Here are 22 last-minute gifts you can still grab ahead of Valentine’s Day
Sony’s adorable SRS-XB100 speaker is a pint-sized gift with plenty going for it (including a built-in strap). | Image: Sony
It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating Christmas, and now we’re shifting through scores of Super Bowl TV deals ahead of the big game. Valentine’s Day is also nearly here, though there’s no need to panic (yet) if you haven’t found the perfect gift for your significant other. After all, the deals team at The Verge has your back.
We published our Valentine’s Day gift guide a few weeks ago, but as the holiday draws closer, we’re aware that not all of our recommendations will arrive in time. That’s why we’ve put together a list of a few gifts that will. Some, like Apple’s latest AirPods Pro with USB-C, are discounted highlights culled straight from our gift guide, while picks like the Google Pixel Watch 2 are entirely new suggestions. And just in case you put off gift hunting until the last possible minute — no judgment here! — we’ve included a few digital gift ideas at the bottom you can send and receive instantly.
Gifts that (should) arrive on time
Whether your giftee is an Apple fan or simply a music lover, the second-gen AirPods Pro are a gift worth shelling out for. Apple’s latest wireless earbuds improve upon the first-gen model with onboard volume controls and a MagSafe charging case with a built-in speaker, which allows you to keep tabs on them more easily using Apple’s Find My app. They also feature better noise cancellation and sound quality, along with dust resistance and support for USB-C charging. Normally $249, you can buy them in time for Valentine’s Day for $189.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart.
Alternatively, the cheaper third-gen AirPods should also ship in time for the holiday when you buy them for $139.99 ($30 off) with a Lightning charging case at Amazon or Best Buy. Apple’s latest entry-level AirPods are a good pair of water-resistant earbuds if you want to stay in the Apple ecosystem but can do without perks like active noise cancellation and swappable ear tips.
If you want to gift your music-loving valentine something more budget-friendly, there’s Sony’s charming SRS-XB100 speaker. The powerful speaker is the size of a can of Coke, yet it still manages to deliver crisp, clear audio and features perks like IP67 dust and water resistance. What’s more, the colorful speaker can also function as a speakerphone, which is impressive given its price point. Typically $59.99, Best Buy and Amazon will ship it in time for Valentine’s Day for around $48 ($11 off), though, the latter requires a Prime membership.
Given it’s the middle of winter, chances are the weather where you live isn’t exactly conducive to a romantic picnic in the park. Thankfully, there are plenty of gifts to keep you and your valentine entertained indoors. Gamers, for instance, can play their favorite video games for hours on end with consoles like the Xbox Series X (Best Buy) and Nintendo Switch OLED (Amazon), both of which should arrive in time for the holiday. You can even gift the PlayStation 5, though you’ll have to pick it up from a local Best Buy store to get it in time.
Both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are capable of playing games in 4K at up to 120fps, offer a whopping 1TB of built-in storage, and allow you to play physical media (assuming you didn’t grab the Digital Edition of the PS5). The Nintendo Switch OLED, meanwhile, is great for handheld gaming, with a sturdy kickstand and vibrant 7-inch OLED screen that’s the largest in the lineup (at least, for now).
Speaking of fun indoor activities, few things are more relaxing than binging your favorite show or movie, which is why streaming devices make for great gifts. They’re also relatively budget-friendly and can go for as low as $20 — which is the current price of the Onn Google TV 4K Streaming Box at Walmart. If you don’t mind spending $20 more, you can also buy the Chromecast with Google TV (4K) at Amazon and Best Buy for $39.99 ($10 off).
Both streaming devices support 4K resolution and offer various Google TV perks, including curated recommendations based on your favorite streaming services. Built-in Chromecast support also means you can easily cast photos, videos, and music onto your TV, or control either device using your voice via Google Assistant. Keep in mind, however, that while both devices support HDR10 and Dolby Digital surround sound, only the 4K Chromecast offers support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
If you have a health-conscious valentine, gifting a smartwatch like the Google Pixel Watch 2 could be an easy win. As our favorite Fitbit-powered smartwatch, the second-gen Pixel Watch can help your giftee keep tabs on a wide range of health and wellness metrics, including both their stress and blood oxygen levels. It also supports Google services such as Gmail, Google Assistant, Google Wallet, and Google Maps. Fortunately, you can pick up the second-gen watch ahead of the holiday starting at $299 ($50 off) at Best Buy and Amazon.
If you’re working with a tighter budget, you can still gift something similar to the Pixel Watch 2 with the Amazfit Band 7. Like Google’s aforementioned wearable, Amazfit’s budget tracker can keep tabs on your activity levels, sleep, stress, and heart rate. It doesn’t offer Fitbit-powered health features, built-in GPS, or Google apps, but it does offer some nice perks for less than $50 (including an OLED display and Alexa support). Right now, you can get it for $44.99 ($5 off) when you purchase it at Best Buy or Amazon.
Philips Hue’s color-changing bulbs are great gifts for setting the mood, and right now some people can buy a starterkit containing two A19 bulbs and a Philips Hue Bridge at Amazon for $129.99 and Best Buy. Philips Hue’s 800-lumen bulbs offer millions of colors, from warmer shades to bright pink hues. The Bluetooth-enabled LED bulbs are also compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Home, so you can schedule and control the lights with your voice. The included Hue Bridge makes them even more versatile, allowing you to control up to 50 lights and easily set up automations.
While we’re on the subject of smart devices, the latest Echo Show 8 is another great gift idea. The 8-inch smart display delivers some excellent sound with spatial audio support, and it boasts some new tricks its predecessor lacked. The latest model, for example, can now act as a Matter controller, Zigbee hub, and a Thread border router, which means you can use it to control a wide array of smart home devices. Along with being a good smart home controller, it also lets you carry out a range of Alexa-enabled tasks while acting as a decent digital photo frame.
Normally $149.99, right now you can buy the Echo Show 8 for $89.99 and get it in time for the holiday from Amazon (if you’re a Prime member) or Best Buy. Amazon is also throwing in a free Sengled smart bulb, which you can either gift or keep for yourself (we won’t tell).
Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 12 is the kind of present that’s just as perfect for your kid as it is for your beau, and right now it’s down to $69.95 ($10 off) at Amazon. You can also buy it as a part of a bundle with a 10-pack of film, a photo album, and a photo holder with a magnet for $79.95 ($10 off) at Best Buy and Walmart.
For an instant camera, the Instax Mini 12 takes some pretty clear wallet-sized photos that look relatively true to life. Though it lacks fancy features found in pricier cameras, it makes up for that with its ease of use, affordability, and a simple yet fun selfie mode. Plus, it comes in a wide assortment of fun colors, from pink and purple to green and blue.
Last-minute digital gifts you can buy on short notice
If you want to send something less stereotypical, Sugarwish can add a personal touch to any order with a digital card and an assortment of cookies, candies, popcorn, nuts, and even coffee. Sugarwish gift boxes start at $25 and your giftee will automatically receive both the card and a link to place their order once you’ve made your purchase.
If you’re not around to split a bottle of wine over dinner, you can make up for it with a subscription to the Eater Wine Club, which starts at $70 a month. Every month, Eater-approved experts will select two to four bottles of wine from around the world just for your giftee. They include wines focused on different themes and seasons, ranging from Azimut Brisat Orange, which can help keep you cool during the summer, to a Nestarec Youngster Rosé that’s sure to add some extra flavor to your meals come the holidays.
If you want to enjoy unlimited movie nights, a gift card to a major streaming service like Netflix (Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy) or Max will provide access to hits like Griselda,Dune,Squid Game: The Challenge, Barbie, The Last of Us, and more. The Disney Bundle ($14.99 per month), meanwhile, pulls together Disney Plus, ESPN, and Hulu in a single package, so you can watch sporting events as well as hits like The Bear, Ahsoka, Loki, and more.
Sending console-specific gift cards to gamers is a good idea because it lets them choose from a wide selection of games and accessories. Thankfully, you can easily buy gift cards for Xbox (Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart), PlayStation (Amazon, Best Buy, Target), and Nintendo (Amazon, Best Buy) at varying price points.
For the book-loving valentine, a subscription that grants them instant access to millions of bestsellers, classics, magazines, and other books — like Kindle Unlimited ($11.99 a month) — is sure to go down well.
How to check which apps are using the most data on an iPhone
Illustration by Samar Haddad / The Verge
You’ve no doubt allowed dozens (or even hundreds) of apps to live on your smartphone, and it’s important that you know what these apps are up to. Part of that is keeping tabs on how much communicating each app is doing with the outside world. We’ve previously written about how to check data usage on an Android device, and here, we’re going to focus on iPhones.
There are a couple of reasons to watch how much data your phone is using. First, while unlimited data plans are much more widespread than they used to be, bear in mind that these plans often apply speed restrictions when you go over a certain point every month. And if you’re using a limited plan and apps go over your data allowance while you’re away from Wi-Fi, it could start costing you money, especially if you’re abroad.
Then, there’s the privacy aspect: dig into the data usage figures for your phone, and you might find that some apps are uploading and downloading a lot more than they really should given their functionality. It’s another method for spotting suspicious app activity that needs more investigation.
Before you dig into these settings, we’d recommend checking the details of your data plan so you know what your limits are. This is typically done on the web or through an app. You should be able to find this out from your carrier. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile all have online FAQ pages to help.
Check app data usage on an iPhone
You can check data usage per app or across your entire phone.
You can also see the data that different iOS services have been using.
To find out how much data your apps have been using on iOS, open up Settings, then tap Cellular. Right at the top, you’ve got a toggle switch for turning cellular data on or off — turn it off, and apps won’t be able to get online at all unless you’re connected to Wi-Fi. (Calls and texts will still work.)
Tap Cellular Data Options to turn Data Roaming on or off. This affects cellular data access when you’re outside your carrier’s network (typically, if you’re abroad).
Back on the Cellular screen, scroll down to see how much cellular data and roaming data you’ve used in the “current period”— that means since you last manually reset these statistics.
Next to each installed app is how much data it has uploaded or downloaded in this current period. You’ll notice that the apps that have used the most data are listed at the top. Use the toggle switches to the right to block cellular data access for specific apps.
Tap System Services to see data usage for the iOS system, covering activity like push notifications and software updates.
Scroll all the way down past the list of apps, and you’ll see when these data usage statistics were last reset. If you want to reset them (maybe to monitor usage over a day or a week), tap Reset Statistics.
Turn on Low Data Mode on an iPhone
Data Roaming controls data usage outside of your carrier network.
Use Low Data Mode to minimize the amount of cellular data transferred.
As well as blocking individual app access to cellular data or turning it off entirely, there’s another option on iOS that you can use to limit data usage while you’re away from Wi-Fi: Low Data Mode.
Apple says this pauses automatic updates and “background tasks” while you’re away from Wi-Fi, though it doesn’t go into too much detail about what those background tasks are. One tradeoff that is specifically mentioned is a lower bitrate on FaceTime calls.
From iOS Settings, tap Cellular and then Cellular Data Options.
Tap Data Mode to find the Low Data Mode option.
The options you see alongside Low Data Mode are going to vary depending on your network. For example, you might see an option to allow more data on 5G, which means your iPhone will use a faster 5G connection over Wi-Fi, if one is available.
Don’t forget there’s always airplane mode if you want to make absolutely sure that apps aren’t transferring any data over cell networks or Wi-Fi. A swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen will reveal the Control Center, and you can then tap the airplane icon to enable or disable airplane mode.
TikTok’s attempt to stall DMA antitrust rules rejected by EU court
Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge
TikTok’s attempt to stall the EU from designating it as a “gatekeeper” — companies with platforms powerful enough that they must follow strict Digital Markets Act (DMA) antitrust rules — has been rejected by a court. Bloomberg reports that the EU’s General Court has dismissed owner ByteDance’s request for an interim measure that would effectively would buy TikTok some more time to implement the regulations, finding that the company “failed to demonstrate the urgency” required.
