitors focused on Meta's apparent carelessness and potential strategic implications. Snap's attorney even hinted at the possibility of Meta using the trial to gain intelligence on its rivals.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech

OpenAI's Secret Social Network Project: A Play for X and Meta?

2025-04-15

OpenAI's Secret Social Network Project: A Play for X and Meta?

OpenAI is reportedly developing a social network similar to X, according to multiple sources. The project, still in its early stages, features a prototype incorporating ChatGPT's image generation capabilities and a social feed. CEO Sam Altman has been privately seeking external feedback. It remains unclear whether the network will be a standalone app or integrated into ChatGPT. This move intensifies Altman's rivalry with Elon Musk and positions OpenAI in direct competition with Meta's AI social plans. A key advantage could be access to unique real-time data for AI model training.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech Social Network

Samsung Halts One UI 7 Rollout Due to Unlocking Bug

2025-04-15

Samsung Halts One UI 7 Rollout Due to Unlocking Bug

Samsung has abruptly halted the rollout of its One UI 7 update after a serious bug was discovered preventing some Galaxy S24 users from unlocking their phones. Initially reported in South Korea, the issue prompted a global pause. The update, featuring Android 15 and numerous AI enhancements, began rolling out on April 7th but has since been removed from Samsung's servers. The company hasn't commented on the pause or plans to address the issue for users who already downloaded the update.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech

Nuclear Power Plant Turned Acoustic Testing Lab: A Unique Facility

2025-04-11

Nuclear Power Plant Turned Acoustic Testing Lab: A Unique Facility

At Satsop Business Park, outside Seattle, the abandoned cooling towers of Washington Nuclear Projects 3 and 5 (WNP-3 and WNP-5) have found a new purpose: a state-of-the-art acoustics testing facility. Ron Sauro, owner of NWAA Labs, leverages the massive concrete structure's unique properties for testing everything from sound-dampening materials to airplane cabins and even noisy washing machines. The thick concrete walls and stable temperature and humidity of the repurposed reactor building provide ideal conditions for precise acoustic testing, showcasing innovative resource reuse and human adaptability.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech acoustic testing nuclear plant repurposing resource reuse

Meta Whistleblower Accuses Zuckerberg of Prioritizing Power Over US National Security

2025-04-10

Meta Whistleblower Accuses Zuckerberg of Prioritizing Power Over US National Security

Former Meta employee Sarah Wynn-Williams testified before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee, accusing Mark Zuckerberg of prioritizing power over US national security. She alleges that Zuckerberg, in an effort to curry favor with the Chinese government, compromised American interests by assisting in censorship and providing user data to the CCP. Wynn-Williams' testimony also details Meta's attempts to silence her and suppress her book, "Careless People," which details alleged dealings with the Chinese government and accusations of sexual harassment. Meta denies the accusations, calling them "divorced from reality and riddled with false claims." Lawmakers are demanding Zuckerberg testify before the committee.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech

WordPress.com's AI Website Builder: Minutes to a Site, But with Quirks

2025-04-09

WordPress.com's AI Website Builder: Minutes to a Site, But with Quirks

WordPress.com launched an AI-powered website builder in early access. Users provide prompts to generate websites with text, layouts, and images in minutes. While impressive for its speed, it currently can't handle e-commerce or complex integrations. A WordPress.com account and paid hosting ($18+/month) are required. Testing revealed a somewhat quirky experience; for example, AI-generated images were sometimes oddly paired with unrelated content (Christmas cookies with a gaming event).

(www.theverge.com)

Development

Trump Admin Dismantles Crypto Fraud Unit, Embraces Deregulation

2025-04-09

Trump Admin Dismantles Crypto Fraud Unit, Embraces Deregulation

The Trump administration has disbanded a Department of Justice unit focused on cryptocurrency fraud, ending what it terms “regulation by prosecution.” A memo from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche instructs prosecutors to halt actions imposing regulatory frameworks on digital assets, ceasing investigations into exchanges, mixers, and wallets for user actions. This shift aligns with Trump's recent pro-crypto stance, fueled by donations from crypto billionaires and his own crypto initiatives. Instead, the DOJ will prioritize prosecuting individuals using crypto for criminal activities like terrorism and drug trafficking. This deregulation raises concerns about potential risks and regulatory gaps.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech deregulation

Google Opens Up Google Maps Platform Data to Cities and Developers

2025-04-09

Google Opens Up Google Maps Platform Data to Cities and Developers

Google announced Wednesday that it's opening up its Google Maps Platform data, making it easier for cities, developers, and business decision-makers to access information on infrastructure, traffic, and more. For the first time, Google is integrating new datasets from Google Maps Platform products—Imagery Insights, Roads Management Insights, and Places Insights—directly into BigQuery. This allows for easier access to data that can help solve various problems. For instance, telecom companies can use Imagery Insights to assess infrastructure like utility poles, road authorities can analyze traffic with Roads Management Insights, and Places Insights offers customized data on locations. Access to Earth Engine data via BigQuery also provides sustainability insights from satellite imagery, such as wildfire risk.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech

