Verge Favorites – The VergeThe Verge is about technology and how it makes us feel. Founded in 2011, we offer our audience everything from breaking news to reviews to award-winning features and investigations, on our site, in video, and in podcasts.2025-12-17T20:17:02+00:00https://www.theverge.com/rss/stream/2928910https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/verge-rss-large_80b47e.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1Brandt Ranj<![CDATA[The best thing I bought this year: The Nintendo Switch 2]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=8454772025-12-17T15:17:02-05:002025-12-21T09:00:00-05:00
I waited for the Nintendo Switch 2 for a long time. Rumors of an allegedly-real-but-never-released Switch Pro swirled around for years as I watched fewer and fewer AAA third-party games make their way toNintendo’s little console that could. There were always enough first-party titles and indie games to tide me over, but I watched with some envy as games like Elden Ringtook the world by storm, knowing I’d have to wait until Nintendo’s next generation hardware arrived to add them to my Switch library. Now, finally, it’s here.
The Switch 2’s core strength for me boils down to it being a better version of the original Switch. Its 7.9-inch 120Hz 1080P screen looks sharp — yes, an OLED display would have been nicer, but I’m not complaining — and its ability to output at up to 4K, or up to 120Hz at lower resolutions, is a welcome improvement. It can play most original Nintendo Switch games, some of which have been updated through free or paid patches to run at a higher frame rate or resolution.
The only native Switch 2 game I’ve played so far is Mario Kart World, which I picked up as part of a bundle with the system. My most-played game is the original Switch title The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which runs at 4K and 60 frames per second if you get the Switch 2 edition for $10 (it’s a free download if you have an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription). That subscription also allows me to play a growing number of GameCube games available as Nintendo Classics, including titles I didn’t get to play when I was a kid.
I specifically put off playing games from my backlog, including titles going back several years, until I could play them on a larger display in handheld mode, and I don’t regret my decision. Putting dozens of hours into Octopath Traveler while chilling on the couch with the big-screen handheld was a heck of a lot of fun. Nintendo and third-party developers have also been pretty generous with releasing free demos of Nintendo Switch 2 titles, including Donkey Kong Bananza and Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, so it’s possible to sample bigger titles before deciding to pick them up.
My only real complaint with the Nintendo Switch 2 is its 256GB of internal storage, which isn’t enough for folks like me who’ve built up a large digital library of Switch games. Adding more requires you to pop in a microSD Express card, which can be twice the price of than the regular microSD cards used by the original Switch. My hope is that if a hardware revision comes down the line it’ll include an OLED display and at least 512GB of storage. By that time microSD Express cards will have hopefully become more affordable.
The console’s $449.99 starting price came as a shock to many, but it seems fair given its tech specs, and an escalating tariff situation that delayed the Switch 2’s preorder timing in North America and compelled Nintendo to raise the price of the original Nintendo Switch. Nintendo recently announced that it “will shift our primary development focus to Nintendo Switch 2 and expand our business around this new platform.” I’ll continue to look forward to exclusive titles making their way to my new console of choice, along with ports of third-party games that I haven’t gotten around to yet.
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Terrence O’Brien<![CDATA[The best thing I bought this year: a portable mechanical keyboard]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=8434552025-12-17T11:57:31-05:002025-12-13T10:00:00-05:00
A keyboard perfect for barside writing.
As a writer, I take the tools of my trade relatively seriously. I’m not crazy enough to drop $3,600 on a keyboard, but I also find typing on a MacBook for extended periods of time deeply unsatisfying — and distracting. So this spring, I started looking into distraction-free writing setups, which included an e-reader / writer and a mechanical keyboard.
I started with the Boox Palma 2 because its E Ink screen and limited connectivity could make it a solid distraction-free solution if paired with a good keyboard. After a lot of research, the keyboard I settled on was the NuPhy Air60 V2, with the company’s heaviest tactile Moss switches and the gorgeous NuFolio case in “nostalgic tan,” which is really more of a bold yellow.
Now, I am no connoisseur of mechanical keyboards, but I find the Air60 V2 to be delightful to type on. Its low-profile keys don’t have the same travel and feedback as my regular keyboard or my vintage IBM Model M, but it is still an enormous improvement over my MacBook’s scissor switch keyboard. The Moss switches offer decent-enough thock, but they’re not so loud that I would avoid using the keyboard in public. It might be a bit much for a quiet cafe, but I’ve sat and worked on articles and short stories while seated at a bar and definitely didn’t feel self-conscious about it.
The ability to pair it with three devices means I can move the NuPhy between my personal laptop, my work laptop, and the Boox with ease. It also comes with a 2.4GHz wireless dongle, but I’ve had little need for it.
I frequently bring the Air60 with me to get some writing done on quiet nights when I’m bartending. (Come see me at Flagship Brewery Tuesdays and Thursdays.) If I need to use my laptop, the Air60 is designed to fit perfectly over a MacBook keyboard while leaving easy access to the trackpad. But more often I’ll bring the Palma 2. The NuFolio acts as a stand as well as a keyboard cover, and the Palma’s flip case hangs perfectly over the top, creating a nice little self-contained writing setup that is ideal when I don’t want (or need) access to the internet.
