theverge--2020-09-20--The Verge’s favorite gadgets for coffee and tea

I ’ m not sure about you , but one of the things that has been keeping many of us sane during these weird , not-so-wonderful times , is coffee and tea .
Besides the caffeine energy lift ( for those of us who take it with caffeine ) , the imbibing of hot liquids can be relaxing , while iced coffee or tea can be very refreshing .
With that in mind , we ’ ve asked the staff of The Verge to tell us about their favorite coffee and tea brewers , grinders , and other paraphernalia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we hope you ’ ll enjoy looking over some of the gadgets that we enjoying using for our daily infusions .
If you ’ re not , maybe this will give you some ideas of things to try .
As a dumb Midwestern American , my first introduction to the Moka Pot came with my very first European trip to Barcelona to cover the Mobile World Congress smartphone convention .
I had no idea what I was doing , was traveling alone , and discovered my little hotel room didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but this Bialetti thing and a small stove .
I figured it out with some googling and immediately fell in love .
It works by heating the water below , which passes through a chamber with the coffee and then up into the pot above .
The coffee it makes is a sort of halfway in between a percolator-style brew and an espresso .
It makes a rich , full-bodied yet clean cup once you figure it out .
Getting it takes a little doing , but it ’ s worth it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ overheat the thing and boil the coffee , you start to get a feel for “ dialing in ” a recipe .
You can experiment with just a couple of variables instead of the seemingly endless ones coffee nerds will talk about with pour-over systems .
It teaches you a little bit about how coffee works in a more accessible way .
Also , it ’ s a pretty , elegant thing to have on your stove .
It makes a satisfying little percolator noise when it ’ s ready , and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Coffee drip brewer to use .
For years , I only ever drank coffee at home that was brewed in a Bialetti Moka pot .
But since working from home and finding myself reliably making two cups of coffee a day , I ’ ve switched almost completely to using an old AeroPress I had tucked away in a cupboard .
My switch had nothing to do with taste — although , for what it ’ s worth , I think the AeroPress makes great coffee .
Instead , it had everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to clean .
After you ’ ve depressed its plunger and gotten all your brewed coffee into a mug , you can whip the AeroPress ’ lid off and plunge the remaining grounds straight into your food waste bin .
Give the whole thing a quick rinse , and it ’ s ready to be used again , perfect if your household makes lots of individual cups of coffee throughout the day .
If you want to get fancy with it , there are a ton of AeroPress recipes you can try out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your coffee , how much coffee you use , the temperature of your water , or how long you leave it to brew .
Here ’ s one such video of nine recipes .
Then , once you ’ re bored of those and want to throw caution to the wind , there are a couple of apps that auto-generate AeroPress coffee recipes .
I use Aeroprecipe for Android , but there ’ s also CoffeeDice for iOS .
Is it a little annoying never knowing what kind of coffee you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one ?
A little , but when you ’ re going stir-crazy after working from home continuously for six months , a little variation in your coffee is no bad thing .
It took me a while to move past the idea that I didn ’ t need a bunch of expensive machinery to make a good cup of coffee .
That changed when I saw that some of my favorite coffee shops made each cup fresh pour-over style with a simple drip filter .
At best , it tastes almost exactly like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out $ 20 or so for a Hario V60 ceramic drip filter , hoping to replicate the results at home , and I couldn ’ t be happier with each cup I drink .
I ’ ve gotten great results with Stumptown ’ s single-origin El Injerto Bourbon Guatemalan coffee , but really any decent coffee beans will turn out a good cup .
Now , this is quite the opposite of a hands-free way to make coffee .
I have to grind enough beans for a cup , then dump it into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ceramic cone-shaped filter .
Once the water is boiled on the range , then I have to slowly pour some over the coffee , little by little , until the cup is full .
It ’ s not a fool-proof method , either .
On tired days , I ’ ve accidentally poured too much water in , which causes coffee grounds to go into the cup .
I ’ ve also totally knocked the filter off the cup , which leaves a truly glorious mess that ’ s just pleasant to deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But on good days , it takes no more than five minutes to make each cup .
That might be too much of a commitment for you , but I find putting some time into something that will yield energy to be a worthwhile ritual .
All pour-over coffee brewers should be like this one .
The Melitta single-cup pour-over coffee brewer has got two big holes in the base so that light shines into your cup and you can tell how full it is and when to stop pouring .
After one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inferior brewer , I finally upgraded to this one a couple of years ago and have been very happy .
The Melitta is light without being flimsy , inexpensive , and great for camping trips .
In my household , we use a French press , and until recently , we simply went to the local supermarket and used their machine to grind a pound of coffee .
However , when the pandemic hit , the supermarket got rid of its grinder — I guess it thought it might be a source of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have any place local that would grind coffee beans to the coarseness needed by a French press .
So we watched a ton of YouTube videos explaining how grinders worked and what type you should buy , laughed at the prices of most of the ones they were touting , and finally decided upon the Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder .
This isn ’ t a top-of-the-line grinder by any means ; it uses metal rather than ceramic burrs ( and no , I ’ m not going to explain what a burr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it ’ s really hard to clean .
But after a few trial runs , we ’ ve learned how to use it to grind coffee beans to a decent coarseness and can now have our morning coffee straight from the beans .
I ’ m usually a no-frills coffee guy : regular drip coffee with a splash of milk is my go-to order .
But if you ’ re looking to turn your morning cup into something a little fancier , my wife swears by this funny little milk frother from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it comes to quality , but this frother has lasted us a couple of years now .
All it takes is two AA batteries and your milk is suddenly whisked into a heaping pile of foam .
Add the coffee , and voila : instant sophistication .
Let me say at the start that you absolutely should get an electric kettle for boiling water even if you ’ re not trying to up your coffee game .
It ’ s wildly more useful than you might expect to have a dedicated thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Let me also say that paying $ 149 for an electric kettle is objectively nuts , and it puts you at serious risk of being called a coffee snob .
But if you can swing it , the Stagg EKG is a lovely kettle .
It has just the right controls : a simple knob for adjusting temperature that doubles as an on / off button and as a timer when you long-press it .
There is a switch on the back for metric or imperial units and another switch that lets you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for up to an hour .
You ’ re buying it for the elegant , easy operation , but you ’ re also buying it because it is a beautiful , well-made object .
It ’ s incredibly well-designed , and though it doesn ’ t hold quite as much water as some others , it keeps that water at precisely the temperature you set it at .
I prefer the gooseneck version as it is easier to do fiddly pour-over things .
It has quickly become the default option for a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s for a good reason : it ’ s great .
Expensive !
But great .
I used to make cold brew in a not-so-efficient manner .
After months of finding coffee grounds in my coffee , I decided to upgrade to this cheap alternative , and it absolutely changed my cold brew game .
Gone are the days of using mesh sieves to filter my brews .
I just remove the bag after 12–24 hours of steeping , and voila : great , ground-free cold brew .
I used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but adding this bag to my routine is making me think cold brew season is going to last much longer than it has in the past .
Okay , I ’ ll admit it .
Until recently , I was something of a coffee dilettante .
I didn ’ t buy fresh coffee beans , grind the exact amount I needed , heat the water to exactly the right temperature , and preheat the French press before brewing .
Instead , I got a pound of pre-ground coffee at the local supermarket and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but extremely useful storage container .
This is how it works : when I got the bag of coffee home , I would open the bag , fold it back a bit from the top , and then put it into the plastic dispenser .
When I snapped the cover shut , an extension in the bottom of the cover held the bag open .
After that , when I wanted coffee , I simply had to open a small door in the top of the cover , spoon out as much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open bag , and snap the door shut again .
It was convenient , and the coffee stayed fresh ( or as fresh as pre-ground coffee can be ) .
Over the past six months , my household has graduated to actual coffee beans and a grinder .
( But no , we do not preheat the French press — I ’ ve got limits , after all . )
As a result , our little plastic coffee dispenser seems to have outlived its usefulness .
But that ’ s okay .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it for .
I drink a lot of tea in the morning , and I like fancy mugs .
Lately , my favorite has been East Fork ’ s handmade mug — dubbed “ The Mug ” — which is a delightful , good-looking way to enjoy your favorite hot beverage .
At $ 36 , is it expensive ?
Yes .
Does it function virtually the same as a mug that costs one-sixth the price ?
Also yes .
But the clay is thick and heavy , keeping my tea warm and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lovely , with smooth , rounded edges and a sturdy handle .
And the speckled glazes ( especially the brighter , seasonal colors ) look fantastic .
[ NOTE : The Mug and other pottery by East Fork are currently sold out , but according to the company , presales will be available on Sunday , October 25th . ]
You can buy all the fancy coffee gear in the world , but if you aren ’ t using decent beans , you ’ re only ever going to get so far .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ garbage in , garbage out.
” ) Good beans can mean different things to different people , but basically , you want something that has been recently roasted ( freshness matters a ton ) and isn ’ t over-roasted , like some certain big coffee chains that happened to originate from Seattle like to do .
The easiest way I ’ ve found to have a regular supply of fresh coffee beans is to have them delivered to my house on a regular cadence .
I ’ ve subscribed to various coffee delivery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a while to try out something new .
We drink a lot of coffee in my home , so we can easily go through a 12-ounce bag each week .
I generally have two bags delivered every two weeks to keep me stocked up without having to store them for too long .
The best coffee bean services roast and ship the same day , and depending on where you live , can get them to you in as little as a day or two .
( I ’ m in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coast work best for me , especially with shipping times getting extended during the pandemic . )
Most give you choices for blends or single-origin beans , with the same ones arriving each order or , in some cases , different varieties depending on seasonal availability .
You will pay a little more for this convenience versus buying the beans in a store , but you also avoid having to make that last-minute run to the store and hope that they have the beans you like on the shelf .
( Or in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having to settle for the subpar , months-old beans the local grocery stores stock on their shelves . )
I ’ ve had good success ordering beans from Blue Bottle , Yes Plz , Counter Culture , and Bixby Coffee ( no relation to Samsung ’ s virtual assistant of the same name , but it does have a dog as a mascot ) .
My current plan , though , is through Irving Farm , a New York-based roaster .

