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The music streaming app Tidal is laying off more workers. In a statement to Fortune, an unnamed Tidal spokesperson confirmed “the elimination of some roles across our business and design teams.”
On Wednesday, Fortune published a leaked memo from Jack Dorsey, the CEO of Tidal parent company Block Block Head (https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/22/23037963/jack-dorsey-block-head-ceo), who said that the company is going to “part ways with a number of folks” on the team. “We’re reducing the size of our design team and foundational roles supporting TIDAL, and we will consider reducing engineering over the next few weeks as we have more clarity around leadership going forward,” Dorsey wrote, according to Fortune.
Though Dorsey’s message didn’t specify how many employees would be laid off, sources told Fortune that it...
Continue reading… (https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284801/tidal-jack-dorsey-layoffs-report)
Photo by Andrew Hawkins / The Verge
Ford is idling the factory where it makes its F-150 Lightning electric pickup trucks until next year, the company said today. It’s another (https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284413/ford-made-nacs-css-tesla-complementary-adapter-launch) unwelcome (https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/19/24274405/ford-ev-nacs-adapter-faulty-replacement-service-bulletin) hiccup (https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/21/24225177/ford-electric-vehicle-cancellations-delays-suv-t3-pickup) in Ford’s path to becoming a global EV producer.
The plan is to shut things down after the last shift on Friday, November 15th, at which point the plant will be closed for seven weeks, including holidays in which no work would have occurred anyway. The reasons are a bit vague, with Ford spokesperson Emma Berg citing a need to “adjust production for an optimal mix of sales growth and profitability.”
That last word — profitability — is surely driving most of this decision. While Tesla just had a better-than-expected earnings quarter, Ford is still struggling to squeeze profit out of...
Continue reading… (https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284643/ford-f150-lightning-factory-idle-pause-production)
Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge; Getty Images
Former President Donald Trump has made immigration a centerpiece of his campaign: he’s promised mass deportations, a crackdown on asylum at the border, and a ban on mortgages (https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/06/business/undocumented-immigrants-trump-mortgage-ban/index.html) for undocumented immigrants. But while Trump rails against illegal immigration, his allies and advisors are also preparing to sharply reduce legal immigration, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Groups including the America First Policy Institute, a think tank that has been advising Trump’s campaign (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/24/us/politics/donald-trump-campaign-america-first-policy-institute.html), have drafted executive orders, regulations, and memos that would narrow the paths for legal migration to the US, according to a dozen former Trump administration officials that spoke with the Journal. Some of the proposals — like a ban on travelers from certain...
Continue reading… (https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284684/trump-legal-immigration-crackdown-america-first-policy-institute)
Photo by Amelia Holoway Krales / The Verge
After warning customers to stop using it (https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/5/24172377/humane-ai-pin-battery-case-issue-warning), Humane is now formally recalling around 10,500 units of its charging case for the beleaguered AI Pin. The affected cases were sold from last November through May of this year. According to the CPSC recall page (https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Humane-Recalls-Charge-Case-Accessory-for-Ai-Pin-Due-to-Lithium-Battery-Fire-Hazard), the lithium polymer battery in the Charge Case Accessory can potentially overheat and present a fire hazard. Humane admitted similar findings in a June email to customers.
That worst-case scenario, thankfully, hasn’t happened yet; the recall notes “one report of a charge case overheating and melting during charging,” but there haven’t been any injuries or damage to property. The AI Pin, its magnetic Battery Booster, and Humane’s charging pad are “not affected,” the company said in its...
Continue reading… (https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284691/humane-ai-pin-charge-case-recall-fire-hazard)
Image: Vjeran Pavic / The Verge
When the Playdate first launched (https://www.theverge.com/23025390/playdate-handheld-portable-gaming-console-review), one of the hooks was that the little yellow handheld came with a “season” of 24 games from notable developers like Keita Takahashi (https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/17/21025916/keita-takahashi-interview-wattam-katamari) and Zach Gage (https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24283527/puzzmo-weather-memoku). And now Panic has confirmed that a second season is coming at some point in 2025.
As for what will be included, we don’t have a lot to go on right now. Panic says that “details on price, the exact number of games, and the developers behind the games of season 2 will come in 2025.” But during a livestream today, the company said it would probably feature “about a dozen games” and will also include a “really cool surprise.”
