Technology News

Sebastiaan de With, co-founder of Lux and known for developing apps like Halide, Kino, and Orion, has announced he is joining Apple's design team. This move signifies a notable career transition for the prominent app developer, bringing his expertise in user interface and photography applications to Apple's internal product development efforts. He expressed excitement about working with the team.

Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system has officially surpassed 1 billion users globally. This significant milestone was reached during the recent holiday quarter, indicating a rapid adoption rate. Notably, Windows 11 achieved this user base faster than its predecessor, Windows 10, did nearly six years ago. This accelerated growth highlights a quicker transition for many users to the latest version of

Tesla will discontinue its Model S and Model X vehicles in the second quarter of 2026, as announced by Elon Musk during an investor earnings call. This decision aims to reallocate production space at Tesla's Fremont factory. The freed capacity will be utilized for manufacturing the company's Optimus humanoid robots, signaling a strategic shift from luxury electric vehicle production towards

The current market offers a wide array of high-quality, versatile, and customizable game controllers, marking a 'golden age' for gamers. Users of Xbox Series X/S consoles and Windows PCs now face the challenge of selecting from numerous advanced options. This development signifies a significant improvement in gaming peripheral technology compared to previous console generations, providing enhanced experiences for players seeking

Microsoft reported its Q2 2026 fiscal results, achieving $81.3 billion in revenue, a 17% increase, and $30.9 billion net income, up 23%. The company saw strong cloud earnings, while gaming declined. Unexpected growth in PC shipments also occurred during the holiday quarter. This financial update highlights shifts in key business segments for the software giant.

Meta reported record revenue and profits for Q4 2025, surpassing Wall Street expectations. The global social media giant plans substantial AI investments for 2026, aiming to drive future growth. This strategic financial commitment underscores a shift towards AI-driven expansion, leveraging continued digital ad revenue. The company's performance reflects strong market position and aggressive future technology bets.

Meta invested millions in US ads over two months, promoting data center benefits like jobs and tax revenue. This campaign responds to increasing political scrutiny of AI infrastructure, with senators and former President Trump questioning tech giants over rising electricity costs for consumers due to energy-hungry data centers.

Halide, a popular iPhone camera app, is launching Halide Mark III, a significant update years in development. This new version will be available as a "Public Preview," allowing users to access and test its new features while the design is still being finalized. This update aims to enhance the app's processing capabilities and user experience for advanced mobile photography enthusiasts.

The Verge discusses the conceptual appeal of a book-style folding phone, envisioning it as a portable computer always available. This device would enable tasks like writing a blog on a plane or working from a couch, addressing limitations of current large electronics. The article explores the potential utility and convenience of a yet-to-be-realized ideal foldable device, highlighting its transformative potential

A reporter at CES in Las Vegas extensively tested a fanny pack-style exoskeleton called the Wim S. This wearable robot powered their legs, enabling them to walk significant distances across the tech show's venues and city streets. The experience involved prolonged use, demonstrating the device's practical application for mobility assistance rather than a brief trial. This highlights a shift towards

Apple aims to keep iPhone 18 prices flat despite a global memory shortage, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The company reportedly plans to absorb the rising costs of RAM to avoid increasing the starting price for its next smartphone model. This strategy seeks to mitigate the impact of supply chain pressures on consumer pricing for a major tech

Snap is creating a new, separate company for its augmented reality glasses, Specs, aiming to attract new investors for the project. This move spins off the existing smart glasses team into an independent entity. A consumer version of Specs is still anticipated for a public launch later this year, despite this structural change. The goal is to secure dedicated funding

Microsoft is enhancing Windows 11's capability to resume Android apps directly on a PC. This update expands the existing cross-device resume feature, which previously supported OneDrive sessions, to now include Spotify playback and web browsing. The improvement aims to create a more seamless user experience between Android devices and Windows 11 PCs, allowing for greater continuity in digital tasks and

Billionaire Vinod Khosla accused Elon Musk of promoting racism, sparking a heated public exchange. Khosla urged Musk's employees to join his startups. Musk retaliated with personal insults, referencing Khosla's beach access dispute and defending his partner Shivon. This public clash between prominent tech figures highlights growing tensions within Silicon Valley's elite, reflecting broader disagreements on social issues and business ethics.

Meta invested $6.4 million in an ad campaign across various U.S. cities, including Sacramento and Washington, during late 2025. The initiative aimed to positively influence public perception regarding the construction of new data centers. This significant expenditure reflects Meta's strategic effort to gain community acceptance for its expanding infrastructure projects, addressing potential local concerns and fostering a favorable environment for

The winter storm tested power grids straining to accommodate AI data centers

Modern fitness trackers and smartwatches have significantly advanced beyond basic step counting. Devices now monitor comprehensive health metrics, including heart health and recovery from training, according to The Verge's testing. This evolution marks a shift from rudimentary bands to sophisticated personal health monitoring tools, integrating more complex physiological data for users. The market now offers more capable options for health-conscious