I’m not sure about you, but one of the things that has been keeping many of us sane during these weird, not-so-wonderful times, is coffee and tea. Besides the caffeine energy lift (for those of us who take it with caffeine), the imbibing of hot liquids can be relaxing, while iced coffee or tea can be very refreshing.
With that in mind, we’ve asked the staff of The Verge to tell us about their favorite coffee and tea brewers, grinders, and other paraphernalia. If you’re also an enthusiast, we hope you’ll enjoy looking over some of the gadgets that we enjoying using for our daily infusions. If you’re not, maybe this will give you some ideas of things to try.
Bialetti Express Moka Pot Photo: Bialetti
As a dumb Midwestern American, my first introduction to the Moka Pot came with my very first European trip to Barcelona to cover the Mobile World Congress smartphone convention. I had no idea what I was doing, was traveling alone, and discovered my little hotel room didn’t have a boring hotel room coffee maker but this Bialetti thing and a small stove.
I figured it out with some googling and immediately fell in love. It works by heating the water below, which passes through a chamber with the coffee and then up into the pot above. The coffee it makes is a sort of halfway in between a percolator-style brew and an espresso. It makes a rich, full-bodied yet clean cup once you figure it out.
Getting it takes a little doing, but it’s worth it. Once you figure out how not to overheat the thing and boil the coffee, you start to get a feel for “dialing in” a recipe. You can experiment with just a couple of variables instead of the seemingly endless ones coffee nerds will talk about with pour-over systems. It teaches you a little bit about how coffee works in a more accessible way.
Also, it’s a pretty, elegant thing to have on your stove. It makes a satisfying little percolator noise when it’s ready, and it feels way more satisfying than your standard Mr. Coffee drip brewer to use.
Dieter Bohn
Executive editor
Bialetti Express Moka Pot / Moka coffee maker $35 from Amazon
AeroPress coffee maker Photo: AeroPress
For years, I only ever drank coffee at home that was brewed in a Bialetti Moka pot. But since working from home and finding myself reliably making two cups of coffee a day, I’ve switched almost completely to using an old AeroPress I had tucked away in a cupboard.
My switch had nothing to do with taste — although, for what it’s worth, I think the AeroPress makes great coffee. Instead, it had everything to do with how easy it is to clean. After you’ve depressed its plunger and gotten all your brewed coffee into a mug, you can whip the AeroPress’ lid off and plunge the remaining grounds straight into your food waste bin. Give the whole thing a quick rinse, and it’s ready to be used again, perfect if your household makes lots of individual cups of coffee throughout the day.
If you want to get fancy with it, there are a ton of AeroPress recipes you can try out, which vary how coarsely you grind your coffee, how much coffee you use, the temperature of your water, or how long you leave it to brew. Here’s one such video of nine recipes. Then, once you’re bored of those and want to throw caution to the wind, there are a couple of apps that auto-generate AeroPress coffee recipes. I use Aeroprecipe for Android, but there’s also CoffeeDice for iOS.
Is it a little annoying never knowing what kind of coffee you’re going to get every time you make one? A little, but when you’re going stir-crazy after working from home continuously for six months, a little variation in your coffee is no bad thing.
Jon Porter
International news writer
Aeropress / Coffee maker $35 from Amazon
Hario V60 ceramic coffee dripper Photo: Hario
It took me a while to move past the idea that I didn’t need a bunch of expensive machinery to make a good cup of coffee. That changed when I saw that some of my favorite coffee shops made each cup fresh pour-over style with a simple drip filter. At best, it tastes almost exactly like the coffee smells.
So I shelled out $20 or so for a Hario V60 ceramic drip filter, hoping to replicate the results at home, and I couldn’t be happier with each cup I drink. I’ve gotten great results with Stumptown’s single-origin El Injerto Bourbon Guatemalan coffee, but really any decent coffee beans will turn out a good cup.
Now, this is quite the opposite of a hands-free way to make coffee. I have to grind enough beans for a cup, then dump it into a paper filter that slides into the ceramic cone-shaped filter. Once the water is boiled on the range, then I have to slowly pour some over the coffee, little by little, until the cup is full. It’s not a fool-proof method, either. On tired days, I’ve accidentally poured too much water in, which causes coffee grounds to go into the cup. I’ve also totally knocked the filter off the cup, which leaves a truly glorious mess that’s just pleasant to deal with first thing in the morning.
But on good days, it takes no more than five minutes to make each cup. That might be too much of a commitment for you, but I find putting some time into something that will yield energy to be a worthwhile ritual.
Cameron Faulkner
Writer
Hario V60 / Ceramic coffee dripper $19 from Amazon
Melitta single-cup brewer Photo: Melitta
All pour-over coffee brewers should be like this one. The Melitta single-cup pour-over coffee brewer has got two big holes in the base so that light shines into your cup and you can tell how full it is and when to stop pouring.
After one too many overflows with my old, inferior brewer, I finally upgraded to this one a couple of years ago and have been very happy. The Melitta is light without being flimsy, inexpensive, and great for camping trips.
Helen Havlak
VP, The Verge
Melitta single-cup pour-over coffee brewer / Plastic one-cup drip brewer From $7 at Amazon
Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder Photo: Capresso
In my household, we use a French press, and until recently, we simply went to the local supermarket and used their machine to grind a pound of coffee. However, when the pandemic hit, the supermarket got rid of its grinder — I guess it thought it might be a source of transmission — and we didn’t have any place local that would grind coffee beans to the coarseness needed by a French press. So we watched a ton of YouTube videos explaining how grinders worked and what type you should buy, laughed at the prices of most of the ones they were touting, and finally decided upon the Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder.
This isn’t a top-of-the-line grinder by any means; it uses metal rather than ceramic burrs (and no, I’m not going to explain what a burr is; look it up), and it’s really hard to clean. But after a few trial runs, we’ve learned how to use it to grind coffee beans to a decent coarseness and can now have our morning coffee straight from the beans.
Barbara Krasnoff
Reviews editor
Capresso Infinity / Conical burr coffee grinder $85 at Amazon
Ikea Produkt milk frother Photo: Ikea
I’m usually a no-frills coffee guy: regular drip coffee with a splash of milk is my go-to order. But if you’re looking to turn your morning cup into something a little fancier, my wife swears by this funny little milk frother from Ikea. Ikea is usually pretty hit-or-miss when it comes to quality, but this frother has lasted us a couple of years now. All it takes is two AA batteries and your milk is suddenly whisked into a heaping pile of foam. Add the coffee, and voila: instant sophistication.
Andrew J. Hawkins
Senior reporter
IKEA Produkt / Milk frother $3 from Ikea
Fellow’s Stagg KEG electric kettle Photo: Fellow
Let me say at the start that you absolutely should get an electric kettle for boiling water even if you’re not trying to up your coffee game. It’s wildly more useful than you might expect to have a dedicated thing for making very hot water fast.
Let me also say that paying $149 for an electric kettle is objectively nuts, and it puts you at serious risk of being called a coffee snob. But if you can swing it, the Stagg EKG is a lovely kettle. It has just the right controls: a simple knob for adjusting temperature that doubles as an on / off button and as a timer when you long-press it. There is a switch on the back for metric or imperial units and another switch that lets you set the kettle to hold its temperature for up to an hour.
You’re buying it for the elegant, easy operation, but you’re also buying it because it is a beautiful, well-made object. It’s incredibly well-designed, and though it doesn’t hold quite as much water as some others, it keeps that water at precisely the temperature you set it at. I prefer the gooseneck version as it is easier to do fiddly pour-over things.
It has quickly become the default option for a lot of people getting into coffee, and that’s for a good reason: it’s great. Expensive! But great.
Dieter Bohn
Fellow Stagg EKG / Pour-over electric kettle $149 from Amazon
Organic cotton cold brew filter bag Photo: Doppeltree
I used to make cold brew in a not-so-efficient manner. After months of finding coffee grounds in my coffee, I decided to upgrade to this cheap alternative, and it absolutely changed my cold brew game. Gone are the days of using mesh sieves to filter my brews. I just remove the bag after 12–24 hours of steeping, and voila: great, ground-free cold brew. I used to be a summer-only cold brew drinker, but adding this bag to my routine is making me think cold brew season is going to last much longer than it has in the past.
Cory Zapatka
Video director
Doppeltree Cold Brew Coffee Bag / Organic cotton cold brew filter bag $13 from Amazon
Buddeez Coffee and More Dispenser Photo: Buddeez
Okay, I’ll admit it. Until recently, I was something of a coffee dilettante. I didn’t buy fresh coffee beans, grind the exact amount I needed, heat the water to exactly the right temperature, and preheat the French press before brewing. Instead, I got a pound of pre-ground coffee at the local supermarket and stored it in this cheap, plastic, but extremely useful storage container.
This is how it works: when I got the bag of coffee home, I would open the bag, fold it back a bit from the top, and then put it into the plastic dispenser. When I snapped the cover shut, an extension in the bottom of the cover held the bag open. After that, when I wanted coffee, I simply had to open a small door in the top of the cover, spoon out as much coffee grounds as I needed from the open bag, and snap the door shut again. It was convenient, and the coffee stayed fresh (or as fresh as pre-ground coffee can be).
Over the past six months, my household has graduated to actual coffee beans and a grinder. (But no, we do not preheat the French press — I’ve got limits, after all.) As a result, our little plastic coffee dispenser seems to have outlived its usefulness. But that’s okay. We’ll find something else to use it for.
Barbara Krasnoff
Buddeez Coffee and More Dispenser / Coffee storage container $11 from Amazon
The Mug Photo: East Fork
I drink a lot of tea in the morning, and I like fancy mugs. Lately, my favorite has been East Fork’s handmade mug — dubbed “The Mug” — which is a delightful, good-looking way to enjoy your favorite hot beverage.
At $36, is it expensive? Yes. Does it function virtually the same as a mug that costs one-sixth the price? Also yes. But the clay is thick and heavy, keeping my tea warm and my hands unburnt. The design is lovely, with smooth, rounded edges and a sturdy handle. And the speckled glazes (especially the brighter, seasonal colors) look fantastic.
[NOTE: The Mug and other pottery by East Fork are currently sold out, but according to the company, presales will be available on Sunday, October 25th.]
Chaim Gartenberg
News editor
The Mug / Handmade mug $36 from East Fork
A coffee bean subscription
Yes Plz coffee by subscription Photo: Yes Plz
You can buy all the fancy coffee gear in the world, but if you aren’t using decent beans, you’re only ever going to get so far. (Remember that old maxim: “garbage in, garbage out.”) Good beans can mean different things to different people, but basically, you want something that has been recently roasted (freshness matters a ton) and isn’t over-roasted, like some certain big coffee chains that happened to originate from Seattle like to do.
The easiest way I’ve found to have a regular supply of fresh coffee beans is to have them delivered to my house on a regular cadence. I’ve subscribed to various coffee delivery services for years, switching every once in a while to try out something new. We drink a lot of coffee in my home, so we can easily go through a 12-ounce bag each week. I generally have two bags delivered every two weeks to keep me stocked up without having to store them for too long.
The best coffee bean services roast and ship the same day, and depending on where you live, can get them to you in as little as a day or two. (I’m in New York, so roasters on the East Coast work best for me, especially with shipping times getting extended during the pandemic.) Most give you choices for blends or single-origin beans, with the same ones arriving each order or, in some cases, different varieties depending on seasonal availability. You will pay a little more for this convenience versus buying the beans in a store, but you also avoid having to make that last-minute run to the store and hope that they have the beans you like on the shelf. (Or in the case of where I live, having to settle for the subpar, months-old beans the local grocery stores stock on their shelves.)


