Watching Roku’s AI channel is like eating from a trough
The appeal of free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels has always been the way they make it easier to (re)discover classic films and series. But Roku's latest experiment in the FAST space has less to do with traditionally produced entertainment and is entirely focused on giving viewers access to a constant source of AI-generated content.
This week, Roku added four new channels to its library of streamable programming. Along with dedicated feeds for old episodes of Mad TV, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, and a variety of Black sitcoms, the platform also debuted a 24/7 stream filled with projects from Colin Petrie-Norris' AI startup, …
OpenAI puts the brakes on a new model because it’s supposedly too powerful
OpenAI says it is pausing "internal activities" around an in-development AI model, Astra, because it doesn't yet meet new security standards the company is putting in place. The announcement follows its recent disclosure that OpenAI models accidentally hacked Hugging Face. Anthropic and Meta have also since admitted that they had AI models that went rogue and breached other organizations.
Recent internal evaluations of an OpenAI model called Astra indicate that it offers "significant advancements in agentic coding and cybersecurity," according to the company. "These results, in addition to expert assessments, have led us to conclude last n …
The only instant cameras worth your money
There’s something magical about using instant cameras that smartphones can’t match. You can capture a moment, print it out, and then give the photo as a gift or hold onto it. Image quality won’t be all that good, but imperfections are part of the allure.
We tested instant camera models from popular brands and landed on a handful that we think are the best. Some aim to preserve the classic experience above all else, while others support companion apps and the ability to print stored photos.
Fujifilm’s latest Instax cameras are the best out there for most people. The company’s Instax Mini Evo is a bit pricey, but it produces great-looking images and offers a lot of creative control. If you’re shopping on a tighter budget, the Instax Mini 13 also takes good photos but has fewer features. The Polaroid Flip is the best retro-focused experience (be warned: prints are pricey!), while Kodak’s Mini Retro 3 might be a better purchase for some because its prints are quite affordable by comparison.
The best instant camera
Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo
Score: 8
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Film type: Fujifilm Instax Mini film / Film size: 2 x 3 inches / Weight: 285 grams / Charging method: USB-C / Companion app: Yes / Other features: LCD screen, smartphone printing
Fujifilm’s Instax Mini Evo is a hybrid instant camera that bears a resemblance to its premium X100 line of cameras that cost hundreds more. Its vintage dials and buttons look so stylish that they caught the attention of passersby as I walked around Los Angeles.
It’s easy to balk at its price tag, but this camera offers a level of flexibility that sets it apart (and could save you from wasting a bunch of prints). The camera’s dials also let you apply lens options and effects, from retro filters to monochrome shades, and you can even remotely trigger shots from the app. Its 3-inch LCD screen can be used as a viewfinder, and it also lets you preview and select which images you want to print. The camera’s internal storage tops out at 45 images, which is more limited than we’d prefer, though you can send photos from a smartphone to print. Plus, unlike the Instax Mini 13 (a more budget-friendly pick mentioned below), the Evo uses a USB-C port for charging.
Read our full Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo review.
The best instant cameras if you’re on a budget
Fujifilm Instax Mini 13
Score: 8
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Film type: Fujifilm Instax Mini film / Film size: 2 x 3 inches / Weight: 327 grams / Charging method: AA batteries / Companion app: None / Other features: Built-in selfie mirror, self-timer, film counter
Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 13 is a more budget-friendly option that can take great photos mostly on par with the Mini Evo. It’s easy to use (just twist its lens to turn the camera on or off), it outperforms other budget instant cameras we tested, and we like its bright, playful designs. Its biggest improvement over the Mini 12 is its self-timer, with both two- and 10-second countdown options. Meanwhile, the Instax Mini 41 looks more sleek, but it lacks the Mini 13’s self-timer and costs about $23 more usually.
The Mini 13 produced more true-to-life photos than the non-Fujifilm instant cameras I tested. I also appreciated the Mini 13’s generously sized physical viewfinder and that it shows your remaining shots, which is useful given that each print costs about $1.
Like many instant cameras, it struggles in low light, though the built-in flash brightens dark scenes. The flash can’t be disabled, and it’s very powerful, which resulted in a handful of overexposed shots during testing. It lacks Bluetooth connectivity along with creative shooting modes found on pricier cameras, so you can’t edit photos, apply filters, or choose from different lens effects before printing.
Fujifilm’s Instax cameras produce excellent-looking photos, but each print costs around $1. Kodak’s hybrid Mini Shot 3 Retro is pricier up front (it retails for $159.99 but it often on sale for much less) but much cheaper to buy film for, making it the better budget pick (or beginner-friendly pick). Replacement cartridges are often around $20 for a 60-print pack. And, because you can preview photos before printing, you’re less likely to waste prints.
