If you use Spotify, then chances are that you have opinions on its recommendation algorithm. I quite like it, but I've noticed a significant amount of repeated recommendations, particularly of music that I have listened to a lot of already. As it turns out, Spotify has actually outlined how its recommendation algorithm works, which could potentially help you to know, too.

Last week, we learned that video editing tool Vegas Pro is getting native support for Windows on Arm. That service joined the growing list of popular apps supporting the relatively nascent Windows architecture, including Arc browser, ExpressVPN, Vivaldi, DaVinci Resolve 19, and more. Now, yet another VPN software has joined the ranks of these apps, with Proton VPN being the latest high-profile service to natively support Windows on Arm.

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge The iPhone could finally show you how long it’ll take to finish charging. Code spotted in the second iOS 18.2 beta by 9to5Mac shows a new “BatteryIntelligence” feature that will let you receive a notification with the iPhone’s estimated charging time.Some Android phones already show how long it takes to charge — a feature that has become increasingly helpful considering the many different types of chargers, cables, and charging protocols that are available. The iPhone’s “BatteryIntelligence” feature still appears to be a work in progress, though, which means might have to wait a little longer until its official release, according to 9to5Mac.Newer iPhones already have some helpful battery health features. Last year, Apple added a new... Continue reading…

Illustration: The Verge There’s no evidence Google is hiding a map of polling places from Trump voters, despite the suggestions of a video reposted by Elon Musk.In the video, originally shared by X user DogeDesigner, a user searches Google for “where can I vote for Harris” and “where can I vote for Trump.” The Harris search shows Google’s 2024 US elections panel, which includes a map you can use to find where to vote. The Trump search does not. Screenshot by Jay Peters / The Verge A screenshot of Elon Musk’s post. But there’s a complicating factor here: Harris is also the name of a county in Texas. And the polling map pops up when people search terms like “where can I vote” and a location — try searches like “where can I vote for... Continue reading…

If you're looking for a laptop that's going to consistently "wow" you with its display, we recommend going with one that packs an OLED screen. The only problem here is that OLED laptops can sometimes be pretty expensive, especially if you're trying to cram everything in that you want. Luckily, the Asus Vivobook S 15 is an absolute gem, which makes it one to consider, especially if you're looking for something affordable.

I don't know about you, but I don't put much effort into costumes. If I can nail the basics without much effort, then in my eyes, it's good enough. So, imagine my surprise when I saw that someone built their child a fully-blown Fallout T-45 power helmet for their kid for Halloween, complete with sensors and speakers, and all powered by a Raspberry Pi Pico. Well, now I have to up my costume game, don't I?

Cath Virginia / The Verge | Photo by Stephen Morton, Getty Images The technology that powers Election Day has hit some expected hiccups, but as of early afternoon on Tuesday, nonpartisan groups say that the voting system is mostly holding up. Where it has faltered, they stress, there are robust backup plans that will ensure voters can still cast their ballots and that their votes will be counted.Members of the nonpartisan Election Protection coalition, which runs a hotline for voters seeking information or help at the polls, said they’re so far seeing reports of pretty standard tech issues. That includes spotty Wi-Fi connections impacting electronic poll books used to check voters in more efficiently, imprecise calibration on voting machine touchscreens, and ballot scanners that are down. These... Continue reading…

When it comes to digital writing, finding the right tool can make all the difference for power users. While there is no shortage of writing tools out there, two popular contenders often top the list: iA Writer and Obsidian. The former is known for its minimalist and distraction-free environment, and the latter is a powerful knowledge base that leverages flexibility, customization, and the concept of networked thought. But which one is better?

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge Black Friday officially kicks off on November 29th, but if you plan to make that the only day you buy gifts this holiday season, you’re missing out. Several prominent retailers, including Best Buy and Target, have already started rolling out their holiday discounts online and in-store. Both retailers are offering price protection through most of the holiday shopping season as well, so if you buy early and the same item drops to a lower price, you can retroactively get that better deal.Whether you take advantage of the slew of early holiday deals or hold off until the day after Thanksgiving, it’s important to know how every major retailer is handling the shopping event this year. If you plan to spend some cash, here are the schedules... Continue reading…

Although its possible to use Windows and Linux interchangeably for multiple tasks, the two operating systems vary on multiple levels, including the kernel, drivers, file formats, and security provisions. The differences extend all the way to how permissions are managed and assigned in both operating systems. In this article, well discuss four crucial ways Windows and Linux handle user permissions.

Sony will stop selling its Airpeak S1 drone on March 31st, 2025. | Image: Sony Almost four years after teasing it at CES 2021, Sony is discontinuing the Airpeak S1 drone that was designed to work with Sony’s mirrorless cameras. According to a notice posted to Sony Japan’s website on November 1st, sales of the $9,000 drone will end on March 31st, 2025, while all support will end five years later, as reported previously by PetaPixel.Sony will also stop selling Airpeak S1 accessories like the drone’s gimbal, battery charger, and remote control next year. However, it will continue to sell replacement batteries and propellers until March 31st, 2026, and will offer inspections, repairs, and software maintenance until March 31st, 2030.The AirPeak S1 promised capabilities including a top speed of 55.9mph, flight times up... Continue reading…

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is one of the most powerful gaming processors. While it may not be an AMD Ryzen 9 CPU, this 8-core monstrous package includes a whopping 104MB of cache for storing as much game-related data as possible before touching system memory. This allows the CPU to keep up with the fastest graphics cards. Aiming for smooth gameplay at 4K and 8K resolutions isn't a pipe dream anymore. Depending on your budget for the GPU, you can match this powerful CPU and create a powerhouse gaming rig. Here are some of my recommendations to help you get started.