theverge--2020-10-16--OnePlus brand builder Carl Pei has left the smartphone company

It ’ s been tough to talk about OnePlus as a scrappy smartphone startup ever since its close ties with Oppo , Vivo , and electronics giant BBK came to light , but it ’ s still hard to overstate the impact of Carl Pei , the longtime public face of the company , who confirmed his departure today .
As a marketer and brand builder , he used a combination of bold promises , real talk , and unconventional marketing campaigns to turn smartphone enthusiasts simply looking for a good deal into a community of OnePlus fans .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Pei says he ’ s “ looking forward to taking some time to decompress and catch up with my family , ” without addressing why he ’ s doing so now .
Rumors suggest that he had a falling-out with fellow co-founder and CEO Pete Lau , and / or that Pei left to start his own new venture , but his memo doesn ’ t sound like the words of someone who left for a new job .
Either way , it seems abrupt : Android Central and Android Police reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as of four days ago , and OnePlus wasn ’ t prepared to answer questions about where he had gone and why .
Perhaps the company simply didn ’ t want to distract from the new phone it launched on Wednesday : the OnePlus 8T .
Pei , meanwhile , led the development of OnePlus ’ less expensive recent phone : the Nord .
After nearly 7 years at OnePlus , I ’ ve made the difficult decision to say goodbye .
I grew up spending tremendous amounts of time on the internet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ideas in one ’ s mind could be turned into reality and impact people ’ s lives gave me lots of joy , and I knew early on that this was the path for me .
The world didn ’ t need another smartphone brand in 2013 .
But we saw ways of doing things better and dreamt of shaking things up .
Better products .
Built hand in hand with our users .
At more reasonable prices .
Fast forward to today , and OnePlus is a strong force to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And with the new Nord product line , this success will continue into new market segments .
Having just turned 24 when OnePlus started , it ’ s where I spent most of my 20s , and also where I grew up .
From nervously interviewing my first employee , to facing severe stage fright the first time I presented a product , to learning how to manage a team… The journey has been real .
The things we ’ ve accomplished and learned , I can ’ t begin to imagine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joined the movement before we even had a product , back when all we had were ambitions and ideas .
From having hundreds of you show up to have ice cream with me , thousands attending our launch events , and tens of millions purchasing our products worldwide ; I want to thank you all for believing in us throughout all these years .
And the team .
The amazing people that I ’ ve been fortunate to fight side by side with .
The friendships I ’ ve made here are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With them , the company is in capable hands .
I am eternally grateful to Pete for taking a chance in this kid without a college degree , with nothing to his name but a dream .
The trust , mentorship , and camaraderie will never be forgotten .
Thanks for the opportunity of a lifetime .
I ’ ve never regretted trusting my gut feeling , and this time it ’ s no different .
These past years , OnePlus has been my singular focus , and everything else has had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking forward to taking some time off to decompress and catch up with my family and friends .
And then follow my heart on to what ’ s next .
We ’ ve interviewed him quite a few times at new smartphone launches , and you can almost get a sense of how the company has changed by reading each one .

After nearly 7 years at OnePlus, I’ve made the difficult decision to say goodbye.
I grew up spending tremendous amounts of time on the internet, building products and communities. Seeing that ideas in one’s mind could be turned into reality and impact people’s lives gave me lots of joy, and I knew early on that this was the path for me.
The world didn’t need another smartphone brand in 2013. But we saw ways of doing things better and dreamt of shaking things up. Better products. Built hand in hand with our users. At more reasonable prices. Fast forward to today, and OnePlus is a strong force to be reckoned when it comes to flagship smartphones. And with the new Nord product line, this success will continue into new market segments.
Having just turned 24 when OnePlus started, it’s where I spent most of my 20s, and also where I grew up. From nervously interviewing my first employee, to facing severe stage fright the first time I presented a product, to learning how to manage a team… The journey has been real. The things we’ve accomplished and learned, I can’t begin to imagine a more rewarding adventure.
Our community joined the movement before we even had a product, back when all we had were ambitions and ideas. From having hundreds of you show up to have ice cream with me, thousands attending our launch events, and tens of millions purchasing our products worldwide; I want to thank you all for believing in us throughout all these years.
And the team. The amazing people that I’ve been fortunate to fight side by side with. The friendships I’ve made here are the most precious parts of this journey. With them, the company is in capable hands.
I am eternally grateful to Pete for taking a chance in this kid without a college degree, with nothing to his name but a dream. The trust, mentorship, and camaraderie will never be forgotten. Thanks for the opportunity of a lifetime.
I’ve never regretted trusting my gut feeling, and this time it’s no different. These past years, OnePlus has been my singular focus, and everything else has had to take a backseat. I’m looking forward to taking some time off to decompress and catch up with my family and friends. And then follow my heart on to what’s next.
With gratitude, Carl


theverge--2020-10-16--Elon Musk’s Vegas loop won’t transport as many people as promised

Elon Musk ’ s Boring Company ’ s system of tunnels to shuttle people under the Las Vegas Convention Center ( LVCC ) may not be able to move as many people as originally promised , according to documents obtained by TechCrunch .
That ’ s not just disappointing — it may also mean financial penalties for The Boring Company .
The choke point isn ’ t technology — it ’ s fire regulations .
In one of the three loading zones for the tunnel network , called the Convention Center Loop , only 800 passengers an hour are allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all three loading zones , the Loop will only move about a quarter of what it promised : just 1,200 people an hour , according to TechCrunch .
It ’ s unclear what might be enforcing that limit of 800 passengers , as the plans don ’ t include any turnstiles or barriers that could help control the flow of passengers .
There are financial consequences if The Boring Company can ’ t actually shuttle as many people as promised with the Convention Center Loop .
It may miss out on more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It will also be penalized $ 300,000 for every trade show that it doesn ’ t move an average of 3,960 passengers per hour for 13 hours , to a maximum of $ 4.5 million in fines , according to TechCrunch .
The Loop is also behind schedule .
The Boring Company was scheduled to have completed the system by October 1st , according to the documents , a date that would have had the Loop up and running ahead of the 2021 Consumer Electronics Show — though that conference will now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is set to open in “ maybe a month or so , ” according to an October 14th tweet from Musk .
The Boring Company completed digging the tunnels for the Loop in May .
In the Las Vegas Loop , passengers will ride in Tesla Model Xs , Model 3s , and a modified Model 3 that can hold up to 16 passengers at a time , and they ’ ll travel through the tunnels at speeds of up to 155 miles per hour , according to the project ’ s website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ version of its tunneling system in December 2018 .

Elon Musk’s Boring Company’s system of tunnels to shuttle people under the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) may not be able to move as many people as originally promised, according to documents obtained by TechCrunch. That’s not just disappointing — it may also mean financial penalties for The Boring Company.
The choke point isn’t technology — it’s fire regulations. In one of the three loading zones for the tunnel network, called the Convention Center Loop, only 800 passengers an hour are allowed. If that’s true of all three loading zones, the Loop will only move about a quarter of what it promised: just 1,200 people an hour, according to TechCrunch. It’s unclear what might be enforcing that limit of 800 passengers, as the plans don’t include any turnstiles or barriers that could help control the flow of passengers.
There are financial consequences if The Boring Company can’t actually shuttle as many people as promised with the Convention Center Loop. It may miss out on more than $13 million of its construction budget. It will also be penalized $300,000 for every trade show that it doesn’t move an average of 3,960 passengers per hour for 13 hours, to a maximum of $4.5 million in fines, according to TechCrunch.
The Loop is also behind schedule. The Boring Company was scheduled to have completed the system by October 1st, according to the documents, a date that would have had the Loop up and running ahead of the 2021 Consumer Electronics Show — though that conference will now be online-only. Now, the Loop is set to open in “maybe a month or so,” according to an October 14th tweet from Musk. The Boring Company completed digging the tunnels for the Loop in May.