Although TikTok is appealing the EU’s gatekeeper designation, the bloc still hasn’t reached a final decision yet on the appeal. ByteDance asked for an interim measure in December so it wouldn’t have to comply with the regulations before the EU decided the outcome of the appeal. Today’s decision is a rejection of that request, meaning that TikTok will have to at least temporarily comply with DMA rules that go into effect in March, even if the EU decides later to approve the appeal.
“ByteDance has not shown that there is a real risk of disclosure of confidential information or that such a risk would give rise to serious and irreparable harm,” judges said.
TikTok’s status as a gatekeeper means the platform will join other large tech companies like Apple, Meta, Amazon, and Google in making a series of changes for EU users, including allowing third-party businesses access to their services and requiring consent for personalized advertising. It also means millions of euros in fines for TikTok and all other gatekeeper companies, if they ever break DMA rules. (For a full account of Big Tech’s ongoing battle with the EU over the DMA, check out our StoryStream.)
“While we are disappointed with the decision, we look forward to having the substance of our case heard on an expedited basis,” a spokesperson for TikTok told Bloomberg.
TikTok received more bad news from Europe on Friday in the form of a separate EU probe into its content moderation rules for minors, Bloomberg is also reporting. The investigation, which will be carried out under the EU’s new Digital Services Act (DSA), sprang out of concerns that the changes TikTok made to comply with the DSA aren’t enough to protect underage users, a source familiar with the probe told the news outlet.
Last year TikTok made a series of changes for its EU users directly in response to the DSA, including no longer serving personalized ads based on their activities on the platform to minors.
Apple argues against right-to-repair bill that would reduce its control
Photo by Dan Seifert / The Verge
Apple might’ve backed a right-to-repair bill in California, but it was spotted lobbying against a new bill in Oregon that tries to ban the practice known as parts pairing. Cybersecurity expert Tarah Wheeler posted footage from and testified during a hearing about the state’s proposed right-to-repair bill, where testimony showed the company doesn’t want to give up full control of the repair process, as reported earlier by 404 Media. John Perry, Apple’s senior manager for the secure design team, said that Apple uses parts pairing to “make repair easier” while ensuring the device and its data “remains secure.”
The bill in question, SB 1596, would require companies to provide the documentation, tools, and parts both customers and independent repair shops need to fix broken products. However, unlike the bill in California, it also targets parts pairing, a restriction imposed by companies like Apple that can prevent customers from repairing a device with aftermarket parts.
SB 1596:
An original equipment manufacturer may not use parts pairing to:
(A) Prevent or inhibit an independent repair provider or owner from installing or enabling the function of a replacement part or component of consumer electronic equipment, including a replacement part or component that the original equipment manufacturer has not approved;
(B) Reduce the functionality or performance of consumer electronic equipment; or
(C) Cause consumer electronic equipment to display unnecessary or misleading alerts or warnings about unidentified parts, particularly if the alerts or warnings cannot be dismissed.
Apple, in some cases, requires users to “pair” replacement parts like batteries and screens to their device using Apple’s System Configuration tool. If the part isn’t verified as from Apple, customers will receive pesky notifications that say the part they’ve installed isn’t genuine, and features like Face ID may refuse to work. This iFixit article explains how Apple and many other manufacturers have increased the use of parts pairing across wide swaths of electronics, with a graph showing how the percentage of paired parts in iPhones grew over the years.
Perry testified that the bill’s stance on parts pairing “will undermine the security, safety, and privacy of Oregonians by forcing device manufacturers to allow the use of parts of unknown origin and consumer devices.” Perry also mentioned that Apple has updated the parts pairing process so that customers no longer have to contact Apple support when installing a new part.
“Consumers have the right to choose which parts they use for repair, provided the device transparently reflects the repair history and the use of the part does not pose a risk to consumer safety, security, or privacy,” Perry said.
After years of fighting against the right to repair, Apple announced a new initiative to make parts, tools, and documents available to customers last October. The company has also launched — and continues to expand — a Self Service Repair program that includes a range of iPhones and Macs.
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Ring is raising the price of its cheapest subscription plan by 25 percent
The price to record visitors at your Ring video doorbell is about to go up. | Image: Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
In what is fast becoming a trend, another security camera company is raising the price of its subscription plan. According to a Ring support article, starting March 11th, 2024, it will cost $4.99 monthly or $49.99 yearly to subscribe to the Ring Protect Basic plan, an increase of $1 a month or $10 a year.
The Basic is Ring’s cheapest plan and gives you access to cloud storage of recorded videos from one camera or video doorbell. If you subscribe, you’ll see the bump on your next renewal date after March 11th unless you cancel before then.
Just last month, Arlo increased its single-camera subscription price to $7.99 monthly from $4.99. Google Nest’s cheapest plan went up to $8 a month from $6 late last year, but that covers all cameras on your account. On balance, Ring’s increase is small, but unlike when it raised prices in 2022 (from $2.99 to $3.99), subscribers aren’t getting any new features — just higher costs all around.
Without a subscription, all you can do with a Ring camera is view a livestream and get alerts for motion from your camera.
The hikes feel designed to push users to subscribe to the company’s higher-priced plans, which are not increasing. The next tier up — $10 a month or $100 a year — covers unlimited cameras and now makes more sense if you have two or more Ring devices. Then, it’s an easier jump to add yet another camera since it won’t cost you any more per month.
If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, Blink and Wyze offer some of the cheapest plans for viewing cloud-recorded video from a single camera. Both cost $3 a month, but I wouldn’t hold my breath on those prices staying that way.
Local storage of videos is the way to avoid price increases like these. Blink and Wyze offer local storage, as do cameras from Eufy and Reolink. Video doorbells that support Apple HomeKit Secure Video record to your iCloud account, but Apple’s subscription services aren’t immune to price increases.
My current pick for the best video doorbell is the Nest Doorbell Wired, which has three hours of free event-recorded video, so you don’t have to pay to see who was at your door — unless it was over three hours ago.
