From The Verge · 40 stories
Volkswagen's Mission Efficiency EV Prototype Sets Aerodynamic and Energy Efficiency Records
Volkswagen's Mission Efficiency, a near-production electric vehicle prototype built on the MEB+ platform, has achieved a drag coefficient of 0.158, making it the most aerodynamic road-approved vehicle globally. The prototype also set a new energy efficiency record, consuming 6.48 kWh per 100 kilometers in testing, and completed a 1,278.36 km trip on a single charge. This demonstrates advancements in EV efficiency through aerodynamic design and shared platform components.
Laika's upcoming stop-motion film Wildwood features smoother animation and lifelike puppet breathing
Laika's new stop-motion film, Wildwood, launching next month, incorporates advanced animation techniques and puppet technology. The studio uses digital cameras with frame-grabbers for smoother motion and internal 'breathers' in puppets to simulate lifelike breathing, enhancing character realism.
White House Claims Truth Social is the 'Most Powerful and Popular Social Media Platform'
The White House, through spokesperson Davis Ingle, stated that Truth Social is the "most powerful and popular social media platform in the world." This claim contradicts user data from major platforms like YouTube and Facebook, which have billions of active users, while Truth Social's traffic has declined.
Microsoft's Chief Communications Officer Frank Shaw to Depart After 17 Years
Frank Shaw, Microsoft's Chief Communications Officer, is leaving the company after 17 years in the role and nearly 30 years involved with Microsoft's communications. His departure marks the end of a significant tenure during which he managed communications for major product releases, CEO transitions, and large acquisitions.
Anime reaction YouTubers face copyright strikes from Remove Your Media
YouTuber Nicholas Light and other content creators specializing in anime reaction videos are receiving numerous copyright strikes from a company called Remove Your Media. These creators allege the strikes are false and abusive, impacting their channels and livelihoods.
Samsung Ad Features "Tim Cook" Lookalike Promoting Galaxy Z Fold 8
Samsung released a new advertisement for its Galaxy Z Fold 8 featuring a New Zealander named Tim Cook, who resembles Apple's CEO, mimicking Apple's product launch style. This ad continues Samsung's history of marketing campaigns that playfully target its competitor, Apple.
Ikea Releases Badkruka Bluetooth Speaker with Optical Input for $59.99
Ikea has released the Badkruka wireless Bluetooth speaker in the US for $59.99. This larger speaker includes an optical input for home theater connectivity, distinguishing it from Ikea's earlier portable speaker models.
Apple Watch Series 12 Reintroduces Ceramic Case Option Starting at $899
Apple has brought back a ceramic case option for its new Apple Watch Series 12, marking the first time since the Series 5 in 2019 that this material is available. This reintroduction provides a more durable and premium-priced alternative to the standard aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium models.
Sony clarifies disc production decrease to 10%, not 90%, by 2028
Sony's discmaking division clarified that its Thalgau plant will decrease production by 10% by 2028, not 90% as previously reported. This means physical PlayStation game discs will remain in production longer than initially understood, though the company still plans to end new game disc production after January 2028.
Rivian's Also micromobility spinoff delays TM-B e-bike shipments due to supply chain and regulatory issues
Also, Rivian's micromobility spinoff, has delayed shipments of its TM-B e-bike, originally slated for spring 2026, due to supply chain challenges for PCBs and ICs, and regulatory hurdles with its battery system. This impacts customers who pre-ordered the e-bike and highlights difficulties in bringing innovative hardware to market.
SteelSeries Launches $259.99 Aeon Pro Wireless Controller for Xbox and PC
SteelSeries released the Aeon Pro wireless controller for Xbox and PC at a price of $259.99. The controller features an OLED screen, Hall effect joysticks, mechanical switches, and a swappable battery system with two 12-hour batteries and a charging base station. This marks SteelSeries' entry into the high-end controller market.
EcoFlow Introduces Smaller, Higher-Density River Gen4 Portable Power Stations
EcoFlow has launched its fourth-generation River series portable power stations, the River 260 Gen4 and River 520 Gen4, featuring increased energy density and smaller form factors. These new models offer improved portability and longer-lasting LFP battery chemistry, making them suitable for outdoor use and as backup power.
Pokémon Champions Mobile Version Excluded from High-Level Tournaments
The mobile version of the game Pokémon Champions is not permitted in high-level competitive tournaments, including the Pokémon World Championships, despite being cross-platform with the Nintendo Switch version. The Pokémon Company cites graphical quality and device complexity as reasons for this restriction, which impacts competitive players who prefer mobile.
