The latest tech news about the world’s best (and sometimes worst) hardware, apps, and much more. From top companies like Google and Apple to tiny startups vying for your attention, Verge Tech has the latest in what matters in technology daily.
After promoting Johny Srouji, I expect Apple to continue focusing on what makes its recent Macs so great: the chips.
Cook once said Apple’s greatest contribution to mankind would be ‘about health.’ If true, he’ll get much of the credit.
We’re here at Framework’s Next Gen event in San Francisco, and you can follow along with the livestream. It’s been teasing a lot of Linux: what do you think we’re about to see?
7
Verge Score
The Find X9 Ultra has the best 10x telephoto lens yet, but would be a better phone without it.
When Google launched Gemini for Home, it put one key feature behind a paywall. Continued Conversation became available only on Gemini Live, which required Google Home Premium.
Starting today, users in Early Access can once again ask follow-up questions to Google’s voice assistant on their Google Home devices without saying “Hey Google” every time, and without paying. Another bonus is that the feature now works with all supported languages and in all regions.
[Google Nest Community Blog]
According to journalist Ken Klippenstein, ICE may be working on developing smart glasses capable of facial and biometric recognition. Klippenstein claims the agency wouldn’t just be using this tech on illegal aliens, but all Americans, especially protesters. College students proved this tech is already doable, but thanks, I hate it.
[https://www.kenklippenstein.com]
Not every power adapter needs a screen, but Satechi’s new $99.99 ChargeView, available now through its online store and Amazon, lets you monitor how much power individual devices are drawing from four USB-C ports, and how much of its total output of 140W remains.
If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.
If you haven’t learned enough about John Ternus, this WSJ profile has a note about his race car hobbies, and a pic from his college yearbook.
Software developer Josh Pucket has released Pica: a macOS app for managing fonts that’s currently optimized for latin script. It’s yet another free tool for the design community (yay!) and it even has a fun launch animation that sends characters cascading down your desktop.
The Thread Group has released a new Thread Network Diagnostic app that lets you “explore, monitor, and visualize your Thread network.” It displays network topology, connection status, and device roles to help troubleshoot issues. It’s Android only for now, but an iOS version is in the works.
Thread connectivity problems have been one of Matter’s biggest pain points — most recently with Ikea’s Matter-over-Thread rollout. There are some apps that let you see your network, but a dedicated tool like this could be very useful. I’ll report back after testing it out.
[Google Play Store]
Does Tim Cook’s newly announced successor have what it takes to regain the company’s lost ground in the AI race?
After debuting at CES 2025, the StanbyMe 2 launched last July with a 27-inch 1440p display (the original was only 1080p). Less than a year later LG is introducing a new 32-inch version with a resolution bump to 4K and a slightly longer 4.5 hour battery. It’s launching in South Korea for around $1,080 but US availability hasn’t been confirmed.
President Donald Trump had some interesting words to say on Truth Social about Tim Cook’s announced departure, claiming the Apple CEO personally requested his aid on several occasions during his presidency. “He makes these calls to me, I help him out (but not always, because he will, on occasion, be too aggressive in his ask!).”
High tech bird feeder manufacturer Birdfy is doubling down on its AI-powered subscription model, which feels inevitable.
Huxley:
Of course techbros are turning feeding the birds into an AI-powered recurring revenue generation scheme
Get the day’s best comment and more in my free newsletter, The Verge Daily.
A product called “1000X The Collexion” with an over-ear headphone model number of “WH-1000XX” briefly appeared on Sony’s region websites. There are no images, but a previous report suggest that the limited-edition model will launch for €629 (about $740) on May 19th.
[Android Authority]
We’ll be live on YouTube talkin’ Ternus, well, any second now. Come hang out!
Inventing the future requires a future people want.
It’s got a D-pad, dial, trackball, and number pad making it ideal for playing classic games like Missile Command, Codebreaker, and Breakout. But unfortunately, My Arcade’s new $65 wireless gamepad is only compatible with the handheld Atari Gamestation Go and Gamestation Mega mini arcade cabinet.
If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.
