More chatbots in more places. | The Verge Google’s got a round of Android and app updates in time for MWC, starting with a new way to chat with its own chatbot Gemini: right inside Google Messages. There’s also a handful of other small updates touching Android Auto, Google Docs, and a couple of new intelligent accessibility features for visually impaired people.If you’re just dying to DM your new bestie Gemini, you won’t have to wait long — it’s arriving as an update to the Messages app this week, though you’ll need to be enrolled in Google’s beta testing program to access it for now. The same access rules apply so there’s no Google One subscription required, at least for this version. When I tested Gemini alongside ChatGPT a few weeks ago, Gemini left a lot to be desired as a... Continue reading…

Now that the Apple Vision Pro headset is out in the wild and we know exactly how it works, I am more convinced that my $400 XR glasses are enough for my day-to-day usage. Yes, comparing the $400 Xreal Air 2 glasses to Apple's $3,500 computer that hugs your face is like comparing apples to oranges, but I truly believe that the Xreal Air 2 or even other smart glasses like the Viture One XR glasses are way more practical to use and make more sense for most users, especially when it comes to replacing your monitor for day-to-day computing tasks. Here are a few reasons why.

Dell unveiled its consumer-focused XPS laptops already this year at CES 2024, and it's now bringing us 10 new Latitude laptops for business users. This announcement comes with the kickoff to MWC 2024, where Dell also revealed a bunch of new Latitude laptop and desktop PCs.

Microlino Lite in Geneva. | Image: Micro Swiss company Micro — maker of the happy little Microlino electric bubble car — just unveiled a production version of its Microlino Lite at the Geneva Motor Show. With a 45km/h (28mph) top speed, it goes half as fast as the standard Microlino but can be driven by anyone with a moped license from the age of 14 in some European countries. An entry-model will cost CHF149 per month (about €156 or $169) to lease starting this summer.Although the Microlino Lite is targeting Europe on day one, Micro spokesperson Merlin Ouboter says the Microlino Lite is eligible for registration in the US as a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) and hopes to have the first Microlinos there by the end of 2024.Microcars like the Microlino Lite target urbanites... Continue reading…

This is our first official look at the Samsung Galaxy Ring. | Photo: Allison Johnson / The Verge At Galaxy Unpacked last month, Samsung teased a brand new wearable in a new product category with not much more than a splashy video and a name: Galaxy Ring. Now, we have a little more to go on, including the fact that it’s expected to arrive this year. I got some hands-on time with a prototype ring ahead of Mobile World Congress — it’s very light and comes in three colors, though Samsung emphasizes that the final product is subject to change. But I also got a sense of Samsung’s bigger goals for this new product line, which it sees as not just another wearable — but part of the company’s vision for a future of ambient sensing (more on that in a minute).The Galaxy Ring prototypes I was able to try out were presented in three colors:... Continue reading…

FurMark is one of the most popular GPU stress tests out there, and it has claimed its fair share of broken units after pushing them to their breaking points. Now, 16 years after the app was released, the developer has released FurMark 2 for the public to enjoy. This app adds compatibility for both Windows 64-bit and Linux machines, meaning you can test even more GPUs than ever before.

Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat may be the most popular social media platforms, but sometimes, a low-key application without any flashy posts is all you need to hit up old friends and online strangers. With most of its features geared toward real-time communication rather than interactive reels or feeds, Discord is quite different from your average messaging platform.

AI is all the rage, and Qualcomm is absolutely no stranger to it. The company has been touting its prowess in the field for years at this point, banging the drum of superiority in its NPUs when it comes to on-device processing and image processing. Now the company is taking it a step further by launching its own AI Hub, a library of pre-optimized models for deployment on Snapdragon and Qualcomm platforms.

Access to extra storage is always a great idea, especially now that media files are getting larger, as smartphones and other devices can capture content in 4K and 8K resolution. An external hard drive might be the go-to option for most users, as you only need to connect a drive to your PC and access anything you need. Unfortunately, this choice stops being great when sharing your information with other users. This is where network-attached storage (NAS) comes in as your best option, as it is like having private cloud storage in your home or office, which also gives you the flexibility to increase your storage space. Yes, there are some rather expensive options on the market, but you don’t need to break the bank to get your own NAS, as we have found excellent options that will do the job for less.

If you feel nostalgic for cassette tapes, why not bring them into the modern era? While it's a lot harder to purchase a Sony Walkman these days, you can still capture the essence of cassette tapes while giving a 21st-century spin to them. Someone has created an internet radio housed within a tape case and a sleek, transparent screen. And best of all, the creator released a guide so you can make your own.

Nintendo is also reportedly working on ways to prevent scalpers from snaffling up console stock at launch. | Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge If you were hoping to get your hands on Nintendo’s highly anticipated Switch 2 console this year then prepare to be disappointed by another rumor pointing to a 2025 release date. According to a new report from Nikkei, Nintendo is anticipated to release its successor to the Nintendo Switch console “as early as March,” in line with the rumored Q1 2025 release date reported by both VGC and Eurogamer earlier this month.Previous reporting had set an anticipated 2024 release date for Nintendo’s next-gen console, already with the aim of having sufficient stock available to avoid the shortages that the PS5 and Xbox Series S / X experienced at launch. But those same stock concerns as well as giving developers enough time to create new game... Continue reading…

Dell unveiled and launched its new consumer-focused XPS laptops at CES 2024, and it has now taken wraps off of a slew of more professional Precision mobile workstations and desktops. This announcement comes with the kickoff of MWC 2024 in Barcelona, and Dell has also announced a bunch of new Latitude business laptops that you can check out in our separate rundown.