Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge
Follow along for all the updates from Meta’s annual conference, featuring everything from AR glasses to AI avatars.
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The biggest news from Meta Connect 2024
VR artists can now buy Logitech’s pen-shaped Meta Quest controller
The MX Ink is available to buy now following it’s announcement back in June. | Image: Logitech Logitech has released a pen-shaped Meta Quest controller that makes it easier to draw, sculpt, and manipulate objects in mixed-reality environments. After initially being announced back in June, the $129.99 Logitech MX Ink stylus is available to buy…
Meta’s AI can now talk to you in the voices of Awkwafina, John Cena, and Judi Dench
Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge Meta is adding conversational voices by celebrities to its AI chatbot in Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook. The company announced at its Connect event today that you can now talk to Meta AI and hear it respond in one of several voices, including celebrity soundalikes such as Awkwafina, John…
Meta’s going to put AI-generated images in your Facebook and Instagram feeds
Image: Meta If you think avoiding AI-generated images is difficult as it is, Facebook and Instagram are now going to put them directly into your feeds. At the Meta Connect event on Wednesday, the company announced that it’s testing a new feature that creates AI-generated content for you “based on your interests or current trends”…
Meta releases its first open AI model that can process images
Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge Just two months after releasing its last big AI model, Meta is back with a major update: its first open-source model capable of processing both images and text. The new model, Llama 3.2, could allow developers to create more advanced AI applications, like augmented reality apps that provide…
How to pre-order the Meta Quest 3S VR headset
Meta has announced a new virtual reality headset, and it’s called the Quest 3S. As rumored, this is a lower-cost variant of the Meta Quest 3, which we consider the best VR headset for most people, and the entry-level replacement for the popular but aging Quest 2. Meta is aiming it squarely at VR newbies,…
Meta reveals the budget-friendly Quest 3S VR headset
Meta has announced the budget-friendly Quest 3S VR headset at its annual Connect keynote. Rumors have been swirling for months that the company was working on a cheaper follow-up to the impressive Quest 3, and now it’s here and priced at $300. This is pretty dang close to the original Quest 3, which costs $500….
The Meta Quest 3S vs Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest 3: Finding a happy medium
Meta announced its new mixed reality headset during the 2024 Meta Connect keynote on Wednesday. The Meta Quest 3S will start at $300 and represents a more affordable, yet higher-specced option between the $500 Quest 3 from last year and 2020’s (soon to be discontinued) Quest 2. The new model has the same processor as…
Meta is discontinuing the Quest Pro two years after launching it
Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge Meta is discontinuing the Quest Pro, its high-end VR headset launched in 2022 that we said “isn’t very good.” The company plans to sell its remaining Quest Pro headsets through the end of the year or “until they’re gone, whichever comes first,” according to a blog post….
Meta’s cheaper Quest 3S might just be an upgrade
The Verge’s Alex Heath wearing a Quest 3S. Meta finally announced the very heavily leaked Quest 3S VR headset, and the leaks were right: it’s a $299.99 headset that looks like a mix of the Quest 2 and Quest 3. But now that the specs are official, I can tell you that it’s a lot…
The best free or low-cost photo storage services
Photo by Vlad Savov / The Verge In November of 2020, Google — which had offered unlimited storage for what it called “high quality” (read: compressed) photos — announced that, as of June 1st, 2021, “unlimited” was being changed to “up to 15GB on your Google account.” Since then, photo and video storage has counted…
Here’s how much Disney Plus will charge to share your password
Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge Disney CEO Bob Iger said the company would start making users pay to share their passwords this month, and now we know how much it will cost. In an announcement on Wednesday, Disney Plus says adding an “extra member” to an ad-supported plan will cost $6.99 monthly, with…
Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: Tiny earbuds with big sound and a direct line to Gemini
Google’s Pixel Buds series has always been a worthy companion for its Pixel phones. The company only lacks a set of over-ear headphones to offer similar options to what Apple provides for iPhone users. Of course, Google got a later start than its rival, but like its Silicon Valley counterpart, the company has designed its…
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: big upgrade, much smaller earbuds
With a slew of improvements led by a far more comfortable design, Google’s latest earbuds are a compelling upgrade for Pixel owners. Continue reading… Please follow and like us:
Is Google Fitbit in trouble? Website shutdown revitalizes concern about the brand’s future
Is Fitbit in trouble? 9to5Google spotted that Fitbit.com, the official website for the popular brand of wearable fitness trackers, is not long for this world. At the top of the page is a new message stating that the site’s functions will move to the Google Store on Oct. 1. This came only about six months…
The best early October Prime Day tablet deals highlight Fire models, Galaxy Tabs, and some sneaky iPads
Scope out the best tablet deals from Apple, Amazon, and Samsung ahead of Prime Big Deal Days: The best early October Prime Day tablet deals at a glance: Best Apple iPad deal Apple iPad, 10.2-inch (A13 Bionic, 64GB, WiFi) $199 at Amazon (save $130) Get Deal Best Amazon Fire tablet deal Amazon Fire HD 8…
Samsung’s new 990 Evo Plus SSD is 50 percent faster than its predecessor
We first covered the Samsung 990 Evo SSD in January and noted its speed and efficiency. Just eight months after its release, Samsung has now revealed its 990 Evo Plus SSD. The company claims it’s 50 percent faster than the previous model and is suitable for gaming, business and creative tasks. Samsung says the drive…
Need a printer? Amazon’s early October Prime Day prices are worth a look.
