From The Verge · 38 stories
Tesla Q2 2026 Sales Surge 25% Amid Market Rebound
Tesla delivered 480,126 vehicles in Q2 2026, marking a 25% year-over-year increase. The growth was driven predominantly by Model 3 and Model Y sales. This marks Tesla's first year-over-year growth in deliveries in two years, reversing the previous trend of declining sales.
Apple to Redesign Entry-Level MacBook Pro for Possible 2027 Launch
Apple reportedly plans a redesign for its entry-level MacBook Pro, possibly releasing in early 2027. The new model will maintain the 14-inch screen but adopt a design aligned with higher-end touch screen models. Apple is also developing new iPad Pro models, focusing on performance improvements and maintaining the current size range.
US Lifts Export Controls on Anthropic's AI Models Fable 5 and Mythos 5
The US government has lifted export restrictions on Anthropic's AI models, Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5, after negotiations ensured certain safety protocols. The initial bans were due to security concerns linked to potential model misuse. This change restores access to Fable 5 globally and Mythos 5 to select US organizations, addressing previous concerns. The case showcases the evolving regulatory landscape for AI models.
Sony to Halt Production of Physical PlayStation Discs by 2028
Sony announced plans to stop producing physical game discs for PlayStation from January 2028, shifting to a digital-only model. 85% of PS4 and PS5 sales are currently digital, driving this decision. Concerns arise over game preservation and consumer rights as digital formats eliminate physical ownership and resale opportunities.
China's LineShine crowned world's fastest supercomputer, surpassing El Capitan
China's supercomputer LineShine has become the fastest globally, reclaiming the title for the first time since 2018. This development is significant in light of ongoing US trade restrictions on high-powered computing components, highlighting China's ability to innovate despite challenges.
Meta Launches Pocket for AI-Generated Interactive Games
Meta released a new app called Pocket, which allows users to create and share AI-generated interactive mini-games. Following the acquisition of Gizmo's development team, this app uses AI prompts to let users generate "gizmos" that are shared socially. Pocket is available on iOS and Android but not yet widely accessible.
Meta Introduces $19.99 Subscription for Expanded Smart Glasses Feature Access
Meta has implemented a $19.99 subscription model for its AI glasses, particularly affecting the 'Conversation Focus' feature. Previously free, this feature will now be limited to three hours of monthly use without a subscription, while subscribers will get 15 hours. This move is part of Meta's broader strategy to monetize certain features across its platforms.
Xbox Tests Disc-to-Digital Feature for Physical Game Collections
Microsoft has started testing a disc-to-digital feature for Xbox, enabling owners to convert Xbox One and Series X/S physical games to digital formats. This comes amid a rise in digital gaming, aligning with industry trends after Sony's decision to halt physical game disc production by 2028.
Amazon's Leo Satellite Service Reaches Deployment Milestone
Amazon's Leo satellite broadband service has achieved an operational milestone with 396 satellites deployed. This allows for initial service capabilities, although full commercial availability is targeted for mid-2026. The service currently trails behind SpaceX’s Starlink, which had nearly 900 satellites when initiating beta service in 2020.
Netflix Uses AI to Recreate Gene Wilder's Voice for New Wonka Reality Show
Netflix has announced that its upcoming reality show "Wonka's The Golden Ticket," set to premiere on September 23, will feature an AI-generated voice of Gene Wilder. This decision, made in collaboration with ElevenLabs and with the consent of Wilder's family, has elicited mixed reactions, with some fans expressing concerns over the use of AI in this manner.
Tesla driver charged with manslaughter after fatal crash in Texas
Michael Butler faces manslaughter charges after his Tesla struck and killed a woman in her home. Investigations revealed that Butler was using Tesla's Full-Self Driving system and overridden its speed control at the time of the crash, raising safety concerns about autonomous driving technology.
