This is Lowpass by Janko Roettgers, a newsletter on the ever-evolving intersection of tech and entertainment, syndicated just for The Verge subscribers once a week. Every year, TV makers flock to CES in Las Vegas to show off bigger, brighter, and better-looking displays. And every […]
Year: 2026
The gap between premium and budget TV brands is quickly closing
For all the time that I’ve been covering technology, there’s been a hierarchy when it comes to TV brands. The big three – Sony, Samsung, and LG – have been on top for a while. Pioneer and Panasonic were up there with plasma TVs, and […]
Israel Bans NGOs from Palestinian Territories Amid Escalating Tensions; International Backlash Ensues – 1/8/2026, 12:25:18 PM
Based on major outlets’ front pages and live bulletins, the most prominent world news themes right now include: Middle East & Israel–Palestine Israel’s war in Gaza and wider tensions in the occupied Palestinian territories, including controversies over aid organizations; for example, the Israeli government has […]
Zone 3 Cardio: The Underrated Key to Boosting Endurance and Race Performance
Zone 3 cardio is not a “junk” zone—when used intentionally, it can be just as valuable as Zone 2, especially for building real‑world endurance, race readiness, and the ability to handle harder efforts for longer.[2] Below is an 800‑word style WordPress post you can paste […]
The most popular games are getting harder and harder to usurp
It’s harder than ever for a new video game to crack the top of the most-played list. According to the Circana Player Engagement Tracker and video game market analyst Mat Piscatella, in 2025, the top five most-played games on PS5 and Xbox… were the same […]
Xbox’s Developer Direct returns on January 22nd with Fable and Forza Horizon 6 gameplay
Microsoft’s annual Xbox Developer Direct event is taking place on January 22nd this year. The fourth Developer Direct will provide a closer look at two of Microsoft’s biggest Xbox games this year, Forza Horizon 6 and Fable, as well as a first in-depth look at […]
Discover Germany’s “Quiet Sunday”: A Tradition of Rest and Rejuvenation
The weekly German tradition that transformed the way I look at rest is called Ruhetag Sonntag – literally, “Quiet Sunday.” It is not just a nice idea; in Germany, especially in Bavaria, it is a protected day of stillness, family, and genuine restoration.[2] Growing up, […]
Today’s Global Undercurrents: Hidden Shifts in Power – Jan 8, 2026
Imagine standing on a quiet shore just before sunrise. The sea appears calm, yet beneath the surface, there’s a dynamic world of shifting currents, distant ships, and forming storms. This is much like our world today—seemingly serene in some corners, yet bustling with movement once […]
U.S. Strikes in Venezuela: 100 Dead, Maduro Injured Amid Rising Tensions and Global Outcry – 1/8/2026, 4:24:45 PM
Here are some of the major world stories as of now, grouped by theme and region: 1. U.S.–Venezuela confrontation and regional fallout – The U.S. has carried out major military strikes in Venezuela, with Venezuela’s interior ministry reporting about 100 dead; President Nicolás Maduro and […]
Google announces AI Overviews in Gmail search, experimental AI-organized inbox
Last year’s premium Gmail AI features are also rolling out to free users.