The UK will scan asylum-seekers’ faces for age checks—despite knowing the tech is flawed
Tests of age-verification technology show the risks of life-altering errors.
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War Taught this Ukrainian Entrepreneur the Value of Resilience
Salome Mikadze-Struk is no stranger to adversity. The daughter of refugees, she built a software-development business as an undergraduate at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and kept it running despite the outbreak of war in her native Ukraine . Now, she’s drawing on her experiences to mentor tech-startup founders and speak publicly about the importance of resilience in entrepreneurship . Mikadze-Struk was studying at Georgetown University, in Washington, D.C., when COVID-19 struck. Classes went online, and she moved back to Ukraine. In the midst of that disruption she saw an opportunity to develop her business idea, called Movadex , by tapping Ukraine’s pool of talented young engineers. Then Russia invaded in early 2022, during her final semester. Taking online classes from bomb shelters and helping employees evacuate to safer parts of the country was surreal, she says, but the team
Is NASA falling out of love with Mars?
Editor in chief Nancy Shute discusses NASA's rocky relationship with Mars exploration.
Toy Story has the right take on tech
Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 133, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you're new here, welcome, happy belated Juneteenth, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, I've been reading about Sam Bankman-Fried and PE Guy and admin nights (which we […] Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 133, your guide to the best and Verge -iest stuff in the world. (If you're new here, welcome, happy belated Juneteenth, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage .) This week, I've been reading about Sam Bankman-Fried and PE Guy and admin nights (which we should totally all do together one of these days), listening to Paul McCartney on Song Exploder , trudging through the bugs of the iOS 27 beta in order to use the good new Siri, once again trying and failing to switch to YouTube Music , free trial-ho
Moves of the Diamond Hand is an unfinished, irresistibly weird dice-based RPG
From its opening minutes, Moves of the Diamond Hand is upfront about what it offers: You're going to have a lot of strange conversations, and you're going to roll a lot of dice. Get on board with this proposition, and the reward is one of the most creative roleplaying games I've seen in years, even […] From its opening minutes, Moves of the Diamond Hand is upfront about what it offers: You're going to have a lot of strange conversations, and you're going to roll a lot of dice. Get on board with this proposition, and the reward is one of the most creative roleplaying games I've seen in years, even if its many mysteries won't be resolved until 2027. Moves of the Diamond Hand is an Early Access videogame available on PC, macOS, and steamOS (including the Steam Deck, where I played it) from musician and game designer Cosmo D. The game looks and feels like a 2000s-era first-person RPG o
Musician and YouTuber Hainbach on ‘Breath of the Wild’ and Swiss Army Knives
Stefan Paul Goetsch, better known as Hainbach, is a German experimental composer, artist, and YouTuber who is perhaps most famous for making music with laboratory equipment and scientific instruments. He describes it as being like the "Dark Souls of synthesis." Despite using "hard mode" production techniques that often rely on telephone line testing equipment and […] Indulging in the “Dark Souls of synthesis.” | Image: Aleksander Stojanov / Hainbach Stefan Paul Goetsch, better known as Hainbach, is a German experimental composer, artist, and YouTuber who is perhaps most famous for making music with laboratory equipment and scientific instruments. He describes it as being like the " Dark Souls of synthesis ." Despite using "hard mode" production techniques that often rely on telephone line testing equipment and gear salvaged from nuclear testing facilities, Hainbach is also incredib
SwitchBot’s Standing Circulator Fan is worth fighting for
I can't remember the last time I got excited about a fan. Normally, I just buy whatever Vornado or Dreo model fits my budget, but that was before I started testing the battery-powered Standing Circulator Fan from SwitchBot. As the name indicates, the SwitchBot fan is a 3D circulator - a fancy way of saying […] I’m a fan. I can't remember the last time I got excited about a fan. Normally, I just buy whatever Vornado or Dreo model fits my budget, but that was before I started testing the battery-powered Standing Circulator Fan from SwitchBot . As the name indicates, the SwitchBot fan is a 3D circulator - a fancy way of saying that it can tilt up, down, left, and right to push a decent amount air around a room. It looks okay, despite all the plastic, is relatively quiet, runs for hours on battery, has an integrated nightlight, transforms from a desktop to standing fan in seconds, and
IEEE Rolls Out Large Language Models Virtual Training Course
Large language models have moved out of the research lab and into engineers’ daily workflow. LLMs serve as reasoning engines that can orchestrate complex tasks including identifying vulnerabilities in source code and transforming fragmented project discussions into rigorous technical specifications. While the general public uses AI tools to write email and plan vacations, technical professionals use LLMs as core architectural elements that are fundamentally changing how digital infrastructures are built and maintained. As the AI models move into mainstream engineering practice, the demand for technical expertise is rising. The LLM technology market is expected to grow by about 33 percent every year through 2030 , according to MarketsandMarkets . The rapid expansion suggests that proficiency in implementing and securing the models is transitioning from a niche into a core requirement for
Hue’s wired wall modules bring non-smart lights into its ecosystem
Smart lighting company Philips Hue has launched its first wired wall modules. Installed behind existing wall switches, the new devices bring non-smart lights into the Hue ecosystem for the first time. Hue also announced new Play table and floor lamps that are more affordable versions of its Signe series, along with upgrades to its E14 […] The new Wired Wall Switch Modules fit behind existing switches. | Image: Signify Smart lighting company Philips Hue has launched its first wired wall modules . Installed behind existing wall switches, the new devices bring non-smart lights into the Hue ecosystem for the first time. Hue also announced new Play table and floor lamps that are more affordable versions of its Signe series , along with upgrades to its E14 candle bulbs that add a broader white light spectrum and Matter-over-Thread compatibility. The new lights are now available globally;
NASA selects Eric Schmidt’s rocket company for a 2028 mission to Mars
Relativity Space, the rocket company led by former Google executive Eric Schmidt, was picked to launch NASA's Aeolus payload to Mars in 2028, as reported earlier by TechCrunch. Under a new public-private partnership, Relativity Space will provide the "spacecraft, rocket, and cruise operations" to fly Aeolus to Mars, where the payload will "provide the first […] Relativity Space’s CEO is former Google executive Eric Schmidt. | Image: Alexander Tamargo / Getty Images Relativity Space, the rocket company led by former Google executive Eric Schmidt, was picked to launch NASA's Aeolus payload to Mars in 2028, as reported earlier by TechCrunch . Under a new public-private partnership, Relativity Space will provide the "spacecraft, rocket, and cruise operations" to fly Aeolus to Mars, where the payload will "provide the first integrated, daily, global view of Martian winds, temperatures,
Nothing cancels this year’s CMF phone due to RAM prices
Nothing's next budget phone is the latest victim of RAMageddon. As 9to5Google reports, Nothing co-founder Akis Evangelidis announced in a post on X that a follow-up to the CMF Phone 2 Pro won't be coming this year: We were working on a successor but with memory prices where they are right now, we can't build […] Nothing's next budget phone is the latest victim of RAMageddon. As 9to5Google reports, Nothing co-founder Akis Evangelidis announced in a post on X that a follow-up to the CMF Phone 2 Pro won't be coming this year: We were working on a successor but with memory prices where they are right now, we can't build a phone that feels like a genuine step forward at a price that makes sense for CMF. As a result, we've decided not to launch a new CMF phone this year. Last week, Nothing CEO and co-founder Carl Pei also said the RAM shortage has impacted the cost of the company's mid-r
Here's why the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool went green so fast
The reflecting pool turned an interesting shade of green awfully fast. Here is why.
As global warming threatens corals, scientists search for reefs that can take the heat
Researchers say these coral strongholds may help repopulate more degraded reefs.
Rocket Report: Rebuild begins at Blue Origin launch pad; Relativity targets Mars
A French launch startup is scrapping the name of its rocket, apparently due to a trademark issue.
What Amazon’s Astro Taught Me About Giving Robots a Soul
In 2018, Amazon brought me in as the lead UX Sound Designer for Astro, their first consumer home robot . Astro used cameras and other sensors to map and navigate your home and workplace , and could proactively patrol, check up on loved ones, and transport small items using its built-in cargo bin. While there was a well-defined feature set and form factor, initially there was no character direction. In fact, even before Astro had a name, there were two main questions—was it simply Alexa on wheels, or was it a robot with its own character? The Astro team was divided. One option was to focus on Alexa, and treat the mobile robot simply as an added utility. I argued for Astro to not focus on Alexa, along with the majority of the UX team. Our belief was that a thing that moves through your home and turns toward you with intent can never be just an appliance. People would ascribe character to w
In season 2 of Sugar, Colin Farrell’s quirky detective becomes much more human
When Colin Farrell was doing press for the first season of the detective series Sugar, he had to be very careful with how he spoke. Sugar is a story about a quirky private detective, but it's also secretly a work of science fiction, something that doesn't become clear until halfway through the season. "I knew […] When Colin Farrell was doing press for the first season of the detective series Sugar , he had to be very careful with how he spoke. Sugar is a story about a quirky private detective, but it's also secretly a work of science fiction, something that doesn't become clear until halfway through the season. "I knew that I could get the show in deep shit if I revealed certain things," he tells me. Now as Sugar heads into its next season , which starts streaming on Apple TV on June 19th, Farrell says he feels "unburdened" by the previous veil of secrecy. "There are certain things
T1 Phone PR firm is ‘not assisting Trump Mobile any further’
Where's the Trump phone? We're going to keep talking about it every week. We don't have the phones we preordered yet, but this week we received unexpected news from Trump Mobile's media relations manager. If you've been following my reporting on the Trump phone, you'll know that Trump Mobile doesn't exactly keep open lines of […] Where's the Trump phone? We're going to keep talking about it every week . We don't have the phones we preordered yet, but this week we received unexpected news from Trump Mobile's media relations manager. If you've been following my reporting on the Trump phone, you'll know that Trump Mobile doesn't exactly keep open lines of communication with the media. That doesn't look to be changing, with the company no longer working with its long-term media relations firm. Poplar Group has represented Trump Mobile since at least last June, when the company's foundi
Our long national sunscreen nightmare is almost over
This is Optimizer, a weekly newsletter sent from Verge senior reviewer Victoria Song that dissects and discusses the latest gizmos and potions that swear they're going to change your life. Opt in for Optimizer here. On TikTok, the tanned youths are explaining why they no longer wear sunscreen. In one video, a young man films […] You need a quarter teaspoon for your face alone, a half teaspoon if you include the neck (which you should!) This is Optimizer , a weekly newsletter sent from Verge senior reviewer Victoria Song that dissects and discusses the latest gizmos and potions that swear they're going to change your life. Opt in for Optimizer here . On TikTok, the tanned youths are explaining why they no longer wear sunscreen. In one video, a young man films himself in the ocean while describing how you can naturally build up a "solar callus" or sun tolerance to getting burned. ( Y
The film about Sam Altman has been dropped by Amazon MGM
Luca Guadagnino's film about OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Artificial, has reportedly been dropped by Amazon MGM. The film, which stars Andrew Garfield and covers the rollercoaster five days in 2023 spanning Altman's termination and reinstatement as CEO, had been in the works for about a year. The cast also includes A Complete Unknown actress Monica […] Luca Guadagnino's film about OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Artificial , has reportedly been dropped by Amazon MGM. The film, which stars Andrew Garfield and covers the rollercoaster five days in 2023 spanning Altman's termination and reinstatement as CEO, had been in the works for about a year . The cast also includes A Complete Unknown actress Monica Barbaro as OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, Ike Barinholtz as Elon Musk, and Anora 's Yura Borisov as OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever. In a statement to Deadline , the studio said it believes the movie
The NTS Radio Player brings the best of internet radio to your hi-fi
NTS Radio and Swedish audio company Atonemo have teamed up on a dedicated player that brings NTS's genre-defying mixes and streaming stations to almost any stereo or speaker setup. And, like Atonemo's existing Streamplayer, you can also listen to your favorite streaming services with it, using AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, or Tidal Connect. […] Have I found my Chromecast Audio replacement? | Image: NTS Radio NTS Radio and Swedish audio company Atonemo have teamed up on a dedicated player that brings NTS's genre-defying mixes and streaming stations to almost any stereo or speaker setup. And, like Atonemo's existing Streamplayer , you can also listen to your favorite streaming services with it, using AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, or Tidal Connect. The $179 NTS Radio Player puts out 24-bit / 192kHz audio over a standard 3.5mm audio jack and comes with an adapter
Tennessee pharmacies sell potent ivermectin, led by anti-vaccine doctor who’s taken ‘bucketloads’
Tennessee pharmacies are selling potent versions of the antiparasitic drug ivermectin, led by an anti-vaccine doctor who’s taken "bucketloads."
Barret Zoph is out at OpenAI again after just five months
Five months after returning to OpenAI, Barret Zoph - the company's head of enterprise AI sales - has departed, The Verge has learned. Zoph returned to OpenAI in mid-January after a stint as co-founder and CTO of Thinking Machines Lab, the competing AI company founded by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati. Shortly after Zoph returned […] Five months after returning to OpenAI, Barret Zoph - the company's head of enterprise AI sales - has departed, The Verge has learned. Zoph returned to OpenAI in mid-January after a stint as co-founder and CTO of Thinking Machines Lab, the competing AI company founded by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati. Shortly after Zoph returned to OpenAI, the company said he would lead its push into enterprise - a significant role at OpenAI, since in recent months it had vowed to stop chasing so-called "side quests" and focus on key revenue drivers like enterprise and co
M 6.6 - 133 km ESE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia
PAGER - GREEN ShakeMap - V Time 2026-06-19 06:52:31 UTC 2026-06-19 06:52:31 UTC at epicenter Location 52.794°N 160.565°E Depth 10.00 km (6.21 mi)
Before SpaceX IPO, investors in China secretly acquired stakes
One previously unreported SpaceX investor has ties to Chinese military contractors.
After Senate vote, Trump admin backs off plans to kill ocean monitoring
It's unclear whether the system is currently intact.
Apple patches high-severity eavesdropping vulnerability in Beats Studio Buds
The vulnerability, disclosed 12 months ago, affects multiple manufacturers.
