It looks just like the A7R V, and other Sony cameras. | Image: Sony Sony announced its new flagship high-resolution camera, the A7R VI. The standout feature is its fully stacked full-frame sensor with 66.8 megapixels of resolution and up to 16 stops of dynamic range. That's only an increase of about six megapixels for the VI model, but its stacked architecture means a much faster readout speed for higher burst rates, better silent shooting with the electronic shutter, and improved video performance. The other increase comes to the price, as the A7R VI will cost $4,499.99 when it launches in June - $600 more than when the A7R V launched in 2022. The new A7R camera has a slew of new features and ones it's inh … Read the full story at The Verge. Source: https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/929667/sony-alpha-a7rvi-mirrorless-camera-price-specs

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says its new Incognito Chat is "the first major AI product where there is no log of your conversations stored on servers." Messages in Incognito Chat aren't saved or stored in users' chat history, similar to incognito modes on other AI chatbots, but Meta says its version is different because it also uses end-to-end encryption, which Meta recently removed from Instagram DMs: "Other apps have introduced incognito-style modes, but they can still see the questions coming in and the answers going out. Incognito Chat with Meta AI is truly private, meaning no one - not even Meta - can read your conversations." Google … Read the full story at The Verge. Source: https://www.theverge.com/tech/929791/meta-ai-incognito-chats

Maybe I'm just punch-drunk in my third week attending Musk v. Altman, but I have become very, very fond of Microsoft during the course of this trial. They don't want to be here any more than I do. Their opening statement was honestly one of the most Microsoft things I've ever seen. More than anything else, it was an ad for Microsoft that listed their products in some detail. The general implication, from that statement, was that this trial was absurd, their involvement was absurd, but you, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, might still enjoy an Xbox game. There's been a great deal of high drama on the stand, from Musk, his associates, and O … Read the full story at The Verge. Source: https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/929692/microsoft-musk-altman-openai-trial

This week at I/O, Google rolled out a series of major updates for Android Auto that include better sizing for unconventionally shaped screens, video streaming through YouTube, widget support, and of course, more AI-powered Gemini features. The company also announced some updates for cars that run on Google's built-in native software, including the ability to ask Gemini questions that are specific to the car you're driving. First off, it's screen size. It used to be that in-car screens all came in the same basic shape. But now the standard rectangle has evolved into a variety of curved, panoramic, swooping, and even circular displays. Google … Read the full story at The Verge. Source: https://www.theverge.com/tech/927759/android-auto-is-now-one-screen-size-fits-all

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says Elon Musk did "huge damage" to the culture of the AI startup. During testimony as part of Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI, Altman said Musk required OpenAI president Greg Brockman and former chief scientist Ilya Sutskever to rank researchers by their accomplishments and "take a chainsaw through a bunch." Altman conceded that this was the management style the Tesla CEO was known for, but that it was incompatible with his startup. "I don't think Mr. Musk understood how to run a good research lab," Altman testified when his lawyer, William Savitt, asked about the impact of Musk's departure from OpenAI on morale. "For a … Read the full story at The Verge. Source: https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/928861/openai-sam-altman-elon-musk-damage

Google is announcing a new line of laptops coming in the fall called Googlebooks. Details are sparse for now, as the tease is just a small part of various Android announcements during Google's Android Show. But we do know this is a major new initiative in the laptop space for Google, seemingly designed to succeed Chromebooks with something more capable: a platform running a long-rumored new operating system based on a fusion of Android and ChromeOS. That operating system, through various leaks, has been referred to as Aluminium OS. Google isn't announcing the OS's real name or giving many details about it just yet. "We'll have more to share … Read the full story at The Verge. Source: https://www.theverge.com/tech/928479/google-googlebook-laptops-android-tease-aluminium-chromebook

Rivian's AI-powered voice assistant is rolling out today to the company's vehicle fleet. The assistant will be available through a software update to all compatible Rivian Gen 1 and Gen 2 vehicle owners who subscribe to the company's Connect Plus cellular service, which costs $15 a month or $150 a year, or are in an active trial. First announced at last year's AI and Autonomy Day, the Rivian Assistant is powered by the company's Rivian Unified Intelligence, "a shared, multi-modal AI foundation" that is "interwoven" throughout the entire company. The assistant is deeply embedded in the vehicle's operations, but will also pair with third-par … Read the full story at The Verge. Source: https://www.theverge.com/transportation/928651/rivian-ai-voice-assistant-r1-r2

