From The Verge · 40 stories
Affordable Kodak EC35 Film Camera Released at $35
Reto Project has launched the Kodak EC35, a 35mm film camera priced at $34.99. Designed to be beginner-friendly, it has a fixed 25mm f/10 lens and basic manual controls. Available in seven colors, this camera offers an affordable entry into film photography.
Amazon's God Of War Series Recasts Kratos After Actor Injury
Amazon's upcoming God of War series has recast the lead role of Kratos after actor Ryan Hurst sustained a bicep injury on set. The injury led to production halting and plans to reshoot the completed episodes with a new actor, delaying the series launch. This update follows Hurst's inability to return to filming due to extended recovery time.
Netflix Releases Stranger Things Season 1 in Nostalgic VHS Format
Netflix has released a special VHS-style edition of Stranger Things Season 1 in celebration of its 10th anniversary. This edition uses a video format reminiscent of the 1980s, featuring a 4:3 aspect ratio and grainy visuals, appealing to fans of the show's nostalgic aesthetic. The Duffer brothers hinted at potential future releases if this edition proves successful.
Skullcandy Launches Crusher 1080 ANC Headphones with Bose ANC Technology
Skullcandy has released its Crusher 1080 ANC headphones, incorporating Bose's QuietControl ANC technology and haptic bass system. Priced at approximately $270, they offer adjustable bass and clear audio with new drivers, challenging established competitors in the headphone market. The integration of Bose's technologies marks a significant enhancement in audio quality and experience.
Xtra Muse Camera Undercuts DJI Osmo Pocket 3 in Price Wars
Xtra Muse portable camera is now priced at $329, offering a $50 price advantage over the DJI Osmo Pocket 3. Both cameras target the vlogging market with features like Bluetooth mic compatibility. Price competitiveness in the portable camera segment intensifies, reflecting shifts in market strategies.
Asus ROG Flow Z13 Price Reduced by $900 at Best Buy
Best Buy has reduced the price of the Asus ROG Flow Z13 gaming tablet from $2,999.99 to $2,099.99. This 2-in-1 device features an AMD Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 chipset, 64GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, making it appealing for gaming and AI applications. The price drop makes this hybrid device a compelling purchase in the current market.
WhatCable App for Mac Helps Identify USB-C Cable Capabilities
The free Mac app WhatCable enables Apple Silicon users to discover the performance of their USB-C cables, revealing data such as speed, power delivery, and video bandwidth. The app uses macOS data to assess cable capabilities, addressing confusion around USB-C cable specifications. WhatCable provides users a way to optimize their connections and identify faulty cables.
Talisman Design Launches Wizard-Themed PocketMage PDA with E-Paper Screen
Talisman Design has introduced the PocketMage, a clamshell PDA featuring e-paper and OLED displays. This device offers a distraction-free smartphone alternative with a wizard-themed OS including a digital tarot deck and other unique features. It is available for preorder with two purchase options, shipping expected by 2027.
Microsoft Releases Update to Fix Windows 11 Storage Bug in CapabilityAccessManager File
Microsoft has issued an optional update to address a storage bug in Windows 11 where the CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal file grew excessively, consuming significant disk space. The June 2026 update resolves issues that led the file to occupy up to 500GB on users' devices. Fixing this bug will prevent storage issues related to app permissions.
Amble Launches $25,000 Electric Buggy for Short-Range Mobility
Amble has unveiled the Amble One, a $25,000 lightweight electric vehicle designed for short-range use. Featuring a range of over 60 miles and a top speed of 40 mph, it targets environments such as coastal paths and hotels where traditional cars might be too large. This move highlights the diversification in the EV market focused on niche mobility solutions.
Amazon Updates Fire HD 10 Tablet with Increased RAM
Amazon has refreshed its Fire HD 10 tablet, increasing RAM in the 32GB model from 3GB to 4GB, with a price rise to $154.99. The 64GB version remains at 3GB RAM. The update, possibly influenced by memory supply issues, maintains other core specs like the 2GHz octa-core processor and 10.1-inch display.
Universal Studios Hollywood to add new sound barrier after resident complaints
Universal Studios Hollywood will install an additional sound barrier for its new "Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift" ride and cease operations between 8 AM and 9 AM daily for the rest of the year. This action follows complaints from local residents regarding noise from the attraction, which opened on September 16.
Grokipedia, SpaceXAI's AI-powered encyclopedia, resumes article updates after months-long pause
Grokipedia, an AI-powered online encyclopedia from SpaceXAI, has resumed updating articles after a pause of several months. The platform's live updates site now shows recent changes, including fact-checking notes and accepted user suggestions, indicating renewed activity.