Firefox’s new home page widgets are helping me focus
I launched Firefox this morning to find some new blocks on my home page. The widgets that are currently rolling out add sports scores, time zones, a focus timer, and a checklist, which are already some of my favorite new Firefox features in years. I usually have Focus Friend open on my phone when I […] I launched Firefox this morning to find some new blocks on my home page. The widgets that are currently rolling out add sports scores, time zones, a focus timer, and a checklist, which are already some of my favorite new Firefox features in years. I usually have Focus Friend open on my phone when I need a focus timer, and I use Google Tasks for my checklists. Now I can check in with similar tools every time I open a new Firefox tab instead. My phone's homescreen is full of useful widgets, so it's a nice addition to have the timer and checklist pop up on my browser - they add some ext
A year of Walmart Plus is half off ahead of Prime Day
Do you often find yourself shopping at the big blue, or perhaps you’re just looking for an alternative to Amazon? Either way, Walmart is currently offering a year of its Walmart Plus subscription for $49, which typically costs $98. The membership includes perks like free delivery on orders over $35, free next-day and two-day shipping […] Do you often find yourself shopping at the big blue, or perhaps you’re just looking for an alternative to Amazon? Either way, Walmart is currently offering a year of its Walmart Plus subscription for $49, which typically costs $98. The membership includes perks like free delivery on orders over $35, free next-day and two-day shipping from Walmart.com when available, and free home pickup for returns. Importantly, it also grants you early access to sales, including the upcoming Walmart Deals starting on June 22nd that coincide with Prime Day 2026 . W
This robotic self-driving toilet comes to you
During a recent expo in Shanghai that focuses on elderly care, assistive devices, and rehabilitation medicine, a Chinese company called Yueban debuted a smart toilet that does something we haven't seen before; it comes to you. The autonomous self-driving Xiaoban toilet was designed to improve accessibility for those dealing with mobility issues due to age, […] During a recent expo in Shanghai that focuses on elderly care, assistive devices, and rehabilitation medicine, a Chinese company called Yueban debuted a smart toilet that does something we haven't seen before; it comes to you. The autonomous self-driving Xiaoban toilet was designed to improve accessibility for those dealing with mobility issues due to age, injuries, or disabilities. It's expected to sell for ¥28,999 yuan in China, or nearly $4,300, according to IT Home , but global availability hasn't been confirmed. The
Snap’s Specs look good on nobody
Snap's new smart glasses are probably the most impressive bit of face-computer technology we've seen. They're not VR-headset huge; they don't have a big charging puck; thanks to Snap's many years of AR lens development, they're likely to have a lot of features right out of the box. (Yes, they're $2,195, but that may just […] Snap's new smart glasses are probably the most impressive bit of face-computer technology we've seen. They're not VR-headset huge; they don't have a big charging puck; thanks to Snap's many years of AR lens development, they're likely to have a lot of features right out of the box. (Yes, they're $2,195, but that may just be what all this tech costs right now.) Snap is clearly at the front of this race. And then… you see the pictures. The pictures of Snap CEO Evan Spiegel wearing the new Specs , as the enormous and heavy stems smash down on his ears. The picture
HBO Max’s annual plans are 28 percent off right now
The easiest way to save on a streaming service is often to pay for a year upfront, which HBO Max is currently making a lot cheaper. Through July 15, 2026, new and returning subscribers can get 28 percent off any of HBO Max’s yearly plans, bringing the ad-supported tier down to $78.99 ($31 off) per […] You can stream Sinners and other recent Oscar winners for less with HBO Max's sale. | Image: Warner Bros. Pictures The easiest way to save on a streaming service is often to pay for a year upfront, which HBO Max is currently making a lot cheaper. Through July 15, 2026, new and returning subscribers can get 28 percent off any of HBO Max’s yearly plans , bringing the ad-supported tier down to $78.99 ($31 off) per year, the Standard plan to $132.99 ($52 off) per year, and the Premium tier to $164.99 per year ($65 off). That’s up to 40 percent less than paying month to m
You can now use the Game Boy Camera with your phone
The $50 GB Operator is an accessory that lets you connect, play, and authenticate Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges on PCs and other devices. Now it's getting some new functionality for the Game Boy Camera. After turning the Game Boy Camera into a charmingly awful desktop webcam two years ago, […] You don’t need a Game Boy Camera or a GB Operator dock to use Epilogue’s new Flashback app. | Image: Epilogue The $50 GB Operator is an accessory that lets you connect, play, and authenticate Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges on PCs and other devices. Now it's getting some new functionality for the Game Boy Camera. After turning the Game Boy Camera into a charmingly awful desktop webcam two years ago, device-maker Epilogue has just released an iOS / Android mobile app so you can take photos while the Game Boy accessory is connected to your s
Valve is so behind on Steam Controller orders that some won’t ship until 2027
Valve has some good news and bad news about Steam Controllers. The good news: If you make a reservation for a Steam Controller, the company will now show you one of three estimates of when you'll be able to actually order your gamepad: by September 2026, by December 2026, or sometime in 2027. The bad […] Valve has some good news and bad news about Steam Controllers. The good news: If you make a reservation for a Steam Controller, the company will now show you one of three estimates of when you'll be able to actually order your gamepad: by September 2026, by December 2026, or sometime in 2027. The bad news: Any reservations made today "indicate a 2027 date for shipping," Valve says . "We have no plans to stop making Steam Controller," according to Valve. "But as we look at the current demand compared to how many we know we can make by the end of the year, we want to manage expectati
Android verification is coming: Google confirms timeline and supported app stores
A new system service will roll out this month ahead of big changes starting in September.
NASA asks Northrop Grumman to stop working on lunar HALO module
"We are reassigning most affected employees across existing opportunities and programs."
A 2011 earthquake bounced a seismic wave off Earth’s core, nudging Japan east
The wave's round trip to Earth's core set off a fault slip along Japan's plate boundaries, revealing a seismic hazard scientists hadn't recognized.
A textbook assumption about early land vertebrates may be wrong
Three species that lived about 308 million years ago challenge the idea that the first land vertebrates underwent amphibian-like metamorphosis.
As China looms, Taiwan makes more drones for defense and the US military
Taiwan's drone spending plans for defense could also boost business overseas.
FDA advisors unanimously vote to approve Moderna's mRNA after agency drama
In February, a Trump official refused to review the vaccine.
Microsoft discovers new lightweight backdoor that steals cryptocurrency
Crypto Clipper spreads over USB and communicates over Tor.
A bold satellite rescue mission came together in record time, but will it work?
"I consider this a success already, just from the fact that we're even going to try this."
The first long-duration resident of the ISS, a cosmonaut, has died
Two expeditions, two spacewalks, 322 days in space.
Hunter-gatherers in Siberia died of a plague outbreak 5,500 years ago
We can't blame the Neolithic Transition for the plague anymore.
Bernie Sanders unveils $7 trillion plan to give Americans control of AI industry
Biggest AI firms will likely recoil at Bernie Sanders' AI wealth fund.
The truth about brain rot, according to science
Emerging research suggests overusing digital devices can be harmful, especially to mental health. But does being overly online truly rot our brains?
Six of the biggest health news stories today
High-end infant formula scrutiny, the spread of synthetic opioids, and more health news from Morning Rounds
How many Americans can afford high-quality health care? A new poll finds the number has fallen
A new poll shows only about half of U.S. adults could afford their health care and had access to quality care last year.
STAT+: Shingles vaccine may lower dementia risk, new study finds
Nursing home residents who received at least one dose of shingles vaccine were 24 percent less likely to develop dementia, a new study found.
Ebola cases increase almost 40% in a week as death toll passes 200
Ebola cases have increased almost 40% in a week in the current outbreak in Congo and Uganda as the death toll passes 200.
Photoshop and Premiere now have AI assistants
Adobe's plan to stick AI assistants into all of its Creative Cloud suite is now fully underway, with new chatbots now rolling out to its biggest editing and design apps. As part of a public beta launching today, Photoshop, Premiere, Illustrator, InDesign, and Frame.io now each have a bespoke AI Assistant that can be used […] Photoshop is one of several Adobe Creative Cloud apps to receive new conversational editing capabilities. | Image: Adobe Adobe's plan to stick AI assistants into all of its Creative Cloud suite is now fully underway, with new chatbots now rolling out to its biggest editing and design apps. As part of a public beta launching today, Photoshop, Premiere, Illustrator, InDesign, and Frame.io now each have a bespoke AI Assistant that can be used to organize your work and automate app-specific tasks. While the AI assistants are all powered by Adobe's " conversational
Amazon’s Kindle Colorsoft bundle is almost half off for Prime Day
Amazon’s Kindle Colorsoft Essentials Bundle is on sale for $182.97 (originally $334.97) as an early Prime Day deal, the lowest price we’ve seen for the combo. Unlike other Kindles, the Colorsoft’s color E Ink screen is great for comic books and graphics novels, illustrated books, or just perusing book covers while deciding what to read […] The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft e-reader (left) sitting next to the Kobo Clara Colour displaying a Spider-Man comic. | Photos by Andrew Liszewski / The Verge Amazon’s Kindle Colorsoft Essentials Bundle is on sale for $182.97 (originally $334.97) as an early Prime Day deal , the lowest price we’ve seen for the combo. Unlike other Kindles, the Colorsoft’s color E Ink screen is great for comic books and graphics novels, illustrated books, or just perusing book covers while deciding what to read next. It shows deep black lines and borders, high saturatio
Who decides when AI is too dangerous?
On today’s episode of Decoder, my guest is Hayden Field, senior AI reporter for The Verge. Often when Hayden comes on the show, it’s because something has gone wrong in the world of AI. Last weekend, that something was a pretty intense mix of Anthropic, the Trump administration, and Anthropic’s new AI model, Fable 5.  […] On today’s episode of Decoder , my guest is Hayden Field, senior AI reporter for The Verge . Often when Hayden comes on the show, it’s because something has gone wrong in the world of AI. Last weekend, that something was a pretty intense mix of Anthropic, the Trump administration, and Anthropic’s new AI model, Fable 5. On Friday, not even a week since Anthropic released Fable to the public, the US government said it was imposing export controls on the new model , as well as the underlying Mythos model that Fable is based on. Those controls restricted fo
The best robot vacuum deals available ahead of Prime Day
If you’ve been wanting to buy a robot vacuum but have been put off by how much it can cost to get a good one, now is not a bad time to start looking. Prime Day is next week, but many retailers are offering early deals on several models we’ve tested from brands like Roborock, […] Eufy’s Omni C28 is a great option for smaller spaces. | Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge If you’ve been wanting to buy a robot vacuum but have been put off by how much it can cost to get a good one, now is not a bad time to start looking. Prime Day is next week, but many retailers are offering early deals on several models we’ve tested from brands like Roborock, Dreame, and Shark. Whether you’re looking for a basic robot vacuum that can cut down on the amount of vacuuming you have to do, or a high-end model that can wash and dry its own mop pads and climb over room
The Verge’s guide to Amazon Prime Day 2026
Amazon Prime Day 2026 lifts off on June 23rd and will hopefully deliver the best deals of the summer. We’ve been covering the most notable pre-Prime Day discounts happening, and come next week, we’ll be bringing you many more deals — ones we can’t tell you about just yet. As usual, expect to see price […] Amazon Prime Day 2026 lifts off on June 23rd and will hopefully deliver the best deals of the summer. We’ve been covering the most notable pre-Prime Day discounts happening, and come next week, we’ll be bringing you many more deals — ones we can’t tell you about just yet. As usual, expect to see price drops on a range of product categories, including smart home, headphones, smartwatches, monitors, 4K TVs, outdoorsy gear, and more. The sale will conclude at 3:01AM ET on June 27th. We’ve put together this package so you can see all of our sprawling coverage in one convenient place.
The midterms are going to be a data security nightmare
One messy database is threatening to disenfranchise thousands or even millions of registered voters, while leaving even more at risk of intimidation or data breaches, in the name of solving a problem that barely exists. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, election and privacy experts are sounding alarms about the Department of Homeland Security's Systematic […] One messy database is threatening to disenfranchise thousands or even millions of registered voters, while leaving even more at risk of intimidation or data breaches, in the name of solving a problem that barely exists. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, election and privacy experts are sounding alarms about the Department of Homeland Security's Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program, which President Donald Trump's administration has expanded to ostensibly catch noncitizens voting. Experts say
Google Calendar finally has more color options for events
Running out of color options for events in Google Calendar shouldn't be an issue going forward. The previous limit of 11 predefined colors has now been expanded to give users access to up to 200 custom colors for individual events across the native Calendar web and mobile apps, and the Calendar API. This started rolling […] There are now 24 default color options instead of 11, and you can select more via an RGB color picker. | Image: Google Running out of color options for events in Google Calendar shouldn't be an issue going forward. The previous limit of 11 predefined colors has now been expanded to give users access to up to 200 custom colors for individual events across the native Calendar web and mobile apps, and the Calendar API. This started rolling out yesterday for users on Google's rapid release domains , with an extended rollout for more users starting on June 29th, thou
No more lightbulbs, much more sports: Five predictions for Roku’s future
This is Lowpass by Janko Roettgers, a newsletter on the ever-evolving intersection of tech and entertainment, syndicated just for The Verge subscribers once a week. When Fox announced its acquisition of Roku earlier this week, executives of both companies were quick to promise that not much would change in the near future. Sure, getting its […] This is Lowpass by Janko Roettgers , a newsletter on the ever-evolving intersection of tech and entertainment, syndicated just for The Verge subscribers once a week. When Fox announced its acquisition of Roku earlier this week, executives of both companies were quick to promise that not much would change in the near future. Sure, getting its hands on Roku will help Fox become a major force in streaming, and surpass the viewership of Netflix in the United States when you include Fox's TV networks. But Roku will remain open to all streaming se
Amazon employees say they’re facing termination for backing data center limits
When three Amazon software engineers testified earlier this month at Seattle City Council hearings about data centers, they started their testimony by citing a city law barring employment discrimination over political speech. Now, they're accusing their employer of breaking that law by retaliating against them. On June 10th - one week after the hearing, and […] When three Amazon software engineers testified earlier this month at Seattle City Council hearings about data centers, they started their testimony by citing a city law barring employment discrimination over political speech. Now, they're accusing their employer of breaking that law by retaliating against them. On June 10th - one week after the hearing, and one day after the City Council passed a milestone moratorium on data centers - Patrick Schloesser, Darius Irani, and Liesl Wigand were each called into an impromptu meeti
The Onion’s rebooted InfoWars is coming July 2nd
The Onion's InfoWars officially has a launch date: On July 2nd, the conspiracy network previously run by Alex Jones will return as a comedy and media platform. The reboot comes more than a year and a half after news broke that the satirical news site was working to acquire the property owned by Jones, a […] InfoWars founder Alex Jones speaks to the media outside Waterbury Superior Court during his trial on September 21, 2022. | Getty Images The Onion 's InfoWars officially has a launch date: On July 2nd, the conspiracy network previously run by Alex Jones will return as a comedy and media platform. The reboot comes more than a year and a half after news broke that the satirical news site was working to acquire the property owned by Jones, a conspiracy theorist who notably targeted victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting. "Developed with the support of the Sandy Hook families, the
Notes from the Field: Case of Legionnaires Disease Associated with a Home Device Used to Mix Powdered Infant Formula - United States, 2025
This report describes a case of Legionnaires disease in an infant who drank formula prepared using a formula mixing device and tap water.
