Today, Microsoft Word is one of the most essential tools in any workplace - you've most certainly heard of it. But 41 years ago, a program like Microsoft Word was unheard of until, on September 29, 1983, Microsoft released Word 1.0, which eventually took the world by storm and dominated every office space in the U.S. throughout the late 80s and early 90s. Of course, Microsoft didn't stop there, they've continually updated and optimized the software since then. It grew strides ahead of any competition, and after it was bundled with the first version of Windows OS, it became a staple in both the office and the home.

The Razer Freyja can turn most computer chairs into haptic gaming accessories. | Image: Razer Razer has released the Freyja gaming cushion, a haptic cushion that you can attach to your gaming chair, the company announced. The cushion is $299.99, and it’s available to buy now.The Freyja is an extension of the vibration you get from gaming controllers — except instead of just jolting your hands, it buzzes several panels positioned behind and beneath you in response to things happening in a game. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Verge (@verge)The company says the cushion’s feedback comes from “multi-directional haptics powered by six advanced haptic motor actuators.” It connects via Bluetooth or through Razer’s HyperSpeed Wireless connection.Most of the time, that vibration... Continue reading…

Acrobat is the default choice for reading and processing PDFs, whether you use a Windows PC or one of our favorite Macs. Its a handy software with an easy-to-use interface and tools that let you edit, share, and sign documents. Theres also a built-in AI assistant that can summarize large files and help you create presentations, blogs, and more. However, if youre looking for a change or simply dont want to pay Adobe anymore, there are other options to consider. Start by checking out the top 5 Acrobat alternatives for Windows weve listed here.

Thanks to a rich template library, themes, animations, and eye-catching layouts, we are long past the days of creating a PowerPoint presentation from scratch. As someone who frequently needs to create visually appealing pitches, Im always on the lookout for tools that can speed up the entire process and streamline my workflow. Here is where I came across Copilot and Designer Microsofts AI-powered tools integrated directly into PowerPoint.

Illustration by Cath Virginia / The Verge | Photos from Getty Images California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed the Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act (SB 1047) today. In his veto message, Governor Newsom cited multiple factors in his decision, including the burden the bill would have placed on AI companies, California’s lead in the space, and a critique that the bill may be too broad.“While well-intentioned, SB 1047 does not take into account whether an AI system is deployed in high-risk environments, involves critical decision-making or the use of sensitive data. Instead, the bill applies stringent standards to even the most basic functions — so long as a large system deploys it. I do not believe this is the best approach to protecting the public from real threats... Continue reading…

Photo: John Carl D’Annibale / Albany Times Union via Getty Images You know how Marvel and DC have held joint ownership over trademarks for “Super Hero” for decades? That time is apparently mostly over, as the US Patent and Trademark Office has canceled the companies’ claim to several of their trademarks, reports Reuters.The cancellation comes as the result of a challenge from Superbabies Limited, a small company that produces a series of Superbabies comics about, well, superhero babies. Superbabies creator S.J. Richold decided to challenge the two comic giants’ claim to the trademarks after DC “attempted to block Richold’s efforts to promote The Super Babies,” wrote the law firm that represented Richold in a release.Marvel and DC didn’t respond to the challenge by a July 24th, 2024 due date,... Continue reading…

It's easy to think that smartphone innovation is stalling, and every update is incremental at best. That's especially true when the best iPhones are concerned. However, when you look beyond the new iPhone 16's chassis, you'll find that it's closer to the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max than ever. It has an A18 system-on-a-chip that's not too far behind the flagship A18 Pro, the same Camera Control button as the Pro models, and picks up the Action button.

Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge Spotify was down earlier on Sunda, with users across social media reporting that the app and website weren’t working, and for those of us at The Verge who tried we saw the same issues.Downdetector showed a spike in the number of reports about problems with the music streaming service that started at about 10:40AM ET. Spotify said it was working on the issue, and now it appears to be resolved, with the number of reports falling off sharply and a new messages from @SpotifyStatus saying “Everything’s looking much better now!”Everything’s looking much better now! Give@SpotifyCares a shout if you still need help.— Spotify Status (@SpotifyStatus) September 29, 2024The outage affected both the app and the website — while the app... Continue reading…

With AMDs latest Zen 5 architecture and Qualcomms improved Snapdragon SoCs, the competition is surely heating up among chip manufacturers to secure a place in Windows ultrabooks. Despite the presence of the Copilot+ capable Ryzen AI 9 lineup and Snapdragon X series processors, Intel continues to be the preferred option for leading manufacturers when it comes to their flagship ultrabooks.

Typically used in tandem with CCTV and IP cameras, NVRs or Network Video Recorders let you fine-tune every aspect of your surveillance setup. But not every consumer would be willing to shell out hundreds of dollars for a separate NVR device.

The StandBy feature of iPhones offers a hint of how an Apple smart home display could work. | Image: David Pierce / The Verge Apple is preparing to take a fresh run at the smart home that starts with a rumored smart display that it may release next year. That’s according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who writes in his Power On newsletter today that the display will use a new operating system, called homeOS, that’s based on the Apple TV’s tvOS (much like the software that drives HomePods now.)Gurman reports that the display will run Apple apps like Calendar, Notes, and Home, and that Apple has tested prototypes with magnets for wall-mounting. And it will support Apple Intelligence — something Apple’s HomePods don’t currently do. Rumors of such a device have been going around for some time now, with form factors ranging from a HomePod with a screen to a display a... Continue reading…

Aside from virtual desktops, Cortana digital assistant, and a reintroduced Start menu, Windows 10 also embarked on a brand-new browser for desktop users. Originally referred to as Project Spartan, which would eventually be named Microsoft Edge, this upgrade was necessary due to Internet Explorer's evident limitations and inability to meet the evolving demands of the modern web.