From The Verge · 40 stories
JBL introduces Cove series Wi-Fi speakers for whole-home audio
JBL has launched the Cove series, a new line of three Wi-Fi speakers designed for whole-home audio, marking a shift from its primary focus on Bluetooth and party speakers. This release expands JBL's product offerings into the multi-room audio market, providing options for integrated home theater setups and portable listening.
TP-Link announces Archer 8 Ultra Wi-Fi 8 router for September 30 preorder, Deco 8 Ultra in Q1 2027
TP-Link will launch its first consumer Wi-Fi 8 router, the Archer 8 Ultra BN19000, for preorder on September 30. The company also detailed the Deco 8 Ultra BN22000 mesh router, expected in Q1 2027, and future Wi-Fi 8 products.
Nintendo introduces new Switch 2 bundles before console price increase
Nintendo announced new bundles for the Switch 2, including a Nintendo Switch Sports Resort bundle and an updated Mario Kart World package, ahead of a $50 price increase for the console. These bundles include a 90-day Nintendo Switch Online membership and are positioned as cost-effective options compared to purchasing items separately after the price hike.
Ikea and Microsoft launch Xbox-themed Yxstaby furniture collection
Ikea and Microsoft have collaborated to release the Yxstaby collection, a nine-piece line of gaming-inspired furniture and home accessories, to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Xbox console. This collection aims to integrate gaming gear storage and aesthetics into home environments, reflecting shifts in how people use their living spaces for play.
Gamescom Opening Night Live to Feature Previews of Final Fantasy, Gears of War, and More
Gamescom's Opening Night Live event will showcase previews for several major upcoming video games, including "Gears of War: E-Day," "Silent Hill: Townfall," and "Final Fantasy 7 Revelation." The event will also feature a first look at "The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past" expansion and updates on other titles, providing significant announcements for the gaming community.
Wyze Releases New Indoor Cam Pan with Retracting Lens for Privacy and 2K Resolution
Wyze has launched a new Indoor Cam Pan, an indoor security camera priced at $39.98. This model features a lens that retracts into the camera body for physical privacy, 2K video resolution, and AI-powered motion tracking, offering an updated option for home surveillance.
ESPN streaming subscription and Disney Plus bundles to increase prices on September 17th
ESPN is raising the prices for its standalone streaming subscriptions and some Disney Plus bundles starting September 17th. This marks the first price increase for ESPN's standalone streaming service since its launch last August, affecting both monthly and annual plans.
Apple TV announces August content, including new seasons of Ted Lasso and Dark Matter
Apple TV will release new seasons of several shows in August, including "Ted Lasso" (season 4), "Women in Blue" (season 2), "Stillwater" (season 5), and "Dark Matter" (season 2). A new sports docuseries, "The Dynasty: UConn Huskies," will also debut. This content update provides subscribers with new viewing options across comedy, drama, sci-fi, and sports genres.
Tesla discontinues Solar Roof tiles, citing financial unviability
Tesla has discontinued its Solar Roof product, which integrated solar panels into roofing tiles, according to reports from Electrek. The company has reportedly concluded that the product is not financially viable, and its website has removed all references to Solar Roof, redirecting its dedicated page to general solar panels. This discontinuation impacts customers interested in integrated solar roofing solutions from Tesla.
Riot Games ends active development of 2XKO fighting game by December 2026
Riot Games is ceasing active development on its free-to-play League of Legends fighting game, 2XKO, with content updates ending in October 2026 and active development concluding by December 2026. The decision stems from insufficient player retention and the game's inability to achieve financial sustainability, as costs exceeded revenue. Servers will remain online beyond 2026, all characters will be unlocked, and refunds for in-game purchases made before August 20 are being processed.
Genesis Debuts GV90 Electric SUV, Including Four-Seat Neolum Variant
Genesis has launched the GV90, its new flagship electric SUV, which includes a production version of the Neolum concept. This release expands Genesis's electric vehicle offerings with a luxury SUV platform.
Polaroid Launches Pokémon 30th Anniversary Camera and Film Collection
Polaroid announced a new collection of instant cameras, film, and accessories featuring limited-edition Pokémon designs to celebrate the franchise's 30th anniversary. This release includes existing camera models with new aesthetics and film printed with Pokémon characters, expanding on previous collaborations.
Framework Laptop 12 updated with Intel Core Series 3 chips and hardware upgrades
Framework updated its Laptop 12 with Intel Core Series 3 chips, Thunderbolt 4 support, DDR5 RAM, and optional backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader. These changes improve battery life and performance, making the modular laptop more competitive.
