Umar Shakir | The Verge

Tesla’s iPhone app now supports Live Activities for Supercharging

2025-05-28T17:49:35-04:00

Tesla’s latest iOS app update allows the user to view their car’s Supercharging progress on their phone’s lock screen, Not a Tesla App reports.

The feature takes advantage of Apple’s Live Activities feature, which gives apps the ability to display real-time updates on your lock screen, like showing your Uber is going to arrive or when your ParkMobile parking meter is about to expire. In Tesla’s case, it can keep you updated on the charging session and help alert you to move your car when it’s done to avoid idle fees.

Tesla has added support for Live Activities on iOS with app update 4.45.0.

If you're going to Supercharge tonight, send us a screenshot! Let us know if you notice any undocumented features as well.https://t.co/jBSUPSdBIG
— Not a Tesla App (@NotATeslaApp) May 27, 2025

The Supercharger Live Activity shows how much time is left in the session, your current charge percentage, an estimated cost, the charge speed, and how much energy you’ve added. Currently, it does not show up if you’re charging at home or non-Supercharger stalls.

Supercharger Live Activities is available now in the Tesla iOS app version 4.45.0 in the App Store. It’s the latest major feature addition to the app since Tesla enabled Apple Watch digital key support last December.

This feature helps protect children left unattended in your vehicle

Rolling out to new Model 3 (mid 2023 & later) in Europe initially, with other models & regions following later https://t.co/vGZAbWSSiL
— Tesla (@Tesla) May 28, 2025

In addition to the iOS update, Tesla is also rolling out a new feature for some of its newer EVs that can alert owners if they’ve forgotten their kid in the car. The new “Child Left Alone” feature is only coming to Europe for now, specifically to the new Model 3 (mid-2023 and later), which includes in-cabin radar. The hardware currently can sense people in the front seats in lieu of needing seat sensors, but now it’s looking in the back seat, too. Tesla says it will roll out to other models and regions “later.”

Razer’s Blade 18 laptop price jumps $300, to $3,499.99

2025-05-27T15:36:12-04:00

Razer’s powerhouse Blade 18 portable gaming desktop replacement is launching today with a surprise price hike from its originally advertised $3,199.99 tag. The company has quietly raised the cost of the base spec, which features an RTX 5070 Ti graphics card, to $3,499.99 — a $300 jump from its CES reveal earlier this year.

The Blade 18’s top RTX 5090 graphics spec is also getting a heavy $400 price increase from $4,499.99 to $4,899.99. Razer is also now offering a new RTX 5080 configuration option that starts at $4,099.99. As to why Razer has increased the Blade 18’s prices, the company has not responded to our request for comment at the time of publication.

In April, Razer had temporarily halted direct sales for its laptops just a day before President Donald Trump’s administration announced tariffs that would increase costs of tech coming from countries like China and Taiwan, where many laptop components are made. At the time, Razer public relations manager Andy Johnston told The Verge Razer had no comment regarding tariffs. Over a week later Razer unpaused sales, including for its just-launched Blade 16 laptop.

You can order the new Blade 18 on Razer’s website now, with deliveries starting June 2nd, even for a maxed-out configuration that features 4TB storage and 64GB RAM for $5,199.99 (RazerCare warranty not included).

Signal says no to Windows 11’s Recall screenshots

2025-05-21T18:16:23-04:00

Signal is taking proactive steps to ensure Microsoft’s Recall feature can’t screen capture your secured chats, by rolling out a new version of the Signal for Windows 11 client that enables screen security by default. This is the same DRM that blocks users from easily screenshotting a Netflix show on their computer or phone, and using it here could cause problems for people who use accessibility features like screen readers.

While Signal says it’s made the feature easy to disable, under Signal Settings > Privacy > Screen Security, it never should’ve come to this. Developer Joshua Lund writes that operating system vendors like Microsoft “need to ensure that the developers of apps like Signal always have the necessary tools and options at their disposal to reject granting OS-level AI systems access to any sensitive information within their apps.”

Despite delaying Recall twice before finally launching it last month, the “photographic memory” feature doesn’t yet have an API for app developers to opt their users’ sensitive content out of its AI-powered archives. It could be useful for finding emails or chats (including ones in Signal) using whatever you can remember, like a description of a picture you’ve received or a broad conversation topic, but it could also be a massive security and privacy problem.

Lund notes that Microsoft already filters out private or incognito browser window activity by default, and users who have a Copilot Plus PC with Recall can filter out certain apps under the settings, but only if they know how to do that. For now, Lund says that “Signal is using the tools that are available to us even though we recognize that there are many legitimate use cases where someone might need to take a screenshot.”

