Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge Amazon announced today that it’s pumping another $4 billion into Claude AI maker Anthropic, bringing its total funding amount to $8 billion. This latest round follows $1.25 billion last September and another $2.75 billion in March. Along with the money, Amazon wrote in its blog post that Amazon Web Services (AWS) would be named Anthropic’s “primary training partner” and that the OpenAI rival would use Trainium and Inferentia chips for future models. The investment and deeper partnership align with previous reporting by Reuters that Claude will power Amazon’s new Alexa voice assistant. The improved Alexa — the release of which has been delayed — reportedly performed better with Claude than it did when using Amazon’s in-house model. The... Continue reading…

Audi RS E-tron GT Performance starts at $167,000 before destination charges. | Image: Audi Audi is giving its all-electric E-tron GT sports sedan higher performance, more battery range, and faster charging speeds for the 2025 model year. It’s also increasing its starting price. The lineup now includes a new entry S E-tron GT model that starts at $125,500 before destination charges, a far cry from the already expensive $100,000 base it previously sold since the beginning in 2022. There’s also a new RS E-tron GT “Performance” version that starts at a whopping $167,000 before destination charges. We reviewed the 2022 model year version, which was priced at an extravagant $140,000. However, you’re getting Audi’s quickest car yet for that Performance price tag, which also comes with a special RS performance mode. It packs 912... Continue reading…

SteelSeries brings its EQ audio expertise to consoles and mobile devices. Continue reading…

Image: The Verge Meta is promising “long-overdue improvements” to its X competitor, Threads, including more precise search features and expanded trending topics. First, users will be able to search for posts within a specific date range or from a single account — similar to what X’s search allows. Threads is also testing a new trending page in the US that includes additional topics to follow as well as AI-generated summaries of what other users are talking about. Instagram head Adam Mosseri, who led the launch of Threads, wrote in a post that the tests begin today. This week has been full of updates on Threads, which is facing increased competition from Bluesky, the decentralized text-based platform that people have been flocking to in recent weeks.... Continue reading…

Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have laid out their plans for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a currently nonexistent entity they say will “cut the federal government down to size.” Though DOGE isn’t a real department — and may in fact just be President-elect Donald Trump’s way of placating Musk by giving him the appearance of a real job — it represents a long-running right-wing attempt to gut the civil service, a plan the incoming administration fully supports. DOGE could be a mechanism for a Musk shadow presidency, a nonsense job designed to keep Musk busy without giving him real power, or a curious mix of the two. In any case, Musk and Ramaswamy have proposed cutting “thousands” of federal regulations and determining the... Continue reading…

The SonarPen 2 includes upgraded features like USB-C and finer pen tips. | Image: Greenbulb In 2018, the SonarPen debuted as a cheaper alternative to the Apple Pencil by using audio signals transmitted to the iPad over a cable instead of Bluetooth. Its creators are back with an upgraded USB-C version that introduces additional functionality, including tilt detection and an improved tip that now closely resembles the Apple Pencil’s. The SonarPen 2 is currently available for preorder through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, with shipping estimated to start as early as April 2025. If you preorder early, the SonarPen 2 is discounted to around $32, with full retail pricing expected to be closer to $45. Image: Greenbulb The SonarPen 2 includes integrated cable management. The SonarPen 2 still supports... Continue reading…

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge The young streamer behind a viral meme coin called Quant was doxxed by the crypto community after he ripped off investors, as reported by Decrypt and The Crypto Times. During a livestream earlier this week, the kid giddily watched the price of his meme coin go up before selling his stake for $30,000 and flipping off viewers, causing its price to plummet. The young investor, who reports claim is 13 years old, started gaining attention after his post on X went viral. “Just made 2k before school. Lock in,” the post said, alongside a photo of the kid holding up his phone to show off his gains. When the boy later launched his token Quant during a livestream, investments quickly started coming in — until he pulled all of the money out of the... Continue reading…

