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.
Huawei says it didn’t send it, but an agency claiming to represent the company has been contacting tech influencers, offering to pay them to promote Huawei’s new Mate XT 2 foldable around the iPhone Duo launch, and disguise the posts to look like an organic, grassroots groundswell of enthusiasm.
The company has never been shy about its Apple-inspired designs, though this one feels a little more Honor’s own with the large circular camera incorporated too. The Magic 9 phones launch in China on September 28th, and feature cameras designed with Arri, support for two different teleconverter lenses, and this soft green color, which I do rather like.
First announced at I/O in May, Daily Brief is an AI feature that generates a summary of your day with the emails, meetings, and other information pulled from apps connected to Gemini. It was previously only available to Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers.
It currently has a page on its website for “iPhone Ultra” cases, skins, and screen protectors. Preorder notices say they’ll ship in September and “early October.” Dbrand’s also offering accessories for the unannounced iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. We’ll see if Apple’s rumored foldable fits the case on Wednesday.
If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.
With the launch of Meta’s new AI agent that it says can handle your life for you, the social network exec posted this video highlighting how secure, private, and trustworthy Muse is, and that it will get even more secure in the future. Trust.
It’s not too surprising that most of Apple’s wristwear is now listed as unavailable on its website for shipment or pickup (but not all — we did see some Ultra models available), with a product event scheduled for tomorrow, but MacRumors points out that the value-priced version of the Apple Watch is unavailable too.
Based on the rumors, we have been anticipating updates for the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3, and maybe the SE 3 is just taking a break in solidarity. We’ll find out tomorrow.
[MacRumors]
It was briefly shown during Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct today, but Hori’s website now has a listing for its $49.99 electronic ocarina. You can play your own songs by pushing buttons, play one of 12 pre-programmed songs from the games, use it with the Ocarina of Time remake’s sound recognition feature, or connect headphones for a private jam session.
Dom says it’s quick and easy to snap a propeller backback onto the HoverAir Versa, and then… it can fly! Shame that HoverAir isn’t transparently telling backers that this camera has been banned in the US, and shame on the Trump administration for creating the dumb drone ban to begin with.
The buzz at IFA was all around robotics — humanoids, quadrupeds, and wheeled bots designed to be household helpers and companions. I was on a panel (watch it here) where roboticists and entrepreneurs insisted that in five years everyone will know someone with a humanoid at home.
I don’t buy it. Yes, I saw some impressive-looking robots. But behind almost every one was a human with a PlayStation controller.
Crooked Ideas, the nonprofit arm of Crooked Media, is tapping Chaotic Era author Kyle Tharp to head up the iniative, which will support existing political influencers and focus on creating content related to issues like AI safety, climate change, healthcare, and “enshittification,” according to a report from Semafor.
As previously announced, Google has halved the release cycle for its web browser with today’s stable release of Chrome 153 on desktop, Android, and iOS. Chrome 154 Beta is now ready for testing, ahead of its stable release on September 22nd.
The project’s developers say they now have “almost everything” running in Linux on M3 devices, but they’re still working on full DCP and GPU support. Asahi warned users not to expect “performant or power-efficient 3D acceleration right now.” Sleep mode and the HDMI port are also not working yet.
[Asahi Linux]
The acquisition happened earlier this year. Sonera claimed in 2023 that it will make “brain activity as easy to measure as heart rate, temperature, and other physiological signals,” which could lend itself to future wearable devices.
During its The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct today, Nintendo briefly shared a teaser for its next collaboration with Lego. The new set features Link brandishing the Master Sword while riding Epona as the horse rears up. Pricing and piece count aren’t known, but the set could arrive alongside Nintendo’s Ocarina of Time remake.
The two companies are also partnering to develop “high-performance optical connectivity solutions,” potentially amping up competition with Nvidia. As part of the deal, Qualcomm will use Amazon’s AI servers to speed up its chip design process.
With the BrickStation Kit, Lego’s 1,911-piece replica of the original Sony PlayStation will be able to connect to a TV and play original PS1 games, as reported by Retro Dodo. When it eventually launches through Kickstarter, the upgrade will rely on a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W for emulating games but you’ll have to supply your own functional controllers.
The new $79 Xteink X4 Classic is an updated version of the company’s original tiny e-reader with a larger 920mAh battery that comes at the cost of a USB-C port. Like the Xteink X3 and X4 Pro, the revamped X4 Classic now has a magnetic pogo pin connector on the back for charging and syncing.
Searches related to hotels and flights will now more prominently display results linking to price comparison sites, after the EU found Google was breaking antitrust rules by prioritizing its own Shopping, Flights, and Hotels tools, fining it €460 million. Google told Reuters it’s the largest reduction in search quality for 29 years.
The launch of its first foldable iPhone proves Apple still calls the shots.
Logitech is launching a standalone version of its MX Keypad for developers. Previously bundled in the MX Creative Console, the miniature keypad has customizable keys that can be configured to control apps. Logitech has worked with GitHub to launch the MX Keypad with native integration for VS Code and GitHub’s Copilot app. Logitech’s keypad is available today, priced at $99.99.
Alex Gibney’s three-hour-plus documentary on Elon Musk is closer than the Moon. It’ll premiere at the Venice International Film Festival on September 8th. Here’s the first teaser:
The Roomba Duo is a new concept from iRobot. Two vacuums in one: the larger robot is a vacuum and steam mop (I watched it suck up pasta from carpet) and the smaller one sits on top. When the Duo finds areas it can’t reach, it uses a mechanical arm to lower the second bot to the floor.
It feels like an overly complex solution to the traditional limitations of robot vacuums, but it’s nice to see some ambition from iRobot.
$LAPTOP plays on the infamous device that dragged him into the political spotlight. It also takes aim at Donald Trump’s similar crypto currency by distributing tokens to wallets that have lost money on $TRUMP, and pledging more if the Democrats win in 2028 or Biden’s crypto market cap overtakes the Trump coin’s.
[Wall Street Journal]
Most Windows 11 widgets haven’t been all that useful so far, but a new battery option is reportedly coming soon that looks like something I’d use daily. Much like Apple and Google’s batteries widgets, it tracks battery levels for any devices connected to a PC. Once it’s officially rolled out, you should be able to use it on the lock screen or widgets board.
Released today in China after last week’s IFA appearance, it pushes the new wide fold form factor just a touch further than Samsung did. It’s both shorter and wider, with a roughly 1.4:1 aspect ratio on both screens — about the same proportions as international paper standards or a 1.43:1 IMAX screen. Finally, a phone designed for The Odyssey.