The Mini Shot 3 Retro affords you more controls than the Instax Mini 13; it sports an LCD screen for previewing photos, it lets you print photos from your phone via Bluetooth, and you can upload ones you shoot to social media using Kodak’s Photo Printer app. The companion app features frames, stickers, filters, and other effects that would look great in a scrapbook. There’s even a beauty mode and Snapchat-style filters. However, photos taken with the Mini Shot 3 Retro lack sharpness and sometimes have an excessive pink tint, and the prints also feel flimsier.
The best instant cameras for retro fans
Polaroid Flip
Score: 6
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Film type: Polaroid i-Type Color Film / Film size: 4.2 x 3.5 inches / Weight: 648 grams / Charging method: USB-C / Companion app: Yes / Other features: Scene Analysis
If you’re looking for an instant camera that offers a retro-inspired experience, the Polaroid Flip might be for you. Its classic design and flip-up lid resemble vintage instant cameras like the Polaroid 600, and its square I-Type film prints iconic white-framed photos that look like authentic Polaroids. Yet the camera has modern features like Bluetooth, USB-C charging, and a beginner-friendly companion app that adds convenience and creative control.
The Flip improves on my former retro pick, the third-gen Polaroid Now Plus, with clearer shots and fewer wasted photos. That’s important, as you don’t want to waste any of the eight I-Type sheets that come in a pack that’s $18.99. The Flip’s sonar autofocus and a four-lens hyperfocal system result in sharper images, plus it has an excellent flash — it’s the most powerful of any Polaroid camera I’ve tested. The Scene Analysis feature also helps by warning if a shot is likely to be over or underexposed, or if you’re too close to your subject (these warnings didn’t always get the exposure right).
The Flip has a few downsides, in addition to its costly film. It’s the heaviest camera on this list, not to mention it’s awkwardly sized, making it tough to slip into a purse or easily carry around. Prints also take 15 minutes to develop, during which they must be shielded from light. Low-light performance remains a weak spot as well, and I struggled to capture indoor shots given the contrast and saturation are lower than with Instax film. Sometimes, this gave my pictures a more dreamy, vintage look that felt artistic, but you might not be into it.
If the Flip seems too bulky or expensive for you, the third-generation Polaroid Go is a smaller retro-inspired alternative. It weighs just over a pound and fits easily in the palm of my hand. At $89.99, the latest Go is the most affordable Polaroid camera available, with film that costs only a little more than Fujifilm’s Instax sheets (a 16-sheet pack runs $21.99).
The Go skips advanced features found in the Flip, including creative shooting modes, Bluetooth connectivity, and a companion app for editing photos. It’s a straightforward point-and-shoot camera with a self-timer and large selfie mirror. The smaller prints may disappoint those who prefer traditional Polaroid sizes, but its simplicity and portability make it an approachable way to enjoy the classic Polaroid experience at a much lower price.
Update, August 6: Added the Instax Mini 13 and Polaroid Go Gen 3, made the Instax Mini Evo our top pick, and designated the Kodak Mini Retro and Instax Mini 13 as our budget picks.
Disney Plus tries a new AI-powered search
Disney is testing a new AI-powered tool for Disney Plus that uses a natural language search, a voice query, or a suggested prompt to create a customized row of show and movie recommendations.
Disney Plus, like other streaming services, can recommend shows to watch based on your viewing history. But the company says this new tool, which is "a limited beta experiment" that's in testing with a "small group of select subscribers," is intended to recommend content that "fits the moment."
The feature is the latest in a broader push to offer AI-powered recommendation tools that help you find something to watch among massive catalogs of streaming …
Microsoft Edge is about to lock out older ad blockers, just like Chrome did
Microsoft Edge is ending support for the Manifest V2 extensions platform, which will cut off the uBlock Origin adblocker and others like it, just like Google Chrome did earlier this year. According to Microsoft, there are only 58 extensions on the Edge Add-On Store "with any meaningful usage" that still use MV2, and only three of those aren't available on the newer MV3 platform.
Anyone still using these extensions can switch to a different adblocker, like uBlock Origin Lite. Or they could use a different browser, like Opera, which still supports existing MV2 extensions and says it will continue to do so "for as long as it's technically rea …
Grab the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy on 4K Blu-ray for $50
Looking to spend a weekend inside with a good binge? Gruv has The Lord of the Rings trilogy on 4K Blu-ray marked down to $49.99, just below Amazon’s price and only a little bit higher than the all-time low we usually see around Black Friday. This version includes both the original theatrical releases of all three movies — The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and Return of the King — as well as the extended editions, in case you want to spend 12 hours immersed in Middle Earth. New Gruv customers can also save an additional 15% by entering the coupon code FIRSTGRUV15 at checkout.