Razer has launched the beta of Synapse Web, a new browser-based customization tool for its keyboards. This online platform allows users to adjust settings for several Huntsman V3 Pro models directly through a web browser, offering an alternative to the traditional desktop Synapse software. The tool aims to simplify access to customization features for compatible Razer devices, marking a shift

Reincubate, developer of Camo and Camo Studio apps, is suing Apple, alleging anticompetitive conduct and patent infringement. The lawsuit claims Apple 'Sherlocked' Reincubate by launching its similar Continuity Camera feature in 2022, two years after Camo's 2020 debut. This legal action targets Apple's practices regarding third-party developers and intellectual property, potentially impacting app ecosystem dynamics and competition within the tech

TikTok's service in the US has largely stabilized after a multi-day disruption, allowing users to consistently publish and view videos. The app experienced problems starting early Sunday, impacting content creation and consumption. This restoration means the 'TikTokalypse' period, where functionality was severely limited, appears to be over for American users, returning the platform to normal operation.

Prominent venture capitalist Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures has publicly urged tech workers to resign from Elon Musk's companies, Tesla and SpaceX. This call encourages employees to seek opportunities elsewhere, potentially impacting the workforce stability of Musk's ventures. Khosla's statement represents a significant public challenge to the leadership and operational environment within these high-profile technology firms, signaling potential shifts in

Strava and Komoot, popular fitness apps for cyclists, hikers, and runners, have introduced offline map capabilities for the Apple Watch. This update addresses a significant user frustration, enabling navigation without cellular signal. Komoot also offers free turn-by-turn navigation. This enhancement improves reliability and convenience for outdoor activities, allowing users to access routes and location data directly from their smartwatch in

Meta platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, are set to trial premium subscription services. This initiative by the tech giant aims to introduce paid options for users across its popular social media and messaging applications. Crucially, the company states that access to the core functionalities and existing services of these platforms will continue to be available free of charge, maintaining

TikTok's US arm experienced a service breakdown starting Sunday morning, attributed to a data center power outage and subsequent cascading system failures. The issues began more than a day ago, shortly after the US operation came under new ownership involving Oracle & Co. Users faced prolonged access problems, highlighting infrastructure vulnerabilities for major social media platforms.

India is investing hundreds of millions of dollars to establish a domestic computer chip industry. This strategic move aims to position the nation as a significant participant in global semiconductor manufacturing. The initiative represents a substantial financial commitment towards developing critical technological infrastructure and reducing reliance on existing supply chains, potentially altering the industry landscape.

Tech giants Meta (Instagram, Facebook), ByteDance (TikTok), and Google (YouTube) are facing a landmark legal trial. The lawsuit alleges their social media platforms cause addiction, impacting users, particularly youth. This significant legal challenge could set precedents for platform accountability and design, potentially altering how major tech companies operate and develop their services globally, marking a critical moment for digital regulation

Google is settling a class-action lawsuit for $68 million concerning unauthorized recordings by its Assistant devices. The settlement addresses instances where devices activated without the "Ok Google" trigger word, capturing audio. This legal resolution means Google could owe compensation to affected users, stemming from a 2019 report by VRT NWS exposing the privacy issue. The agreement aims to resolve claims

Recently released documents from major trials brought by school districts reveal internal discussions among social media companies. These chats detail the significant business opportunity seen in recruiting teens to their platforms. They also show how companies discussed the potential risks that heavy digital engagement could pose to young users. This provides insight into their internal considerations regarding youth engagement and

TikTok reported ongoing service issues and outages across the US starting Sunday morning. The company, through its USDS spokesperson, attributed these disruptions to a power outage. A statement posted on its newly-created X account confirmed efforts to resolve the problem. This explanation comes amidst broader scrutiny of TikTok's operations in the US, focusing on technical reliability and user experience for

Social media executives, including Meta, TikTok, and YouTube, are preparing for legal challenges starting this month in California. They face an increasing number of claims alleging their platforms failed to adequately protect children. This marks the beginning of multiple anticipated trials, signaling a significant legal reckoning for major tech companies regarding their youth safety practices and accountability in the coming

Asus has updated its Zenbook Duo laptop for 2026, featuring twin 14-inch OLED displays. The key enhancement is a redesigned hinge mechanism that now positions the two screens closer together, improving the dual-screen productivity experience. This iteration aims to refine the practical application of a second integrated display for users seeking enhanced multitasking capabilities in a portable form factor. The

Intel is launching Panther Lake laptop CPUs, built on its new 18A manufacturing process, at CES 2026. This generation represents Intel's strategic move to enhance chip performance and attract external designers. The 18A process is critical for Intel's long-term competitiveness, aiming to improve chip quality and re-establish its position in the semiconductor industry, particularly for portable computing.

Microsoft's first Windows 11 update of 2026, released in January, caused significant issues for some users, including shutdown problems. The company issued an emergency patch last weekend to address these bugs. Now, a week later, Microsoft has been compelled to release further fixes, indicating persistent instability with the initial update. This ongoing situation highlights challenges in software deployment and user

TikTok experienced extensive technical problems during its first weekend under new US ownership. The issues, which reportedly spread globally, occurred after the completion of its US arm's sale. TikTok has not yet officially confirmed the extent or cause of these widespread service disruptions, leaving users and observers awaiting further details regarding the platform's stability post-acquisition.

