Chatbots can be manipulated through flattery and peer pressure
Generally, AI chatbots are not supposed to do things like call you names or tell you how to make controlled substances. But, just like a person, with the right psychological…
The Verge’s favorite gifts for book lovers
What do you gift somebody who loves books? The obvious answer is “a book,” but since true bibliophiles are probably sitting on a stack already, it’s worth getting a little…
Verizon’s ‘software issue’ has disconnected many wireless customers across the US
Verizon has confirmed to customers in stores and online that its network is having an issue on Saturday. Many people have been unable to connect and make or receive calls…
No, a Windows update probably didn’t brick your SSD
For the last week or two, reports have been circulating that recent Windows 11 updates (specifically KB5063878 and KB5062660) were causing some SSDs using Phison controllers to fail. Tech influencers…
The 20 best Labor Day deals you can grab for $100 or less
Labor Day weekend has finally arrived, and after a week of early discounts trickling in, the sales are now in full swing. From big-screen OLED TVs and outdoor gear to…
Discounty adds some bite to cozy life sims
There’s a pleasing rhythm to cozy life sims. The virtual days pass, filled with chores of tending crops or running a business, punctuated by strange mysteries or evolving relationships. At…
Why do Waymos keep loitering in front of my house?
When a Waymo pulls up and parks in front of her home on a residential street in West Los Angeles, 10-year-old Morgan rushes to the window. “The Waymo is home!”…
Apple pulls iPhone torrent app from AltStore PAL in Europe
Apple has removed the iPhone torrenting client, iTorrent, from AltStore PAL’s alternative iOS marketplace in the EU, showing that it can still exert control over apps that aren’t listed on…
Microsoft fires two employee protesters who occupied its president’s office
Microsoft has fired two employees that were involved in a sit-in protest in vice chair and president Brad Smith’s office. Software engineers Riki Fameli and Anna Hattle were both dismissed…
FDA approves updated covid vaccines, but with severe new limits
On Wednesday, the FDA approved the new round of COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax for use by seniors over the age of 65. But for anyone younger than…
Samsung is Unpacking again in early September
Maybe those little AI sparkles are bursting out of a trifold phone? Maybe? Apple isn’t the only tech company to send out launch event invitations this week. If you’re keeping…
4Chan and Kiwi Farms file joint lawsuit against the UK
On Wednesday, 4Chan and Kiwi Farms, two of the most controversial social media sites on the internet, filed a federal lawsuit against the British government, arguing that the requirements of…
Nothing busted using professional photos as Phone 3 samples
On the left is a screenshot taken from a Nothing Phone 3 demo unit. On the right, one of the images can be seen on the Stills stock photo marketplace.…
‘Vibe-hacking’ is now a top AI threat
“Agentic AI systems are being weaponized.” That’s one of the first lines of Anthropic’s new Threat Intelligence report, out today, which details the wide range of cases in which Claude…
London targets noisy commuters with headphone campaign
TfL is using posters to encourage passengers to wear headphones when listening to audio. | Image: TfL / The Verge After bringing 4G and 5G connectivity to the Underground, London’s…
Microsoft hosts emergency press conference after protesters ‘storm a building’
Microsoft president Brad Smith hosted an impromptu press conference on Tuesday afternoon, just hours after protesters gained access to a building at the company’s headquarters and held a sit-in demonstration…
Microsoft locks down a building after protesters get inside president’s office
Redmond police outside Microsoft’s building 34 | Image: No Azure for Apartheid Microsoft has temporarily locked down a building at its headquarters after protesters managed to get inside the office…
Spotify is adding DMs
Spotify’s new messaging feature can even be used by free accounts. Spotify is introducing a direct messaging feature that allows users to share music, podcast, and audiobook recommendations with each…
YouTube TV could lose Fox channels this week
With the start of the NFL season looming, it’s also a window where many TV contracts are up for renewal, and on Monday evening, YouTube TV and Fox sent out…
The new entry-level Kindle Colorsoft is $30 off for a limited time
Amazon’s 16GB Kindle Colorsoft is less than a month old, but it’s already on sale for $219.99 ($30 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. Meanwhile, the new Colorsoft Kids…
The 58 best Labor Day deals we’ve found so far
The AirPods 4 are $30 off ahead of Labor Day. Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, and while the prospect of cooler weather and shorter days can be…
Google Nest Camera and Doorbell leak shows off new colors and 2K video recording
Check out the “berry” red on the indoor Nest Cam. According to a new report from Android Headlines, Google’s next-generation Nest Cams might get an upgrade from 1080p to 2K.…
The Framework Desktop and Linux have shown me the path to PC gaming in the living room
It’s small, it’s relatively quiet, it has a handy sleep mode with remote wake-up, and the front tiles are even rotatable. The Framework Desktop is a great fit for a…
The most fun way to look through old photos
Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 95, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you’re new here, welcome, new gadget season is starting, and also…
They’re trying to make deep-sea mining happen
A protest in Netherlands. This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on deep-sea mining and critical minerals, follow Justine…
Bose’s compact TV Speaker is more than $100 off right now
Bose’s entry-level soundbar features a compact design, making it a great fit for small bedrooms. | Image: Bose If you’re looking to upgrade your movie night, a soundbar is an…
What’s on your desk, Dominic Preston?
Not all of The Verge’s staff live in the US. For example, news editor Dominic Preston is based in London and is, as he says, “responsible for keeping our news…
The Fairphone 6 no longer feels like a compromise (except in the US)
The Fairphone 6 arrives almost two years after the 5, a testament to the company’s approach to the upgrade cycle. If anything, I suspect the company would be frustrated if…
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a perfect reimagining of the classic series
Ninja Gaiden is having a renaissance. The last mainline entry was originally released more than a decade ago, but by the end of 2025, there will be three new Ninja…
Will Trump help 4Chan escape the UK’s internet police?
After the United Kingdom began enforcing its sweeping Online Safety Act in April, British regulator Ofcom served violation notices to three notorious sites: 4chan, Gab, and Kiwi Farms, each of…