There’s a new MacBook in town. Following months of rumors, Apple has announced a new pair of entry-level laptops, both equipped with Apple’s latest M3 chip. The 13- and 15-inch MacBook Air will start shipping on Friday, March 8th, but you can preorder them from Apple beginning today from $1,099 and $1,299, respectively.
According to Apple, the M3-powered MacBook Airs are “up to 60 percent faster” than the now-discontinued M1 MacBook Air, which is a claim we’ve yet to test. Thanks to the new chip, the laptops also feature an improved 16-core Neural Engine that can “run optimized AI models,” along with hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading. They both include a Liquid Retina display and up to 500 nits of brightness, as well as MagSafe charging and two Thunderbolt ports.
Along with the GPU upgrades, both laptops support up to two external displays when closed. They’re also more futureproof and support faster download speeds thanks to Wi-Fi 6E and a 6GHz band, and they come in four colors: starlight, space gray, silver, and midnight. The latter shade is built with an anodization seal that should reduce fingerprints — something that plagued the previous midnight models.
Where to preorder the 13-inch MacBook Air
$1099
Equipped with the new M3 chip, Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Air is both faster and more powerful than its predecessor. It can also connect with two external displays and includes Wi-Fi 6E support.
You can currently preorder the 13-inch MacBook Air directly from Apple starting at $1,099 with 8GB RAM and 256GB of storage. You can get it with an upgraded 512GB of storage for $1,299, 1TB of storage for $1,499, or with 2TB of storage for $1,899. Alternatively, you can buy it with 16GB RAM and 256GB of storage for $1,299, or you can combine the extra RAM with 512GB of storage for $1,499, 1TB of storage for $1,699, or 2TB of storage for $2,099.
You can also choose to configure the 13-inch laptop with 24GB of RAM. That starts at $1,499 for 256GB of storage, or you can buy it with 512GB of storage for $1,699. The 24GB laptops are also available with 1TB of storage for $1,899 or 2TB of storage for $2,299.
One thing to note is that the laptops come with different power adapters. Most upgraded versions come with the option of a 70W adapter included in the price. The base model, however, currently only ships with a 30W USB-C power adapter, though you can upgrade to a 35W dual-port adapter or a 70W adapter for $20 more.
Where to preorder the 15-inch MacBook Air
$1299
Apple’s latest 15-inch MacBook Air sports a faster M3 processor and is otherwise extremely similar to the 13-inch model. That said, it does sport a six-speaker sound system and a larger, sharper display.
The 15-inch MacBook Air is almost identical to the 13-inch model but is outfitted with a larger, sharper display. It also sports a six-speaker sound system, as opposed to four-speaker array, and is slightly heavier than the 13-inch model.
Like the 13-inch Air, the base 15-inch Air is available for preorder from Apple starting at $1,299 with 8GB RAM and 256GB of storage; it comes with your choice of a 35W dual-port adapter or 70W adapter. You can also buy the 8GB RAM base model with an upgraded 512GB of storage for $1,499, 1TB of storage for $1,699, or 2TB of storage for $2,099.
If you want 16GB of RAM, you can buy the 15-inch Air starting with 512GB of storage for $1,699, 1TB of storage for $1,899, and 2TB of storage for $2,299. The 15-inch model is also available with 24GB of RAM and 512GB of storage for $1,899, with 1TB of storage for $2,099, or with 2TB of storage for $2,499.
Soon, Google Pixel devices will be able to upload and view Ultra HDR pictures on Instagram. It’s part of Google’s March feature drop that rolls out to supported Pixel 7, Pixel 8, and Pixel Fold phones starting today, while a post in Google’s support forum for Pixels says the update will roll out for US carriers starting next week.
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 was the first to support Ultra HDR photos on Instagram, allowing you to show off photos taken with the device’s upgraded camera in full color and contrast. But now, Pixel owners will soon be able to do the same as well as capture and share 10-bit HDR videos to Instagram Reels.
Here’s how the new call screening prompt might look on the Pixel.Image: Google
Google is expanding its existing call-screening features as well. It’s adding a tool you can use when a caller is silent — but only in English for users in the US. Tapping the new “hello” chip will prompt Google Assistant to ask the caller to start speaking to find out why they’re calling. Google Assistant can also let the caller know to wait if you can’t answer the screened call immediately. This tool is coming to Pixel 6 or newer devices as well as the Pixel Fold.
Update March 4th, 2:21PM ET: Added details on availability.
The individual’s unwinding has been transformed by gaming. With just a console, you can play enjoyable video games in a matter of seconds, regardless of your age or place of origin. While some are meant to be played alone, others are meant to be played in groups.