Toyota’s new Rav4 plug-in hybrid lets you fast charge the battery

2025-05-21T15:52:24-04:00

Toyota is redesigning and “electrifying” its Rav4 lineup for 2026 with models that aren’t quite EVs, but could masquerade as one. The mega popular SUV will come standard with hybrid powertrains, including a plug-in version with a feature you’d expect in only pure EVs: fast charging.

That’s right, the 2026 Rav4 PHEV can now plug into CCS-compatible DC fast chargers, which means owners can quickly fill up its battery during long road trips — effectively playing imposter amongst all the EVs charging up at rest stops as it secretly conserves its gas tank. Rest stops often lack standard AC level 2 plugs that many plug-in hybrids rely on — the kind you’d have installed at home so you can wake up to a full charge every morning.

The new Rav4’s on-board AC charger can also charge faster now at 11 kW, an upgrade from the previous 6.6kW. It also features a 6th-generation plug-in powertrain with AWD and up to 320 horsepower output. On a single charge, it can travel up to 50 miles without kicking on the engine — up from 42 miles on the 2025 version, and higher than the Prius’ 44 miles. Toyota doesn’t say how large the battery is but covers it under warranty for 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Meanwhile the regular Rav4 hybrid runs on a 5th-gen system with a max output of 236 horsepower for the AWD version. The interiors now also come standard with larger 12.3-inch digital cluster panels and 10.5-inch infotainment touchscreens. And the Limited, XSE, and the all-new GR-Sport models come with a bigger 12.9-inch center touchscreen.

The hybridization of the Rav4 comes after Toyota decided to switch its Camry sedan to an all-hybrid lineup last year. Toyota has doubled down on building more hybrid options instead of full EVs, although it has recently improved its only full electric that is now known as the bZ. Toyota says it will reveal pricing for the new Rav4 when it goes on sale later this year.

Google starts beta testing Android 16’s youthful new look

2025-05-20T17:14:29-04:00

Google has announced it’s rolling out the colorful new Android 16 interface for beta testers as reported by 9to5Google. The QPR1 beta includes the company’s Material 3 Expressive design language revealed officially last week and includes new visuals for the launcher, notifications, lock screen, and a very Apple-inspired quick settings page.

QPRs, or quarterly platform releases, generally are more feature-rich updates for Android compared to the monthly security update patches. With Android 16 expected to launch to everyone soon, it will be followed in the fall by this QPR1 update that adds the new visual touches.

Users with eligible Pixel devices, including ones as old as the Pixel 6 and up to the 9A, that are registered in the Beta program can get access to the new release as soon as it’s ready. However, if you’re already beta testing Android 16 but you’d rather wait to get the new design, you can opt out of this release on the Android Beta website (note: don’t install the system update afterward, as that will wipe your device — just wait for Android 16’s official launch).

If you want to try the redesigned Android 16 but are not currently enrolled in the beta, Google posted instructions on Reddit on how to get started:

You can get started with Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 today by enrolling your Pixel device. Eligible devices include Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro, 9a, Pixel Tablet series devices*. Once enrolled, eligible devices will receive an over-the-air (OTA) update to the latest Beta versions. If you were previously enrolled in Android 16 Beta (and have not opted-out), you will automatically receive QPR1 Beta 1 and any future Beta updates.*

Apple will reportedly open up its local AI models to third-party apps

2025-05-20T13:43:24-04:00

Apple is planning to open up the large language models that power Apple Intelligence AI features so developers can use them in their own apps, reports Bloomberg. According to its sources, Apple will start by opening up its smaller on-device models via a software development kit for third-party access, similar to the Gemini Nano AI APIs that Google is expected to launch for developers during today’s Google I/O event, as reported by Android Authority.

Third-party developers could already use limited features of Apple Intelligence, including integration of AI Writing Tools such as summaries and rewrites, or building the company’s Image Playground generator into their apps. The SDK isn’t expected to allow developers access to Apple’s models running in the cloud initially, and shouldn’t change much for AI apps that use their own models, like ChatGPT, Grok, or Anthropic.

Apple reportedly plans to announce the new access to its foundation models during the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) event scheduled to start on June 9th. According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, the plan is to make that one of the event’s highlights, along with the rumored “Solarium” overhaul for iOS, macOS, and iPadOS that would make them more unified and resemble the Vision Pro operating system.