Thousands of US TikTok users reported widespread app issues and outages on Sunday morning, with problems ranging from non-functional features to total disruption. This incident follows closely after TikTok's US operations finalized a deal to create a new American entity, effectively 'losing' its direct Chinese ownership in the US market. The timing raises questions about operational stability during a significant

The Verge reviewed Abxylute's M4 mobile controller, designed to transform smartphones into handheld gaming devices. The article suggests using the M4 could be risky, requiring a "leap of faith." The author, a retro gaming enthusiast, notes Apple's 2024 App Store emulator policy but still seeks an ideal controller for phone-based retro gaming, finding current options like Backbone Pro insufficient for

Sony’s first clip earbuds don’t quite hit the mark

A discussion is underway regarding smartphone restrictions at live events and in educational institutions. Some music artists are already banning phones at gigs to improve audience experience. Concurrently, certain headteachers advocate for locking devices away in schools, believing it aids student learning and reduces distractions. This trend highlights a growing debate on managing mobile technology's impact in specific public and

Some Gmail users are reporting that promotional and update emails are no longer being automatically sorted into their designated tabs. Instead, these messages are directly appearing in primary inboxes, bypassing established filters. This issue, reported on Google forums and Reddit, indicates a malfunction in Gmail's automatic sorting and spam filtering system, affecting user experience and email organization.

The Verge's newsletter, "Installer No. 113," welcomes readers to its latest edition, offering a guide to "Verge-iest stuff." The author notes reading about "private garba" this week. The snippet serves as an introduction to the newsletter, providing context for new subscribers and access to previous editions. It does not detail the method of "yelling at your phone" for productivity.

Internal Google documents, revealed in a child safety lawsuit, suggest a strategy to "onboard kids" into its ecosystem. A November 2020 presentation indicates Google's investment in schools aims to cultivate "brand trust and loyalty over their lifetime" by exposing students to Chromebooks and its services early on. This strategy highlights a long-term customer acquisition approach through educational institutions.

Nvidia is reportedly preparing to launch up to eight Arm-based laptops, directly challenging Intel and AMD's long-standing x86 dominance in the Windows laptop market. This move signals a significant expansion of Arm chip usage beyond Apple MacBooks and MediaTek Chromebooks, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape for personal computing hardware. The development suggests a new era of competition for processor architecture

TikTok finalized a deal to comply with a US law aimed at banning it a year ago. The company announced its US service is now part of the "TikTok USDS Joint Venture L". However, US lawmakers who enacted the original legislation reportedly remain uncertain if the new arrangement fully satisfies the legal requirements. This situation highlights ongoing regulatory scrutiny and

Video platform Vimeo is reportedly conducting significant global layoffs, marking its second round of job cuts this year. This move follows its acquisition by Bending Spoons. The workforce reduction impacts a large portion of staff, with former VP Dave Brown confirming his departure due to the sudden nature of the changes. The company, a YouTube rival, is restructuring post-deal.

On January 22nd, ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, and investors finalized a $14 billion deal. This transaction spins off TikTok's US operations into new ownership, introducing American investors. This change could significantly alter the video-sharing app's US feed and operations, separating it from its original parent company. The deal aims to address concerns regarding data security and foreign influence over

Casio showcased a prototype sampler, the SX-C1, at the NAMM music gear exhibition. The device features a retro gaming-inspired design, combining elements of a Game Boy and an SP-404. It includes a directional pad and four buttons, resembling a classic game controller. This new product marks Casio's entry or re-entry into the modern sampler market with a distinct aesthetic and

The Verge continues to inquire about the status of the "Trump Phone," a product previously announced. Developers have not responded to repeated requests for information regarding its whereabouts or release. Amid this silence, new information suggests there might be two versions, including a "Trump Phone Ultra," or that the original project may be defunct. The situation remains unclear.

Elon Musk, at his World Economic Forum debut, stated aging is a "very solvable problem," suggesting humanity is nearing biological clock reversal. He also reaffirmed Tesla's goal to sell humanoid robots by next year and predicted AI models will surpass human intelligence. Musk also noted societal 'benefits' of death, presenting a complex view on longevity and technological advancement at the

TikTok's Chinese owner has reportedly closed a deal to separate its US operations from the global business. This development follows a previous US government mandate that threatened a ban on the app a year ago if a sale wasn't completed. The agreement aims to address national security concerns regarding data privacy and foreign influence, allowing TikTok to continue operating in

ByteDance has finalized a deal establishing TikTok U.S., a joint venture now majority-owned by American investors. This move brings the popular video app into compliance with a U.S. law enacted last year. Former Warner Bros. executive Adam Presser has been appointed CEO of the new entity. Over 200 million individuals and 7.5 million businesses in the U.S. utilize the platform,