theverge--2020-10-16--The best Chromebooks to buy in 2020

The best Chromebooks to buy in 2020

Share All sharing options for : The best Chromebooks to buy in 2020 The best Chromebooks aren ’ t just laptops that run a few Android apps anymore .
Chromebooks can cover a wide variety of computing needs now , and a good Chromebook can be more useful than a mediocre Windows laptop .
The message that many people actually want good Chromebooks — rather than just cheap ones — has gotten through to manufacturers .
Many of the best Chromebooks are around $ 500 or $ 600 , though there are good options in the higher and lower ranges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long way toward getting something you ’ ll be happy with .
For the first time , the quality of Chromebooks in this range has been consistent .
There are so many similarities between the offerings from Asus , Lenovo , Google , HP , Dell , and Samsung that a conspiracy-minded person might suggest they ’ re all sourcing their components from the same factory .
That ’ s great news if you ’ re comparison shopping ; the majority of this list would be good buys if you can find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the best Chromebook is the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 , and we ’ ve selected the Lenovo Chromebook Duet as the best Chromebook for shoppers on a budget .
Other picks for the best Chromebooks of 2020 include the Asus Chromebook Flip C434 , Google Pixelbook Go , the Google Pixelbook , and the HP Chromebook x360 .
An honorable mention is the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook , a gorgeous laptop with a unique color and 4K AMOLED display , which didn ’ t quite make this list because of its unfortunately short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward to reviewing Lenovo ’ s Flex 5 Chromebook with a thin 2-in-1 design , and the affordable IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook which has a unique chassis and an SD card reader .
What most buyers want in the best Chromebook are likely the same things they want in any laptop : a good keyboard , solid build quality , long battery life , a nice screen , and enough power to do the things you want .
More Chromebooks can meet those qualifications than ever before , but these are the ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Best Chromebooks in 2020 Best Chromebook you can buy Acer ’ s Chromebook Spin 713 is , hands-down , the best Chromebook you can buy .
With a gorgeous 3:2 screen that rivals some more expensive competitors , you ’ ll have a ton of extra vertical space for your work and multitasking .
The keyboard is excellent with a comfortable , quiet feel , and nice backlighting .
There ’ s even an HDMI port , which you don ’ t see on a thin Chromebook every day .
And ( most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handle a heavy load of tabs with no problem .
The Spin ’ s speakers aren ’ t great , and there ’ s no biometric login , but those are reasonable sacrifices to make for a laptop of this quality at this low of a price .
In a market where the main differences between Chromebooks in this price range boil down to their screens and maybe an included stylus , Acer sets itself apart by making an affordable laptop that ’ s excellent in almost every way .
If you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on-the-go work , the Lenovo Chromebook Duet delivers excellent value for its low price .
It ’ s an ultra-portable 10.1-inch 2-in-1 device with a detachable keyboard and kickstand cover .
The Duet contains a MediaTek Helio P60T processor , 4GB of RAM , and up to 128GB of storage , and it performs well if you ’ re just browsing and don ’ t plan on using a super heavy load .
It also uses a version of Chrome OS that ’ s made for its convertible form factor , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ optimized for tablet use .
When detached from its keyboard , the Duet supports an Android-esque gesture navigation system that makes switching between apps a breeze .
But the most impressive feature is battery life ; I got close to 11.5 hours of fairly heavy use .
Of course , there are drawbacks .
The touchpad and keyboard are quite small , there ’ s no headphone jack ( and only one USB-C port ) , and the 16:10 screen is a bit dim .
But those are reasonable trade-offs to make for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a great secondary device for schoolwork or on-the-go browsing .
Asus has a strong history of making good Chromebooks , but the C434 is something special .
It ’ s nearly unique among this class of laptops in offering a big 14-inch screen in a laptop body that ’ s much closer in size to a 13-inch model .
It pulls off that trick by minimizing the bezels around the screen , which is the same thing the best Windows laptops have been doing lately .
Asus nailed the basics , too .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though it does have the annoying problem of being hard to see in dim lighting because the backlight is the same color as the keycaps .
The trackpad is accurate , and I appreciate that there ’ s not only a USB-A port but that the two USB-C ports are on opposite sides of the laptop so you can plug in on the side you prefer .
There ’ s even a microSD card slot for expanded storage — and you might need it , as it only comes with 64GB .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerful one you can get in a Chromebook in this price range , but it should be enough for most tasks , especially if you follow our recommendation to get the model with 8GB of RAM .
If you ’ re looking to get more power and you don ’ t mind getting a slightly larger laptop , the HP Chromebook x360 14 is a great choice .
HP has several configurations that fall under this name , but we suggest the model we tested with 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While we picked the Asus because of its elegant design , there isn ’ t much to complain about on the slightly larger HP .
It has the same ports , RAM , and storage .
The keyboard is great , and it also sounds slightly better because the speakers are up on the keyboard deck instead of on the bottom .
The Google Pixelbook Go is a handsome , no-nonsense 13.3-inch laptop that weighs just 2.3 pounds .
It has a sturdy magnesium chassis , and a ridged grip on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slanted surfaces .
Not only is the Pixelbook Go portable and stylish , but it delivers solid performance , and supports fast charging through either of its USB-C ports .
Battery life is also impressive .
The Go lasted over eight hours in our testing , and it should get you through a full workday with no problem .
But its standout feature is the keyboard , which is quiet with good travel and a springy feel .
Verge editor Dieter Bohn found it to be his “ favorite thing to type on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an expensive product , as Chromebooks go , and it doesn ’ t top our list because the Chromebook Flip C434 offers similar specs and features for a slightly lower price .
But we think plenty of shoppers who value long battery life and lightweight build might prefer to spend a bit more on this device instead .
Google hasn ’ t updated the Pixelbook since its 2017 release , but if you ’ re looking for a convertible premium Chromebook , it ’ s still competitive .
It has a beautiful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with silicone palm rests , and sports a bright touchscreen with 2400 x 1600 resolution .
The 3:2 aspect ratio offers extra space compared to 16:9 panels and makes it more comfortable to work in multiple apps and windows without having to zoom out .
The Pixelbook doesn ’ t have the latest Intel processors since it ’ s an older product .
Still , its Core i5 and 8GB of RAM should be able to handle everyday browsing and multitasking just fine .
We also got around eight hours of battery life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keyboard and touchpad are both fun and comfortable to use — and as a neat bonus , the speakers fire up through the hinge , so audio sounds clearer than it does on many convertible laptops .
Note : Google appears to be discontinuing the Pixelbook , but some models are still available through Google ’ s store and other retailers .
It ’ s a bit heavy as Chromebooks go , but the 3.99-pound Inspiron 14 is still a sturdy convertible device with brushed aluminum chassis that gives it a premium look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a nice 1920 x 1080 display with accurate colors .
With an 8th Gen Core i3 processor , 4GB of RAM , and 128GB of storage , it delivers snappy performance for streaming , browsing , multitasking , and even more demanding artistic tasks .
Speaking of artists , the Inspiron 14 comes with a stylus , which lives in a dedicated socket inside the chassis so you don ’ t have to worry about losing it .
Thanks to electromagnetic resonance technology ( EMR ) , it doesn ’ t need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The convertible Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 is far from a budget purchase .
But it does offer a lot for its price , including a built-in battery-free stylus and an extra front-facing camera for quick photos of blackboards or job sites .
( The camera above the keyboard is also surprisingly high-resolution — it ’ s a 13-megapixel sensor with autofocus . )
The V2 also has a nice design on par with that of other premium Chromebooks , including an aluminum lid and a sturdy hinge .
It ’ s fairly portable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a microSD slot in addition to its two USB-C ports and headphone jack .
Disappointing battery life ( just over five hours of multitasking and seven hours of looping video ) and a hefty price tag keep the Chromebook Flip C436 from topping this list , especially considering the lower price but similar offerings of its predecessor , the Chromebook Flip C434 .
Still , if money isn ’ t an object for you , there ’ s a lot to like about the 2-in-1 C436 .
It has a nice , compact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devices , it ’ s actually light enough ( 2.4 pounds ) to feasibly be used as a tablet for an extended period of time .
Inside , it has a comfortable and snappy keyboard and a fingerprint reader in the top corner of the deck .
The audio is good : there are two Harman Kardon-certified speakers in the hinge , as well as one on each side of the cover .
And it ’ s powered by a 10th Gen Intel Core i3 that performs quite well under a heavy browsing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chromebook , but it certainly looks and feels premium .
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Part of / The Verge guide to Chrome OS and Chromebooks
The best Chromebooks aren’t just laptops that run a few Google apps anymore. Chromebooks can cover a wide variety of computing needs now, and a good Chrome OS laptop or two-in-one can be more useful than a mediocre Windows or macOS laptop. That’s why our pick for the best Chromebook of 2023 is the Asus Chromebook Flip CX5, which is one of the best-built, longest-lasting, and best-performing Chromebooks you can buy.
Chromebooks from companies like Acer, Lenovo, and Asus are known to deliver good value. The message that many people actually want good Chromebooks — rather than just cheap ones — has gotten through to manufacturers. Many are around $500 or $600, though there are good options in the higher and lower ranges as well. The extra money goes a long way toward getting something you’ll be happy with.
For the first time, the quality of the Chromebooks in this range has been consistent. There are so many similarities between the offerings from Asus, Lenovo, Google, HP, Dell, and Samsung that a conspiracy-minded person might suggest they’re all sourcing their components from the same factory. That’s great news if you’re comparison shopping; the majority of this list would be good buys if you can find them at a discount. They can even rival some of the best laptops, best budget laptops, and best student laptops on the market.
We’ve selected the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 for shoppers on a budget. Other strong picks are the Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3 and the Lenovo C13 Yoga Chromebook.
