If you give me a long article and tell me to read it and remember it later, I already know how that story ends. I’ll understand it while I’m reading, and then be like, “Hmmm, how does this fit into this?” Since I’m more of a visual learner, I need the information to look like something.

If you're considering upgrading to a smart home, one barrier you might encounter iscost. Some products can cost you hundreds of dollars, whether that's a thermostat or a doorbell with a built-in camera that also requires a monthly subscription. Opting for smart home products can be a costly investment, but that doesn't have to be the case.

PDFs are a part of life, so you'd think there would be more readily-available tools for editing them that didn't cost as much as a streaming service. Come on, Adobe; am I really getting the same value from Acrobat that I am from Hulu? No. Not even remotely. With that in mind, I set out to find a PDF editor that offered the same features but didn't cost anything, and I stumbled across Stirling PDF.

It's relatively rare for a podcast to last 14 years, especially a fiction one. In fact, as far as I can tell, Welcome to Night Vale is the longest continually running fiction podcast out there. (Some will argue it's actually We're Alive, but that has taken a few significant breaks between seasons.) The story of Night Vale, the titular desert town, now spans 12 seasons, over 280 episodes, three books, and at least 10 live standalone shows. While dedicating several hundred hours of your life to listening to every episode might seem like a big ask, I believe you'll be hooked once you dive in.The show is written by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cran …Read the full story at The Verge.

Let's face it: 2026 is not the year to be brave with PC upgrades. RAMflation is very real, GPU pricing is still doing backflips, and even SSD shopping now feels like you're negotiating with a cartel instead of buying storage (technically, you are going up against multinational conglomerates for the same silicon). Building or upgrading a PC today isn't "future-proofing" in the least. Instead, it's pretty much just financial sabotage with RGB lighting.

Microsoft released its first security update of 2026 for Windows 11 on January 13th. Just four days later, it was forced to release an emergency out-of-band update to fix some pretty serious bugs, the first one introduced. The security patch was stopping some systems from shutting down or hibernating properly, and also preventing some users from logging in via remote desktop. The impact of the shutdown bug was limited to machines still running Windows 11 23H2, and only those running either the Enterprise of IoT editions. Still, this is just the latest buggy update that has forced Microsoft to issue an out-of-band update, something that use …Read the full story at The Verge.

When you think of a GPU dedicated to video encoding, you probably think about old consumer graphics cards from a few generations ago. Although a GTX 1070 or RX 580 might be able to handle your Plex or Jellyfin server, it is far from the ideal contender for the job. Old Nvidia Quadro GPUs might not get a lot of attention in most online discussions, but they can be more affordable, capable, and power-efficient for your streaming server. These workstation cards are engineered for reliable, 24x7 operation, unlike gaming GPUs focused on peak performance. If you're putting together a media server to stream your local library to your TV, phone, and other devices, look closely at older Quadro GPUs.

There was a time when games felt like pure magic to me. Not because they were perfect, but because I was — starry-eyed, excited, and ready to believe. If something exploded, if a sword slashed, and if a car flipped and the screen shook, my brain lit up like it had just discovered fire.

When I got into Linux, I stuck with GUI tools for a few months before slowly transitioning to terminal applications. With all the QoL features in Konsole, Ghostty, and other modern terminal emulators, my coding tasks became surprisingly fast, though something was still amiss. Thanks to my home lab, I’d often switch distros on a whim, which meant learning new shortcuts for each emulator. And since I’ve always loved tinkering with VMs, I’d have to put up with random disconnections that forced me to rerun long commands.

A few months ago, as Windows 10 was nearing its end of support, I decided to give Windows 11 a try on an unsupported laptop. I had performed a similar upgrade, one where the laptop didn't meet Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 requirements, but this time around, it was a little different. The CPU (Intel Core i5-4300M) itself was unsupported. At this point, I already knew that while Secure Boot and TPM were necessary, they weren't absolutely essential. On the other hand, an outdated, unsupported CPU directly impacts the system's performance, something that's non-negotiable for most. But I decided to proceed anyway. And, to be honest, my experience has been surprising.

