Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge TikTok has started transferring European user information to its newly launched data center in Ireland. In an update on Tuesday, TikTok says it’s working on opening two additional data centers in Europe, including one in Norway and another in Ireland.TikTok’s move to open a data center in Ireland comes as the European Union clamps down on large online platforms with the Digital Services Act, a rule that has forced TikTok to make its algorithm optional for users in the EU.TikTok says it’s working with the NCC Group, a UK-based security company, to audit its “data controls and protections, monitor data flows, provide independent verification, and report any incidents.” It adds that only “approved employees” can access the controls and... Continue reading…

Image: Bethesda Starfield needs a modern CPU for the very best settings and experience. Continue reading…

This keyboard can change the way you play and experience games. If you've never had the pleasure of using a mechanical gaming keyboard, there's no better option than the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed. This is the best compact wireless gaming keyboard currently on the market, and while it normally costs quite a bit coming in at $190, right now, for a limited time, you can scoop up this model for just $90.

OneDrive is one of the best cloud storage services out there, especially because of its cost and how tightly it integrates with Microsoft Office applications. The service is due to receive some AI features next month if the latest rumors are to be believed, but ahead of that, Microsoft has announced a change in policy that may be deemed controversial by many.

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge Meta plans to “deprecate” the News tab in Facebook’s bookmarks section in the UK, France, and Germany. That’s typically been company speak for removing a feature. The changes are supposed to go into effect in early December, according to Meta. “As a company, we have to focus our time and resources on things people tell us they want to see more of on the platform, including short form video,” the company said in a press release today. This is the latest action Facebook has taken to make news a lower priority on its platform. It’s also another step toward mimicking shortform video content on TikTok. “As a company, we have to focus our time and resources on things people tell us they want to see more of on the platform, including short... Continue reading…

Image: Microsoft Microsoft will finally stop forcing Windows 11 users in Europe into Edge if they click a link from the Windows Widgets panel or from search results. The software giant has started testing the changes to Windows 11 in recent test builds of the operating system, but the changes are restricted to countries within the European Economic Area (EEA).“In the European Economic Area (EEA), Windows system components use the default browser to open links,” reads a change note from a Windows 11 test build released to Dev Channel testers last month. I asked Microsoft to comment on the changes and, in particular, why they’re only being applied to EU countries. Microsoft refused to comment.Microsoft has been ignoring default browser choices in its... Continue reading…

If the struggle of lugging around a plethora of chargers for your various devices has left you exasperated, the recently launched UGREEN 300W GaN charger might be the ideal remedy you've been seeking.

There's no shortage of mini desktop PCs on the market, and after seeing far too many pitches for these kinds of machines from relatively unknown companies, it takes a unique concept to get my attention. So you can imagine my surprise when Khadas — a company I had never heard of — reached out to tell me about the Khadas Mind, a mini PC that got my attention from the start.

It’s got nice features like hair-trigger lockouts, but what is up with these cheap-o looking LED strips? | Image: PowerA Accessory maker PowerA seems to know that RGB gamer lights are all the rage, but its new Xbox controller and LED strips have very strong “We have gamer lights at home!” vibes.PowerA’s new RGB-infused peripheral is the Advantage Wired Controller for Xbox Series X / S with Lumectra. It’s a $44.99 wired gamepad available in black or white with some nice sounding features, like hair triggers, two customizable rear buttons, four-zone RGB lighting with three preprogrammed modes, and a detachable USB-C cable (a nice upgrade over PowerA’s cheaper models still plagued by Micro USB ports).That all sounds well and good, but the new wired Advantage also has some wireless tech — no, it doesn’t have any official Xbox wireless connectivity like... Continue reading…

Image: Roberto Baldwin for The Verge BMW says it will use Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud software to manage data from its autonomous vehicles. The company has a preexisting deal with AWS to handle data from its connected cars. Now, the German automaker is expanding that deal to include data from its next-generation advanced driver-assist system (ADAS), which is partly powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Ride Vision platform. “Generative artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, machine learning, and storage capabilities”BMW says AWS will help provide cloud storage from data related to “generative artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, machine learning, and storage capabilities to help accelerate the delivery of highly automated BMW vehicles.”The AWS software will... Continue reading…

In the world of benchmarks, few stand as tall as Cinebench does. It's one of the go-to benchmarks for CPU testing across the computing sphere, as it attempts to mimic real-world usage while providing a value that can be used to directly compare to other machines for an idea of relative performance. As time goes on, though, use cases change and more features are required to accurately evaluate the performance of one machine against another. With that in mind, Cinebench 2024 is now here, and it brings support for more platforms and, even bigger, GPU testing for the first time in over a decade.

The Dell XPS 17 (2023) is one of the most powerful laptops Dell offers. You get a system with 13th-generation H-series CPUs, as well as RTX 40-series graphics, making it great for video editing, coding, and just about anything else. But you'll also want to consider a case for one of the best laptops ever. Taking such a powerful laptop on the go means you'll need some protection for it. You don't want to risk your laptop getting damaged. I've compiled a list of eight suggestions for you, including traditional sleeves, backpacks, and even hardshell cases.