Additionally, some games can be played online with anybody, anywhere in the globe, depending on the gaming system. We’ve selected fantastic options to suit all types of gamers, from novices to casual players to more dedicated players, as each system has distinct features that cater to different types of players. Now let’s have a look at the Best Gaming Console for Casual Gamers available these days.
The newest Nintendo system, the Nintendo Switch OLED, boasts an improved OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screen that produces images that are sharper and brighter than those on previous models.
The Joy-Con controller is positioned on either side of the screen, and you may swipe to browse menus using the touchscreen. The console may be used in handheld mode for play while moving around, or it can be connected to a TV for multiplayer gaming or a more immersive experience.
To play games, you have the option of buying physical cartridges or downloading games from the Nintendo Online E-Shop. The cartridges are tiny and fit in a slot at the top of the Switch OLED.
Specifications
CPUNVIDIA: Custom Tegra processor
GPU NVIDIA: Custom Tegra processor
Built Sensors: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Brightness sensor
Resolution: Up to 1080p via TV, up to 720p via built-in screen
Disc Drive: Cartridge Slot
Battery Life: 4-9 hours unplugged, depending on usage
The Xbox Series S is a $200 cheaper system that can nevertheless perform as well as the Xbox Series X in terms of game content and overall functioning for gamers who don’t want an all-powerful setup. Overall, it’s a modest technological downgrade from the Series X. The Series X is covered in more detail below. Given that the Series S is significantly smaller, it’s simple to take your console to your friends’ homes.
Xbox controllers connect wirelessly to the system and run on batteries. You can usually connect up to four controllers to one Xbox at once, depending on the game. Even better, you can use the controller to record and distribute your favorite gameplay moments.
Individual accounts are also an option to allow each family member to participate according to their preferences. To prevent someone from tampering with another player’s stored game, you can set up passwords using the controller, where each button corresponds to a specific number.
Specifications
CPU: 8X Cores @ 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz w/SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU
With an 825 GB SSD (Solid-State Drive), the PlayStation 5 is the most powerful Sony console released to date. This indicates that it can store 825 gigabytes of data and that it can load games and start up quicker than any previous PlayStation system because of its solid-state drive.
The PS5 comes in two versions, One is entirely digital, and the other contains a disc drive. Choose the version with the disc drive if you still want physical copies of your games, even though it costs more than the console that only works with digital content.
The PlayStation 5 has both online and offline capabilities. To play online, there are varied subscription tiers you can purchase. The first and cheapest tier is $60 a year and allows access to multiple free games a month, the ability to play online multiplayer, cloud storage, exclusive PS5 games, and hardware discounts.
The Xbox Series X is the most sophisticated Xbox console to date, including the highest video resolution and a sleeker design. Even though it includes a disc drive, you may still download games on its 1 TB Solid State Drive (SSD).
The SSD increases the console’s overall power, speed, and quietness compared to its predecessors. Approximately one foot in height when upright, this large console also has a horizontal orientation option.
Xbox game pass makes this console very user-friendly for new gamers.” While this console is built to play games, it also has TV streaming functionality. No need to purchase a smart TV when you can just get a console with the ability to both game and stream your favorite apps all in one.
Specifications
CPU: 8X Cores @ 3.8 GHz (3.66 GHz w/SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU
Anything up to the GameCube and PlayStation 2 can be played on the Retroid Pocket 3, an easily navigable and simplified emulation device that supports titles from the sixth generation. It seems like it can even run some PSP games, but at this point, you’re just being conceited.
Classics like Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy IX, Super Mario RPG, and many more are brought to modern audiences via the Retroid Pocket 3, and they all look better than ever. Moreover, the Retroid Pocket 3 is a handheld Android console that can also be used as a central location for cloud streaming via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and other services.
This tiny device is smaller than a Switch Lite and features a 4.7-inch LCD touchscreen, which is, for the record, larger than the screen of a vintage Game Boy but smaller than Nintendo’s most recent portable. The Retroid Pocket 3 is an incredible device.
Specifications
Platform: Android
Brand: Retroid Pocket
Model Name: RP3
Reasons To Buy
+ TV, tabletop, and handheld modes
+ Expansive exclusive game library featuring iconic characters
+ Ideal for all gamers ages 5 and up
Reasons To Avoid
– All online multiplayer games require Nintendo Switch Online
The Valve Steam Deck is reasonably priced when compared to other PC portables. The Steam Deck is ideal for cuddling on the living room couch with a supportive pillow and power outlet close by. Steam Deck is a little too large to be a must-have carry-on when traveling, and its battery life isn’t ideal for on-the-go use either.
The Valve Steam Deck contributed to the realization that while it may seem strange, many people like to play video games on portable consoles that are mainly used at home. When the Steam Deck was released in February 2022, it became an instant hit as a portable PC for those looking to get away from their offices but not their Steam libraries.