theverge--2020-09-21--Are Microsoft and Sony offering enough for you to buy a next-gen console this year?

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After months of waiting , we finally know when the Xbox Series X , Series S and PlayStation 5 will launch , and some games that will be available on day one .
But the new hardware requires some investment : the Xbox Series X / S will cost $ 499 and $ 299 , while the PS5 and its discless Digital Edition will cost $ 499 and $ 399 .
And if you want to take the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be able to actually find a console , which hasn ’ t been easy with PS5 preorders so far .
( Fingers crossed that the Xbox Series X / S preorders go more smoothly . )
Are Microsoft and Sony offering enough to convince you to buy into the next generation at launch ?
Our newsroom is torn , so we wanted to share our thoughts in case it helps you make a decision — even if that decision is , “ I ’ m going to wait a while.
” Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a PS5 and Xbox Series X at launch in addition to upgrading my PC to next-gen hardware .
At first , I was going to hold off on buying a PS5 until Ratchet and Clank : Rift Apart received a firm release date .
( Right now , it ’ s scheduled for the PS5 ’ s “ launch window.
” ) But when I saw Demon ’ s Souls remake would be a launch title , I decided to bite the bullet .
Initially , I wanted to buy a Series X @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after it was delayed , there was nothing that was incentivizing me to buy an Xbox Series X until 2021 .
Then , Microsoft acquired a bunch of ZeniMax properties , including one of my favorite gaming franchises , Fallout , reigniting my interest to purchase Microsoft ’ s next-gen system on launch day .
Julia Alexander : I would first like to state that while I respect my colleagues purchasing the big Xbox console , I am more interested in seeing their living room setups .
Where are they placing the console @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand ?
Is it going to lay forever on the floor because there simply is nowhere else for it to exist ?
It ’ s so big !
It is , quite frankly , too big .
I ’ m looking at an Xbox One right now and it ’ s a perfect size .
But I digress .
I ’ m probably going to buy a PlayStation 5 .
Wait .
Stop .
Don ’ t “ well , actually ” me just yet in the comments .
I ’ m aware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Xbox Series X , but here ’ s the thing : it doesn ’ t seem as imposing , as looming , as threatening to me as the Series X .
“ I ’ m basically buying what I think looks cooler.
” Look , this isn ’ t me saying “ sOnY iS bEtTeR ” so please don ’ t email me things about hating on Xbox .
I ’ ve used PlayStation consoles all my life , and at this point I ’ m mainly using consoles as general entertainment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choose ( although I ’ d like to be able to live freely and just throw both on my Visa ) , I ’ m basically buying what I think looks cooler .
I ’ m going with the Tron-looking console .
Consoles are living room set pieces .
The PS5 looks like it ’ ll really tie the room together .
I ’ ll take the futuristic , Wall-E-inspired console over the very big , boring brick .
Sean Hollister : I ’ ve never been a day-one console buyer , always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get ironed out — and with the PS5 and Xbox Series X and S , I feel like there ’ s less reason to buy at launch than ever .
I badly want to play Miles Morales and Horizon : Forbidden West , but Sony says I ’ ll be able to do that on my existing PS4 Pro !
Plus , I wrote a whole editorial on how I probably won ’ t need an Xbox at all — every big game is also coming to PCs , and many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest games for both consoles probably won ’ t be out anytime soon .
I love me some Demon ’ s Souls and the first footage of Bluepoint ’ s remaster made me giddy , but will we even see the delayed Halo : Infinite or that new Horizon before holiday 2021 ?
Deathloop got delayed till 2021 as well .
And heck , if I wait long enough , I can probably play the “ PS5 exclusive ” Demon ’ s Souls and Final Fantasy XVI on PC as well .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a PS5 pre-order .
Feels like a shame to waste it ?
I ’ ve got plenty of good stuff on PS4 that ’ ll be backwards compatible , and we ’ re all still stuck at home right now .
I guess I can sell it at a loss on Craigslist or something , if it ’ s not getting enough use .
That ’ s how I originally bought my PS3 and PS4 , after all .
Cameron Faulkner : I ’ m almost fully certain that there ’ s nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do that my current PC can ’ t do better — yet I still crave that $ 299 console .
I thought that as consoles became more like PCs on the inside , getting equipped with fast processors and — finally , FINALLY — faster PCIe-based storage , I would be driven further away from them , since I ’ m all set on the PC front .
“ I ’ m as drawn as ever to the idea of being among the first to get the Series S. ” Yet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the idea of being among the first to get the Series S. I ’ m a big fan of Game Pass , but beyond that , I think Microsoft ’ s strategy of setting expectations with the specs of the Series S ( not over-hyping like it did with the One X ) , and allowing me to use all of my controllers from the Xbox One generation , are both sitting well with me .
Kaitlin Hatton : My last foray into the console world was with the PlayStation 2 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ PC games , as they were easier to maintain through four years of college and several long-distance moves .
Then the pandemic hit , and as an adult with a little pocket change and a lot of spare time , console gaming was calling me .
This is all to say that my return to the console world is going to come with the digital version of the PlayStation 5 .
I have no disc games so my decision between the two versions was pretty easy .
I likely won ’ t buy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m hoping to have one before the new year .
Tom Warren : I ’ ve preordered a PS5 , and I ’ ll be preordering an Xbox Series S for sure .
I ’ m debating getting all three because I ’ m addicted to games , but I already have a powerful gaming PC that will play all the Xbox exclusives .
The Xbox Series S just looks like a great deal for something I can attach to my 1440p monitor and quickly access Xbox games .
Jay Peters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PS5 Digital Edition , and I ’ m planning to pre-order the Xbox Series S. But if I ’ m being totally honest , I might cancel the PS5 pre-order and stick with the Xbox Series S for the beginning of this console generation .
I just got a PS4 in May and I still have a lot of its back catalog to get through .
( I ’ m currently 70 hours into Persona 5 Royal , if you were wondering . )
The PS5 game I was looking forward to most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also be available on PS4 , so there ’ s nothing brand-new on PS5 that ’ s calling me on day one .
And that $ 69.99 price tag for some PS5 games is a lot .
“ We ’ ll see if I hold onto that PS5 pre-order.
” A $ 299 Xbox Series S paired with a $ 9.99 per month Xbox Game Pass subscription , on the other hand , will let me dive into Xbox ’ s back catalog ( I haven ’ t owned an Xbox since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next-generation first-party launch title .
For the same $ 399 I ’ m paying for the PS5 , I can get an Xbox Series S and 10 months of games on Game Pass .
We ’ ll see if I hold onto that PS5 pre-order .
Jon Porter : I didn ’ t buy a PS4 until pretty late into the current generation of consoles , and if I ’ m being honest with myself , I don ’ t know when I ’ ll get around to upgrading .
I recently treated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CPU in five years ( I leapt from an Intel i7-4790k to a Ryzen 5 3600 ) , and together with its Nvidia RTX 2080 graphics card I can get a reasonable experience out of most modern games .
That might change if more of them start integrating performance intensive graphics features like ray-tracing to maintain parity with the next-gen consoles , but even then it ’ ll be easier to turn down a couple of settings on PC than to shell out hundreds of dollars on new equipment .
“ The decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down to one or two exclusive games.
” So for me , the decision on when to upgrade will probably come down to one or two exclusive games that everyone ’ s talking about .
It ’ s not going to be Spider-Man : Miles Morales or Horizon : Forbidden West , since I ’ ll be able to play both on PS4 , and it ’ s not going to be any of Microsoft ’ s first-party games like Halo Infinite , since I ’ ll be able to play those on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ d say that I ’ ll probably end up upgrading for a big third-party release like Grand Theft Auto 6 , or the second part of the Final Fantasy VII remake ( if/when either get announced ) .
Given their publishers ’ tendencies to release PC ports of their games a year or more after their original console release , I think either could push me to buy a new machine to play them on day one .
Chaim Gartenberg : I will probably get a PS5 at some point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God of War , Horizon Forbidden West , and the other presumably good PS5 exclusives that Sony will have down the line ( and so that my coworkers will stop making fun of me for not buying a PS4 last console generation . )
But I ’ m not buying a PS5 at launch because there ’ s no real point for me right now .
Same with the Xbox Series X / S — it doesn ’ t play anything that my first-gen Xbox One doesn ’ t , although I might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a decent trade-in offer , just to futureproof .
Maybe that will change once the next-gen games start to come out , but right now neither Microsoft or Sony has me champing at the bit to rush out for a new console just yet .
“ I ’ d let Elon Musk put a chip in my brain before I ’ d pick up joysticks again.
” TC Sottek : The last console I bought was an Xbox One X. I played it for a total of about 3 hours and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Before that , I had a PlayStation 4 that I used to play through about a third of The Witcher 3 before giving up .
When the world invents a controller that doesn ’ t cause my hands to ache painfully after 30 minutes of use I ’ ll consider going back to consoles .
I ’ d let Elon Musk put a chip in my brain before I ’ d pick up joysticks again .

