Audi’s new A2 E-tron is its most affordable and efficient EV yet
When shopping for an electric vehicle, affordability is becoming a more common trait. But affordable and energy efficient is truly a rare breed. Often you have to sacrifice one for the other. Want something affordable? Great, here’s a range loser. Want something that goes the distance? Be ready to pay the price. Surprisingly, here comes […]
Six years later, Sony revisits its legendary XM4 headphones
The XM4C (in white) have the exact same visual design as the XM4 (in black) from 2020. | Photo: John Higgins / The Verge Six years ago Sony and Bose were in the middle of a noise-canceling battle, with each new model of headphones better than the last. In the fall of 2020, Sony released […]
EcoFlow makes the miniature power station even smaller
The River 260 Gen4 (on the table) powering a portable fridge, Starlink Mini, and charging a phone. | Image: EcoFlow If you’re in the market for a tiny power station that punches well above its size and weight then have a look at EcoFlow’s new fourth-generation River series. The River 260 Gen4 features a 256Wh […]
The real reason your phone is getting more expensive
When Apple debuts the next generation of iPhones this week, they’re likely to come with an unwanted change: a higher price tag. A price hike from the supply-chain powerhouse would be the clearest sign yet that soaring memory costs have become unavoidable – with no end to the memory crunch in sight. Call it “chipflation” […]
Bentley’s Torcal EV tries to balance authenticity with fake V8 sounds
Thanks to their ability to provide a smooth ride and quiet powertrain with ease, electric vehicles are a true shoo-in for the high-end luxury automotive segment. Rolls-Royce has the Spectre, Cadillac’s Celestiq is taking bespoke to a whole new level, and Mercedes has given the EQS the full Maybach treatment. From Volkswagen Auto Group, Bentley […]
Europe has its first commercial orbital rocket
German company Isar Aerospace has successfully launched Europe’s first entirely commercial orbital rocket. It attempted to achieve the feat last March, but that lasted all of 30 seconds before the vehicle crashed into the sea and exploded. This time the company managed to get the two-stage Spectrum into low Earth orbit from a Norwegian spaceport. […]
Boox’s tiny Picco e-reader should land in November
Boox teased the Picco, its take on the buzzy Xteink X4 e-reader, back in July, but provided almost no details. Now, thanks to some reporting out of IFA, we’ve got a bit more info, though sadly still no price. Unlike the Xteink devices, the Picco will not have magnets on the back for attaching to […]
The Fairphone 6 Plus is the midrange phone we desperately needed
Repairability rules. The Fairphone 6 Plus feels like an extremely average midrange Android phone and I couldn’t be more thrilled. The mission has always been admirable. Fairphone seeks out ethically sourced materials and offers a high degree of repairability for its devices. But the phones themselves required a lot of sacrifices, like putting up with […]
Competitive Pokémon is on phones now, but you still need a Switch to become a champion
To get started with competitive Pokémon battles, all you need is your phone. But to compete at the highest level, like at the Pokémon World Championships, you’re going to need a Switch. And there doesn’t seem to be a good reason why. Battle simulator Pokémon Champions originally launched on the Switch and Switch 2 in […]
DIY plug-in solar gains momentum in the US
EcoFlow’s high-end, weatherproof, plug-in solar kit with integrated battery. | Image: EcoFlow This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on e-bikes, power stations, and how to work anywhere, follow Thomas Ricker. The Stepback arrives in our subscribers’ inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for […]