I even turn to it at home sometimes. When I decided to start writing fiction again for the first time in nearly 20 years, I installed Obsidian on the Palma and, paired with the Air60, it became my go-to. As someone who frequently relies on timers to stay on task, I found the NuPhy and Palma a panacea for my attention struggles. Part of that is because I actually look forward to typing on the Air60. The feel, the sound, even the color scheme are all deeply satisfying in a way that no laptop keyboard could ever be.
It’s not a perfect solution. The 64-key layout is great for portability, but it can be a bit cramped — I make a few more errors typing on the Air60 than I do on a more generous keyboard. And its shallow angle can be a bit uncomfortable for extended periods of sitting at a desk. But it’s actually perfect with a standing desk (or a bar) or even while resting in your lap.
I wasn’t sure that the NuPhy was going to be a wise use of my limited funds when I bought it earlier this year (I was just over a year deep into unemployment and relying on diminishing freelance assignments). But nine months later, it’s become an indispensable part of my writing routine.
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Brandon Russell<![CDATA[The best thing I bought this year: the Remarkable Paper Pro]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=8378772025-12-08T13:31:45-05:002025-12-09T09:30:00-05:00
The Remarkable Paper Pro and Type Folio keyboard case is a surprisingly great combo.
About a year ago, we said you probably don’t need the Remarkable Paper Pro. The e-ink device is equal parts outrageous and luxurious; it’s not ideal for consuming books, and the screen can sometimes feel painfully slow. Then there’s the starting price, which is, quite frankly, ludicrous at $629 (up from $579 thanks to US-induced tariffs). Add in the $229 Type Folio, and holy hell.
Based on that description, most sane people would stay far, far away, and maybe spend their money on, I don’t know, Apple’s latest MacBook Air. We’ve seen Apple’s laptop drop down to as low as $738, making it the more affordable option against the combined price of the Remarkable Paper Pro and Type Folio keyboard case.
And yet, I not only bought the Paper Pro, but it’s the device I find myself reaching for most often when I want to GTD, like write this blog. Not because it’s the best tablet — it’s not — but because it’s a stubbornly single-purpose device. That’s a good thing!
While using it, I’m insulated from a world that’s constantly demanding my attention. There is no Slack app. I can’t doomscroll. There are exactly zero notifications. And instead of hitting me with AI and algorithms, it just sits there, quietly, inviting actual human thought and curation.
That’s the trick. The Paper Pro allows me to focus on what I’m doing, which feels like a small miracle. It creates a narrow lane, and that’s where I stay — no distracting detours or YouTube rabbit holes. In combination with the Type Folio, the experience is an absolute delight. Yes, the accessory is damn pricey at $229, but it’s worth every penny. It attaches to the tablet easily; it’s thin and light; and it doubles as protection.
I’m not that well-versed in keyboards — I use Apple’s Magic Keyboard as my daily driver — but the Type Folio is good. It’s not the most spacious keyboard around, but it’s very comfortable. The keys have a satisfying clickiness and feature a nice soft-touch finish. Some of the keys are backlit, too, allowing me to type well into the night. I still find it a little tricky to fold and unfold, but it’s stable enough to use on my lap when I need to.
Meanwhile, writing directly on the 11.8-inch Canvas Color display with the upgraded Marker Plus stylus (which adds another $129 purchased separately, or another $50 when bought with the Paper Pro) offers a great paper-like feel thanks to the tablet’s textured glass. I can scribble on a blank page or PDF, and there are some built-in productivity templates available, allowing me to use the Paper Pro as a daily planner. Every note I write and type is synced across Remarkable’s mobile and desktop apps, though it requires a $2.99 per month subscription.
Admittedly, I don’t use the Paper Pro to its fullest potential. I don’t often take advantage of the color display and the pen generally stays magnetically attached to the side of the tablet, though I’m trying to write with it more. There are other tablets that are cheaper and offer more capabilities. For me, though, the distraction-free approach and Type Folio are worth the price of admission. If you’re looking for a way to take a break from apps and notifications — beyond bricking your phone — the Paper Pro and Type Folio is an excellent setup.
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Andrew Liszewski<![CDATA[The best thing I bought this year: a Zippo-sized rechargeable flashlight]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=8353002025-12-17T10:39:35-05:002025-12-02T11:00:00-05:00
The Wuben G5 is as easy to pocket as a Zippo and a much better light source. | Photo: Andrew Liszewski / The Verge
I was never a Boy Scout, but I have always embraced their “be prepared” motto. When I leave the house it’s never without my everyday carry kit that, among other things, includes wireless earbuds, a small battery, extra glasses — and a flashlight. In fact, I’ve long been on the hunt for what I consider to be the perfect flashlight, and as a result I now have more of them than any one person could ever need. But the $25 Wuben G5 could be my last, thanks to a compact design that pairs clever functionality with lots of illumination that’s easy to adjust.
I bought the G5 as a replacement for the Nitecore TINI 2 keychain flashlight I used to carry. Nitecore’s is surprisingly bright given how small it is, but the lock option that prevents the flashlight from turning on accidentally is far from foolproof. In reality, the TINI 2 would regularly turn on by itself while bouncing around inside my sling bag, draining its battery without me realizing it. You can’t effectively “be prepared” with a dead flashlight.