With two analog sticks and trackpads, Steam Deck standard face buttons, bumpers, and triggers, four rear clickers, and a 7-inch LCD touchscreen, it’s a bulky but powerful console. It’s large, oddly gorgeous, and works perfectly with the majority of PC games.
When the Microsoft Xbox 360 second generation was released in 2005, it allowed users to play online versus players who were in other rooms or even different countries. It lets players play disc games, view TV shows, and download content.
It can be used with or without a membership service. PCs can stream multimedia as well, and players can add more capacity if needed thanks to the extended hard drive. The next generation of game consoles has been released, but there is still support for the one that will never be produced again.
The Microsoft Xbox 360, released in 2005, was a groundbreaking gaming console that played a pivotal role in shaping the gaming industry. Boasting powerful hardware and a robust online gaming platform, Xbox Live, the Xbox 360 provided gamers with a compelling and immersive experience.
Specifications
Box includes: Kinect sensor, Dance Central 3, Kinect Adventures
With the Nvidia Shield TV, you can enjoy a wide range of entertainment options, including playing media from your PC or the cloud, watching videos, and more. It may even be operated with your voice, and it is three times faster than its rival. The Nvidia Shield TV is a versatile and powerful streaming media player and Android TV box that stands out for its robust features.
Equipped with a Tegra X1+ processor, it delivers smooth and lag-free performance, making it ideal for streaming high-quality content, playing games, and running applications. With support for 4K resolution and HDR, the Shield TV provides a visually stunning experience for compatible content.
While its higher price point may be a consideration for some, the Nvidia Shield TV remains a top choice for users seeking a comprehensive entertainment hub that combines advanced streaming capabilities with gaming features.
Specifications
Brand: NVIDIA
Connectivity Technology: Wi-Fi, Ethernet
Connector Type HDMI
Supported Internet Services Netflix, Prime Video, Google Play Movies, ABC, Plex, Spotify, ESPN, YouTube, NBC, Hulu, HBO, Sling TV, CBS, Vudu, Facebook, YouTube TVNetflix, Prime Video, Google Play Movies, ABC, Plex, Spotify, ESPN, YouTube, NBC, Hulu, HBO, Sling TV, CBS, Vudu, Facebook, YouTube TV
If you like playing with the 3DS game console but thought the screen was too small, the New Nintendo 3DS XL offers you an improved experience with a larger screen, quicker processing, and new controllers.
Improved processing and amiibo compatibility with faster processing let you make use of 3D technology and improved gaming control with the additional C stick. With large dual screens and a touch screen for intuitive controls, the New Nintendo 3DS XL maintains compatibility with a vast library of Nintendo DS and 3DS games.
A better version of the original Nintendo 3DS XL is the portable gaming device known as the New Nintendo 3DS XL. It has better hardware and a more potent CPU for better performance and quicker loading times.
Specifications
C Stick for enhanced controls: Built-in amino compatibility and NFC support
Faster processing: power than Nintendo 3DS and Face tracking 3D
Plays all Nintendo: 3DS games
AC adapter: not included
Use Parental Controls: to restrict 3D mode for children 6 and under
Reasons To Buy
+ Backward Compatibility
+ Expanded Control Options
+ Autostereoscopic 3D Display
+ Extensive Game Library
Reasons To Avoid
– Limited First-Party Support
What to look for when buying a console
Several important considerations should influence your choice while looking for the finest gaming console for your needs. The performance and graphical capabilities of the console are the most important factors. High-resolution support, computing power, and sophisticated graphical elements all have a big impact on how much fun you have when gaming.
The selection of games is just as important. You will have a large number of gaming alternatives thanks to a varied and comprehensive assortment of titles, some of which are exclusive. Think about the franchises and genres that you enjoy playing, and see if the console’s extensive library of games suits your tastes.
Examine the community and ecosystem that surround the console as well. A lively and engaged gaming community adds to the multiplayer fun and fosters a sense of community spirit. Take into account the manufacturer’s history of providing continued support, which includes firmware and software upgrades.
Performance and Graphics
Assess the console’s processing power and graphics capabilities. Consider if it supports features like 4K resolution, high dynamic range (HDR), and ray tracing for an enhanced gaming experience.
Performance and graphics are integral aspects of the gaming experience, shaping how players interact with and perceive the virtual worlds within games. A high-performance gaming console ensures smooth gameplay, quick load times, and seamless transitions between in-game environments.
The marriage of high-performance hardware with advanced graphics extends beyond consoles to the individual games themselves. Game developers harness the power of modern technology to deliver visually stunning and intricate worlds. Graphics-intensive games showcase intricate details, realistic lighting effects, and lifelike character animations, enhancing the overall gaming immersion.
