Sean Hollister
@seanhollister.bsky.social
I write about gadgets at @Verge. Former @CNET @Gizmodo @Engadget. Avid gamer, lucky husband, happy dad! Maybe too blunt.
That's the thing about Valve's timing: there's an Xbox-shaped hole in the market, and Microsoft wants to fill it... with something very like the Steam Machine!
(But can Valve push it out broadly? Does it even want to? Does it prefer a slow trickle like Steam Deck?)
(But can Valve push it out broadly? Does it even want to? Does it prefer a slow trickle like Steam Deck?)
Valve just built the Xbox that Microsoft is dreaming of. In my Notepad newsletter this week I cover the Steam Machine and Microsoft's future Xbox, as well as some changes to the Windows Insider program. Live for subscribers now 👇 www.theverge.com/tech/819844/...
Valve just built the Xbox that Microsoft is dreaming of
It’s Steam Machine vs. Xbox
www.theverge.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:10 PM
That's the thing about Valve's timing: there's an Xbox-shaped hole in the market, and Microsoft wants to fill it... with something very like the Steam Machine!
(But can Valve push it out broadly? Does it even want to? Does it prefer a slow trickle like Steam Deck?)
(But can Valve push it out broadly? Does it even want to? Does it prefer a slow trickle like Steam Deck?)
Scoop: Sony is making a Horizon MMO for your phone www.theverge.com/news/819657/...
Sony is making a Horizon MMO — here’s all the details
The new game is called Horizon Steel Frontiers.
www.theverge.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Scoop: Sony is making a Horizon MMO for your phone www.theverge.com/news/819657/...
Hey, that's me on The Full Nerd podcast talking Steam Machine with @adampatrickmurray.bsky.social @willsmith.fun and fellow special guest @gamersnexus.bsky.social!
So fun, so nerdy. www.youtube.com/live/rvbj-XY...
So fun, so nerdy. www.youtube.com/live/rvbj-XY...
New Steam Machine, Ryzen Market Share, PCWorld Best Of 2025 & More | The Full Nerd ep. 373
YouTube video by The Full Nerd Network
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Hey, that's me on The Full Nerd podcast talking Steam Machine with @adampatrickmurray.bsky.social @willsmith.fun and fellow special guest @gamersnexus.bsky.social!
So fun, so nerdy. www.youtube.com/live/rvbj-XY...
So fun, so nerdy. www.youtube.com/live/rvbj-XY...
It's time. Hopping in to answer your burning Valve and Steam Machine questions live right now! www.theverge.com/games/818113...
We tried Valve’s new VR headset, PC, and controller — ask us anything!
We’re taking questions from Verge subscribers.
www.theverge.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:04 PM
It's time. Hopping in to answer your burning Valve and Steam Machine questions live right now! www.theverge.com/games/818113...
12 minutes till we start answering your burning Valve-Steam-Machine-Frame-Controller-2 questions!
Got any burning questions about Valve's new hardware? We're holding a subscriber-exclusive AMA today, November 12 at 3PM ET. Drop us your best Qs in the comments of this article any time and @jaypeters.net and @seanhollister.bsky.social will answer everything they can this afternoon.
We tried Valve’s new VR headset, PC, and controller — ask us anything!
We’re taking questions from Verge subscribers.
www.theverge.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
12 minutes till we start answering your burning Valve-Steam-Machine-Frame-Controller-2 questions!
Reposted by Sean Hollister
The funniest thing about all of Valves hardware announcements today is that many of them are them going "you know what, fuck it, we were right the first time" and they were, in fact, right.
November 12, 2025 at 7:45 PM
The funniest thing about all of Valves hardware announcements today is that many of them are them going "you know what, fuck it, we were right the first time" and they were, in fact, right.
Bear with me as I take a victory lap, one that's actually mostly a victory lap for @sadlyitsbradley.bsky.social?
I can't believe I can finally tell you everything I've been holding back the past couple weeks... after my trip to Valve.
I can't believe I can finally tell you everything I've been holding back the past couple weeks... after my trip to Valve.
November 12, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Bear with me as I take a victory lap, one that's actually mostly a victory lap for @sadlyitsbradley.bsky.social?
I can't believe I can finally tell you everything I've been holding back the past couple weeks... after my trip to Valve.
I can't believe I can finally tell you everything I've been holding back the past couple weeks... after my trip to Valve.
Hey, so... you might want to check The Verge right now if you like Valve hardware.
November 12, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Hey, so... you might want to check The Verge right now if you like Valve hardware.
I prefer @aliszewski.bsky.social's original suggested hed: "Lego's first Spot the cat minifigure comes with a $400 Galaxy class starship."
I would buy the crap out of these mini-figs! www.theverge.com/news/815337/...
I would buy the crap out of these mini-figs! www.theverge.com/news/815337/...