The G5 also includes a locking mechanism, but in the form of a sliding switch on one side that doubles as a cover for the flashlight’s USB-C charging port. After a couple of months of carrying it around, the G5 hasn’t turned on by itself, and at this point I don’t expect it to. It’s not quite as small as my old Nitecore, but it’s just slightly taller than a Zippo lighter, and still very pocketable.
What I like even more about the G5 is that it’s very good at just being a flashlight. Instead of stepping through brightness presets, the flashlight has a wheel for quickly dialing in exactly how much illumination you need, from just 2 lumens to up to 400. I find its lowest setting more than bright enough to locate something dropped in a dark car, or for searching for something that rolls under the sofa, and keeping it dim boosts the flashlight’s battery life to up to 65 hours.
The G5 is not limited to just white light. It has a second LED whose color can be adjusted by turning the brightness dial, which cycles through the spectrum. Using a combination of double taps and long presses on the power button, the G5 can also flash individual colors or multicolor patterns, which could, in some situations, be a useful way to signal you’re having an emergency.
Other functionality I’ve come to appreciate includes a clip whose position can be adjusted to the front, side, or back of the G5, and that its LEDs are located on a head that can rotate 180 degrees. The base of the flashlight even has a built-in magnet so you can mount the G5 and use it hands-free. In short, it feels like Wuben put a lot of thought into the G5’s design to maximize its functionality.
I’m not going to pretend that everyone would be thrilled to find a flashlight in their stocking on Christmas morning, but I’m betting there’s one or two people on your shopping list who would appreciate a very useful addition to their own everyday carry kits.
Nitecore TINI 2 500 Lumen USB-C Rechargeable Keychain Flashlight
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Emma RothBarbara Krasnoff<![CDATA[Why I love my Kenmore canister vacuum]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=7694512025-09-03T10:01:12-04:002025-09-03T10:01:12-04:00
Emma Roth is a news writer here at The Verge, “and for me,” she explains, “that means every day is different. During the four years I’ve been here, I’ve covered breaking news and written about basically everything in the realm of tech, whether it’s streaming price hikes, the latest in AI chatbots, privacy issues surrounding age verification, and a whole lot more.”
Although she covers the latest tech news and products, it turns out that one of Emma’s favorite home appliances is a decades-old vacuum cleaner. I asked her about it.
When (and why) did you get the vacuum cleaner?
I purchased this Kenmore Progressive 116 vacuum for just $7 while browsing my local Savers thrift store several years ago. I was in need of a vacuum, and it instantly caught my eye because my parents used to have one just like it. I have fond childhood memories of going to Sears to pick up new vacuum bags.
How well does it work?
Despite being around a couple of decades old, this thing works just as well as any new vacuum. It may not be cordless, bagless, or ultra lightweight, but it has impressive suction that can pick up anything from crumbs to more stubborn pet hair. (I don’t have any furry pets now, but growing up with several cats and dogs, this thing ripped.)
It also comes with a number of attachments, including a brush, crevice cleaner, and a hard floor tool. I use it in between my robovac’s cleanings, which unfortunately doesn’t pick up half as much as the Kenmore. It’s great for just about everything in the house, including rugs, tiled floors, on the couch, and cobwebby corners.
Is there anything you don’t like about it, or that you’d improve if you could?
As you can see, this isn’t the prettiest-looking vacuum around — the white plastic has completely yellowed over the years. It can also be a pain to lug around the house. I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t violently yank the hose every so often to get this thing rolling around the house.
Every time I accidentally rip its plug out of the wall, I’m tempted to get a cordless Dyson. But I know it just wouldn’t be the same.
Is there anything I should have asked that I didn’t?
I just want to mention that I love the availability of replacement parts for this vacuum and just how straightforward it is to open up to clean the roller. Definitely a plus!
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Verge Staff<![CDATA[The Verge’s favorite pet gear for 2025]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=7650852025-08-29T08:04:11-04:002025-08-27T09:00:00-04:00
Jelly loves taking trips in her carrier. | Photo: Hayden Field / The Verge
Every once in a while, Slack conversations among The Verge’s staff are interrupted by photos of incredibly cute dogs, cats, and other pets. (We even have an occasional discussion about smart home editor Jennifer Pattison Tuohy’s chickens.)
Naturally, anyone who has a pet wants the best for them — and that includes carriers, feeders, and automatic litter boxes. So we asked the Verge crew to tell us about the gadgets and other items — some of them homemade — they use to help keep pets happy and healthy. Here are some of their answers.
Smokey and Boone
Petcube Fountain
I struggled to find an easy-to-use, not-annoying water-fountain solution for keeping my two kitties well-hydrated until I tried the new Petcube Fountain. The two things I love about this compared to others I’ve tested are that the pump is super quiet, and it works on a rechargeable battery, making it easy to find a good spot for it.
My kitties like the built-in radar motion sensor that pumps up the water circulation when either one approaches, giving them a little fountain to drink out of. The built-in 2600mAh battery lasts about three weeks before needing to be charged with a USB-C cable, and it powers the super silent pump that circulates the water through the tank and up to a shallow ceramic bowl they drink from.
