Latest news with #Verge
Los Angeles Times
15 hours ago
- Automotive
- Los Angeles Times
Verge Motorcycles' U.S. Rollout Includes Century City Location
European technology company Verge Motorcycles' first U.S. store opened at Westfield Century City Shopping Center on June 1. Verge's second store opened at Westfield Valley Fair Mall in San Jose on June 6. Verge Motorcycles' international retail strategy is being driven by retail technology visionary George Blankenship, who was instrumental in developing Apple and Tesla's highly successful, ground-breaking showrooms. 'I see the same potential in Verge as I did at Apple two decades ago and Tesla one decade ago when those companies set out to completely redefine their industries,' said Blankenship, who now serves as Verge's chief revenue officer. 'I want Verge to be positioned wherever lots of people are spending time on a regular basis finding new things they might be surprised to see. Westfield Century City is one of the best shopping centers in the world, making it a perfect place for us to start our store operations in the United States.' Verge Motorcycles sees the West Coast as having all the right conditions to successfully launch its U.S. business. Motorcycling is popular in the region, and California also has the most extensive electric vehicle charging network in the country. In June of last year, Verge confirmed its plan to utilize Tesla's NACS charging connector, which means all bikes from day one will be able to utilize the expansive Tesla Supercharger network. 'The United States is already seen as one of our most important markets,' said Pekka Parnanen, chief operating officer of Verge USA. 'Many of the pre-orders for our bikes have come from the western region of the U.S. and California consumers, in particular, are widely known for appreciating and adopting new innovations. Our new stores in Los Angeles and San Jose will begin the rollout of our Verge experience to as many American motorcycle enthusiasts as possible.' In November 2024, at the LA Auto Show, Verge launched its new Starmatter platform, which brings software updates, sensor technology, artificial intelligence and an advanced user interface to motorcycling for the first time. At CES in Las Vegas, Verge announced an update to its flagship model with Starmatter Vision features, including multiple cameras and high-resolution radar, making Verge TS Ultra the first motorcycle equipped with the sense of sight. Information sourced by Verge Motorcycles. To learn more, contact press@
Hans India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
YouTube to Integrate Veo 3 AI Video Generator into Shorts This Summer
YouTube is preparing to enhance its Shorts platform by integrating Google's latest AI-powered video generation tool, Veo 3, later this year. The announcement came during a keynote speech at Cannes Lions, delivered by YouTube CEO Neal Mohan. Currently, Shorts creators can access AI-generated content through Veo 2 via Dream Screen, a feature that lets them insert AI-created backgrounds or even generate entire clips. Veo 3, the next evolution in Google's AI video technology, promises to bring even more powerful capabilities. While Mohan didn't reveal detailed features specific to Shorts, he emphasized Veo 3's upgraded video quality and its ability to incorporate audio. These enhancements signal a significant step forward in the kind of AI-generated content creators will be able to produce within the platform. Veo 3, which was recently described by Verge journalist Allison Johnson as 'a slop monger's dream,' is expected to bring a new level of creativity and realism to Shorts. The specifics around access and pricing for Shorts creators remain unclear. Currently, Veo 3 video generation is limited to users with subscriptions to Google's AI Pro or AI Ultra plans. When asked whether this model will be available for free to Shorts creators or remain behind a paywall, Google has yet to respond. This AI integration aligns with YouTube's broader push to maintain its competitive edge in the short-form video space, currently dominated by TikTok and Instagram Reels. According to Mohan, Shorts are already experiencing massive traction, now pulling in more than 200 billion views daily. This growth reflects a rising trend in short-form, mobile-first content consumption, especially among younger audiences. The move to include Veo 3 in Shorts also fits into Google's wider strategy of embedding generative AI across its platforms. In addition to video, Google has recently expanded AI capabilities in search, Workspace, and Android features. Bringing this technology to YouTube Shorts can empower creators with tools to automate video production while maintaining creative control and originality. Earlier versions of Veo focused primarily on generating stylized clips or scenes, but Veo 3's incorporation of audio marks a notable evolution. This could open up new possibilities for dynamic storytelling, musical content, and interactive Shorts. Although reception to AI-generated content remains mixed—ranging from excitement over possibilities to concerns about originality and authenticity—platforms like YouTube are betting on these tools to empower creators and streamline content creation. With Veo 3 on the horizon, Shorts creators might soon have a more robust, AI-enhanced toolkit at their disposal. As the feature rolls out, it could reshape how quick, engaging content is produced—and consumed—on one of the world's biggest video platforms.