Game Library
Check the available game library to ensure that the console has a diverse range of titles, including exclusive games that you are interested in. The quality and variety of games can significantly impact your overall gaming enjoyment.
The game library of a gaming console is a key determinant of its overall appeal and value. A robust and diverse game library ensures that players have a wide array of options catering to different tastes and preferences.
Exclusive titles play a pivotal role in shaping a console’s identity and are often a significant factor in a gamer’s decision-making process. These titles, developed specifically for a particular platform, showcase the console’s capabilities and offer experiences unavailable elsewhere.
Backward Compatibility
Consider if the console offers backward compatibility, allowing you to play games from previous generations. This feature can expand your gaming options and make your investment more future-proof.
Backward compatibility is a valuable feature in gaming consoles, allowing players to revisit and enjoy games from previous generations on the latest hardware. A console that supports backward compatibility ensures that existing game libraries remain relevant, offering a seamless transition for players who may have accumulated a collection of titles over time.
The convenience of backward compatibility extends beyond mere game preservation. It serves as a bridge between generations, enabling players to experience the evolution of gaming without the need for multiple consoles.
Online Services
Evaluate the online services provided by the console, such as online multiplayer capabilities, digital storefronts, and subscription services. Check if the online infrastructure is robust and if there are additional perks like free monthly games or exclusive discounts.
Online services in gaming consoles play a pivotal role in connecting players, providing multiplayer experiences, and facilitating digital content access. Leading gaming consoles offer robust online services, allowing players to engage in competitive or cooperative gameplay with friends and a global gaming community.
The multiplayer aspect of online services has become a central component of modern gaming. Whether engaging in team-based battles, cooperative missions, or massive online worlds, the connectivity facilitated by online services enhances the social aspect of gaming.
Controller Design and Comfort
Pay attention to the controller design and comfort, as it directly affects your gaming experience. Consider the layout, button responsiveness, and any additional features like haptic feedback or adaptive triggers.
The design and comfort of a gaming console’s controller are crucial factors that directly impact the player’s experience. A well-designed controller not only feels comfortable in the hands but also enhances gameplay by providing responsive and intuitive controls.
The comfort of a controller becomes particularly important during extended gaming sessions. Controllers with comfortable grips and well-spaced buttons reduce hand fatigue, allowing players to enjoy gaming for more extended periods without discomfort. Customization options, such as the ability to remap buttons or adjust sensitivity settings, further enhance the comfort by catering to individual preferences.
Storage Capacity
Check the console’s storage capacity and whether it allows for easy storage expansion. Large game file sizes and digital downloads may require ample storage space, so having the option to upgrade is essential.
The storage capacity of a gaming console is a critical consideration, given the increasing size of modern game installations and downloadable content. A console with ample storage space allows gamers to store a larger number of digital games, updates, and additional content without constantly managing limited storage.
Insufficient storage capacity can lead to a cumbersome gaming experience, requiring users to uninstall games to make room for new ones or to manage storage more frequently. Gamers who prefer the convenience of having a diverse library of games readily accessible without constant storage
Multimedia Features
Evaluate multimedia features such as the ability to stream content, access apps like Netflix or Hulu, and integrate with other entertainment devices. Some consoles double as multimedia hubs for various forms of entertainment.
Multimedia features in gaming consoles have evolved beyond gaming, transforming them into comprehensive entertainment hubs. Consoles that offer multimedia features, such as streaming apps, integrated media players, and compatibility with various content services, provide users with a versatile entertainment experience.
The convenience of having multimedia features directly on a gaming console simplifies the entertainment experience by reducing the need for additional devices. With the ability to play music, stream movies, and access a variety of digital content, these consoles become multifunctional devices that cater to diverse entertainment preferences.
Manufacturer Support and Updates
Check the manufacturer’s track record for providing software updates, firmware upgrades, and ongoing support. Regular updates can improve performance, introduce new features, and address security issues.
Manufacturer support and regular updates are crucial aspects when considering a gaming console, impacting the device’s longevity and overall user experience. A console that receives consistent support from its manufacturer, including firmware updates, bug fixes, and security patches, ensures that the system remains optimized and secure over time.
The frequency and quality of updates from the manufacturer also influence the console’s adaptability to evolving gaming trends and technological advancements. A console with a track record of prompt and meaningful updates provides users with a sense of confidence that their device will remain relevant and capable of handling new gaming experiences.
Community and Ecosystem
Consider the size and vibrancy of the gaming community associated with the console. A robust community can enhance your gaming experience through online multiplayer, forums, and social interactions.
The community and ecosystem surrounding a gaming console contribute significantly to the overall gaming experience. A vibrant and engaged gaming community enhances multiplayer interactions, fostering a sense of camaraderie among players.