Last year Panic launched a Playdate store called Catalog (https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/7/23627413/playdate-catalog-store-launch-date-best-games) where developers could release games outside of the season structure, and during...
Continue reading… (https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284707/playdate-season-2-release-date)
Cath Virginia / The Verge | Photo from Getty Images
Attorneys for the Federal Communications Commission and groups representing the broadband industry argued about the future of net neutrality to a panel of appeals court judges on Thursday.
The hearing was part of an endless political ping-pong game over net neutrality rules — which reclassify internet service providers (ISPs) as common carriers, barring them from selectively throttling web traffic. After being enacted under President Barack Obama and repealed under his successor, Donald Trump, they were reinstated by Joe Biden’s FCC in April (https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/25/24140157/fcc-vote-restore-net-neutrality-rosenworcel-biden). The latest iteration didn’t get far since the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals put the rules on hold (https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/1/24211570/net-neutrality-sixth-circuit-stay-blocked-fcc) while it considers the case.
During oral arguments on Thursday, two George W. Bush-appointed...
Continue reading… (https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284435/fcc-net-neutrality-isp-sixth-circuit-oral-arguments)
Image: Waze
Waze is testing a handy-sounding update (https://blog.google/waze/conversational-reporting-waze/) that will let you report traffic incidents while speaking naturally. With the new feature, you can tap the app’s reporting button and then say what you see, such as, “Looks like there’s a traffic jam up ahead.”
The Google-owned driving app will then use the Gemini AI model to “understand” what you’ve said and create a report. If you make a vague report, like “There’s something on the road,” Waze might ask follow-up questions, like “Can you describe what you see?” Depending on your reply, the app will then use that information to categorize your report.
Image: Waze
You can currently only report incidents on Waze by tapping through options within the app, which isn’t always...
Continue reading… (https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284037/waze-report-incidents-voice)
The Verge
Google Maps is getting new navigation features (https://blog.google/products/maps/gemini-google-maps-navigation-updates/) that should make inner-city driving a little easier. When enhanced navigation rolls out in November, the blue line on Google Maps will provide a visual of which lane you need to drive in to make your next turn, while the map itself might display crosswalks, signs, and lane restrictions.
This feature is coming to 30 US metros and will show up on Android and iOS. It should hopefully make driving through unfamiliar areas a bit less stressful, as it will add to some of the other helpful navigation features Maps has, such as lane guidance (https://www.theverge.com/2014/5/6/5687454/google-maps-app-update-offline-support-lane-guidance-uber) and the ability to see your routes in 3D (https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/10/23717238/google-maps-immersive-view-routes-3d-io).
Image: Google
Starting this week, Google Maps is also rolling out an update to its “destination... (https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/31/24209969/google-maps-destination-guidance-waze-camera-events)
Continue reading… (https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284455/google-maps-enhanced-navigation-features-city-driving)
Image: AMD
After bizarrely teasing (https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/21/24273397/amd-ryzen-x3d-processor-zen-5-release-date) a 9000-series X3D announcement last week, AMD is making it official today that the Ryzen 7 9800X3D will be available on November 7th. Priced at $479, the 9800X3D is a direct successor to the best gaming CPU on the market (https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/5/23668320/amd-ryzen-7-7800x3d-review-cpu-processor-benchmark-test) right now, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. There’s a lot to be excited about with this next-generation X3D chip, too.
AMD is increasing the base clock speed up to 4.7GHz on the 9800X3D, with a max boost of 5.2GHz. Combined with an increase to a 120-watt TDP, this may well help improve productivity workloads — something the X3D chips have always fallen behind their non-X3D counterparts on.
Image: AMD
AMD claims its 9800X3D is on average 8 percent faster than the 7800X3D.
The 9800X3D...
Continue reading… (https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284453/amd-ryzen-7-9800x3d-release-date-pricing)
Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge
Peloton’s got a new head honcho. The company announced (https://investor.onepeloton.com/news-releases/news-release-details/peloton-appoints-peter-stern-ceo-and-president) that Ford executive Peter Stern will take over as CEO and President starting January 1st. Stern previously worked at Apple and Time Warner Cable.