Michael Hanaghan/The Conversation When Gladiator I was released in 2000, I was a high school Classics student and the film brought Classical literature to life for me. Dramatic depictions of ancient warfare seemed more real, the machinations of imperial politics all the more serious. So it was with some trepidation, then, that I went to see Gladiator II. Could it live up to Gladiator I’s high standards? Would it be sufficiently plausible for me to enjoy? Warning: this article contains mild spoilers. I’m not here to fact-check the film – something already admirably done. Rather, I wanted to reflect on its “truthiness” and historical ambience, and specifically on its portrayal of two Roman emperors, the brothers Caracalla and Geta. Caracalla and Geta do and say some very odd things in the film that may feel far-fetched to some. In fact, these brothers – and other Roman emperors – really did do some unhinged things. Gladiators: Ancient Romans Loved Their Deadly Games Gladiator Helmets: Fit for Purpose, Not Just Protection Read moreSection: NewsHistory & ArchaeologyHistoryFamous PeopleRead Later 

The Supreme Court on Friday sidestepped a decision on allowing shareholders to proceed with a securities fraud lawsuit accusing Meta's Facebook of misleading investors about the misuse of the social media platform's user data.

Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites- only 5 ingredients and 15 minutes needed to make this easy southern appetizer that’s both sweet and spicy. The creamy goodness of brie cheese tastes so good melted in a flaky phyllo cup. Bring these to a party and they will disappear in a flash. I especially love this bite-sized appetizer for a Kentucky Derby Party since they are flavored with bourbon. They are also great for a Christmas or New Year’s Party. Want to save this recipe?Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *Email *Save Ingredients Needed For Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites Mini Phyllo Cups– Find them in the freezer section. They come 15 to a box. If you want to make 30, just double the ingredients. Brie Cheese– You don’t need much. Cut the rind away if you wish and cut it into little squares that will fit in the bottom of the phyllo cups. Chopped Pecans– chop them fairly small. You can use walnuts if you prefer. Hot Honey– There are so many brands of Hot Honey on the market now. Mike’s Hot Honey is probably the most widely available. Bourbon– I use Maker’s Mark, but use whichever is your favorite. You only need about a tablespoon. Variations This recipe is so easy to change up and customize. Use walnuts or macadamia nuts in place of pecans. Use cream cheese or blue cheese in place of brie cheese. Use regular honey or maple syrup if you don’t want it spicy. Want it spicy but don’t have Hot Honey? Add a little cayenne pepper or a few crushed red pepper flakes to regular honey. Use Fireball Whisky in place of bourbon for a little hot cinnamon flavor. Add a little fresh rosemary or thyme for extra flavor. Recipe Tips They can also be made in an air fryer. Air fry at 300 for 3 to 5 minutes. Best eaten shortly after they are baked. The phyllo shells get soggy over time so they don’t keep well. More Recipes Using Mini Phyllo Cups Sausage Ranch Phyllo Cups Bourbon Pecan Tartlets Pin this now to find it laterPin It More Bourbon-Flavored Recipes Bourbon Balls Peach Bourbon Tres Leches Bourbon Pecan Cinnamon Rolls Bourbon Peanut Brittle Bourbon Pecan Fudge Print Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites- only 5 ingredients and 15 minutes needed to make this easy southern appetizer that's both sweet and spicy. Course AppetizerCuisine Southern Prep Time 12 minutes minutesCook Time 8 minutes minutes Servings 15 Calories 73kcal EquipmentRimmed Baking Sheet Ingredients15 mini phyllo cups1 (7 to 8-ounce) wheel of Brie cheese⅓ cup chopped pecans1½ tablespoons Hot Honey1 tablespoon bourbon InstructionsPlace phyllo cups on a baking sheet and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.Cut 15 pieces of cheese that will fit in the bottom of the phyllo cups. You will probably not use all the cheese. Cut the rind away and discard it if that is what you prefer.Place a piece of cheese in each phyllo cup.In a small bowl, stir together pecans, Hot Honey and bourbon. Spoon a little pecan mixture into each phyllo cup.Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Serve. NotesThey can also be made in an air fryer. Air fry at 300 for 3 to 5 minutes. NutritionCalories: 73kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 85mg | Potassium: 31mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 80IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 0.1mg The post Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites appeared first on Spicy Southern Kitchen.