Hackers are learning to exploit chatbot ‘personalities’
This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on AI mischief, follow Robert Hart. The Stepback arrives in our subscribers' inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here.
How it started
Hacking the first generation of AI chatbots was a laughably simple affair. You didn't need any technical know-how, backdoor access, or even a basic understanding of what a large language model was. You didn't need to code. To get an AI system that had cost billions to build to abandon its safety instructions, sometimes all you had to do was ask.
These attacks, known as jailbreaks, had the quality …
Why Nuro thinks being a robotaxi ‘second mover’ gives it an advantage
Waymo is the undisputed leader in the robotaxi space, operating a fleet of over 3,000 driverless cars in at least 10 cities across the US. A number of companies, including Tesla, Zoox, Avride, and Motional, are racing to catch up with the Alphabet-owned firm. But what if being No. 2 was actually better?
Nuro, the delivery robot company created by veterans of Google's self-driving car project, thinks it has a decent shot at occupying the slot. After pivoting from delivery to robotaxis in 2024, Nuro struck a deal with Uber and Lucid to deploy tens of thousands of robotaxis all across the US - netting itself hundreds of millions of dollars in …
Record Club is trying to be Letterboxd for music nerds
There isn't really a solid equivalent to Goodreads or Letterboxd for music lovers, but Record Club is aiming to change that. Yes, we have Rate Your Music, but its interface is crowded, and it feels more geared towards longer-form reviews than cataloging your listening habits and connecting with other fans. Record Club is clean and modern, with a streamlined interface that's quite similar to Letterboxd.
The basic features you'd expect from such a site are all there. You can rate and review records or mark them as listened to. You can also see what your friends are listening to and see what albums are trending with other users. There's a …
The man behind the legendary MPC, Roger Linn, stays focused with a single browser tab
Roger Linn is a legend in the world of musical instruments. He's been at the cutting edge of music technology for decades. He created the LM-1, the first drum machine to use samples, and its successor, the LinnDrum, is one of the most iconic drum machines of all time. They were used on countless records in the 1980s, including hits by Tom Petty, Queen, and Tears for Fears. But the most notable fan was probably Prince, who used them extensively on Purple Rain and 1999.
Somehow, those are not his greatest contributions to the music world. That would, undoubtedly, be the MPC. Linn partnered with Akai to create one of the most popular and impor …
Here are 38 Memorial Day deals we recommend for $50 or less
Massive OLED TVs and Sonos speakers might be stealing the Memorial Day spotlight, but there are also plenty of great deals that won’t set you back nearly as much. In fact, some of the best discounts we’re seeing are on gadgets that retail for $50 or less, from portable chargers and 4K streaming devices to cheap(ish) security cameras. There are even some solid deals available on outdoor gear if you plan to spend time camping, hiking, or otherwise enjoying the outdoors this summer.
To help you separate the good from the bad, we’ve taken the liberty to comb through thousands of deals to find an assortment of discounted products that have earned The Verge stamp of approval, whether it be a portable Bluetooth speaker, a video game, or a water filter. If you’re not beholden to $50, be sure to check out our definitive roundup of the best Memorial Day deals, which we’ll update throughout the weekend.
CMF Buds Pro 2
The Buds Pro 2 offer a surprisingly robust set of features for the price, including ANC and a transparency mode that lets you tune into your surroundings. Their included charging case also features a smart dial that lets you adjust the volume, while multipoint Bluetooth support lets them connect to two devices simultaneously.
Where to Buy:
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus
Amazon’s latest Fire TV Stick 4K features support for Wi-Fi 6, Dolby Atmos / Vision, and HDR10 Plus. It also runs on Fire TV’s updated OS, which offers personalized recommendations, quicker access to favorite apps, and Alexa Plus support.
Where to Buy:
- If you want more speed and storage than the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus offers, the 4K Max is on sale for $39.99 ($20 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is $5 shy of its all-time low. It, too, runs on the new and improved Fire TV OS and supports Dolby Vision, HDR10 Plus, and Dolby Atmos. However, it offers faster performance, double the storage (16GB), and Wi-Fi 6E support. It also comes with a more capable remote, the Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced, which adds a button for live TV channel listings. Read our review.
- If you want a small portable speaker, JBL’s Clip 5 is on sale for around $59 ($20 off) at REI, Amazon, and Best Buy, which is $10 shy of its all-time low. The Bluetooth speaker features an integrated carabiner that makes it easy to clip onto a backpack, bike, or beach bag, along with an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating. It also offers up to 12 hours of battery life per charge, so it should easily last you the day.