The system has been keeping the water very clean, and a UV-C antibacterial light claims to zap nasties. I’ve been running it for a month, and it’s stayed clean. The filters have to be replaced monthly ($10 for a three-pack), and I have it connected to the PetCube app to get reminders to replace them as well as to clean the fountain, which, handily, is dishwasher safe. — Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, senior reviewer
A robot that scoops your kitty litter is — admittedly — a luxury. Add one that also refills the litter in the tray when it’s running low, and you have a virtually hands-free cat toilet and one very happy cat owner. That’s the Whisker Litter-Robot 4 with Litter Hopper, an ingenious device that uses a rotating globe with a built-in sifter to separate the waste and dump it into a drawer after the cat places its deposit.
Yes, it costs almost $1,000 when you add in the hopper. But now all I have to do is fill it up about once a month and empty the waste drawer every week or so (all the clumps are neatly contained in a plastic bag, making it easy to just throw it in the trash). It’s a big step up from the manual labor of sifting cat crap with a little shovel. It also keeps the smell better contained than standard litter trays (although the odor is not entirely eliminated). The biggest downside, other than the price, is that manually cleaning the Litter-Robot requires a lot more effort and is a lot more disgusting than rinsing out a litter tray. But you don’t have to do it anywhere near as often. –Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, senior reviewer
Our eight-year-old dog, Olive, was diagnosed with hypothyroidism almost two years ago. At the time, our vet told us that it was very easy to treat: she’d simply have to take a thyroid pill, twice a day… for the rest of her life.
In the past, we’ve hidden pills in peanut butter, wrapped cheese around them, or buried them in a scoop of mashed potatoes. And a little over half the time, Olive would carefully eat whatever human food was presented, spit out the pill, and demand we try again.
So when faced with the task of tricking our dog twice a day, every day, for the rest of her life,we decided we’d give Greenies Pill Pockets a shot. And I’m so thankful we did, because we are now up to a 100 percent success rate when it comes to dosing Olive on the first try.
The pill pockets are a little large, but they’re very soft, so we typically rip off a small piece, wrap it around Olive’s pill, yell “Who wants a treat?” and toss it to her to catch midair. She gulps it right down, and as a bonus, we also toss a pill-free piece to our other dog, Ned, so he doesn’t get jealous. —Sarah Smithers, senior editorial coordinator
My 22-pound rescue corgi, Jelly, is always on the go — I sometimes need to bring her with me on the subway, to lunch with a friend, or to a pet playdate in another borough. I’ve had the Wild One Everyday Pet Carrier for two years, and it has never failed me. It has thick straps, a padded bottom, pockets inside and out, and the perfect-sized dip for Jelly’s head to go through. I have it in black, and it doesn’t show any signs of dirt or wear and tear so far. Since Jelly is blind in one eye (and always wants to know what’s going on with her other eye), she has a blast looking around and feels super safe inside. The bag is also sturdy enough that you can set it down next to you at a restaurant or on a park bench without it falling over, and if your pup isn’t feeling social, it’s possible for them to comfortably curl up inside. —Hayden Field, senior AI reporter
I’m going to double up on the corgi-carrier recommendations. My pup, Buchephalus (or just Bu for short), is 11 months old and goes with me everywhere. But he’s too big for conventional dog carriers and too antsy to ride around in a dog stroller. So for the places that don’t let your pooch walk on the ground, I carry him in a Little Chonk Maxine One backpack in size medium. It’s made for long corgi bodies (although other breeds would fit just as well) with neck support so that their head doesn’t list to the side when they’re sitting upright. My long boy is docked, but the backpack also has a hole for a tail. Bu took to the backpack really well, although you can increase your chances of success with lots of treats and encouragement rather than stuffing your 30-pound sausage in a bag meant for dogs up to 50lbs. Little Chonk also makes backpacks for bigger dogs called the Brodie One.
I love this thing so much. I can easily take Bu with me everywhere — like when he came with me to place a Switch 2 preorder. The backpack comes with pouches you can use to hold your phone, keys, or treats. For an additional fee, you can get a velcro patch with your pet’s name on it so everyone knows the good dog you’re schleping around. —Ash Parrish, reporter
Apologies to my two cats, but this hack is all about making things cheaper and easier for me, your caretaker. For too long I’ve been suckered into buying Litter Genie refills, which start at about $28 for 24 bags. The Litter Genie is an indispensable tool for us, as it holds waste and does a good job of masking the dirty litter smell. But only recently in our five years of ownership did I stumble upon an Instagram Reel that showed how to use regular trash bags with the Litter Genie. (It actually shows a Diaper Genie, but it’s the same hack for the Litter Genie as well.)