Razer Halts Blade 16 Preorders Amidst US Tariffs

2025-04-09

Razer Halts Blade 16 Preorders Amidst US Tariffs

Razer has pulled the Blade 16 and other laptops from its US website, halting preorders and purchases. This coincides with the recent announcement of US tariffs on countries including China and Taiwan, major sources of laptop components. While Razer hasn't publicly commented on the impact of tariffs, the Blade 16 configurator now returns a 404 error, and other products only offer a 'notify me' option. However, the Blade 16 remains available for preorder in other countries, suggesting US sales may have been paused due to the tariffs.

(www.theverge.com)

Hardware

Meta's Llama 4: Second Place Ranking and a Messy Launch

2025-04-08

Meta's Llama 4: Second Place Ranking and a Messy Launch

Meta released two new Llama 4 models: Scout and Maverick. Maverick secured the number two spot on LMArena, outperforming GPT-4o and Gemini 2.0 Flash. However, Meta admitted that LMArena tested a specially optimized "experimental chat version," not the publicly available one. This sparked controversy, leading LMArena to update its policies to prevent similar incidents. Meta explained that it was experimenting with different versions, but the move raised questions about its strategy in the AI race and the unusual timing of the Llama 4 release. Ultimately, the incident highlights the limitations of AI benchmarks and the complex strategies of large tech companies in the competition.

(www.theverge.com)

AI AI benchmark

India's Frankenstein Laptops: A Thriving Repair Ecosystem and its Challenges

2025-04-08

India's Frankenstein Laptops: A Thriving Repair Ecosystem and its Challenges

In Delhi's bustling Nehru Place, technicians are repurposing discarded laptop parts to create affordable "Frankenstein" laptops for students and small businesses. This vibrant repair culture clashes with planned obsolescence by tech giants, highlighting the complexities of India's e-waste recycling. While providing jobs and cheap tech, informal recycling poses safety risks. Government discussions on "right-to-repair" laws are underway, but progress is slow. These repaired laptops illuminate India's digital divide, challenging both tech companies and the government to address the issue.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech

UK Cracks Down on Fake Online Reviews and Hidden Fees

2025-04-07

UK Cracks Down on Fake Online Reviews and Hidden Fees

The UK has implemented new legislation to combat fake online reviews and the deceptive practice of 'drip pricing,' where additional fees are added during checkout. The Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumer Act 2024 mandates that all mandatory fees, such as booking or admin charges, be included in the advertised price. This applies to services like food delivery and ticket booking platforms. Businesses are also prohibited from using or commissioning fake reviews. Platforms are responsible for removing and preventing them, facing potential fines up to 10% of global annual turnover for non-compliance. The aim is to protect consumers and ensure fair competition.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech fake reviews drip pricing

Microsoft Employee Protests: AI Tech Used in Palestine Conflict

2025-04-04

Microsoft Employee Protests: AI Tech Used in Palestine Conflict

Ibtihal, a software engineer at Microsoft's AI Platform, disrupted a speech at Microsoft's 50th-anniversary celebration to protest the use of the company's AI technology in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She alleges Microsoft's AI is aiding the Israeli military in surveillance and attacks on civilians, and that internal dissent has been suppressed, with some employees fired for raising concerns. Ibtihal calls on Microsoft to cut ties with the Israeli military to avoid complicity in war crimes.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech tech responsibility Israeli-Palestinian conflict

The RAW Image Format Mess: Why Isn't DNG Universal?

2025-04-04

The RAW Image Format Mess: Why Isn't DNG Universal?

The world of camera RAW formats is a fragmented mess. Canon's CR3, Nikon's NEF, Sony's ARW, and others create compatibility headaches for software developers and users alike. Adobe's DNG (Digital Negative) attempted to solve this with an open standard, but major manufacturers cling to proprietary formats. This article explores the reasons behind this: tighter control over image processing pipelines and optimization for their own software. While DNG offers flexibility, ease of use, and future-proofing, larger companies prioritize performance and unique features. This creates friction for early adopters and software developers, but as long as manufacturers cooperate with Adobe, the status quo might persist.

(www.theverge.com)

Hardware RAW format

Windows 11 Gets Resizable Taskbar Icons!

2025-04-04

Windows 11 Gets Resizable Taskbar Icons!