What most buyers want in a Chromebook are likely the same things they want in any laptop: a good keyboard, solid build quality, long battery life, a nice screen, and enough power to do the things you want. More Chromebooks can meet those qualifications than ever before, but these are the ones that rise above the rest.
What we’re looking for Value: Price is a very important factor in evaluating devices for this page. We’re seeking Chromebooks that offer great value for their asking price and that are the best of the best compared to other laptops in their price category. The more expensive a device, the more exceptional it has to be to make it on here. Specs: Every Chromebook doesn’t need a massive amount of storage, RAM, and performance, but it does need enough to accommodate the needs of its target audience (and to be worth its asking price). Screen: We like displays that are color-accurate and bright. Design: Chromebooks are popular among schools and students. We’re looking for laptops with a solid, durable build that can handle bumps, jostles, and backpack wear. Battery life: Students may go several hours without having an opportunity to plug their devices in. We like Chromebooks that can guarantee at least several hours of continuous use. Port selection: The more ports, the better. We try to keep our picks as current as possible, but we may include an older device over its newer generation if we feel that the newer generation is a significant downgrade. We rarely recommend devices that are more than two years old.
1. Asus Chromebook Flip CX5
Best Chromebook of 2023
CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7 / GPU: Intel Iris Xe / RAM: 16GB / Storage: 128GB / Display: 15.6-inch IPS, 1920 x 1080, 60Hz, touch option / Dimensions: 14.08 x 9.48 x 0.73 inches / Weight: 4.3 pounds
Folks may understandably balk at the Chromebook Flip CX5’s price, but it really is that good. It’s sturdy enough to withstand all kinds of jolts and jostles in a backpack or briefcase, and has a unique velvety texture that’s very pleasant to hold. Add a wide port selection, a smooth and comfortable keyboard, and a vivid display, and you’ve got a chassis that can hold its own against plenty of midrange Windows laptops.
The Asus Chromebook CX5 is the best Chromebook of 2023. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales
The CX5’s performance is equally impressive. We never once heard its fan in our testing, even when pushing a workload that slows most devices down. Battery life is quite satisfactory and easily lasted us all day. And the CX5 delivered some of the loudest audio we’ve ever heard from a Chromebook. While the CX5 isn’t a perfect device, it’s currently the best Chromebook you can buy.
Read our Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 review.
2. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3
Best cheap Chromebook
CPU: Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 / GPU: Qualcomm Adreno graphics / RAM: 4Gb, 8GB / Storage: 128GB / Display: 10.95-inch IPS, 2000 x 1200, 60Hz, touch option / Dimensions: 10.16 x 6.48 x 0.31 inches / Weight: 1.14 pounds
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is a great, tiny laptop for budget shoppers. It comes with a magnetic detachable keyboard that’s a breeze to pop on and off. The screen also supports USI styluses, though a stylus is not included in the price. The keyboard is included in the price, however, as is the magnetic back cover and kickstand.
Day-to-day, this laptop is quite usable for light work and leisure. It has a sharp, bright 11-inch screen and a surprisingly comfortable keyboard and touchpad. The battery life is close to all-day. But the real draw of this device is its portability — it’s just 2.09 pounds with the keyboard attached, making it quite convenient to carry around and whip out to use on the go.
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 has a slim and portable design with a bright and sharp 11-inch screen. Photo by Monica Chin / The Verge
There are a few compromises: there are only two ports (and no headphone jack), and the processor gets slow if you attempt a heavier multitasking workload. But Chrome OS fans who want a portable device for fun and multimedia can’t do better than this Chromebook at this price.
Read our Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 review.
3. HP Chromebook x360 14
Best Chromebook for video conferencing
HP Chromebook x360 14c $ 279 The Chromebook x360 14c boasts a great webcam and HP’s signature premium design. The speakers are some of the best you can get on a Chromebook, making it an excellent choice for video calls. On the downside, the battery life is just okay (though not terrible) and the screen is a bit dim. $279 at Amazon
CPU: Intel Core i3-1215U, Core i5-1235U / GPU: Intel UHD, Iris Xe / RAM: 8GB, 16GB / Storage: 128GB, 256Gb, 512GB / Display: 14-inch IPS, 1920 x 1200 / 1920 x 1080, 60Hz, touch option / Dimensions: 12.3 x 8.68 x 0.71 inches / Weight: 3.34 pounds
If you’re looking for an affordable Chromebook with strong performance and a solid build, the Chromebook x360 14c is an option for you. Nobody does laptop builds quite like HP, and this convertible Chromebook is no exception.
Sitting comfortably in the $500-$600 range the device is powered by Intel Core processors (our test unit had an i3), and it ran our standard office workload without issue. We saw little heat and little fan noise throughout. Battery life was acceptable, though we didn’t quite get a full day. We even found the webcam to be surprisingly good.
For students or anyone looking for a solid device, the HP Chromebook x360 14c is a good pick. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
The primary drawback worth considering is the dim screen – it maxes out at 250 nits, and we had to deal with quite a bit of glare in brighter areas. It’s also far from the most portable product on this list, weighing in at 3.35 pounds. But ultimately, this is a nice-looking and nice-feeling device that’s particularly good for video conferencing.
Read our HP Chromebook x360 14c review.
4. Acer Chromebook Spin 714
Best Chromebook for power users
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 $ 511 $ 729 30 % off $ 511 $ 511 $ 729 30 % off The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 offers fast Intel processors and Thunderbolt 4 support. While it’s not as impressive as its predecessor’s, particularly when it comes to battery life, it’s a powerful laptop with nice perks like an HDMI port and garaged stylus.
$511 at Amazon
CPU: Intel Core i5-1235U, Core i7-1260P / GPU: Intel Iris Xe / RAM: 8GB / Storage: 256GB / Display: 114-inch IPS, 2560 x 1600, 60Hz, touch option / Dimensions: 12.31 x 8.82 x 0.71 inches / Weight: 3.09 pounds
With a hefty Intel processor and Thunderbolt 4 support, Acer’s Chromebook Spin 714 is one of the most powerful Chromebooks you can buy. It’s lightning fast, generating little noise and heat even under fairly intense professional workloads.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is the best Chromebook for those who need raw power. Photo by Becca Farsace / The Verge
The keyboard is excellent with a comfortable, quiet feel, and nice backlighting. There’s even an HDMI port, which you don’t see on a thin Chromebook every day. It’s a well-built device as well, with a professional finish suitable for an office setting. The main drawbacks to consider are that the Spin’s speakers aren’t great, and the battery life is a bit lower than last year’s model’s was.
Read our Acer Chromebook Spin 714 review.
5. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5
Best OLED Chromebook
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 (8GB/128GB) $ 369 $ 499 26 % off $ 369 $ 369 $ 499 26 % off The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 comes with a lovely 13.3-inch Full HD OLED touchscreen and long battery life but lacks biometric authentication.
$369 at Best Buy
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 / GPU: Qualcomm Adreno / RAM: 8GB / Storage: 128GB / Display: 13.3-inch OLED, 1920 x 1080, 60Hz, touch option / Dimensions: 12.05 x 7.32 x 0.27 inches / Weight: 2.22 pounds
The Chromebook Duet 5 is a compact convertible device with an OLED screen. It’s thinner and lighter than most Chromebooks out there, and its back cover doubles as a kickstand. And it’s often available for under $400, making it one of the cheapest OLED devices you can buy.
The OLED display makes for quite enjoyable viewing, and the detachable keyboard is great as well with excellent spacing and satisfying feedback. Performance (our unit was powered by the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2) was snappy, and the device could handle our standard office workload with no issue. But the standout feature was battery life: We saw between 10 and 12 hours to a charge, even when doing fairly demanding tasks like Zoom calls and high-resolution YouTube videos.
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 is one of our favorite Chromebooks of 2023. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
There are a few unfortunate omissions: there’s no fingerprint sensor, and there’s no included stylus (though one is supported). But we think Chrome OS fans who want a great screen for multimedia viewing can’t do better than this Chromebook at this price.
Read our Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 review.
6. HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook
Best premium Chromebook
CPU: Intel Core i3-1215U, Core i5-1235U, Core i5-1245U, Core i7-1265U / GPU: Intel integrated / RAM: 8GB, 16GB, 32GB / Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB / Display: 13.5-inch LED/WLED, 1920 x 1080/2256 x 1504, 60Hz, touch option / Dimensions: 11.59 x 8.73 x 0.65 inches / Weight: 2.8 pounds
The HP Dragonfly Chromebook is one of the best built and most powerful Chromebooks you can get. It’s one of few Chrome OS devices to support Intel’s vPro platform, and it includes HP’s Sure View Reflect privacy screen to hide sensitive information from snoops in public. It’s also quite thin and light with a magnesium and aluminum chassis, making it ideal for business travel.
In terms of performance, the Core i5 unit that we tested was more than adequate for photo editing, office work, and any other necessary tasks; you don’t need a fully specced-out model in order to get fast performance. Our one real hangup was that battery life could be better; we only saw around seven hours of continuous use, which is less than you’ll see from some of the other Chromebooks on this page. We tested a QHD model, so you may see a longer lifespan from the 1920 x 1080 option.
If your company has the funds for it, the Elite Dragonfly Chromebook is the ultimate enterprise package. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
The Dragonfly Chromebook won’t be accessible to everyone. Its starting price is very high and tailored towards an enterprise audience. But if you’re looking for a Chrome OS device for the C-suite and have a large budget to work with, this model is worth a look.
Read our HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook review.
7. HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook
Best business Chromebook
CPU: Core i5-1235U / GPU: Iris Xe / RAM: 16GB / Storage: 256GB / Display: 14-inch IPS, 2560x1600, 60Hz, touch option / Dimensions: 12.4 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches / Weight: 3.33 pounds
If you want a Chromebook with RGB lighting that isn’t specifically a gaming Chromebook, your only option is basically the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook. This device doesn’t have quite as premium a build as the old school Elite Dragonfly, but it’s still quite nice. It’s also got a solid 8MP webcam, excellent speakers, and one of the brightest screens I’ve ever seen on a Chromebook. But the real differentiating factor is the colorful keyboard, which you won’t find on any of the other products listed here.
The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is a business-oriented Chromebook with colorful flair. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
The one thing I will warn potential buyers of is that the colorful keyboard and bright screen take their toll on battery life. I only saw around six hours to a charge here. That’s not terrible, but we’d hope to see more from a device this expensive. Still, the Dragonfly Pro offers a premium build and unique combination of features, and that makes it worth a look from deep-pocketed business customers.
Read our HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook review.