Basically, keep the empty plastic cartridge once it runs out. Then, fold the rim of your trash bag around the cartridge before reinstalling it, and push it through to the bottom of the Litter Genie so it can catch waste, as it’s designed to do. Now, you’ve got yourself a Litter Genie that costs cents per bag instead of $10 or more every month or so, depending on how frequently your cats visit the litter box. —Cameron Faulkner, commerce editor
When I left home for a couple of weeks earlier this year, I was nervous about how I would care for my fish. After waffling between hiring a fish-sitter, plunking in a slow-release feeding tablet, or somehow taking them on the plane with me, I stumbled upon this handy gadget: the Petbank Automatic Fish Feeder. The device clamps right onto your tank and comes with 15 individual compartments where you can store each day’s food, along with a timer that controls how frequently it feeds your fish. Once it’s feeding time, a hatch beneath the feeding compartment opens, releasing that day’s food into your tank. It also comes equipped with a USB-C charging port and promises one to two months of battery life. I had the dispenser feed my fish every other day while I was gone, and it did just that, without even losing a chunk of its battery life. —Emma Roth, news writer
If you’re searching for a strong and premium-looking leash for a larger dog, then you can save a lot of money by making your own after a visit to your local outdoors store. I’ve been making these braided climbing rope leashes ever since Wes Siler first shared a DIY tutorial for his custom design in 2019. Since they’re made from durable climbing rope, even a teething puppy won’t be able to bite through the leash. The material is impervious to water and dirt so it’s easy to clean. When paired with a strong carabiner, you’ll have a leash that will last for years and is useful for other tasks. I’ve even made a few for dragging sleds up hills in the winter, and they still look as good as new years later . —Andrew Liszewski, senior reporter
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Jennifer Pattison TuohyBarbara Krasnoff<![CDATA[Why I love my Le Creuset sauté pan]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=7634092025-08-22T08:38:04-04:002025-08-21T15:00:00-04:00
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy is a senior reviewer at The Verge covering the smart home, Internet of Things, and, as she puts it, “as many kitchen gadgets as I can get my hands on.” In her four years here, she’s tested everything from smart locks, lights, and doorbells to robot vacuums (some with arms), robot lawnmowers, and an actual home robot. But, she says, “the heart of my home is my kitchen, and I love a good smart kitchen gadget. I’ve tested a smart trash can, smart mixer, smart pizza oven, smart ice maker, and yes, even a smart fridge. But none of these could ever replace my favorite kitchen gadget — my Le Creuset sauté pan.”
When did you get your Le Creuset pan?
My Le Creuset pan was a wedding gift. I’m about to celebrate my 20th wedding anniversary, so it’s been around a while!
Its official name is Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Deep Saute Pan, 4 1/4-Qt., and you can only get it at Williams Sonoma, which I discovered when I tried to buy one as a wedding gift for my brother-in-law. I did buy it for them, and I also got one for my sister-in-law as her wedding gift a few years later! Thankfully, I am now out of in-laws to buy them for. They’re not cheap.
What do you use it for?
I use it almost every time I cook a meal. It’s hands down the best, most versatile pan I’ve ever owned. Some of my favorite dishes to cook in it are frittatas, stews, and bolognese sauce (it can simmer in the oven with the lid on at 200 degrees for 8 hours).
I use it for searing meats like chicken thighs and pork chops. It’s great for fish, and I love to make Yorkshire puddings, Dutch baby pancakes, and even the occasional pizza in it.
What do you like about it?
I love that it’s big enough to cook a beef stew or a whole batch of soup, while also easy to just scramble eggs in. I love that it has a handle and a lid and that everything can go in the oven — up to 500 degrees! And it all goes in the dishwasher — though I generally hand-wash it, as it takes up an entire rack.
Le Creuset cookware is known for its enameled cast-iron, which has amazing heat distribution, so it’s my go-to for any searing, browning, or sauteing. The best thing is how much surface area it has, which makes browning meats easy to do in one batch.
Plus, its super deep sides mean I can cook a one-pot meal in it without things flying out the sides when I’m stirring. It’s perfect for all-in-one dishes like pork stroganoff, risotto, my favorite Mexican beef-’n’-rice dish, and any combination of protein, sauté-able veggies, and a nice pan sauce, like this Creamy Tuscan Chicken dish I make regularly.
Is there anything you don’t like about it, or that you’d improve if you could?
Other than the price, the only downside is its weight. At 13 pounds, it weighs almost as much as a 6-month-old baby, so it’s almost always a two-hander. My grandmother was a professional cook, and she swore by Le Creuset pans. But as she got older, she complained that she couldn’t use them anymore, as they were too heavy.
Also, I have not been a model Le Creuset owner; the enamel inside is far from pristine, but I still use it all the time and don’t see any need to replace it.
As someone who reviews the latest tech gadgets — many of which, in the best-case scenario, have a 10-year lifespan — pulling out a 20-year-old pan each night to cook dinner gives me a nice feeling of permanence and tradition.
Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Deep Sauté Pan
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Marina GalperinaBarbara Krasnoff<![CDATA[Why I love my Soviet Labubu]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=7563802025-08-08T09:19:14-04:002025-08-08T09:30:00-04:00
Marina Galperina is a senior tech editor at The Verge who works with staff writers and freelancers on reports and theme weeks. She recently started a new newsletter called The Stepback, which breaks down one essential story from a writer of the week every Sunday. (From Marina: “Please subscribe!”)
During a recent discussion of Labubus on Slack (yes, this is the kind of topic that comes up during the workday), Marina introduced us to a strange-looking object that she called her “Soviet Labubu.” So, understandably, I had to ask her about it.
Let’s start with: what is a Labubu?
For some reason, these godawful stuffed small toys / large keychains made by Pop Mart have taken consumers by storm, despite or maybe because you have to jump through all kinds of gamified hoops to get one, as The Verge’s Mia Sato reported. Usually, you can score a blind box, so you won’t even know which kind you’re getting, but generally, they look like tiny demented teddy bears (?) with fur-less faces and distorted smiles, snarls, or pouts. There are a variety of outfits, sold separately. It never ends!