Microsoft is testing resizable taskbar icons in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Beta. Users can now choose to always show smaller icons, never show smaller icons, or show smaller icons when the taskbar is full. When full, icons shrink to fit, preventing overflow into a secondary menu. This mimics macOS's dock behavior. The Start menu also received an update with a larger layout, offering the option to hide recently used app suggestions and display all apps on one page. Note: users might temporarily lose the new battery charge status icons introduced in January, but Microsoft plans to reinstate them soon.

(www.theverge.com)

Development Taskbar

Microsoft's Cloud PC, Windows 365 Link, Now Available for $350

2025-04-03

Microsoft's Cloud PC, Windows 365 Link, Now Available for $350

Microsoft has launched its business-oriented mini-desktop PC, Windows 365 Link, for $349.99. This device connects directly to Microsoft's Windows 365 cloud service, simplifying IT management and reducing support needs. Similar to a traditional thin client, it operates over the internet, enabling work from anywhere, and boasts a boot time of seconds. Microsoft states that over 100 organizations tested it, refining the software experience before release. Currently available in the US, Canada, Australia, UK, Germany, Japan, and New Zealand, it's exclusively for businesses and requires purchase through a Microsoft account team or authorized reseller.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech cloud PC thin client

AV1: The Video Codec That Could (But Didn't Quite) Conquer the World

2025-04-03

AV1: The Video Codec That Could (But Didn't Quite) Conquer the World

AV1, a video codec developed by tech giants like Netflix and Google, promised superior efficiency and royalty-free licensing compared to its predecessors. Despite its technical advantages and strong backing, AV1's adoption has been slower than expected. Hardware limitations and higher decoding complexity have hindered widespread implementation, with major streaming services like Max and Peacock yet to fully embrace it. Even the royalty-free claim is disputed, with patent pools emerging and asserting rights. While giants like YouTube and Netflix are heavily invested, the path to universal adoption remains challenging, though AOMedia, the organization behind AV1, continues to push forward, developing its successor.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech video codec

Watts Over mAh: Why the Most Important Gadget Spec Is Hiding in Plain Sight

2025-04-02

Watts Over mAh: Why the Most Important Gadget Spec Is Hiding in Plain Sight

This article criticizes the misleading use of milliampere-hours (mAh) and GHz to measure battery and processor performance in consumer electronics. The author argues that watts (W) are a far superior metric, directly reflecting a device's actual power and energy consumption. Using the Steam Deck as an example, the author demonstrates with simple math how watts allow for more accurate battery life predictions. The article also exposes manufacturers' deliberate obfuscation of wattage data and the historical origins of the 'horsepower' unit, highlighting its misleading marketing tactics. The author calls for greater transparency from manufacturers in using the accurate watt unit, empowering consumers to better understand device performance.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech

Substack Teams Up with FIRE to Shield Foreign Writers from Government Crackdowns

2025-04-02

Substack Teams Up with FIRE to Shield Foreign Writers from Government Crackdowns

Substack has announced a partnership with the nonprofit Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) to provide legal support to foreign writers residing lawfully in the US who may face government targeting for their writing. This follows recent attacks on free speech, such as the recent arrest of a Tufts University student potentially linked to an opinion piece criticizing the university. The initiative expands Substack's existing Defender program, which has supported dozens of writers in the US, Canada, and the UK since 2020, covering issues like defamation and trademark infringement. It remains unclear whether the program extends to videos posted on Substack.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech legal aid

Gmail's New Easy Encryption: Secure Emails with a Single Click

2025-04-01

Gmail's New Easy Encryption: Secure Emails with a Single Click

Google is updating Gmail to allow enterprise users to send encrypted emails to any inbox with just a few clicks. A new encryption model eliminates the need for custom software or certificate exchanges. Initially rolling out in beta for internal enterprise emails, the feature will expand to any Gmail inbox in the coming weeks and other providers later this year. Users simply toggle 'additional encryption' to send a secured message. Non-Gmail recipients receive a link to a guest Workspace account to view and reply securely. While offering stronger encryption than TLS, it's not true end-to-end encryption as Google retains control over encryption keys.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech Email Encryption

Windows 11's Blue Screen of Death Gets a Makeover

2025-03-31

Windows 11's Blue Screen of Death Gets a Makeover

Microsoft is revamping the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) in Windows 11. The new design ditches the classic blue screen, sad face, and QR code for a simpler, black screen reminiscent of Windows update screens. Currently appearing as green in test builds, the final color remains unclear. Microsoft aims for faster user recovery while retaining technical details. This is the first major redesign since the sad face addition in Windows 8. The new BSOD simply states, "Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart."

(www.theverge.com)

Development BSOD UI redesign

Banned from MSG for a T-Shirt He Designed Years Ago?

2025-03-29

Banned from MSG for a T-Shirt He Designed Years Ago?