Earth Garden Launches Interactive Globe for Exploring Field Recordings
Earth Garden, a new interactive web application, allows users to explore environmental field recordings from around the world via a rotatable globe interface. The platform sources its audio from Freesound, offering diverse sounds from various global locations.
Short film "Road Rage" features murderous robotaxi as villain, reflecting public AI anxieties
A new short film titled "Road Rage" is in production, depicting an autonomous vehicle as a villain that attempts to kill a human driver. The film taps into existing public anxieties about AI, job displacement, and machine decision-making, using a robotaxi as a preloaded source of tension.
Roland introduces Melody Flip, a generative AI music plug-in for DAWs
Roland has launched Melody Flip, a new generative AI music plug-in for digital audio workstations (DAWs) that creates musical loops. This tool allows users to generate melodies, chord progressions, basslines, or drums based on genre-themed "Palettes" or a reference track, serving as a creative starting point rather than producing full songs.
Bluetti Launches Pioneer 5000 Portable Power Station with 5.12kWh Battery and 18KW Surge
Bluetti introduced the Pioneer 5000, a portable power station featuring a 5.12kWh LFP battery, 18KW surge power, and IP65 resistance. This device is positioned as an alternative to gas generators for various applications, offering expandable battery capacity up to 35kWh.
Aqara Introduces New Smart Lighting Products with Zigbee and Thread Support at IFA
Aqara unveiled a new lineup of smart lighting products at IFA, including a floor lamp, outdoor lights, and an updated LED strip, all compatible with Zigbee and Thread. These new devices expand Aqara's smart home offerings, providing users with more options for integrated lighting solutions.
Ugreen Launches MagFlow Pro, a Liquid-Cooled 10,000mAh Power Bank with Wireless Charging
Ugreen released the MagFlow Pro, a 10,000mAh power bank featuring a liquid-cooling system and Qi2.2-compatible wireless charging for $149.99. This product introduces liquid cooling to a wireless charging power bank, aiming to manage heat and extend battery life.
Tecno unveils 'Bezelless' concept phone with truly bezel-free display
Tecno, a budget smartphone brand, has developed a concept phone named "Bezelless" that features a display with no visible black borders. This development demonstrates that a truly bezel-free screen is technically achievable, though the device remains a concept and will not be sold commercially.
Dyson introduces Corrale CoolShine straightener with liquid cooling and Airsmooth dryer brush
Dyson launched two new hair care products: the Corrale CoolShine straightener, which incorporates liquid cooling pipes to reduce heat exposure, and the Airsmooth dryer brush, featuring anti-snag bristle technology. These products expand Dyson's health and beauty lineup with updated styling tools.
SwitchBot Launches Lock Ultra Max Smart Lock for European Market with 19 Unlock Methods
SwitchBot introduced the Lock Ultra Max, a new retrofit smart lock designed for European homes, offering 19 different ways to unlock doors. This release expands SwitchBot's smart home product line with a model specifically tailored to European lock types and features a more powerful motor.
Awol Vision Unveils LuxVision, First 4K 120Hz UST Projector with Optical Lens Shift
Awol Vision introduced the LuxVision, an ultra-short throw (UST) projector featuring 4K 120Hz output and optical lens shift, a first for this projector type. This development offers improved image quality for UST projectors by avoiding digital image manipulation.
Anker's eufyMake to release a personal fabric printer by spring 2027
Anker's eufyMake brand is developing a new personal fabric printer, expected to launch by spring 2027. This machine will allow users to print designs directly onto fabrics like T-shirts and jeans, or transfer designs via film, offering customization options for garments.
Anker unveils its first over-the-counter hearing aids at IFA 2026
Anker announced its entry into the over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid market at IFA 2026, introducing a receiver-in-canal (RIC) model. This move follows the exit of other major manufacturers from the US OTC hearing aid market, potentially filling a gap in availability.
Anker SleepLab Speaker Uses Radar for Wearable-Free Sleep Tracking and Relaxation
Anker has introduced the SleepLab speaker, which tracks sleep metrics like heart rate and breathing using millimeter-wave radar without requiring a wearable device. The speaker also uses binaural beats and lighting to promote relaxation and can be reserved now, with the Pro model priced at $269.99.
