A new AI-generated map of the world’s trees and renewable energy projects could help fight climate change A view showing the parts of the world covered by SATLAS using images from Sentinel-2 satellites. | Image: Allen Institute for AIA first-of-its-kind map of renewable energy projects and tree coverage around the world launched today, and it uses generative AI to essentially sharpen images taken from space. It’s all part of a new tool called Satlas…

Cannondale joins the electric cargo bike party The Wonderwagen Neo (left) and Cargowagen Neo (right) are Cannondale’s first cargo bikes. | Image: CannondaleCannondale is announcing its first electric cargo bikes today with the Cargowagen Neo long-tail model launching in the US, and the Wonderwagen Neo front-loader headed exclusively to Europe. They aren’t cheap until you compare them to the …

IBM promised to back off facial recognition — then it signed a $69.8 million contract to provide it Illustration by Alex Castro / The VergeIBM has returned to the facial recognition market — just three years after announcing it was abandoning work on the technology due to concerns about racial profiling, mass surveillance, and other human rights violations. In June 2020, as Black Lives Matter protests swept the US after George Floyd’s murder, …

VanMoof e-bikes finds a buyer People swarm around the S5 at its reveal in March, 2022. VanMoof’s future is less clear. | Photo by Thomas Ricker / The VergeLavoie is buying bankrupt e-bike maker VanMoof. The e-mobility subsidiary of McLaren Applied announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the VanMoof e-bike business. The announcement gives ne…

Samsung’s noise-canceling Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are over $50 off right now Even the lavender version of Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are on sale right now. | Photo by Chris Welch / The VergeApple may release a new set of AirPods with support for USB-C in a matter of weeks, but if you’re embedded in the Samsung ecosystem, there are more suitable pairs of earbuds on the market already. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are a …

Aqara put a notification light in its new Matter ceiling light The outer ring can create a gradient — or serve as a notification light. | Image: AqaraAqara is adding a bunch of new products to its smart home lineup today, one of which includes a Matter-enabled ceiling light with a pretty unique perk. With a diameter of 50cm (~19.7 inches), Aqara’s Ceiling Light T1M features a range of 16 million different c…

IFA 2023: the biggest announcements from Europe’s big tech show Photo by John MacDougall / AFP via Getty ImagesFrom the smart home to foldables, here’s everything being announced in Berlin. Continue reading…

Philips Hue’s new security cameras are end-to-end encrypted and predictably expensive Philips Hue’s new wired indoor/outdoor security camera comes in black or white and can work as a motion sensor for Hue’s smart lighting and its new Hue Secure security system. Philips Hue is moving into the smart home security space with the launch of Philips Hue Secure, a DIY security system that leverages new cameras and new sensors that work …

Philips Hue finally (for real this time) adds support for Matter The Philips Hue Bridge. | Image: Philips HueThings are looking brighter for smart home owners. After months of delays and uncertainty, the Philips Hue Bridge is finally being updated to support the new smart home standard Matter. A software update will roll out in September, letting users connect their Hue systems with other Matter devices and a…

Google kills Pixel Pass without ever upgrading subscriber’s phones Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The VergeIn October 2021, Google launched a new Pixel Pass subscription program alongside the Pixel 6 series of phones that promised three things for one monthly payment ($45 for a Pixel 6 or $55 for a 6 Pro): “Google’s best mobile services, device protection, and regular device upgrades.” However, on Tuesday, …

Sennheiser’s latest soundbar is half the size and almost half the price You’ll find no upward-firing full-range drivers on the Soundbar Mini. | Image: SennheiserSennheiser’s new Ambeo Soundbar Mini is the German audio brand’s third and most affordable soundbar. At $799 (€799 / £699), it’s still an expensive AV accessory, but in the context of the company’s original $2,499.95 Ambeo Soundbar Max and $1,499.95 Ambeo So…

Apple may stop offering customer support on social media Illustration: The VergeApple employees will soon stop providing assistance to customers via X — formerly Twitter — as well as YouTube and the Apple Support Community online forum, MacRumors reports, citing anonymous sources. Apple reportedly plans on getting rid of its social media support advisor roles, including the paid community specialist r…

Xbox clips will soon automatically upload to OneDrive cloud storage Illustration by Alex Castro / The VergeMicrosoft is working on a feature that will allow Xbox owners to automatically upload their screenshots and clips to OneDrive. Xbox Insiders in the Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead rings can now test this new feature, which also allows you to upload your existing clip and screenshot collection to OneDrive. A new …

Google is now blurring sexually explicit images by default Image: GoogleGoogle has rolled out a new SafeSearch feature that automatically blurs explicit (meaning violent, sexual, etc.) images in its results. This will occur for all users by default — including those who don’t have SafeSearch enabled. This setting was first announced back in February but was scheduled to roll out globally this month. The…

Starz is lowering the price of its annual subscription, unlike everyone else Starz often picks up canceled shows like HBO Max’s Minx. | Image: HBO MaxStarz has lowered its annual subscription price from $74.99 a year to $69.99, Cord Cutters first reported and TechCrunch later confirmed. Starz emailed its subscribers the news on August 29th, explaining existing members will see the change in price on their next bill. It’s…

The best Android phone to buy in 2023 Image: The VergeWhether you want everything but the kitchen sink or top-tier performance for a midtier price, you’ve got options. Continue reading…

Google Pixel 8: all of the leaks and rumors so far Leaked by Google. | Image: GoogleThey just… put it in the alt text. Continue reading…

Call of Duty will use AI to moderate voice chats Image: ActivisionFirst-person shooters like Call of Duty are somewhat infamous for the toxicity of their lobbies and voice chats. Surveys have dubbed the franchise’s fan base the most negative in all of gaming; a feud between two players once resulted in the summoning of a SWAT team. Activision has been trying to crack down on this behavior for …

The New York subway’s ride tracker has a scary security loophole Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The VergeNew York’s OMNY subway pass system is supposed to make the lives of its riders easier, but as a 404 Media investigation highlights, it makes tracking your movement a little bit too easy — posing dangers for anyone at risk of stalking or harassment. If you tap a bank card to ride the subway, a “trip hist…

The key ingredient to millions of EVs is buried under a former volcano — but there’s still a lot we don’t know Lithium Americas Corp. is in the process of building a lithium mine in the remote Thacker Pass area of northern Nevada that has drawn impassioned protest from nearby tribes, ranchers, and environmentalists. | Image: Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesThe company constructing a controversial new lithium mine to supply GM’s electric…