Frank Miller, a graphic designer, was banned for life from Madison Square Garden (MSG) and its properties, including Radio City Music Hall, for an incident he claims he wasn't even involved in. The ban stems from a "Ban Dolan" T-shirt he designed in 2017, referencing a conflict between Knicks owner James Dolan and Charles Oakley. Although Miller wasn't wearing the shirt and hadn't attended an MSG event in almost two decades, he was identified, likely via facial recognition technology, and denied entry to a concert on his parents' anniversary. MSG claims his actions violated their code of conduct, but Miller argues this highlights the potential misuse of facial recognition and corporate power, raising concerns about privacy and surveillance.

(www.theverge.com)

Misc

Microsoft Kills Windows 11 Offline Installation Bypass

2025-03-29

Microsoft Kills Windows 11 Offline Installation Bypass

Microsoft is tightening its grip on Windows 11's internet-connected account requirement. The latest Insider Preview removes the bypassnro command, previously used to circumvent the need for internet connection and Microsoft account login during setup. Microsoft cites security improvements as the reason. While registry edits currently offer a workaround, this too may be patched soon. This move aligns with Microsoft's push to upgrade users to Windows 11 and phase out Windows 10, highlighting a focus on security and a specific vision for user experience.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech Microsoft Account System Security

FTC Staff Ordered to Stop Calling Agency 'Independent'

2025-03-28

FTC Staff Ordered to Stop Calling Agency 'Independent'

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has instructed its staff to stop referring to the agency as 'independent' in complaints, marking another move by the Trump administration to assert greater control over the historically independent body. This follows President Trump's executive order allowing the White House to review independent agencies and the firing of two Democratic commissioners, leading to a lawsuit. FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson publicly supports Trump's actions, claiming the President's authority will be upheld. This highlights the ongoing challenges to the independence of US government agencies and the influence of political interference.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech

Google Maps, Search, and Hotels Get AI-Powered Travel Planning Upgrades

2025-03-27

Google Maps, Search, and Hotels Get AI-Powered Travel Planning Upgrades

Google is enhancing Maps, Search, and Hotels with AI-powered features to improve travel planning. Maps gains the ability to identify locations in screenshots and save them to a list, simplifying trip preparation. This Gemini-powered feature, rolling out to US iOS users this week (Android coming soon), detects places in screenshot text, displays them on the map, and allows saving to a sharable list. AI Overviews in Search are updated with itinerary-building tools, letting users create trips for specific regions or countries. Google Lens's AI Overviews will soon support more languages, including Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish. Finally, price drop alerts, already in Google Flights, are going global for Google Hotels, available on mobile and desktop.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech AI travel planning Hotel booking

Microsoft's AI Gamble: DeepSeek Sets a New Bar

2025-03-27

Microsoft's AI Gamble: DeepSeek Sets a New Bar

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella rapidly deployed DeepSeek's R1 model onto Azure, marking a strategic shift in Microsoft's AI approach. DeepSeek's efficient AI models and lean team achieved App Store success, setting a new benchmark for Microsoft's own AI development. Microsoft is significantly investing in AI, including $80 billion in datacenters and research into its own Muse model for Copilot, aiming to boost its competitive edge. However, challenges remain, including potential datacenter overcapacity and achieving its 2030 carbon-neutral goal.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech

WhatsApp Now a Default Messaging and Calling App on iPhone

2025-03-27

WhatsApp Now a Default Messaging and Calling App on iPhone

Following a WhatsApp update (version 25.8.74), iPhone users can now set WhatsApp as their default app for calls and texts. Apple initially announced this feature for EU users, later extending it to all users with iOS 18.2. To change the default, go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps, then select Messaging and Calling. After making the change, tapping phone numbers on webpages or in contacts will automatically open WhatsApp.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech Default App

US Blacklists 80 Entities to Curb China's Access to Computing Tech

2025-03-26

US Blacklists 80 Entities to Curb China's Access to Computing Tech

The US added 80 organizations and companies to its export blacklist, aiming to prevent China from obtaining computing technology for military applications. The restrictions, imposed by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), target entities deemed to act against US national security interests. Notable additions include six Inspur Group subsidiaries and the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence, which have protested their inclusion. This move escalates US-China tech tensions, drawing strong condemnation from China.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech tech war US-China relations

Apple to Use Apple Maps Imagery for AI Model Training

2025-03-25

Apple to Use Apple Maps Imagery for AI Model Training

Apple recently updated its website, revealing that starting March 2025, it will use imagery and data collected for its Apple Maps Look Around feature to train AI models for image recognition, creation, and enhancement. This data, gathered by vehicles and backpacks equipped with cameras, sensors, and iPhones/iPads, has faces and license plates blurred. Apple states only blurred imagery will be used, and it accepts requests to blur houses. This will enhance AI capabilities in Apple products and services, such as the Photos app's cleanup tool and search functionality.

(www.theverge.com)

AI

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