Notes from the Field: Initial Public Health Response to a Measles Outbreak in a Close-Knit West Texas Community - January−February 2025
This report describes the public health response to a measles outbreak in a Texas community.
Midjourney goes from generating cat images to full-body ultrasound scans
Midjourney CEO David Holz just showed off the company's first hardware product and plans to build a San Francisco spa, which he admitted is a bit different from the "cat pictures" produced by its AI image generator. Dubbed The Midjourney Scanner, it's an ultrasound-based full-body scanner that uses a ring of sensors to capture vertical […] “A scan of an imaging phantom, segmented to validate how cleanly structures separate under controlled conditions.“ | Image: Midjourney Medical Midjourney CEO David Holz just showed off the company's first hardware product and plans to build a San Francisco spa, which he admitted is a bit different from the "cat pictures" produced by its AI image generator. Dubbed The Midjourney Scanner , it's an ultrasound-based full-body scanner that uses a ring of sensors to capture vertical slices of the inside of your body, looking at the composition of your
STAT+: Senate Democrats demand HHS provide records on federal vaccine policy
Senate Democrats open an inquiry into the Trump administration’s remaking of U.S. vaccine policy, demanding officials produce records by next week.
New infant botulism outbreak puts fancy formulas under scrutiny
A new infant botulism outbreak puts fancy formulas that position their products as safer than other options under scrutiny.
Super-potent synthetic opioids called nitazenes are spreading across the U.S.
Overdose deaths confirmed to involve nitazenes have risen sharply in the U.S., from 27 in 2020 to 409 in 2024, according to the CDC
Hulk, Punisher join Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer
Peter Parker to Bruce Banner: "I didn't know you could get that big."
"Dangerous" AI models are coming no matter what
AI models with advanced hacking capabilities will soon be the norm.
The Slate Truck's price may have leaked, starts at $24,950
The official launch takes place next week.
AI coding agents taught robots how to install GPUs and cut zip ties
Nvidia's self-improvement program for robots enlists teams of AI coding agents.
Tesco moving 40,000 server workloads off VMware amid Broadcom's “abusive conduct”
Tesco claimed Broadcom hiked its VMware prices by about 175 percent in UK court filings.
Massive breach spills credentials for thousands of sensitive networks
The affected include Oracle, Lenovo, FedEx, a NATO contractor, and Fortinet.
California says AT&T lied to FCC in attempt to shut off old phone network
FCC considers AT&T petitions to preempt state rules and discontinue phone service.
Sooner than expected? Useful quantum error correction promised for 2028.
Elsewhere, beyond-classical quantum hardware, plus classical computing fires back.
Second carcass-eating fly species cleared by FDA for maggot wound therapy
Maggot therapy lacks robust data, but it has fans and a fail-safe "bacon therapy."
A deadly fungus that can infect cats and people is spreading
It’s just a matter of time before Sporothrix brasiliensis reaches the U.S. a CDC expert says.
FTC, four state AGs sue transgender health group over care standards
The FTC and four state attorneys general have sued the main professional organization for gender-affirming care clinicians.
IEEE’s 2026 Education Week Events Emphasized Lifelong Learning
The rapid evolution of the global engineering landscape requires continuous education. For one week in April, the IEEE community focuses on its educational frameworks. IEEE Education Week , which just concluded its fifth year, provided a comprehensive overview of the resources available to professionals and students. From 11 to 19 April, the organization supplied a variety of live and virtual events , online resources , and promotions that champion the cycle of lifelong learning. IEEE President Mary Ellen Randall kicked off the week with the keynote: “Inspiring Tomorrow’s Innovators: How IEEE Educational Resources Can Open Pathways Into STEM.” The event served as a central point for programs that run throughout the year. “Education Week allows different units to share resources with members and the public, covering everything from preuniversity programs to advanced professional training,
RFK Jr. presents $700 million in mental health funding, but experts say grants aren’t new
RFK Jr. presents funding intended to address mental illness and addiction, particularly among homeless people.
Anthropic got hit by export rules nobody understands
Anthropic has spent much of this week fighting to get its newest AI models back online after the Trump administration abruptly ordered the company to cut access for all foreign nationals, including users inside the US and its own employees, forcing Anthropic to block access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5 for everyone. "To my […] Anthropic has spent much of this week fighting to get its newest AI models back online after the Trump administration abruptly ordered the company to cut access for all foreign nationals, including users inside the US and its own employees, forcing Anthropic to block access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5 for everyone. "To my knowledge, this is the first time US export controls have been used to control access to an AI model in this way." The Trump administration has not publicly explained the legal basis for the order, but in a statement on its website, Anthropic said th
Epic wants to let you bring your Fortnite skins to other games
Epic Games has been touting the potential of an interoperable metaverse for years, though that vision hasn't yet become a reality. But with Unreal Engine 6, the next major version of its game development engine, Epic plans to take a big step toward that theoretical future: it will let developers make games that can use […] Epic Games has been touting the potential of an interoperable metaverse for years , though that vision hasn't yet become a reality. But with Unreal Engine 6, the next major version of its game development engine, Epic plans to take a big step toward that theoretical future: it will let developers make games that can use a player's Fortnite skins and will let developers build skins of their own that work with Fortnite . "We're tackling this problem first because we want to prove things out with a system that's complex enough to be a meaningful existence proof of t
VSCO launches Studio Pro mobile photo editing app and plans $500 per year subscription
VSCO is taking on Adobe with a new Studio Pro editing app rolling out today on iOS and coming to macOS later this year, as Bloomberg reports. At launch, the app offers tools for batch editing, style matching from a reference image, and sharing images through VSCO Galleries. VSCO says more features are coming later, […] VSCO is taking on Adobe with a new Studio Pro editing app rolling out today on iOS and coming to macOS later this year, as Bloomberg reports. At launch, the app offers tools for batch editing, style matching from a reference image, and sharing images through VSCO Galleries. VSCO says more features are coming later, including support for RAW images, advanced export options, and additional advanced editing tools like adjusting image aspect ratios. A press release says the app is made for managing high-volume editing projects, like "weddings, portraits, events, sports,
Tim Cook says RAM expenses are ‘unsustainable’ and Apple is going to raise prices
Apple is planning to raise prices in response to the ongoing memory shortage. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Apple CEO Tim Cook says "price increases are unavoidable:" We're doing our best to mitigate the huge increases that are being passed to us, and we've been trying to shield our customers from the […] Apple is planning to raise prices in response to the ongoing memory shortage. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal , Apple CEO Tim Cook says "price increases are unavoidable:" We're doing our best to mitigate the huge increases that are being passed to us, and we've been trying to shield our customers from the increases, but the situation has become unsustainable. Cook doesn't say when Apple plans on raising prices or which products will be affected. The company has already stopped selling the Mac Studio with 512GB of RAM in March and later raised the start
M 6.6 - central Mid-Atlantic Ridge
PAGER - GREEN ShakeMap - I Time 2026-06-17 18:56:58 UTC 2026-06-17 18:56:58 UTC at epicenter Location 0.525°S 20.015°W Depth 10.00 km (6.21 mi)
U.S. Department of Commerce allocates $123.6M in fishery disaster funding to Alaska, Oregon, California and Squaxin Island Tribe
U.S. Department of Commerce allocates $123.6M in fishery disaster funding to Alaska, Oregon, California and Squaxin Island Tribe June 17, 2026 The Status of Stocks report provides an annual update on the status of U.S. marine fisheries. Working waterfronts such as this one in Sitka, Alaska are home to commercial fishing vessels. (Image credit: NOAA) Download Image Today, NOAA announced the allocation of $123.6 million in fishery resource disaster funding, appropriated by Congress in the American Relief Act, 2025 . The funding will address fishery resource disasters that occurred in Oregon, California, the Squaxin Island tribe, and multiple Alaska fisheries between 2019 and 2023. “Fishery resource disasters have devastating effects on local communities and our economy,” said Neil Jacobs, Ph.D, NOAA administrator. “This disaster funding provides much needed assistance to our fishing
Two-thirds of Americans think AI is advancing too quickly
According to the latest Pew Research poll, 49 percent of Americans report using chatbots at least occasionally, but 63 percent think the tech is advancing too quickly. Overall, use of AI chatbots has increased dramatically since 2024, when only 33 percent reported using them. Specifically, ChatGPT's usage has doubled since 2023, with 44 percent of […] According to the latest Pew Research poll , 49 percent of Americans report using chatbots at least occasionally, but 63 percent think the tech is advancing too quickly. Overall, use of AI chatbots has increased dramatically since 2024, when only 33 percent reported using them. Specifically, ChatGPT's usage has doubled since 2023, with 44 percent of respondents saying they've used it. But opinions remain negative , with only 16 percent saying that AI will have a positive impact on society. Interestingly, it's the younger generations wh
A ‘Super El Niño’ may be on the way. What does that mean?
Past super El Niños have brought bad flooding, deadly fires and disease outbreaks. Climate experts already expect “shockingly high” temps this winter.
The oldest known plague outbreak struck hunter-gatherers 5,500 years ago
Plague DNA in ancient graves near Siberia's Lake Baikal suggests the disease threatened people long before farming and crowded settlements.
"Truly evil" FDA rejection of gene therapy overturned after Trump official ousted
Gene therapy company UniQure had another FDA meeting after Vinay Prasad's exit.
Towers once planned for California shuttle launches leveled for SpaceX rockets
"Space Launch Complex-6 represents six decades of American innovation."
In Toy Story 5, the problem really is these damn phones (and tablets)
The Toy Story franchise began with a story about a vintage doll feeling threatened by the arrival of an electronic action figure. Woody and Buzz's rivalry embodied a shift that was happening in the '90s as children's toys were becoming more technologically sophisticated, and while toys have gotten even more tech-focused in the years since, […] The Toy Story franchise began with a story about a vintage doll feeling threatened by the arrival of an electronic action figure. Woody and Buzz's rivalry embodied a shift that was happening in the '90s as children's toys were becoming more technologically sophisticated , and while toys have gotten even more tech-focused in the years since, there's also an entirely new world of smart gadgets and digital platforms that now shape kids' playtime. Though Toy Story 5 is a continuation of Woody and Buzz's adventures in humanland, it is also a poign
How to find the best deals during Amazon’s Prime Day sale
Amazon’s Prime Day is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, and the four-day sale for 2026 begins June 23rd at 3:01AM ET and ends at the same time on June 27th. It will grant Prime members access to some of the best prices of the year on Amazon devices, as well as […] Amazon’s Prime Day is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, and the four-day sale for 2026 begins June 23rd at 3:01AM ET and ends at the same time on June 27th. It will grant Prime members access to some of the best prices of the year on Amazon devices, as well as those from Sony, Sonos, Bose, Anker, Apple, and other well-known (and lesser-known) brands we cover at The Verge . As always, you can count on us to publish only the best deals from Amazon — as well as any worthwhile ones featured at Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and other competing retailers. That said, if you want to be sure you catch any
In a big year for horror, Widow’s Bay still stands apart
Horror is having a moment. In 2026, the genre is especially well-represented: new blood is dominating the box office through films like Backrooms and Obsession, established names like Sam Raimi and Damian McCarthy are at the top of their game, and long-running franchises like 28 Years Later and Resident Evil continue to stay relevant. But […] Horror is having a moment. In 2026, the genre is especially well-represented: new blood is dominating the box office through films like Backrooms and Obsession , established names like Sam Raimi and Damian McCarthy are at the top of their game, and long-running franchises like 28 Years Later and Resident Evil continue to stay relevant. But the most impressive piece of horror this year might just be found in the world of TV comedy: Widow's Bay , a series that manages the delicate balance of mixing scares with laughs, while also doubling as a lo
Paramount Plus is two dollars for two months of ad-free viewing
Paramount Plus is offering new and former subscribers a discounted rate until June 25th, 2026. You’ll pay 99 cents per month for the first two months, with the Premium plan automatically renewing for $13.99 per month after that, and the more limited Essential plan renewing for $8.99.  Both plans include some excellent shows, like Freaks […] A poster showing the cast of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | Image: Paramount Paramount Plus is offering new and former subscribers a discounted rate until June 25th, 2026. You’ll pay 99 cents per month for the first two months, with the Premium plan automatically renewing for $13.99 per month after that, and the more limited Essential plan renewing for $8.99. Paramount Plus (two months) Now through June 25th, new and former subscribers can get a two-month subscription to Paramount Plus Essential (ad-supported) or Paramount Plus Premi
SanDisk’s new PlayStation 5 SSD will cost you more than three PS5 Pros
SanDisk has announced an expensive way to boost the PlayStation 5's storage capacity. The company's new Optimus GX PRO 850P NVMe SSD is an officially licensed PS5 accessory in capacities ranging from 1TB to 8TB. The largest option can store up to 200 PS5 games (based on average installation sizes) SanDisk claims, but thanks to […] SanDisk has announced an expensive way to boost the PlayStation 5's storage capacity. The company's new Optimus GX PRO 850P NVMe SSD is an officially licensed PS5 accessory in capacities ranging from 1TB to 8TB. The largest option can store up to 200 PS5 games (based on average installation sizes) SanDisk claims, but thanks to the global memory shortage , it will cost you $2,959.99 when it's eventually available through the company's online store , discounted from $3,699.99. Even after you take into account Sony's recent console price hikes , you can buy
We got free GTA V upgrades before GTA VI
Rockstar Games will allow players to upgrade older versions of Grand Theft Auto V for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X / S for free just months before the launch of GTA VI. Starting June 18th, players with any version of GTA V on PS4 or the digital version on Xbox One can get the […] Rockstar Games will allow players to upgrade older versions of Grand Theft Auto V for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X / S for free just months before the launch of GTA VI . Starting June 18th, players with any version of GTA V on PS4 or the digital version on Xbox One can get the current-gen version of the game at no additional cost. If you haven't upgraded your copy of GTA V yet, this free update saves you from buying a whole new copy of the game for $39.99 or paying an upgrade fee . Rockstar announced the news as part of an update to GTA Online , which will add the ability to carry out heists at the K
Can anyone look cool wearing Snap’s $2,000 glasses?
