Blackwater’s founder would like to sell you a privacy phone made in the USA

Unplugged, a company cofounded and backed by Erik Prince, who is also the founder of infamous private military contractor Blackwater, has just released a new version of its "privacy-first" UP Phone that will be made in the US - at some point. The original UP Phone was described by the company as "the ultimate privacy-focused […]

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Terraform co-founder Do Kwon pleads guilty over $40 billion crypto collapse

Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud three years after his collapsed cryptocurrency firm wiped out $40 billion in funds, according to a report from Bloomberg. Kwon entered his plea in a New York court on Tuesday as part of a deal reached with prosecutors that reduced his charges. […]

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Anthropic takes aim at OpenAI, offers Claude to ‘all three branches of government’ for $1

Anthropic’s escalation – a response to OpenAI’s attempt to undercut the competition – is a strategic play meant to broaden the company’s foothold in federal AI usage. 

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Uber Freight CEO Lior Ron leaves to join self-driving startup Waabi as COO

Self-driving truck maker Waabi has hired autonomous vehicle industry veteran and Uber Freight CEO, Lior Ron, to step in as chief operating officer, as the startup looks to scale its commercial operations ahead of its planned launch of driverless trucks on public highways later this year.

Continue ReadingUber Freight CEO Lior Ron leaves to join self-driving startup Waabi as COO

Apple’s latest MacBook Pro with M4 is down to its lowest price to date

The MacBook Pro 14 with M4 is one of our top laptop recommendations for students, and it’s currently $1,299 ($300 off), an all-time low price at Amazon and Best Buy. In our tests, Apple’s entry-level pro laptop was powerful enough to process high-resolution raw files in Adobe’s Lightroom Classic without slowing down. It also easily […]

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Google is adding a new way to personalize the news you see

Google is making it easier to see news from your favorite outlets. A new feature, called “preferred sources,” will let you choose the outlets you want to see featured the most in Search’s “top stories” section. Google’s top stories hub appears when you search for something related to a current event, and displays a bunch […]

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Pebblebee’s AirTag alternative can now share your real-time location in an emergency

In July, Pebblebee announced a new safety feature for its Clip location tracker. Called Alert, it turns the Apple AirTag alternative into a panic alarm. Rapidly pressing the Clip’s button activates a flashing light and loud 97-decibel siren while also triggering Pebblebee’s mobile app to send a browser link of your current location to a […]

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Samsung has launched its first Micro RGB TV with improved color accuracy

First teased at CES 2025, Samsung has finally launched a TV featuring the company’s new Micro RGB backlight technology. The 115-inch TV is first launching in South Korea for over $32,000, according to SamMobile, but Samsung says it’s coming to the US next, followed by a wider global rollout with more size options. Samsung’s Micro […]

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Trump screwed over Nvidia’s Chinese sales, then let them happen

Hello there, world! Welcome to the first issue of Regulator, a newsletter about the collision between Big Tech and Washington. If you enjoy this, consider subscribing to get this newsletter weekly and everything The Verge has to offer. For anyone who subscribed via our Instagram announcement: I am so, so sorry that I didn't use […]

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Sling TV’s $5 pass buys you one day of cable TV

Sling TV has launched a new option that lets you watch live content without signing up for a streaming or cable subscription. Now, you can pay $4.99 for a “day pass,” offering 24 hours of live and on-demand access to several channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT, A&E, Disney Channel, CNN, and others. Sling TV […]

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Alien: Earth is a brilliant and terrifying expansion of the franchise

While the monsters in each of the nine Alien movies have been a little bit different, the nefarious corporate forces have remained the same. Ridley Scott's original Alien didn't need to mention Weyland-Yutani by name for it to be clear that a singular mega-company had cornered the market on space exploration. But subsequent Alien films […]

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Australian court finds Apple, Google abused app store market power

Epic Games has just secured a win in its crusade against Apple and Google's app store policies: The Federal Court of Australia on Tuesday ruled that Apple and Google's engaged in anti-competitive conduct when it came to their respective app stores, ABC News reported.