Anker’s foldable charging station lets you charge three devices simultaneously. | Image: Anker Anker’s Prime Wireless Charging Station is a small, yet powerful 3-in-1 charger that can charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and earbuds simultaneously, and now it’s on sale for $104.99 ($45 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. The price has only dropped this low one other time since it launched in February. Anker Prime Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1, MagGo, AirCool, Foldable) Where to Buy: $149.99 $104.99 at Amazon $149.99 $104.99 at Walmart $149.99 $104.99 at Best Buy There are a few things that set this charger apart, other than its diminutive size. The foldable charger features a Qi2.2 wireless charging pad capable of delivering up to 25W of power to the iPhone 16 and newer models. According to Anker, it can charge an iPhone 17 Pro from 0 to 50 percent in under 30 minutes. Anker’s “AirCool” cooling system for the phone’s charging pad helps to prevent overheating, protect your battery, and maintain the fastest-possible charging speeds. Beyond quickly charging compatible phones, the gadget is also capable of recharging Qi-compatible earbuds and an Apple Watch simultaneously. It can double as an adjustable phone stand so you can prop your phone up while charging to watch videos or check notifications. Anker also includes everything you need in the box, including a 45W USB-C wall charger and a five-foot USB-C-to-USB-C cable. Three more ways to save JBL’s Flip 7 speaker is on sale for $99.95 ($50 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, matching its best price to date. The Bluetooth speaker is rugged, thanks to its IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, and its battery can last up to 16 hours before it needs to be recharged. The speaker includes tech designed to help deliver clearer sound with less distortion at high volumes. It also comes with a loop and carabiner that ma... Source: https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/928600/anker-prime-wireless-charging-station-jbl-flip-7-deal-sale

Mystic Leaks’s video shows “Android” as the OS in the Settings app. | Image: Mystic Leaks via Android Authority Aluminium OS, Google's upcoming version of Android for PC, may have just leaked a few hours before Google's Android Show presentation. As Android Authority reports, leaker Mystic Leaks shared a 16-minute video on their Telegram channel that appears to show a lengthy hands-on demo of the new operating system. After a loading screen featuring the Android logo, the video shows the setup process for a new device. That process and the UI overall both look very similar to stock Android throughout, only resized to suit a laptop rather than a phone. The taskbar and app drawer are similar to what ChromeOS users will be familiar with, but the defaul … Read the full story at The Verge. Source: https://www.theverge.com/tech/928598/google-aluminium-os-mystic-leaks-video

Discord is announcing the launch of Nitro Rewards today, a new program for subscribers that bundles benefits from third parties like Microsoft, Logitech, and SteelSeries, into a Nitro subscription. The main addition is that Nitro members will now get a new starter edition of Xbox Game Pass at no extra cost. Xbox Game Pass starter edition, which leaked last month, allows PC and Xbox owners to download more than 50 games, including titles like Fallout 4, Stardew Valley, and DayZ. The starter edition also includes 10 hours a month of Xbox Cloud Gaming streaming and the ability to earn up to $25 a year in the Xbox Store with rewards. Alongside … Read the full story at The Verge. Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/927722/discord-xbox-game-pass-starter-edition-nitro-subscribers

Wordle could be the next great game show. NBC has greenlit a game show version of The New York Times' popular puzzle game, and it's set to debut in 2027 with Savannah Guthrie as the host. The show will be produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio "in partnership with" Jimmy Fallon's production company and the NYT, according to a press release. Here's an overview of how the new "fast-paced format" will work in game show form, from the NYT: The series will feature teams of players competing to solve five-letter word puzzles in a high-energy, collaborative environment, translating the core elements of Wordle into a new kind of view … Read the full story at The Verge. Source: https://www.theverge.com/games/927536/wordle-game-show-nbc-savannah-guthrie-jimmy-fallon-new-york-times

TikTok is preparing to roll out a paid, ad-free version of its app in the UK. The new subscription announced today will be available to users over 18 "over the coming months," according to TikTok's announcement and will cost £3.99 (about $5.40) per month. In exchange for that, TikTok will remove ads from the user's feed and promises to not use their data for undefined "advertising purposes." This "pay or consent" model is likely in response to the UK's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other privacy laws that forbid companies from harvesting personal data for advertising without getting explicit consent from social media users. … Read the full story at The Verge. Source: https://www.theverge.com/tech/927761/tiktok-ad-free-paid-subscription-uk