Yesterday, Snap debuted its new $2,195 Specs glasses. In an interview with CNBC, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel described the Specs as something the company had been working on for more than 12 years, an attempt to "bring computing into the world" and "make it more human." He positioned them as a device to help people […] Snap CEO Evan Spiegel wearing the Snap Specs. They’re not the worst on him, but bold fashion rarely makes for mainstream success. | Screenshot: CNBC Yesterday, Snap debuted its new $2,195 Specs glasses . In an interview with CNBC , Snap CEO Evan Spiegel described the Specs as something the company had been working on for more than 12 years, an attempt to "bring computing into the world" and "make it more human." He positioned them as a device to help people stay more connected to the world around them instead of looking down at their phones. People, he said, are tired of s
The Echo Dot Max is cheaper than ever in an early Prime Day sale
We’re seeing good early Prime Day deals ahead of the event next week, and unsurprisingly, some of the best deals are on Amazon’s own devices. Several Echo speakers have dropped to new low prices, including the Echo Dot Max, which is on sale for $64.99 ($35 off) at Amazon. Our smart home reviewer Jennifer Pattison […] The Echo Dot Max comes in a variety of fun colors, including purple. | Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge We’re seeing good early Prime Day deals ahead of the event next week, and unsurprisingly, some of the best deals are on Amazon’s own devices. Several Echo speakers have dropped to new low prices, including the Echo Dot Max , which is on sale for $64.99 ($35 off) at Amazon . Echo Dot Max Where to Buy: $99.99 $64.99 at Amazon $99.99 at Best Buy $99.99 at Target Our smart home reviewer Jennifer Pattison Tuohy named the Echo Max her top pick among
How Musicians Can Get Paid for Training AI
Musicians are accustomed to getting paid each time their creative work is used. Across vinyl/CD sales, streams, radio, cover versions, and those numerous niches like karaoke, there are agreements in place about what “use” means. Underlying this is a simple economic principle: The more something is used, the more money it makes. Generative AI has complicated the definition of use . On the one hand, you could argue that the use of a piece of musical training data happens just once, at the point of training. On the other hand, creators would be right to complain that the creative essence of their work lives on in the structure of the model, used every time the model produces an output. Now, companies like Sureel and SoundVerse are working to re-create the essential economic principle that motivates creativity in an era of AI. Such initiatives aim to turn the generative AI industry from one
Ten months later, the $100 Google Home Speaker is finally available for preorder
Google's new smart speaker is more about Gemini than audio quality.
Windows and Linux users: The deadline to update Secure Boot keys is near
What you need to know about the expiration of keys securing your machine's boot sequence.
Native NACS ports, infotainment upgrade for MY27 Porsche Taycan
The bigger battery is standard and there are now simulated "E-Shifts."
The Secret to Marathon-Winning Humanoid Robots
On April 19, 2026, the Honor Lightning humanoid robot ran a half-marathon in 50 minutes and 26 seconds , beating the human world record by 7 minutes and the best robot time from 2025 by almost two hours. How did they do it? Is there some magical technology or technique that unlocked this performance? How did they beat the significantly better-known Unitree (who reportedly had to supply an ice backpack to try and complete the race without overheating)? My doctoral thesis involved building and controlling hopping and running robots , and since then I’ve tried to design and build efficient commercial legged robots , giving me a decent idea of the constraints involved. In this article, we take a look at the fundamental underlying constraints to try and answer these questions. The Physics of Running Running consists of alternating phases of a leg pushing against the ground (“stance phase”) an
Final Fantasy meets Zelda? Yes, please
Let's be real: There's no shortage of Zelda-style games to play right now. That's true even if you've exhausted all there is to see in Tears of the Kingdom or Echoes of Wisdom. Indie developers keep finding new ways to refresh the formula, whether it's fusing it with a Soulslike, making it cozier, or simply […] Let's be real: There's no shortage of Zelda -style games to play right now. That's true even if you've exhausted all there is to see in Tears of the Kingdom or Echoes of Wisdom . Indie developers keep finding new ways to refresh the formula, whether it's fusing it with a Soulslike , making it cozier , or simply shrinking it down into something more manageable. Now we have Square Enix and The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales , a curiously named RPG that mixes the classic Zelda structure with something that resembles Final Fantasy . And it's a combination I can't see
Will Matter finally be able to do what it should have always done?
Matter, the smart home interoperability standard, might finally get a feature that should have been there from day one: a single shared Matter network managed by multiple ecosystems. With this feature, called Joint Fabric, smart devices added to the network will be controllable by any authorized platform - Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and […] Matter 1.6 introduces a new way to share smart home devices with different ecosystems. | Image: CSA Matter, the smart home interoperability standard, might finally get a feature that should have been there from day one: a single shared Matter network managed by multiple ecosystems. With this feature, called Joint Fabric, smart devices added to the network will be controllable by any authorized platform - Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and the rest. No need to "share" your smart light between apps; set it up once, and control
LinkedIn will tell others how you really use Adobe’s apps
LinkedIn is trying to make it easier for users to prove their proficiency with apps that are relevant to their current or future jobs. A new "connected apps" feature is launching today that allows users to link a selection of supported apps to their LinkedIn profile, with each app providing a "simple, specific description of […] 19 connected apps are available to start, with more “coming soon.” | Image: LinkedIn LinkedIn is trying to make it easier for users to prove their proficiency with apps that are relevant to their current or future jobs. A new "connected apps" feature is launching today that allows users to link a selection of supported apps to their LinkedIn profile, with each app providing a "simple, specific description of how you actually use it," according to LinkedIn. This feature builds on collaborations that LinkedIn introduced in January 2026 , which allow users to
Google’s first smart speaker in six years arrives next week
Google's first new smart speaker in six years starts shipping on June 29th, narrowly missing its promised spring launch window. Preorders for the Google Home Speaker open today, June 17th. Nothing has changed hardware-wise in the nine months since the $99 speaker was announced. It has the same slightly squished round design, with touch-capacitive buttons […] The Google Home Speaker comes in four colors, including porcelain. (Stroopwafel not included.) | Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge Google's first new smart speaker in six years starts shipping on June 29th, narrowly missing its promised spring launch window . Preorders for the Google Home Speaker open today, June 17th. Nothing has changed hardware-wise in the nine months since the $99 speaker was announced . It has the same slightly squished round design, with touch-capacitive buttons on top and a light ring at the b
GuliKit’s new mobile Switch 2 dock lets you play with or without a TV
After teasing it on X last week, GuliKit announced a new version of its TV Docking Station today that now supports the Switch 2 as well as previous versions of the console, including the original Switch and OLED model. The new version of the dock carries forward a similar design as the original and looks […] The dock is much smaller and lighter than Nintendo’s, and cheaper than other mobile solutions. | Image: GuliKit After teasing it on X last week , GuliKit announced a new version of its TV Docking Station today that now supports the Switch 2 as well as previous versions of the console, including the original Switch and OLED model. The new version of the dock carries forward a similar design as the original and looks like a tiny streaming box with a magnetic dust cover that flips over to become a support for a docked Switch. It's available starting today through GuliKit retailers
Thread Direct looks to solve Matter’s biggest setup headache
The smart home networking protocol Thread is adding a new way to onboard devices without a Thread border router. The feature, called Thread Direct, is designed to let users set up Thread-powered devices - such as smart plugs and smart locks - using only a phone or mobile device equipped with a Thread radio. Current […] The smart home networking protocol Thread is adding a new way to onboard devices without a Thread border router. The feature, called Thread Direct, is designed to let users set up Thread-powered devices - such as smart plugs and smart locks - using only a phone or mobile device equipped with a Thread radio. Current devices with Thread radios include many iPhones, newer Pixel phones, and the latest Samsung flagships. Thread is one of the networking technologies used with the smart home interoperability standard Matter. A low-powered, low-latency mesh networking protoc
Jackery announces ‘world’s slimmest’ fridge battery
Jackery is jumping on the fridge-battery trend with what it says is the "world's slimmest." FridgeGuard also looks nice; a break from power stations that tend to look more at home at a job site than the kitchen or living room. Measuring just 2.63 inches (67mm) thick, the Jackery FridgeGuard power station is meant to […] Designed to fit on top of, behind, or next to a fridge for battery backup during a power outage. | Image: Jackery Jackery is jumping on the fridge-battery trend with what it says is the "world's slimmest." FridgeGuard also looks nice; a break from power stations that tend to look more at home at a job site than the kitchen or living room. Measuring just 2.63 inches (67mm) thick, the Jackery FridgeGuard power station is meant to be tucked on top of, beside, or behind your refrigerator and automatically spring to life with a 10ms UPS switchover during a power outage.
Got Thread problems? There’s an app for that
The new Thread Networks Diagnostics Tools app from Thread Group, the standards body behind the wireless IoT protocol, officially launches in beta today. The app, which arrives on iOS today and has been available on Android in alpha for a few weeks, is the first dedicated tool to provide visibility into your Thread-based smart home […] The new Thread Networks Diagnostics Tools app from Thread Group, the standards body behind the wireless IoT protocol, officially launches in beta today. The app, which arrives on iOS today and has been available on Android in alpha for a few weeks , is the first dedicated tool to provide visibility into your Thread-based smart home network. I've been testing the Android version on my complicated home network and, with a bit of extra legwork, have diagnosed several issues with my Thread setup. Thread is one of the protocols the smart home standard Matt
The best Apple deals you can already get ahead of Prime Day
Amazon’s Prime Day sale kicks off on June 23rd, but already we’re seeing some notable Apple deals trickle in. Whether you’re looking for a new pair of wireless earbuds or a smartwatch, many retailers are offering notable discounts ahead of the shopping event. Walmart and Amazon recently surprised us with a new all-time low on […] The latest AirPods Pro are currently almost as cheap as the AirPods 4 with noise-canceling. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge Amazon’s Prime Day sale kicks off on June 23rd, but already we’re seeing some notable Apple deals trickle in. Whether you’re looking for a new pair of wireless earbuds or a smartwatch, many retailers are offering notable discounts ahead of the shopping event. Walmart and Amazon recently surprised us with a new all-time low on the AirPods Pro 3, bringing the earbuds down to $169, though the deal ha
AI search grounded in Facebook posts? What could go wrong?
AI is pretty reliable at putting things on your calendar these days, but it hasn't quite cracked answering the related and all-important question of "What should I do this weekend?" Meta's new AI Mode in search could be a useful tool - if it ever learns to stop getting stuff wrong. AI Mode is a […] More AI search in more places. AI is pretty reliable at putting things on your calendar these days, but it hasn't quite cracked answering the related and all-important question of "What should I do this weekend?" Meta's new AI Mode in search could be a useful tool - if it ever learns to stop getting stuff wrong. AI Mode is a new option when you hit the search bar in the Facebook app. It's designed to tackle complex queries - much like AI Mode in Google Search . But Meta's version draws on public posts across Meta apps - including Facebook Groups and Instagram Reels - to inform its result
Trump administration will bring special ed to HHS
Infant mortality rate dips, OTC naloxone options rise, and other health news from Morning Rounds
How real is the Cyclops in ‘The Odyssey’?
The iconic one-eyed monster coming to movie screens in July in The Odyssey might have more in common with tiny water critters than with humans.
Android 17 starts hitting Pixel phones and watches today
Pixels will get their OTA in the coming weeks, but don't expect monumental changes.
Pentagon boasts of using AI to write reports mandated by Congress
Pentagon also claims 1.5 million personnel are using generative AI tools.
Google launches Wear OS 7 with Live Updates and a battery life boost
Google's Wear OS 7 update is starting to roll out today for the Pixel Watch 2, 3, and 4, adding a new Live Updates feature that tracks live events from your Android smartwatch. Live Updates will now sync with Wear OS devices, so updates like sports scores or an ongoing meal delivery will show up […] Google's Wear OS 7 update is starting to roll out today for the Pixel Watch 2, 3, and 4, adding a new Live Updates feature that tracks live events from your Android smartwatch. Live Updates will now sync with Wear OS devices, so updates like sports scores or an ongoing meal delivery will show up on both your watch and your phone. You might also notice your watch lasting a little longer - Google claims Wear OS 7 offers up to 10 percent more battery life than Wear OS 6. Wear OS 7 will also introduce some new Gemini Intelligence features, but Google says these aren't launching until "later
Android 17 arrives on Pixel phones today
Following its official debut last month, Google is now rolling out Android 17 to compatible Pixel phones, alongside additional exclusive features as part of the June Pixel Drop. Not every feature announced alongside the OS at the pre-I/O Android Show is available today, though. Android 17 itself is arriving on Pixel phones today, and Google […] Floating Bubble windows are among the biggest changes in the OS update. | Image: Google Following its official debut last month, Google is now rolling out Android 17 to compatible Pixel phones, alongside additional exclusive features as part of the June Pixel Drop. Not every feature announced alongside the OS at the pre-I/O Android Show is available today, though. Android 17 itself is arriving on Pixel phones today, and Google says other manufacturers will be issuing the update throughout 2026. The biggest user interface update is the introd
All the latest news on Android 17, Wear OS 7, and Android XR
Google’s Android 17 update includes highlights like new floating “Bubble” app windows for easier multitasking, a Screen Reaction recording mode, and a 50/50 split gaming mode for foldable phones. Meanwhile, Wear OS 7 brings Live Updates and better battery life for smart watches, and it prepares connections for new Android XR smart glasses that will […] Google’s Android 17 update includes highlights like new floating “Bubble” app windows for easier multitasking, a Screen Reaction recording mode, and a 50/50 split gaming mode for foldable phones. Meanwhile, Wear OS 7 brings Live Updates and better battery life for smart watches, and it prepares connections for new Android XR smart glasses that will launch this fall. The update is rolling out to Pixel phones first, then other devices, with some features, like Gemini Intelligence , set to debut later this year. Follow along here for th
The Complete Calvin and Hobbes is a great last-minute Father’s Day gift
Father’s Day is nearly here. Hopefully, you already got a gift for dads you care about, but if not, here’s a quick, easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys a good comic strip. The Complete Calvin and Hobbes contains every one of Bill Watterson’s beloved strips made during the comic’s ten-year run from 1985 through 1995, […] Father’s Day is nearly here. Hopefully, you already got a gift for dads you care about, but if not, here’s a quick, easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys a good comic strip. The Complete Calvin and Hobbes contains every one of Bill Watterson’s beloved strips made during the comic’s ten-year run from 1985 through 1995, packed in three deluxe hardcover books, for $89.48 at Amazon when you check the on-page coupon. The set originally sold for $225, but it’s often available for around $130. This is the best price I’ve seen it sell for. The Complete Calvin and
US approval of Paramount/Warner Bros. deal surprised DOJ lawyers, report says
Trump admin green-lighting $111B deal "reeks of corruption," Sen. Warren says.