Sony SRS-XB100
Sony’s adorable SRS-XB100 speaker offers USB-C charging, a built-in strap, and great sound for the price, rendering it a terrific travel speaker or home office companion. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Xbox Wireless Controller
Microsoft’s official Xbox Wireless Controller features a dedicated button for saving clips and screenshots, as well as sharing them online. It also offers Bluetooth support and a USB-C port for charging Microsoft’s play-and-charge rechargeable battery.
Where to Buy:
Star Wars Outlaws
Star Wars Outlaws is an original open-world adventure set in the vast universe of the iconic film series. It stars Kay Vess, a protagonist looking to steal from criminal overlords to gain her freedom. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- You can buy the physical version of Assassin’s Creed Shadows for the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X at Best Buy and Target for $34.99 ($15 off). The open-world game follows a shinobi assassin and a powerful samurai caught in the midst of political unrest in feudal Japan. Its stealth mechanics are intuitive, and there’s a satisfying amount of action, too. Read our review.
Anker Nano Travel Adapter (5-in-1, 20W)
Anker’s jack-of-all-trades travel adapter packs enough ports to refill your devices during some downtime. It features one AC outlet, two USB-C ports (one tops out at 20W), and two USB-A ports. It’s not the fastest wall charger, but it’s a solid choice when you can find it at a discount.
Where to Buy:
Anker Nano Charger (45W, Smart Display, 180° Foldable)
Anker’s latest single-port USB-C charger offers up to 45W of power, foldable prongs, and a front-facing “smart display” that lets you see the charge level, power flow, and other useful information at a glance.
Where to Buy:
- If you need a reliable power bank, Anker’s Zolo Magnetic Power Bank (10,000mAh) is on sale for $39.99 ($10 off) at Amazon, which is $10 shy of its all-time low. The small battery pack can wirelessly charge iPhones at up to 7.5W, while the built-in USB-C cable delivers up to 30W fast charging for devices. It also doubles as an adjustable stand, making it handy for watching videos or keeping an eye on notifications while charging.
- If you own an older iPhone with a Lightning port, you can grab InfinityLab’s InstantGo 10,000 Power Bank for just $41.93 (about $28 off) at REI. The portable battery features a 10,000mAh capacity and a built-in Lightning cable, making it a solid all-in-one option for days when you won’t be near an outlet. It also supports passthrough charging, allowing you to charge your phone and the power bank simultaneously.
Twelve South PowerBug
Part wall wart, part magnetic wireless charger, the StandBy-ready PowerBug is about as unique as chargers come. The simple device can top off MagSafe and Qi2-compatible devices — including the latest Google Pixel models — while supplying 35W charging speeds to a second gadget via USB-C.
Where to Buy:
LifeStraw Peak Series Straw
LifeStraw’s redesigned Peak Series Straw features a durable, leakproof design that’s great for backcountry treks. It can remove unwanted viruses, bacteria, and microplastics as you drink — just like the base model — but benefits from an increased flow rate and more premium materials.
Where to Buy:
- If you’re looking for a more convenient, all-in-one solution, the LifeStraw Go Series 1L is also on sale for an all-time low of around $32 ($13 off) at REI and Amazon. The BPA-free water bottle features a built-in two-stage filtration system, including a carbon filter that’s designed to reduce odors and improve taste, making it a solid pick for everything from travel to your daily commute.
- It’s not the most exciting thing in the world, but the GoBites Bio-Uno Long spork is on sale at REI in multiple colors for a cool $5.93 (about $3 off). The Verge’s Brandon Widder has used the sturdy, BPA-free utensil in the backcountry numerous times over the years, mainly because it’s relatively lightweight and saves you from having to pack more than one tool for devouring whatever freeze-dried concoction you opted for.
Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp
Black Diamond’s 400-lumen headlamp offers adjustable brightness, a red night vision mode, and an IPX8 waterproof rating, so it can handle rainy nights. It’s also dual-fuel compatible, meaning you can use standard AAA batteries or use it in tandem with Black Diamond’s rechargeable BD 1500 Li-ion battery for added flexibility.
Where to Buy:
Zippo HeatBank 6 Pro Rechargeable Hand Warmer
Zippo’s rechargeable, IP57-rated hand warmer offers three heat settings and up to six hours of runtime. It can also serve as a 24-lumen flashlight or a 5,200 mAh power bank in a pinch, though, unlike most warmers, it’s only sold as a single unit.
Where to Buy:
- You can get the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol starting at $37.39 (about $13 off) at REI right now. It’s a relatively lightweight, compact sleeping pad with an accordion-style design that lets you attach it to your backpack. The closed-cell foam also provides comfort after a long day of hiking, while the sleeping pad’s surface helps reflect radiant heat back to your body, so you can stay warm in the fall.
- REI is selling GCI’s Freestyle Rocker Chair for $47.93 ($32 off). It’s a more comfortable alternative to your average camping chair, one that rocks and can handle both hard and soft ground. It also features padded armrests, a built-in beverage holder, and a foldable design, which makes it easy to throw in the back of your car before heading out the door.