Meta’s not happy with its bill for enforcing the EU’s tough new DSA
Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge
Meta is challenging a fee it must pay EU regulators tasked with enforcing tough new content moderation rules required by the Digital Services Act (DSA), Reuters reports. Although the fee is capped at 0.05 percent of a company’s profits, Meta isn’t happy that loss-making companies won’t have to pay while it’s on the hook for a reported €11 million.
“We disagree with the methodology used to calculate these fees,” Meta’s EMEA policy comms spokesperson Ben Walters tells The Verge. “Currently, companies that record a loss don’t have to pay, even if they have a large user base or represent a greater regulatory burden, which means some companies pay nothing, leaving others to pay a disproportionate amount of the total.”
Under the DSA, the 20 companies identified as very large online platforms (VLOPs) are expected to fund the bloc’s enforcement of the new moderation rules. Meta has been labeled a VLOP because it has at least 45 million monthly active users in the EU. The DSA divvies up enforcement costs so that companies with the most users pay more, unless they were unprofitable.
Meta and Google’s parent company Alphabet are therefore on the hook to pay around three quarters of the €45.2 million (around $48.7 million) annual enforcement bill. That works out to €11 million (around $11.9 million) for Meta and €22.1 million (around $23.8 million) for Alphabet, according to a Bloomberg report last year. But because the fee is capped at 0.05 percent of a company’s annual global profits in 2022, companies like Amazon and X were likely to pay nothing despite consuming EU resources required to monitor and enforce DSA compliance.
X, for example, is under official investigation by the European Commission over concerns that the company previously known as Twitter may have broken the DSA’s rules by failing to prevent “the dissemination of illegal content in the context of Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel.”
Responding to Meta’s legal challenge, a European Commission spokesperson told Barrons that companies have a right to appeal, but insisted that its “decision and methodology are solid,” and said it will defend its position in court. Amazon and Zalando have also challenged the DSA, but over their designations as VLOPs, rather than the specific fees. The EU spokesperson confirmed to Barrons that all companies paid their fees by the December 31st deadline.
The DSA came into force last year, and companies need to be compliant with it by February 17th. Companies that fail to comply could face fines of up to 6 percent of their annual revenue, or even be banned in the EU.
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ESR Qi2 wireless car charger review: goodbye Mag$afe
It’s just as fast, the magnet is just as strong, but it costs half as much as those proprietary Apple mounts.
It’s not often that a truly useful new technology is released that both increases performance and undercuts the cost of the tech it replaces. But that’s exactly what the new Qi2 magnetic wireless charging standard has done for iPhone owners — and soon, Android — now that the first products have arrived.
For the past two weeks, I’ve been testing a new Qi2 charging mount for cars that matches the performance of Apple’s MagSafe-certified chargers and costs less. Hell, it’ll also work with Android devices once they start shipping with Qi2 support.
To be honest, I don’t know if it’s the $35.99 ESR charger that I’m so impressed by or the fact that Qi2 products have shipped that are immediately beneficial just one year after the standardization effort was first announced. USB-C didn’t do that, Wi-Fi 7 didn’t, and Matter... well, I’m not brave enough to even try.
But this inexpensive car mount holds my phone securely with a strong magnet, fast-charges it at 15W, and takes just seconds to set up in a car. It’s enough to make me forget about the potential of the Vision Pro because Qi2 is the future, now.
After upgrading to an iPhone 15 Pro a few months ago, I finally got interested in Apple’s MagSafe charging tech to replace my slow $55 robotic car mount that could only muster a 7.5W Qi charge. I just didn’t want to pay a premium for a MagSafe-certified car mount — which start at $80 on Apple dot com — knowing that inexpensive Qi2 solutions were coming.
And now that I’ve tested the ESR charger, I can confirm it does in fact do (almost) everything MagSafe does, only cheaper. When placed on the ESR charger, my iPhone 15 Pro in an Apple MagSafe case charges from zero to 100 percent in two hours and 45 minutes, same as it would if connected to an Apple MagSafe charger.
The ESR wireless car charger comes with the magnetic charging base and two mounts that attach to the base in less than a minute. One mount is a clip that you squeeze and release to grab onto the slats inside your car’s air vent; the other is an oversize GoPro-like 3M adhesive mount for a semipermanent attachment to your car’s dashboard. I don’t own a car, so being able to temporarily clip the charger into whatever car-share I’m driving is crucial to my needs.
Here’s the thing, though: that clip on the vent mount is fat. I tested it on the vents inside a piece of shit VW Up, a stupidly fast BMW 335d E92, and an old Ford Westfalia camper van. It easily fit the first two but was far too thick to latch securely onto the Ford’s dense and shallow cluster of slats inside its vents.
Otherwise, the clip performed as expected. It’s bolstered by a small adjustable flange below the clip that rests on the vent or dashboard (depending on which vent slat you choose to clip the mount) to create a sturdy platform that keeps the phone still and directed at the driver. When the ESR logo is upright on the charging puck, the USB-C jack is at the bottom, with two blue lights on the driver and passenger sides to indicate power.
ESR includes two mounts in the box: the air vent clip (shown attached to the charging puck) and a flexible 3M adhesive mount that conforms to the shape of your dashboard.
The mount easily fits the vents in this BMW.
It also fits this VW.
The ESR charger comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable as well as a small USB-A to USC-C adapter that I’ve already lost. The cable is just one meter (three feet, four inches) long, which was fine everywhere I tested it but could be too short for some setups. If you want that full 15W Qi2 wireless charge to your phone, you’re on the hook to provide a power source of at least 18W to account for conversion inefficiencies. That 18W comes either directly from your car’s more powerful USB-C sockets (USB-A is likely capped at 12W) or via an adapter (not included) for your car’s 12V “cigarette lighter” socket.
In my testing at home, I saw the charger briefly pull a maximum of 22.3W from the wall jack early in the charging cycle, but usually, it hovered between 14W and 11W before dropping well below 10W for the last 45 minutes of charging — all right in line with a typical charging curve for a modern phone. The phone did get noticeably warm at times, but not excessively so.