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Sam Altman is right and wrong about the future of photos

I'm annoyed, not for the first time, by something Sam Altman has said. But this time it's because I'm annoyed at how much I agree with what he's saying - even though I think his statement is kind of bullshit. In a recent interview, journalist Cleo Abram asked Altman how people will be able to […]

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Elon Musk says he’s suing Apple for rigging App Store rankings

Elon Musk says that his artificial intelligence company xAI “will take immediate legal action” against Apple for allegedly manipulating its App Store rankings to the advantage of rival AI apps. In a series of X posts on Monday night, Musk suggested that Apple was “playing politics” by not placing either X or xAI’s Grok chatbot […]

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Microsoft releases lightweight Office taskbar apps for Windows 11

Microsoft is starting to roll out lightweight taskbar apps for Microsoft 365 users on Windows 11. These taskbar apps will automatically launch at startup and provide quick access to contacts, file search, and calendar straight from the Windows taskbar. The Microsoft 365 companion apps, as Microsoft calls them, are starting to roll out to business […]

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Taylor Swift’s 12th announced at 12:12AM on the 12th

Taylor Swift leaned into her love for symbolism with the announcement of her dozenth album, titled The Life of a Showgirl.  TS12 was introduced in a teaser — already viewed over 65 million times — for the next episode of the New Heights podcast airing Wednesday, hosted by boyfriend Travis Kelce and his big brother Jason. Tay extracted the $29.99 […]

Continue ReadingTaylor Swift’s 12th announced at 12:12AM on the 12th

GTA V now has DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation support

Rockstar Games is adding Nvidia’s DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation support to Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced today. Nvidia is also releasing a new Game Ready driver today that will improve Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced performance, as well as support the enhanced version of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II that’s available today. The DLSS 4 […]

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Ford is doubling down on EVs — the timing is awful

On Monday, Ford introduced an innovative new manufacturing process that it says will help make its EVs more sustainable, more desirable, and more importantly, more affordable. The timing couldn't have been worse. EV tax credits were set to expire at the end of September. President Trump's trade war was tilting the balance in favor of […]

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3 Underrated Netflix Shows You Need to Watch in August 2025

Ever feel like Netflix is showing you the same six shows over and over again? So do we — that’s why Watch With Us is here to do the research your algorithm cannot, unearthing the underrated shows you might not have discovered yet. In August 2025, we’re spotlighting three shows on Netflix you shouldn’t miss, […]

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Kate Hudson Slathers on This $16 Super Hydrating Cream Before Long Flights

Kate Hudson is practically aging backwards. And while you might think that a $1,000 serum or high-tech facial is the secret behind her glow, it’s actually a multitasking cream. The kicker? It’s just $16. Trust Us, we’re shocked, too! The Running Point star swears by the Egyptian Magic All-Purpose Skin Cream, which she uses on […]

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Epic says Fortnite is coming back to iOS in Australia

Epic Games has announced that it’s bringing Fortnite back to iOS in Australia, after the country’s federal court ruled that Apple and Google’s app marketplaces are anticompetitive. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney said on X that Fortnite will be made available on iPhones via the Epic Games Store “at a date to be determined,” while the […]

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This Obscure 2016 Sci-Fi Action Movie Just Crashed Netflix’s Top 10 Chart

It often surprises us which movies get a second life when they’re added to Netflix. Movies that didn’t necessarily do great with critics at the time of their release can be much more successful when given a new context and a new audience. One such movie is The 5th Wave, starring Chloë Grace Moretz — […]

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Netflix Is Losing One of the Best Horror Prequels Ever — and ‘Weapons’ Fans Will Love It