After months of waiting, we finally know when the Xbox Series X, Series S and PlayStation 5 will launch, and some games that will be available on day one.
But the new hardware requires some investment: the Xbox Series X / S will cost $499 and $299, while the PS5 and its discless Digital Edition will cost $499 and $399. And if you want to take the plunge, you’ll also need to be able to actually find a console, which hasn’t been easy with PS5 preorders so far. (Fingers crossed that the Xbox Series X / S preorders go more smoothly.)
Are Microsoft and Sony offering enough to convince you to buy into the next generation at launch? Our newsroom is torn, so we wanted to share our thoughts in case it helps you make a decision — even if that decision is, “I’m going to wait a while.”
Taylor Lyles: I plan to buy both a PS5 and Xbox Series X at launch in addition to upgrading my PC to next-gen hardware.
At first, I was going to hold off on buying a PS5 until Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart received a firm release date. (Right now, it’s scheduled for the PS5’s “launch window.”) But when I saw Demon’s Souls remake would be a launch title, I decided to bite the bullet.
Initially, I wanted to buy a Series X at launch for Halo Infinite, but after it was delayed, there was nothing that was incentivizing me to buy an Xbox Series X until 2021. Then, Microsoft acquired a bunch of ZeniMax properties, including one of my favorite gaming franchises, Fallout, reigniting my interest to purchase Microsoft’s next-gen system on launch day.
Julia Alexander: I would first like to state that while I respect my colleagues purchasing the big Xbox console, I am more interested in seeing their living room setups. Where are they placing the console? Does it fit inside their TV stand? Is it going to lay forever on the floor because there simply is nowhere else for it to exist? It’s so big! It is, quite frankly, too big. I’m looking at an Xbox One right now and it’s a perfect size. But I digress.
I’m probably going to buy a PlayStation 5. Wait. Stop. Don’t “well, actually” me just yet in the comments. I’m aware that technically the PS5 is bigger than the Xbox Series X, but here’s the thing: it doesn’t seem as imposing, as looming, as threatening to me as the Series X.
“I’m basically buying what I think looks cooler.”
Look, this isn’t me saying “sOnY iS bEtTeR” so please don’t email me things about hating on Xbox. I’ve used PlayStation consoles all my life, and at this point I’m mainly using consoles as general entertainment systems. So if I have to choose (although I’d like to be able to live freely and just throw both on my Visa), I’m basically buying what I think looks cooler. I’m going with the Tron-looking console. Consoles are living room set pieces. The PS5 looks like it’ll really tie the room together. I’ll take the futuristic, Wall-E-inspired console over the very big, boring brick.
Sean Hollister: I’ve never been a day-one console buyer, always waiting for the reviews and early glitches to get ironed out — and with the PS5 and Xbox Series X and S, I feel like there’s less reason to buy at launch than ever. I badly want to play Miles Morales and Horizon: Forbidden West, but Sony says I’ll be able to do that on my existing PS4 Pro! Plus, I wrote a whole editorial on how I probably won’t need an Xbox at all — every big game is also coming to PCs, and many of them to the cloud.
Plus, the biggest games for both consoles probably won’t be out anytime soon. I love me some Demon’s Souls and the first footage of Bluepoint’s remaster made me giddy, but will we even see the delayed Halo: Infinite or that new Horizon before holiday 2021? Deathloop got delayed till 2021 as well. And heck, if I wait long enough, I can probably play the “PS5 exclusive” Demon’s Souls and Final Fantasy XVI on PC as well.
But... I did manage to get a PS5 pre-order. Feels like a shame to waste it? I’ve got plenty of good stuff on PS4 that’ll be backwards compatible, and we’re all still stuck at home right now. I guess I can sell it at a loss on Craigslist or something, if it’s not getting enough use. That’s how I originally bought my PS3 and PS4, after all.
Cameron Faulkner: I’m almost fully certain that there’s nothing the Xbox Series S will be able to do that my current PC can’t do better — yet I still crave that $299 console. I thought that as consoles became more like PCs on the inside, getting equipped with fast processors and — finally, FINALLY — faster PCIe-based storage, I would be driven further away from them, since I’m all set on the PC front.
“I’m as drawn as ever to the idea of being among the first to get the Series S.”
Yet, I’m as drawn as ever to the idea of being among the first to get the Series S. I’m a big fan of Game Pass, but beyond that, I think Microsoft’s strategy of setting expectations with the specs of the Series S (not over-hyping like it did with the One X), and allowing me to use all of my controllers from the Xbox One generation, are both sitting well with me.
Kaitlin Hatton: My last foray into the console world was with the PlayStation 2. However, I eventually switched over to PC games, as they were easier to maintain through four years of college and several long-distance moves. Then the pandemic hit, and as an adult with a little pocket change and a lot of spare time, console gaming was calling me.
This is all to say that my return to the console world is going to come with the digital version of the PlayStation 5. I have no disc games so my decision between the two versions was pretty easy. I likely won’t buy it the day it launches, but I’m hoping to have one before the new year.
Tom Warren: I’ve preordered a PS5, and I’ll be preordering an Xbox Series S for sure. I’m debating getting all three because I’m addicted to games, but I already have a powerful gaming PC that will play all the Xbox exclusives. The Xbox Series S just looks like a great deal for something I can attach to my 1440p monitor and quickly access Xbox games.
Jay Peters: I have a pre-order for the PS5 Digital Edition, and I’m planning to pre-order the Xbox Series S. But if I’m being totally honest, I might cancel the PS5 pre-order and stick with the Xbox Series S for the beginning of this console generation.
I just got a PS4 in May and I still have a lot of its back catalog to get through. (I’m currently 70 hours into Persona 5 Royal, if you were wondering.) The PS5 game I was looking forward to most, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, will also be available on PS4, so there’s nothing brand-new on PS5 that’s calling me on day one. And that $69.99 price tag for some PS5 games is a lot.
“We’ll see if I hold onto that PS5 pre-order.”
A $299 Xbox Series S paired with a $9.99 per month Xbox Game Pass subscription, on the other hand, will let me dive into Xbox’s back catalog (I haven’t owned an Xbox since the Xbox 360) and play every future next-generation first-party launch title. For the same $399 I’m paying for the PS5, I can get an Xbox Series S and 10 months of games on Game Pass.
We’ll see if I hold onto that PS5 pre-order.
Jon Porter: I didn’t buy a PS4 until pretty late into the current generation of consoles, and if I’m being honest with myself, I don’t know when I’ll get around to upgrading. I recently treated my gaming PC to its first new CPU in five years (I leapt from an Intel i7-4790k to a Ryzen 5 3600), and together with its Nvidia RTX 2080 graphics card I can get a reasonable experience out of most modern games.
That might change if more of them start integrating performance intensive graphics features like ray-tracing to maintain parity with the next-gen consoles, but even then it’ll be easier to turn down a couple of settings on PC than to shell out hundreds of dollars on new equipment.
“The decision on when to upgrade will probably come down to one or two exclusive games.”
So for me, the decision on when to upgrade will probably come down to one or two exclusive games that everyone’s talking about. It’s not going to be Spider-Man: Miles Morales or Horizon: Forbidden West, since I’ll be able to play both on PS4, and it’s not going to be any of Microsoft’s first-party games like Halo Infinite, since I’ll be able to play those on PC.
If I had to guess, I’d say that I’ll probably end up upgrading for a big third-party release like Grand Theft Auto 6, or the second part of the Final Fantasy VII remake (if/when either get announced). Given their publishers’ tendencies to release PC ports of their games a year or more after their original console release, I think either could push me to buy a new machine to play them on day one.
Chaim Gartenberg: I will probably get a PS5 at some point, because I would like to play God of War, Horizon Forbidden West, and the other presumably good PS5 exclusives that Sony will have down the line (and so that my coworkers will stop making fun of me for not buying a PS4 last console generation.)
But I’m not buying a PS5 at launch because there’s no real point for me right now. Same with the Xbox Series X / S — it doesn’t play anything that my first-gen Xbox One doesn’t, although I might upgrade at some point if there’s a decent trade-in offer, just to futureproof. Maybe that will change once the next-gen games start to come out, but right now neither Microsoft or Sony has me champing at the bit to rush out for a new console just yet.
“I’d let Elon Musk put a chip in my brain before I’d pick up joysticks again.”