The broader ecosystem of a gaming console includes not only its community but also its integration with other devices and services. Compatibility with gaming accessories, cross-platform play, and seamless connectivity with streaming services contribute to a holistic gaming experience.
Innovation and Future-Proofing
Assess any innovative features or technologies that set the console apart. Consider how well the console is positioned for future advancements in gaming technology.
Innovation and future-proofing are key considerations when selecting a gaming console, ensuring that the chosen device remains relevant and cutting-edge in the rapidly evolving gaming landscape. Consoles that embrace innovation often introduce new features, technologies, or gaming experiences that set them apart.
Future-proofing extends beyond hardware capabilities and encompasses support for emerging gaming trends, backward compatibility, and the ability to seamlessly integrate with evolving technologies.
Q: Is a console better for playing games for fun?
Consoles are popular with casual gamers because they are reliable, cheap, and have all the popular games that everyone knows.
Q: Could consoles be easier than PCs?
A game console is much, much easier to use than a gaming PC. That’s the first thing that stands out. These days’ game consoles are a bit more complicated than the ones that came before them. To get the most out of them, users need to know a bit about HDR, resolution, and refresh rate.
Q: The graphics on which console are better?
The graphics on the PS5 and Xbox are pretty much the same, so the differences in how well they run games are usually pretty small and hard to notice. Also, both of the next-gen consoles have better graphics when shown on a 4K TV.
Q. Which gaming console offers the best value?
For a lot less money, the Xbox Series S can play all the same games as the Xbox Series X. It’s also a good choice for people who don’t have a lot of room because it’s thin. You will have to give up some quality in the graphics, though.
Q. Is PC gaming better than console gaming?
This comes down to personal preference. PC gaming can offer better graphics and higher resolution than console gaming if you have a high-end gaming computer, especially if you’re using one of the best 4K gaming monitors. However, many people prefer consoles, which are more straightforward than gaming PCs. They’re also considerably less expensive.
Q. What key features differentiate gaming consoles, and how can they enhance my gaming experience?
Processors, internal memory, internal storage space, and design are some of the key things that set gaming consoles apart. For example, the Nintendo Switch offers three game modes; it can be connected to a TV or monitor, propped up on a flat surface and played while looking at the built-in display, or played in handheld mode.
Q. How important are exclusive games and how should they influence my decision when selecting a gaming console?
The collection of exclusive games available for a specific console is only important if you plan to play those games. Otherwise, focus on the overall game library and what games can be played online. It all comes down to what games you’re looking for.
Conclusion
The Xbox Series S is the clear choice for casual gamers who want a top-notch experience at a price they can afford. Not only does it have great features from other consoles, but it also has a good price. But the Xbox Series X is the best choice if you want the best graphics, the most storage space, and the fastest performance.
If you like to play games while you’re on the go, the Nintendo Switch OLED is perfect for you. You can easily carry it in your backpack and play games whenever and wherever you want with its handheld mode. On the other hand, the Xbox One S is the best console for you if you’re new to gaming and value practice over advanced features.
AMC’s Dune: Part Twopopcorn bucket is now infamous for its subjectively lewd design, and it was only a matter of time before a rival theater chain struck back in the kernel war.
Mexican movie theater chain Cinépolis’ offering to the horny Dune popcorn cannon has reached X / Twitter — and it’s causing quite a scene. In the ad, a fan is transported to Arrakis and then crouches down in the lobby of a movie theater with a bucket of popcorn. Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya appear in coordinated Dune garb. Chalamet bends down. He seductively reaches into a fan’s popcorn and eats a kernel while sustaining eye contact. He then passes the popcorn bucket up to Zendaya and helps the fan to her feet. Zendaya eats some popcorn, too, and then the pair walk the fan into the theater. They hold the door open for her with inviting eye contact.
In the full version of the ad, the fan sits between Florence Pugh and Austin Butler in the theater, sharing popcorn of course. But the second half of the ad with the additional stars has yet to reach the timeline.
The unsettling ad obviously garnered lots of reactions online. One X user wrote, “They look like they just saw her across the theater concessions and loved her vibe,” in reference to the meme about a couple inviting someone to a threesome. Another said, “i’m crying why is this ad so horny.”
Some attempted to explain its existence. One user wrote, “[Saudi guy who funded $150m of Dune 2] also? I want a weird video to these exact specifications:”
The Verge’s editor-in-chief Nilay Patel announced several changes to the industry-leading tech publication’s masthead today, starting with the promotion of Jake Kastrenakes to executive editor.
Kastrenakes first joined The Verge as an intern in 2014 and has spent 10 years as a reporter and editor at the site, overseeing the news team, creators coverage, and the Hot Pod and Command Line newsletters. As executive editor Kastrenakes will be responsible for making sure The Verge’s newsroom meets the highest standards of rigor and quality every single day.