Shop the best early Prime Big Deal Days printer deals now: Early Prime Day printer deals: Best printer deal overall HP DeskJet 4255e $69.99 at Amazon (save $30 ) Get Deal Best for business HP OfficeJet Pro 8135e $159.99 at Amazon (save $65) Get Deal Best budget pick Canon PIXMA TS6420a $59 at Amazon (save…
Meta’s AI chatbot will soon speak in the voices of John Cena and other celebrities
Meta has secured deals with several actors, including Kristen Bell, John Cena and Judi Dench, to use their voices for the Meta AI chatbot, Reuters reports. Users will be able to talk to the chatbot while listening to answers in the voice of their favorite celebrities. Other celebrities include Awkwafina and Keegan-Michael Key, a source…
October Prime Day is just around the corner: Here are the Apple Watches you can already grab on sale
The best Apple Watch deals ahead of Prime Big Deal Days are here: Best Apple Watch deals ahead of Prime Day Best Series 9 deal Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS) $329 at Amazon (Save $100) Get Deal Best Series 10 deal Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm, GPS) $369 at Amazon (Save $30) Get Deal…
Dead Space leads Sony’s PlayStation Plus lineup for October
Starting on October 1, you’ll be able to play Dead Space for free with your PlayStation Plus membership. Sony Interactive Entertainment has revealed additional titles to its PS Plus lineup, which includes the remake version of the sci-fi/horror classic. Dead Space for the PS5 (as well as for PCs and Xbox Series X|S) adds voiced…
Improve your home security for up to 44% off with early October Prime Day sales
If you’re in the market for a security system or a video doorbell, Amazon has discounted prices on some great products ahead of the official Prime Big Deal Days sale on Oct. 8 and 9. Here are some of our favorite home security deals at Amazon: October Prime Day home security deals Best video doorbell…
Blink security cameras are up to 64 percent off in this early Prime Day deal
Blink has discounted a bunch of security cameras and bundles, as part of an early Prime Day sale. The most impressive discount of the bunch is for a bundle that includes both the Blink Outdoor 4 and the Blink Mini 2 for just $50. That’s a massive savings of $90, or 64 percent, which is…
Why do we obsessively watch our own Instagram Stories?
When you think of the term “Instagram stalking,” what kind of scenarios come to mind? Is it vetting an upcoming Hinge date’s profile to ensure they tick all the critical boxes: they have friends, they like to travel and they look the same in their tagged photos as they do the ones on their profile?…
Tons of books are on sale at Amazon ahead of October Prime Day
Prime Big Deal Days isn’t till October 8 and 9 — but many deals are already here. Check out the best book deals at Amazon already live before the sale even officially begins. Early Prime Day book deals: Best book deal overall ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear $13.79 at Amazon (save $13.21) Get Deal Best…
PlayStation 5 Pro preview: I don’t need it, but I want it
You do not need a PS5 Pro. The Pro is Sony’s latest version of the PS5, offering more power and storage, faster Wi-Fi, and expanded support for tricks like advanced ray tracing, all for the audacious price of $700. That’s nice, but if you already have a PS5, you do not need to rush out…
I played the PS5 Pro, and it’s clearly better
The PS5 Pro, next to the original. Probably the best way to play Sony’s games — here’s why, plus some caveats. Continue reading… Please follow and like us:
Microsoft is moving Game Pass into a single Xbox mobile app
Image: Microsoft Microsoft is planning to combine its Xbox Game Pass and Xbox mobile apps into a single application soon. The software maker is testing a new version of the Xbox app for iOS and Android this week that includes features from the separate Xbox Game Pass app. You’ll soon be able to explore the…
Prime Day deals include the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam for a record low of $50
There’s a major Prime Day sale lined up for October, but Amazon has been getting the festivities started early with discounts on many of its own products. As part of that, it’s holding a sale on Ring devices, several of which have dropped to record low prices. Take, for instance, the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam,…
California’s new law requires schools to limit phone use
Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Phone-Free School Act into law this week, requiring every school district, charter school, and county office of education statewide to implement rules limiting cellphone use by July 1st, 2026. There are exceptions to the rule, including using phones for emergencies or…
Reddit is rolling out AI-powered translations to 35 countries
As world wide as the web is, language barriers still often limit how much of a site people can explore. Well, Reddit is using AI in an attempt to lessen this issue. The company announced Redditors across more than 35 countries will soon be able to automatically translate their entire feeds. The tool first launched…