Photo by Presley Ann / Getty Images for The Skatepark Project Jack Black might be set to play another iconic video game character in a movie: Steve from Minecraft. Black is apparently joining the cast of the upcoming adaptation of the mega-popular game, and Deadline reports that he’s going to play Steve, the original default character skin for Minecraft. Variety also reported that Black is part of the cast but didn’t say who he might be playing.Black was amazing as Bowser in 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie (are you also humming “Peaches” right now?) and will portray the snarky robot Claptrap in the Borderlands movie, but Steve doesn’t really have a defined personality. He mostly exists as a silent vessel for the player. I’m curious if Black will bring a muted performance to Steve — but if I had... Continue reading…

Contrary to popular belief, building a new PC is a fairly simple task. Yes, there is a lot that goes into building one, but it's not as complicated or overwhelming as it may seem. Similarly, it doesn't have to be overtly expensive either, as there are plenty of deals out there on various components. It is very easy to overspend on PC components in 2023, though. I say that because there are plenty of components out there that may seem very tempting to buy, but they don't add much value to your PC build or are completely unnecessary.

In the ever-advancing field of data storage, the role of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) on solid-state drives (SSD) is nothing short of transformative. DRAM, with its dynamic and volatile nature, is vital for enhancing the speed and efficiency of data retrieval and storage. Moreover, the presence or absence of a DRAM cache can be a crucial factor to consider when you’re on the lookout for the best SSD for your build. But just how important is it?

Photo by Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images Pornhub has restricted access in two more states in protest of continued nationwide state-level efforts to regulate online access to porn. 404Media reported that residents in both North Carolina and Montana visiting Pornhub and other Aylo-owned sites like Redtube or Brazzers are now greeted by a video of performer Cherie DeVille, and a handful of paragraphs, telling them their states are now blocked. Aylo began blocking access in the states last week, according to reporting from multiple outlets including The Fayetteville Observer and KRTV in Great Falls, Montana. The move is meant to protest laws that went into effect in both states on January 1st. Montana passed a standalone ID verification law in May, and North Carolina’s new law was... Continue reading…

Illustration: The Verge After removing headlines from URL cards on X (formerly Twitter), the platform is adding them back — but they don’t work quite the same as before. Some of us at The Verge are seeing on the web that headlines and website title pages are now appearing over the images that link to those pages, which makes it a lot easier to know what you’re clicking on. This is a nice change, but there are still some quirks. For example, if a headline or title is too long, it gets cut off with an ellipses, and the text is pretty small. But it’s an improvement from how things used to work, where the images would just include the domain of the website it linked out to. Screenshot by Jay Peters / The Verge A headline on an X post. X... Continue reading…

The Verge I’m afraid that I’m one of those people who have accumulated a number of Google accounts. I have one for subscriptions, newsletters, and other general purposes; one for work; one for my fiction writing; one to use when I want to test an online app; and one — well, quite honestly, I don’t remember what that one’s for.Normally, it’s not a problem — except for those occasions where I found I’ve put a file or folder in the wrong Drive account. I’ve tried to fix things by simply sharing the folder / file with the account I want to use it with, but that isn’t a satisfactory fix — for one thing, it means the file is taking up space in two accounts. And if, say, I am planning a party and decide to hand the responsibility off to a friend, it... Continue reading…

Photo by Andrew J. Hawkins / The Verge The list of electric vehicles that qualify for the full $7,500 federal tax credit in the US has shrunk — considerably. Thanks to new requirements about battery minerals and sourcing that kicked in on January 1st, only five battery electric vehicles are eligible for the full credit as well as one plug-in hybrid vehicle. A few more qualify for the $3,750 half credit. And that’s about it. As you can see in the table below, the pure EVs that still qualify are as follows: the Chevy Bolt EV and Bolt EUV (soon to be discontinued and replaced with updated versions); two versions of the Ford F-150 Lightning; one version each of the Tesla Model 3 and Model X; and three versions of the Tesla Model Y. And don’t forget the Chrysler Pacifica PHEV,... Continue reading…

In 2024, there's a ton of versatility when it comes to chargers, power strips and charging stations. With most GaN or PD chargers offering enough power to charge up smartphones and compatible accessories, along with laptops and tablets too.

Even the base-model Apple Watch can help you track a wide variety of metrics across different workouts. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge The Apple Watch SE is selling for its second-best price of $199 at Amazon and Best Buy, saving you $50 on Apple’s entry-level smartwatch. The SE may not have some of the fancier features of the newer Series 9 model (features that recently put the Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in some patent infringement hot water), but the SE is a very competent wearable that nails the essentials most people look for to complement their iPhone — expansive fitness tracking and easily glanceable notifications on your wrist. If you want to push yourself into healthier habits for the new year, a smartwatch and some basic workout metrics you can easily track is a nice little motivator.Read our review of the Apple Watch SE (2022).Right now, you can get... Continue reading…

The Bespoke Jet Bot Combo is the first combined robot vacuum and mop from Samsung. It features steam cleaning and automatic mop removal to keep your carpets dry. | Image: Samsung Samsung is finally bringing out a new version of its Jet Bot robot vacuum, which was last updated in 2021. The Bespoke Jet Bot Combo will be on show at CES 2024 and is the first combination of robot vacuum and mop from the Korean electronics giant. (The company has a standalone robot mop, the Jetbot Mop.)Samsung hasn’t announced a price (the previous model, the Jet Bot AI Plus, costs $1,300) or a release date. And it sounds like the robot’s features aren’t finalized yet (Samsung’s press release says the robot is “currently in development,” and its features are subject to change). But here’s a look at what the new robot vacuum might be capable of, according to Samsung.The Bespoke Jet Bot Combo is a robot vacuum and mop with a round form... Continue reading…

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 came out in December 2023, and it's a powerhouse of a business ultrabook, with impressive specs and a great look. While it comes with a solid charger of its own, things happen, whether they be over-curious cats or natural disasters, and you may find yourself in the market for a replacement charger. While you can spend a good chunk of change on one with all the bells and whistles, you certainly don't have to, if you want to keep it simple. Here's the word on the best options out there, whether you prioritize speed, compatibility, versatility, or portability. We promise to find the perfect charger for your Gen 12, regardless of what your cat thinks.

The Antec P20C ARGB is a mid-tower E-ATX gaming chassis that manages to stand out in the sea of PC cases out there with the right mix of features for the price. This performance-centric case offers excellent value for money with plenty of room for complex cooling solutions, a unique metal mesh design, and a ton of nice-to-have elements like dust filters, a GPU bracket, and more. It's not necessarily a head-turner like the Fractal Design North is, but its clean looks and subtle finishing touches make it a perfect case for setups in both professional and minimal settings.