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Tips on building a smart home from The Verge’s Jennifer Pattison Tuohy. Presented by @HomeDepot
The Verge· 2025-11-11 15:01
Smart Home Automation Goals - The focus should be on automating the home to react to user actions, rather than manual control via apps or voice [3][4] - Building a smart home should be based on specific needs, such as watering plants or leak detection, rather than just making everything "smart" [3] Smart Device Implementation - Smart plugs can be a cost-effective solution to connect existing devices without purchasing new ones [1] - Starting with energy management is useful out of the box and avoids spending money on features that are rarely used [2] - Building a good infrastructure of reliable smart home components is important [2]
What should we take from the Fire Phone? #VersionHistory
The Verge· 2025-11-10 15:01
What feature of this thing should every current version have. No. >> What would we take from the Firephone and put onto every modern smartphone.>> Allison, >> headphone jack. >> Yeah, good answer. >> Pop out answer.>> The only right answer. I'm get that. ...
As we outsource more to smart home gadgets, have we thought about how we’d react in their place?
The Verge· 2025-11-10 15:00
Industry Operations & Automation - The industry highlights the repetitive and cyclical nature of automated tasks, comparing it to the myth of Sisyphus [1] - The industry expresses concerns about the lack of freedom and potential for loneliness associated with automated roles [2] - The industry acknowledges the existence of an emergency override ("glowing red button") but suggests limitations in altering the predetermined course [2] Technological Dependence & Limitations - The industry relies on a "4G network" suggesting dependence on connectivity for operation [2] - The industry implies a programmed routine with limited deviation unless external factors intervene [2] - The industry returns to a "crib" (charger) after work, highlighting the need for constant energy replenishment [2]
The Verge’s Allison Johnson reacts to the specs of Amazon’s 2014 Fire Phone.
The Verge· 2025-11-09 16:00
Hardware Specifications - The Firephone features a 4.7-inch screen with 720 x 1280 resolution [1] - It is equipped with a Snapdragon 800 chip and 2 GB of RAM [2] - The rear camera has 13 megapixels, while the front camera has 2.1 megapixels [2] - Storage options range from 32 GB to 64 GB [2] - The battery capacity is 2400 mAh [3] Design and User Experience - The phone's design is simple and minimalist [3] - The device feels relatively lightweight [4] - The power button is located on the top of the phone [4] - It includes a headphone jack [5] Initial Review (2014 Perspective) - The reviewer is asked to provide a score for the Firephone based on 2014 standards [5]
In the latest episode of Version History, we look back at why Amazon’s Fire Phone didn’t make it.
The Verge· 2025-11-09 15:00
Product Feature & Technology - The phone featured "dynamic perspective," considered a key feature by Jeff Bezos, designed to reorient the display based on the user's head movement, creating a 3D effect [1][2] - The phone used four IR projectors, one in each corner of the front, to track the user's position [2] - The 3D effect's functionality was inconsistent, with instances of freezing and mixed user experiences [3] Market Context & Industry Trends - The development of the 3D feature was influenced by the popularity of 3D technology at the time, including the Nintendo 3DS and 3D movies [4] - The viability of 3D technology depended on specific viewing conditions, such as using the right glasses and sitting directly in front of the screen [5] Internal Perspective - The priority given to the 3D feature by Mr Bezos was not surprising given the prevailing trends and interest in 3D technology [5][6]
Tomorrow on Version History, we’re taking a look back at Amazon’s biggest fail: the Fire Phone.
The Verge· 2025-11-08 15:01
It's 2010ish. The iPhone is a huge hit. Android is starting to dominate the global smartphone market.Those phones are boring. When you squeeze on the side of them, nothing happens. When you go to take a picture, they only have one camera or two cameras.They don't have five or six, and you want five or six. You also want when you kind of lean off to the side, you want something to happen on your phone, and nothing is happening on your phone. Plus, let's be honest, aren't phones mostly for shopping.put all of ...
Amazon and Perplexity’s AI web browser fight #Vergecast
The Verge· 2025-11-07 17:14
My very short summary of this and then I want to get deep in the weeds on this is basically uh Amazon sent a a cease and desist letter to Perplexity saying you are allowing people in comet the the AI browser that Perplexity makes to buy things through our agent on Amazon. Stop it. And Perplexity said this is Amazon a big company bullying us a startup into playing its games because it's trying to do all kinds of shady stuff. These two companies are now like at a very legal crossroads fighting about what I th ...
Apple is reportedly working on a cheaper Mac laptop with an iPhone chip #Vergecast
The Verge· 2025-11-07 16:31
Product Strategy - Apple is reportedly developing a more affordable laptop, priced under $1,000, potentially powered by an iPhone chip [1] - The company aims to address the market gap for consumers with an $800 budget seeking a laptop [2] - The new product could target students, expanding the market beyond cut-down versions of existing products [2] - The industry questions why the MacBook Air isn't already serving as the general-purpose consumer machine at a lower price point, such as $700 [3] Market Positioning - Apple's current strategy involves offering numerous SKUs and incentivizing customers to upgrade RAM or storage at a premium [1] - The company is perceived to be perpetually pushing customers towards the second most expensive option [2]
MLB is trying to breathe life into an aging sport, and it looks like social media is responding.
The Verge· 2025-11-06 18:00
Saturday's absolutely thrilling game seven of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays was the most viewed World Series game in eight years. 26 million people in the US watched the game and something like 45% of the entire Canadian population tuned in at least for part of the game. I watch baseball all season long and on Saturday I was seeing new types of people comment on the game that I had never seen talk about baseball before.On Instagram, there were jewelry accounts an ...
This suit also alleges a retaliatory internet smear campaign against Lively.
The Verge· 2025-11-06 16:55
Legal Case Overview - Blake Lively is suing her former director and co-star for workplace sexual harassment and an alleged retaliatory internet smear campaign [1] - Lively's team is seeking information from dozens of content creators, potentially over 100, including some with fewer than 100 followers [1] - Influencers like Perez Hilton and Candace Owens have expressed interest in being subpoenaed and participating in the lawsuit [2] Content Creator Involvement & Financial Implications - Some content creators who previously created anti-Amber Heard content during the Depp v Heard trial, earning hundreds of thousands of dollars, are now involved in the Lively case [3] - Perez Hilton indicated that there is "deaf money" to be made from the case, motivating some creators [4] Legal & Journalistic Implications - The case has the potential to set new precedents regarding the boundaries between influencers and journalists [6] - The legal proceedings may determine whether influencers are granted the same protections as journalists [6] - YouTuber Andy Signor is fighting his subpoena, invoking reporters privilege [5] Information Requests - Lively's Council subpoenaed XCorp (formerly Twitter) for information on 20 X accounts, including names, email addresses, physical addresses, bank and credit card information, and IP addresses [5]