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Business Standard
11-06-2025
- Business Standard
Nothing Phone 3 may resemble Phone 3a Pro with similar rear design: Report
Images revealing the design of the upcoming Nothing Phone 3 have reportedly surfaced online. According to a report by the Verge, the images reveal that the Nothing Phone 3 will have a triple camera set up at the back, with an arrangement reminiscent of the Phone 3a Pro, which launched earlier this year. The British consumer technology brand has previously confirmed that its next flagship smartphone, the Nothing Phone 3, will launch on July 1. Nothing Phone 3: Expected design The alleged images of the Nothing Phone 3 reveals the back panel design of the smartphone. Besides the camera arrangement, it suggests that Nothing will continue with the transparent back design. The images also show that there are no more Glyph lights at the back, which corresponds to Nothing's previous statement 'We killed the Glyph Interface.' What to expect from Nothing Phone 3 At Google's Android Show: I/O Edition, Nothing CEO Carl Pei gave a sneak peek at the upcoming Phone 3. Although the design remained obscured, Pei described it as the brand's first 'true flagship,' indicating a shift toward premium materials such as glass and metal. He also hinted at a notable price increase, estimating the new phone could cost around £800 (approximately Rs 90,000)—almost twice the launch price of the Phone (2), which was introduced in 2023 at Rs 44,999. For the specifications, the Nothing Phone 3 is expected to sport a 6.77-inch LTPO AMOLED display offering a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits. It may be powered by either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or the more recent Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, coupled with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. The phone's camera system could feature a 50MP primary sensor within a triple-camera setup, along with a 32MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls. The Phone is likely to pack a 5,000mAh battery that may support 50W wired and 20W wireless charging.
The Verge
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Verge
The single best wireless controller I've ever used
Sean Hollister is a senior editor here at The Verge. He runs news, writes reviews, and edits stories, and he specializes in, as he puts it, 'fun gadgets.' He goes on to say, 'It hit me recently that I'm basically a big kid: I want to play. So now I try to spend most of my time toying with nerdy hardware and filming it weekly for you. Please tell me if you see something I absolutely must try!' When we asked him to choose one of his favorite current gadgets, he volunteered to talk about the 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller. Where did you first hear about the 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller? Well, I heard about it in The Verge 's newsroom, and, frankly, I wanted to make fun of it right away because I thought it was bullshit. How could it be the 'ultimate' controller if it only supports a single Bluetooth device at a time and has no interchangeable batteries, while the 8BitDo Pro 2 can switch between four different devices, supports both AAs and a rechargeable pack, and costs $20 less? I was wrong about the controller, but not about the name: 8BitDo has made so many different 'Ultimate' controllers that the word is meaningless. Importantly, the one I'm talking about is the Bluetooth and 2.4G version with Nintendo Switch compatibility and drift-resistant Hall effect sticks. When did you buy it, and what went into the decision to buy one? Like so many of my favorite gadgets, I bought it when I realized I wanted to keep it. 8BitDo sent us one for review, and it's Verge policy that our staff can't accept anything of value from a company, even if they don't want it back. As soon as we no longer have a valid editorial reason to keep it, it gets returned, donated, or given away (and not to our friends or relatives, either). But I didn't want to part with it, so I paid cash for my own. Speaking of which, my review unit is currently in a review closet awaiting a reader giveaway — I'm hoping to ship it to some lucky Verge subscriber this summer or fall! What do you like about it? It's the single best wireless controller I've ever used. It's the best I've used for a PC, and it doubles as one of the top three for the Nintendo Switch, which, for me, easily makes it the best overall. I know that sounds like a high bar, but most of the competition falls short because most manufacturers seem to think PC gamers will either tolerate Bluetooth latency or wired USB cables instead of building a bulletproof 2.4GHz solution. For over a decade, I'd sworn by Microsoft's Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows because of its unmatched speed, reliability, and wireless range, but the 8BitDo Ultimate finally beat it — and without sacrificing proper