Anthropic "pauses" token-based billing for its Claude Agent SDK
Move originally planned for Monday would have heavily increased power users' costs.
Among the large new rockets Amazon was counting on, only Europe has delivered
"As for Arianespace, they have definitely stepped up."
Cockroaches scurry around with thousands of pieces of bacterial genomes
Transferring genes across species doesn't just happen in microbes.
Year of free HPE software a “step in the correct direction” in VMware rivalry
Partner tells Ars that HPE should be giving out more free VM Essentials licenses.
Trump admin tries to block Clean Air Act lawsuit over xAI's gas turbines
NAACP lawsuit says xAI uses gas turbines without permits for Grok data center.
Critical Copilot vulnerability allowed hackers to steal 2FA code from users
SearchLeak exploit shows why the industry's approach to LLM security fails over and over.
The Ars Technica 2026 Reader Survey: Let your voice be heard!
Tell us how you read Ars, and what you'd like to see more (or less!) of on the front page.
Mobileye is entering the US robotaxi market with standalone service
The service will leverage its Moovit platform to launch in an a US city in 2027.
Leaked financial docs show OpenAI is losing billions of dollars a year
Audited accounting shows growing revenues being dwarfed by R&D, other expenses.
How supplement use changed over decades
Medicare-funded weight loss, Utah's lower drunk driving limit, and more health news from Morning Rounds
The U.S. infant mortality rate fell to an all-time low, though it still trails other similar nations
Infant mortality in the U.S. dropped to a new all-time low in 2025, according to CDC data, though it still trails other similar nations.
SpaceX to acquire AI coding platform Cursor for $60 billion
Separately, neither could compete. Now they hope they can.
NASA seems to be backing away from hunting for life on Mars
Viking 1 kicked off the search for Martian life 50 years ago. Now NASA’s shifting priorities are putting the quest in limbo.
A blood test for dementia may tell you if you have more than one type
AI helped researchers develop an experimental blood test that might let doctors diagnose overlapping dementias.
Chinese money plant leaves hide a mathematical pattern
Tiny water-secreting pores appear to organize the major veins of the plant leaves into an arrangement known as a Voronoi diagram.
Pour one out for Roku City
By this time next year, Fox Corporation CEO Lachlan Murdoch intends to have added Roku to his already expansive media empire. Should the acquisition go through, Fox will gain control of Roku's modest library of original programming, and the newly combined company will become "the third-largest player in U.S. television" in terms of viewing share. […] By this time next year, Fox Corporation CEO Lachlan Murdoch intends to have added Roku to his already expansive media empire. Should the acquisition go through, Fox will gain control of Roku's modest library of original programming , and the newly combined company will become "the third-largest player in U.S. television" in terms of viewing share. But the most significant thing that Murdoch buys with this deal is direct access to the 100 million households that make up Roku's user base. It's precisely because Roku and Fox are very diff
The Cybercab is the lightest, most efficient Tesla ever made
Against all odds, the Tesla Cybercab is in production. And while Elon Musk's company may not have a very coherent plan for the tiny, autonomous two-seater, it's still taking the necessary steps to certify the EV's legitimacy. As such, Tesla recently filed paperwork with the Environmental Protection Agency that reveal many of the Cybercab's specs, […] Against all odds, the Tesla Cybercab is in production . And while Elon Musk's company may not have a very coherent plan for the tiny, autonomous two-seater, it's still taking the necessary steps to certify the EV's legitimacy. As such, Tesla recently filed paperwork with the Environmental Protection Agency that reveal many of the Cybercab's specs, including its weight, battery size, and preliminary range estimates. What these documents reveal is the lightest, most range efficient vehicle Tesla has ever produced - and quite possibly one
We now know how DJI’s dual camera Osmo Pocket 4P compares to Insta360’s
After a brief debut at the Cannes film festival last month, DJI announced all the details of its Osmo Pocket 4P stabilized camera today as part of its initial launch in China. While it doesn't match the 8K capabilities of the Insta360 Luna Ultra, the Pocket 4P features a new 1-inch sensor with improved dynamic […] After a brief debut at the Cannes film festival last month , DJI announced all the details of its Osmo Pocket 4P stabilized camera today as part of its initial launch in China. While it doesn't match the 8K capabilities of the Insta360 Luna Ultra, the Pocket 4P features a new 1-inch sensor with improved dynamic range and impressive 4K slow-mo capabilities. The Pocket 4P is now available for preorder from DJI's Chinese website for ¥3799, or around $562. That's cheaper than Insta360's $769.99 Luna Ultra, however, a simple currency conversion doesn't accurately reflect w
Nothing’s Ear (a), our favorite budget earbuds, are cheaper than ever ahead of Prime Day
If you’re looking for a cheap Father’s Day gift that delivers more than you’d expect for the price, Nothing’s Ear (a) are a good option. The wireless earbuds are currently on sale as part of a larger early Prime Day sales event, making them an even better value than usual. Right now, you can buy […] The yellow pair are on sale too. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge If you’re looking for a cheap Father’s Day gift that delivers more than you’d expect for the price, Nothing’s Ear (a) are a good option. The wireless earbuds are currently on sale as part of a larger early Prime Day sales event, making them an even better value than usual. Right now, you can buy them at Amazon in black complete with Nothing’s slick translucent charging case for $53.20 ($47 off), which marks a new all-time low. You can also buy them in yellow ( Amazon , Nothing ) and w
Everything you need to know about Prime Day 2026
Amazon Prime Day 2026 is getting closer, and it’s possible you might have some questions about the sale. When does it start? Why is it in June instead of July? And, most importantly, when will the deals go live? We have concrete answers to those questions, and we’ll have a lot more Prime Day coverage […] Amazon Prime Day 2026 is getting closer, and it’s possible you might have some questions about the sale. When does it start? Why is it in June instead of July? And, most importantly, when will the deals go live? We have concrete answers to those questions, and we’ll have a lot more Prime Day coverage coming soon as Amazon rolls out more deals. When does Prime Day start? Amazon Prime Day 2026 officially starts on June 23rd, 2026 at 12:01AM PT, and ends on June 27, 2026 at 12:01AM PT. Some items will stay discounted for the entire period, or at least for as long as they remain in sto
Snap is finally about to ship AR glasses — and they cost a fortune
Snap is finally launching augmented glasses for the public. Specs, which Snap describes as "a wearable computer built into see-through augmented reality glasses," will cost $2,195. You can preorder a pair of Specs now at specs.com with a $200 refundable deposit, and Snap says they're expected to ship "this fall" in the US, UK, and […] Snap is finally launching augmented glasses for the public. Specs, which Snap describes as "a wearable computer built into see-through augmented reality glasses," will cost $2,195. You can preorder a pair of Specs now at specs.com with a $200 refundable deposit, and Snap says they're expected to ship "this fall" in the US, UK, and France. This is a big moment for Snap: The company made a big entry into smart glasses with its original Spectacles in 2016 , and the company has been toiling away on nonpublic AR versions of Spectacles over the past few yea
The Google / Xreal Aura XR glasses are now available to preorder
The Project Aura glasses collaboration between Xreal and Google is now one step closer to being something you can buy. Reservations for the second Android XR device, now dubbed the Xreal Aura, are available for $99 starting today, with a full launch in the US, UK, Japan, Canada, and South Korea expected sometime this Fall. […] There’s still no word on the final launch price, however. | Image by Xreal The Project Aura glasses collaboration between Xreal and Google is now one step closer to being something you can buy. Reservations for the second Android XR device , now dubbed the Xreal Aura, are available for $99 starting today , with a full launch in the US, UK, Japan, Canada, and South Korea expected sometime this Fall. The Xreal Aura follows Google's first Android-powered XR device, the Samsung Galaxy XR headset , which launched at $1,799 in October 2025. We still don't have a fu
Qualcomm’s latest chip hints that more powerful smart glasses could be on the way
Smart glasses are still a nascent category, but chipmaker Qualcomm is hard at work upgrading the silicon to power the next wave of XR devices: the Snapdragon Reality Elite. Although Qualcomm is announcing the chip today at Augmented World Expo, we've technically already gotten a hands-on with a device powered by the new chip at […] Smart glasses are still a nascent category, but chipmaker Qualcomm is hard at work upgrading the silicon to power the next wave of XR devices: the Snapdragon Reality Elite. Although Qualcomm is announcing the chip today at Augmented World Expo, we've technically already gotten a hands-on with a device powered by the new chip at last month's Google I/O: the forthcoming Aura glasses for Android XR. At the time, Xreal and Google were coy about the processor upgrades to the long-awaited spectacles. Turns out, it was the Reality Elite. Spec-wise, the new chip
Verizon’s ‘Simplicity’ flat-rate plan starts at $30 per month for new customers
Verizon is launching a new Simplicity plan that starts at $30 / month for new customers, or $45 / month for existing ones. In its announcement, Verizon says the plan drops activation and upgrade fees, while offering one flat price for each line. The $30 price for new customers is an "initial promotional offer" that […] Verizon is launching a new Simplicity plan that starts at $30 / month for new customers, or $45 / month for existing ones. In its announcement , Verizon says the plan drops activation and upgrade fees, while offering one flat price for each line. The $30 price for new customers is an "initial promotional offer" that applies after enabling autopay and taking advantage of a discount for switching carriers, according to Verizon . But before customers can ditch Verizon's $40 fee to activate or upgrade a device, they'll need to opt in to the carrier's new loyalty program
Trump admin abandons fight against wind energy as clean energy output surges
Legal victories have dampened the Trump admin’s efforts to halt wind and solar power.
El Niño turns crumbling California pier into climate battleground over what to save — and who pays
Rep. Sam Liccardo wants to rebuild the Pacifica pier with help from the federal government. But does investing in this kind of infrastructure make sense?
Surveillance Summaries: Foodborne Disease Outbreaks Associated with Marine Toxins - Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System, United States, 2011-2023
This report describes 402 foodborne disease outbreaks caused by marine toxins were reported to FDOSS. These outbreaks resulted in 1,280 illnesses, 96 hospitalizations, and one death.
Commodore’s newest gadget is a flip phone that blocks social media and browsers
Commodore's Call Back 8020 is a phone “where the customer is not the product."
Inside the fight over Claude Mythos 5
As the rest of the country celebrated the USA's first World Cup win and the New York Knicks championship, Anthropic spent its weekend fighting the Trump administration over its latest model release. At 5:21 PM on Friday, the company received a US export control directive to suspend access to its Mythos 5 and Fable 5 […] As the rest of the country celebrated the USA's first World Cup win and the New York Knicks championship, Anthropic spent its weekend fighting the Trump administration over its latest model release. At 5:21 PM on Friday, the company received a US export control directive to suspend access to its Mythos 5 and Fable 5 AI models by "any foreign national" inside or outside the US, "including foreign national Anthropic employees." The only way that was possible, Anthropic determined, was to completely disable products it spent the past week hyping - and travel to Washing
After resurrecting an iconic PC brand, Commodore is getting into flip phones
When Christian Simpson, a retro gaming YouTuber also known as Peri Fractic, bought the remains of an early PC company called Commodore in 2025, he decided to pick up right where the original Commodore left off. Which meant starting product development in the mid-1990s. Simpson and his team first set to work reviving the company's […] It won’t be for everyone, but there’s something delightful about the retro look. | Photo: Commodore When Christian Simpson, a retro gaming YouTuber also known as Peri Fractic, bought the remains of an early PC company called Commodore in 2025, he decided to pick up right where the original Commodore left off. Which meant starting product development in the mid-1990s. Simpson and his team first set to work reviving the company's most iconic product, and you can now buy a Commodore 64 that is the spitting image of the 1982 original (other than the Wi-Fi
M 6.7 - 43 km ESE of Palu, Indonesia
PAGER - YELLOW ShakeMap - VIII DYFI? - VIII Time 2026-06-16 03:27:44 UTC 2026-06-16 03:27:44 UTC at epicenter Location 1.117°S 120.199°E Depth 10.00 km (6.21 mi)
M 6.3 - 260 km SSE of Dunhuang, China
ShakeMap - VIII Time 2026-06-16 09:06:55 UTC 2026-06-16 09:06:55 UTC at epicenter Location 37.889°N 95.403°E Depth 10.00 km (6.21 mi)
Fox’s $22B Roku acquisition aims to expand its reach into smart TVs, advertising
Fox plans to take over Roku's streaming hardware, OS, and FAST services.
A Chinese rocket breaks apart dangerously close to the Starlink constellation
The rocket's breakup likely generated 100 to 150 new pieces of space junk.
Chipmaker Nvidia seeks to raise over $25B in first bond deal since 2021
Debt sale set to test investor appetite for further exposure to AI sector amid a deluge of borrowing.
UK to ban social media for kids under 16, may impose overnight curfews
Critics say bans push kids to riskier alternatives and can be beaten with VPNs.