If you’re concerned about heat and its impact on your battery’s longevity, you can always pull the plug from the puck and insert it directly into your phone. Then, you’ve basically got a MagSafe vent mount, which Mophie sells for $30 and also doesn’t charge your phone (or come with a second adhesive dashboard mount).
That’s also what you should do if you want to use the ESR mount with an Android phone in a MagSafe-compatible case. Just know that Qi2 chargers are limited to 5W when used with Qi v1 phones.
Unlike MagSafe, Qi2 also can’t remember which StandBy display you want on which charger, like family photos when in the kitchen or an alarm clock at your bedside.
And while the Qi2 magnet should be strong enough to deal with bumpy roads and potholes, I can still fling the iPhone 15 Pro off the mount with some vigorous shaking. It’s fine — just don’t plan on using the ESR mount for the next Dakar race or think you can repurpose it for a helmet cam to bomb down mountain bike trails.
For owners of iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 15 devices, ESR’s high-quality $35.99 (on sale for $30.99 right now) Qi2 magnetic car mount does exactly what it should: it holds your phone tight, charges it (relatively) fast, and is quick to mount to either your car’s air vent or dashboard. And at just half the price of comparable MagSafe mounts, there’s really nothing to complain about.
Google’s use of student data could effectively ban Chromebooks from Denmark schools
Illustration: The Verge
Danish privacy regulator Datatilsysnet has ruled that cities in Denmark need considerably more assurances about privacy to use Google service that may expose children’s data, reports BleepingComputer. The agency found (translated) that Google uses student data from Chromebooks and Google Workplace for Education “for its own purposes,” which isn’t allowed under European privacy law.
Municipalities will need to explain by March 1st how they plan to comply with the order to stop transferring data to Google, and won’t be able to do so at all starting August 1st, which could mean phasing out Chromebooks entirely.
The regulator ruled that municipalities aren’t allowed to send Google data unless the laws change or Google provides a way to filter students’ information out. Google using it for purposes like performance analytics or feature development is a problem under their interpretations, even if it doesn’t include targeted advertising. For instance, it’s easy to see how regulators might take issue with student data being used to develop and improve AI features, which are increasingly part of Google Workspace and Chromebooks.
Datatilsysnet says that cities hadn’t actually done a thorough enough job of vetting the risk of using Google Workplace for Education before they approved their use by local schools. In 2022, it required 53 municipalities to re-do their assessments as a condition for rescinding a previous data-sharing ban for the city of Helsingør. As part of the process, they needed to get information on how Google used the student information it collected and where it sent that data, leading to the new order.
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The best instant cameras you can buy right now
Image: Kristen Radtke / The Verge
We found the best cameras for your budget and needs.
Even with the ability to take excellent photos with our phones and instantly share them across the world, there’s something magical about the old-school instant camera. With just a click of a button, you can capture a moment in a photo that you can see and touch almost immediately. Images captured by an instant camera aren’t as pristine or perfect as those produced by modern digital cameras, but their soft images and imperfections are often a big part of the allure.
Yet not all instant cameras are the same, and some of them are better suited for different needs and budgets. That’s why we tested some of the most popular instant cameras on the market from brands like Fujifilm, Polaroid, and Kodak.
All of the models featured in our best instant camera guide here are enjoyable to use, but each offers a different set of features at a different price point. As a result, some are more appropriate for a child or budding photographer, while others are more advanced and provide added creative control (for a price). When it comes down to it, though, we consider print quality, ease of use, and affordability to be the hallmarks of a quality shooter. That’s why we picked Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 12 as the best instant camera for most people, as it ticks all three boxes wonderfully.
If you’re looking for more creative control or features like filters, however, the Instax Mini Evo is our choice, one that boasts great image quality and allows you to choose which photos you’d like to print. Other instant cameras, like the second-gen Polaroid Now Plus and Kodak’s Mini Retro 3, also offer a variety of advanced creative modes for those who desire more.
Take a look at this list of our instant camera recommendations to find the best fit for you.
Best instant camera for most people
Film type:Fujifilm Instax Mini film (sold separately)/Film size:2 x 3-inches /Weight:306 grams/Charging method:AA batteries/Companion app:None/Other features:Built-in selfie mirror, film counter
If all you’re looking to do is just click a button and get a decent print for a reasonable price, we recommend Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 12. It’s a basic instant camera that’s similar to our former pick, the Instax Mini 11, but with some minor updates. It still takes less than five minutes to start shooting, but the setup process is easier since all you need to do is twist the lens to either “on” or “off.” Such ease of use, combined with the camera’s thinner build, makes it particularly well suited for kids and those new to photography.
Image: Sheena Vasani / The Verge
For an instant camera, Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 12 produces vivid, relatively true-to-life photos.
For an instant camera, image quality is also better than most of the other cameras I tested, producing relatively true-to-life photos. Most of the cameras I tested struggled to capture low-light conditions well, and this one is no exception, but the built-in flash does help. Fujifilm claims the Mini 12 optimizes image quality in both dark and bright environments better than its predecessor, but I didn’t notice much of a difference. The flash — which you can’t disable — is also still overpowering in some instances, resulting in a few overexposed images. If anything, the photos actually seemed a little darker and less vivid than before.
However, at least the Instax Mini 12 captured my features and skin color more accurately when I used the included selfie feature — which is really just a small mirror mounted on the front of the camera.
Image: Sheena Vasani / The Verge
Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 12 features a new lens structure that’s fun and more intuitive to play with.
You can also now zoom in a little easier thanks to a new lens structure, which you can twist to enter the Close-Up Mode in lieu of pressing a button. When in this mode, you can take advantage of the camera’s new “Parallax Correction” feature, which is supposed to result in a more aligned photo. The lens was fun to play with and reminded me of a traditional point-and-shoot, but actually using it to take quality photos takes some time to figure out. As with the Mini 11, it’s still somewhat tricky to center your subject in the frame using this mode, even with the updated lens. Thankfully, it became easier to properly align photos after a couple of attempts (as well as some composition guidance from the manual).