Sony plans to cease production of PlayStation game discs
Sony will end production of physical game discs for PlayStation consoles, reflecting a shift towards digital gaming. This decision aligns with Microsoft's strategy to digitize games, potentially changing how consumers buy and share games.
Universal includes influencers in The Odyssey screenings after initial confusion
Universal held advanced screenings of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey for both influencers and traditional critics, clarifying that influencer screenings are integral to modern film marketing. The studio's decision highlights the growing importance of influencers in reaching diverse and younger audiences, despite mixed reactions from the public.
Silo's complexity causes confusion for actors and showrunner ahead of season 3
The Apple TV series Silo faces increased complexity as it enters its final seasons. Showrunner Graham Yost acknowledged mistakes during filming, revealing the challenges of maintaining continuity in a multifaceted narrative that spans futuristic and present-day timelines.
Microsoft's Xbox announces layoffs and studio closures amid financial challenges
Microsoft's Xbox division is preparing for significant layoffs and potential studio closures due to rising costs and an overburdened studio system. These changes are part of an 'Xbox reset' initiated by new CEO Asha Sharma, aiming to address a 3% accountability margin and ongoing component price increases.
Krafton settles dispute with Unknown Worlds, CEO to depart after $250M legal saga
Krafton has settled its legal dispute with subsidiary Unknown Worlds Entertainment, which is developing Subnautica 2, by agreeing to pay bonuses to all staff. The settlement comes after a contentious year where Krafton removed studio cofounders and faced a lawsuit, leading to CEO Ted Gill's reinstatement in March.
Comcast's Split Challenges Peacock's Future in Streaming
Comcast plans to separate NBCUniversal, forcing Peacock to operate independently amid financial challenges. As Peacock shifts away from being a complementary service, it must find a way to attract subscribers and achieve profitability.
Dish files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, plans to continue operations
Dish has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to inability to repay $2 billion in debt. The company plans to maintain operations of its Dish TV and Sling TV brands while restructuring to emerge from bankruptcy by late 2026.
Amazon fined $2.25 million for mishandling identity theft complaints
Amazon has been fined $2.25 million by the FTC for failing to assist identity theft victims as required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The FTC alleged that Amazon did not provide information on fraudulent purchases, leading to significant difficulties for customers affected by identity theft.
Google's NotebookLM Introduces TikTok-Style Video Summaries for Research
Google's NotebookLM now allows users to create 60-second AI-generated video summaries of their research. This feature is available to Google AI Ultra and Pro subscribers, enhancing the ways users can interact with their notes.
IO Interactive lays off staff amid project shift but commits to Project Fantasy
IO Interactive is laying off staff following the end of its partnership with a publisher for Project Fantasy, described as an online fantasy RPG. Despite these cuts, the company remains committed to the project's development.
ChatGPT logs cited in arson trial, resulting in mistrial for defendant
Prosecutors used ChatGPT logs in the arson trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht, who was charged with starting a deadly wildfire. Despite including this evidence, the jury was deadlocked, resulting in a mistrial.
Apple seeks permission to buy RAM from blacklisted Chinese supplier CXMT
Apple is requesting an exemption from the Trump administration to purchase RAM from CXMT, a Chinese supplier connected to the military. This request comes amid rising RAM prices that have forced Apple to increase product prices and highlights ongoing tensions between U.S. and Chinese tech relations.
Apple increases prices, cites AI demand as driving factor
Apple has raised prices on several products, including the MacBook Pro and iPad Air, attributing these hikes to rising RAM costs driven by increased AI industry demand. This trend reflects a broader shift in the tech market, where companies are prioritizing data center clients over consumer sales due to higher profitability.
Matter standard shows signs of progress at CSA's Unify conference
The Connectivity Standards Alliance reported improvements in the Matter standard at the Unify conference. Version 1.6 introduces Joint Fabric, enabling a unified smart home network compatible across platforms, crucial for addressing previous interoperability issues.