Cotopaxi Tech Bucket Hat
Cotopaxi’s technical nylon hat — a pick from our upcoming Father’s Day gift guide — is pretty basic, but it features an adjustable cord chin strap and comes in an array of fun colors that are fit for the summer season.
Where to Buy:
Mpowerd Luci Solar String Lights: Color
Mpowerd’s solar-powered string lights are perfect for camping or a backyard shindig. The 18-foot string can display six colors and last up to 15 hours on a single charge; the case also doubles as a charger, allowing you to top off your phone in a pinch.
Where to Buy:
- The Nite Ize Radiant 314 — which is currently down to $25.73 (about $19 off) at REI — provides 314 lumens of brightness, an impact-resistant design, and an IPX4 rating for water resistance. The rechargeable lantern can also last up to 96 hours on a single charge, while the built-in power bank can provide an extra boost of power to your phone in a pinch.
- The Petzl Tikka is on sale at REI for $19.73 (about $15 off). The basic headlamp is a great option that features a max output of 350 lumens, tilt functionality, and an IPX4 rating, making it safe to use in light rain. It also features a lock function that prevents it from accidentally turning on when packed.
Black Diamond Moji Plus Lantern
The Moji Plus offers 200 lumens of warm, dimmable light and adjustable brightness, along with an IPX4 rating for water resistance. It also features a double-hook design and the same dual-fuel tech as the Spot 400 Headlamp, meaning you can use it with standard AAAs or Black Diamond’s rechargeable BD 1500 Li-ion battery.
Where to Buy:
Tile (2024)
The latest Tile can help you keep track of your personal belongings from up to 350 feet away, which is 100 feet more than its predecessor. The handy location tracker is also platform-agnostic and can send SOS alerts, though only if you pay for Life360’s Gold subscription ($14.99 a month).
Where to Buy:
- BioLite’s Luci Charge 360 is available for $44.89 ($16 off) from Amazon, REI, and BioLite, which is a terrific price for the inflatable lantern. Its collapsible design makes it easy to pack, and it offers up to 360 lumens of adjustable brightness. The waterproof gadget also lasts for 50 hours on a single charge, and when it dies, it’s easy to recharge via solar power or USB-C. Plus, you can use it as a power bank, allowing you to top off your phone or other small devices when outlets aren’t nearby.
- Owala’s FreeSip Sway, a frequent recommendation in our gift guides and my personal water bottle, is on sale at Amazon and Target in several vibrant hues for $27.99 ($7 off), matching its lowest price to date. Personally, I consider the 30-ounce drinking vessel to be the best of both worlds, as it features a built-in straw and a wide-mouth spout for when you prefer a swig. It’s also tapered just enough at the bottom that it fits in your standard cupholder, which was my biggest gripe with prior models.
Eve Energy Smart Plug
Not only does this smart plug offer the most detailed energy monitoring of any we have ever tested but it also works with Matter-over-Thread and is an especially good choice for Apple Home users.
Where to Buy:
SwitchBot Bot Rechargeable
SwitchBot’s latest button presser sticks onto existing buttons and rocker switches, letting you control coffee makers, lights, and other gadgets from your phone. Unlike the standard model, though, it charges via USB-C and can last up to six months per charge.
Where to Buy:
- You can pick up a four-pack of Govee’s Smart A19 LED Bulbs for $32.99 ($7 off) from Govee when you use promo code LB7H6008 at checkout, which is $9 shy of its all-time low. Govee’s color-changing smart bulbs offer 800 lumens of brightness and sync to the beat of music. The Wi-Fi-enabled bulbs are also compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Home, so you can control them with your voice in addition to Govee’s mobile app.
- If you’re looking for an outdoor security cam, the battery-powered Blink Outdoor 4 is down to $43.99 ($36 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, its best price of the year. The 1080p camera improves on the prior model by adding person detection while retaining features such as motion detection, infrared night vision, and two-way audio. It also comes with Blink’s entry-level Sync Module Core, which, unlike the company’s other hubs, doesn’t offer local storage.
Ring Indoor Cam (second-gen)
The second-gen Ring Indoor Cam lets you keep an eye on your place in 1080p, with support for motion detection alerts, a live feed, and color night vision.
Where to Buy:
Twelve South AirFly Pro 2
The AirFly Pro 2 plugs into the auxiliary jack on most in-flight entertainment systems, allowing you to listen with two pairs of wireless earbuds or headphones at once.
Where to Buy:
- The Twelve South AirFly SE is also available for $29.74 ($5 off) from Amazon and Twelve South. Like the AirFly Pro 2, it lets you use your own wireless headphones with in-flight entertainment systems, but it supports only one pair of headphones instead of two, and it offers slightly shorter battery life.