theverge--2020-10-16--Faze Rug on how starring in a horror movie made him a better YouTuber

Brian Awadis , better known as Faze Rug , loves to be scared .
He watches horror movies , visits haunted attractions at Halloween , and frequently films himself getting spooked on his YouTube channel .
“ I get scared super easy , but I think that ’ s what makes it more fun to watch , ” he says .
“ I want to get scared .
I just love the thrill of it.
” So , around a year ago , when he was given the chance to star in a horror movie — his first ever acting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ That ’ s a no-brainer , ” says Rug .
For the uninitiated , Faze Clan is a new kind of entertainment company that ’ s part esports organization , part influencer supergroup , and part merchandise brand .
It counts some of the biggest YouTube and Twitch stars in the world among its members , including Rug , along with more traditional celebrities like rapper Offset and NBA star Ben Simmons .
More recently , though , the company has started to spread into more mainstream pop culture , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a planned cinematic universe based around Faze talent .
The movie is called Crimson , and it ’ s a clown-themed horror film directed by Gregory Plotkin , who previously served as editor on Get Out and director on a Paranormal Activity sequel .
It ’ s slated to debut just before Halloween on October 29th .
( It ’ ll be available exclusively on a new platform called Inviz . )
You can get a taste in the first trailer below : Rug is no stranger to being on camera — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on YouTube — but he says he had no acting experience prior to working on Crimson .
“ Nope .
Nothing , ” he tells me .
Because of this , he was nervous prior to filming , particularly with the idea of memorizing a 150-page script .
But it turned out that he didn ’ t really have to play a character at all ; he was mostly meant to be himself , and there was plenty of room for improvisation with the dialogue .
In fact , his nervousness mostly evaporated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I was actually pretty scared , I ’ m not going to lie.
” “ Since it was my first time making a movie , on the first day they went easy on us , ” he says .
“ The one thing I remember , the very first scene we did , me and my cousin were in the scene and we were so nervous .
And then it only took two takes to get a good take ; they said it usually takes six or seven .
That helped my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” He adds that “ I ’ m really proud of my performance .
It was more me being myself , and I think I do that the best , of course.
” The shoot was complicated somewhat by COVID safety protocols ; Rug says that he and the rest of the crew were tested daily , and the set had dedicated areas where masks and distancing were required .
One of the biggest challenges , though — especially for a new actor — was ensuring the scares felt authentic .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fun part about this was Greg , the director , scared me a lot without my knowledge to get those scary reactions , ” says Rug .
“ I ’ ll be walking down the hallway in a scary scene and he would creep up behind me and bang on the wall next to me , so I could get that scary reaction .
I was actually pretty scared , I ’ m not going to lie .
Until the scene is over and everyone comes out and starts setting up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty scary.
” He also ran into another problem very specific to a social media star : keeping quiet .
“ I wanted to post so much about the movie , and I would kind of get in trouble , ” he says .
“ I posted [ an Instagram story ] once and they all rushed to me like ‘ Take that down !
You ’ re spoiling it !
’ ” It was also a much more grueling schedule than he was used to .
Rug says that he typically shoots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those shoots last around five or six hours .
Work on Crimson , meanwhile , involved three weeks of 12-hour-long days .
And to make things even more intense , he didn ’ t actually stop shooting YouTube videos while working on the movie .
Instead , whenever he had an off day , he would film something for his channel , including behind-the-scenes features about Crimson .
“ I didn ’ t have one day off , ” Rug explains .
“ Since it was just a three-week span , I just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three weeks , you ’ re going to be super stressed.
’ I know it ’ s very unhealthy but definitely now is when I get to chill and relax and not have to worry about a 12-hour day.
” That said , working on the movie also turned out to be motivational .
Rug says that being able to watch a crew of professionals work behind the scenes helped inspire him to make his YouTube channel more professional — which meant spending quite a bit of money on new gear .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I went to the camera store and spent like $ 7,000 on equipment , because I ’ m like ‘ They did this !
’ or ‘ They did that !
’ I actually was inspired by the way they shot the movie , and I wanted to apply it to my YouTube channel , ” he says .
Crimson will be out very soon in order to hit that all-important Halloween window , so you might be surprised to learn that its star has yet to see the story play out from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has to do with the way it was filmed — scenes were shot out of order — but it ’ s also because of a rapid development pace that means the movie is currently still in post-production .
“ I haven ’ t even seen it , ” says Rug .
“ It ’ s kind of crazy how it ’ s not done and it ’ s out in two weeks , but I have full trust in everyone working on it .
”

Brian Awadis, better known as Faze Rug, loves to be scared. He watches horror movies, visits haunted attractions at Halloween, and frequently films himself getting spooked on his YouTube channel. “I get scared super easy, but I think that’s what makes it more fun to watch,” he says. “I want to get scared. I just love the thrill of it.” So, around a year ago, when he was given the chance to star in a horror movie — his first ever acting role — he jumped at the chance. “That’s a no-brainer,” says Rug.
For the uninitiated, Faze Clan is a new kind of entertainment company that’s part esports organization, part influencer supergroup, and part merchandise brand. It counts some of the biggest YouTube and Twitch stars in the world among its members, including Rug, along with more traditional celebrities like rapper Offset and NBA star Ben Simmons. More recently, though, the company has started to spread into more mainstream pop culture, and the new movie is just the beginning of a planned cinematic universe based around Faze talent.
The movie is called Crimson, and it’s a clown-themed horror film directed by Gregory Plotkin, who previously served as editor on Get Out and director on a Paranormal Activity sequel. It’s slated to debut just before Halloween on October 29th. (It’ll be available exclusively on a new platform called Inviz.) You can get a taste in the first trailer below:
Rug is no stranger to being on camera — he has more than 16 million subscribers on YouTube — but he says he had no acting experience prior to working on Crimson. “Nope. Nothing,” he tells me. Because of this, he was nervous prior to filming, particularly with the idea of memorizing a 150-page script. But it turned out that he didn’t really have to play a character at all; he was mostly meant to be himself, and there was plenty of room for improvisation with the dialogue. In fact, his nervousness mostly evaporated after the first day on set.
“I was actually pretty scared, I’m not going to lie.”
“Since it was my first time making a movie, on the first day they went easy on us,” he says. “The one thing I remember, the very first scene we did, me and my cousin were in the scene and we were so nervous. And then it only took two takes to get a good take; they said it usually takes six or seven. That helped my mindset through the rest of the movie.” He adds that “I’m really proud of my performance. It was more me being myself, and I think I do that the best, of course.”
The shoot was complicated somewhat by COVID safety protocols; Rug says that he and the rest of the crew were tested daily, and the set had dedicated areas where masks and distancing were required. One of the biggest challenges, though — especially for a new actor — was ensuring the scares felt authentic. But the solution was actually pretty simple.
“The fun part about this was Greg, the director, scared me a lot without my knowledge to get those scary reactions,” says Rug. “I’ll be walking down the hallway in a scary scene and he would creep up behind me and bang on the wall next to me, so I could get that scary reaction. I was actually pretty scared, I’m not going to lie. Until the scene is over and everyone comes out and starts setting up for the next scene, it’s pretty scary.”
He also ran into another problem very specific to a social media star: keeping quiet. “I wanted to post so much about the movie, and I would kind of get in trouble,” he says. “I posted [an Instagram story] once and they all rushed to me like ‘Take that down! You’re spoiling it!’”
Photo: Faze Clan “It was a special thing, and I felt like I needed to be a part of it.” - Offset on joining Faze Clan
It was also a much more grueling schedule than he was used to. Rug says that he typically shoots YouTube videos every other day, and those shoots last around five or six hours. Work on Crimson, meanwhile, involved three weeks of 12-hour-long days. And to make things even more intense, he didn’t actually stop shooting YouTube videos while working on the movie. Instead, whenever he had an off day, he would film something for his channel, including behind-the-scenes features about Crimson. “I didn’t have one day off,” Rug explains. “Since it was just a three-week span, I just told myself ‘Okay, for these three weeks, you’re going to be super stressed.’ I know it’s very unhealthy but definitely now is when I get to chill and relax and not have to worry about a 12-hour day.”
That said, working on the movie also turned out to be motivational. Rug says that being able to watch a crew of professionals work behind the scenes helped inspire him to make his YouTube channel more professional — which meant spending quite a bit of money on new gear. “After a few days on set, I went to the camera store and spent like $7,000 on equipment, because I’m like ‘They did this!’ or ‘They did that!’ I actually was inspired by the way they shot the movie, and I wanted to apply it to my YouTube channel,” he says.


theverge--2020-10-16--League of Legends: Wild Rift’s beta starts soon, but it won’t hit the US until next year

Riot is taking Wild Rift , the mobile version of League of Legends , into open beta on October 27th @ @ @ @ @ news today , noting that it will first be available in Indonesia , Japan , @ @ @ @ @ Singapore , South Korea , and Thailand on both iOS and Android .
Wild Rift @ @ @ @ @ such as Europe , the Middle East , and Russia by December ; a Stateside @ @ @ @ @ 2021 .
In addition to a new champion , Riot will also be testing six @ @ @ @ @ and location-specific content .
Riot announced Wild Rift last year ; the game is specifically @ @ @ @ @ devices and consoles .
The developer has previously said it will be “ a new @ @ @ @ @ ensure it is a polished , legitimate LoL experience that ’ s worth players ’ @ @ @

Riot is taking Wild Rift, the mobile version of League of Legends, into open beta on October 27th. The developer announced the news today, noting that it will first be available in Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand on both iOS and Android.
Wild Rift is expected to hit locations such as Europe, the Middle East, and Russia by December; a Stateside release is coming in spring 2021. In addition to a new champion, Riot will also be testing six others, alongside in-game rewards and location-specific content.


theverge--2020-10-16--Some Shipt workers report seeing lower pay under new effort-based model

A new crowdsourced report finds that the algorithm for shopping delivery platform Shipt has led to reduced pay for 40 percent of its workers .
First reported by Gizmodo , the report from Coworker.org , a pro-labor nonprofit organization that helps workers organize , gathered screenshots from more than 200 Shipt workers — who the company calls shoppers — in 140 different US metro areas .
The screenshots showed more than 40 percent of the workers saw a reduction in pay following the rollout of Shipt ’ s “ V2 ” pay model .
The so-called “ effort-based ” pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ model .
The Coworker.org team worked with PhD student Dan Calacci at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to analyze the information it had collected and found that the workers who reported lower wages were making 11 percent less than they did under the previous pay structure .
Shipt began testing the new pay model last year and announced in July it would be introducing it into more markets .
The company said at the time that the V2 model “ better accounts for the effort it takes to shop and deliver orders .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reflect the efforts shoppers are putting into each order , not the monetary value of the items in the order.
” So if there are two Shipt orders totaling $ 100 , and one order has 35 items but the other only has three , the Shopper for the first order would be paid more , according to Shipt .
The new system also takes into account factors like drive time , location , and peak shopping times , the company says .
Shipt customers pay a monthly fee to subscribe to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 .
In the second quarter of 2020 , Target ’ s same-day services , which include Shipt , rose 273 percent , contributing to an 80 percent increase in profits year over year for the retailer .
Shipt workers walked off the job in April to demand better protection and pay from the company and staged another walkoff in July .
Motherboard had a look earlier this year at what it was like to work for the company , with shoppers describing a culture of intimidation .
According to the Coworker / @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technically pay shoppers slightly more on average , but not all shoppers are seeing the benefits .
The shoppers making less seem to be consistently paid less , the data shows .
“ Rather than a raise for all shoppers , V2 might be better described as a reallocation of payouts that has resulted in a pay increase for some , but a large cut for others , ” Calacci wrote .
Shipt spokesperson Molly Snyder said in an email to The Verge that the company does “ regular and comprehensive reviews ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report “ is not an accurate representation of how Shipt Shoppers , which number more than 200,000 today , are compensated , ” she said .
“ A pay increase for some , but a large cut for others ” According to Snyder , on average , Shipt shoppers earn more than $ 21 per “ shop , ” which includes base pay , promotional pay , and tips .
Snyder says that average has not changed under V2 .
Shoppers can choose to review an order before deciding whether to accept it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of Shipt shoppers calling themselves the Shipt List is organizing a three-day boycott of the platform to protest the new pay structure beginning on Saturday .
The group is urging shoppers not to schedule hours or accept new orders between Saturday and Monday , and it plans a “ direct action ” at Target ’ s corporate headquarters in Minneapolis .
“ Algorithmically generated pay is a very appealing concept for gig companies since pay can be tweaked and lowered at any time without announcement or warning to workers , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action .
“ These proprietary algorithms are intentionally surreptitious and allow companies to dial down pay .
”

