The rise of the audio-only video game

Image: Samar Haddad / The Verge

Not all video games need video. Over the years, games that exist only in audio have taken players into entirely new worlds in which there’s nothing to see and still everything to do. These games have huge accessibility implications, allowing people who can’t see to play an equally fun, equally immersive game with their other senses. And when all you have is sound, there’s actually even more you can do to make your game great.

On this episode of...

The DJI Pocket 3 is almost everything I wanted my iPhone camera to be

Despite its name, the Pocket 3 isn’t exactly comfortable to stuff in tighter pockets. | Photo by Quentyn Kennemer / The Verge

I can’t think of anything permeating mainstream camera culture as aggressively as the DJI Osmo Pocket 3. The Fujifilm X100VI has stolen some of its thunder among film simulation enthusiasts, but DJI’s still having somewhat of a cultural moment on YouTube, Instagram, and the troubled TikTok by spurring all sorts of creator glee.

Of course, the camera buffs...

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for May 12

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections —...

Inside the growing rivalry between two of the best guards in the East

Two of the NBA's best point guards -- Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Brunson -- are developing a rivalry fueled by this year's playoffs and the Team USA Olympic roster.

People Are Sharing What Actually Happened When They Bought A Stranger A Drink At The Bar, And Some Of These Are Hilariously Un-Movie-Worthy

"After about 90 minutes, we were finishing our second and last margaritas… and they were finishing their sixth margarita each."

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Reading Has Hurt Me for Years. With a Tablet Holder, It Doesn't

Cysts in both wrists made reading a literal pain. But Lamicall’s Tablet Holder takes that pain away by holding up my Kindle for me.

Gazelle Eclipse Review: A Luxury Dutch Electric Bike

Gazelle’s latest long-range electric bike has a mind-boggling Bosch smart system and is extremely comfortable, smart, and pricey.

Hisense U8N TV Review: Loaded Package, Shades Required

Hisense’s flagship TV brings over-the-top brightness but still comes out a winner.

About 300,000 Gazans Have Fled Rafah, U.N. Says

The Israeli military has expanded its evacuation orders for Rafah, deepening fears that it was preparing a full-scale invasion of the city in southern Gaza.

Women Are Either 100% Fulfilled Or 100% Unsatisfied With Sleeping Around — Here Are Both Sides To The Story

"I absolutely don't regret having casual sex. No one got hurt. I got a lot out of my system that needed to be released."

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Owning These 31 Products Will Make You Feel Like The Smartest Person In The Room

It doesn't matter if you're the only person in the room lol. You'll still think you're a genius when you try out a mascara remover that melts waterproof mascara with no scrubbing required.

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The new iPad Pro looks like a winner

Image: David Pierce / The Verge

Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 37, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you’re new here, welcome, send me links, and also, you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.)

This week, I’ve been writing about iPads and LinkedIn games, reading about auto shows and typewriters and treasure hunters, watching Everybody’s in LA and Sugar, looking for reasons to buy Yeti’s new French press even though I...

People Are Revealing The Eye-Opening Moment When They Realized Their Mom Was "Just A Girl" And I'm So, So Emotional

"She was so excited — the most excited I'd seen her be in years. I wish we could have gone together. I miss her so much, and I regret not getting to know who she was before she had kids. I only saw her as 'Mom' and not anything else."

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Older Moms Are Revealing How Motherhood Has Changed In The Last 30 Years, And It's Truly Eye-Opening

"I had the joy of raising my child without parenting blogs and mom-influencers."

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Scientists Are Studying Why Grandmas Feel So Connected To Their Grandkids, And Suddenly All The Candy Your Grandma Slipped You Growing Up Will Make Perfect Sense

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Russian Forces Push Deeper Into Northern Ukraine

A Ukrainian military unit said that its troops were forced to retreat from several positions and that one settlement had been captured by Russian forces.

A look at ‘hidden mother’ photos this Mother’s Day

These are, in short, images of care.

Collectors relish so-called hidden-mother photographs as historical oddities.

58 Things Non-Americans See In Movies That Confuse The Absolute Heck Out Of Non-Americans

The chewing pill things is really weird because nobody actually does that.

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An Innovative EV Motor Used by Lamborghini, McLaren, and Ferrari Is Being Mass-Produced by Mercedes

Compared to the usual EV power plants, axial-flux motors are smaller and lighter, and have more torque. But they're hard to make at scale. Now Mercedes is bringing them to the masses.

Ukraine’s Seaborne Grain Exports Bounce Back to Near Prewar Levels

The flow of grain ships through ports in the Odesa region is a welcome boost for Ukraine’s war-ravaged economy. But analysts warn it may not last.