The Mini 12 also offers a number of other niceties. I appreciated the larger-than-average viewfinder and the fact that the camera comes with a small counter that displays the remaining number of shots, which is a feature many of the other instant cameras I tested lacked. It’s easy to lose track of how many photos you’ve taken, especially when out for drinks or while sightseeing on vacation. Yet given each print costs about $1, it’s important to be mindful of how many shots you’ve got left.
All in all, the Instax Mini 12 is a basic camera that caters to all ages and experience levels and gets the job done — and done relatively well. It doesn’t feature Bluetooth or pair with a companion app that allows you to edit photos (only scan them), and it also doesn’t offer advanced features like filters, lens options, or portrait modes. But if you’re looking for an instant camera that offers a great traditional analog experience, this is it.
Image: Sheena Vasani / The Verge
Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 12 is a cute instant camera that’s great for all ages.
Best premium instant camera
Film type:Fujifilm Instax Mini film (sold separately)/Film size:2 x 3-inches /Weight:285 grams/Charging method:USB-C (on newer models) /Companion app:Yes/Other features:LCD screen, smartphone printing
One of Fujifilm’s newest instant cameras, the Instax Mini Evo, is my colleague Becca Farcase’s favorite — and it’s mine as well. A hybrid camera that bears a resemblance to Fujifilm’s more expensive Fujifilm X100 line of cameras, it looks good and boasts vintage dials and buttons so stylish that they even caught the attention of passersby as I walked around Los Angeles taking photos.
It’s easy to balk at its $199 price tag, but this camera offers a level of flexibility that could save you money in the long run if you use it a lot. That’s because the Instax Mini Evo includes a full-color three-inch LCD screen that lets you preview and select which images you want to print, which can help you avoid wasting film on unwanted shots. The added flexibility gave me more room for creative experimentation, too, as I wasn’t worried about running out of film. I also loved using the Instax Mini Evo app to print photos from my smartphone. Plus, unlike the Instax Mini 12, the Evo now uses a USB-C port (though older black models still use the Micro USB port) for charging so you don’t need to keep buying new batteries.
Image: Becca Farsace / The Verge
The Instax Mini Evo comes with a large LCD screen that doubles as a viewfinder and allows you to choose which photos to print.
Unlike Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 12, the Mini Evo comes with a few extra features that can help you capture better photos. For example, you can actually turn off the flash on the Mini Evo and use the three-inch LCD screen as a viewfinder. You can also use the menu to adjust how bright you want the film to look when it’s printed out, which was helpful given neither the Evo nor the Mini 12 are particularly great at capturing dark environments.
Additionally, there are dials you can use to apply various lens options and filters, ranging from retro to monochrome shades, as well as a mirror lens, vignette, soft focus, and more. You can take app-based remote shots, too, which adds an extra element of photographic control that can help you take better selfie shots than the selfie mirror in the front.
Image: Sheena Vasani / The Verge
Being able to adjust the brightness of the prints helped me capture night photos and a low-light immersive exhibit a little more clearly and realistically, which is a feature the Instax Mini 12 doesn’t offer.
Of course, it’s not a perfect device, and there are some downsides to consider outside the price. For instance, although you can add some filters and make a few edits using Fujifilm’s companion app, it just isn’t as feature-rich as some of the apps available for the other digital and hybrid instant cameras I tested. The Evo’s extensive menu system also wasn’t particularly easy to navigate, and it took me some time to figure out how to turn the flash on and off. Plus, if you rely on internal storage solely, you can only take 45 images before the device is full. Still, all of these are minor issues, and I was very happy overall with how portable the stylish camera is, as well as how easy it is to take good photos quickly.
Image: Becca Farsace / The Verge
The Instax Mini Evo, like the Instax Mini 12, shines the best when capturing photos taken in well-lit environments.
Best instant camera for social occasions
Film type:Kodak Instant Print 3 x 3-inch cartridge (included) /Film size:3 x 3-inch square prints /Weight:467 grams /Charging method:Micro USB /Companion app:Yes/Other features:LCD screen, smartphone printing
Whereas the Instax Mini Evo’s companion app is more functional, Kodak’s hybrid Mini Shot 3 Retro is all about fun. The camera’s accompanying mobile app allows you to apply frames, stickers, filters, and a plethora of customization options to photos, making the camera great for scrapbooking. There’s even a beauty feature within the app to conceal blemishes, as well as a set of Snapchat-like filters you can use to add, say, dog ears, making this a fun instant camera to use as a mini photo booth of sorts at parties.
Image: Sheena Vasani / The Verge
With its feature-rich app, Kodak’s Mini Shot 3 Retro is more modern than retro. It’s also a ton of fun.
Like the Instax Mini Evo, Kodak’s Mini Shot 3 Retro comes with an LCD screen (albeit a much smaller one) you can use to decide whether or not you want to print a shot. It also supports Bluetooth, and you can use the Kodak Photo Printer app to upload photos to social media or print decent, relatively crisp photos from your smartphone. Unlike the Mini Evo, however, Kodak’s Mini Shot 3 Retro retails for around $150 and includes a pack of a film (it’s also often on sale for a lot less). It also uses cheaper film; you can currently pick up a 60-sheet cartridge for about $17.99, which equates to roughly $0.33 a shot. The fact that the film is cheaper arguably encourages play and creative experimentation, even if the large 3 x 3-inch square prints feel lower in quality and more flimsy than both Fujifilm’s and Polaroid’s.
Image: Sheena Vasani / The Verge
Photos taken with the Kodak Mini Shot 3 aren’t particularly sharp and can have an excessive pink tint.