Google Chrome is closing the loopholes that let old ad blockers keep working
Google Chrome version 150 and 151, expected in late June and July, respectively, will cut off support for the last remaining workarounds for running older ad blockers, 9to5Google reports. Google phased out support for ad-blocking extensions built for Manifest V2, like uBlock Origin, in 2024. At that point, most Chrome users either switched to newer […] Google Chrome version 150 and 151, expected in late June and July, respectively, will cut off support for the last remaining workarounds for running older ad blockers, 9to5Google reports. Google phased out support for ad-blocking extensions built for Manifest V2, like uBlock Origin, in 2024. At that point, most Chrome users either switched to newer Manifest V3 ad blockers like uBlock Origin Lite or switched to a different browser. Google is now removing the final bits of code referencing its previous Manifest V2 extensions platform,
Trump’s Anthropic shutdown just made the case for non-American AI
At Washington's request, Anthropic suddenly took its newest and most powerful AI models offline over the weekend. The American company said it had little choice after the White House demanded it block access for all foreign nationals, including its own employees. Abroad, the incident offered a sobering reminder that the US not only dominates frontier […] At Washington's request, Anthropic suddenly took its newest and most powerful AI models offline over the weekend. The American company said it had little choice after the White House demanded it block access for all foreign nationals, including its own employees. Abroad, the incident offered a sobering reminder that the US not only dominates frontier AI - its government also wields power over who gets to use it. The Trump administration's action was swift, sweeping, and imposed with little warning or explanation. The unprecedented
The best early Amazon Prime Day deals so far
Amazon’s earlier-than-usual Prime Day doesn’t begin until June 23rd, but there are several even earlier deals on must-have products that you can check out right now. To name some examples, Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are selling at their cheapest-ever price. Also, you can grab Ring’s latest battery-powered doorbell for $60 off and it includes a […] The products pictured here aren’t on sale, but we certainly hope they will be soon. | Image: Alex Parkin / The Verge Amazon’s earlier-than-usual Prime Day doesn’t begin until June 23rd, but there are several even earlier deals on must-have products that you can check out right now. To name some examples, Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are selling at their cheapest-ever price. Also, you can grab Ring’s latest battery-powered doorbell for $60 off and it includes a free Indoor Cam Plus with purchase. While the pre-Prime Day deals are looking good so far,
Amazon’s Smart Thermostat is on sale for just $58
If your electricity bill climbs every summer, a smart thermostat could help keep cooling costs in check. The Amazon Smart Thermostat is an excellent option for its price, especially today. It’s down to just $57.99 at Amazon as a part of Amazon’s early Prime Day sale, which is the best price we’ve seen since Black […] Amazon’s Smart Thermostat looks surprisingly nice for such a cheap gadget. | Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge If your electricity bill climbs every summer, a smart thermostat could help keep cooling costs in check. The Amazon Smart Thermostat is an excellent option for its price, especially today. It’s down to just $57.99 at Amazon as a part of Amazon’s early Prime Day sale, which is the best price we’ve seen since Black Friday. Amazon Smart Thermostat Where to Buy: $79.99 $57.99 at Amazon $79.99 at Best Buy $79.99 at B&H Photo For a smart t
Fox wants to take over your TV — and the tech inside it
Fox is about to take over the TVs in more than 100 million homes worldwide. On Monday, Fox announced that it's acquiring Roku, the streaming middleman that serves as a portal for viewers to hop into services like Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, and more. The $22 billion deal may not change Roku's familiar purple interface, […] Fox is about to take over the TVs in more than 100 million homes worldwide. On Monday, Fox announced that it's acquiring Roku , the streaming middleman that serves as a portal for viewers to hop into services like Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, and more. The $22 billion deal may not change Roku's familiar purple interface, but it could put Fox in control of your data behind the screen. During a call with investors, Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch said the plan is to keep the two companies separate. Fox aims to grow its business by adding Fox Sports, news content, and local
Xbox is closing down Hellblade creator Ninja Theory
Xbox is closing down Ninja Theory, the studio behind the Hellblade series, a source tells The Verge. Staffers were told on a call on Monday about the closure, but they are hoping the studio will find a buyer. The closure comes as "several" Xbox studios at Microsoft, including Compulsion Games and Double Fine, are in […] Xbox is closing down Ninja Theory, the studio behind the Hellblade series, a source tells The Verge . Staffers were told on a call on Monday about the closure, but they are hoping the studio will find a buyer. The closure comes as "several" Xbox studios at Microsoft, including Compulsion Games and Double Fine, are in "active negotiations" about spinning off, Bloomberg reports . The closure and negotiations follow Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and chief content officer Matt Booty warning last week of a "reset" at Xbox , laying out several challenges facing Xbox's business - i
Facebook’s new AI Mode search gets its info from public posts
Your public Facebook posts could help inform AI-generated results in Meta's new AI Mode. When you search on Facebook, the "AI Mode" option will appear alongside the usual search modes like "People" and "Marketplace." It's one of several new AI features Meta is rolling out starting today, including photo presets that swap sports jerseys onto […] Your public Facebook posts could help inform AI-generated results in Meta's new AI Mode . When you search on Facebook, the "AI Mode" option will appear alongside the usual search modes like "People" and "Marketplace." It's one of several new AI features Meta is rolling out starting today, including photo presets that swap sports jerseys onto fans and suggestions for collage templates. Instead of "just links," it gives users AI-generated results that pull from publicly-posted content across Meta's platforms, like the AI search feature in its
The North Atlantic’s ‘cold blob’ may signal a major current’s decline
A cold blob of water in the North Atlantic points to a weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, researchers report.
Heart protection from COVID shots remains amid updates, study finds
Despite continued benefits, anti-vaccine rhetoric has driven down vaccination.
Key mission for Europe's commercial space enterprise scrubbed again
Isar Aerospace is not hurting for money, but it is sorely lacking in the currency of flight experience.
Engineering Is Critical to Boosting Food Security
Nearly 750 million people face hunger today, according to the U.N. World Food Program . And by 2050, global demand for food is expected to increase by 50 percent from 2010 levels , the World Resources Institute says. A smart agriculture special-issue report recently released by the IEEE Smart Agri-Food Initiative says meeting the demand will require technology to expand food production. The report highlights research, case studies, and new ways of applying technology to inform farmers, engineers, and policymakers. Leading the initiative is IEEE Fellow John Verboncoeur , chair of the smart-food program and professor of electrical and computer engineering at Michigan State University , in East Lansing. “Food security is becoming a systems-engineering problem,” Verboncoeur says. “We’re no longer talking only about tractors and irrigation. We’re talking about sensing, communications, computa
This 1976 University Experiment Spun Up the U.S. Wind Industry
A half century ago, a scrappy crew at the University of Massachusetts Amherst erected a wind turbine on Orchard Hill, the highest point on campus. It was a frugal production, cobbled together from the rear axle of a Ford truck, a donated generator and microcontroller, a steam pipe, and various handcrafted steel and fiberglass parts, including its 4.5-meter blades. The team of UMass engineering grad students, faculty advisors, and one precocious undergrad built it to prove that wind energy could keep rural homes toasty in New England’s frigid winters, as a way of trimming U.S. oil dependence—a national imperative in the aftermath of the 1973–1974 energy crisis. To illustrate the point, they also assembled a modular home there on Orchard Hill, and outfitted it with heaters that would be powered by the turbine. In 1975 and 1976, a crew from the University of Massachusetts Amherst designed a
Otherworldly music albums feature space weather data
A science-art team uses research data to make music featuring sounds of Antarctica and outer space
Why more male than female newborns may get the crucial vitamin K shot
Vitamin K lowers the risk of bleeding, including in a circumcision. That procedure may explain a disparity in which infants are more likely to get the shot.
F1 in Spain: An old-fashioned strategy fight can still be thrilling
Armed with a ton of new upgrades, Ferrari came to Spain full of confidence.
All the gear a 20-year gadget blogging veteran packs when traveling
Through more than two decades of travel for both work and leisure, my packing list has evolved from a random assortment of gadgets and accessories thrown together at the last minute into a refined checklist of gear honed by trial and error. The right packing list, I've found, can be the difference between a good […] Through more than two decades of travel for both work and leisure, my packing list has evolved from a random assortment of gadgets and accessories thrown together at the last minute into a refined checklist of gear honed by trial and error. The right packing list, I've found, can be the difference between a good trip and a great one. Or at least the difference between hectic trips to the local Best Buy and some extra time by the pool. My family's summer vacation this year will involve lots of hiking and exploring the great outdoors, but it will by no means be an attempt
Fox is buying Roku
Fox has announced that it's acquiring Roku outright, in a deal that values the streaming company at $22 billion. Once the deal is complete, Fox content will be promoted more heavily than before on Roku streamers and smart TVs. The deal will see Fox's TV networks and Tubi streamer combine with Roku's network of streaming […] Fox has announced that it's acquiring Roku outright, in a deal that values the streaming company at $22 billion. Once the deal is complete, Fox content will be promoted more heavily than before on Roku streamers and smart TVs. The deal will see Fox's TV networks and Tubi streamer combine with Roku's network of streaming devices, smart TV software, and The Roku Channel. The companies say in a press release that by combining they'll become the third-largest player in the US TV industry by viewing share. "This is a defining moment for Fox, and a natural extension o
Google Earth’s flight simulator is now available in your browser
On Friday Google announced it was making a relatively unknown feature of Google Earth available to a wider audience. The desktop version of Google Earth has had a hidden flight simulator mode since 2007, but it's now easily accessible through a web browser without having to download or install any apps. To take to the […] On Friday Google announced it was making a relatively unknown feature of Google Earth available to a wider audience. The desktop version of Google Earth has had a hidden flight simulator mode since 2007, but it's now easily accessible through a web browser without having to download or install any apps. To take to the virtual skies you'll need to open the Google Earth website and then click on the "Explore Earth" button found near the top right corner of the page. From there you'll find the "Flight Simulator" mode accessible as the last option in the Tool's sectio
Skydio CEO Adam Bry on why Silicon Valley shouldn’t draw red lines for drone use
Today, I’m talking with Adam Bry, who is CEO of Skydio, the leading US maker of autonomous drones. Before we recorded this episode, I actually got to remotely operate one of Skydio’s drones in the Bay Area from Adam’s laptop in our podcast studio in New York and fly an indoor drone around our office. […] Today, I’m talking with Adam Bry, who is CEO of Skydio, the leading US maker of autonomous drones. Before we recorded this episode, I actually got to remotely operate one of Skydio’s drones in the Bay Area from Adam’s laptop in our podcast studio in New York and fly an indoor drone around our office. You can check out the full video of that on our YouTube channel . Beyond flying drones around the country, Adam and I talked about why Skydio is so focused on the enterprise market — I asked him a lot about working with police and military, but you’ll hear him say a lot of Skydio’s cus
Happy birthday to the Trump phone
From the day it was announced, on June 16th, 2025, the Trump phone sounded ridiculous. The T1 Phone 8002 (gold version), as it was officially called, was a combination of contradictory specs, product images that were clearly not photographs of a real phone, and the worrying requirement of a $100 deposit to secure a preorder […] From the day it was announced, on June 16th, 2025, the Trump phone sounded ridiculous. The T1 Phone 8002 (gold version), as it was officially called, was a combination of contradictory specs, product images that were clearly not photographs of a real phone, and the worrying requirement of a $100 deposit to secure a preorder of a $499 phone with no release date. But none of Trump Mobile's outlandish announcements were as bold as the claim that the phone would be "designed and built in the United States." The US has next to no phone manufacturing infrastructur
The Verge’s Father’s Day 2026 gift guide
With Father's Day on the horizon, happening June 21st, it's time to start thinking about what kind of gifts you want to buy for the fathers you care about. You know your dad best - he may be a man of simple pleasures who wants nothing more than to share a meal or drinks with […] With Father's Day on the horizon, happening June 21st, it's time to start thinking about what kind of gifts you want to buy for the fathers you care about. You know your dad best - he may be a man of simple pleasures who wants nothing more than to share a meal or drinks with his loved ones. Or, he might have… extremely specific preferences and expectations of how his big day should go. Of the many dads and dad-knowers polled at The Verge for this here gift guide, we think we have all of the bases covered, no matter your budget. We focused specifically on items that will delight your dad and make their life
My favorite Qi2 power bank is cheaper than ever for Verge readers
I recently published a buying guide on the best Qi2 power banks. Out of seven feature-packed batteries, I really dug the Baseus AM52 10,000mAh power bank that has a built-in USB-C cable. It’s fast at Qi2.2 wireless charging for iPhones, and it’s quick with wired charging, too. And now, it’s an unbeatable value thanks to […] The AM52 can charge devices via Qi2.2 and USB-C simultaneously. | Photo: Cameron Faulkner / The Verge I recently published a buying guide on the best Qi2 power banks . Out of seven feature-packed batteries, I really dug the Baseus AM52 10,000mAh power bank that has a built-in USB-C cable. It’s fast at Qi2.2 wireless charging for iPhones, and it’s quick with wired charging, too. And now, it’s an unbeatable value thanks to a new exclusive deal. Verge readers can use the offer code THEVERGECODE at Amazon to get one for $42.99 (usually $20 more for Prime members, or
Roblox exec says ticking a box for age verification is ‘not enough anymore’
Roblox's vice president of safety product policy, Eliza Jacobs, told NBC News that Roblox is "optimistic" that its new facial age estimation tech will "continue to get better," saying, "Ticking a box to say you're 13 or older, it's not enough anymore." NBC invited a group of kids to try out Roblox's new video selfie […] Roblox's vice president of safety product policy, Eliza Jacobs, told NBC News that Roblox is "optimistic" that its new facial age estimation tech will "continue to get better," saying, "Ticking a box to say you're 13 or older, it's not enough anymore." NBC invited a group of kids to try out Roblox's new video selfie age check process, but they weren't able to get around it with a fake mustache. Jacobs claims Roblox's facial age estimates can typically land "within 1.4 years of a child's exact age." Roblox announced plans in April to begin using its video selfie age
Xbox turmoil continues with a studio closure and executive departures
Last week, Xbox boss Asha Sharma sent a memo warning of an Xbox "reset" ahead of expected layoffs, and today, Kotaku reported that Xbox plans to shut down Compulsion Games, the studio behind South of Midnight. Since taking over in February, Sharma has made some big decisions, including cutting the price of Xbox Game Pass […] Last week, Xbox boss Asha Sharma sent a memo warning of an Xbox "reset" ahead of expected layoffs, and today, Kotaku reported that Xbox plans to shut down Compulsion Games, the studio behind South of Midnight . Since taking over in February, Sharma has made some big decisions, including cutting the price of Xbox Game Pass and making Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution Xbox console exclusives . But in their "reset" memo , Sharma and chief content officer Matt Booty discussed many challenges facing the Xbox business, including that it has "over extended"
Big Tech’s desperate last push at AI regulation
For months, Big Tech's Washington lobbyists have chased after the holy grail of pro-AI legislation: preemption. This would be a comprehensive federal law, passed in Congress and signed by the president, applying one set of AI rules across the entire country and overriding the legally messy state-by-state approach to regulation. For months, lobbyists have run […] U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) arrive for a news conference with bipartisan senators on passage of the Online Privacy Protection Act at the Capitol on July 30, 2024 in Washington, DC. | Kent Nishimura/Getty Images. For months, Big Tech's Washington lobbyists have chased after the holy grail of pro-AI legislation: preemption. This would be a comprehensive federal law, passed in Congress and signed by the president, applying one set of AI rules across the entire country and overridi
Good news—we have extra time before the Sun ends life on Earth
Will the Sun roast Earth’s plants or starve them?