Over a decade ago, Hasbro and Blumhouse teamed up for a movie based on the Ouija board game. It was a pretty profitable hit in 2014, and a prequel, Ouija: Origin of Evil, followed two years later. Both of those films are currently on Netflix, but Ouija: Origin of Evil is the one you really […]

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20 French-Inspired Fashion Staples to Dress Like a Local for Under $20

Everyone wants to look French: Parisian gals wear polished, expensive-looking dresses, delicate blouses and boutique-style pants, all with an effortless appeal. They’re always confident and poised, whether heading to brunch or the office. But you don’t have to move to France to get the aesthetic, nor do you have to spend boutique bucks. We found […]

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‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Alum Matthew Atkinson Teases Return

The Bold and the Beautiful alum Matthew Atkinson teased he could be set to make a return to the long-running soap. Posting to Instagram on Monday, August 11, the actor, 36, shared footage of himself playing corn hole on the lot where The Bold and the Beautiful is filmed. In the background, the show’s distinctive […]

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Shaquille O’Neal Questions if He Was Addicted to Painkillers

Shaquille O’Neal is getting candid about his use of painkillers. Appearing on the Monday, August 11 episode of the “Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard” podcast, the former professional basketballer questioned whether he was addicted to painkillers despite his doctor’s concerns. “So, I have a question,” O’Neal, 53, responded after he was asked if he was […]

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Taylor Swift Announces Her 12th Studio Album

Taylor Swift has more new music on the way as she revealed the title of her upcoming 12th studio album. The singer dropped the news that the new record will be titled The Life of a Showgirl via a sneak peek of boyfriend Travis Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast on Tuesday, August 12, and showed off […]

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Taylor Swift Seemingly Confirms New Era With Major Countdown Clue

Taylor Swift has fans saying “tick tock on the clock” with a countdown appearing on her official website, seemingly suggesting a new era is imminent. The clock, which appeared on Monday, August 11, is counting down until 12:12 a.m. ET on Tuesday, August 12. A sparkling orange background appears behind it. “Expires August 12 at […]

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The Everyday Tee Shoppers Call ‘Soft and Comfortable’ Just Dropped to $9

Summer may be winding down, but there’s still plenty of time to wear loose and airy tops. The Alaroo Cap-Sleeve T-Shirt combines comfort and style, and it just dropped to $9 on Amazon. This everyday tee is perfect for end of summer, early fall and beyond, making right now the best time to stock up […]

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Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift Banter Back and Forth in Adorable Podcast Clip

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are using the “New Heights” podcast to give a rare glimpse into their romance. “That’s such a great color on you,” Swift, 35, says in the first clip from the upcoming episode, while sitting next to Kelce, also 35. “Yes, I know, it’s the color of your eyes, sweetie, that’s […]

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Elisa Donovan Recalls Secretly Dating Joey Fatone After Making Fun of ‘NSync

Clueless star Elisa Donovan thought she’d be saying “bye, bye, bye” after working with ‘NSync — but began secretly dating one of the boyband members instead. “They did an episode of Clueless,” Donovan, 54, recalled during the Monday, August 11, episode of the “Pod Meets World” podcast, referring to the Clueless TV series that ran […]

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Sarah McLachlan’s New Song Details ‘Fraught Relationship’ With Daughter

Sarah McLachlan’s newest single “Gravity” hits close to home emotionally for the singer. Speaking to Variety in an interview published on Monday, August 11, McLachlan, 57, divulged how much she loved performing the song after it was inspired by the “combative and fraught relationship” with her eldest daughter. (McLachlan shares daughters India Ann Sushil Sood, […]

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Did Below Deck’s Captain Kerry Fire Kyle After Investigation Over Hookup?