However, there are notable drawbacks to the Kodak Mini Shot 3. My biggest issue is that the resulting prints of photos taken with the camera aren’t nearly as crisp or clear as those taken with a smartphone. Photo quality wasn’t consistently as good as the Mini Evo’s or Mini 12’s nor, for the most part, as clear and sharp. The photos also sometimes had an excessive pink tint that can interfere with quality. It doesn’t store images the way the Mini Evo does, either, which means you can’t decide whether you’d like to print them later. It’s also noticeably heavier than the Mini Evo and, frankly, nowhere near as stylish.
Nonetheless, if you don’t mind compromising on photo quality and want a relatively affordable hybrid camera that comes with a bunch of fun app features, the Kodak Mini Shot 3 Retro is a good choice.
Best instant camera for retro fans
Film type:Polaroid i-Type Color Film (sold separately) /Film size:4.2 x 3.5-inch prints /Weight:451.5 grams /Charging method:USB-C /Companion app:Yes /Other features:Lens filter kit, film counter
If you’re looking for an instant camera that offers the most old-fashioned, instant-film experience, the second-gen Polaroid Now Plus is the camera for you. Compared to the other instant cameras on this list, it most closely resembles vintage instant cameras like the Polaroid 600 with its classic, retro-inspired design. Meanwhile, its square I-Type film prints and iconic Polaroid-style frame give photos a more authentically vintage look.
Image: Sheena Vasani / The Verge
The Polaroid Now Plus comes with a set of color lenses you can snap onto the camera.
Yet, at the same time, the second-gen Polaroid Now Plus also comes with the convenience and usefulness of more modern features, including support for USB-C charging. It also offers Bluetooth support and a companion app boasting several creative modes that allow for greater photographic control. These include a remote shutter, a self-timer, and a “Polaroid Lab” where you can adjust the exposure and various color settings. The app also features a handful of shooting modes — including a manual option and one for capturing multiple exposures — while the camera includes a set of five colored lenses you can snap onto the front. These were enjoyable to play with and allowed for more artistic expression.
Photo by Sheena Vasani / The Verge
The latest Polaroid Now Plus is too big and awkwardly sized to easily fit into a bag, but I did like that it has a small counter on the back underneath the power button.
If there’s one thing the Polaroid Now Plus isn’t known for, it’s portability. Given how heavy, large, and awkwardly sized it is, it’s not the kind of instant camera you can easily slip into your purse or carry around. Plus, it takes up to 15 minutes for prints to develop, and you have to make sure it’s not exposed to light while developing. That’s quite an inconvenience if you’re out with friends, say, at the beach on a sunny day.
Photo by Sheena Vasani / The Verge
The photos I took with the second-gen Polaroid Now Plus weren’t that true to life, but they did give off an old-school vibe that I found charming.
If you’re looking for an instant camera that can easily print a good, clear photo without much effort on your part, this is not the camera for you. Of all the cameras on this list, the latest Polaroid Now Plus struggles with low-light environments the most. I could barely see images I took indoors, and I was only able to get the clearest shots when the light was directly behind me during the day — more specifically, in the morning. Even these images weren’t as clear in comparison to Instax film, and both contrast and color saturation levels tend to be quite low.
Admittedly, this gave my pictures more of a dreamy vintage look that felt artistic, and you can use the Polaroid Lab to slightly adjust saturation and exposure settings. However, doing so is time-consuming. Given all these issues, I found it was easy to quickly waste film, which proved expensive. After all, you only get eight I-Type sheets for $16.99, and that’s in addition to forking out $149.99 for the camera.
Truth be told, however, you could argue that many of these shortcomings are typical of a retro Polaroid-inspired instant camera and, thus, part of the experience. If that’s what you’re looking for, and you don’t mind the price, the second-gen Polaroid Now Plus is the perfect camera for you.
As a final note, it’s worth mentioning that while the older, first-gen Polaroid Now Plus is no longer a part of Polaroid’s official lineup, some retailers still have it in stock at a discounted price. Except for the fact the new model features USB-C and replaces the blue option with a green colorway, the two cameras are identical. So if price matters more to you than relatively fast charging, you’ll be just as happy with the first-gen model.
Photo by Sheena Vasani / The Verge
The second-gen Polaroid Now Plus is a good combination of old-school and modern but was way too big for me to comfortably hold with just one hand.
Best instant camera for portability
Film type:Polaroid i-Type Color Film (sold separately)/Film size:2.6 x 2.1-inch prints /Weight:242 grams /Charging method:Micro USB /Companion app:Yes/Other features:Selfie mirror, film counter
Whereas the Polaroid Now Plus is huge, the Polaroid Go is tiny. When I first held it, I couldn’t help but find it adorable. It easily fits into the palm of my hand — which is saying a lot given I’m petite and a little over five feet tall. In fact, it’s so small there were times I forgot I was even carrying it in my purse, making this easily the most portable instant camera on our list. It even produces the tiniest prints of all the instant cameras I tested, which could be nice if you’re trying to save some space and want something even smaller than Instax Mini prints.
Weighing just over a pound, the Polaroid Go is also the lightest instant camera I’ve ever held, and you can easily use it with one hand. That’s actually pretty convenient, given I sometimes struggled to take pictures with the heavier Polaroid Now Plus and, to a lesser extent, some of the other instant cameras I tested. In fact, if the images produced looked more true-to-life and didn’t require you to hide them from light for about 15 minutes while developing, I’d be tempted to call this the best instant camera for travel or small children.
Image: Sheena Vasani / The Verge
The tiny Polaroid Go is easy to hold in one hand.
The Polaroid Go is also one of the most affordable Polaroid cameras currently on the market, with film that costs just a little more than Fujifilm’s Instax Mini shots (or about $19.99 for a 16-sheet double pack). Thankfully, the low price doesn’t come at the expense of image quality. While the Go struggles with capturing low-light environments like the bulk of the cameras on our list, it’s not to the same extent as the Polaroid Now Plus. Surprisingly, it was easier to capture clearer photos indoors, which meant I didn’t waste as much film. Contrast and color saturation levels are still low, but in a way that still exudes the vintage, almost dreamy look of the photos the Now Plus prints.
