AI super PACs, the hottest investment in tech

Hello and welcome to Regulator, a newsletter about the collision between Big Tech and Washington (last week of summer edition). If you enjoy this, consider subscribing to get this newsletter weekly and everything The Verge has to offer. Ever since the US Supreme Court ruled in Citizens United v. FEC that corporations had the right […]

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The winners and losers of Taylor Swift’s engagement announcement

The world's most famous celebrity couple got engaged, and the first place the news broke was on Instagram. By now, it's not much of a surprise that pop star Taylor Swift and football player Travis Kelce opted to announce their engagement on the platform on Tuesday - if it's good enough for Beyoncé, it's good […]

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Framework is working on a giant haptic touchpad, Trackpoint nub, and eGPU for its laptops

Today, Framework announced the second-gen Framework Laptop 16 with two industry firsts: the first Nvidia graphics card upgrade you can perform at home in just a couple minutes, and the first complete 240W laptop charging solution over a USB-C cable. But the company’s also revealing some intriguing upgrades that didn’t quite make the cut — […]

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Anthropic settles AI book-training lawsuit with authors

Anthropic has settled a class action lawsuit with a group of fiction and non-fiction authors, as announced in a filing on Tuesday with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Anthropic had won a partial victory in a lower court ruling, and was in the process of appealing that ruling. No details of the settlement were […]

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DOGE uploaded live copy of Social Security database to ‘vulnerable’ cloud server, says whistleblower

The Social Security Administration's chief data officer has publicly blown the whistle, alleging DOGE put hundreds of millions of Social Security records at risk of compromise by uploading a critical government database of citizen's data to Amazon's cloud.

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CRKD’s $99 Peak Design clone is great for handhelds

Embracer Group-owned CRKD recently launched a backpack, the $99.99 Vortex 1.0. During a recent vacation, I swapped it in place of my go-to for the past eight or so years, the 20-liter Peak Design Everyday backpack, which CRKD has thoroughly cribbed the look of. However, the Vortex has handheld gaming pockets, which helps it stand […]

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Not so fast: German court says Apple can’t call Watch carbon neutral

Apple's carbon neutral claims are undermined by the short-term nature of carbon credits used to support them, the court said.

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Dish gives up on becoming the fourth major wireless carrier

Dish's parent company, EchoStar, is selling a broad swath of its 5G spectrum licenses to AT&T for $23 billion. Under the deal, the Dish-owned Boost Mobile will primarily operate using AT&T's growing network - a move that marks "the end of the road for the fourth carrier," says Roger Entner, founder and lead analyst at […]

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Apple’s iPhone 17 launch event is set for September 9th

Apple has announced the date of its next big event: September 9th, 2024, at 1PM ET / 10AM PT. The event, which has the tagline “Awe dropping,” will take place at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park. This is where we expect to hear more about the iPhone 17 lineup, which rumors (and at […]

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Apple is holding its iPhone 17 event on September 9

Apple said today that it is holding its event for the iPhone 17 on Tuesday, September 9 — just like last year. The company has started sending invites for the event, which will be held at the Steve Jobs theatre in Cupertino and will start at 10 a.m. PT/ 1 p.m. ET. While the company is […]

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Google is building a Duolingo rival into the Translate app

Google is putting AI-powered language learning tools into its Translate app. The new feature, rolling out now in beta, can create customized language lessons based on your skill level and your purpose for picking up a new language, such as vacationing in another country. For now, Google Translate can only help English speakers practice Spanish […]

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EA’s free-to-play Skate revival hits early access in September

More than three years after revealing “pre-pre-pre-alpha” footage of its new Skate title, EA has finally announced that the free-to-play live service game will be launching for everyone in early access on September 16th.  The game takes place in the city of “San Vansterdam,” where you can cruise around to find places to pull off […]

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YouTube’s ‘Hype’ feature that boosts smaller creators launches globally

Viewers have the opportunity to hype up to three videos per week for a favorite creator. This gives the video points, which helps it gain traction on a new, ranked leaderboard.

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How one AI startup is helping rice farmers battle climate change

Mitti Labs is working with The Nature Conservancy to expand the use of climate friendly rice farming practices in India. The startup uses its AI to verify reductions in methane emissions.