Lego’s first Star Trek set is a $400 Enterprise with Data, Picard, and Worf minifigures
The 3,600-piece set will be available starting on November 28th and includes nine minifigures with accessories.
www.theverge.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:23 PM
I prefer @aliszewski.bsky.social's original suggested hed: "Lego's first Spot the cat minifigure comes with a $400 Galaxy class starship."
I would buy the crap out of these mini-figs! www.theverge.com/news/815337/...
I would buy the crap out of these mini-figs! www.theverge.com/news/815337/...
Epic already won its Google case... twice... and now... it's settling???
I've read through the document and... wow. You can read my TL;DR or the whole doc if you prefer.
www.theverge.com/policy/81399...
I've read through the document and... wow. You can read my TL;DR or the whole doc if you prefer.
www.theverge.com/policy/81399...
Epic and Google agree to settle their lawsuit and change Android’s fate globally
Big Android changes through 2032.
www.theverge.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Epic already won its Google case... twice... and now... it's settling???
I've read through the document and... wow. You can read my TL;DR or the whole doc if you prefer.
www.theverge.com/policy/81399...
I've read through the document and... wow. You can read my TL;DR or the whole doc if you prefer.
www.theverge.com/policy/81399...
Yes! Finally! I know people who've bought entire HDMI dummy plugs to trick the Steam Deck into turning off its screen while downloading.
www.theverge.com/news/813864/...
www.theverge.com/news/813864/...
Valve will finally turn off the Steam Deck’s screen while it’s downloading games
I’ve wanted this feature for years.
www.theverge.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Yes! Finally! I know people who've bought entire HDMI dummy plugs to trick the Steam Deck into turning off its screen while downloading.
www.theverge.com/news/813864/...
www.theverge.com/news/813864/...
After my Xbox Ally review, I never stopped testing. If Microsoft could get it to sleep without losing gobs of battery or crashing, it'd be a huge deal!
But Microsoft wouldn't even admit anything was wrong.
I switched to Bazzite, and it's like a whole new device.
www.theverge.com/games/807711...
But Microsoft wouldn't even admit anything was wrong.
I switched to Bazzite, and it's like a whole new device.
www.theverge.com/games/807711...
Say it with me: Windows is the problem with Windows handhelds
The Xbox Ally is better with Bazzite.
www.theverge.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:15 PM
After my Xbox Ally review, I never stopped testing. If Microsoft could get it to sleep without losing gobs of battery or crashing, it'd be a huge deal!
But Microsoft wouldn't even admit anything was wrong.
I switched to Bazzite, and it's like a whole new device.
www.theverge.com/games/807711...
But Microsoft wouldn't even admit anything was wrong.
I switched to Bazzite, and it's like a whole new device.
www.theverge.com/games/807711...
Eight years after the right coined "alternative facts," Elon Musk has given them an alternative encyclopedia, one that claims to purge bias while doing the opposite on topics like "climate change."
Oh, and it's straight-up copying more vanilla Wikipedia entries.
www.theverge.com/news/807686/...
Oh, and it's straight-up copying more vanilla Wikipedia entries.
www.theverge.com/news/807686/...
Elon Musk’s Grokipedia contains copied Wikipedia pages
Ironic.
www.theverge.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Eight years after the right coined "alternative facts," Elon Musk has given them an alternative encyclopedia, one that claims to purge bias while doing the opposite on topics like "climate change."
Oh, and it's straight-up copying more vanilla Wikipedia entries.
www.theverge.com/news/807686/...
Oh, and it's straight-up copying more vanilla Wikipedia entries.
www.theverge.com/news/807686/...
Halo. Remake.
It looks great, and it's coming to PS5 too. @tomwarren.co.uk has already played some! I can't wait.
www.theverge.com/news/805174/...
It looks great, and it's coming to PS5 too. @tomwarren.co.uk has already played some! I can't wait.
www.theverge.com/news/805174/...
Halo: Campaign Evolved is a gorgeous remake that debuts on PS5 and Xbox in 2026
Halo arrives on PlayStation
www.theverge.com
October 24, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Halo. Remake.
It looks great, and it's coming to PS5 too. @tomwarren.co.uk has already played some! I can't wait.
www.theverge.com/news/805174/...
It looks great, and it's coming to PS5 too. @tomwarren.co.uk has already played some! I can't wait.
www.theverge.com/news/805174/...
Remember how @nataliethenerd.com made the Lego Game Boy play carts for real?
She's going to sell a drop-in kit. It's called the Build a Boy. Everything I know right here:
www.theverge.com/games/805673...
She's going to sell a drop-in kit. It's called the Build a Boy. Everything I know right here:
www.theverge.com/games/805673...
Nintendo’s chips make this Lego Game Boy upgrade kit the most authentic
The Build A Boy is coming.
www.theverge.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Remember how @nataliethenerd.com made the Lego Game Boy play carts for real?
She's going to sell a drop-in kit. It's called the Build a Boy. Everything I know right here:
www.theverge.com/games/805673...