“The Verge audience has incredibly high expectations of us and our work, and Jake has spent his career overdelivering on those expectations,” says Patel. “Jake has already been instrumental in using new tools like our redesigned homepage, live StoryStream news feeds, and our growing collection of paid newsletters to innovate our coverage and build a deeper connection to our audience, and I’m excited to see him push even farther in his new role.”
Alex Cranz, currently managing editor, will move into the newly-expanded role of Deputy Editor, Tech, where she will oversee all aspects of consumer tech coverage, including The Verge’s exacting reviews program. “The heart of The Verge is a deep love for technology and culture coupled with a deep skepticism of power, and Alex is exactly the right person to lead our tech coverage into its next era,” says Patel. “She understands that caring deeply about how products work is instrumental in understanding what they might mean, and I’m excited for her to help us reinvent tech coverage for our next era.”
Kara Verlaney, currently editorial operations manager, will become the new Managing Editor and join The Verge’s leadership team to oversee newsroom operations and people management. “Kara is a capable leader, beloved manager, and the most terrifyingly organized person on the entire Verge team,” says publisher Helen Havlak. “She has managed some of The Verge’s most complex and ambitious projects of all time, including the recent ASME-nominated multimedia series The Year Twitter Died. She will be a key partner to Nilay and Jake in running a high-performing newsroom, and in pursuing our ambitious growth goals across a diversified set of business lines that includes editorial sponsorships, affiliate commerce, subscriptions, and licensing.”
This new leadership team will be tasked with continuing to grow The Verge’s direct loyal audience, a project Patel and Havlak believe to be critical to the future of The Verge’s journalism and business. The Verge has already made considerable progress against this goal in 2023 after an ambitious site redesign in late 2022. Loyal users grew a dramatic 47% from Q1 to Q4 of 2023, recently hitting a 13-month high in October 2023. Average time spent on The Verge homepage, which now features short-form “quickposts” from Verge reporters, increased from 6:39 in Q1 to an impressive 8:10 in Q4 2023. Other engagement metrics such as podcast downloads, site comments, and social video views all grew significantly year over year. According to Havlak, “At a time of major disruption to the way news is consumed and funded, The Verge’s direct loyal audience is our most valuable currency. We are in a very strong position going into 2024, and this new leadership team will support Nilay in delivering a consistently great product to our audience every single day.”
The internet is in an uproar after a question and answer session featuring Google co-founder Sergey Brin over the weekend, where an attendee in a mostly male audience wore a shirt depicting a naked woman’s body.
No Google AI Search, I Don’t Need to Learn About the “Benefits of Slavery”
Brin has been an elusive figure since his retirement in 2019, but the tech pioneer is on the job at Google to aid in the company’s AI projects. Over the weekend, Brin made a rare appearance at an AI hackathon in San Francisco, where he spoke and took questions from the audience.
During a Q&A session, one attendee spoke up to ask Brin about the recent controversy surrounding Google’s Gemini image generator. Last week, there was widespread outrage from conservatives including Elon Musk after users realized the AI was hesitant to produce images of white men, even in situations where that would be the most traditionally accurate response, such as prompts for images of America’s “founding fathers.”
“Fire away, any questions?” Brin asked. He scanned the crowd as one of the event organizers encouraged the audience. “The man with the naked shirt,” Brin said, calling on one user and sparking nervous laughter from the crowd.
In a video posted on X/Twitter, the camera pans to a thin blond man wearing a shirt depicting a life-sized, photo-realistic image of a woman’s naked chest. “What are your reflections on the Gemini art, uh, happening?” the man asked, smirking.
Brin responded apparently unflustered. “I wasn’t really expecting to talk about that, but we definitely messed up on the image generation. I think it was mostly due to just not thorough testing, and it definitely, for good reasons, upset a lot of people,” Brin said.
“Quite honestly if you deeply tested any text model out there, whether it’s ours, ChatGPT, Grok, what have you, it’ll say some pretty weird things that are out there and that definitely feel far left, for example,” Brin said. “But also just to be fair, there’s definitely work in that model, so we haven’t fully understood what it leans left in many cases.” Brin went on to say that the problem should be “at least 80% better” as of this weekend after the model’s latest update.
The former Google CEO was apparently a last-minute addition to the event, and some prominent users on X speculated the man was intentionally provoking Brin. Still, some said the bizarre situation is representative of larger problems, and videos and images of the exchange launched vitriolic debate on social media.
One tech worker, Kerri Linsenbigler, a Senior Editor at The RevOps Team, reached out to Gizmodo directly to say that Brin’s failure to criticize the “deeply offensive” shirt “shows that perhaps we haven’t come as far as we’d thought.”