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Dyson’s 360 Vis Nav, our favorite robot vacuum for carpets, is half off

The Dyson 360 Vis Nav is one of the most powerful robot vacuums out there. In fact, its 65 air watts of suction makes it the best option for carpets (even high pile) that we’ve tested yet. And, right now it’s half off at $499 at Amazon, Target, and directly from Dyson. The robovac’s long, […]

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Tesla rejected $60 million settlement in Autopilot case that ultimately cost it 4 times that amount

Tesla rejected a $60 million settlement in the wrongful death case that ended up costing the company $243 million in punitive and compensatory damages, Reuters reported today, citing newly filed legal documents. The proposal stemmed from a lawsuit filed by the families of the victims in a 2019 crash in which a Tesla Model S […]

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Bye-bye barrel jack: Framework brings 240W USB-C charging to laptops

Four and a quarter years ago, I told you how a USB-C cable could someday power all but the beefiest gaming laptops. Now, Framework is finally fulfilling the promise of 240 watts through a USB plug. Today, it’s opening preorders for the first standards-compliant 240W USB-C PD power adapter ever sold by a computer company. […]

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Framework is now selling the first gaming laptop that lets you easily upgrade its GPU — with Nvidia’s blessing

Framework CEO Nirav Patel said he would deliver "the holy grail for gamers" with the Framework Laptop 16. In 2023, he suggested it'd be the first consumer notebook to fulfil the promise of modular, upgradable graphics cards like a desktop PC. We at The Verge were skeptical, because the last time we heard someone tell […]

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TikTok Shop, Amazon, and other marketplaces hosted antisemitic T-shirts

Some TikTok users have reported seeing a troubling product in the last few days: T-shirts for sale on TikTok Shop that are an antisemitic parody of the Jaws movie poster. In the image printed on the shirts, the shark has been transformed into a human nose, the swimmer at the surface of the water is […]

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Kristin Cavallari Recalls ‘Brutal’ Birth of 1st Baby: ‘F***ing Suffering’

Kristin Cavallari opened up about the births of her three children — and revealed that welcoming her first baby, son Camden, was a difficult experience. The reality star, 38, recalled during the Tuesday, August 26, episode of her “Let’s Be Honest” podcast that she initially experienced false labor before Camden, now 13, was born in […]

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Who Was Robin Kaye? What to Know About Late ‘American Idol’ Music Supervisor

Robin Kaye was beloved in the entertainment industry before her death at age 70. Kaye was best known as a music supervisor for American Idol, where she notably secured Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” for Adam Lambert in 2009. “We always were talking about Led Zeppelin because everybody knew that we couldn’t do Led Zeppelin,” […]

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Google will verify Android developers distributing apps outside the Play store

Google is increasing security measures around sideloading apps by removing anonymity for Android developers who distribute outside of the Play Store. Starting in September next year, Google will require developers in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand to verify their identities in order for their apps to be installed on certified Android devices via direct downloads […]

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Marshall’s first Bluetooth party speaker has a hidden light show

Nothing is certain in life except death, taxes, and companies releasing party speakers with elaborate lighting features. Marshall’s first party speaker, the new Bromley 750, is no different, but instead of filling a room with a bright-colored glow, it features a more subtle array of LEDs hidden behind its front speaker grill. It’s available for […]

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Anthony Edwards’ Ex Ayesha Denies Trying to Extort Him With $500K Demand

Anthony Edwards’ ex Ayesha Howard denied she was attempting to extort the NBA star when she asked for a six-figure sum as part of their court battle, Us Weekly can exclusively report. On August 7, Howard, 38, filed a declaration in Los Angeles Superior Court as she fights Edwards, 24, over what state child support […]

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Kelly Osbourne Slams WWE’s Becky Lynch for Ozzy Osbourne Joke: ‘Dirtbag’

Kelly Osbourne is not happy with WWE star Becky Lynch’s recent joke about her late father, Ozzy Osbourne. “You are a disrespectful dirtbag!” Kelly, 40, shared via Instagram Stories on Tuesday, August 26. “Birmingham would not piss on you if you were on fire.” She added, “Shame on the @wwe for allowing such things to […]

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Venus Williams’ Fiance Andrea Preti Supports Her at 2025 US Open

Venus Williams’ fiancé, Andrea Preti, cheered her on as she competed in the 2025 US Open. Preti, 37, was an enthusiastic supporter of Williams, 45, during her first round singles match against Karolina Muchova inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday, August 25. Muchova, 29, ultimately defeated Williams in hard-fought match, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1. The tennis […]

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Hailey Bieber Playfully Responds to Justin Bieber’s Latest Thirst Trap

Hailey Bieber is entering the chat after husband Justin Bieber posed for thirst trap photos. On Monday, August 25, Justin, 31, shared a shirtless mirror selfie via Instagram, where he rocked black workout shorts and a white beanie. In another image with the same backdrop, Justin got closer to the mirror as he flipped his […]

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Logitech’s MX Master 4 leaks point to haptic feedback

Logitech’s new flagship mouse may be about to launch, and bring with it an unexpected upgrade: haptic feedback. WinFuture claims to have obtained leaked details on the MX Master 4, which it says will launch on September 30 for €129.99 (around $150). While the broad strokes of the mouse’s design will be familiar to existing […]