“As a cofounder and driving force behind Apple Fitness Plus, Peter led his growth to millions of members, and is responsible for successfully scaling over a dozen other subscription services ranging from Ford BlueCruise to Apple iCloud to Time Warner Cable Home Security,” said Karen Boone, Peloton’s interim CEO, on today’s Q1 2025 earnings (https://investor.onepeloton.com/static-files/33647c7f-435b-44dc-a5f0-75d96cbbaff5) call. “Importantly, Peter has also been a passionate member of the Peloton community since 2016.”
In a Q&A with investors, Boone also emphasized that Stern was “known for execution” and that the ability...
Continue reading… (https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284417/peloton-ceo-peter-stern-earnings-q1-2025)
Pink home office with door to outside at far end, desk and couch on right side, photos on wall at left.
A handmade desk in an office painted a color called ‘Little Piggy.’
Continue reading… (https://www.theverge.com/24277807/home-office-mac-wacom)
Miniot’s Klapklok wall clock uses paper-like flaps to flip pixels to show the time. The sound and motion is soothing to experience. | Image: Miniot
If you’ve ever experienced the sight and sound of a split-flap display then you’ll immediately understand the nostalgic appeal of Miniot’s pixelated wall clock. Klapklok (https://miniot.com/products/klapklok) uses mechanical flaps to convey information, just like the departure boards commonly found in transportation terminals before the arrival of LEDs.
As its name suggests, Klapklok primarily functions as a low resolution clock, showing the hour and minute hands using 69 (nice) “paper-like” flaps that act like black and white pixels. But Klapklok also features a Bluetooth app to create pixel drawings if that’s your thing.
GIF: Miniot
A closer look at the lightweight flaps.
As a clock, a selection of the flaps are redrawn every 2.5 minutes with a...
Continue reading… (https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24283510/miniot-klapklok-low-resolution-wall-clock-price)
We wouldn’t recommend the latest Air for most people at full price, but the current discount makes it more appealing. | Photo: David Pierce / The Verge
The new iPad Mini (https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/22/24275956/apple-ipad-mini-2024-review) has arrived, bringing with it a faster A17 Pro chip, 8GB of RAM, support for the Apple Pencil Pro, and a taste of Apple Intelligence. However, unless you’re dead set on the tablet’s 8.3-inch form factor, the latest iPad Air is a better buy — especially since the 11-inch configuration is on sale at Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Apple-iPad-Air-11-inch-Intelligence/dp/B0D3J617D7/?tag=theverge02-20) and Target (https://goto.target.com/c/482924/81938/2092?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftarget.com%2Fp%2Fapple-ipad-air-11-inch-m2-2024-6th-generation-wi-fi-128gb-space-gray%2F-%2FA-85966314&sharedid=theverge.com) with Wi-Fi and 128GB of storage starting at $498 ($101 off), an all-time low.
If you’re having trouble choosing between Apple’s entry-level iPad (https://www.theverge.com/23418039/apple-ipad-review-10th-gen-2022-10-9-tablet-ipados) and an M4-powered iPad Pro (https://www.theverge.com/24155440/apple-ipad-pro-2024-review), the 2024 iPad Air represents the middle ground. It’s a good-step option from the base iPad with USB-C charging, support for both the Apple Pencil (USB-C) (https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/17/23919994/apple-pencil-stylus-usb-c-price-updates) and newer Apple Pencil Pro (https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/7/24146454/apple-pencil-pro-ipad-stylus-price-availability-features), and a laminated Liquid Retina display (https://essentialpicks.com/laminated-vs-non-laminated-display-tablet/). The latter isn’t...