STAT+: Where ‘democracy met science,’ 50 years ago
State Medicaid crackdowns strain home care, WHO leader on Ebola outbreak, and more health news
Covid vaccination cut risk of adverse heart events, large study finds
Covid vaccination was also tied to a nearly 24% reduction in all-cause cardiac events in a large study, surprising researchers.
20 years of Intel Macs: Why Apple switched, and why it switched again
Remembering the ups and downs of the Intel Mac era as it finally winds down.
STAT+: Trump’s obesity drug plan creates a temporary Medicare program that may be hard to end
After July 1, Medicare will offer GLP-1 weight-loss drugs for $50. It's supposed to be temporary, but chances are it won't be.
Users cry foul after AMD stripped memory crypto from its consumer CPUs
AMD's stripping of TSME from consumer CPUs appears to be a deliberate, covert move.
How El Niño Could Affect West Coast Marine Species
How El Niño Could Affect West Coast Marine Species (Image credit: California Department of Fish and Wildlife.) Download Image June 15, 2026 Fisheries climate fisheries marine life 0 Off
Sea turtles
Sea turtles Loggerhead Turtle escaping a net equipped with turtle exclusion device (TED) (Image credit: NOAA) Download Image June 15, 2026 Sea turtles breathe air, like all reptiles, and have streamlined bodies with large flippers. They are well adapted to life in the ocean and inhabit tropical and subtropical ocean waters around the world. Of the seven species of sea turtles, six are found in U.S. waters; these include the green, hawksbill, Kemp's ridley, leatherback, loggerhead, and olive ridley. Education 0 Off
M 2.4 - 8 km NE of Bel Air North, Maryland
DYFI? - III Time 2026-06-15 15:02:24 UTC 2026-06-15 15:02:24 UTC at epicenter Location 39.617°N 76.310°W Depth 5.00 km (3.11 mi)
STAT+: Amid confusion over Pfizer’s emergency penicillin program, newborn is diagnosed with preventable syphilis
Congenital syphilis should be preventable. An Arizona case shows how drug shortages and procedural hurdles are fueling a growing public health crisis.
STAT+: One California politician’s unexpected crusade against ultra-processed food
Jesse Gabriel "has passed more food policy in three years than most legislators enact in their entire careers," says one supporter.
Under-16 social media ban announced by UK government
The UK is the latest country to follow Australia in implementing a total social media ban for children under 16, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced. The ban, which could take effect from early next year, will be joined by wider measures that will also prevent children from talking to strangers in online games, livestreaming, […] The UK is the latest country to follow Australia in implementing a total social media ban for children under 16, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced. The ban, which could take effect from early next year, will be joined by wider measures that will also prevent children from talking to strangers in online games, livestreaming, or using sexual or romantic chatbots. "Do we truly believe that social media creates a happy environment for our children? Do we truly believe that it's a place where they can feel safe?" Starmer asked during a press confe
Oliver Tree, musician and Santa Cruz native, dies in helicopter crash
The genre-defying singer-song writer and Santa Cruz native, was one of six killed when two helicopters collided Sunday morning in Brazil.
The FBI built a small town to simulate cyberattacks
Last year, the FBI opened a Cyber Range in Huntsville, Alabama, for simulating cyberattacks. Think of it sort of like the famous Hogan's Alley, but for modern digital crime training. It's a massive 22,000 square-foot replica of an entire town, complete with a convenience store, gas station, hospital, and even fully furnished houses. It's a […] There’s also a fake power company to jack up prices thanks to the fake data center. | Image: FBI Last year, the FBI opened a Cyber Range in Huntsville, Alabama, for simulating cyberattacks. Think of it sort of like the famous Hogan's Alley , but for modern digital crime training. It's a massive 22,000 square-foot replica of an entire town, complete with a convenience store, gas station, hospital, and even fully furnished houses. It's a training facility where the bureau can recreate real-world scenarios for training and research purposes. All
Did a medieval flying monk spot Halley's comet, twice? It's complicated
University of Leicester historian thinks Eilmer of Malmesbury saw two different comets: in 1018 and 1066
Solid-state batteries still aren’t ready, but gels are
This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on e-bikes, power stations, and how to work anywhere, follow Thomas Ricker. The Stepback arrives in our subscribers' inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here. How it started Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere as we […] This is The Stepback , a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on e-bikes, power stations, and how to work anywhere , follow Thomas Ricker . The Stepback arrives in our subscribers' inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here . How it started Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere as we enter the second quarter of the 21st century, and that's a problem. From exploding e-bikes in stairwells to lithium-ion power banks combusting midflight , the volatile nature of traditional liquid electrolytes has become an un
The impossible dream of the universal remote
You don't really ever have to explain why a universal remote is a good idea. You have a bunch of stuff that needs controlling; this thing controls them all. Many companies have set out to build a product worthy of this idea, and one product came much closer than most. It was called the Harmony, […] You don't really ever have to explain why a universal remote is a good idea. You have a bunch of stuff that needs controlling; this thing controls them all. Many companies have set out to build a product worthy of this idea, and one product came much closer than most. It was called the Harmony, and for many years it was the best universal remote on the market. Maybe the only one that mattered. And still, even the Harmony couldn't make it work. On this episode of Version History , we tell the story of the Harmony. The Verge 's David Pierce, Nilay Patel, and John Higgins are joined by Matt
How to watch most of the World Cup matches with free trials
Hoping to catch some World Cup matches while spending as little money as possible? You have a few options for finding a few days of free streaming, although you may choose to eventually pony up some money. That, or get creative by combining multiple offers to make it through the whole tournament. We found a […] GUADALAJARA, MEXICO - JUNE 11: In-Beom Hwang #6 of Korea Republic scores his team's first goal past Matej Kovar #1 of Czechia during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Korea Republic and Czechia at Guadalajara Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) | Getty Images Hoping to catch some World Cup matches while spending as little money as possible? You have a few options for finding a few days of free streaming, although you may choose to eventually pony up some money. That, or get creative by combining multiple offers to m
Conclave is the sound of a NYC summer block party
I have this vivid memory of walking to pick up my oldest from school in June of 2022. For a variety of reasons, I was in a very bad place mentally. And to make matters worse, it was brutally hot. I was depressed, angry with the world, sunburned, and soaked through with sweat. But as […] Unlock a party. | Image: Conclave I have this vivid memory of walking to pick up my oldest from school in June of 2022. For a variety of reasons, I was in a very bad place mentally. And to make matters worse, it was brutally hot. I was depressed, angry with the world, sunburned, and soaked through with sweat. But as the second track on Conclave, "Habla," settled into its groove, I found myself unconsciously strutting. Not walking, but moving through the streets in lockstep with the music, just as a much-needed cool breeze kicked up, and some scaffolding afforded me a full block's worth of shade. For
China may have accessed Mythos
According to a new report from Semafor, the White House's decision to impose export restrictions on Anthropic's Mythos was driven in part by fears that it had been accessed by a group linked to China. If the Chinese government actually had access to Mythos 5 or Fable 5, it would present a serious national security […] According to a new report from Semafor , the White House's decision to impose export restrictions on Anthropic's Mythos was driven in part by fears that it had been accessed by a group linked to China. If the Chinese government actually had access to Mythos 5 or Fable 5, it would present a serious national security risk. The government could also attempt to reverse engineer the model through distillation , a method in which a "student" AI is trained on a more advanced model to replicate its behavior. The White House has not confirmed this report, and a post on X by Tr
Infant formula recalled after California baby sickened with botulism
Nara Organics recalled its baby formula after a California child and two others were sickened by potentially fatal infant botulism, federal officials said.
Scientists find a whale graveyard in the Indian Ocean that's millions of years old
Scientists have documented a whale graveyard in the Indian Ocean with some carcasses dating back 5.3 million years, and it's supporting a thriving community of marine life.
X-Men ’97 has what Masters of the Universe is missing
In 2026, Marvel and Mattel are both releasing projects designed to capitalize on people's love for iconic animated heroes from their childhoods. Masters of the Universe has put a live-action He-Man on the big screen, and the second season of X-Men '97 is about to fling some of Charles Xavier's mutants into an apocalyptic future. […] In 2026, Marvel and Mattel are both releasing projects designed to capitalize on people's love for iconic animated heroes from their childhoods. Masters of the Universe has put a live-action He-Man on the big screen, and the second season of X-Men '97 is about to fling some of Charles Xavier's mutants into an apocalyptic future . Both projects were clearly made by people who love the source material, and they are similarly filled with nerdy Easter eggs meant to get hardcore fans hyped up. X-Men '97 and Masters of the Universe are both nostalgia plays, b
Amazon security research reportedly led to the White House’s Anthropic Fable ban
According to the Wall Street Journal, the export control directive that led to Anthropic cutting off access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5 was triggered in part by cybersecurity research from Amazon and conversations between CEO Andy Jassy and the White House. According to the report, the paper from Amazon claims that, through a series […] According to the Wall Street Journal , the export control directive that led to Anthropic cutting off access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5 was triggered in part by cybersecurity research from Amazon and conversations between CEO Andy Jassy and the White House. According to the report, the paper from Amazon claims that, through a series of prompts, it was able to get Fable 5 to serve up information that could be used in cyberattacks. Amazon has yet to respond to a request for comment. Shortly after Jassy shared the company's findings with the government, it ma
A better way to manage all your screenshots
Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 132, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you're new here, welcome, happy soccer, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, I've been preparing for a month of getting absolutely nothing done during the World Cup. […] Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 132, your guide to the best and Verge -iest stuff in the world. (If you're new here, welcome, happy soccer, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage .) This week, I've been preparing for a month of getting absolutely nothing done during the World Cup. I've also been reading about Steven Spielberg and wearables and the Boeing 747 , overloading on computer nostalgia thanks to The Virtual OS Museum , watching that Knicks game winner over and over and over, listening to the fabulous new This Was SportsCente
Apple’s new AI photo editing tools mostly work, for better and worse
The most popular camera in the world just got its first set of serious AI photo editing features, and I don't think any of us are ready. As far as AI photo editing goes, the new features in iOS 27 are pretty tame compared to what you can do on, say, Google's Pixel phones. But […] iPhone owners are getting real, native AI photo editing for the first time. The most popular camera in the world just got its first set of serious AI photo editing features, and I don't think any of us are ready. As far as AI photo editing goes, the new features in iOS 27 are pretty tame compared to what you can do on, say, Google's Pixel phones. But for the iPhone, they represent a tipping point in what the native photos app allows you to do to your photos. I mean memories . I mean, I don't know anymore. These new features are part of the iOS 27 developer beta right now, so bear in mind that Apple may con
Echo Isle is a pint-sized adventure inspired by classic Zelda
Echo Isle is heavily inspired by The Legend of Zelda, and it's not afraid to show it: The retro graphics bear a striking resemblance to Link's Awakening, the main character wears a blue tunic and wields a sword, and he navigates dungeons to collect items and keys to fight bosses and gather magical MacGuffins. But […] Echo Isle is heavily inspired by The Legend of Zelda , and it's not afraid to show it: The retro graphics bear a striking resemblance to Link's Awakening , the main character wears a blue tunic and wields a sword, and he navigates dungeons to collect items and keys to fight bosses and gather magical MacGuffins. But where Echo Isle shines is how it takes the best parts of a Zelda adventure and shrinks them down to their essence - I finished the game in a little more than an hour. The game starts with the main character falling from the sky onto Echo Isle, an island prot
Anthropic cuts off Fable 5 and Mythos 5 access following government order
On Friday evening, the government ordered Anthropic to block access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5 for all foreign nations, both inside and outside the US, due to national security concerns. That order included employees of Anthropic. To meet those demands, the company has completely cut off access to the models for all customers. In […] On Friday evening, the government ordered Anthropic to block access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5 for all foreign nations, both inside and outside the US, due to national security concerns. That order included employees of Anthropic. To meet those demands, the company has completely cut off access to the models for all customers. In a statement , Anthropic said that while it was complying with the order, the government "did not provide specific details of its national security concern." Instead, it claims that any evidence of potential jailbreak was provided ve
My yard is dying, so I made an app for that
When I returned to my computer five minutes after giving Gemini a lengthy prompt, I had two things: a functional app in a preview window, and a message about a bug. "~ Channel is unrecoverably broken and will be disposed!" Sounded bad! But right below it was a button to fix the bug. Pretty weird […] When I returned to my computer five minutes after giving Gemini a lengthy prompt, I had two things: a functional app in a preview window, and a message about a bug. "~ Channel is unrecoverably broken and will be disposed!" Sounded bad! But right below it was a button to fix the bug. Pretty weird that I just instructed a computer to build a whole app for me with a single prompt, but it needed me to click a button to fix a bug. I did anyway, and in 233 seconds Gemini reported back that it had succeeded, using words like "blockages" and "race conditions." I didn't understand a bit of it. I
Never Post’s Mike Rugnetta on the creative process and the value of reliable power
Mike Rugnetta is a writer, podcast host, producer, audio engineer, educator, musician, sound designer, and father. In short, the man wears a lot of hats. He's the cocreator and host of the award-winning Never Post, an absolutely must-listen podcast about the internet, as well as Fun City, a TTRPG podcast where he's the GM. He's […] Mike Rugnetta is a writer, podcast host, producer, audio engineer, educator, musician, sound designer, and father. In short, the man wears a lot of hats. He's the cocreator and host of the award-winning Never Post , an absolutely must-listen podcast about the internet, as well as Fun City , a TTRPG podcast where he's the GM. He's also hosted two different Crash Course series and PBS's Idea Channel . If you're thinking that sounds like a lot, you're not wrong. It made us want to know how Mike stays focused with so much on his plate, and what tools are mos
My first 24 hours with Siri AI on the Mac
I turned off Siri on the Mac years ago and never looked back. Similarly, I found Apple Intelligence so fruitless I never engage with it. But the new Siri AI coming to macOS 27 Golden Gate has at least got me slightly rethinking things. I'm still early in testing Siri AI, as I've only had […] I turned off Siri on the Mac years ago and never looked back. Similarly, I found Apple Intelligence so fruitless I never engage with it. But the new Siri AI coming to macOS 27 Golden Gate has at least got me slightly rethinking things. I'm still early in testing Siri AI, as I've only had access to it in the macOS 27 developer beta for little more than 24 hours. It's also in an early preview state on the dev beta, so there should be lots of runway for improvements before it releases later this year. I don't even know if it's done indexing my files and folders on our review unit M5 MacBook Air an
Bose’s latest QuietComfort Ultra are $70 off, marking a new low price
If you’re planning on traveling anytime soon, Bose’s second-generation QuietComfort Ultra headphones are a great companion for long flights and train rides. Not only do they offer excellent noise cancellation, but they also retain the foldable design of their predecessor, making them easy to pack in a carry-on. They’re even easier to recommend today, now […] Bose’s latest QuietComfort Ultra headphones fold down for easy storage. | Image: Bose If you’re planning on traveling anytime soon, Bose’s second-generation QuietComfort Ultra headphones are a great companion for long flights and train rides. Not only do they offer excellent noise cancellation, but they also retain the foldable design of their predecessor , making them easy to pack in a carry-on. They’re even easier to recommend today, now that they’ve dropped to a new low price of $379 ($70 off) at Amazon , Best Bu
Microsoft hasn’t ruled out spinning off Xbox
Microsoft is preparing to lay off a significant chunk of its Xbox division and is reevaluating the plans for its next-generation Project Helix console. It's apparently also considering dramatically restructuring its relationship with Xbox, and hasn't ruled out spinning it off into a separate company. A new report from The Information suggests that Microsoft has […] Asha Sharma. | Image: The Verge, Microsoft Microsoft is preparing to lay off a significant chunk of its Xbox division and is reevaluating the plans for its next-generation Project Helix console. It's apparently also considering dramatically restructuring its relationship with Xbox, and hasn't ruled out spinning it off into a separate company. A new report from The Information suggests that Microsoft has considered some dramatic measures to make its Xbox unit more sustainable. That includes turning it into a wholly owned
Sealed Super Mario Bros. sells for a record $3 million
A copy of Super Mario Bros., still in the box and sealed with its original sticker, just sold at Heritage Auctions for $3 million. That absolutely crushes the previous record of $2 million, also for a copy of Super Mario Bros., in 2021. That sale also came hot on the heels of a controversial auction […] You know this came for free bundle with the console for $150, right? | Image: Heritage Auctions A copy of Super Mario Bros. , still in the box and sealed with its original sticker, just sold at Heritage Auctions for $3 million . That absolutely crushes the previous record of $2 million , also for a copy of Super Mario Bros. , in 2021. That sale also came hot on the heels of a controversial auction of Super Mario 64 for $1.56 million . Part of what drove the price of this particular copy so high is that, according to Heritage Auctions, instead of shrink wrap, this 19895 second run wa
Review: Disclosure Day is big on action, light on ideas
There's nothing new or surprising, but it's still an entertaining film from one of our greatest directors.