This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on Netflix, follow Andrew Webster. The Stepback arrives in our subscribers' inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here. How it started Boggle has become a spectator sport in my household. Everyone crowds around the TV while one of us plays, and the crowd either helps shout out words or waits patiently for their turn. There's a lot of yelling. But it's a game that my family can hop into easily, and once someone starts playing, it seems everyone slowly drifts into the room to join in. The surprising part is that the experience is ha … Read the full story at The Verge. Source: https://www.theverge.com/column/926250/netflix-tv-games-strategy

Substack, the once buzzy newsletter platform, is losing a new swath of writers to rival platforms most people haven't heard of. Just last month, The Ankler, one of Substack's most popular publications, left for a platform that gives it more control over its site. Others who have departed Substack within the past year voiced similar complaints and cite the platform's increased focus on social features as well as a pricing model that puts a chokehold on their business. Substack faced talent drain in 2024 linked to its platforming of Nazi newsletters, but now it's not just the platform's stance on hate speech that's driving away creators. Sea … Read the full story at The Verge. Source: https://www.theverge.com/tech/927294/substack-tax-ghost-beehiiv

The desk-friendly Cricut Joy 2 comes in multiple colors. | Photo: Sheena Vasani / The Verge I've always been skeptical of products that claim to help you lead a more creative life. But one recently won me over. I've spent three weeks with the Cricut Joy 2, a smart cutting and drawing machine that made it easy for me to get back into making stickers, cards, bookmarks, and more. The small $99 gadget isn't perfect, but its capabilities and app-provided templates were just what I was looking for. Caregiving, self-criticism, and mental health struggles have made it tough to tinker and doodle like I used to, and yet the Joy 2 clicked with me. It doles out quick wins when you're in the mood to create. I've been testing the Cricut Joy 2 … Read the full story at The Verge. Source: https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/924281/cricut-joy-2-smart-cutting-machine-printer-hands-on

Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 127, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you're new here, welcome, my Scorpion challenges your Sub-Zero to a duel, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, I've been reading about Hasan Piker and lines and David Sacks and sleep learning, catching up on Andor (for me) and Young Jedi Adventures (for my toddler), poring over thousands of new Artemis II photos, listening to many hours of possibly the longest YouTube video ever, taking more walks thanks to Pedometer++ 8.0, losing my mind during every second of every Arsenal match, and spendi … Read the full story at The Verge. Source: https://www.theverge.com/tech/927177/zombies-run-boox-billie-eilish-installer

Yesterday, I told you how a hacker ran me over with a robot lawn mower. We explained how thousands of these bladed Chinese robots, made by Yarbo, could be hijacked with ease - exposing people's GPS coordinates, Wi-Fi passwords, email addresses, and more to any casual hacker who comes along. Today, Yarbo has issued a thorough 1,200-word response that you can read in full below. The company is confirming the security researcher's findings, apologizing, and providing a detailed plan to tackle many of its self-created security issues head-on. Yarbo writes that it's already temporarily cut off remote access and is addressing many of its most he … Read the full story at The Verge. Source: https://www.theverge.com/tech/926989/yarbo-robot-lawn-mower-hack-company-update-security-promise

Asus's latest gaming monitor is a little smaller than usual. The ROG Strix XG129C, announced on Friday, is a 12.3-inch touchscreen IPS display that's intended to be a sidekick for a larger main monitor, similar to the 14.1-inch secondary display in the 2020 Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 15. It's a slightly smaller competitor to Corsair's Xeneon Edge, which has a 14.5-inch display, but the same 720p resolution. Asus says the XG129C covers 125 percent of the sRGB color gamut and 90 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut. It also comes with a one-year subscription for the hardware monitoring tool AIDA64 Extreme, which would usually cost $65. Besides actin … Read the full story at The Verge. Source: https://www.theverge.com/games/927333/asus-rog-strix-xg129c-secondary-display

Amazon Prime Video is joining Netflix and Disney Plus in adding a vertical feed of videos to its streaming app. The new "Clips" feed will offer a stream of short-form videos from shows and movies, with options to jump into the full title, rent, or buy it. Prime Video previously offered a TikTok-style feed with NBA game highlights, but now you can see snippets from titles offered on the platform by scrolling down to the Clips carousel on the app's homepage. "Every time you visit the experience, you'll see something new based on your viewing history," Prime Video says. You can also add shows and movies to your watchlist from the Clips feed a … Read the full story at The Verge. Source: https://www.theverge.com/streaming/927327/amazon-prime-video-vertical-video-feed

American isn't the first carrier to enforce tighter restrictions on portable power in-flight. Here's what's already changed - and why. Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/american-airlines-new-battery-rules/