Andrew Liszewski

Senior Reporter, News

Andrew LiszewskiFeb 27, 2025

Hall effect whammy bar is a thing I never thought I’d write.

After releasing a controller with a fret button attachment for playing Fortnite Festival and other rhythm games, CRKD has just announced a collection of Gibson Les Paul guitar controllers.

Compatible with the Xbox, Switch, PC, Android devices, and PlayStation using a legacy mode, the controllers feature Hall effect strum and whammy bars plus Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless connectivity. They’re available for preorder today starting at $109.99, and expected to ship in June 2025.

Andrew LiszewskiFeb 27, 2025

A write-protect switch on this portable SSD provides extra peace of mind.

It’s still a common feature on SD memory cards, but Angelfire has included a physical switch on its new SSD2GO PKT preventing the drives from being formatted or files being deleted. They feature sustained write speeds of 1,600MB/s (confirmed by CineD’s testing), a durable aluminum housing, and a recessed USB-C port so there’s less strain on an attached cable.

They’re also not cheap. A 2TB version is available now for $379.99, while 4TB is $649.99.

<em>Angelbird’s SSD2GO PKT portable SSD drives are just 2.76 inches tall and weigh about 50 grams.</em>

<em>Maximum read and write speeds top out at 1,800MB/s, while sustained read speeds are closer to 1,700MB/s.</em>

1/2

Angelbird’s SSD2GO PKT portable SSD drives are just 2.76 inches tall and weigh about 50 grams.

Image: Angelbird

Andrew LiszewskiFeb 27, 2025

TP-Link’s tri-band Wi-Fi 7 gaming router is now available.

First announced during CES 2025, TP-Link has officially launched its Archer GE650 Wi-Fi 7 router featuring a dedicated 5Gbps ethernet gaming port that prioritizes traffic to consoles. It’s available now for $349.99, but discounted to $279.99 as part of a limited time launch promotion.

The Archer GE650 offers wireless speeds of up to 11Gbps, two 5Gbps ports, four 2.5Gbps ports, and a pyramid-inspired design with customizable RGB LED lighting accents.

If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission.

The TP-Link Archer GE650 Wi-Fi 7 router on a desk next to a smartphone and monitor.

The Archer GE650 includes RGB accent lighting that can be customized through various modes.

Image: TP-Link

Andrew LiszewskiFeb 26, 2025

This tripod plate hides an AirTag on your camera.

Instead of hiding an Apple AirTag in a lens cap which isn’t always attached to your camera, Elevation Lab’s new $19.99 TagVault stashes one inside of a carbon fiber composite tripod plate.

It also doesn’t permanently attach to your camera, but the plate is secured with a stainless steel crew requiring a T20 Torx screwdriver to remove it — something thieves probably don’t have immediate access to, giving you extra time to potentially retrieve your gear.

<em>It’s not immediately obvious that the TagVault tripod plate has an Apple AirTag hidden inside it.</em>

<em>The plate, made with a carbon fiber composite body, is compatible with many cameras including Sony, Canon, and Nikon models.</em>

<em>A stainless steel security screw requires a Torx wrench to remove the plate from your camera.</em>

1/3

It’s not immediately obvious that the TagVault tripod plate has an Apple AirTag hidden inside it.

Image: Elevation Lab

Andrew LiszewskiFeb 26, 2025

Turn iMessage into the Nintendo DS’ PictoChat.

Idrees Hassan has created a free iOS app called PicoChat that recreates the Nintendo DS’ messaging experience in iMessage, as spotted by Overkill.

You can type out messages on a tiny keyboard or make drawings to send to your contacts, complete with a simulated stylus that appears onscreen as you doodle. The app generates a PictoChat-themed image of your message you can send to others, giving them a similar experience without installing the app.

Two screenshots of Idress Hassan’s PicoChat iMessage app.

Hassan previously created an e-reader app for the Panic Playdate called Playbook.

Image: Idrees Hassan

Alexa Plus’ AI upgrades cost $19.99, but it’s all free with Prime

Andrew LiszewskiFeb 26, 2025

Sigma’s minimalist BF camera might be available in short supply.

That’s according to PetaPixel, which during a tour of Sigma’s Japanese HQ, was told that making the Sigma BF’s aluminum housing requires seven hours of milling by two machines. That amounts to a production output of about nine cameras per day.

Sigma also said it’s been manufacturing BF cameras for the last five months. Given the camera’s not officially out until April, PetaPixel estimates it could have around just 2,000 units available at launch.

The aluminum body of the Sigma BF camera.

The Sigma BF features a body milled from a single block of aluminum.

Image: Sigma

Andrew LiszewskiFeb 25, 2025

Vroom, vroom.

ICYMI: If you’re on the hunt for a new handbag and want something chic that doubles as a reliable distraction during awkward dinner dates, Nik Bentel Studio’s new RC Car Bag is exactly that. You can’t drive an Hermès Birkin bag across a table.

Nik Bentel Studio’s RC Car Bag racing across a dining table.

The RC Car Bag from Nik Bentel Studio will set you back $295 and looks to be worth every penny.

GIF: Nik Bentel Studio

Andrew LiszewskiFeb 25, 2025

Every-bot-y was kung fu fighting.

Unitree’s $16,000 G1 humanoid robot debuted last August with 23 degrees of freedom but a recent algorithm update has expanded the bot’s balance capabilities and repertoire of movements.

The company demo’d the updates with G1 performing kung fu moves, but at the end of the video it also reminds owners to “refrain from making any dangerous modifications or using the robot in a hazardous manner,” which probably includes teaching your robot kung fu.