Meta Connect 2026 to feature new AI glasses and mixed reality headset
Meta's upcoming Connect 2026 event will likely showcase new smart glasses, including a camera-free model, and potentially a mixed reality headset. This event is significant as it outlines Meta's hardware and AI strategy, addressing privacy concerns with new designs.
AI-generated menus exhibit 'sameness problem' due to narrow training data
AI-generated restaurant menus often display an unappetizing, overly perfect aesthetic because the models are trained on limited datasets, leading to a lack of natural variation. This issue, dubbed the "sameness problem," highlights a broader challenge in generative AI where models can produce outputs that feel artificial or incorrect, even if visually flawless.
Hybrid solar-plus-battery systems offer more savings than pure plug-in solar
Hybrid solar systems that combine solar panels with batteries provide greater potential for energy savings compared to pure plug-in solar setups. This is because batteries can store solar-generated power or cheap off-peak electricity, addressing the mismatch between peak solar generation and household energy consumption.
Remedy Entertainment Expands Style with Control Resonant Sequel
Remedy Entertainment has released "Control Resonant," a sequel to their 2019 game "Control," which expands the game's scope to an open-world New York City and shifts combat to a melee focus. This release matters as it demonstrates the studio's continued development of unique game experiences while evolving established franchises.
OpenAI's new model solves ten math problems, prompting concerns about AI's role in mathematics
OpenAI announced that an unreleased AI model solved ten open problems in mathematics, including one in coding theory. This development raises questions about the future role of human mathematicians and the potential for AI to independently advance mathematical fields.
AMD Gainsborough Chip Emerges, Potentially Linked to Future Handheld Devices
AMD drivers have revealed a new chip codenamed "Gainsborough," which shares a naming convention with previous Steam Deck chips and appears to be a semi-custom design on TSMC's N3P process. While import records show test equipment for Gainsborough is shipping, suggesting customer evaluation, direct evidence linking it to a Steam Deck 2 is not conclusive.
Protesters target OpenAI DevDay over ICE contracts, data centers, and AI power
Protesters gathered at OpenAI's annual DevDay event in San Francisco, demonstrating against the company's contracts with ICE, the environmental impact of data centers, and the concentration of power within the AI industry. Organizations like Bay Resistance and Tech Workers Coalition sponsored the rally, calling for "people over profit" and an end to military and government contracts.
SteelSeries Launches Rival Pro and Sensei Pro Wireless Gaming Mice with UWB and Swappable Batteries
SteelSeries has released new Rival Pro and Sensei Pro wireless gaming mice featuring ultra-wideband (UWB) connectivity, swappable batteries, and lightweight designs. These mice aim to provide lower latency and consistent high polling rates for competitive gaming.
Fairphone to launch Fairbuds 2 repairable wireless earbuds on October 14th
Fairphone will release its new Fairbuds 2 wireless earbuds on October 14th, featuring seven replaceable parts and support for Sony's LDAC codec. The Fairbuds 2 continue Fairphone's focus on repairability, offering an alternative in the wireless earbud market.
Polaroid Launches New Mod Instant Camera with Four Creative Shooting Modes
Polaroid has released the new Polaroid Mod instant camera, which includes four creative shooting modes for in-camera analog effects. This launch provides photographers with more experimental options beyond standard exposure adjustments.
Gears of War: E-Day is a confident prequel launching during a tumultuous period for Xbox
Gears of War: E-Day, a prequel set 14 years before the original game, focuses on the "emergence day" event where the Locust Horde attacks humanity. The game is described as a brutal, tense action game, but its release coincides with a period of significant change for Xbox.
Walmart CEO states company will not use digital shelf labels for dynamic pricing
Walmart CEO John Furner announced the company will not use digital shelf labels or AI to implement dynamic pricing based on customer data or time of day. This statement addresses concerns that arose after Walmart's plan to roll out digital shelf labels across all US stores by year-end was announced.
Philips Sonicare Next-Generation DiamondClean 9900 Prestige Smart Toothbrush Launches
Philips launched its Sonicare Next-Generation DiamondClean 9900 Prestige smart toothbrush in Europe and the US. This new model incorporates AI for motion tracking and pressure sensing, aiming to guide users to brush more effectively.
Thoughtful Things Launches Engram, an AI-Powered Sampler for Experimental Music
Music startup Thoughtful Things launched a Kickstarter campaign for Engram, a sampler and groovebox that uses local AI to generate experimental and "hallucinated" audio. The device is designed for sound designers to explore AI audio models and create unique sounds, rather than producing mainstream music.