Apple TV’s wireless audio sync now works with Dolby Atmos

2025-05-13T18:15:21-04:00

Apple is pushing a new software update for Apple TV today that includes a useful feature for home theater setups: the ability to automatically calibrate the synchronization of Dolby Atmos surround sound audio with your speakers.

The new tvOS 18.5 update enhances Apple’s existing Wireless Audio Sync feature, introduced in 2019, that lets you use your iPhone’s microphone to calibrate audio sources with your home theater speakers. Now it can help you get your TV video synced up with Atmos audio over either AirPlay or Bluetooth by accounting for latency.

As pointed out by MacRumors, people have complained about Apple TV Dolby Atmos syncing issues with sound bars and other speakers on Reddit and on Apple’s community discussions page, but until now they couldn’t use Apple’s tool to try to fix things.

After updating, you can calibrate your audio by going to Settings > Video and Audio > Wireless Audio Sync on your Apple TV, and following the steps from there.

YouTube will stream an opening week NFL game for free

2025-05-13T15:30:07-04:00

YouTube is exclusively streaming an NFL week 1 game for free worldwide to kick off the 2025 season. The game will take place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Friday, September 5th, and will feature the Los Angeles Chargers taking on a yet-to-be-named opponent.

As with other streaming NFL games, it will also be available to viewers in the teams’ home markets via over-the-air broadcast, on NFL Plus for mobile devices inside the US, and the NFL Game Pass package from DAZN outside the US.

YouTube TV has streamed the NFL Sunday Ticket package since 2023, but this is its first time broadcasting a game. It’s joining the likes of Netflix, with Christmas Day broadcasts last year that tallied nearly 65 million US viewers, and Peacock.

YouTube’s chief business officer, Mary Ellen Coe, says this will be the company’s first time operating as a live NFL broadcaster, and it will feature creators and “an interactive viewing experience. Coe adds that people have watched “over 350 million hours” of NFL content on YouTube.

In addition to the week 1 game, YouTube also announced a multi-year deal with the NFL to continue streaming the Super Bowl Flag Football game.

ESPN’s standalone streaming app launches this fall for $30 a month

2025-06-09T20:18:56-04:00

Disney is launching its direct-to-consumer ESPN streaming service this fall. The service, which will simply be called “ESPN,” will cost $29.99 per month for the “unlimited” plan, which will include all of ESPN’s linear channels.

Disney will also offer ESPN’s unlimited plan annually for $299.99, which saves you about $60 compared to paying monthly.

For those who prefer to stick with the offerings included in the existing ESPN Plus service, the network will still offer the same programming in a new “select” plan that starts at $11.99 per month (current ESPN Plus subscribers will automatically be moved to ESPN select). You’ll also be able to get plans that bundle Disney Plus and Hulu, too.

Here’s a full list of the subscription plans you can choose from:

Special ESPN unlimited bundle launch offer: Disney Plus (ads), Hulu (ads): for $29.99 per for the first 12 months.
ESPN unlimited: $29.99 per month or $299.99 annually
ESPN unlimited bundle with Disney Plus (ads), and Hulu (ads): $35.99 per month.
ESPN unlimited bundle with Disney Plus (no ads) and Hulu (no ads): $44.99 per month
ESPN select (same as ESPN+ offerings): $11.99 per month or $119.99 annually
ESPN select bundle Disney Plus (ads) and Hulu (ads): $16.99 per month
ESPN select bundle Disney Plus (no ads) and Hulu (no ads): $26.99 per month

The service will be available in the “early fall” with the exact date announcement coming “later this summer.”

Update, June 9th: Added “Sports Forever” teaser trailer.

You can now use Apple Pay to buy games on your PS5

2025-05-09T18:29:55-04:00

PS5 users can now buy games in the PlayStation Store using a new payment method: Apple Pay. You could use Apple Pay in the browser or via the mobile app already, but now the method joins other on-console options like using a saved credit or debit card, and PayPal.

As reported by 9to5Mac, you may now see a new option for Apple Pay available at checkout. It’s using the QR code-style method that Apple introduced on iOS 18 last year, and also lets you buy things on third-party browsers like Chrome. The PlayStation support page for using Apple Pay has more information on which regions this works in, which includes the US.

Once you select the game you want on your PS5, choose Apple Pay, then scan the code on your TV screen with your iPhone. iOS will then pull up a checkout screen that lets you confirm the transaction. And if you’re an Apple Card user, that means your PS5 purchases are good for 2 percent cash back as well. 9to5Mac also says Apple Pay may come to PS4 consoles as well after a future software update.