- The Thermacell E90 Rechargeable Mosquito Repellent is down to $38.49 (about $17 off) at Amazon, which is the lowest price we’ve seen this year. The device’s 20-foot protection zone is probably one of the best solutions we’ve found for keeping unwanted bugs at bay, though we wish it came with more than one 12-hour cartridge and a charging dock like the E65 (also on sale at Amazon for $39.99). Still, you do get about nine hours of use per charge once topped off via a USB cable, which is plenty for surviving most summer evenings.
MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove
The PocketRocket 2 is a single-burner canister stove that can boil water in as little as three and a half minutes. It’s lightweight, foldable, and compatible with most isobutane-propane fuel canisters, making it a great pick for backpackers looking to shed weight.
Where to Buy:
Borderlands 4
Borderlands 4 is an amusing looter-shooter that supports solo play or up to four-player co-op. Players take on the role of one of four Vault Hunters searching for mythical vaults while trying to take on the planet’s immoral dictator. It’s full of great characters and has the mindlessly fun vibe of a dumb action movie. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Hanging out in my favorite virtual coffee shop in Tokyo
Finding a cafe that fits you can be a revelatory experience. For me at least, there are few places outside of my house that I can truly feel comfortable in. I'm lucky enough to have two options in walking distance: a coffee shop that's bright, airy, and full of art, and another that doubles as a plant shop so that I'm surrounded by greenery while I write. They're third places that have become central to my life. But in the virtual realm I have an option as well - and while it's not a place for getting work done, it's just as relaxing.
The Coffee Talk series kicked off in 2020, with a direct sequel three years later, and the title really say …
I have a new go-to browser
Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 129, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you're new here, welcome, come on you Gunners, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.)
This week, I've mostly been sick, which has meant nearly a full rewatch of Parks and Recreation while alternately napping and feeling bad for myself. But I've also been reading about Nick Fuentes and clowns, listening to old episodes of Short History Of, testing the NextSense Smartbuds while I sleep, writing in the Outerline Markdown app beta, and eagerly looking for things to do with the upcoming Flipper One.
Today' …
Google’s new anything-to-anything AI model is wild
Last year I deepfaked my kid's stuffed animal to make it look like his plush deer was on vacation.
It was an experiment to see if I could re-create the events depicted in a Gemini ad Google was running, and I never showed the videos of Buddy the deer on his adventures to my four-year-old. But it was a revealing exercise that made me think a lot about the difference between some harmless fun with generative AI and full-on slop. Maybe that Venn diagram is a perfect circle! Maybe not. But what I know for sure is that the tools to make realistic videos are surprisingly good, requiring surprisingly little effort and know-how. And that trend is c …
Google’s AI search is so broken it can ‘disregard’ what you’re looking for
Google's AI Overviews are running into an interesting problem right now. Earlier on Friday, if you searched for the term "disregard," the AI Overview section would include a response like what you'd see from a more traditional AI chatbot instead of the typical AI summary, as spotted on X. As you can see in the image at the top of this story, I got an AI Overview response that said, "Got it. If you need anything else or have a new question later, just let me know!"
As of Friday afternoon, however, Google isn't showing an AI Overview for the term "disregard" at all - instead, it shows a list of news stories about the issue first. Google hasn' …
Twelve South’s AirFly Pro 2 has hit one of its best prices ahead of summer travel
With Memorial day weekend kicking off the travel season, we’re seeing a lot of deals pop up on travel gadgets, from portable power banks to noise-canceling headphones. One of the best right now is Twelve South’s AirFly Pro 2 Bluetooth adapter, which lets you use your wireless headphones with in-flight entertainment systems so you can enjoy your flight a little more. It’s currently down to $49.99 ($10 off) at Amazon and directly from Twelve South, which is one of its best prices to date.
The Bluetooth transmitter lets you ditch the airline’s wired earbuds in favor of your own Bluetooth headphones or earbuds, which makes for a much better in-flight listening experience. All you need to do is plug the AirFly Pro 2 into the headphone jack on a seatback entertainment system, pair your headphones, and you’re set. It also supports two pairs of headphones at once, so you can watch movies or listen to podcasts with a travel companion.
As Twelve South’s premium AirFly model, the Pro 2 also adds a few welcome improvements that make it even easier to use. That includes the cheaper AirFly SE’s dedicated onboard volume controls as well as an upgraded processor, which enables faster pairing and improved sound quality with less background noise. Its battery should also last up to 25 hours on a single charge, which should comfortably last you through even the longest flights.
The AirFly Pro 2 remains useful long after you land, too. As it works with any standard audio jack, you can also use it to connect your wireless headphones to devices like a Nintendo Switch , older car stereos, and even compatible gym equipment like treadmills.