theverge--2020-09-21--The remastered version of Spider-Man on PS5 won’t let you carry over your PS4 saves

Insomniac Games ’ hugely-successful 2018 hit Spider-Man is being remastered for PlayStation 5 with ray-tracing , faster loading , and support for the DualSense controller ’ s new haptic feedback .
And better yet , it ’ ll be available on the PS5 ’ s launch day as a pack-in with Spider-Man : Miles Morales Ultimate Edition .
But if you ’ ve been waiting for the PS5 ’ s new hardware as an excuse to dive back into Spider-Man ’ s virtual Manhattan , you unfortunately won ’ t be able to transfer your saves from the original game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed on Twitter .
And because Sony hasn ’ t spelled out how PS4 saves will work on PS5 for any other game , we ’ re not sure if the Spider-Man situation is the exception or the rule .
There are still some questions about the PS5 ’ s backward compatibility with PS4 games .
We do know that PS5 will be “ 99 percent ” backward compatible with the PS4 titles Sony has tested on it so far , but Sony hasn ’ t said which games won ’ t work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you ’ ll be able to play 18 classic PS4 games on PS5 if you have a PS Plus subscription , but it ’ s not clear if you ’ ll also able to play the disc or download versions of those games on PS5 , or if your previous saves will carry over .
“ Select ” PS4 and PSVR games that do work on the PS5 will get “ faster and smoother frame rates , ” though .
Also , if you are buying the more expensive PS5 with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to get a physical version of Spider-Man Remastered on its own , according to Insomniac Games — it seems like it will only be available as part of Spider-Man : Miles Morales Ultimate Edition .

Insomniac Games’ hugely-successful 2018 hit Spider-Man is being remastered for PlayStation 5 with ray-tracing, faster loading, and support for the DualSense controller’s new haptic feedback. And better yet, it’ll be available on the PS5’s launch day as a pack-in with Spider-Man: Miles Morales Ultimate Edition.
But if you’ve been waiting for the PS5’s new hardware as an excuse to dive back into Spider-Man’s virtual Manhattan, you unfortunately won’t be able to transfer your saves from the original game to the remastered version, Insomniac Games confirmed on Twitter. And because Sony hasn’t spelled out how PS4 saves will work on PS5 for any other game, we’re not sure if the Spider-Man situation is the exception or the rule.
Save game transfers are now a big question
There are still some questions about the PS5’s backward compatibility with PS4 games. We do know that PS5 will be “99 percent” backward compatible with the PS4 titles Sony has tested on it so far, but Sony hasn’t said which games won’t work just yet.
And we also know that you’ll be able to play 18 classic PS4 games on PS5 if you have a PS Plus subscription, but it’s not clear if you’ll also able to play the disc or download versions of those games on PS5, or if your previous saves will carry over. “Select” PS4 and PSVR games that do work on the PS5 will get “faster and smoother frame rates,” though.
Sony hasn’t replied to a request for comment.


theverge--2020-09-21--Check out these League of Legends jerseys designed by Heron Preston

The League of Legends World Championship kicks off this week , and teams want to look their best — so Korean side Gen.G partnered with famed streetwear designer Heron Preston for their new Worlds jersey .
The all-black Puma kit was unveiled today , and it ’ s a relatively simple design , with Gen.G ’ s logo displayed prominently on the front and a retro-inspired globe on the back .
Preston ’ s involvement is also hard to miss ; his name is in big blue letters just above the team ’ s logo .
Worlds is one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and teams that qualify for the tournament typically create special designs for their jerseys .
So far , the likes of G2 and Flyquest have revealed dragon-inspired kits ( the tournament takes place in Shanghai this year ) , while Nike is making all-new jerseys for the four representatives from China ’ s League of Legends Pro League .
The partnership with Preston — who serves as Gen.G ’ s “ executive brand ambassador ” and has worked with the likes of Virgil Abloh and NASA — is also part of an ongoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Staple designed jerseys for the Overwatch League this year , League developer Riot has partnered with brands like Louis Vuitton and BAPE for both in-game cosmetics and real-world clothing , and the Call of Duty League tapped Sheron Barber to design its championship throne .
Meanwhile , teams like Faze Clan and 100 Thieves are as much clothing brands as esports organizations .
Worlds starts on September 25th , though Gen.G ’ s campaign doesn ’ t begin until early October .
If you ’ re a newcomer , Riot put together some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world of competitive League of Legends .

The League of Legends World Championship kicks off this week, and teams want to look their best — so Korean side Gen.G partnered with famed streetwear designer Heron Preston for their new Worlds jersey. The all-black Puma kit was unveiled today, and it’s a relatively simple design, with Gen.G’s logo displayed prominently on the front and a retro-inspired globe on the back. Preston’s involvement is also hard to miss; his name is in big blue letters just above the team’s logo.
Worlds is one of the biggest events in competitive gaming, and teams that qualify for the tournament typically create special designs for their jerseys. So far, the likes of G2 and Flyquest have revealed dragon-inspired kits (the tournament takes place in Shanghai this year), while Nike is making all-new jerseys for the four representatives from China’s League of Legends Pro League.
The partnership with Preston — who serves as Gen.G’s “executive brand ambassador” and has worked with the likes of Virgil Abloh and NASA — is also part of an ongoing confluence of fashion and esports. Jeff Staple designed jerseys for the Overwatch League this year, League developer Riot has partnered with brands like Louis Vuitton and BAPE for both in-game cosmetics and real-world clothing, and the Call of Duty League tapped Sheron Barber to design its championship throne. Meanwhile, teams like Faze Clan and 100 Thieves are as much clothing brands as esports organizations.


theverge--2020-09-21--See inside the new Apple Watch Series 6 with iFixit’s latest teardown

iFixit took apart the Apple Watch Series 6 today , getting an inside look at the new sensors added to enable blood oxygen tracking .
There ’ s also one major piece of hardware that ’ s disappeared from the Watch : the tech used to enable Force Touch .
Force Touch allowed the Apple Watch ’ s screen to recognize how much force you ’ re applying , and it ’ s been a part of the Apple Watch since the first model was released in 2015 .
But the latest version of watchOS removes Force Touch from prior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear why : it ’ s not part of the Series 6 Watch at all .
Apple had an equivalent feature , known as 3D Touch , for phones starting with the iPhone 6S in 2015 .
The tech giant began removing 3D Touch on its smartphones and replacing it with Haptic Touch in 2018 .
The smartwatch also has a bigger battery and a bigger Taptic Engine than its predecessor .
According to iFixit , the 44mm Apple Watch Series 6 ’ s battery is 3.5 percent larger , and the 40mm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8.5 percent .
It ’ s a notable difference for both sizes considering Apple said the Series 6 Watch has the same 18-hour battery life as the Series 5 .
The latest models have a brighter screen than their predecessors , which may be one reason the battery has been upgraded .
If you want to see our first thoughts on the Apple Watch Series 6 , check out my colleague Dieter Bohn ’ s first look at the wearable .

iFixit took apart the Apple Watch Series 6 today, getting an inside look at the new sensors added to enable blood oxygen tracking. There’s also one major piece of hardware that’s disappeared from the Watch: the tech used to enable Force Touch.
Force Touch allowed the Apple Watch’s screen to recognize how much force you’re applying, and it’s been a part of the Apple Watch since the first model was released in 2015. But the latest version of watchOS removes Force Touch from prior models, and now it’s clear why: it’s not part of the Series 6 Watch at all.
Apple had an equivalent feature, known as 3D Touch, for phones starting with the iPhone 6S in 2015. The tech giant began removing 3D Touch on its smartphones and replacing it with Haptic Touch in 2018.
The smartwatch also has a bigger battery and a bigger Taptic Engine than its predecessor. According to iFixit, the 44mm Apple Watch Series 6’s battery is 3.5 percent larger, and the 40mm size’s battery has increased by 8.5 percent. It’s a notable difference for both sizes considering Apple said the Series 6 Watch has the same 18-hour battery life as the Series 5. The latest models have a brighter screen than their predecessors, which may be one reason the battery has been upgraded.


theverge--2020-09-21--iOS 14 basics: how to add widgets to your iPhone’s home screen

