# Elon Musk’s xAI Aims to Revolutionize Grok with Multimodal Capabilities  In a groundbreaking move, Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, is set to enhance its Grok chatbot by incorporating multimodal inputs. According to public developer documents, the company plans to allow users to upload photos and receive text-based responses, bringing a whole new dimension to user interaction. ## The Future is Multimodal The term "multimodal" refers to the ability of a system to process and respond to multiple types of input—text, images, or even audio—simultaneously. Currently, Grok functions solely on text inputs, but the upcoming update promises to expand its capabilities significantly. This innovative step could revolutionize the way we interact with AI, making it more versatile and user-friendly. ##…

## Microsoft Enhances File Explorer: Native Version Control and 7z Compression ### By [Your Name] In an exciting development for developers and tech enthusiasts alike, Microsoft has announced some significant enhancements to File Explorer at Build. The updates promise to make project management and file handling a lot more efficient. Here's a closer look at what's coming: ### Native Version Control Integration One of the standout features is the integration of native version control within File Explorer. By adding systems like Git directly into the app, Microsoft is making it easier for developers to keep track of changes and comments without leaving their familiar navigation environment. Imagine being able to see who committed what and read comments on your files directly within File Explorer. This feature could profoundly streamline workflows,…

# Microsoft's New Windows Copilot Runtime: A Game Changer for AI Developers **Photo: Allison Johnson / The Verge** Microsoft has unveiled an array of Copilot Plus PCs, signaling a major shift towards integrating AI features directly into Windows 11. With this launch, Microsoft introduces over 40 AI models now running seamlessly on Windows 11 through their latest innovation, the Windows Copilot Runtime. The remarkable part? These models aren’t just for show—developers can harness them for their own applications. ## A Peek Behind the Curtain at Microsoft Build At the recent Microsoft Build event, the tech giant offered deeper insights into the workings of the Windows Copilot Runtime. Central to this runtime is a library of APIs that developers can leverage to create their own AI-powered apps. The framework comes equipped…

## Exciting News: Preorder the Sonos Ace Headphones Now!  *The stylish Sonos Ace come in black and white. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge* The moment we've all been waiting for is finally here! Sonos has officially announced the release of its much-anticipated Sonos Ace headphones. Mark your calendars for June 5th, the launch date for these innovative wireless headphones. If you can't wait that long, here's some great news: preorders are already open, and you can secure your pair today for $449. ### First Impressions: What We Love About the Sonos Ace While we are still thoroughly testing the Sonos Ace, our initial impressions during a recent demo session have left us incredibly excited. Here are a few standout features that caught our attention:…

💔 Pixar Cuts 14 Percent of Workforce, Shifts Focus Back to Feature Films 💔 In a startling move that has left many fans and employees in shock, Pixar Animation Studios has announced significant layoffs. This step is part of parent company Disney's broader strategy to reign in spending and refocus its operations. ### What Happened? As reported by Variety, Deadline, and The Hollywood Reporter, Pixar is laying off 175 employees, which equates to about 14 percent of its workforce. This decision follows in the footsteps of Disney's earlier moves to reduce its staff by thousands, aiming to cut down expenses by approximately $5.5 billion. ### Why the Layoffs? The layoffs at Pixar are geared towards realigning the studio’s priorities back to what it does best—feature films intended for theatrical release.…

### Google’s AI-Powered Search Results Now Include Ads **Illustration: The Verge** --- Google’s AI-driven search summaries, a revolutionary feature that has just been introduced, are now beginning to incorporate advertisements. In an announcement made on Tuesday, Google revealed its plans to commence testing for search and shopping ads embedded within these AI-generated overviews for users in the United States. **The Shift to AI-Enhanced Search** The initial rollout of AI summaries marked a significant step forward in Google’s commitment to enhancing user experience by providing concise, AI-generated answers to search queries. However, the recent addition of ads to these summaries indicates a new direction in monetizing these AI features. **How Ads are Integrated** In a visual example provided by Google, you can see how the AI overview responds to a query…

**Title:** IGN Makes Waves in Gaming Media: Acquisition of Eurogamer, Rock Paper Shotgun, and More **By Cath Virginia, The Verge** In an age where media consolidation is a common occurrence, the gaming media landscape has now experienced a significant shake-up. IGN Entertainment, a prominent player in the world of gaming news and reviews, has expanded its influence by acquiring the robust portfolio of UK publisher Gamer Network. This acquisition includes respected names in the industry, such as Gamesindustry.biz, Eurogamer, Rock Paper Shotgun, VG247, and the tabletop gaming-focused Dicebreaker. Additionally, the network also holds stakes in specialized platforms like Nintendo Life and Digital Foundry. The terms of this high-profile deal remain undisclosed. However, reports have surfaced of workforce reductions following the acquisition. Specifically, Gamesindustry.biz has noted “some redundancies” across the newly…

**Exploring the Future of Windows on Arm with the New Snapdragon Dev Kit**  The computing landscape is ever-evolving, with constant innovations pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Enter Qualcomm's latest revelation: the Snapdragon Dev Kit for Windows. This sleek, Mac Mini-esque box is set to revolutionize the realm of Windows laptops powered by Arm chips. Curious about its potential? Read on! ### **A Glimpse at the Future: All About the Specs** Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Dev Kit is specifically designed for developers eager to experiment and explore the capabilities of Windows on Arm. Priced at $899.99, this device houses the crown jewel of Qualcomm's lineup - the Snapdragon X Elite chip. This powerhouse chip comes paired with a 4.6 TFLOP GPU, promising robust performance for even the most demanding applications. Accompanying…

## How Does the Microsoft Surface Laptop Stack Up to the MacBook Air?  Microsoft’s introduction of the new Surface Laptop has generated significant buzz, positioning it as potentially the most impressive laptop in the company's lineup to date. With its modern chassis, characterized by sleek thin display bezels, and a new Arm-based CPU, the Surface Laptop is aiming to rival Apple laptops in performance—something quite ambitious given Apple's technological advancements since 2020. To provide a preliminary comparison, we'll look at the specs on paper to see how the Surface Laptop holds up against the MacBook Air. ### Key Differences at a Glance Before getting into the detailed specifications, let's highlight the most apparent differences between the Surface Laptop and the MacBook Air. #### **Price Point** The…

## HandBrake 1.8: Comprehensive Enhancements for macOS The HandBrake team has announced the release of version 1.8 of their free video encoder, a tool widely regarded as the go-to solution for encoding video projects across various platforms. This new update offers a multitude of improvements and new functionalities, focusing heavily on enhancing the video engines and aligning the user interfaces across macOS, Windows, and Linux. ### Key UI Improvements for macOS HandBrake 1.8 introduces several significant updates and new features, particularly for Mac users. The new version includes support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ with metadata pass-through, elevating the quality and compatibility of video outputs. Another notable addition is the Metal-accelerated performance, which promises faster and more efficient processing speeds. The update also brings an improved subtitle handling system. Users…