Originally released between 2001 and 2003, the Peter Jackson-directed films were shot together in New Zealand, allowing for the trilogy to sweep through theaters three Decembers in a row. They were a hit with audiences, as well the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, plus this Tolkien fan, whose older brother snuck him out of school to go see The Return of the King at 13 years old (sorry, mom and dad). These are, in my opinion, the definitive way to watch the movies, with tons of extra content that helps cover even more of the rich world and its storied characters.
What’s behind the Google AI shake-up
Some of the biggest names on Google's AI team got new jobs this week. In some cases, including for legendary Googler Jeff Dean, those jobs are no longer at Google. Given that Google's models seem to be behind the best of what's coming out of anthropic and OpenAI, is this a sign of Google in turmoil? Is it about Demis Hassabis wanting something more interesting to work on than virtual assistants? Or is there something else entirely happening here?
On this episode of The Vergecast, Nilay and David start by discussing the leadership shake-up at Google, the state of the AI race, and whether Google is actually set up to succeed here. They also t …
Sony could release a cheaper version of its WH-1000XM4 headphones, according to leaks
Following the release of its premium and very expensive $650 The Collexion headphones in May, Sony could be taking its 1000X line of wireless noise-canceling headphones in a cheaper direction next month. The company is reportedly planning a refreshed and more affordable version of its six-year-old WH-1000XM4 headphones that will feature similar performance and specs as the original but at a lower price point, according to reliable leaker billbil-kun.
The WH-1000XM4C are expected to launch in early September 2026 in black, silver, and lavender color options for €249.99 or £219.99, which is around $289 to $297 after currency conversion.
The …
Birdfy’s smart bird feeder is on sale for just $60
The Birdfy Feeder Rookie is a good option if you’re new to birdwatching or simply don’t want to spend a lot on a smart feeder, and several configurations are on sale. The standard model is down to $59.99 ($60 off) at Amazon, which is close to its lowest price. It includes seven days of access to its AI-powered features that can identify different kinds of birds (after the trial expires, it can identify birds up to 10 times per day without a subscription). Alternatively, you can get a version that permanently unlocks its AI bird identification for $85.49 ($34 off) at Amazon, or pick up the standard model with a solar panel for $79.99 ($60 off) directly from Birdfy.
Birdfy Feeder Rookie
Where to Buy:
The Rookie covers the basics offered by most smart bird feeders. It features a 1080p camera that lets you watch visiting birds from your phone throughout the day, with notifications alerting you when there’s activity. The camera can also capture slow-motion video and color night vision that you can replay in the Birdfy app. Unlike many smart feeders that place the camera in the center of the seed bin, Birdfy’s camera is located to the side, which provides a closer view. You can also share access with friends and family.
The Rookie has an IP66 weather-resistant rating, and its built-in battery can last up to four months on a charge; you can also get a version with a solar panel for $20 more. The feeder holds up to 1.3 liters of seed, too, so you shouldn’t have to constantly refill it, and it comes apart easily when it’s time for a cleaning.
Three more Verge-approved deals
- You can buy Fujifilm’s pink Instax Mini Evo bundled with two packs of film (one color and one monochrome) for $212.90 at B&H Photo, which is a rare deal. That’s like getting one pack of film for free, along with a roughly $22 discount on the camera itself. If you prefer the black model, it’s also on sale with one pack of color film for $236.50 (about $22 off). The Evo is my favorite instant camera because you can preview shots before printing to avoid wasting film and print photos directly from your smartphone. It also looks stylish and produces better-looking prints than most instant cameras I’ve tested.
- Nothing’s Headphone (a) are down to $164.99 at Amazon, which is their second-best price to date. They offer solid noise cancellation for the price and can last more than five days on a charge, while letting you listen over USB-C or a 3.5mm cable when needed. Plus, they’re IP52-rated for dust and water resistance, which isn’t something you always find on over-ear headphones. Read our review.
- The Lego Star Wars K-2SO Security Droid is down to $71.99 ($18 off) at Amazon and Walmart, matching its best price to date. Based on the Imperial droid-turned-ally from Star Wars: Andor season two, the 845-piece set lets you build a 16-inch-tall display model complete with an information plaque and a standard-size K-2SO minifigure.
Samsung’s Z Fold 8 Ultra is more of the same, but better than ever
What makes the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra so Ultra? Samsung's first foldable with the Ultra name isn't a souped-up version of the regular Fold 8, as you might expect. Where the Z Fold 8 is squat and wide, the Fold 8 Ultra retains the thin outer screen and square inner panel of the previous Folds. It does have a substantially better triple rear camera system and a slightly larger battery. But with no support for the S Pen stylus and no Privacy Display, it's not Ultra in the same way as the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
But compare it to last year's Z Fold 7 and the upgrades look more substantial. Samsung has improved the displays, battery, charging, …