WHO director-general is profoundly concerned after visit to Ebola outbreak area
The director-general of the World Health Organization is profoundly worried about the Ebola outbreak in the DRC, he told STAT in an interview.
Threads of underground fungal networks are long enough to reach beyond the Solar System
Researchers have quantified the length and mass of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal networks globally.
The future of Hollywood isn’t feeding prompts into vanilla gen AI models
For all the noise that's been made about how generative AI is poised to revolutionize the filmmaking industry, there haven't really been any projects created with the technology that felt like the sort of entertainment people would pay to see. Most AI firms' video models are still only capable of churning out short bursts of […] Concept art from Dear Upstairs Neighbors that used to train custom builds of Google’s Veo and Imagen models. | Image: Google DeepMind For all the noise that's been made about how generative AI is poised to revolutionize the filmmaking industry, there haven't really been any projects created with the technology that felt like the sort of entertainment people would pay to see. Most AI firms' video models are still only capable of churning out short bursts of visually inconsistent footage . And some of Hollywood's biggest AI partnerships have suddenly evaporat
NorCal braces for dry, dangerous fire season as SoCal faces typical conditions
Fire officials are bracing for an active fire season in Northern California as high temperatures dry out forests. Southern California will likely see a typical season.
SpaceX is now a public company valued for its AI potential, so what comes next?
As of today, SpaceX is owned by investors who will want to see it make money.
Anthropic shuts down Fable, Mythos models following Trump admin directive
Commerce dept. worries that a Fable 5 "jailbreak" could be a national security threat.
Nothing CEO says phone prices are going to keep going up
If you're thinking about upgrading your phone, "the best time was yesterday," according to Nothing CEO and co-founder Carl Pei, echoing a message we heard during MWC. As Android Authority reports, Pei said in a post on X that the RAM shortage has already impacted Nothing's less expensive mid-range phone: "For Phone 4A , memory […] Nothing Phone 4A Pro | Photo: Dominic Preston / The Verge If you're thinking about upgrading your phone, "the best time was yesterday," according to Nothing CEO and co-founder Carl Pei, echoing a message we heard during MWC . As Android Authority reports, Pei said in a post on X that the RAM shortage has already impacted Nothing's less expensive mid-range phone : "For Phone 4A , memory costs doubled between when we decided to build the device and when it launched. They've doubled again since." He warned that "Phone prices are going up, and they'll keep go
Valve just imported 13 tons of VR headsets in one day
On June 10th, the German container ship Posen docked in Los Angeles after a two-week voyage from Shanghai. As Valve watcher Brad Lynch notes, it was almost certainly carrying the first mass production shipments of the Steam Frame, Valve's new gaming headset. Import records show that Valve's distribution partner Ceva offloaded nearly 32 metric tons […] On June 10th, the German container ship Posen docked in Los Angeles after a two-week voyage from Shanghai. As Valve watcher Brad Lynch notes , it was almost certainly carrying the first mass production shipments of the Steam Frame , Valve's new gaming headset. Import records show that Valve's distribution partner Ceva offloaded nearly 32 metric tons of "Virtual Reality Devices" on Valve's behalf - or roughly 13 tons of actual product, after you subtract the roughly 3,700 kilogram weight of five 40-foot shipping containers. That's the
Chile offers new data on food warning label efficacy
Kennedy's "publicly" "available" "calendar," drinking during pregnancy, and more health news from Morning Rounds
Cameras, sensors, and 3D body scans: All the tech helping eliminate blown calls
This World Cup, refs will use digital twins of each player to view plays from every angle.
No, mastic gum won’t reshape your jaw
Chewing gum made from mastic resin is a Greek staple that has some benefits for the mouth and gut. But it won’t change your face shape.
Here’s what would happen if you tried to break a photon in half
A mathematical model shows that attempting to sever a fundamental particle of light could conjure new ones out of thin air.
Crossword: Power play
Solve the crossword from our July 2026 issue, in which we encourage our readers to up their game.
A new method could spot fentanyl variants no one has cataloged yet
Researchers used machine learning to help predict chemical signatures for over 1 billion possible fentanyls, including variants never seen before.
Sorry, the Ooni pizza oven is totally worth it
Summer is approaching, which means it's time to enjoy some gloriously warm weather beside the grill. But let me pitch you on an alternative: Instead of the usual burgers, hot dogs, and kebabs, what if you made pizza? I've been doing this for a few years now, and while I still love to grill, it […] Summer is approaching, which means it's time to enjoy some gloriously warm weather beside the grill. But let me pitch you on an alternative: Instead of the usual burgers, hot dogs, and kebabs, what if you made pizza? I've been doing this for a few years now, and while I still love to grill, it no longer compares to pulling pies from my Ooni Fyra 12. A pizza oven previously seemed to me like something reserved for staunch enthusiasts. I never would have considered buying one myself, because for many years I believed that I hated pizza - the British food landscape wasn't exactly rife with g
SpaceX is now public
SpaceX is now a publicly traded company. In one of the most highly anticipated and controversial public offerings of all time, the rocket venture helmed by Elon Musk started trading on Nasdaq on June 12th at the take-it-or-leave-it price of $135-per-share - though most retail investors will likely pay far more. The IPO is historic […] SpaceX is now a publicly traded company. In one of the most highly anticipated and controversial public offerings of all time, the rocket venture helmed by Elon Musk started trading on Nasdaq on June 12th at the take-it-or-leave-it price of $135-per-share - though most retail investors will likely pay far more. The IPO is historic for many reasons: SpaceX is hoping to raise $75 billion under the ticker symbol SPCX, which would make it the largest public offering in history. The company is controlled by Musk, who also runs Tesla, another trillion-dolla
Jeff Bezos’ AI startup aims to build an ‘artificial general engineer’
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos says his new AI startup will work toward developing an "artificial general engineer," according to reports from The New York Times and CNBC. The startup, called Prometheus, aims to develop AI-powered engineering tools to aid in the design of physical products. The NYT first reported on Prometheus last November, but now […] Amazon founder Jeff Bezos says his new AI startup will work toward developing an "artificial general engineer," according to reports from The New York Times and CNBC . The startup, called Prometheus, aims to develop AI-powered engineering tools to aid in the design of physical products. The NYT first reported on Prometheus last November, but now Bezos is sharing more information about the startup after a $12 billion funding round, putting the company at a $41 billion valuation. Bezos serves as co-CEO of Prometheus alongside Vik Bajaj, wh
SpaceX’s massive IPO: all the latest news
SpaceX’s IPO on Friday allows the public to buy shares of the combined rocket, AI, and social media company for the first time, and is raising enough money to likely make Elon Musk the first trillionaire.  He’ll have more wealth, on paper at least, than the economies of nations like Ireland, Sweden, or his home […] SpaceX’s IPO on Friday allows the public to buy shares of the combined rocket, AI, and social media company for the first time, and is raising enough money to likely make Elon Musk the first trillionaire. He’ll have more wealth, on paper at least, than the economies of nations like Ireland, Sweden, or his home country of South Africa ( CNN cites the International Monetary Fund saying only 20 countries have economies larger than $1.1 trillion), now largely based on the promise of a business based on launching AI datacenters into space. F
Govee’s rechargeable smart table lamp is down to $60
Whether you’re planning a backyard barbeque or a World Cup watch party, Govee’s Table Lamp Classic can help set the mood with color-changing lighting effects. Right now it’s down to just $59.99 ($20 off) at Amazon, which is its best price yet. The rechargeable lamp can last up to 30 hours on a single charge, […] Whether you’re planning a backyard barbeque or a World Cup watch party, Govee’s Table Lamp Classic can help set the mood with color-changing lighting effects. Right now it’s down to just $59.99 ($20 off) at Amazon , which is its best price yet. Govee Table Lamp Classic Where to Buy: $79.99 $59.99 at Amazon (with on-page coupon) $79.99 $63.99 at Govee The rechargeable lamp can last up to 30 hours on a single charge, so it should have enough power to last for multiple hangouts. It’s easy to carry to wherever you need a little extra light. Just bear in mind t
I held the Trump phone
Where's the Trump phone? We're going to keep talking about it every week. We've reached out, as usual, to ask about the Trump phone's whereabouts. We don't have the phones we preordered yet, but this week included an unexpected in-person encounter with the T1. You see a lot of interesting phones when you're among tech […] Where's the Trump phone? We're going to keep talking about it every week . We've reached out, as usual, to ask about the Trump phone's whereabouts. We don't have the phones we preordered yet, but this week included an unexpected in-person encounter with the T1. You see a lot of interesting phones when you're among tech journalists. I'm thinking of two in particular that I held this past week: One was solid gold, with ornate engravings. It was elaborately embellished, heavy - an actual work of art. The other was the Trump phone. I know. The Trump phone. The one ann
Elon Musk is the world’s first trillionaire
Elon Musk's net worth has passed the trillion-dollar mark after SpaceX's IPO. His net worth, which was hovering around $800 billion before the IPO, includes the value of his 4.8 billion shares in SpaceX, along with his wealth from his other companies, like Tesla. Shares of SPCX opened at $150 and have remained well above […] Elon Musk's net worth has passed the trillion-dollar mark after SpaceX's IPO . His net worth, which was hovering around $800 billion before the IPO, includes the value of his 4.8 billion shares in SpaceX, along with his wealth from his other companies, like Tesla. Shares of SPCX opened at $150 and have remained well above the $138 benchmark that gives Musk a 13-figure net worth. SpaceX combined Musk's rocket, AI, and social media platforms earlier this year, and said in its S-1 that its goal is to "build the systems and technologies necessary to make life multi
A trillion dollars is a stupid amount of money
Elon Musk is now officially the world's first trillionaire. That is a colossal amount of wealth (and by proxy, power) for one individual to have. Its scale - a thousand times more than a billion - is difficult to fathom for those of us who aren't among the 3,363 billionaires that currently exist in our […] Elon Musk is now officially the world's first trillionaire . That is a colossal amount of wealth (and by proxy, power) for one individual to have. Its scale - a thousand times more than a billion - is difficult to fathom for those of us who aren't among the 3,363 billionaires that currently exist in our world. But let's try to comprehend it anyway. The most frequently cited comparison is time. If you were to count out a million seconds, it would take you 11 and a half days. A billion seconds would take you 31.7 years. But a trillion seconds would take 31,700 years - to reach that
Siri is good now??
You'd be forgiven for thinking this day would never come. Siri has spent a decade and half somewhere between "sort of useful at a few things" and "utterly disastrous, why did I even try, can it honestly not even set a timer." But the wildest thing just happened: Apple put out a new version of […] You'd be forgiven for thinking this day would never come. Siri has spent a decade and half somewhere between "sort of useful at a few things" and "utterly disastrous, why did I even try, can it honestly not even set a timer." But the wildest thing just happened: Apple put out a new version of Siri , and it actually seems to be pretty good . On this episode of The Vergecast , David and Nilay talk about their early experiences with Siri AI, and what it means for users, and the rest of the AI industry, for the iPhone's built-in assistant to be good enough at most things. There's very little a
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