Yours is certainly not an everyday Labubu. There’s something, well, wistful about it.
Technically, it might be a Lafufu, which is what they call fake Labubus. (I would have called them Fauxfufus, but whatever.) I would estimate that this creature was made in 1972. It’s very likely a bootleg of a very famous Russian Soviet-era cartoon character — Cheburashka — which is sort of a bear-monkey mutant child that shows up in a crate of oranges and a crocodile-man takes care of it as his own. Yes, it has a rather goth demeanor, partially intentional (the character is frequently sad) and partially because of the lo-fi bootleg quality.
Where did you get it?
A Ukrainian vintage memorabilia seller on Etsy. I had previously collected a variety of ancient gadgets, straw-filled toys, and battered homegoods from Etsy. There’s a deep orange resin-encased wind-up clock in my house, too. It’s not really cultural nostalgia. I just think they’re neat!
Is there anything I should have asked that I didn’t?
It might be haunted.
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Verge Staff<![CDATA[The Verge’s favorite backpacks, totes, and other bags for 2025]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=7153482025-08-06T08:24:07-04:002025-07-31T09:00:00-04:00
About two years ago, we ran an article in which Verge staffers talked about their favorite backpacks and other bags. It’s time for a new one, and so we asked the staff to tell us about their favorite travel packs, day-to-day bags, and other ways to carry stuff around. Here’s what they told us.
I like to travel light, but as a dad, that’s almost impossible. I bought a Tom Bihn Synik 30 a few years ago and found that there’s a reason it’s on almost every backpack list you’ll find. (Any serious one, that is.) It holds everything I need for a day out with the kids or a weekend traveling… or longer if I travel light. Tom Bihn bags are known for their high-quality materials — mine still looks brand-new after about six years — and the Synik 30 has a ton of pockets for storing anything from a change of clothes to a small first-aid kit or whatever else dads carry. I also love that there’s a water bottle pocket right in the front-center of the bag, that the large main pocket has straps to buckle down clothes for a weekend trip, and that it has a dedicated laptop sleeve.
I could keep going on about all the clip-on caches you could buy, the super-comfortable straps, and more. There are 26-liter and 22-liter sizes too if you don’t need as much space. — Todd Haselton, deputy editor
Just to tag onto Todd’s writeup, I was gonna recommend my Tom Bihn dad bag, which still looks good after almost 18 years, but it’s so old they’ve redesigned it twice since I got it. I wish it had a water bottle pocket, but it’s in such great shape I can’t justify replacing it just for that. That’s the flipside of buy-it-for-life bags, I guess. Anyway, Tom Bihn makes a great dad backpack. — Nathan Edwards, senior reviews editor
My criteria for a good work backpack essentially includes: it’s not a black hole, it’s comfortable enough to carry everything I need for a full day out, and it still looks professional. The Lo & Sons Rowledge backpack fits the bill.
This bag is comfortable to carry even when loaded up with my laptop, water bottle, and power bank. Its zippers are smooth and sturdy, the metal details and leather pocket give it a sleek look, and numerous organizing tools and pockets help me find anything I need quickly, even when I need to pull out all my electronics to go through a security line in order to enter a courthouse. Pro tip: Lo & Sons occasionally has online warehouse sales during which I previously was able to score this bag for about $150. — Lauren Feiner, senior policy reporter
Childish whimsy aside, Killstar has a decent selection of bags and purses to suit those with alternative fashion tastes, and this Vamped Up backpack is one of my favorites. It can’t fit devices like laptops or larger tablets through the zipper, but it’s plenty roomy enough for phones, wallets, e-readers, and a good handful of pocket-sized essentials. That back-facing zipper placement makes it tricky to steal from, and I find the rubber-like bat design on the front is pretty effective at keeping all the contents dry when rain hits. I’ve linked to the black version, but I own it in a striking red color that gets me hounded with cheerful compliments every time I wear it. — Jess Weatherbed, news writer
For the past year I haven’t left the house without Alpaka’s 2L Flight Sling bag, which is spacious enough to hold a couple of phones, earbuds, keys, and other everyday carry items I don’t want weighing down my pockets. But for a recent trip to British Columbia I wanted something similarly sized that could also hold a water bottle, so I opted for Alpaka’s 2L Flow Satchel that was recently successfully Kickstarted. It has a similar internal capacity as the Flight Sling but with an extra zippered pocket on the back that ended up being useful for safely stashing my passport, and an expandable sleeve on the side that was large enough to hold the Owala water bottle I was traveling with. The sling is also water-resistant with sealed zippers, which was particularly appreciated during an early morning whale-watching trip, as the morning fog left the outside of the bag soaked but the inside completely dry. — Andrew Liszewski, senior reporter
Peak Design Outdoor Sling
This is a recycled recommendation, because I only heard about Peak Design’s Outdoor Sling when I read my colleague Thomas Ricker’s mini review of it. I’d had my eye on the Everyday Sling for a while, but even the 3L model felt too bulky (and too expensive) for me.