A new crowdsourced report finds that the algorithm for shopping delivery platform Shipt has led to reduced pay for 40 percent of its workers.
First reported by Gizmodo, the report from Coworker.org, a pro-labor nonprofit organization that helps workers organize, gathered screenshots from more than 200 Shipt workers — who the company calls shoppers — in 140 different US metro areas. The screenshots showed more than 40 percent of the workers saw a reduction in pay following the rollout of Shipt’s “V2” pay model. The so-called “effort-based” pay model replaced Shipt’s previous flat-fee model.
The Coworker.org team worked with PhD student Dan Calacci at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to analyze the information it had collected and found that the workers who reported lower wages were making 11 percent less than they did under the previous pay structure.
Shipt began testing the new pay model last year and announced in July it would be introducing it into more markets. The company said at the time that the V2 model “better accounts for the effort it takes to shop and deliver orders. Simply put, we want pay to reflect the efforts shoppers are putting into each order, not the monetary value of the items in the order.”
So if there are two Shipt orders totaling $100, and one order has 35 items but the other only has three, the Shopper for the first order would be paid more, according to Shipt. The new system also takes into account factors like drive time, location, and peak shopping times, the company says.
Shipt customers pay a monthly fee to subscribe to the shopping service, which Target acquired in 2017. In the second quarter of 2020, Target’s same-day services, which include Shipt, rose 273 percent, contributing to an 80 percent increase in profits year over year for the retailer.
Shipt workers walked off the job in April to demand better protection and pay from the company and staged another walkoff in July. Motherboard had a look earlier this year at what it was like to work for the company, with shoppers describing a culture of intimidation.
According to the Coworker / MIT study, the V2 system does technically pay shoppers slightly more on average, but not all shoppers are seeing the benefits. The shoppers making less seem to be consistently paid less, the data shows. “Rather than a raise for all shoppers, V2 might be better described as a reallocation of payouts that has resulted in a pay increase for some, but a large cut for others,” Calacci wrote.
Shipt spokesperson Molly Snyder said in an email to The Verge that the company does “regular and comprehensive reviews” of its shopper data. The new report “is not an accurate representation of how Shipt Shoppers, which number more than 200,000 today, are compensated,” she said.
“A pay increase for some, but a large cut for others”
According to Snyder, on average, Shipt shoppers earn more than $21 per “shop,” which includes base pay, promotional pay, and tips. Snyder says that average has not changed under V2. Shoppers can choose to review an order before deciding whether to accept it or decline, she added.
A group of Shipt shoppers calling themselves the Shipt List is organizing a three-day boycott of the platform to protest the new pay structure beginning on Saturday. The group is urging shoppers not to schedule hours or accept new orders between Saturday and Monday, and it plans a “direct action” at Target’s corporate headquarters in Minneapolis.


theverge--2020-10-17--Star Trek: Discovery goes where the series has never gone before

For the first time in nearly 20 years , there are multiple new Star Trek shows you can watch at once .
There ’ s the Next Generation sequel series Picard for those feeling nostalgic ; for fans looking to undo a few buttons on their Starfleet uniforms and maybe even drink a beer , there ’ s the off-kilter animated comedy of Lower Decks .
But the series I ’ m most interested in is Star Trek : Discovery , because it boldly goes where no other Star Trek series has ever gone before .
I know .
Tall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Its third season begins with a clean break from the 23rd Century — and yes , you can start there .
The season 2 finale ended with the crew of the eponymous U.S.S .
Discovery leaping forward 950 years into the future , from the 23rd Century to the 32nd , which is to say an era where no Star Trek show has ever been set .
Pair that with a goofy but plausible reason to have the cast and their ship erased from recorded history , and you ’ ve got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ franchise vanguard .
Discovery went to extreme lengths to sever ties with its complicated past to tell a completely new story .
It is the Simone Biles of narrative gymnastics , and yes , it mostly sticks its landings .
But first , there ’ s backflips .
Commander Michael Burnham ( Sonequa Martin-Green ) , the series protagonist , begins the season the way the previous one ended : in a time travel suit , plunging into a wormhole , with the Discovery and its crew following her .
In the season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CBS All Access , Burnham arrives in a future no Trek character has ever seen .
Thanks to the quirks of the space-time continuum , she doesn ’ t know where ( or when ) the rest of the Discovery will arrive .
Across the first four episodes made available to critics , Burnham and the rest of the crew unite and have a series of mostly standalone adventures , touring a transformed galaxy .
Institutions they took for granted have crumbled , and disasters they never anticipated have redrawn the balance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means Discovery is always asking difficult questions : how do you hold onto your values when you ’ re the only one who holds them ?
And then : do you know when they ’ re no longer enough ?
This is the kind of wonky stuff Star Trek is all about , and it ’ s thrilling to see Discovery go all-in while also doing some pretty great sci-fi action .
( Later episodes dabble in Western homage and trippy metaphysical dilemmas . )
It ’ s a good recalibration , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neatly .
Apart from the narrative , Discovery also strides towards better real-world representation — new faces include Blu del Barrio and Ian Alexander , the first trans and non-binary actors cast in Star Trek — but the success of those leaps forward largely hinges on whether or not later episodes take new characters in new directions , beyond the episodes they ’ re introduced in .
Even so , Discovery feels good .
The show is telling stories about inscrutable futures and how to meet them , which feels particularly vital in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day with dignity intact feels impossible .
We ’ re all enduring a uniquely trying year , and getting the hell out of here has never been more appealing .
With Discovery , you can rocket to another galaxy and time altogether , and watch a diverse group of competent friends and colleagues try to grasp the unknown .

For the first time in nearly 20 years, there are multiple new Star Trek shows you can watch at once. There’s the Next Generation sequel series Picard for those feeling nostalgic; for fans looking to undo a few buttons on their Starfleet uniforms and maybe even drink a beer, there’s the off-kilter animated comedy of Lower Decks. But the series I’m most interested in is Star Trek: Discovery, because it boldly goes where no other Star Trek series has ever gone before.
I know. Tall order. But Discovery hits real good. Its third season begins with a clean break from the 23rd Century — and yes, you can start there. The season 2 finale ended with the crew of the eponymous U.S.S. Discovery leaping forward 950 years into the future, from the 23rd Century to the 32nd, which is to say an era where no Star Trek show has ever been set.
Pair that with a goofy but plausible reason to have the cast and their ship erased from recorded history, and you’ve got a show that’s now the franchise vanguard. Discovery went to extreme lengths to sever ties with its complicated past to tell a completely new story. It is the Simone Biles of narrative gymnastics, and yes, it mostly sticks its landings.
But first, there’s backflips. Commander Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), the series protagonist, begins the season the way the previous one ended: in a time travel suit, plunging into a wormhole, with the Discovery and its crew following her.
In the season premiere, which is currently streaming on CBS All Access, Burnham arrives in a future no Trek character has ever seen. Thanks to the quirks of the space-time continuum, she doesn’t know where (or when) the rest of the Discovery will arrive. Across the first four episodes made available to critics, Burnham and the rest of the crew unite and have a series of mostly standalone adventures, touring a transformed galaxy. Institutions they took for granted have crumbled, and disasters they never anticipated have redrawn the balance of power between peoples and worlds. It means Discovery is always asking difficult questions: how do you hold onto your values when you’re the only one who holds them? And then: do you know when they’re no longer enough?
This is the kind of wonky stuff Star Trek is all about, and it’s thrilling to see Discovery go all-in while also doing some pretty great sci-fi action. (Later episodes dabble in Western homage and trippy metaphysical dilemmas.) It’s a good recalibration, although some conflicts are resolved a little too neatly. Apart from the narrative, Discovery also strides towards better real-world representation — new faces include Blu del Barrio and Ian Alexander, the first trans and non-binary actors cast in Star Trek — but the success of those leaps forward largely hinges on whether or not later episodes take new characters in new directions, beyond the episodes they’re introduced in.
Even so, Discovery feels good. The show is telling stories about inscrutable futures and how to meet them, which feels particularly vital in a time where making it through the day with dignity intact feels impossible. We’re all enduring a uniquely trying year, and getting the hell out of here has never been more appealing. With Discovery, you can rocket to another galaxy and time altogether, and watch a diverse group of competent friends and colleagues try to grasp the unknown.