I spent a long time approaching NixOS as just another Linux distro that needed a slightly different installer and a new package manager. I looked for the equivalent of apt install, tried to tweak things live, and expected my changes to “stick” the way they do on Ubuntu. That mindset made every small task feel harder than it needed to be. Once I accepted that NixOS wants me to describe my system rather than babysit it, the whole thing started to make sense.

Sony’s terrific Bravia 8 II is $900 off for a limited time. Good deals are often hard to come by at the beginning of the year — which is precisely what makes Best Buy’s Winter Sale worth checking out. The ongoing sales event features discounts on everything from big-ticket OLED TVs to smaller electronics, including fitness trackers that can help you achieve your New Year’s resolutions. There are also solid deals to be had on laptops, Bose headphones, and other Verge-approved pieces of tech, many of which are matching their best prices to date.The sale ends on January 19th, meaning you have the rest of the weekend to shop. Below, we’ve rounded up the deals — both big and small — that are genuinely worth your attention.LG B5 OLED TVWhere to Buy: $2999.99 $1499.99 at Best Buy (77-inch)If you’re after a big-screen OLED, LG’s entry-level B5 Series TV remains one of the most affordable options available. And right now, it’s an even better value at Best Buy, where it has fallen to a new low of $1,499.99 ($1,500 off) in the larger 77-inch configuration.Although it’s considered one of LG’s budget TVs and doesn’t get as bright as its pricier siblings, the B4 still delivers impressive image quality. You get rich colors, deep blacks, and great viewing angles, along with support for Dolby Vision. It supports Dolby Atmos, too, along with a solid set of gaming specs, including a 120Hz panel with a variable refresh rate, support for AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync, and four HDMI 2.1 ports for connecting the latest consoles. It runs on LG’s webOS platform as well, which lets you take advantage of Amazon Alexa and provides easy access to popular streaming apps like Netflix, HBO Max, and more.Sony Bravia 8 II OLED TVWhere to Buy: $3299.99 $2398 at Amazon (65-inch) $3299.99 $2399.99 at Best Buy (65-inch) $3299.99 $2399.99 at Sony (65-inch)Sony’s Bravia 8 II is also worth a look if you’re okay with splurging on a high-end TV. Named “King of TV” at the Value Electronics’ 2025 TV Shootout, Sony’s Bravia 8 II delivers one of the closest theater-level experiences you can get at home. And right now, you can buy the 65-inch panel for around $2,399.99 ($900 off) from Best Buy, Amazon, and directly from Sony, which is one of its better prices to date.John Higgins, The Verge’s new(ish) TV reviewer, said that if he had to buy a TV today, this is the one he’d choose. It delivers deep blacks, excellent shadow detail, and some of the best image processing and upscaling we’ve seen, making lower-quality 1080p content look noticeably cleaner than on rivals. The Bravia 8 II also runs Google TV, which feels more intuitive and less cluttered than LG’s webOS, and features a 120Hz panel with two HDMI 2.1 ports for 4K gaming at 120Hz, plus two HDMI 2.0 ports capped at 4K / 60Hz. It doesn’t support Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync Premium, but for watching movies and TV shows, it’s one of the best OLEDs you can buy.  Read our full Sony Bravia 8 II review.Bose QuietComfort Ultra HeadphonesBose’s first-gen flagships are a replacement for the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 that offer a more travel-friendly design, spatial audio, better call quality, excellent comfort, and some of the best noise cancellation around.Where to Buy: $429 $279 at Best Buy $429 $279 at BoseIf you’re looking for an excellent pair of noise-canceling headphones that are easy to take on the go, Bose’s first-gen QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are on sale in select colors for $279 ($150 off) at Best Buy, matching their all-time low. Bose is also offering the over-ear headphones at that price, though, again, only in select colors.The original QC Ultra remain our favorite pair for travel, thanks to a foldable design that makes them easy to pack, a lightweight and comfortable fit, and battery life that lasts up to 24 hours. They also deliver top-tier ANC and pleasing sound, with an Immersive Audio feature that isn’t always consistent but works well when it does. Plus, you get a natural-sounding transparency mode for when you want to let outside sound in. If you’re fine skipping newer