Apple's iPhone lineup has always been a subject of excitement for tech enthusiasts and smartphone users alike, even if the company doesn't re-invent the wheel with every new release. In fact, that's what many like about Apple. Although the brand is not afraid to innovate, you usually know what to expect from its annual release cycle: an improved version of the device that came out the year before. That was certainly the case with the recent iPhone 15 Pro Max launch. Apple's newest flagship sports some subtle but noticeable refinements over its predecessors, so if you own an iPhone 13 Pro Max and are wondering whether it's time to upgrade, we've got a side-by-side comparison to help you decide.

Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge Meta is preparing to announce a generative AI chatbot, called “Gen AI Personas” internally, aimed at younger users, according to The Wall Street Journal. Reportedly set to launch during the company’s Meta Connect event that starts Wednesday, they would come in multiple “personas” geared towards engaging young users with more colorful behavior, following ChatGPT’s rise over the last year as one of the fastest-growing apps ever. Similar, but more generally targeted, Meta chatbot personas have already been reportedly tested on Instagram. According to internal chats the Journal viewed, the company has tested a “sassy robot” persona inspired by Bender from Futurama and an overly curious “Alvin the Alien” that one employee worried could imply... Continue reading…

Victoria Thiem, system safety engineer from Lockheed Martin, checks the temperature of the actual size OSIRIS-REx’s return capsule sample during the recovery rehearsal at Lockheed Martin, Waterton Canyon campus in Littleton, Colorado on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.  | Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post The OSIRIS-REx mission, launched in 2016, has collected as much as several hundred grams of asteroid material, which could help scientists understand the earliest stages of the solar system. Continue reading…

You’ll soon need to pay $6 a month to regain Guard features through the new Emergency Assist service (pictured). | Image: Amazon Amazon has announced that it’s shutting down Alexa Guard — a DIY security feature for Echo devices that listens for intruders or household alarms when you’re away from home. The free version of Alexa Guard that listens for household disturbances was included as a standard feature on Amazon Echo devices.In a recent email to customers, Amazon said that some of Guard’s features like smoke and CO alarm detection will instead be moved to its new Emergency Assist service, which is available for $5.99 per month or $59 per year. Guard features like Home and Away modes (to arm and disarm your Ring Alarm) and Away Lighting (which switches on your lights to make it look like you’re at home) will still be available for free as part of the standard... Continue reading…

Buying your first Apple Watch is a core memory, and if you’ve just bought the latest one — the Apple Watch Series 9 — you’re in for a real treat. It’s one of the best smartwatches that money can buy and is going to radically change the number of times you pull out your phone. Apple’s smartwatch works beautifully with your iPhone, and you will find yourself using it to get a lot of tasks done. But before you get to any of this, you will first need to set it up properly. Just follow the steps below!

Apple Watch is a perfect workout companion, whether you’re using Apple Fitness+, tracking something simple like an outdoor walk or run, or using a third-party fitness service. Whatever the case, the best Apple Watch will track the duration of the workout along with the type, active and total calories, and your heart rate. The heart rate details are shown in real time on all the latest Apple Watches, including ones with watchOS 10 (but also ones with a previous-generation OS), but what about zones? Heart rate zones confirm the intensity of the workout based on a percentage of your maximum heart rate based on your personal health data. But how do you see which heart rate zones you’re in during a workout with the Apple Watch?

While an increasing number of smartwatches hit the market, Apple still maintains its spot at the top of the industry thanks to the Apple Watch Series. One of its latest additions, the Apple Watch Ultra 2, refreshes the beloved Apple Watch Ultra, bringing a brighter display, expanded features for outdoor activities, including better water resistance for swimming, and an updated altitude range sensor.

Now that the new iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max are here, you might be wondering if it’s time to upgrade. But not every product upgrade is a revolution in the advancement of technology. Sometimes the latest and greatest simply isn’t great enough to necessitate spending another $1,000 on the latest best phones. If you leapt on the opportunity to buy a new iPhone, such as the iPhone 15 Pro, make sure you protect your new investment with a iPhone 15 Pro case. But if you’re wondering if upgrading from your older iPhone, like an iPhone 13 Pro, to the iPhone 15 Pro, is the best move for you, then you’ve come to the right place. We hash out all the details on whether you should upgrade from your older iPhone 13 Pro to the iPhone 15 Pro below.

With Intel's 14th-generation chips powered by a refresh of Raptor Lake rather than the brand-new Meteor Lake architecture, pretty much everyone had assumed Meteor Lake was skipping the desktop and that Intel had canceled any plans they had for such a product. But in an interview with PCWorld's Mark Hachman, Intel Executive Vice President Michelle Johnston confirmed that Meteor Lake would make it to the desktop in 2024, completely dispelling all rumors to the contrary.

Just a couple of weeks after HP introduced the Spectre Fold, LG is also joining the fray with its own foldable, suitably called the LG Gram Fold. This is actually a bit more interesting considering that it actually packs the latest 13th-generation Intel Core processors rather than 12th-generation models like HP's laptop. However, you're likely not going to be able to buy it anytime soon considering it's only launching in South Korea for now.

The latest iteration of Apple's iPhone, the iPhone 15, has ignited fierce competition in the smartphone arena, challenging the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S23. While Samsung leads the way in processing power with its cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, Apple elevates the game in terms of display technology with its Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering HDR10 and Dolby Vision support.

The tall lady from Resident Evil Village comes to iPhones soon. | Image: Capcom Capcom quietly revealed an October 30th release date for Resident Evil Village on a page for the iOS and iPadOS versions of Village and the Resident Evil 4 remake. Resident Evil 4 remains listed as “available 2023.” Capcom doesn’t list any prices, but for reference, the macOS version of the game is $29.99 on the Apple App Store. Yesterday, Gematsu reported that Capcom had announced the same release date for the port in Japan.Capcom hasn’t formally announced the release date for the US version of Village outside of the page linked above. We’ve reached out to the company to confirm the release date is as listed on its site. Screenshot: Wes Davis / The Verge Resident Evil Village for iOS and iPadOS appears to have a... Continue reading…