This is Optimizer, a weekly newsletter sent from Verge senior reviewer Victoria Song that dissects and discusses the latest gizmos and potions that swear they’re going to change your life. Opt in for Optimizer here.…
I finally got my Trump phone
Where’s the Trump phone? We’re going to keep talking about it every week. One year on, our phones have finally arrived. 12 months, 16 days, 21 hours, and 54 minutes after I first heard about…
This slim camera has a transparent LCD screen for a viewfinder
Despite the fact that smartphones have become impressively capable shooters, standalone point-and-shoot cameras are enjoying a renaissance. The tiny Kodak Charmera is still wildly popular, while influencers are scrambling to find aging Canon cameras on…
While you’re watching the World Cup, the feds may be watching you
It’s a big year for America. It’s the semiquincentennial, otherwise known as America250, and the United States is cohosting the World Cup. But spectators at these events – and the millions of people who live…
Amazon updated 2023’s Fire HD 10 tablet with 4GB of RAM
The Fire HD 8 that launched in 2024 was the last new addition to Amazon’s budget-minded tablet lineup, but the company has quietly updated the Fire HD 10 that debuted the year before. In 2023…
Lucid Motors’ CFO is out as its new CEO continues leadership shakeup
The company announced a new slate of executive hires meant to help turn things around, as Gravity SUV sales are not taking off as expected.
Popular TV-tracking app TV Time is shutting down as company focuses on AI
TV Time, the popular TV-tracking app, is shutting down on July 15 as parent company Whip Media pivots toward enterprise AI products.
OpenAI proposed donating 5% of its equity to a US sovereign wealth fund
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has reportedly proposed giving 5% of the company’s equity to a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, reviving discussions about letting the public share in the financial gains from the AI boom.
Melinda Gates’ venture firm backs Magnify Ventures’ $46.6M Fund II
Early-stage firm Magnify Ventures has raised a $46.6 million Fund II from LPs, including Melinda French Gates’ Pivotal Ventures.
Boeing-owned Wisk Aero accused of firing manager who raised safety concerns
A former software manager claims Wisk rushed software testing ahead of a crucial 2025 flight test.