theverge--2020-10-17--Rapid research in a deadly epidemic pays off

This week ’ s US Food and Drug Administration approval of an Ebola drug is a big milestone in drug development — one that ’ s closely tied to our current efforts to fight COVID-19 .
Before COVID-19 started sweeping across the world , Ebola was one of the most high-profile viral diseases on the planet .
“ Everyone was ready to speed up and contribute and do things with Ebola that they don ’ t routinely do because Ebola is such a dire situation , ” virologist Daniel Bausch told The Verge ’ s Justine Calma last August .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ diseases in the world , but there ’ s not many that provoke the same sort of response and kind of an all-hands-on-deck approach to things.
” More than a year later , and the Ebola experiments have finally paid off in more ways than one .
The drug is an antibody treatment called Inmazeb developed by Regeneron , and dramatically helped increase survival rates in Ebola patients during an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ( DRC ) .
In addition to having a drug capable of treating Ebola , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responding to future ‘ all-hands-on-deck ’ viral outbreaks .
Researchers at the time piloted ways to responsibly conduct clinical trials in the middle of deadly outbreaks .
Now , some of the same techniques that were piloted during the Ebola epidemic are being used to design clinical trials for COVID-19 treatments today .
The trial for the Ebola drugs focused on four possible treatments .
Two of them , remdesivir and ZMapp , didn ’ t dramatically reduce death rates in Ebola patients — at least not compared to their competitors .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survival rates among some patients to between 89 and 94 percent .
They both used lab-grown antibodies known as monoclonal antibodies to help cure people infected with the virus .
One of the successful drugs , REGN-EB3 , later became Inmazeb .
“ it is possible to conduct scientifically rigorous and ethically sound research during an outbreak , even in a conflict zone.
” At the time , it was a new way of doing things .
During the deadly outbreak of Ebola in West Africa between 2013 and 2016 , clinical trials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t able to get enough data to draw conclusions about potential treatments .
The scientists knew that Ebola would come back , and wanted to find a way to quickly test treatments during future outbreaks of the disease .
The World Health Organization and many other international partners took the lessons from the West African outbreak and came up with a framework that could be used to ethically conduct clinical trials during future outbreaks .
The researchers put the plan into action when an outbreak started in the DRC in 2018 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ distrust of government and health officials , unstable power supplies , and regional violence .
But it still worked .
“ This trial showed that it is possible to conduct scientifically rigorous and ethically sound research during an outbreak , even in a conflict zone , ” the researchers wrote in a report published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2019 .
The success of the 2018 Ebola trial , and others like it , are part of what helped COVID-19 research get going so quickly after the virus started spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already started testing treatments , modeling their efforts off the Ebola trials in 2018 .
“ What we learned from Ebola is definitely something that is helping us to be even better during this outbreak.
” Andre Kalil , a professor of internal medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center told The Verge ’ s Nicole Wetsman in February .
There ’ s still a long way to go .
We ’ re starting to see early signs of what drugs might work to treat COVID-19 under certain circumstances , and which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval by the FDA in May but it is now on thin ice again ) .
But even at remarkably fast speeds , it still took two years for the Ebola treatment to go from clinical trials to full FDA approval .
It probably won ’ t take quite as long to see emergency approval of other COVID-19 treatments , but full approval may still be a distant speck on the horizon — even with all hands on deck .
Here ’ s what else happened this week .
The Great Barrington Declaration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a nightmare This pandemic is set to go on for a long time .
Many people would like to move on , and some have proposed some pretty unethical ways to do it .
At Vox , Brian Resnick breaks down why a proposed ‘ herd immunity ’ strategy is a nightmare — and looks a lot like giving up .
( Brian Resnick/Vox ) A rare Covid-19 complication was reported in children .
Now , it ’ s showing up in adults .
A strange inflammatory syndrome appeared in some children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condition is now showing up in a few adults , but it still seems rare .
( Erika Edwards/NBC ) ‘ Nobody has very clear answers for them ’ : Doctors search for treatments for covid-19 long-haulers Researchers and doctors are still trying to figure out how to care for COVID-19 patients with symptoms that just won ’ t go away .
( Lenny Bernstein/Washington Post ) NIH paused Eli Lilly Covid-19 antibody trial because of safety concerns An antibody treatment trial was paused this week amid safety concerns .
Stat reports that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the two groups — either the placebo or the treatment — was doing better than the other .
( Damian Garde and Matthew Herper/Stat ) Johnson & Johnson pauses COVID-19 vaccine trial due to unexplained illness Another trial , this one for a vaccine , was halted this week .
An unexplained illness in a participant caused the trial to pause .
It ’ s the second COVID-19 vaccine trial to be put on hold .
Two vaccine trials , run by Pfizer and Moderna are still underway in the US .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ It Won ’ t Seek Vaccine Authorization Before Mid-November For a while , Pfizer promised that it would have results from its vaccine trials by mid to late October .
Now , they ’ re saying that while they might have some data by the end of the month , they ’ re not going to seek FDA authorization before November at the earliest .
( Katie Thomas and Noah Wieland/NYT ) Remdesivir Fails to Prevent Covid-19 Deaths in Huge Trial A WHO trial of remdesivir found that it did not prevent deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet , and some researchers say that the trial was not designed properly .
( Katherine J Wu/NYT ) In the US , 50 States Could Mean 50 Vaccine Rollout Strategies Maryn McKenna takes us through the potentially messy rollout of a future COVID-19 vaccine .
( Maryn McKenna/Wired ) The Guardians of Elmhurst “ Almost 4,000 people work in Elmhurst Hospital , and around 3,000 of them are women.
” Mattie Kahn highlights four of the women who helped keep Elmhurst Hospital running during New York City ’ s horrifying COVID-19 spike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) To the more than 39,393,994 people worldwide who have tested positive , may your road to recovery be smooth .
To the families and friends of the 1,105,462 people who have died worldwide — 218,602 of those in the US — your loved ones are not forgotten .

This week’s US Food and Drug Administration approval of an Ebola drug is a big milestone in drug development — one that’s closely tied to our current efforts to fight COVID-19.
Before COVID-19 started sweeping across the world, Ebola was one of the most high-profile viral diseases on the planet. “Everyone was ready to speed up and contribute and do things with Ebola that they don’t routinely do because Ebola is such a dire situation,” virologist Daniel Bausch told The Verge’s Justine Calma last August. “There are a lot of bad diseases in the world, but there’s not many that provoke the same sort of response and kind of an all-hands-on-deck approach to things.”
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More than a year later, and the Ebola experiments have finally paid off in more ways than one. The drug is an antibody treatment called Inmazeb developed by Regeneron, and dramatically helped increase survival rates in Ebola patients during an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In addition to having a drug capable of treating Ebola, the trials also provided a blueprint for responding to future ‘all-hands-on-deck’ viral outbreaks. Researchers at the time piloted ways to responsibly conduct clinical trials in the middle of deadly outbreaks. Now, some of the same techniques that were piloted during the Ebola epidemic are being used to design clinical trials for COVID-19 treatments today.
The trial for the Ebola drugs focused on four possible treatments. Two of them, remdesivir and ZMapp, didn’t dramatically reduce death rates in Ebola patients — at least not compared to their competitors. The other two had vastly better outcomes increasing survival rates among some patients to between 89 and 94 percent. They both used lab-grown antibodies known as monoclonal antibodies to help cure people infected with the virus. One of the successful drugs, REGN-EB3, later became Inmazeb.
“it is possible to conduct scientifically rigorous and ethically sound research during an outbreak, even in a conflict zone.”
At the time, it was a new way of doing things. During the deadly outbreak of Ebola in West Africa between 2013 and 2016, clinical trials moved too slowly, and researchers weren’t able to get enough data to draw conclusions about potential treatments. The scientists knew that Ebola would come back, and wanted to find a way to quickly test treatments during future outbreaks of the disease. The World Health Organization and many other international partners took the lessons from the West African outbreak and came up with a framework that could be used to ethically conduct clinical trials during future outbreaks.
The researchers put the plan into action when an outbreak started in the DRC in 2018. They faced particularly challenging circumstances, including distrust of government and health officials, unstable power supplies, and regional violence. But it still worked. “This trial showed that it is possible to conduct scientifically rigorous and ethically sound research during an outbreak, even in a conflict zone,” the researchers wrote in a report published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2019.
The success of the 2018 Ebola trial, and others like it, are part of what helped COVID-19 research get going so quickly after the virus started spreading. Back in February, researchers had already started testing treatments, modeling their efforts off the Ebola trials in 2018. “What we learned from Ebola is definitely something that is helping us to be even better during this outbreak.” Andre Kalil, a professor of internal medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center told The Verge’s Nicole Wetsman in February.
There’s still a long way to go. We’re starting to see early signs of what drugs might work to treat COVID-19 under certain circumstances, and which might not. (Remdesivir got emergency approval by the FDA in May but it is now on thin ice again). But even at remarkably fast speeds, it still took two years for the Ebola treatment to go from clinical trials to full FDA approval. It probably won’t take quite as long to see emergency approval of other COVID-19 treatments, but full approval may still be a distant speck on the horizon — even with all hands on deck.
Here’s what else happened this week.
Research
The Great Barrington Declaration’s “herd immunity” strategy is a nightmare
This pandemic is set to go on for a long time. Many people would like to move on, and some have proposed some pretty unethical ways to do it. At Vox, Brian Resnick breaks down why a proposed ‘herd immunity’ strategy is a nightmare — and looks a lot like giving up.
(Brian Resnick/Vox)
A rare Covid-19 complication was reported in children. Now, it’s showing up in adults.
A strange inflammatory syndrome appeared in some children with COVID-19 earlier this year. The condition is now showing up in a few adults, but it still seems rare.
(Erika Edwards/NBC)
‘Nobody has very clear answers for them’: Doctors search for treatments for covid-19 long-haulers
Researchers and doctors are still trying to figure out how to care for COVID-19 patients with symptoms that just won’t go away.
(Lenny Bernstein/Washington Post)
Development
NIH paused Eli Lilly Covid-19 antibody trial because of safety concerns
An antibody treatment trial was paused this week amid safety concerns. Stat reports that the NIH paused the trial because one of the two groups — either the placebo or the treatment — was doing better than the other.
(Damian Garde and Matthew Herper/Stat)
Johnson & Johnson pauses COVID-19 vaccine trial due to unexplained illness
Another trial, this one for a vaccine, was halted this week. An unexplained illness in a participant caused the trial to pause. It’s the second COVID-19 vaccine trial to be put on hold. Two vaccine trials, run by Pfizer and Moderna are still underway in the US. (Nicole Wetsman/The Verge)
Pfizer Says It Won’t Seek Vaccine Authorization Before Mid-November
For a while, Pfizer promised that it would have results from its vaccine trials by mid to late October. Now, they’re saying that while they might have some data by the end of the month, they’re not going to seek FDA authorization before November at the earliest.
(Katie Thomas and Noah Wieland/NYT)
Remdesivir Fails to Prevent Covid-19 Deaths in Huge Trial
A WHO trial of remdesivir found that it did not prevent deaths. The analysis has not been peer-reviewed yet, and some researchers say that the trial was not designed properly. (Katherine J Wu/NYT)
In the US, 50 States Could Mean 50 Vaccine Rollout Strategies
Maryn McKenna takes us through the potentially messy rollout of a future COVID-19 vaccine.
(Maryn McKenna/Wired)
Perspectives
The Guardians of Elmhurst
“Almost 4,000 people work in Elmhurst Hospital, and around 3,000 of them are women.” Mattie Kahn highlights four of the women who helped keep Elmhurst Hospital running during New York City’s horrifying COVID-19 spike earlier this year.
(Mattie Kahn/Glamour)
More than numbers
To the more than 39,393,994 people worldwide who have tested positive, may your road to recovery be smooth.
To the families and friends of the 1,105,462 people who have died worldwide — 218,602 of those in the US — your loved ones are not forgotten.