“These hackathons are meant to be spaces where professionals at the top of their game exchange ideas, collaborate, and discuss advancement in AI regardless of their gender or background,” Linsenbigler said. “It is hard to imagine that many women would feel comfortable sharing this space with a colleague who felt it appropriate to dress that way, and knew he could get away with it without being called out by his peers.”
Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Even before the controversy surrounding Gemini’s image generator, the last 18 months of AI fever have left Google on unusually shaky ground. The rise of OpenAI and recent developments in the world of augmented and virtual reality are unprecedented challenges to Google’s position as the dominant power on the internet. Google was reportedly caught off guard by the launch and spectacular rise of ChatGPT, and it’s likely that the company was forced to release its AI models long before it wanted to. Brin’s return to Google in itself is seen by many as a sign that the company is uncertain about the path forward.
At several points, audience members asked Brin which applications of AI he was most excited about. The billionaire was unable to articulate anything specific.
“I think that it’s just, like, very hard to predict,” Brin said. “I mean, there’s sort of the obvious industries that people think of, sort of customer service or, I kind of just think, you know, analyzing different lengthy documents, and kind of workflow automation. I guess those are obvious, but I think there are going to be non-obvious ones.”
Some audience members also took Brin’s appearance as a rare opportunity to ask for the tech leader to look back on his history at the company. One attendee asked about Google Glass, the company’s controversial early experiment with AR glasses — and an enormous flop — a product that’s earning renewed attention given interest in the metaverse and Apple’s recent Vision Pro headset.
“I messed up Google Glass. I feel like I made some bad decisions. It was for sure early,” Brin said. Not just “in the overall evolution of technology, but also I think I, in hindsight, tried to push it as a product in itself, when it was sort of more of a prototype. And I should have set those expectations around it.” He went on to suggest he’s still interested in the product’s lightweight minimal design, an alternative both to the Apple Vision Pro and Meta’s less powerful but still resource-heavy Quest 3.
Brin went on to pontificate about several issues surrounding the future of artificial intelligence. Overall, his vague answers painted a picture of a man who is no more certain about the technology than Google’s billions of users.
“We don’t know where the future of AI is going, broadly. It seems to help across a range of many careers, whether it’s graphic artists or customer support or executives, you know, whatever you want,” Brin said. “If you’re talking about, you know, decades in the future, what should you be kind of preparing for, and so forth? I mean, it’s hard to say.”
Hello yuz-ers and Citra fans: We write today to inform you that yuzu and yuzu’s support of Citra are being discontinued, effective immediately.
yuzu and its team have always been against piracy. We started the projects in good faith, out of passion for Nintendo and its consoles and games, and were not intending to cause harm. But we see now that because our projects can circumvent Nintendo’s technological protection measures and allow users to play games outside of authorized hardware, they have led to extensive piracy. In particular, we have been deeply disappointed when users have used our software to leak game content prior to its release and ruin the experience for legitimate purchasers and fans.
We have come to the decision that we cannot continue to allow this to occur. Piracy was never our intention, and we believe that piracy of video games and on video game consoles should end. Effective today, we will be pulling our code repositories offline, discontinuing our Patreon accounts and Discord servers, and, soon, shutting down our websites. We hope our actions will be a small step toward ending piracy of all creators’ works.
Thank you for your years of support and for understanding our decision.
To be clear, this isn’t the lowest price we’ve ever seen on this laptop. That honor would go to the $300 off deal Best Buy was running on it a few weeks back. However, this is one of the most expansive deals we’ve seen, as multiple configurations are on sale with different memory and built-in storage sizes available.
Mashable Deals
We love the MacBook Air for its expansive and sharp display, which is especially useful for anyone who does any sort of multimedia editing or frequently works with a dual-screen view. Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon was also a fan of the laptop’s “massive touchpad,” impressive battery life, and six speaker sound system that she describes in her review as, “crisp, clear and warm – even at max volume (and it gets pretty loud).”
The best 15-inch M2 MacBook Air deal
Why we like it
The MacBook Air model with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage space has rarely gone on sale since it was released last summer, despite the fact that it’s the configuration of this laptop that makes sense for most people. If you’re opting for a 15-inch Air, you already might be looking for something a bit more hefty than an entry-level laptop, so you won’t want to be held back by limited memory and storage space. For people who will take advantage of the larger display for audio or video editing, these specs are more in line with your needs, yet still more reasonably priced than say, a $1,500 MacBook Pro with a smaller display and less memory.
After a decade of dominance climaxed in Avengers: Endgame shattering records along its way to cultural and box office royalty, it isn’t entirely unfair to say that Marvel has had a bit of a rollercoaster time setting the stage for its next era. But even as critical and financial consensus wanes on the studios’ output, the former ass of America thinks we should still be thanking them.