The 2L Outdoor version is exactly what I wanted: compact and collapsible, lightweight, and compartmented enough to carry a bunch of stuff in. It’s perfect for carting around my sunglasses, sunscreen, and an umbrella when I’m out at a festival or on vacation; it can also take my phone, wallet, and keys if I want to keep my pockets clear day to day. This isn’t the bag for carrying a camera or replacing your backpack, but for bits and bobs, I don’t think you’ll do much better. — Dominic Preston, news editor
Having lived in New York for nearly 10 years, I’ve been on the hunt the entire time for black work- and travel-friendly totes that look sleek and professional but are still stylish and cool for the everyday. The most important part, though, isn’t the look — it’s the strength of the straps and the durability of the bag. I feel like I can confidently state that there is no bag with stronger straps than the Telfar — they’re thick, they’re woven into the bag itself, and they can handle everything I tote around with me in New York from sunup to way after sundown. My work bags usually last two years max, and so far, this one has lasted more than five, with no signs of failing on me anytime soon. And that’s with me using it every day for work and as my travel personal item, complete with my work laptop, gym clothes, and everything else I need every day! (Note: as of this writing, they were out of the black bag, but it does come in several other colors.) — Hayden Field, senior AI reporter
Levenger New York Public Library Delivery Tote Bag
About a year ago, a friend gifted me a lovely photograph that she had taken and framed herself. Because it was so large, she delivered it in a huge canvas tote bag and announced that I could keep the bag as well. And while I appreciated the photo, I think I loved the bag even more! Levenger’s Delivery Tote Bag is extraordinarily deep — 22.25 inches — and 15 inches wide, and can hold up to 50 pounds of books, laundry, tech accessories, or anything else you need to store and/or schlep around. No, this is not something for a quick trip to the grocery store, but if you need to transport a largish load, it’s really useful. For example, my partner and I have been downsizing, and I found it perfect for carrying loads of our used books to a local charity.
Levenger sells it with three different attributions: the New York Public Library, the Boston Public Library, or the National Book Foundation. According to Levenger’s site, each of these institutions receives royalties based on sales. And each bag has a quote printed on the inside. The New York version (which is what I have) offers this from Daniel Webster: “On the diffusion of education among the people rest the preservation and perpetuation of our free institutions.” Which is incredibly apt in these troubled times. — Barbara Krasnoff, reviews editor
You have a gaming handheld, and you’re wondering, “What if I had an awesome protective sling properly designed for it?” For months, I’ve been testing the Mechanism Inventory against the Genki Saya Carry to try to answer that question. Both make me happy for different reasons!
Despite costing less at just $79, the Mechanism oozes quality and is so thoughtful about protecting the handheld itself. The waxed canvas outer is soft yet structurally quite rigid; you drop your handheld into a delightful (and optionally removable) “foam taco” inside that protects the screen and joysticks. When it’s fully closed, the whole case feels almost pillow-like, to the point I could drop it without fear for my handheld. The strap is reassuringly thick, the zippers are smooth, and the secondary pocket’s big enough for an entire original Switch alongside your Steam Deck, or a beefy external battery. And it has a couple of Mechanism mounting points for that whole ecosystem of accessories.
The Genki doesn’t feel quite as well made and doesn’t protect the handheld as much, but it’s less bulky and more formfitting. It expands to fit all sorts of objects (including larger handhelds like the MSI Claw 8), then cleverly cinches down to hold smaller stuff without it rattling around. Lots of little pockets for my Game Boy cartridges, chargers, keys, you name it. It has fancy buckles that are a joy to play with, including a self-closing magnetic Fidlock strap that can keep your handheld from falling out with the zipper open, so you don’t need to fully zip and unzip every time you move locations.
For an EDC (everyday carry) bag for all my gadgets that’ll also sometimes hold a 7- or 8-inch handheld, I’d pick Genki. For a dedicated handheld bag for 7-inch handhelds, it’s Mechanism all the way. — Sean Hollister, senior editor
Travel bags
Two Wheel Gear Pannier Backpack Convertible 2.0 LITE
When I got into cycling last year, I saw a bunch of people with fancy pannier bags and thought, “I want in on that action.” I was riding with a garden-variety backpack on my back, which is a nice way to ensure you arrive at your destination with your back covered in sweat. But I also wanted to be able to carry my bag on my back once I was off the bike. Nothing is more annoying than setting a bag down on the floor to take out your wallet (or phone) so you can pay for your coffee — and helplessly watching the bag flop over.
Turns out a company called Two Wheel Gear gets it. It makes a convertible bag with backpack straps you can stash in a pocket for pannier mode. Once you’re off the bike, you snap the straps back together and wear it like a backpack. There’s a laptop sleeve, plenty of pockets, and even a rain cover in its own compartment. Brilliant! — Allison Johnson, senior reviewer
The Unemployed Philosophers Guild Cables & Ports Zipper Bag
I love all my children equally, and by children, I mean bags. I have maybe seven bags I cycle through regularly, ranging from the Peak Design Everyday 15L (which was featured in the last roundup) to my fancy Anya Hindmarch canvas tote to my (then) $5 black Uniqlo half-moon bag. But if we are talking about things that truly changed my life, it is zip-up pouches that store small items, from pens and electronics to contact lenses and Flonase, which I chuck inside my other bags. For what use is a pretty bag if all your loose items are just flying about willy-nilly? (And don’t tell me that you’re a perfect human who actually uses the built-in pen holder in your backpack. No one does that.)