theverge--2020-10-17--Oracle founder donated $250,000 to Graham PAC in final days of TikTok deal

Oracle CEO Larry Ellison donated $ 250,000 to a super PAC supporting Sen. Lindsey Graham ’ s ( R-SC ) reelection campaign as his company closed in on a coveted position as TikTok ’ s US technology partner .
FEC documents show that Ellison made the $ 250,000 donation to the Security is Strength PAC on September 14th .
The Security is Strength PAC has bought ads exclusively in support of Graham ’ s political ambitions , including his 2015 presidential campaign and his current reelection bid for the US Senate .
It ’ s an unusually large donation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Graham ’ s Majority Fund in January .
The timing of the larger donation is also remarkable , coming mere hours after Oracle officially announced that it had been chosen as TikTok ’ s technology partner for its US operations , beating out Microsoft in a high-profile bidding process to save the popular video app .
Oracle ’ s arrangement with TikTok was applauded by Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin , but drew criticism from China hawks in both parties , who saw it as failing to address the long-standing concerns over ties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Chinese government .
At the same time , the arrangement was a potential windfall for Oracle , which was set to receive a significant contract from the embattled app .
“ If TikTok is saved , you can thank me ” Sen. Graham was reportedly pivotal in arranging the deal , although it ’ s unclear if he had any influence over the specific companies involved .
In an interview with Vanity Fair in August , Graham said that he personally called Trump to suggest that he find a US company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remedy the administration ’ s concerns over the app ’ s relationship with China .
“ Let Microsoft or somebody buy it , put it in American hands and allow the platform to survive and thrive because so many people enjoy it , ” Sen. Graham said he told Trump over the summer .
“ If TikTok is saved , you can thank me , ” he said .
Graham continued to cheer on the deal as it proceeded .
On the day the agreement was announced , the senator tweeted , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sale of TikTok to Oracle and Walmart .
Great for American consumers who are being protected from the Chinese Communist Party.
” He continued , “ Well done , Mr. President.
” The deal stalled in the days following the donation , failing to close before the deadline imposed by the president .
When that deadline arrived , the Commerce Department attempted to block transactions to TikTok ’ s parent company , only to be halted by a preliminary injunction as part of the ongoing federal case against the order .
Graham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for reelection to the US Senate for South Carolina against Democratic opponent Jaime Harrison .
On Thursday , Politico reported that the three-term senator has a narrow lead against Harrison among likely voters , 46 percent to 40 percent .
Still , Harrison raised $ 57 million in the third quarter of this year , dwarfing Graham ’ s $ 28 million .
Graham ’ s campaign did not respond to a request for comment from The Verge Friday evening .

Oracle CEO Larry Ellison donated $250,000 to a super PAC supporting Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-SC) reelection campaign as his company closed in on a coveted position as TikTok’s US technology partner.
FEC documents show that Ellison made the $250,000 donation to the Security is Strength PAC on September 14th. The Security is Strength PAC has bought ads exclusively in support of Graham’s political ambitions, including his 2015 presidential campaign and his current reelection bid for the US Senate.
It’s an unusually large donation for Ellison, who also donated $5,200 to Graham’s Majority Fund in January. The timing of the larger donation is also remarkable, coming mere hours after Oracle officially announced that it had been chosen as TikTok’s technology partner for its US operations, beating out Microsoft in a high-profile bidding process to save the popular video app.
Oracle’s arrangement with TikTok was applauded by Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, but drew criticism from China hawks in both parties, who saw it as failing to address the long-standing concerns over ties between TikTok’s parent company ByteDance and the Chinese government. At the same time, the arrangement was a potential windfall for Oracle, which was set to receive a significant contract from the embattled app.
“If TikTok is saved, you can thank me”
Sen. Graham was reportedly pivotal in arranging the deal, although it’s unclear if he had any influence over the specific companies involved. In an interview with Vanity Fair in August, Graham said that he personally called Trump to suggest that he find a US company to purchase the platform in order to remedy the administration’s concerns over the app’s relationship with China. “Let Microsoft or somebody buy it, put it in American hands and allow the platform to survive and thrive because so many people enjoy it,” Sen. Graham said he told Trump over the summer.
“If TikTok is saved, you can thank me,” he said.
Graham continued to cheer on the deal as it proceeded. On the day the agreement was announced, the senator tweeted, “Great decision by President Trump to approve the sale of TikTok to Oracle and Walmart. Great for American consumers who are being protected from the Chinese Communist Party.” He continued, “Well done, Mr. President.”
The deal stalled in the days following the donation, failing to close before the deadline imposed by the president. When that deadline arrived, the Commerce Department attempted to block transactions to TikTok’s parent company, only to be halted by a preliminary injunction as part of the ongoing federal case against the order.
Graham is currently locked in a tight race for reelection to the US Senate for South Carolina against Democratic opponent Jaime Harrison. On Thursday, Politico reported that the three-term senator has a narrow lead against Harrison among likely voters, 46 percent to 40 percent. Still, Harrison raised $57 million in the third quarter of this year, dwarfing Graham’s $28 million.
“By law, we have no affiliation with them,” T.W. Arrighi, spokesperson for the Graham campaign told The Verge Saturday. “They’re a completely separate and independent operation.”


theverge--2020-10-17--Save on Apple AirPods and other Prime Day 2020 leftovers this weekend

Only the best deals on Verge-approved gadgets get the Verge Deals stamp of approval , so if you 're looking for a deal on your next gadget or gift from major retailers like Amazon , Walmart , Best Buy , Target , and more , this is the place to be .
In case you paid no attention at all to what happened this week in tech , you missed out on the iPhone 12 announcement along with Amazon Prime Day 2020 .
You can preorder an iPhone 12 right here , but in regards to Prime Day 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s a far cry from what we covered on Tuesday and Wednesday , with 80-something of the best tech deals we ’ ve seen recently .
But what ’ s left is still worth checking out .
First off , Daily Steals is selling the second-generation AirPods with a wired charging case that matches the Prime Day deal of $ 115 .
To get this price , enter the code VERGEPODS at checkout .
These are new / open-box models that arrive with their retail packaging and all original accessories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warranty through Daily Steals .
• Apple ’ s AirPods with a wireless charging case are $ 160 at Walmart and Target ( usually $ 200 ) .
• Jabra ’ s Elite 75t wireless earbuds are $ 30 off their usual price at Amazon and Best Buy .
Normally $ 180 , they ’ re $ 150 in titanium black or gold / beige colorways .
• Sony ’ s ZV-1 camera is $ 700 at Best Buy , which is steeply discounted from its usual $ 800 price .
• Microsoft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ processor , 8GB RAM , 128GB storage ) is $ 800 at the Microsoft Store ( usually $ 1,000 ) .
• The Surface Pro 7 ( Core i5 , 8GB RAM , 128GB storage ) is $ 800 at the Microsoft Store ( usually $ 1,000 ) .
• Get a Google Nest Hub Max smart display and the new Chromecast with Google TV for $ 245 at Target ( usually $ 280 together ) .
• Lenovo ’ s Yoga C940 laptop ( 4K , i7 , 16GB RAM , 512GB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( usually $ 1,500 ) , which is $ 200 lower than its previous best price .
• The remastered version of Tony Hawk ’ s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is discounted on both PS4 and Xbox One at Amazon , dropping from $ 40 to $ 34 .

In case you paid no attention at all to what happened this week in tech, you missed out on the iPhone 12 announcement along with Amazon Prime Day 2020. You can preorder an iPhone 12 right here, but in regards to Prime Day 2020, some of those deals are still happening. It’s a far cry from what we covered on Tuesday and Wednesday, with 80-something of the best tech deals we’ve seen recently. But what’s left is still worth checking out.


