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Apple, Google add support for Thread 1.4

Apple and Google are updating their smart home streaming devices to Thread 1.4. As first spotted by Matter Alpha and 9to5 Google, the latest spec has arrived on compatible Apple TVs in the tvOS 27 developer beta and the Google TV Streamer through a software update. This lays

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The 702 Ultimatum: Warrant Requirement or Bust

For months now, Congress has been kicking the ball down the road— temporarily postponing the expiration of the mass surveillance authority Section 702 of FISA in hopes that some consensus could be reached. Now, with the deadline looming, the stakes have never been higher.

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Enshittification Merch That Actually Fights Enshittification

Enshittification isn't just a sweary word to describe the accelerating decay of the online platforms, apps, and services that we rely on. It's a framework for understanding the structural incentives that make tech companies enemies of their own users over time—the

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🔊 Mass Surveillance for… Loud Music? | EFFector 38.11

Across the country, surveillance companies have spun a vast web of tens of thousands of license plate cameras. The people selling this tech want you to believe that it's for your safety, but how are authorities really using automated license plate readers (ALPR)? In this week's

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You can just tell the Instagram algorithm what you want now

Instagram is going to let you tweak what its algorithm shows you on your main feed. With the Your Algorithm feature, "you can now see the topics we think you're interested in, and change them, across all the major parts of Instagram," according to Instagram boss Adam Mosseri.

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The Apple Watch Series 11 is back to its best price

Apple’s upcoming watchOS 27 update will bring Siri AI and other exciting features to the Apple Watch Series 9 and newer Apple Watch models. If you’re contemplating an upgrade, all colorways of the GPS-enabled 42mm Apple Watch Series 11 — the latest model — are on sale for $299

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Boox’s quirky page-turning remote won me over

Following the launch of the surprisingly popular Kobo Remote, Boox has released its own device to ease the burden of reaching for an e-reader’s touchscreen that’s an arm’s length away. The Tappy isn’t Boox’s first page-turning remote, but its design takes a much different

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Valve is phasing out physical Steam gift cards due to scammers

After over a decade, Steam will no longer sell physical gift cards in stores. In a support page spotted earlier by Windows Central, Valve says it will no longer restock its gift cards once they run out, citing scammers who "continue to have an impact on Steam customers and

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AT&T is launching $3 ‘unlimited’ day passes for iPads

AT&T has introduced a new "Unlimited Day Pass" cellular data offer for iPad users who need brief connectivity instead of signing up for a long-term plan. The day pass is available for $3 in the US starting today, providing 24 hours of unlimited data, with no contracts,

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Microsoft is disabling Office 2019 for Mac next month

Microsoft's Office 2019 apps for Mac will stop working next month, because the company isn't renewing a certificate that validates Office licenses. Owners of Office 2019 for Mac are being warned they'll have to purchase Office 2024 or a Microsoft 365 subscription if they want

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WhatsApp ordered to host rival AI assistants for free

Meta has been ordered by the European Commission to restore free WhatsApp access for chatbots made by rival AI providers while the regulator finishes its antitrust investigation. The rare interim measure announced on Tuesday was deemed necessary "to prevent serious and

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I’m relieved Siri AI isn’t trying to be a health coach

This is Optimizer, a weekly newsletter sent from Verge senior reviewer Victoria Song that dissects and discusses the latest gizmos and potions that swear they're going to change your life. This week's issue is a special early edition tied to The Verge's WWDC coverage. You can

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I tried Siri AI, and so far it actually works

Parents want one thing, and one thing only, out of AI: to add a list of soccer games or "spirit week" theme days from an email or a poorly formatted flyer onto their calendar in one shot. And I have good news for parents with iPhones - the new Siri can finally do this. After […]

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The three sets of earbuds I reach for

I have been an audio reviewer for 20 years. My time as a freelance headphones panelist at Wirecutter, and the multitude of reviews I’ve written for sites like Reviewed, Digital Trends, IGN, and now The Verge, have given me the chance to listen to hundreds of earbuds. Some were

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The App Store is going to add subscription bundles soon

Later this year, you will be able to get bundled subscriptions for iPhone apps, as Apple announced it's expanding App Store bundles so they can include offers from different companies. It's similar to streaming video bundles that have combined offers for Apple TV and Peacock,

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