Delidding a CPU is supposed to be the last word in CPU cooling. Removing the IHS and exposing the CPU die to either replace the TIM between the die and the IHS, or resort to direct-die cooling, is the ultimate way to bring down your CPU temperature. What needed a bench vice earlier is now possible with delid tools, but the risk of permanent damage to the CPU is still there. Besides, no one other than world record chasers needs to think about delidding their CPUs; the benefits aren't worth it to the average user.

With the sheer number of devices on my network, it's all too often that even I forget everything I’ve connected to it. Now, most of us rely on our router’s built-in analytics or basic scanning tools to tell us what’s connected to our network. But those tools rarely go beyond listing out IP addresses and MAC addresses. Figuring out what these devices are, and what they can access can be frustrating. That’s what drew me to this new self-hosted project. Dubbed Reconya, the tool offers a combination of network reconnaissance and visualization. Despite the rather tactical-sounding feature set, it’s surprisingly approachable. Reconya aims to give users an accurate, real-time view of every device on their network, backed by nmap-based scanning tools and a modern interface.

Microsoft is still updating the Xbox 360, nearly 20 years later. Earlier this week some devoted Xbox 360 users booted up their aging consoles to find that Microsoft had updated the home screen to finally resolve an issue with box art. But in addition to that fix, several users on Reddit, as well as Kotaku, have confirmed the update also adds some sizable ads for the Xbox Series X / S consoles to the 360’s dashboard, as spotted by TrueAchievements.Microsoft’s last major update to the Xbox 360’s dashboard came shortly after Microsoft shut down the Xbox 360 online store in July 2024, when it removed menus and tiles no longer needed. That update introduced a bug causing game thumbnails and box art to appear stretched and distorted on the home screen, but the bug has now been fixed.What’s less welcome are Microsoft’s not-so-subtle hints that it might be time for Xbox 360 owners to upgrade. The two different ads that now appear on the 360’s dashboard include one featuring an image of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles without any text, and one featuring a QR code that leads to the Xbox website with text encouraging players to “Experience next gen performance.”Clicking either ad does nothing at all. You’ll need to pull out your smartphone or grab a tablet to visit the URL embedded in the QR code, where you’ll be further enticed to upgrade to the latest Xbox model.The Xbox 360 remains Microsoft’s best-selling console to date, with around 84 million units sold since it launched in 2005. It remained popular long after the release of the Xbox One, and still held a sizable market share in countries like Mexico following the release of the Xbox Series X / S. Microsoft kept its online store running for an impressive 19 years, which is a good indication of how long it was actively in use.

Marathon, Bungie's upcoming extraction shooter, has been delayed indefinitely, leaving one less PlayStation exclusive to look forward to in 2025. Announced in a blog post, Bungie delayed the game to continue developing it, improving the survival aspects and improving the intelligence of the AIs. While the delay of Marathon can be blamed on PlayStation's failing live-service push or Bungie's continued controversies, including a recent issue of Bungie using stolen artwork in Marathon (via PCGamer), part of the blame should be placed on the genre. Extraction shooters have become the latest cash cow, or at least perceived cash cow, for video game companies, but the current successful games in the genre suggest that extraction shooters won't be the next mainstream hit the way battle royales were before that.

What do you know about Crash Bandicoot? If your answer to that is "not a lot," then I urge you to do the right thing this Steam Summer Sale. The entire Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is just $4 for the lot this year, and not only is that a steal in its own right, but it's also the cheapest price it's ever been at.

The Raspberry Pi Zero 2W is one of the most useful little boards I've ever worked with. At just $15, it's affordable enough to experiment with freely and powerful enough to accomplish a lot. I've used it in different roles around my home lab and for fun side projects, and it rarely disappoints. If you're wondering what you can do with one, here are six real projects I've already built.

Ever been racing to meet a deadline only to realize your coffee’s gone cold again? The Ember Mug 2 self-heating smart mug keeps your drink hot so you can stay focused without making constant trips to the microwave. And right now, Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart are selling the 14-ounce smart mug in select colors starting at an all-time low of $89.99 ($60 off).A Verge favorite, the self-heating smart mug keeps your coffee, tea, or cocoa at the perfect temperature from the first sip to the last. With the Ember app (available on Android and iOS), you can dial in your ideal temp between 125 degrees and 145 degrees Fahrenheit and even save presets for your go-to drinks. The built-in battery keeps your beverage warm for up to 80 minutes on a single charge, or you can use the included charging coaster to keep it hot all day. Its smart sleep mode also helps conserve battery by automatically turning off the heat when the mug is empty or hasn’t been moved for a while.As a bonus, an LED light lets you quickly check charging and temperature status, and you can even customize its color for a personal touch. The Ember Mug 2 is also durable enough for everyday use, with scratch-resistant coating and an IPX7 water-resistance rating so it can safely be hand-washed. Just keep in mind that it’s not dishwasher safe.Ember Mug 2 (14-ounce)The Ember Mug 2 is a temperature-controlled smart mug that keeps beverages hot. The accompanying iOS and Android apps allow you to dial in a specific temperature, from 120 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.Where to Buy: $149.95 $89.99 at Amazon $149.95 $89.99 at Best Buy