She's going to sell a drop-in kit. It's called the Build a Boy. Everything I know right here:
www.theverge.com/games/805673...
♫ It's beginning to look a lot like Xbox... ♫
Hallmark's Xbox 360 Christmas ornament. What do you think? I like the Sega Genesis better, but now I have an Xbox to keep it company under the tree!
Hallmark's Xbox 360 Christmas ornament. What do you think? I like the Sega Genesis better, but now I have an Xbox to keep it company under the tree!
October 23, 2025 at 6:41 PM
♫ It's beginning to look a lot like Xbox... ♫
Hallmark's Xbox 360 Christmas ornament. What do you think? I like the Sega Genesis better, but now I have an Xbox to keep it company under the tree!
Hallmark's Xbox 360 Christmas ornament. What do you think? I like the Sega Genesis better, but now I have an Xbox to keep it company under the tree!
Here are Amazon's smart delivery glasses. Definitely want to try these! Wouldn't want to be *required* to wear them... www.theverge.com/news/804962/...
Amazon reveals ‘smart delivery glasses’ that guide drivers and scan packages
No more whipping out a phone on your porch.
www.theverge.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Here are Amazon's smart delivery glasses. Definitely want to try these! Wouldn't want to be *required* to wear them... www.theverge.com/news/804962/...
Sharge does it again.
This magnetic Qi 2.2 powerbank looks like a classic Sony Cybershot
This magnetic Qi 2.2 powerbank looks like a classic Sony Cybershot
Sharge is at it again.
buff.ly
October 22, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Sharge does it again.
What a world we live in! www.theverge.com/news/804289/...
Eight Sleep adds ‘outage mode’ to smart beds after AWS problems left them frozen
Eight Sleep became No Sleep
www.theverge.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:36 PM
What a world we live in! www.theverge.com/news/804289/...
Samsung and Google's Vision Pro competitor is finally here. $1,800 and here's @vicmsong.bsky.social with the goods www.theverge.com/tech/802299/...
Samsung Galaxy XR hands-on: It’s like a cheaper Apple Vision Pro and launches today
The Vision Pro might be cooked.
www.theverge.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Samsung and Google's Vision Pro competitor is finally here. $1,800 and here's @vicmsong.bsky.social with the goods www.theverge.com/tech/802299/...
Mini-scoop: Here's how Google is picking the 15 "superfans" who'll test an unreleased Pixel phone — you can read the official rules! www.theverge.com/report/80370...
(h/t my old colleague @welch.bsky.social for the original scoop)
(h/t my old colleague @welch.bsky.social for the original scoop)
Here’s how Google is choosing 15 fans to test the next Pixel
Read the documents yourself.
www.theverge.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Mini-scoop: Here's how Google is picking the 15 "superfans" who'll test an unreleased Pixel phone — you can read the official rules! www.theverge.com/report/80370...
(h/t my old colleague @welch.bsky.social for the original scoop)
(h/t my old colleague @welch.bsky.social for the original scoop)
Hey, that's me on The Vergecast with @davidpierce.xyz talking about the Xbox Ally! www.theverge.com/podcast/8031...
The new Xbox is not an Xbox
Also in this Vergecast episode: is AI making us dumb?
www.theverge.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Hey, that's me on The Vergecast with @davidpierce.xyz talking about the Xbox Ally! www.theverge.com/podcast/8031...
Remember how a GUMMY BEAR BATTERY BANK came along and ultralight backpacking nerds were like, no really, this beats the carbon-fiber-clad Nitecore stuff we've been using?
You know I had to toy with it. The winner is...
You know I had to toy with it. The winner is...
October 20, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Remember how a GUMMY BEAR BATTERY BANK came along and ultralight backpacking nerds were like, no really, this beats the carbon-fiber-clad Nitecore stuff we've been using?
You know I had to toy with it. The winner is...
You know I had to toy with it. The winner is...
Meanwhile
Was gonna play some games on the ROG Xbox Ally X while I watch AEW but I guess not!
October 19, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Meanwhile
Reposted by Sean Hollister
This week on Optimizer, I enlisted @seanhollister.bsky.social ‘s help in testing some prototype AI glasses that claim to help make you smarter.
We ended up on a call where we spent half the time bobbing our heads like deranged seals.
www.theverge.com/column/80155...
We ended up on a call where we spent half the time bobbing our heads like deranged seals.
www.theverge.com/column/80155...
These AI glasses promised to make me smarter, and all I got was Clippy for my face
I also kind of looked like a deranged sea lion on a video call.
www.theverge.com
October 17, 2025 at 2:50 PM
This week on Optimizer, I enlisted @seanhollister.bsky.social ‘s help in testing some prototype AI glasses that claim to help make you smarter.
We ended up on a call where we spent half the time bobbing our heads like deranged seals.
www.theverge.com/column/80155...
We ended up on a call where we spent half the time bobbing our heads like deranged seals.
www.theverge.com/column/80155...