Tado Launches Second-Generation Smart Thermostat X in Europe
Tado has released its second-generation Smart Thermostat X exclusively for the European market, featuring a new design and Matter-over-Thread connectivity. This launch aims to attract former Nest users in Europe following Google's exit from parts of the European thermostat market.
NYT Introduces Subscriber-Exclusive Bonus Puzzles Including 'Wordle in 1'
The New York Times is launching weekly bonus puzzles for its subscribers, featuring variations of popular games like Wordle, Strands, Connections, and Crossword. These new puzzles, such as 'Wordle in 1' and 'Connections 3x3', aim to provide fresh content for existing subscribers and diversify the NYT's puzzle offerings.
Epilogue Releases USB-C Cartridge Readers for Game Boy and Super Nintendo Games
Epilogue has released the GB Operator and SN Operator, USB-C devices that allow users to read, write, and play Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Super Nintendo, and Super Famicom cartridges on modern computers. These devices enable backing up save files and playing physical cartridges through emulation software, with an N64 version planned.
Homey Launches Portal Touchscreen Smart Home Controller with Tactile Dial
Homey, owned by LG, launched the Homey Portal, a desk or wall-mounted touchscreen controller with a tactile dial for smart home devices. This device aims to simplify smart home control by offering a dedicated physical interface that supports a wide range of protocols and devices.
John Deere Launches AI Chatbot for Farmers, Emphasizing Data Privacy
John Deere introduced a new AI assistant named "JD" for farmers, currently in an Early Access Program for select US customers. The chatbot uses farmers' field, machine, and operational data to provide insights on topics like equipment settings and harvest timing. John Deere also released a 10-point Farmer Data Commitment, stating it will not sell farmer data and allows farmers control over third-party sharing.
Shelly Launches $50 Security Camera with Optional Subscription for Cloud Features
Shelly released a new $49.99 security camera that operates without a subscription, offering 1080p resolution and local storage. An optional subscription adds cloud recording and smart object detection, positioning it as a budget-friendly home security option.
JMGO Iris Ultra Max 4K 120Hz Projector with Dual-Iris System Now Available Globally
JMGO has released its Iris Ultra Max all-in-one Google TV projector outside China, featuring 4K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and a new dual-iris system for 10,000:1 native contrast. This projector aims to deliver high brightness and improved contrast for home entertainment, particularly for gaming and sports viewing.
Markiplier Becomes GoPro's Largest Shareholder with 8.5% Stake
YouTuber Mark "Markiplier" Fischbach has acquired an 8.5% stake in GoPro, making him the company's largest single shareholder. Fischbach believes GoPro is undervalued and sees his investment as a step towards making filmmaking more accessible.
Chess.com Launches Gambit, a Free Online Poker Site, with Plans for More Classic Games
Chess.com, known for its online chess platform, has launched Gambit, a free online poker website in beta, and plans to expand into other classic games. Gambit focuses on learning and social play without real-money gambling, utilizing AI for development and a subscription model for premium features.
BYOK distraction-free writing gadget to add custom scripting extensions
The BYOK distraction-free writing gadget is introducing an optional scripting system to allow users to add custom features. This change addresses user requests for expanded capabilities without cluttering the core device with features not needed by all users.
Sony Introduces Bravia 6 OLED TV, a More Affordable Option with Four HDMI 2.1 Ports
Sony has announced the Bravia 6 OLED TV, positioned as a more affordable alternative to its existing OLED models. This new TV is Sony's first OLED to feature four HDMI 2.1 ports, aiming to compete with midrange OLED offerings from Samsung and LG.
Xiaomi Launches Redmi Note 17 Pro Max with 9,210mAh Battery and Three-Day Battery Life
Xiaomi has released the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max, featuring a 9,210mAh silicon-carbon battery that provides up to three days of use. This release introduces a new phone model with a focus on extended battery life for global markets outside the US.
Garmin Launches Fenix 9 Smartwatches with Brighter OLED Displays and Enhanced Mapping
Garmin has released its new Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro smartwatches, featuring brighter OLED displays, increased RAM, and an upgraded map engine for smoother navigation. These updates aim to improve user experience with enhanced visual clarity and faster performance for outdoor and fitness tracking.
Dreame shuts down automotive project after government funding withdrawal
Chinese vacuum manufacturer Dreame has reportedly closed its automotive division, "Project Starry Sky," due to a halt in government funding. This closure follows increased scrutiny by the Chinese government on the private fund industry, impacting Dreame's expansion into various new ventures.