Fairphone 6 Plus and Framework Laptop 12 Released, Emphasizing Repairability
Fairphone has launched its 6 Plus smartphone directly in the US, featuring improved specifications and a 10/10 repairability score from iFixit. Framework also released the second generation of its 12-inch Laptop, offering Intel Core Series 3 processors and a lower starting price, continuing its focus on user-upgradable and repairable devices.
TCL Note A1 Nxtpaper Tablet Reviewed for Note-Taking and General Use
The TCL Note A1 Nxtpaper tablet, featuring a low-glare matte display and stylus, aims to provide a paper-like writing experience while retaining full tablet functionality. However, the device is described as not fully excelling as either a dedicated note-taker or a general-purpose tablet. This matters as it highlights the challenges in combining specialized e-paper alternatives with standard tablet features.
Apple Vision Pro Receives Praise for Immersive Baseball Broadcasts
Apple's Vision Pro is being lauded by tech pundits as the best way to watch baseball, following its "Friday Night Baseball" immersive experience. The 8K, 180-degree 3D video broadcast of a live MLB game provided a highly realistic viewing experience, with a consensus that fewer camera angles improved immersion.
Insta360, a dominant 360-camera maker, explores mirrorless cameras and smart glasses
Insta360, which holds 73% of the worldwide 360-camera market, is expanding its product development beyond 360 cameras. The company is experimentally building its own mirrorless cameras and smart glasses to become a broader imaging technology company. This move signifies Insta360's ambition to compete with established camera brands and explore new hardware categories.
McDonald's Tests Third-Party Ads on Drive-Thru Digital Menus
McDonald's is conducting a limited pilot program to display ads from other brands on its drive-thru digital menu boards after customers place orders. This initiative explores new revenue streams and content delivery methods for the company.
Rabbit releases standalone AI agent OS3, discontinues R1 device manufacturing
Rabbit has launched OS3, a cloud-based AI agent that runs locally on Windows, Mac, and Linux devices, making its functionality available without the R1 hardware. The company has ceased manufacturing the R1 and plans to release a new "cyberdeck" device running OS3 in the coming months.
Apple clarifies Texture and Grain camera controls are exclusive to latest iPhones
Apple clarified that new Texture and Grain photo editing controls are only available for photos captured on the latest iPhone 18 Pro models and iPhone Duo, despite earlier press releases suggesting broader compatibility. This means older iPhone models running iOS 27 can only use these features when editing photos taken with the newest devices. The change limits the functionality of these new photographic styles to the newest hardware.
San Francisco sues Trump Media over early access to Trump posts on Truth Social
San Francisco has filed a lawsuit against Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social, alleging that its "Truth API" service facilitates insider trading by selling early access to influential posts, including those from Donald Trump. The city claims this scheme violates California's Unfair Competition Law and federal ethics laws, citing examples where Trump's posts impacted markets.
Rivian R2 Achieves 50% Lifetime Carbon Reduction Four Years Ahead of Schedule
Rivian announced that its R2 vehicles achieved a 50% lifetime carbon reduction compared to the R1 lineup, four years earlier than its 2030 target. This reduction encompasses production, driving, and recycling, and was detailed in the company's 2025 impact report.
White House launches 'Trump TV' YouTube livestream featuring presidential reruns
The White House launched a 24/7 YouTube livestream called "Trump TV," broadcasting reruns of President Trump's speeches and events. This initiative follows the White House's ban of CNN, MS Now, and Politico, drawing criticism regarding press freedom.
FunnyPlaying Releases FPGB Mini, a Compact Game Boy/Color Clone with FPGA
FunnyPlaying launched the FPGB Mini, a new handheld device that plays original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges and ROMs using FPGA technology. The FPGB Mini offers a smaller form factor and lower price point compared to the Analogue Pocket, though with more limited cartridge compatibility.
Camp Snap Launches 110D Digital Camera with Retro 110 Film Camera Design
Camp Snap released the 110D, a new screenless digital point-and-shoot camera, which features a slim horizontal design inspired by 1970s Kodak 110 film cameras. This release expands Camp Snap's product line with a digital camera offering a vintage aesthetic and modern convenience.
Lunacy Audio Launches Nova Platform for AI-Powered Music Plugin Creation and Sales
Lunacy Audio introduced Nova, a platform enabling creators to build and sell custom music tools using AI prompts and pre-made effects blocks. Initially offering 10 plugins, Nova will eventually include a "Nova Builder" for user-generated content, allowing for modification and sharing of plugins. This platform aims to foster a community-driven approach to music software development, making plugin creation accessible without traditional coding.