271 – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
Skip to main content
The homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.
The homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.

Jay Peters

Jay Peters

Senior Reporter

Senior Reporter

    More From Jay Peters

    Jay Peters
    Jay Peters
    Al Gore and James Bell are retiring from Apple’s board of directors as Dr. Wanda Austin joins.

    Gore has been on the board since 2003 while Bell has been a member since 2015. Both are leaving because “the board has a longstanding policy that directors generally may not stand for reelection after reaching age 75,” according to Apple’s press release.

    Austin, the former president and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation, will join the company’s board.

    Tim Cook:

    Wanda has spent decades advancing technology on behalf of humanity, and we’re thrilled to welcome her to Apple’s board of directors. She’s an extraordinary leader, and her invaluable experience and expertise will support our mission of leaving the world better than we found it.

    Special Screening of “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power” In Sydney With Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore
    A photo of Dr. Wanda Austin at a microphone.
    1/2
    Al Gore.
    Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures,
    Jay Peters
    Jay Peters
    Felix the Cat and Sparkster are back.

    Konami and Limited Run Games are partnering on physical rereleases of two Felix the Cat games and three Rocket Knight games for PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. I was obsessed with Rocket Knight Adventures as a kid, so I’m happy to see it available in physical formats on modern consoles.

    Images of the Felix the Cat and Rocket Knight Adventures collections.
    Image: Konami and Limited Run Games
    Jay Peters
    Jay Peters
    Samsung is showing off earbuds cases with screens.

    The concept at CES shown in this video looks to mix an earbuds case with a round OLED screen and a smartwatch-like interface. I’m not totally sold on earbuds cases with screens, but this seems pretty clever.

    Jay Peters
    Jay Peters
    Google supports Oregon’s Right to Repair bill.

    The company “reaffirm”-ed its support for the bill, SB 542, and released a white paper about its “approach to repair,” as spelled out in a blog post. Google couldn’t resist a swipe at Apple, which has been criticized for its parts pairing practices:

    We also do not require burdensome parts pairing or registration, meaning that a properly installed screen or battery will work no matter who is doing the repair. This accessibility is table-stakes, as far as we are concerned.

    How Google is supporting repair and sensible right to repair legislation

    [Google]

    Jay Peters
    Jay Peters
    HBO has cast its Dina for The Last of Us.

    Isabela Merced will be playing the role, Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed, joining new cast members Kaitlyn Dever as Abby and Young Mazino as Jesse. The show’s second season is set to debut in 2025.

    Jay Peters
    Jay Peters
    Yipes! Fruit Stripe gum has been discontinued.

    I haven’t had the colorful gum in, uh, decades, but I remember loving it when I was a kid. The flavor only lasted a few chews, but baby Jay didn’t know better. He was also apparently influenced by this now-terrifying commercial.

    A Ferrara Candy spokesperson confirmed the “sunset” of the gum brand to Food & Wine.

    Jay Peters
    Jay Peters
    That’s a lot of Macs, Phil.

    Apple Fellow Phil Schiller regularly rotates through five different Macs, he said in a post on Threads. I can’t say I’m that surprised, given who it is and the company he works for, but that’s still a lot of computers!

    He also uses his iPad Pro “a ton” for things like reviewing photos and playing games. He’s also a Right Dock fan, which, as a Left Dock user, I can respect.

    Jay Peters
    Jay Peters
    A studio made by CD Projekt Red veterans adds another from the pack.

    Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz, who worked on games like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Cyberpunk 2077, is now the creative director at Rebel Wolves. Its first game, a dark fantasy RPG, is in “the alpha stage of development,” according to a press release, and Rebel Wolves “plans to share more about the game later this year.”

    The studio appeared on the scene in February 2022, and at the time, it said it was aiming to release its first game in 2025.

    Art from Rebel Wolves’ upcoming game.
    Art from Rebel Wolves’ upcoming game.
    Image: Rebel Wolves
    Jay Peters
    Jay Peters
    Netflix’s ad tier is growing fast.

    It has more than 23 million global active monthly users, Netflix advertising head Amy Reinhard said at a Variety conference; that’s up from the 15 million figure the company revealed in November.

    Given the Netflix standard tier costs $15.49 per month (and that the Basic tier, for those who still have it, recently got a price bump), I can see why people are opting for the more affordable $6.99 ads plan.

    Netflix’s Ad Tier Now Has More Than 23 Million Monthly Active Users, Advertising Chief Says

    [Variety]

    Jay Peters
    Jay Peters
    Mario’s next game gets a new trailer.

    The trailer for the remake of the Game Boy Advance puzzler shows off new levels, new obstacles, a less-punishing casual mode, and local co-op.

    The game launches on February 16th.

    Most Popular

    Most Popular
    1. Logitech’s tiny folding mouse improves upon the laptop trackpad
    2. Writers are fleeing the Substack Tax
    3. Vivo’s X300 Ultra has the best cameras in any phone
    4. Forza Horizon 6 has been leaked and cracked a week before its release
    5. Netflix may have finally figured out games