Petlibro Smart Feeder Outage Causes Pets to Miss Meals
A service outage affecting Petlibro's smart pet feeders and other devices began on Tuesday, preventing scheduled food dispensing and remote control. The issue, attributed to app communication with online servers, led to some pets missing meals, particularly impacting owners away from home. Petlibro stated that app services were fully restored by 7 PM PT on Wednesday.
Robot Lawn Mowers Show Improved Navigation and User-Friendly Features
Recent robot lawn mower models demonstrate advancements in navigation and maneuverability, addressing previous issues with getting stuck. The TerraMow V1000 uses a camera-based TerraVision 2.0 system for automatic mapping, while other models show improvements in RTK and NetRTK navigation, making them more reliable for yard maintenance.
Microsoft removes Mico character from Copilot voice mode, relocates it to Learn Live
Microsoft has removed its Mico character from Copilot's voice mode less than a year after its launch, moving the avatar to the Learn Live platform. Mico, introduced in October 2023 to provide an identity for the chatbot, will now serve as a tutor. This change is part of Microsoft's broader efforts to merge Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot applications.
Matic Robot Vacuum Adds Voice and Gesture Control with Matic Cues Update
The Matic robot vacuum has received a software update called Matic Cues, introducing voice and gesture control capabilities. Users can now direct the vacuum to clean specific areas by pointing or using voice commands in over 70 languages, without needing a smartphone app. This update, available from August 13, 2024, precedes a price increase for the Matic robot from $1,245 to $1,495 on September 9, 2024.
Rivian R1S to Offer Second-Row Captain's Chairs in 2027 Model Year
Rivian announced that second-row captain's chairs will be available for its R1S SUV as part of the 2027 model year refresh. This feature, a frequent request from owners, provides easier access to the third row and increased interior flexibility. The captain's chairs will be offered as an optional upgrade.
Roku Launches Fairground AI Creator TV, a 24/7 AI-Generated Content Channel
Roku has introduced Fairground AI Creator TV, a new 24/7 free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel featuring content from approximately 100 AI creators. This channel, developed in partnership with AI startup Fairground, marks Roku's entry into generative AI content, though initial viewer reactions describe the content quality as low.
Trevor Noah to Host Made by Google 2026 Event Featuring Pixel 11 Pro and Watch 5 Teases
Google announced Trevor Noah will host the Made by Google 2026 event on August 12th at 6 p.m. ET in New York City. The event will feature various celebrities and athletes, and Google briefly teased the Pixel 11 Pro with HiLight active and the Pixel Watch 5.
Apple Vision Pro to Stream Live MLB Friday Night Baseball in Immersive Video
Apple will stream four MLB Friday Night Baseball games in immersive video on Apple Vision Pro, starting August 28th with the Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees. These broadcasts will feature dedicated commentary and live graphics, expanding the Vision Pro's immersive content library which previously included NBA games and other experiences. This initiative aims to attract more users to the platform by offering unique sports viewing experiences.
Nothing Releases Ear 3A Earbuds with Transparent Design and Improved Features for $99
Nothing has launched the Ear 3A earbuds, priced at $99, featuring a transparent design, 12mm dynamic drivers, and improved active noise cancellation (ANC). The new model maintains Nothing's visual identity and offers enhanced sound quality with adjustable EQ, though some users may experience minor issues with adaptive ANC and call quality.
HP Releases HyperX Omen 15 and Omen Max 16 Gaming Laptops
HP has released two new gaming laptops, the HyperX Omen 15 and the HyperX Omen Max 16. The Omen 15, starting at $1,200, replaces the budget-friendly Victus 15 and features an RTX 5050 Laptop GPU and a 16:10 display. The Omen Max 16, priced at $4,699, includes a Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor and an RTX 5090 GPU, but its performance does not align with its cost.
Apple Increases Trade-In Values for Most Devices, Adds New Android Models
Apple has updated its trade-in program, increasing values for most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models, with some increases reaching nearly 30%. The company also expanded its accepted Android devices to include additional Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and OnePlus models, while lowering values for some older Android phones.
Dolby Vision 2 Launches on Select 2026 Hisense TVs, Expanding HDR Capabilities
Dolby Vision 2, a new dynamic HDR format, is now available on select 2026 Hisense TV models, including the UX, UR9, UR8, and U7, with availability by September 2026. This update introduces a more powerful image engine, expanded metadata, and features like Content Intelligence and Light Sense 2, aiming to optimize picture quality across various viewing conditions.