One of the more prominent changes introduced in iOS 14 , and one that is generating a lot of interest , is the addition of widgets that can be added to any page .
There are all sorts of weird and useful things you can do with them ( especially if you ’ re willing to play around with apps such as Shortcuts and Widgetsmith ) .
To begin , here ’ s how to add an existing widget to your home screen : • Touch and hold an empty area on your screen until your apps jiggle and show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the upper-left corner , and you ’ ll bring up a menu of existing widgets • Tap on the widget you want to add .
Swipe left and right to choose the widget ’ s size and shape .
• Once you ’ ve added the widget , tap anywhere on the home screen to go out of edit mode Note that the first time you tap the new widget , you may be asked to adjust its features ( for example , to tell a weather widget what you want it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widget around the screen or to another screen , just long-press it until it starts to shake and then move it where you want it .
If you want to get rid of the widget , long-press to bring up a remove option .
You can create a stack of widgets if you want to save space or if there ’ s one widget you ’ ll only want to use occasionally .
• Select a widget for your home screen as described above and place it where you want it .
Select @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( you can stack as many as 10 ) and save it to your home screen • Long press the widget so that you can move it around the screen , and place it on top of the first .
Note that the widget must be the same size and shape ; you can ’ t , say , place a small widget on a medium-sized one .
To see each widget in your stack , swipe up or down on the top widget and the next one will be revealed .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or remove any of the apps in the stack : • Press the three lines to the side of each app to change its position in the stack • To remove the app , swipe it to the left Apple has also created a feature it calls a “ Smart Stack , ” which will automatically choose which widget should be on top depending on your location , what time it is , or what you most often look at .
iOS 14 comes with a pre-built Smart Stack made up of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that stack the same way you ’ d add any widget : • Long press on your home screen and tap the plus icon in the upper-left corner • Scroll down until you see the widget called “ Smart Stack ” • As with the other widgets , scroll sideways to choose the size you want , and then tap “ Add Widget ” Once you ’ ve added it , you can change the order of the included apps or remove the ones you don ’ t want , the same way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Or if you want to start from scratch , you can create your own Smart Stack : You can also use widgets ( and widget stacks ) on iPads — however , they can only be placed in the Today view on the left side of the left-most screen .
Otherwise , the process for adding and stacking widgets is the same as on the iPhone — as is the process for creating Smart Stacks .
If you want to keep your widgets in view no matter which screen you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hold an empty area in the Today View • When you see “ Keep On Home Screen , ” toggle it on Meanwhile , if you want to start creating your own widgets or find out what you can do with the new App Library , check out these articles :

One of the more prominent changes introduced in iOS 14, and one that is generating a lot of interest, is the addition of widgets that can be added to any page. There are all sorts of weird and useful things you can do with them (especially if you’re willing to play around with apps such as Shortcuts and Widgetsmith). To begin, here’s how to add an existing widget to your home screen:
Touch and hold an empty area on your screen until your apps jiggle and show minus symbols
Tap the plus sign in the upper-left corner, and you’ll bring up a menu of existing widgets
Touch and hold your screen and tap the plus sign. You’ll get a selection of widgets to choose from.
Tap on the widget you want to add. Swipe left and right to choose the widget’s size and shape.
Tap “Add Widget”
Once you’ve added the widget, tap anywhere on the home screen to go out of edit mode
Swipe sideways to choose the size and shape you want. Long press on a widget to remove it.
Note that the first time you tap the new widget, you may be asked to adjust its features (for example, to tell a weather widget what you want it to report).
To move the widget around the screen or to another screen, just long-press it until it starts to shake and then move it where you want it. If you want to get rid of the widget, long-press to bring up a remove option.
But wait — there’s more:
Create a widget stack
You can create a stack of widgets if you want to save space or if there’s one widget you’ll only want to use occasionally.
To create a stack:
Select a widget for your home screen as described above and place it where you want it. Select the next widget you want to stack (you can stack as many as 10) and save it to your home screen
Long press the widget so that you can move it around the screen, and place it on top of the first. Note that the widget must be the same size and shape; you can’t, say, place a small widget on a medium-sized one.
To see each widget in your stack, swipe up or down on the top widget and the next one will be revealed.
You can stack your widgets (notice the dots at the right side of the stack). Long press on a stack to edit it.
If you want to change the position of or remove any of the apps in the stack:
Long press the stack and select “Edit Stack”
Press the three lines to the side of each app to change its position in the stack
To remove the app, swipe it to the left
Create a Smart Stack
Apple has also created a feature it calls a “Smart Stack,” which will automatically choose which widget should be on top depending on your location, what time it is, or what you most often look at.
iOS 14 comes with a pre-built Smart Stack made up of a group of selected apps. You add that stack the same way you’d add any widget:
Long press on your home screen and tap the plus icon in the upper-left corner
Scroll down until you see the widget called “Smart Stack”
As with the other widgets, scroll sideways to choose the size you want, and then tap “Add Widget”
Choose the “Smart Stack” widget like you would any widget. “Smart Rotate” turns almost any stack into a Smart Stack.
Once you’ve added it, you can change the order of the included apps or remove the ones you don’t want, the same way you’d remove any stacked apps. Or if you want to start from scratch, you can create your own Smart Stack:
Long press any stack you’ve created and select “Edit Stack”
Toggle “Smart Rotate” on
Use widgets on iPads
You can also use widgets (and widget stacks) on iPads — however, they can only be placed in the Today view on the left side of the left-most screen. Otherwise, the process for adding and stacking widgets is the same as on the iPhone — as is the process for creating Smart Stacks.
If you want to keep your widgets in view no matter which screen you’re on, you can.
Press and hold an empty area in the Today View
When you see “Keep On Home Screen,” toggle it on


theverge--2020-09-21--Google seemingly discontinues the original Pixelbook but won’t quite say

Since 2017 , the Google Pixelbook has maintained a spot on our list of the very best Chromebooks you can buy , with tasteful design and processing headroom that keep it competitive three years later .
Yet you can ’ t buy it from Google anymore — it ’ s out of stock , and the company is strongly suggesting it ’ s been discontinued for good .
We are proud of the success of Pixelbook , which will continue to receive the latest versions of Chrome OS per our auto-update guidelines .
While Pixelbook is out of stock on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which delivers similar high-performance elements in a familiar form factor , is available starting at $ 649 .
While Google declined to outright say that the Pixelbook has been discontinued , it seems unlikely that it would de-list every model in the US and UK ( as spotted by 9to5Google ) or talk about end-of-life plans like how it ’ ll continue to receive updates , if Google was planning to bring it back .
Besides , last year ’ s Pixelbook Go has effectively replaced the original in many ways , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a comparatively cramped 16:9 aspect ratio .
We ’ ll miss the Pixelbook ’ s 3:2 display , and you should know that the $ 649 starting price of the Pixelbook Go is just that : a starting price with fairly low specs .
If you want processing power , more storage , and a 4K display , it ranges up to $ 1,399 .
Google said last June that it would refocus its Chrome OS hardware efforts on laptops instead of tablets like its ill-fated Pixel Slate .
It ’ s been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Go came out , so it ’ s possible more laptops are on the way .
But we haven ’ t heard any rumors or leaks for a new Pixelbook ahead of the company ’ s September 30th event , where it ’ s expected to launch the Pixel 5 , a new Chromecast , and a smart speaker .

Since 2017, the Google Pixelbook has maintained a spot on our list of the very best Chromebooks you can buy, with tasteful design and processing headroom that keep it competitive three years later. Yet you can’t buy it from Google anymore — it’s out of stock, and the company is strongly suggesting it’s been discontinued for good.
Here’s Google’s full statement:
We are proud of the success of Pixelbook, which will continue to receive the latest versions of Chrome OS per our auto-update guidelines. While Pixelbook is out of stock on the Google Store, Pixelbook Go, which delivers similar high-performance elements in a familiar form factor, is available starting at $649.
While Google declined to outright say that the Pixelbook has been discontinued, it seems unlikely that it would de-list every model in the US and UK (as spotted by 9to5Google) or talk about end-of-life plans like how it’ll continue to receive updates, if Google was planning to bring it back.


theverge--2020-09-21--New emoji approved to help express the anguish of 2020

This year has been hard .
Wildfire smoke has engulfed the West Coast , hundreds of thousands are dead from an ongoing pandemic , and the US government is deadlocked to the point of illegitimacy , incapable of taking action against the economic , political , ecological , and medical devastation that threatens to engulf us .
Even for those not directly affected , the perception of the ongoing crises has turned into a kind of psychic assault , challenging the limits of what we can express .
Fortunately , a new crop of emoji has just been approved by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They probably won ’ t reach your phone until 2021 , but they ’ re clearly influenced by the chaos of the year , whether it ’ s “ face exhaling ” ( clearly exhausted ) , “ face in clouds ” ( smoke ? )
, or “ heart on fire ” ( self-explanatory ) .
I ’ m particularly taken by the “ face with spiral eyes ” emoji , submitted by Google emoji czar Jennifer Daniel .
Also known as “ face-unwell ” ( mood ) , the proposal includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ trouble , ” “ whoa , ” and “ yikes ” ( also mood ) , which could be used to trigger the symbol .
The general shorthand is clear enough , particularly from the anime examples included as part of the document : spiral eyes means dizzy , hypnotized , or generally overwhelmed to the point of no longer being in control of one ’ s actions or capable of perceiving the world .
In part , it ’ s meant to resolve a conflict in how different platforms interpret @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google and Microsoft have actually been interpreting that emoji as spiral-eyed for some time now .
But it ’ s also an expression of the deeper incomprehensibility of the past six months , as social isolation curdles and a surreal pageant of personal and global tragedies unfolds .
In 2020 , we all have spiral eyes .
There is also an approved tag to add a beard to any face emoji ( male or female ) in order to convey how much you have aged in the past six months .