Microsoft announced earlier this week that it would start testing its new aggregated gaming library on the Xbox app for Windows, and it's now starting to show up for testers today. This new library experience lists Steam, Battle.net, Ubisoft, Epic Games Store, and Riot Games titles that are all installed on a PC from various other launchers - much like GOG Galaxy.I've been trying out the experience today and found that Microsoft automatically detects installed games and lists them in your library in the Xbox app, along with a relevant thumbnail or icon, and the name of the launcher where the game was installed from. While the thumbnails could do with some work in this beta app, you'll get an option to play the game or see it in the relevant launcher. You can also hide games from these different PC stores if you don't want to see them listed in the Xbox app.This integration simply lists the games and you won't get Xbox achievements or any additional functionality in these titles. The consolidated library is part of Microsoft's effort to make the Xbox app on Windows the home of PC gaming, and to improve the handheld experience of Windows.Speaking of Microsoft's work to imp …Read the full story at The Verge.

Apple has introduced new App Store changes in the EU in an attempt to avoid being further penalized under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). On Thursday, the company announced a new tier system for its Store Services fee that’s applied to purchases made outside apps, and it will only give developers access to the full set of App Store features if they give Apple a larger commission.Tier 1 of the Store Services fee will provide developers with only basic App Store features for a cheaper, 5 percent commission on in-app purchases, including app reviews, privacy nutrition labels, and access to Apple Support. This tier lacks many of the features developers benefit from on the App Store today, including automatic app updates, automatic app downloads, and other tools that could help developers promote their app. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, whose lawsuit against Apple resulted in a court order preventing Apple from taking a commission on purchases made outside the App Store in the US, has already called out limitations for developers who choose the cheaper tier.View LinkFor full access to the App Store features, developers will need to use Tier 2 of the Store Services fee, which comes with a 13 percent commission. Apps on the App Store will be on Tier 2 by default, but developers can move their apps to Tier 1.Apple is also introducing a new fee: the Core Technology Commission. With the update, Apple will take a 5 percent commission on outside purchases made in apps distributed on the App Store. However, developers who signed on to Apple’s alternate business terms will continue to pay the Core Technology Fee (CTF), a €0.50 per download fee that applies to apps for each annual install over 1 million.The iPhone maker says that on January 1st, 2026, it’s going to move to a “single business model” for developers in the EU. That means it’s going to transition the Core Technology Fee to the 5 percent Core Technology Commission on digital goods and services sold on the App Store and alternative marketplaces.The changes come in response to the €500 million (about $570 million) penalty the EU served Apple with on April 23rd after ruling that its App Store “anti-steering” practices — which restrict how developers can direct users to make external purchases — violated DMA rules. Apple will face interest payments on the $570 million fine if it fails to pay it by next month. The EU also issued preliminary findings for a separate DMA probe into Apple’s Core Technology Fee and other restrictions for alternative iOS app stores, ruling that Apple failed to demonstrate they were “necessary and proportionate.”Apple still plans on appealing the penalty. “The European Commission is requiring Apple to make a series of additional changes to the App Store,” the company said in a statement to 9to5Mac. “We disagree with this outcome and plan to appeal.” Apple didn’t immediately respond to The Verge’s request for comment.The EU Commission will now assess the changes that Apple has proposed before making a final decision on additional non-compliance fines.

In 2024, Microsoft officially removed WordPad from Windows 11, in a blow to longtime users of the app. WordPad was a useful tool for many, offering a middle-ground between the simplicity of Notepad and the complexity of Microsoft Word, while still being free for Windows users.

Google launched NotebookLM as an experimental project under the code name "Project Tailwind" in 2023. It eventually made it out of the experimental phase and went viral for its Audio Overviews feature.

Comcast is changing its Xfinity plans nationwide to make them simpler — and it’s dropping data caps so that the plans have truly unlimited data.The company announced today that it will now offer four plans — 300 Mbps, 500 Mbps, 1 Gbps, and 2 Gbps — across three different pricing tiers: an “Everyday Price” paid per month without a price guarantee, a lower price per month with a one-year price guarantee, and a price per month with a five-year price guarantee that’s slightly more expensive than the one-year option.The plans will include unlimited data with no data caps, spokesperson Joel Shadle confirms to The Verge. They’ll also come with an Xfinity WiFi Gateway and a free line of Xfinity Mobile cellular service for one year. If you’re currently on an Xfinity plan that’s not one of the four tiers, you can stay on it until you repackage your plan, spokesperson Rachel Zabinski Williams says. These updates follow Comcast’s announcement of the five-year price lock option in April. Comcast also recently started rolling out “ultra-low lag” technology in certain cities that could lower latency when using things like FaceTime or Nvidia’s GeForce Now.(Disclosure: Comcast is an investor in Vox Media, The Verge’s parent company.)