theverge--2020-10-17--What the experts use: Andrew Marino’s podcasting gear

Audio media has been an important part of our lives ever since the first news reporters crackled their way into homes in 1920 .
For a while , it was assumed that visual media and then the internet would be the death of audio-only entertainment , but it turned out that this obit was premature .
Podcasting has brought new popularity to audio .
From book readings to investigative reporting to political opinion to interviews to theatrical productions , podcasts offer a wide range of entertainment and information .
And what ’ s even better : podcasting is a creative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ computer , a microphone , and an internet connection .
We spoke to Andrew Marino , audio engineer and producer at The Verge , to find out what he recommends for those who want to try this out as well .
What follows are Andrew ’ s thoughts about podcasting and the tools he prefers to use .
What you need There have been a lot of different ways people have developed podcasts , since a lot of them start out at different levels .
At its heart , it ’ s an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently it has been co-opted by larger media companies coming from radio backgrounds .
What you need to start with is a microphone and an audio interface ( a way to record your audio directly into your computer ) .
Once your podcast is recorded , you ’ ll then need a digital audio workstation ( DAW ) , which is the software you ’ ll use to edit , mix , and export your podcast .
You should also have some knowledge of microphone tech , recording , editing , and mixing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You mostly want a microphone with a cardioid polar pattern .
This means it ’ s a directional microphone that focuses on picking up what ’ s directly in front of it ( your voice ) and attempts to reject everything else ( the rest of the sound of the world ) .
The digital-to-analog converter ( DAC ) built into USB mics is typically not as good as a standalone audio interface , so as a professional , I tend to stay away from USB mics when I can .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whereas a more professional microphone is not attached to a DAC , allowing you to plug it into any microphone input , from a USB interface to a sound board at a live venue .
I have an Electro-Voice RE20 ; there ’ s also the RE27 .
It ’ s a typical dynamic microphone — it pretty much carried over from radio to podcasting .
It ’ s best for voice recording .
I went to school for music , so we used it a lot for recording a drum set , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ studio , you ’ ll see either an RE27 or a Shure SM7B .
A lot of podcasters use the SM7B , but it requires a preamplifier ( like this one ) for optimal signal level .
The RE20 and RE27 don ’ t necessarily need that .
When I ’ m out in the field , I ’ ll use a shotgun microphone : a long condenser that can pick up sources from farther away .
A lot of people use a large condenser mic for narration or vocals in songs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used in a controlled environment like a studio .
We ’ ve been giving our podcasters at Vox Media who record outside of our studios a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface .
It ’ s pretty affordable and durable , with a metal casing .
This USB interface offers two microphone inputs as well as outputs for monitors ; you can plug any analog mic into it .
There are tons that do that , but the Focusrite has a good price for the quality .
The next step after recording your podcast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most minimal podcast requires some editing to take out unnecessary space , add music , balance levels , and fix any other mishaps in the recording process .
To do this , most people use software called digital application workspaces or DAWs .
There are many DAWs you can use to edit your podcast ; in fact , you may have used a DAW to record your podcast .
I still sometimes use a free , open-source software called Audacity to do quick audio edits , and it ’ s very popular among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ software that I used when I got into editing because it ’ s free and it ’ s very flexible .
It has many built-in effects and controls that you can use just by downloading it , such as change pitch , compression , equalization ( EQ ) , and multitrack editing .
It ’ s not as flexible as other software , but you can still edit a whole podcast with it .
But while some DAWs are free , the ones you pay for tend to offer more detailed editing tools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work faster , more efficiently , and am more flexible when I ’ m using a more professional DAW like Avid Pro Tools or Adobe Audition .
I use Avid Pro Tools for recording , but for editing , I mostly use Adobe Audition .
In my experience using both DAWs , the workflow is faster for importing and mixing clips , and editing is significantly more efficient .
Pro Tools is based more on an analog system for music and preferred among a majority of my colleagues , but for long-form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use Audition .
I would also recommend using some audio software plug-ins to help with the mixing process .
A big part of podcast mixing is adjusting and controlling the levels of everyone ’ s microphones .
The company Waves offers some affordable bundles and individual plug-ins for dynamic compression , equalization , reverb , pretty much any sort of modulation you want .
Something I ’ ve been using a lot this year is iZotope ’ s RX 7 audio repair software ( they ’ re up to version RX 8 now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hosts on our shows — are recording at home , it ’ s sometimes hard to control the audio environment remotely .
I do a lot of “ de-noising ” to take out air conditioning noise , street noise , etc .
I also use “ de-plosive ” ( watch your “ P ” s ) and “ de-clipping ” ( watch your levels ) , which have brought the quality of the recordings up to our standards .
For the most part , podcasts can be distributed through the magical world of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an older tech in internet terms , but one of the few mediums that still really takes advantage of the open web , which is why I love it .
When a listener uses a podcast app , that app usually grabs the feed from your RSS , which contains audio files from your show as well as other data like your title , album art , description , etc .
For my personal podcast , I set up an Amazon S3 server and edit the feed through an RSS editor called Feeder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chose this simply because it was the cheapest option .
You ’ re paying for server space , so if you ’ re starting a podcast and you don ’ t have a lot of listeners , you ’ re paying almost nothing to host the podcast .
However , you have to be a little technical savvy and it ’ s not automatically secure .
Podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple recommend your hosting server support SSL ( Secure Sockets Layer ) , which allows you to generate an HTTPS RSS feed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there are other services that operate servers for podcast RSS feeds and let you simply upload your audio and relevant information ; your podcasts will be published to the various podcast platforms .
They also offer services like analytics and monetization .
Some popular hosting services include PodBean , Spreaker , Anchor , and Libsyn .
Don ’ t be overwhelmed or intimidated by the rest of the industry .
Podcasting is still in its infancy and was meant for the people .
Anyone can make a show and that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you want to make it about and don ’ t worry about trying to sound like other shows .
It ’ s a wonderfully creative medium and you should take advantage of it .

Audio media has been an important part of our lives ever since the first news reporters crackled their way into homes in 1920. For a while, it was assumed that visual media and then the internet would be the death of audio-only entertainment, but it turned out that this obit was premature.
Podcasting has brought new popularity to audio. From book readings to investigative reporting to political opinion to interviews to theatrical productions, podcasts offer a wide range of entertainment and information.
Andrew Marino has worked on podcasts and videos at The Verge for five years. He records, edits, mixes, publishes, and produces The Vergecast and has worked on other past Verge podcasts. He also helps with recording, mixing, and sound design for both of The Verge’s YouTube channels.
And what’s even better: podcasting is a creative form available to anyone who has a computer, a microphone, and an internet connection. We spoke to Andrew Marino, audio engineer and producer at The Verge, to find out what he recommends for those who want to try this out as well.
What follows are Andrew’s thoughts about podcasting and the tools he prefers to use.
What you need
There have been a lot of different ways people have developed podcasts, since a lot of them start out at different levels. At its heart, it’s an independent DIY media platform, although more recently it has been co-opted by larger media companies coming from radio backgrounds.
What you need to start with is a microphone and an audio interface (a way to record your audio directly into your computer). Once your podcast is recorded, you’ll then need a digital audio workstation (DAW), which is the software you’ll use to edit, mix, and export your podcast. You should also have some knowledge of microphone tech, recording, editing, and mixing to make your show sound its best.
Microphone
Electro-Voice RE20 Photo: Electro-Voice
You mostly want a microphone with a cardioid polar pattern. This means it’s a directional microphone that focuses on picking up what’s directly in front of it (your voice) and attempts to reject everything else (the rest of the sound of the world).
The digital-to-analog converter (DAC) built into USB mics is typically not as good as a standalone audio interface, so as a professional, I tend to stay away from USB mics when I can. It also limits you to one input, whereas a more professional microphone is not attached to a DAC, allowing you to plug it into any microphone input, from a USB interface to a sound board at a live venue.
I have an Electro-Voice RE20; there’s also the RE27. It’s a typical dynamic microphone — it pretty much carried over from radio to podcasting. It’s best for voice recording. I went to school for music, so we used it a lot for recording a drum set, but if you go into any radio studio, you’ll see either an RE27 or a Shure SM7B. A lot of podcasters use the SM7B, but it requires a preamplifier (like this one) for optimal signal level. The RE20 and RE27 don’t necessarily need that.
When I’m out in the field, I’ll use a shotgun microphone: a long condenser that can pick up sources from farther away. A lot of people use a large condenser mic for narration or vocals in songs and music, but it should only be used in a controlled environment like a studio.
Electro-Voice RE20 Broadcast Announcer Microphone with Variable-D / Dynamic microphone $399 at Amazon
Audio interface
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Photo: Focusrite
We’ve been giving our podcasters at Vox Media who record outside of our studios a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface. It’s pretty affordable and durable, with a metal casing. This USB interface offers two microphone inputs as well as outputs for monitors; you can plug any analog mic into it. There are tons that do that, but the Focusrite has a good price for the quality.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 / USB audio interface $160 at Amazon
Editing
Adobe Audition
The next step after recording your podcast is the editing phase. Even the most minimal podcast requires some editing to take out unnecessary space, add music, balance levels, and fix any other mishaps in the recording process. To do this, most people use software called digital application workspaces or DAWs.
There are many DAWs you can use to edit your podcast; in fact, you may have used a DAW to record your podcast. I still sometimes use a free, open-source software called Audacity to do quick audio edits, and it’s very popular among DIY podcasters.
Audacity was the first software that I used when I got into editing because it’s free and it’s very flexible. It has many built-in effects and controls that you can use just by downloading it, such as change pitch, compression, equalization (EQ), and multitrack editing. It’s not as flexible as other software, but you can still edit a whole podcast with it.
But while some DAWs are free, the ones you pay for tend to offer more detailed editing tools and better-sounding effects. I am able to work faster, more efficiently, and am more flexible when I’m using a more professional DAW like Avid Pro Tools or Adobe Audition.
I use Avid Pro Tools for recording, but for editing, I mostly use Adobe Audition. In my experience using both DAWs, the workflow is faster for importing and mixing clips, and editing is significantly more efficient. Pro Tools is based more on an analog system for music and preferred among a majority of my colleagues, but for long-form podcasting, I’m going to use Audition.
I would also recommend using some audio software plug-ins to help with the mixing process. A big part of podcast mixing is adjusting and controlling the levels of everyone’s microphones. The company Waves offers some affordable bundles and individual plug-ins for dynamic compression, equalization, reverb, pretty much any sort of modulation you want.
Something I’ve been using a lot this year is iZotope’s RX 7 audio repair software (they’re up to version RX 8 now). Since everyone — including the hosts on our shows — are recording at home, it’s sometimes hard to control the audio environment remotely. I do a lot of “de-noising” to take out air conditioning noise, street noise, etc. I also use “de-plosive” (watch your “P”s) and “de-clipping” (watch your levels), which have brought the quality of the recordings up to our standards.
Avid Pro Tools / Digital audio editing software From free at Avid
Adobe Audition / Digital audio editing software $240 annually at Adobe
iZotope RX 8 Standard / Audio cleanup and restoration $299 at iZotope
Distribution
Feeder Photo: Reinvented Software
For the most part, podcasts can be distributed through the magical world of an RSS feed. It’s an older tech in internet terms, but one of the few mediums that still really takes advantage of the open web, which is why I love it. When a listener uses a podcast app, that app usually grabs the feed from your RSS, which contains audio files from your show as well as other data like your title, album art, description, etc.
For my personal podcast, I set up an Amazon S3 server and edit the feed through an RSS editor called Feeder, which is pretty bare-bones. I chose this simply because it was the cheapest option. You’re paying for server space, so if you’re starting a podcast and you don’t have a lot of listeners, you’re paying almost nothing to host the podcast. However, you have to be a little technical savvy and it’s not automatically secure. Podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple recommend your hosting server support SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), which allows you to generate an HTTPS RSS feed.
If you want something more user-friendly, there are other services that operate servers for podcast RSS feeds and let you simply upload your audio and relevant information; your podcasts will be published to the various podcast platforms. They also offer services like analytics and monetization. Some popular hosting services include PodBean, Spreaker, Anchor, and Libsyn.
Feeder 3 / Publish RSS feeds $50 at Mac App Store
Final advice