Character.AI turns books into roleplay bots amid ongoing safety concerns

Character.AI’s Books feature turns literature into interactive roleplay, but past safety concerns raise questions about how far AI companionship should go.

The Stars My Destination is classic proto-cyberpunk
The Stars My Destination is classic proto-cyberpunk

This might feel like a somewhat obvious recommendation to some, but it flew under my radar until now. Alfred Bester’s The Stars My Destination (originally published as Tiger! Tiger! in the UK) is a 1956 sci-fi novel that some have cited as a precursor to cyberpunk. It’s a work I admit I have some conflicted […]

There is no ethical consumption of HBO’s Harry Potter series
There is no ethical consumption of HBO’s Harry Potter series

In the coming years, HBO wants its new Harry Potter series to become “the streaming event of the decade” as it adapts each of the franchise’s seven original books. The show could very well become a hit that captures the imaginations of a new generation of fans who weren’t there for the first wave of […]

Two of my favorite color e-book readers are the cheapest they’ve been in months
Two of my favorite color e-book readers are the cheapest they’ve been in months

Color isn’t essential in an e-reader, but let’s be honest, it’s a nice perk that can bring digital books, magazines, comics, cookbooks, and other publications to life. The catch is that color ebook readers tend to be substantially pricier, which makes today’s deals stand out. Right now, the Kindle Colorsoft (16GB) and Kobo Libra Colour […]

The messiah rises in Dune: Part Three’s new trailer
The messiah rises in Dune: Part Three’s new trailer

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a portentous set of twin babies in the new trailer for Dune: Part Three. Warner Bros. has debuted its first full trailer for Denis Villeneuve’s third Dune film. Thankfully, it doesn’t give everything about the film away, but it does put a spotlight on a few of […]

What we’re listening to, watching, and reading right now.

There is so much art out there that it’s absolutely impossible to keep up. Whether it’s a slept-on post-punk album from the ’80s, a new sci-fi novel, or a cult classic horror movie, we’re always finding new obsessions here at The Verge — and we want to share those obsessions with you. Sometimes that might […]

Audible syncs ebook reading and audiobook listening to keep you focused
Audible syncs ebook reading and audiobook listening to keep you focused

On Wednesday, Audible launched a new “immersion reading” feature that could help readers concentrate on their audiobooks by allowing them to read along with the ebook version. While listening to an audiobook in the Audible app, users can tap the “Read & Listen” button above their book’s cover art to see the text version of […]

Piggyback’s fantastic Metroid Prime art book is nearly 30 percent off
Piggyback’s fantastic Metroid Prime art book is nearly 30 percent off

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launched on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 in December, but if you’re itching for some more lore, Metroid Prime 1–3: A Visual Retrospective is a nice way to dig in, especially now that it’s on sale. Normally $49.99, you can currently buy the hardcover version for $36.59 (about $13 off) […]

Animal Crossing started life as a dungeon crawler
Animal Crossing started life as a dungeon crawler

Despite the convoluted journey between concept and finished product, despite all the many things that change between initial prototype and whatever ends up in players’ hands, something always remains of the initial feeling that inspired a video game. If you know what to listen for, it’s easy to hear the echo of that original idea. […]

Spotify will soon let you buy paper books inside the app

Spotify is expanding beyond audio by partnering with Bookshop to sell physical books, letting users buy paperbacks and hardcovers tied to titles they discover inside the app.
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