rumble like so many wireless PC and Switch pads do. Plus, it adds an above average D-pad and magnetic Hall effect sticks that should last. It's one of the few controllers that can turn both a Nintendo Switch and a Steam Deck on from across the room, letting me laze on the couch while they're docked to my TV — and a decent built-in gyroscope means I get gyro aiming on Steam Deck and Switch, too. (You hit power, then shake the controller to activate the wake-on-Bluetooth command.) The battery life is excellent, too: I clocked over 33 hours of play across several months before needing to drop it back on its bundled charging dock, which also neatly turns the controller on and off when you dock and undock it. Is there anything about it that you dislike or that you think could be improved? I would definitely pay $10 more for a version that could pair to more Bluetooth devices, so I don't have to disconnect from my Steam Deck when I connect to my Switch and vice versa. I suppose I could leave the 2.4GHz dock plugged into my Steam Deck dock, but I prefer to keep it connected to my desktop PC. I'd also like to be able to remap the two back buttons without plugging the controller into a PC and using special software. The new Ultimate 2 and 2C do that, but I don't need any of the other new features like LED lighting, adjustable triggers, or extra buttons. Who would you recommend it to? Do you have a PC and a Switch or Steam Deck? At its typical $50 sale, buy this gamepad. Do you only have a Switch and don't care for how the Switch Pro controller feels? Buy this gamepad. But if you primarily play on home consoles, phones, tablets, etc., then don't buy it. I also have an 8BitDo Pro 2 that I prefer to stuff into a bag for on-the-go use, and Mechanism makes a great grip for it that you can pair with its Phone Mount to magnetically attach it to your phone. Is there anything I should have asked that I didn't? Have I used the Ultimate 2C, which can be had for just $25-$30 with most of the same features and a few enhancements but has half the battery capacity and doesn't come with a dock? No, I have not, as I've been completely satisfied with the Ultimate Bluetooth. At half the price, it might be the better pick, just so long as pastel colors are your thing.
Top Gear
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Are in wheel motors the next big thing?
Tech A simple idea could be on the verge of going mainstream... even though the concept was invented back in 1901 Skip 1 photos in the image carousel and continue reading In wheel motors are on the verge of real applications. That's a terrible pun: the Verge motorcycle has one. It looks dramatic, with no central hub or axle. Verge is part of Donut Lab, a Finnish builder of motors in the shape of donuts. The idea is wonderfully simple. A normal motor's rotor, the spinning bit, is inside, with its output shaft emerging from the centre. The stator, the coil windings that don't turn, is fixed to the outer casing. A wheel motor flips that layout inside out. The rotor is on the outside diameter, in unit with the wheel rim and so driving it. The stator is fixed to the suspension. The large diameter means much more torque than usual, so there's no need for the reduction gears that come with inboard motors. Advertisement - Page continues below No gears, no driveshafts, and so less friction and complication and weight. On a RWD car – as the Renault 5 Turbo 3E will be – each rear wheel has its own torque control for ultra capable torque vectoring and all sorts of drift modes. Better yet, there are exciting possibilities for design and packaging. Removing the centre-mounted motor and gears and diff and driveshafts will leave fresh space for batteries, luggage or crash zones. So the car can be rangier, roomier and shorter in overhang. You might like There is one obvious objection, but it turns out to be far less significant than I'd guessed. Wheel motors look heavy, and unsprung rotating mass is bad for dynamics. But actually these power dense motors weigh little. And a decade ago, with another pioneer Protean's wheel motors in mind, Lotus Engineering did a study on a Ford Focus MkII. Drivers tested it before and after the engineers added unsprung mass – 15kg rotating and 15kg static – to each corner. Handling, grip, ride, steering and refinement all suffered. But in the opinion of Lotus, nothing that couldn't be regained by normal suspension tuning. Besides – and this is me talking not them – if a car is RWD, then the front wheels and suspension stay as is. Which minimises the effects on steering weight and feel, and response difference due to extra gyroscopic interference. Advertisement - Page continues below Mind you, given the big manufacturers have invested squillions in EV platforms with central motors, world domination is some way off for this new invention. I say new. Wheel motors were first used in the Lohner-Porsche hybrid in... 1901. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