Continue reading… (https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/30/24282960/apple-ipad-air-11-inch-airpods-max-usb-c-deal-sale)
Universal Music partners with AI company building an ‘ethical’ music generator
https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/28/24282030/universal-music-group-partners-with-klay-ai-company-ethical-music-generator-foundational-model
Apple Intelligence will come to EU iPhones in April
https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/28/24281947/apple-intelligence-eu-iphones-april
Tidal is laying off more staff
https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284801/tidal-jack-dorsey-layoffs-report
Ford won’t be making any new F-150 Lightnings until next year
https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284643/ford-f150-lightning-factory-idle-pause-production
Trump is planning a crackdown on legal immigration, too
https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284684/trump-legal-immigration-crackdown-america-first-policy-institute
Humane recalls the AI Pin’s charging case due to overheating concerns
https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284691/humane-ai-pin-charge-case-recall-fire-hazard
Playdate is getting a second season of games in 2025
https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284707/playdate-season-2-release-date
FCC and the broadband industry argue net neutrality’s future
https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284435/fcc-net-neutrality-isp-sixth-circuit-oral-arguments
Waze will soon let you report incidents with your voice
https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284037/waze-report-incidents-voice
Google Maps’ enhanced navigation will make sure you’re in the right lane
https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284455/google-maps-enhanced-navigation-features-city-driving
AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800X3D gaming CPU arrives on November 7th for $479
https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284453/amd-ryzen-7-9800x3d-release-date-pricing
Peloton appoints Apple Fitness Plus cofounder as new CEO
https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284417/peloton-ceo-peter-stern-earnings-q1-2025
What’s on your desk, Kristen Radtke?
https://www.theverge.com/24277807/home-office-mac-wacom
Miniot’s split-flap clock is what nostalgia sounds like
https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24283510/miniot-klapklok-low-resolution-wall-clock-price
UMG and AI company Klay are forming their own foundational Music-generating AI model. | Cath Virginia / The Verge | Photo from Getty Image
Universal Music Group (UMG) announced (https://www.universalmusic.com/universal-music-group-enters-into-a-strategic-collaboration-with-ethical-ai-music-company-klay/) a new deal centered on creating an “ethical” foundational model for AI music generation. It’s partnered with a company called Klay Vision (https://www.klay.vision/) that’s creating a “Large Music Model” named KLayMM and plans to launch out of stealth mode with a product within months. Ary Attie, its founder and CEO, said the company believes “the next Beatles will play with KLAY.”
The two say the model will work “in collaboration with the music industry and its creators,” without many details about how, while Klay plans to make music AI “more than a short-lived gimmick.”
This is how the companies explain their shared goals:
Building generative AI music models ethically and fully respectful of copyright, as well as name and...
Continue reading… (https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/28/24282030/universal-music-group-partners-with-klay-ai-company-ethical-music-generator-foundational-model)
Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge
Apple Intelligence has finally launched in US English, and if you’re in the EU, you’ll be able to use the new AI features on your iPhone and iPad starting in April, according to an Irish Apple newsroom post (https://www.apple.com/ie/newsroom/2024/10/apple-intelligence-is-available-today-on-iphone-ipad-and-mac/).
When the features roll out to iPhones and iPads in the EU, they’ll include “include many of the core features of Apple Intelligence, including Writing Tools, Genmoji, a redesigned Siri with richer language understanding, ChatGPT integration, and more,” Apple says in the post.
However, if EU users want to get a taste of Apple Intelligence sooner, they can try the initial features on their Mac that are now available with macOS Sequoia 15.1. That first batch of features includes (https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/10/apple-intelligence-is-available-today-on-iphone-ipad-and-mac/) AI-powered writing tools, improvements to Siri, and...
Continue reading… (https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/28/24281947/apple-intelligence-eu-iphones-april)
“We take pride in the fact that we are expanding the market by welcoming new investors into the financial system.” - Robinhood’s S-1 | Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge
US citizens can gamble on the upcoming election (https://newsroom.aboutrobinhood.com/introducing-the-presidential-election-market/) on Robinhood, the financial nihilism app (https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/13/22574133/robinhood-meme-trades-dogecoin-ipo) announced. Robinhood has termed this “unlocking a new asset class that democratizes access to events as they unfold.”
Let’s pause — I would like to reflect on this incredible phrase, about an asset class that democratizes access to events as they unfold. See, I thought we all had access to the events of the election because we all exist in reality and can find out about them. But apparently, if we can’t gamble on an event, it isn’t happening. This is a fascinating vision of metaphysics, and I would like to hear more about it. No one bet on my birth, for instance, and thus there is no asset class relating to my existence. So am I real?
“Democratizes...
Continue reading… (https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/28/24281883/robinhood-presidential-betting)