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“Comic book movies in general, for whatever reason, don’t always get the credit I think they deserve,” Evans recently told fans at a panel during Emerald City Comic Con (via Total Film). “They are these big, giant movies. There’s a lot of cooks in the kitchen. But the empirical evidence is in: They are not easy to make. If it was easier, there would be a lot more good ones. I’m not throwing shade! I’ve been a part of a few that missed. It happens.”
Marvel has had a few more of those misses than hits recently, not just at the movie theater but in its rapid expansion into streaming TV, to meet the demands of its parent company Disney in the wake of it launching its own streaming platform in 2019. But as glib as you can be about not crediting Marvel enough in spite of its many, many years of massive successes, Evans at least understands something the studio itself has come to learn as it realigns its theatrical and televisual aims: the executive control Marvel exuded over its stratospheric rise doesn’t always work for making good movies.
“Making a movie is tough. More cooks in the kitchen doesn’t make it easier. I don’t want to highlight specific films in the Marvel catalogue but some of them are phenomenal,” the actor concluded. “Like independently, objectively great movies, and I think they deserve a little more credit.”
Evans wouldn’t let slip the movies he thought missed in his own superheroic back catalogue, but he picked an easy favorite: his work on Captain America: The Winter Soldier. “The first film, I was so nervous. You know what you’re stepping into and as a result you’re playing defense and you’re playing not to lose. When Winter Soldier came around, we were playing to win. And it’s the first movie with the Russo Brothers. We were taking more risks, and the character felt more fleshed out. It was one of the more satisfying experiences I’ve had in my Marvel run.”
Anthropic, a startup born out of OpenAI defectors, claims its new chatbot, Claude 3, has broken new ground for the AI world. The updated AI chatbot, released on Monday, outperforms ChatGPT and Google Gemini’s most advanced models, potentially crowning a new king in the AI world. Anthropic released three tiers – Opus, Sonnet, and Haiku – which range from most to least capable.
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“Opus shows us the outer limits of what’s possible with generative AI,” said Anthropic in a blog post Monday. “Claude 3 Opus is our most intelligent model, with best-in-market performance on highly complex tasks. It can navigate open-ended prompts and sight-unseen scenarios with remarkable fluency and human-like understanding.”
Anthropic’s release of Claude 3 reasserts the startup, led by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, as a world leader in the AI space. The new models are equipped with Anthropic’s “Constitutional AI,” which aims to make chatbots less harmful. Claude 3, however, has lower refusal rates to controversial questions than previous models and now comes at a competitively low price point.
Claude 3 most notably outperforms ChatGPT and Gemini in coding, one of AI’s most popular early use cases. Claude Opus scores an 85% success rate in zero-shot coding, compared to GPT-4’s 67% and Gemini’s 74%. Claude also outperforms the competition when it comes to reasoning, math problem-solving, and basic knowledge (MMLU). However, Sonnet and Haiku, which are cheaper and faster, are competitive with OpenAI and Google’s most advanced models as well.
Features such as Anthropic’s Constitutional AI are becoming increasingly important in the space. Last month, Google CEO Sundar Pichai paused Gemini for its controversial responses around race which he called “completely unacceptable.”
In Gizmodo’s first trials with Claude Opus (priced at $20 a month), the AI chatbot feels comparable to an industry leader. The chatbot is capable of high-level reasoning and problem-solving. Claude 3 also navigates controversial questions with more grace than Gemini and ChatGPT.
Anthropic, however, has some limitations that other companies don’t. The company doesn’t offer image generation like some of its competitors, which is becoming a standard for AI chatbots. Claude also does not have live knowledge or the ability to surf the web. Its knowledge cutoff is August 2023.
Claude 3’s low refusal rate is noticeable when using the chatbot. Unlike Gemini, Anthropic’s chatbot can answer tough questions about race, affirmative action, and hot political topics with ease. While the chatbot won’t produce an opinion, it does a better job than others at coming up with a balanced answer. These safeguards were a central focus for the founders of Anthropic and the main reason they left OpenAI.
The world of AI startups is becoming more and more competitive. Anthropic partnered with Amazon, and it offers its AI chatbot services through Amazon Bedrock, the retail giant’s AI platform for its Amazon Web Services. Just last week, Microsoft announced a new partnership with French AI startup Mistral, while continuing its much larger partnership with OpenAI.
Anthropic sent a message to the competition with the release of Claude, dethroning OpenAI as the longtime leader in the AI world. It’s been roughly a year since OpenAI released ChatGPT-4, so it may not be long until we get an answer to Claude 3 with the long-awaited GPT-5.
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