Image: Sheena Vasani / The Verge
The Polaroid Go produced tiny, slightly clearer photos than the Polaroid Now Plus, although still struggled to capture low-light environments.
Unlike the Polaroid Now Plus, however, the Go lacks creative modes and more advanced features, although double-pressing the flash button does give you double-exposure shots. There’s also no Bluetooth support and thus no fancy app that will allow you to add extra effects — although, thankfully, it is rechargeable and includes a Micro USB charging cable. In addition, as mentioned, the prints are even smaller than the Instax Mini, which could be a drawback for those who prefer larger, more traditional Polaroid photos. While it produces similar vintage-style shots, design-wise, it doesn’t look anything like old-school Polaroid cameras either, which could also take away from the retro experience some desire.
That said, none of the older Polaroid cameras came with an app either. All in all, the Go’s simplicity makes it a suitable candidate for those seeking a camera that provides a more traditional instant film experience — one they can take advantage of just about anywhere.
A few more good instant cameras (and one to avoid)
While it didn’t make the cut, the Instax Square SQ1 is worth a brief mention. Like the Mini 12, the Instax Square SQ1 produces good-quality shots, is easy to set up and use, and comes with a built-in selfie mirror. The reason we didn’t include it above, however, is that it costs nearly twice as much as the Mini 12 at $119.95, though we do sometimes see it on sale for $100.
That said, it might be worth a look if you prefer large 2.4 x 2.4-inch square prints and relatively true-to-life photos over vintage-looking stills. After all, the SQ1 is still cheaper than the Polaroid Now Plus and produces higher-quality images than the Kodak Mini Shot 3 Square Retro, which also prints similarly sized square shots.
Fujifilm also sells the newer Instax Square SQ40. It’s similar to the Instax Square SQ1 but with a vintage look that’s more visually striking, yet it’s also more expensive at $149.95. Given it produces similarly good-quality photos and is not likely to go on sale anytime soon, I’d recommend the Instax Square SQ1 or the more capable Instax Mini Evo for $50 more.
Avoid the Kodak Printomatic
We also tested a few instant cameras that we would advise people to steer clear of. The Kodak Printomatic is chief among those, and we specifically mention it because it’s often one of the bestselling instant cameras on Amazon. We suspect that’s because it’s routinely on sale for $49.99 ($30 off) with a pack of film — specifically, a 10-pack of Zink photo prints with adhesive backings so you can use the images as stickers. However, if you’re simply looking for a budget-friendly instant camera, it’s not worth purchasing over Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 12.
As is common with Zink photos, the Printomatic’s resulting photo quality isn’t clear and tends to be oversaturated. In fact, many photos were so bad that I barely recognized the subject in the frame. The camera is also slow to print and wasn’t always responsive when I pressed the shutter button, which meant I occasionally had to press it a few times to take a shot. All in all, it was a frustrating camera to use that’s not worth the $30 you may save by picking it over Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 12. Besides, you’ll probably be using the money saved to buy extra film given how many prints you’ll waste.
Sony’s latest PS5 beta improves DualSense controller audio and screen sharing
Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge
Sony has started testing a new PS5 beta update that will improve the speakers and microphone on the DualSense controller, alongside adding pointers and emoji reactions to the Share Screen feature. The update is available to testers today via an email invite, and it also includes the ability to dim the brightness of the PS5 power indicator.
The firmware for both the DualSense and DualSense Edge wireless controllers has been updated with this PS5 beta to improve the volume of the speakers that output in-game sounds and voice chat. Sony is also improving the microphone capabilities of both of the DualSense controllers to better deal with noise.
“The mic input quality on these controllers has been improved, courtesy of a new AI machine learning model,” says Hideaki Nishino, a senior vice president for platform experience at Sony Interactive Entertainment. “Background noise from button presses and game audio are suppressed, resulting in a better voice chat experience.”
Image: Sony
Don’t worry you can turn these pointers and emoji off when you’re screen sharing.
If you use the Share Screen feature on PS5 then friends will now be able to use pointers and emoji reactions to interact with your gameplay. “Viewers can move a pointer around, send a ping or draw a line on the shared screen, allowing them to highlight certain objects or areas to guide the host player more accurately,” explains Nishino.
That sounds like a great addition to help friends complete a level, beat a boss, or finish a challenging puzzle in a game. Viewers can also send emoji reactions to the host of the screen sharing, but don’t worry you can disable the pointers and emoji if you have a friend who just loves to troll you while you’re playing.
Image: Sony
You can’t fully disable the PS5 power indicator.
The last addition in this PS5 beta update is the ability to control the brightness of the PS5’s power indicator. There are three options to choose from: dim, medium, and bright (default). Unfortunately you can’t fully disable the power indicator.
Sony is making this PS5 beta available to select testers in the US, Canada, Japan, UK, Germany, and France today. Beta updates typically ship to all PS5 owners within a few months.
Sony just let slip a Final Fantasy VII Rebirth playable demo is imminent
Image: Square Enix
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is nearly here. It’s coming February 29th, and yes, we will find out what happens to Aerith unless the game’s producer was playing us. But we won’t have to wait that long to get a taste, because Sony will release a playable demo as soon as tomorrow, February 6th.
That’s the word from Wario64, who spotted a trailer for the demo on PlayStation Network, one you can watch below — and the news that the demo will let you “step into the shoes of either Cloud or Sephiroth during the Nibelheim episode.”
PSN confirms that a Final Fantasy VII Rebirth demo is coming tomorrow (says it's "out now" but I think the trailer was meant for tomorrow)
"...allowing you to step into the shoes of either Cloud or Sephiroth during the Nibelheim episode" pic.twitter.com/T9YbqGqQIN
I won’t spoil what happens in Nibelheim just in case this is your first rodeo beyond Midgar’s walls, but in the original game... let’s just say it was pivotal. Perhaps the first true “wait, what is going on here” moment in the game, if I recall.
Tucker Carlson’s Visit to Russia Draws Speculation of Putin Interview Mr. Carlson has been receiving blanket news coverage from state-run media outlets in Russia since stepping foot in Moscow.
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