This year has been hard. Wildfire smoke has engulfed the West Coast, hundreds of thousands are dead from an ongoing pandemic, and the US government is deadlocked to the point of illegitimacy, incapable of taking action against the economic, political, ecological, and medical devastation that threatens to engulf us. Even for those not directly affected, the perception of the ongoing crises has turned into a kind of psychic assault, challenging the limits of what we can express.
A surreal pageant of personal and global tragedies
I’m particularly taken by the “face with spiral eyes” emoji, submitted by Google emoji czar Jennifer Daniel. Also known as “face-unwell” (mood), the proposal includes suggested keywords like “oh no,” “trouble,” “whoa,” and “yikes” (also mood), which could be used to trigger the symbol. The general shorthand is clear enough, particularly from the anime examples included as part of the document: spiral eyes means dizzy, hypnotized, or generally overwhelmed to the point of no longer being in control of one’s actions or capable of perceiving the world.
In part, it’s meant to resolve a conflict in how different platforms interpret the “x eyes” emoji since Google and Microsoft have actually been interpreting that emoji as spiral-eyed for some time now. But it’s also an expression of the deeper incomprehensibility of the past six months, as social isolation curdles and a surreal pageant of personal and global tragedies unfolds. In 2020, we all have spiral eyes.


theverge--2020-09-21--BlizzConline will bring back Blizzard’s canceled convention as an online show in February

Blizzard Entertainment was forced to cancel its annual BlizzCon fan convention earlier this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic , but the company has announced new plans for an online-only version of the show .
BlizzConline will take place on February 19th–20th , 2021 .
BlizzCon — which is usually held in November as an in-person fan event — is where Blizzard typically makes some of the biggest announcements for its stable of popular franchises , including World of Warcraft , Overwatch , Starcraft , Hearthstone , and Diablo .
The moved event will likely provide the company a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its previously announced titles from last year ’ s events , including Overwatch 2 and Diablo 4 .
While it ’ s no doubt disappointing to many that the in-person festivities won ’ t be taking place this year , Blizzard is using the opportunity to offer more inclusive versions of some of its community showcase events for artists , cosplays , and short film producers .
Thanks to the online nature of BlizzConline , it ’ ll be opening up these events to more participants around the world than just those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-person event — a nice silver lining for fans who look forward to events like the cosplay contest every year .
Blizzard promises that it ’ ll have more details about what to expect for BlizzConline closer to the event .

Blizzard Entertainment was forced to cancel its annual BlizzCon fan convention earlier this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but the company has announced new plans for an online-only version of the show. BlizzConline will take place on February 19th–20th, 2021.
BlizzCon — which is usually held in November as an in-person fan event — is where Blizzard typically makes some of the biggest announcements for its stable of popular franchises, including World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Starcraft, Hearthstone, and Diablo. The moved event will likely provide the company a chance to offer updates on some of its previously announced titles from last year’s events, including Overwatch 2 and Diablo 4.
While it’s no doubt disappointing to many that the in-person festivities won’t be taking place this year, Blizzard is using the opportunity to offer more inclusive versions of some of its community showcase events for artists, cosplays, and short film producers. Thanks to the online nature of BlizzConline, it’ll be opening up these events to more participants around the world than just those who were able to trek out to the in-person event — a nice silver lining for fans who look forward to events like the cosplay contest every year.


theverge--2020-09-21--CDC removes guidance about airborne spread of the coronavirus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention abruptly removed information from its website saying that COVID-19 can spread through the air and that it may travel distances farther than six feet .
It also removed statements saying that the virus usually spreads when people inhale particles produced by others .
The information was added in an update over the weekend and was taken down from a page called “ How COVID-19 Spreads ” earlier today .
A banner at the top of the site now says that the information was posted in error .
Sen. Brian Schatz ( D-HI ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely a scandal.
” Experts were thrilled to see the original update .
Many have stressed for months that the virus can travel through tiny particles that float more slowly through the air , not just through the larger droplets that fall to the ground .
That ’ s why both ventilating indoor spaces ( to clear out residual virus ) and wearing masks ( to help block any exhaled particles ) are just as , if not more , important than keeping six feet of distance .
But the CDC and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been reluctant to acknowledge the role that tiny airborne particles might play in disease spread .
At the start of the pandemic , the agencies concluded that the coronavirus spread from person to person when they were in close contact with each other , through heavy , large droplets produced when someone who was sick coughed or sneezed .
Research now indicates that there are other ways that the virus could be transmitted , including via aerosols .
But the guidance at the CDC and WHO has not substantially changed , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making a ruling on transmission methods .
The removal of the guidance from the CDC website won ’ t change how many public health experts think about COVID-19 — they ’ ve been stressing the importance of ventilation for months anyway , even without the agency ’ s backing .
It does impact the schools , businesses , and other organizations that lean on CDC recommendations to make decisions about what types of precautions they should take against a number of diseases , including COVID-19 .
If the agency stresses the importance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could change how those groups prepare to keep people safe .
The flip-flop over the past few days , even if it was accidental , also chips away again at trust in the agency .
CDC guidance is usually reliable and is the first place doctors might turn to for help on how to handle a disease .
During the pandemic , though , its guidances have been used as a political football : for example , The New York Times reported that the Department of Health and Human Services ignored scientific advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website saying that people without symptoms did not need to be tested for COVID-19 .
That statement went against public health recommendations and was reversed .
The CDC website says that its recommendations around airborne transmission of the coronavirus are still being updated .
It ’ s not clear when the final version might be posted .

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention abruptly removed information from its website saying that COVID-19 can spread through the air and that it may travel distances farther than six feet. It also removed statements saying that the virus usually spreads when people inhale particles produced by others.
The information was added in an update over the weekend and was taken down from a page called “How COVID-19 Spreads” earlier today. A banner at the top of the site now says that the information was posted in error.
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) tweeted that the change is “very likely a scandal.”
Experts were thrilled to see the original update. Many have stressed for months that the virus can travel through tiny particles that float more slowly through the air, not just through the larger droplets that fall to the ground. That’s why both ventilating indoor spaces (to clear out residual virus) and wearing masks (to help block any exhaled particles) are just as, if not more, important than keeping six feet of distance.
But the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) have been reluctant to acknowledge the role that tiny airborne particles might play in disease spread. At the start of the pandemic, the agencies concluded that the coronavirus spread from person to person when they were in close contact with each other, through heavy, large droplets produced when someone who was sick coughed or sneezed. Research now indicates that there are other ways that the virus could be transmitted, including via aerosols. But the guidance at the CDC and WHO has not substantially changed, with the WHO wanting to see more evidence before making a ruling on transmission methods.
The removal of the guidance from the CDC website won’t change how many public health experts think about COVID-19 — they’ve been stressing the importance of ventilation for months anyway, even without the agency’s backing. It does impact the schools, businesses, and other organizations that lean on CDC recommendations to make decisions about what types of precautions they should take against a number of diseases, including COVID-19. If the agency stresses the importance of tiny droplets and encourages ventilation, it could change how those groups prepare to keep people safe.
The flip-flop over the past few days, even if it was accidental, also chips away again at trust in the agency. CDC guidance is usually reliable and is the first place doctors might turn to for help on how to handle a disease. During the pandemic, though, its guidances have been used as a political football: for example, The New York Times reported that the Department of Health and Human Services ignored scientific advice and published a guideline on the CDC website saying that people without symptoms did not need to be tested for COVID-19. That statement went against public health recommendations and was reversed.


theverge--2020-09-21--Amazon in-stock alerts are trolling people with $5,000 RTX 3080 graphics cards

Nvidia ’ s RTX 3080 launch last week was a total mess , one Nvidia is still navigating the fallout from following its public apology earlier today .
The aftermath of the graphics cards selling out in a matter of minutes at pretty much every major US retailer is that the limited supply that does still exist is being hawked on third-party seller sites in increasingly obnoxious fashions .
That includes Amazon Marketplace sellers , which are now notifying interested buyers of available units at prices as exorbitant as $ 5,000 per card .
This isn ’ t a failure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an act of trolling and exploitation on behalf of the third-party Amazon sellers , some of which are abusing the notification system built into the e-commerce platform .
Typically , Amazon users can set alerts for certain products listed as currently unavailable by clicking the “ email me ” option on the product page .
But if the seller happens to re-list a product , like this random seller Sports Authentics listing PNY ’ s version of the RTX 3080 , as available even at a ridiculous price like $ 2,999 , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informing you of the “ deal.
” Every listing , save the PNY one , on the official Nvidia RTX 3080 product page on Amazon is listed as unavailable without any price information whatsoever .
So clicking the “ email me ” option on any one of them is a reasonable thing for interested consumers to do , as many are likely not expecting to get emails telling them one is available from a company they ’ ve never head of for the price of a used car .
The situation isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where initial RTX 3080 orders were going for thousands of dollars following the launch sales last week .
In an apparent attempt to retaliate against the scalpers , some eBay users are listing Nvidia RTX 3080 “ paper editions , ” which are just printed pieces of paper featuring a picture of the GPU .
This ended listing here has one for $ 472 , though it seems it never sold .
And this Reddit thread here features discussion of using bots to artificially inflate the prices of scalper listings to ensure the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prices are all inflated to $ 50,000 to $ 80,000 by bot accounts with no legitimate payment methods attached .
Of course , there are still plenty of seemingly genuine RTX 3080 listings on eBay , many hundreds of dollars above the MSRP .
It ’ s not clear whether these listings are proving successful , but until Nvidia remedies the situation with more retailer stock , its hot new GPU will continue to be plagued by aftermarket toxicity .