I’ve accumulated multiple pouches over the years from various places, and they each contain highly specific items. (I even have one for my bobby pins and hair ties.) But this 9-inch canvas pouch from The Unemployed Philosophers Guild has become the home of my most essential items. It’s well-constructed, big enough to hold multiple items — mine holds pens, business cards, a small external battery, two cables, and sunscreen — but is also flat enough to fit in most bags unobtrusively. (I also just learned it has a carabiner loop, which, game changer.) Plus, it comes in the most fun prints I’ve seen from a bag company: mine is the Alchemy print, but there are over a dozen more, including a Shakespeare print, a Bob Ross print, a pasta shapes print, and for the TRUE tech enthusiast, a “cables and ports” print illustrating history’s finest dongles. What more could you ask? – Tina Nguyen, senior reporter
In 2017, I was gearing up for my first international flight to the UK and Barcelona to cover MWC, so I needed some luggage. Away bags were all the rage then, what with their minimalist design and built-in battery. So, I bought one — and hated it. The battery wasn’t as powerful or convenient as I wanted it to be (the FAA ended up banning suitcases with non-removable batteries later that year), the tiny wheels were rickety on centuries-old streets, and its hard shell meant it left little room to expand in case I wanted to bring back souvenirs. It might have been a fine bag for some, but not for me.
The moment I got home, I returned it, and bought the Timbuk 2 Copilot medium carry-on luggage. I landed on this model for one reason, really: it has two skateboard wheels that operate silently, whether I’m strolling it down a bumpy sidewalk or through a flat airport terminal. I have a handful of bags in my life that I love for various reasons, but this one’s special. I’ve stuffed clothing and doodads into this bag for all of my life’s biggest adventures so far, including my honeymoon to Japan and South Korea, my travels to India and the Netherlands, and numerous domestic trips. When I retire it someday (it has some scrapes, but still works perfectly), I imagine it’ll be like paging through a passport, with its scars being like the stamps upon entry to and exit from places where I’ve made so many memories. Then I’ll aim to replace it with the exact same model. — Cameron Faulkner, commerce editor
Pants with huge pockets
Wrangler RIGGS Workwear Ripstop Ranger Cargo Short
I’m sort of kidding, but not really. Sometimes you have just enough stuff to carry that normal pockets won’t suffice, but not enough to warrant a big tote bag or backpack. Women’s clothing has notoriously small pockets, so this summer I’ve embraced my inner dad — and I’ve become fully cargo shorts-pilled. My go-to has been an old pair of men’s Uniqlo cargo shorts, but anything with roomy pockets and belt loops to hook keys on will do. These Wranglers are nice, as are these from Fjallraven for a sportier feel. I also love my pair of unisex carpenter jeans from Big Bud Press for when it’s cooler. I’m thrilled any time I can go without carrying a bag. Nothing beats the feeling of being unencumbered. — Mia Sato, senior reporter
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Barbara KrasnoffBrandon Widder<![CDATA[Why I love my little round Dell USB-C mobile adapter]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=7110962025-07-22T14:52:42-04:002025-07-22T15:00:00-04:00
Barbara Krasnoff is officially the reviews editor for The Verge, but although she has done a great deal of reviewing in her time, she doesn’t tend to do a lot of it in her current position. “I was originally hired here to write and edit to-do articles,” she explains. “Now, I spend most of my time editing, overseeing various projects, and coaxing staffers to write about their favorite stuff.”
Where did you first hear about the Dell mobile adapter?
I didn’t actually hear about it — I saw it at a trade event here in New York City a few years ago. Dell was showing off some of its new products, and one of the accessories was this little puck-looking item with several ports around its periphery. But the neatest thing was that it had its own USB-C connector on a short cable that revealed itself when you spun the base in a clockwise direction. Then, when you spun it counterclockwise, the cable pulled neatly back into the base. It looked both ingenious and useful, and as soon as it was available, I bought one for myself.
Why did you want one?
My first laptops had lots of ports, but as the computers got thinner, the ports began to disappear. Eventually, most of the laptops I used only had one or two USB-C ports for anything I wanted to physically connect to my device. This little adapter lets me use a variety of different connectors, including some that belong to my older devices.
What do you like about it?
As I mentioned before, it includes a number of different ports, some of which are no longer in use but I prefer to have on hand. The model I have, the DA300, comes with an ethernet port, a USB-C and USB-A port, an HDMI port, a VGA port, and a DisplayPort. There are other, newer models with a different selection of ports.
I also think the whole spin-the-disk-and-the-cable-disappears thing is a lot of fun.
Is there anything about it that you dislike, or that you think could be improved?
A slot for a microSD card would have been handy. And a color other than black might have been nice.
Just FYI: Dell has replaced my model with the DA305, which trades the VGA port for a second USB-A port and switches up the USB from 3.1 to 3.2. Amazon still seems to be carrying the DA300, but I’m not sure how long that’s going to last.
Who would you recommend it to?
There are a lot of good desk-based adapters out there, but this one is great for popping into your backpack just in case you need it.
