Every pinball machine has similar features, but no two pinball machines are alike. Flippers, bumpers, and gravity combine to make for a game of randomness and chance — but it isn't as random as it looks. Vox digs deep into the theory of pinball to show how randomness isn't really a feature and how to dramatically increase your score.
If you're not a car owner or a VIP, the chances of you getting a tour of Tesla's Fremont factory are slim and even if you do, getting one led by CEO Elon Musk is nearly impossible. Until now. The engineer entrepreneur guides you through his California car manufacturing plant where the Model 3 is produced. During the walkthrough, Musk talks about the importance of robots and humans, production speed, and the brand's most popular colors.
You probably know the exact region or even vineyard your wine comes from. But what about that cork in the bottle? Although they seem menial, that plug is just as vital to your glass of Cab as the grapes inside and the method used to harvest the cork to make them is equally as strenuous. The delicate process begins in Portugal with a group of harvesters that have been keeping the tradition alive for generations.
RiseGuide is bringing AI coaching to one of the most anxiety-inducing modern skills: public speaking. The platform's new Speech Analyzer listens to up to 60 seconds of recorded speech, then evaluates pacing, confidence, pauses, filler words, and structure before delivering a score alongside targeted feedback for improvement. Built into RiseGuide's Charisma Mastery program, the feature feels less like another passive self-help tool and more like a speaking coach that fits in your pocket, helping users sharpen clarity, cadence, and presence through real-time analysis and repetition.
Duke Cannon's Father's Day lineup leans into the brand's familiar formula of oversized grooming essentials, military-inspired packaging, and unapologetically rugged scent profiles, but beneath the tongue-in-cheek attitude sits a genuinely practical collection of daily-use upgrades. The gift guide ranges from heavyweight Big Ass Bricks of Soap and bourbon-forward beard care to colognes, tactical shower bundles, and shave kits built for dads who prefer utility over luxury-brand vanity. Everything arrives wrapped in Duke Cannon's signature blue-collar aesthetic, balancing humor with legitimately solid formulations made for hard-working skin, dry hands, and low-maintenance routines. It is less about reinventing grooming and more about turning everyday basics into something that feels giftable, durable, and distinctly masculine.
Old of age and reaching the end of his reign, King Lear calls his family together to make a striking announcement — he will divide his kingdom between his three daughters. Each one makes a pleasant statement to their father, with the exception of the youngest, whose piece of the kingdom is split between the two elder siblings. She's then left to fend for herself until the death of her father, while the two older sisters begin a war to oust Lear before his reign has ended. Starring Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, Emile Watson, and Florence Pugh, King Lear comes to Amazon Prime August 20, 2018.
The Queen of Soul wasn't just a soul singer; she embodied soul itself. Franklin had 112 singles hit the charts, won 18 Grammys, and brought her gospel background to the forefront of music. Vox looks at Franklin's roots in the church and how that laid the groundwork for her amazing career as one of the greatest singers of all time.
James Franco and Maggie Gyllenhaal return to the 70s for another round of The Deuce. The second season picks up five years later and everything has changed as the New York porn scene enters its Golden years. The show returns to HBO September 9, 2018.
Tinker Hatfield is a legend in the sneaker world. The architect turned Nike shoe designer made a name for himself designing icons like the Air Max 1, Nike MAGs, and his collaborations with Michael Jordan. While at his Portland warehouse, Hatfield reminisces about some of his big career moments as well as the inspirations that fuel his creative process.
Augustinus Bader's The Retinol Serum rethinks traditional retinol treatments with a formula designed to deliver visible skin renewal without the irritation that often comes with high-performance vitamin A products. Powered by the brand's proprietary TFC8 technology alongside pure retinol, the lightweight serum targets fine lines, wrinkles, uneven texture, blemishes, and hyperpigmentation while supporting hydration and overall skin balance. The result is a more refined approach to retinol, one engineered to improve clarity, firmness, and smoothness without compromising the skin barrier in the process.
Private Label QR turns ordinary household labels into dynamic digital reference points, using durable QR stickers that link physical objects to editable information accessible from any smartphone camera. Once attached to a box, appliance, container, suitcase, or keepsake, each label can store notes, photos, instructions, contact details, or organizational data that can be updated anytime without replacing the sticker itself. The system feels especially useful for the kind of real-world friction most smart-home products ignore, from labeling moving boxes and organizing pantry goods to leaving appliance instructions for Airbnb guests or preserving the stories tied to family heirlooms. With no app required and built-in controls for private, public, or group visibility, the platform lands somewhere between modern inventory management and a digital memory layer for everyday objects.
The next animated adventure in the Star Wars is a tale about becoming a pilot for Resistance. Set before the events of The Force Awakens, the first episode follows Xiono as he leads a mission to spy on a First Order planet. With a few familiar faces like BB-8, Star Wars Resistance premieres October 7, 2018, on the Disney Channel.
Lulu Danger has a life-changing event when she sees a late night commercial for an Evening with Beverly Luff Linn. A mysterious man from her past and his business partner are in town for the event — and then things get really strange. Starring Aubrey Plaza, Craig Robinson, Matt Berry, and Jemaine Clement, An Evening With Beverly Luff Linn premieres October 19, 2018.