Nvidia’s RTX 3080 launch last week was a total mess, one Nvidia is still navigating the fallout from following its public apology earlier today. The aftermath of the graphics cards selling out in a matter of minutes at pretty much every major US retailer is that the limited supply that does still exist is being hawked on third-party seller sites in increasingly obnoxious fashions. That includes Amazon Marketplace sellers, which are now notifying interested buyers of available units at prices as exorbitant as $5,000 per card.
This isn’t a failure of Amazon so much as it is an act of trolling and exploitation on behalf of the third-party Amazon sellers, some of which are abusing the notification system built into the e-commerce platform. Typically, Amazon users can set alerts for certain products listed as currently unavailable by clicking the “email me” option on the product page. But if the seller happens to re-list a product, like this random seller Sports Authentics listing PNY’s version of the RTX 3080, as available even at a ridiculous price like $2,999, an Amazon email will arrive in your inbox informing you of the “deal.”
Every listing, save the PNY one, on the official Nvidia RTX 3080 product page on Amazon is listed as unavailable without any price information whatsoever. So clicking the “email me” option on any one of them is a reasonable thing for interested consumers to do, as many are likely not expecting to get emails telling them one is available from a company they’ve never head of for the price of a used car.
The situation isn’t going much better on eBay, where initial RTX 3080 orders were going for thousands of dollars following the launch sales last week. In an apparent attempt to retaliate against the scalpers, some eBay users are listing Nvidia RTX 3080 “paper editions,” which are just printed pieces of paper featuring a picture of the GPU. This ended listing here has one for $472, though it seems it never sold. And this Reddit thread here features discussion of using bots to artificially inflate the prices of scalper listings to ensure the orders can never be reliably fulfilled because the prices are all inflated to $50,000 to $80,000 by bot accounts with no legitimate payment methods attached.


theverge--2020-09-22--Jabra announces noise-canceling Elite 85t earbuds, ANC firmware update for 75t

Less than a year after launching the Elite 75t true wireless earbuds , Jabra is already announcing its next pair — and the company ’ s first earbuds to ship with active noise cancellation .
The $ 229 Elite Active 85t look pretty much identical to their predecessors but feature a few tweaks for improved comfort .
And the ear tips are more oval-shaped than before , which the company says makes for a better seal .
Jabra has built a dedicated ANC chip into the 85t earbuds , and you can choose your preferred amount of noise cancellation between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companion smartphone app .
( HearThrough , or the amount of outside noise that gets piped in , is also adjustable in the same way . )
The Elite 85t have a six-microphone array for voice calls — four mics are used for the noise canceling feature — and 12-millimeter drivers “ for big sound and powerful bass.
” Jabra says the “ semi-open design ” allows for natural audio passthrough when you want it .
Going semi-open isn ’ t a small change for Jabra ; the 75t and 65t were both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company is trying to avoid the “ earplug effect ” that some people find uncomfortable .
Battery life is rated at up to 5.5 hours of continuous listening with ANC on , which extends to 25 hours with the case ( and 31 hours with the case if ANC is off ) .
The Elite 85t earbuds support wireless charging and are rated IPX4 for water and sweat resistance .
Preorders start next month , and they ’ ll ship sometime in November .
A titanium / black color will be available at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 2021 .
But here ’ s a pleasant surprise : Jabra also plans to bring noise cancellation to existing Elite 75t and Elite Active 75t earbuds through a firmware update in October .
This is possible because of the company ’ s engineering work with Qualcomm .
Jabra describes the ANC that the 75t will get as a “ standard ” version meant to reduce and eliminate low-frequency noises around you ; the 85t will apparently do a more comprehensive job since those buds include the dedicated chip for noise cancellation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the fact is pretty nice .
Jabra says if you buy the Elite 75t or Elite Active 75t in October , they ’ ll be shipping with the ANC update by that point .
But existing owners can install the over-the-air firmware update to add noise cancellation .
Battery life does take a hit if you enable it , dropping from 7.5 hours of straight listening to 5.5 hours with ANC switched on .

Less than a year after launching the Elite 75t true wireless earbuds, Jabra is already announcing its next pair — and the company’s first earbuds to ship with active noise cancellation. The $229 Elite Active 85t look pretty much identical to their predecessors but feature a few tweaks for improved comfort. And the ear tips are more oval-shaped than before, which the company says makes for a better seal.
Jabra has built a dedicated ANC chip into the 85t earbuds, and you can choose your preferred amount of noise cancellation between five different levels using sliders in the companion smartphone app. (HearThrough, or the amount of outside noise that gets piped in, is also adjustable in the same way.) The Elite 85t have a six-microphone array for voice calls — four mics are used for the noise canceling feature — and 12-millimeter drivers “for big sound and powerful bass.” Jabra says the “semi-open design” allows for natural audio passthrough when you want it.
Image: Jabra
Going semi-open isn’t a small change for Jabra; the 75t and 65t were both a closed design, but now the company is trying to avoid the “earplug effect” that some people find uncomfortable. Battery life is rated at up to 5.5 hours of continuous listening with ANC on, which extends to 25 hours with the case (and 31 hours with the case if ANC is off). The Elite 85t earbuds support wireless charging and are rated IPX4 for water and sweat resistance. Preorders start next month, and they’ll ship sometime in November. A titanium / black color will be available at launch, with other colors following in January 2021.
But here’s a pleasant surprise: Jabra also plans to bring noise cancellation to existing Elite 75t and Elite Active 75t earbuds through a firmware update in October. This is possible because of the company’s engineering work with Qualcomm. Jabra describes the ANC that the 75t will get as a “standard” version meant to reduce and eliminate low-frequency noises around you; the 85t will apparently do a more comprehensive job since those buds include the dedicated chip for noise cancellation.


theverge--2020-09-22--AMD announces new processors for Chromebooks (kind of)

AMD has announced two new lines of processor : the Athlon 3000 C-Series and the Ryzen 3000 C-series .
The two are meant to power Chromebooks , and AMD says they ’ ll be shipping in over 14 designs this year .
The Ryzen 3000 C-Series includes the Ryzen 7 3700C and the Ryzen 5 3500C ( four cores , eight threads , 12nm node Zen+ architecture ) as well as the Ryzen 3 3250C ( two cores , four threads , 14nm Zen architecture ) .
The Athlons include the Gold 3150C ( two cores , four threads ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cores , two threads ) , both built with the 14nm Zen architecture .
The chips include Vega integrated graphics , which AMD says are “ the most powerful graphics available in a Chromebook.
” There ’ s a catch , though : these chips aren ’ t really new ( or at least , they ’ re not a new design ) .
AMD ’ s most recent generation of mobile processors , the Ryzen 4000 series , are built on Zen 2 architecture ; Zen and Zen+ are its predecessors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3000 mobile series and 2000 desktop series are built on Zen+ , while the Ryzen 2000 mobile series and 1000 desktop series are built on Zen .
So for the three dual-core chips , we ’ re looking at an architecture from 2017 .
And some of the chips are just clones .
If you look at the specs of the 3700C , in particular , you ’ ll see it ’ s identical to the Ryzen 7 3700U ( including its 10 Radeon cores clocked at up to 1400MHz ) , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Acer ’ s Aspire 5 and Dell ’ s Inspiron 15 .
The 3500C might also look familiar : it looks like a rebranded 3500U ( with 8 Radeon cores clocked at up to 1200 MHz ) .
AMD , to its credit , acknowledged this fact in its launch presentation .
The company stated that it still felt important to rebrand the chip as a Chromebook-specific CPU : “ We want people to Google this model and find a Chromebook.
” Fair enough — just don ’ t be fooled into thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There ’ s not necessarily anything wrong with using a chip that ’ s not the most recent , and Chromebooks commonly have lower-power chips than high-end Windows laptops do .
But it ’ s worth noting that the only place these systems are likely to be competitive with current Intel systems is price .

AMD has announced two new lines of processor: the Athlon 3000 C-Series and the Ryzen 3000 C-series. The two are meant to power Chromebooks, and AMD says they’ll be shipping in over 14 designs this year.
The Ryzen 3000 C-Series includes the Ryzen 7 3700C and the Ryzen 5 3500C (four cores, eight threads, 12nm node Zen+ architecture) as well as the Ryzen 3 3250C (two cores, four threads, 14nm Zen architecture). The Athlons include the Gold 3150C (two cores, four threads) and the Athlon Silver 3050C (two cores, two threads), both built with the 14nm Zen architecture. The chips include Vega integrated graphics, which AMD says are “the most powerful graphics available in a Chromebook.”
There’s a catch
There’s a catch, though: these chips aren’t really new (or at least, they’re not a new design). AMD’s most recent generation of mobile processors, the Ryzen 4000 series, are built on Zen 2 architecture; Zen and Zen+ are its predecessors. Specifically, last year’s Ryzen 3000 mobile series and 2000 desktop series are built on Zen+, while the Ryzen 2000 mobile series and 1000 desktop series are built on Zen. So for the three dual-core chips, we’re looking at an architecture from 2017.
And some of the chips are just clones. If you look at the specs of the 3700C, in particular, you’ll see it’s identical to the Ryzen 7 3700U (including its 10 Radeon cores clocked at up to 1400MHz), which you’ll find in systems like Acer’s Aspire 5 and Dell’s Inspiron 15. The 3500C might also look familiar: it looks like a rebranded 3500U (with 8 Radeon cores clocked at up to 1200 MHz).
Image: AMD
AMD, to its credit, acknowledged this fact in its launch presentation. The company stated that it still felt important to rebrand the chip as a Chromebook-specific CPU: “We want people to Google this model and find a Chromebook.” Fair enough — just don’t be fooled into thinking you’re getting a brand-new chip.