upgrades found in the second-gen model, such as support for lossless audio over USB, the first-gen pair are a great value — especially since they’re currently about $100 cheaper.Read our full QC Ultra Headphones review.Amazfit Active 2The Amazfit Active 2 delivers outsized value for the price. It looks spiffy and has a wide array of health tracking features, plus built-in GPS and AI chatbots to provide extra context to your data. Read our review.Where to Buy: $99.99 $84.99 at Amazon $99.99 $84.99 at Best Buy $99.99 $84.99 at TargetIf you’re looking for a great all-around fitness tracker, the Amazfit Active 2 is still available for $84.99 ($15 off) at Best Buy, Amazon, and Target, which is just $5 shy of its lowest price to date. The Active 2, which is currently our favorite fitness tracker, delivers far more than you’d expect at this price. It features a comfortable design with a chic stainless steel case and a bright, tempered-glass OLED display, along with up to nine days of battery life. It covers all the basics and then some, too, allowing you to leverage more premium features like menstrual cycle tracking, abnormal heart rate notifications, continuous heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring, and detailed sleep tracking. You also get support for more than 160 sport types, including a strength training mode that counts reps for you, as well as offline maps with turn-by-turn navigation.Read our full Amazfit Active 2 review.Bose SoundLink Micro Portable Speaker (2nd Gen)Where to Buy: $129 $99 at Amazon $129 $99 at Walmart $129 $99 at BoseSpeaking of Bose, Best Buy is also currently selling the latest Bose SoundLink Micro for a new low of $99 ($30 off), with retailers like Amazon and Walmart matching said price.Bose’s pocketable Bluetooth speaker delivers solid sound for its size and even lets you adjust EQ through a companion app, unlike the first-gen model. It also offers up to 12 hours of battery life, recharges quickly via USB-C, and is surprisingly rugged thanks to an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. A built-in strap lets you easily attach it to a bag or bike, too, and if you already own a compatible Bose speaker or soundbar, you can pair the two together — or link a second-gen SoundLink Micro for stereo sound.A few more ways to saveYou can buy Apple’s latest MagSafe Charger for $29.99 ($20 off) at Best Buy, which matches its lowest price to date. The 2-meter, magnetic charging puck can provide up to 25W of power when paired with a 30W USB-C adapter, assuming you have a compatible phone like the iPhone 17 or 17 Pro. It can also deliver the same wireless speeds to non-Apple phones that support the newer Q2.2 standard, like Google’s Pixel 10 Pro XL.Best Buy is selling the Shokz OpenFit 2 Plus in blue for $149.95, which is $10 shy of their lowest price to date. The wireless earbuds are nearly identical to the Shokz OpenFit 2 — they feature the same open-ear design, onboard controls, and dedicated bass speakers — only they add wireless charging and support for Dolby Audio.Samsung’s 128GB Galaxy S25 FE is available from Amazon, Best Buy, and Samsung for around $448.99 ($200 off), which is a new low price. The budget-friendly Android phone is nearly as slim as the Galaxy S25 Plus and carries the same IP68 rating for water and dust resistance; however, its triple rear camera setup isn’t as impressive as what you’ll find on Samsung’s higher-end models, even if it is decent. That said, you do get support for wireless charging and a large, 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate.Amazon and Best Buy are selling the latest 13-inch MacBook Air for $799.99 ($200 off), which is $50 shy of its best price to date. Apple’s entry-level Air is our top pick for most people, one outfitted with a speedy M4 chip that makes it well-suited for a host of everyday tasks. It’s better for multitasking than prior models, too, as it lets you connect two external displays with the lid open. It also features a 12-megapixel Center Stage webcam with a wider view, while continuing to deliver all-day battery life. Read our review.You can pick up the Polaroid Flip, our favorite retro instant camera, for $199.99 ($20 off) at Best Buy, which is one of its better prices to date. The instant camera delivers a nostalgic, old-school shooting experience, producing dreamy, vintage-style photos that are sharper and more consistently in focus than what you’ll get from other similarly priced Polaroid cameras. It also offers a few modern touches, including Bluetooth, USB-C charging, and a companion app that lets you tweak settings like exposure.