The investigation into Below Deck‘s Kyle Stillie alleged hookup with guest Helen Hoey resulted in Captain Kerry Titheradge making a decision about his future — but did he fire him? During the Monday, August 11, episode of the hit Bravo series, Kyle started a rumor about his relationship with Helen when he joked that their […]

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Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato’s Relationship Through the Years

Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato learned quickly that they were better off as friends. Jonas and Lovato first connected early in their careers when they starred in the 2008 Disney Channel Original Movie Camp Rock. The pair played love interests onscreen, but their real-life romance didn’t start until they filmed the sequel two years later. […]

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Pronto’s 10-minute house help pitch sparked a 3.6x valuation jump in just 90 days

Pronto has raised $11 million in an all-equity Series A round co-led by General Catalyst and Glade Brook Capital at a post-money valuation of $45 million.

Continue ReadingPronto’s 10-minute house help pitch sparked a 3.6x valuation jump in just 90 days

Emma Stone Gives Rare Update on Motherhood: ‘Nothing I Feel Luckier About’

Emma Stone is an Oscar-winning actress, but her role as mom to daughter Louise Jean is her favorite gig yet. “There’s nothing I feel luckier about,” Stone, 36, told Vogue in an interview published on Monday, August 11, of raising her 4-year-old daughter. “She’s the greatest gift of my life, for sure.” The Bugonia actress […]

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LSU Football Player Surrenders After Allegedly Harboring 2 Murder Suspects

Louisiana State University football player Jaiden Tyrese “JT” Lindsey turned himself in to university police after allegedly harboring two murder suspects in his dorm room. Lindsey, a freshman at LSU, surrendered on Friday, August 8, and was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. An arrest warrant was issued for Lindsey earlier this month […]

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Kylie Kelce Reveals Why Her Daughters Haven’t Attended a Chiefs Game Yet

Kylie Kelce has a good reason for not bringing her daughters to a Kansas City Chiefs game to cheer on their uncle, tight end Travis Kelce. “The girls have not yet been to an Uncle Trav game just because a lot of opportunities that we’ve had to go and support Trav have been, even just […]

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Cartier’s $23,800 Watch Is a Celebrity Magnet — Get the Look for 99% Less

If you’ve been eyeing Cartier watches, welcome to the club. Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and Taylor Swift are just a few A-listers who wear the luxury accessory. But luckily, you don’t have to drop thousands to get the style. This luxurious watch looks similar to the iconic Cartier Tank watch, yet it’s secretly under $200. Minimalist in […]

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Seoul-based Datumo raises $15.5M to take on Scale AI, backed by Salesforce

Datumo began as an AI data labeling company and now wants to help businesses build safer AI with tools and data that enable testing, monitoring, and improving their models — without requiring technical expertise.

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Now That ‘Sullivan’s Crossing’ Season 3 Is on Netflix, Watch These Great Shows Now

Sullivan’s Crossing season 3 is now available on Netflix, delighting fans of the CW show who discovered it on the streamer this summer. If you’re one of those fans and you’ve already burned through season 3, you may be feeling a Sullivan’s Crossing-sized hole in your heart. Fear not — Watch With Us has you covered with […]

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Everything Pamela Anderson Has Said About Moving Back to Canada

Pamela Anderson exudes beauty and grace both on screen and at her stunning home in her native country. The actress prefers her quiet life on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, to which she moved amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Her journey back to the area was decades in the making. Anderson grew up in Canada […]

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Kendra Hilty’s ‘I Was in Love With My Psychiatrist’ TikTok Series Explained

TikTok user Kendra Hilty is going viral for her “I Was in Love With My Psychiatrist” series, a 25-part saga (and counting) that has taken the internet by storm. Hilty, who has amassed more than 100,000 TikTok followers, began chronicling her story on August 1. The first video has more than 2 million views. “I […]

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Jana Kramer and Friends Have Tense Debate About Spanking Kids on Podcast

Jana Kramer and her friends are ready to debate the topic of spanking. During the Monday, August 11, episode of iHeartRadio’s “Whine Down” podcast, the former One Tree Hill star and her cohosts — Kristen Brust and Kathryn Woodard — reacted to The Bachelor alum Madi Prewett and husband Grant Troutt’s plans to spank their […]

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