Viture Launches Pro 2 Smartglasses and Mobile Dock Mini, Focusing on Comfort and Clarity
Viture has released its Pro 2 smartglasses, priced at $299, and a more compact Mobile Dock Mini for $99. The Pro 2 model is 20 percent lighter and 16 percent thinner than its predecessor, featuring diopter adjustments and UltraClarity 3.0 technology for improved visual comfort and image clarity. This release aims to make advanced clarity features more accessible to consumers at a lower price point.
Ring Releases Peephole Cam 2K, Upgrading Resolution and Design for $99
Ring has launched the Peephole Cam 2K, an updated version of its peephole doorbell camera, featuring 2K video recording, a slimmer design, and a starting price of $99.99. This new model replaces the 2019 Door View Cam and is designed for easy installation without drilling, making it suitable for renters.
OpenAI's First Influencer Trip Draws Backlash Over AI's Environmental Impact
OpenAI hosted its inaugural influencer brand trip, dubbed "Summer Club," at a luxury retreat in upstate New York, which led to online criticism. Influencers posted content from the event, but comments highlighted concerns about the environmental impact of AI data centers and other ethical issues.
YouTuber Hank Green Apologizes for AI Chatbot Use in Video Production
YouTuber Hank Green apologized to his audience for using AI chatbots, specifically ChatGPT, for research in his video production, describing the usage as "not healthy." The incident led to criticism regarding authenticity and prompted Green to announce a reduction in his video output.
House House Releases Co-op Exploration Game "Big Walk" Emphasizing Communication
House House, the developer of "Untitled Goose Game," has released "Big Walk," a new online cooperative puzzle game. Players explore a large island and solve puzzles together, with communication primarily facilitated through proximity chat.
Game Freak Releases New Action RPG "Beast of Reincarnation" to Mixed Reception
Game Freak, the studio primarily known for the Pokémon series, has released a new action RPG titled "Beast of Reincarnation." The game is set in a post-apocalyptic Japan and features a mercenary protagonist, but has received criticism for a lack of innovative ideas and repetitive gameplay.
Shark's ChillPill Fan Debuts with Versatile Cooling Features at Reduced Price
Shark has launched the ChillPill handheld fan with a three-in-one cooling system. Priced at £129.99, it features a rechargeable fan with a dry-touch evaporative mister and flexible design options. The device is currently available at a discounted price of $99.99 on Amazon and Costco.
SFB Games Releases "The Mermaid Mask," Latest Detective Grimoire Mystery Game
SFB Games has released "The Mermaid Mask," a new point-and-click mystery game featuring Detective Grimoire and his partner Sally. The game, a sequel in the Detective Grimoire series, tasks players with solving a locked-room murder on a submarine and is available on platforms including Nintendo Switch 2.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Remake Released, Updates Original Game with Unreal Engine 5
A full remake of the original Halo game, titled Halo: Campaign Evolved, has been released, updating the classic campaign experience with modern visuals and expanded cutscenes. The remake aims to bring the original game's story and gameplay to contemporary audiences using Unreal Engine 5.
Support for Full School Day Cellphone Bans Reaches New High in US
A new Pew Research Center survey indicates that 48% of US adults now support banning cellphones for the entire school day in middle and high schools, marking the first time support for such bans outweighs opposition. This represents an increase from 36% two years ago. Additionally, 77% of US adults support banning cellphones in middle and high school classes.
Midjourney acquires astrology app Co-Star
Midjourney, known for its AI image and video generators, has acquired the social astrology application Co-Star. This acquisition expands Midjourney's product portfolio beyond its core AI offerings and into consumer applications.
Lego releases Donkey Kong arcade machine set with functional game
Lego has released a $200 Donkey Kong arcade machine set, designed by Carl Merriam, which includes a basic functional game where Jumpman (Mario) can jump endless barrels. The set reportedly received approval from Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto and features original Lego barrel elements from 1989.
Instagram Adds Feature to Replace Music in Existing Posts
Instagram now allows users to swap out music in their existing feed posts and carousels without losing engagement metrics. This new feature aims to provide creators with more flexibility to align their content with current trends or personal preferences.
Nintendo Switch 2 Discounts: $399 at Woot and $449.99 with Free Game at Amazon
The Nintendo Switch 2 console is currently available at a discounted price on different platforms. Woot offers it for $399 for new customers and $427 for returning customers, while Amazon sells it at $449.99, including a free digital game. This is significant as the console's price is set to rise to $499.99 in September.
Google Open-Sources Redesigned 3D Noto Emoji for Cross-Platform Use
Google announced the redesign of its entire emoji collection into a 3D format called 'Noto 3D', which will first be available on Pixel phones. These newly designed emojis, debuting with Android 17 later this year, have been open-sourced, allowing developers to incorporate them into various applications. It marks a shift towards greater cross-platform consistency while retaining some of Google's original design ethos.