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Why Chrissy Teigen Thought Meghan Markle Had a 3rd Child Named Honsworth

Chrissy Teigen thought Meghan Markle and Prince Harry somehow managed to keep a third child secret. Teigen, 39, appeared on the second episode of Netflix’s With Love, Meghan season 2, which premiered Tuesday, August 26. Not only did Meghan, 44, and Teigen reflect on their Deal or No Deal days, but the duo also made […]

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Wyze’s newest pan and tilt cam can track your pets in 4K

Smart home tech provider Wyze is launching its first 4K security camera. The Wyze Cam Pan v4 is available today for $60, featuring color night vision, pan and tilt capabilities, and on-device AI-powered object tracking that captures people, pets, and vehicles. Users can control the camera remotely via the Wyze app for full-room coverage, with […]

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Hands-on with the Level Lock Pro: sleeker, smarter, still very expensive

Smart locks are among my favorite pieces of smart home tech, offering convenience and peace of mind; I haven't used a key in years. But most of them are big, clunky, and unmistakably "techy." Keypads, bulky battery housings, and fingerprint readers mean they really stick out, on both sides of your door. If you want […]

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Issa Rae Reveals How She Almost Lost ‘Every Single Dollar’ She Ever Made

Issa Rae’s “impulsiveness” has landed her in some sticky situations over the years — and, sometimes, it has cost her. “My impulsivity, the character trait I’ve benefited from and paid dearly for, is both a gift and a curse,” Rae, 40, wrote in her new essay collection, I Should be Smarter by Now, released on […]

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A Guide to the Most Iconic Guest Stars on Tim Allen’s ‘Shifting Gears’

Tim Allen‘s ABC sitcom Shifting Gears has allowed him to recruit familiar guest stars — including his former costars from Home Improvement and Last Man Standing. The hit series, which premiered in January 2025, is set in a car restoration shop opened by Allen’s character, Matt. After reuniting with his estranged daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings), […]

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Andy Cohen Reacts to Bug in His Hair During ‘Love Island USA’ Reunion

Andy Cohen had a bug in his hair during the Love Island USA season 7 reunion — and he didn’t even know it. “Oh man, poor @Andy Cohen got that bug in his hair! #LoveIslandUSA #loveislandreunion,” one viewer wrote via X on Monday, August 25, sharing photos of Cohen, 57, in the hosting seat. A […]

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Ted Lasso’s Keeley Hazell Claims Juno Temple’s Role Was Written for Her

Ted Lasso star Keeley Hazell claims she almost starred as Keeley Jones before the role went to Juno Temple. Hazell, 38, recalled meeting up with Jason Sudeikis “to discuss the part he had written for me,” in her new memoir, Everyone’s Seen My Tits: Stories and Reflections From an Unlikely Feminist, released on Tuesday, August […]

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Nordstrom Dropped 14,000+ New Arrivals — But These 17 Went Right to My Cart

It’s that time of year where we must work with our summer and fall clothes to put together transitional outfits. But of course, we look for any reason to add a few new things to our virtual shopping carts, which led us to the latest arrivals from Nordstrom — starting at $32. The retailer recently […]

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NBC Fall Schedule for New, Returning Shows: ‘The Voice’ and More

NBC’s fall TV schedule is stacked with new and returning shows, including The Voice, Law & Order and more — but when is each program airing? The network’s schedule for the fall will continue its tradition of nights dedicated to the Law & Order franchise and One Chicago universe. Both are tackling new seasons following […]

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Brooks Nader Says She Is ‘Loving’ Being Single — And Would Date a Coworker

It’s a seriously exciting time for Brooks Nader right now — not only is she in the middle of launching her new family reality show, Love Thy Nader, but she’s also embracing being single for the first time in her adult life. The model and reality star, 28, recently finalized her divorce from husband Billy Haire […]

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Every Archie and Lilibet Reference in ‘With Love, Meghan’ Season 2

Motherhood was always in the cards for Meghan Markle. “I always wanted to be a mom,” Meghan, 44, told With Love, Meghan guest Tan France during the Netflix show’s second season. “I would save my allowance and I’d go to Kmart and buy a real diaper bag.” She added, “I was like, ‘I don’t want […]

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Hasselblad’s new medium format flagship comes with end-to-end HDR

Hasselblad has just launched the X2D II 100C, the first medium format camera capable of taking true HDR photos. Those HDR images can be instantly reviewed on the new 3.6-inch OLED touchscreen at up to 1,400 nits of peak brightness, which Hasselblad says is 75 percent brighter than the original X2D 100C. Other notable upgrades […]

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