Digitas CEO Amy Lanzi Critiques AI's Role in Advertising
Amy Lanzi, CEO of Digitas North America, argues that AI will not solve the challenges in advertising, emphasizing the need for realistic expectations. She highlights the shift in marketing roles toward data-driven business results, while cautioning against overpromising AI capabilities in the industry.
BitTorrent Celebrates 25 Years: A Controversial Legacy of File Sharing
Today marks the 25th anniversary of BitTorrent, created by Bram Cohen in 2001. The app's impact on file sharing and piracy has shaped the internet and posed significant challenges for the entertainment industry.
Elon Musk Denies Reports of SpaceX Handheld AI Device Prototype
Elon Musk has denied reports that SpaceX is developing a handheld AI device, calling the claims "utterly false." Despite this, several outlets reported a prototype, allegedly shown to investors, that was thinner than an iPhone and featured technology from xAI. The reports have raised questions about SpaceX's potential in AI hardware and mobile services, but Musk's denial leaves the company's plans uncertain.
Godox ES45 Desktop LED Key Light discounted to $119, features include remote
The Godox ES45 Desktop LED Key Light is now priced at $119, a $20 reduction from its usual price. It offers adjustable brightness and color temperature, along with a wireless remote for easy adjustments, making it a suitable option for streamers and on-camera setups.
Kobo Libra Colour e-reader returns to $229.99 after price increase
Kobo's Libra Colour e-reader price has dropped to $229.99 across major retailers, reversing a recent price increase. This sale makes it a competitive alternative to the Kindle for consumers not invested in Amazon's ecosystem.
Acer Swift Go 16 laptop priced at $900 with high specs
Acer has discounted the Swift Go 16 laptop to $899.99, down from $1,549.99. The device includes an Intel Core Ultra 7 355 processor, 32GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD, making it well-equipped for general tasks.
LG’s UltraGear 27GX700A-B gaming monitor price drops to $484.99
The price of LG's UltraGear 27-inch Tandem OLED gaming monitor has decreased to approximately $484.99 at Amazon. This reduction highlights the declining prices for advanced 1440p OLED gaming monitors, making high-end technology more accessible for gamers.
Moto Tag 2 tracker launches at $19.99 with enhanced features
The Moto Tag 2 Bluetooth tracker is now available in the US for a limited-time price of $19.99. It features improved battery life, UWB sensing, and supports Google’s Find Hub network, making it a competitive option for Android users.
TMD launches $280 keyless bike lock with Bluetooth security features
TMD introduces a keyless bike lock that utilizes Bluetooth and motion alarms, designed for urban cycling. Priced at $280, it combines durability with convenience but raises questions about its cost effectiveness in a market where lower-cost options exist.
Teenage Engineering updates KO II sampler with lo-fi mode and USB audio
Teenage Engineering released OS 2.5 for its KO II sampler, adding features like USB audio, lo-fi sampling rates, and sample reverse. These enhancements improve versatility for music producers, making it easier to manipulate audio creatively.
Indie Developers Create Star Fox-Inspired Games Amid Nintendo's Inaction
Indie studios are developing new games reminiscent of Star Fox due to the franchise's long absence from major releases. Titles like Huskrafts' Rogue Eclipse and Chuhai Labs' Wild Blue Skies aim to fill the gap left by Nintendo's neglect of the genre.
Margaret Atwood criticizes AI for its reliance on flawed data
Margaret Atwood expressed skepticism about AI during the Babell Literary and Cultural Festival, highlighting its limitations. She recounted a disappointing experience using Anthropic’s chatbot Claude, stating that its responses can be inaccurate due to reliance on poor data.
Dbrand's Killswitch 2 case for Switch 2 discounted to $69.99
Dbrand's Killswitch 2 case for Nintendo Switch 2 is currently available for $69.99, reduced from $80. The case offers enhanced build quality, ergonomic features, and includes a USB-C dock adapter for TV use.