Taylor Farms pulls iceberg lettuce from the US market after cyclosporiasis outbreak
Food producer Taylor Farms released a statement on the Cyclospora outbreak Friday, confirming that it's "voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the US market." Reuters reports that, according to a source, Taylor Farms told customers like Yum Brands owner Taco Bell and the food distributor Sysco on Thursday to pull shredded lettuce that had been produced initially as 5-pound bags at a facility in Guanajuato, Mexico, from distribution.
Taco Bell said on Thursday that "The affected ingredient from our supplier is being indefinitely removed from our supply chain nationwide and will be replaced within 24 hours …
Shark’s versatile ChillPill cooling system is back to its best price
Portable fans are one of the easiest ways to stay cool during the summer, and you don’t have to spend much to find a decent one. If you’re looking for something more versatile, though, Shark’s ChillPill Personal Fan and Cooling System combines a rechargeable fan with a dry-touch evaporative mister in a design that can be worn, clipped, or used on a tabletop. Right now, it’s on sale for $99.99 ($30 off) at Amazon, matching its all-time low. If you’re a Costco member, you can get it for the same price with a free clip, crossbody strap, and InstaChill Cooling Plate which you can press against your neck or wrists for quick relief.
Shark ChillPill Personal Fan and Cooling System
Where to Buy:
Unlike a standard handheld fan, the two-in-one device is designed so that you can wear it or twist it into tabletop mode, making it useful whether you’re commuting, waiting in line at a theme park, working out, or just trying to stay cool at your desk. You can even clip it to a purse or stroller, so it’s always within easy reach while you’re on the go. It also offers 10 fan speeds and matching noise levels, allowing you to choose anything from a quiet breeze for indoor use to stronger cooling outdoors.
When a fan alone isn’t enough, you can switch on the dry-touch evaporative mist, which cools your skin without leaving your clothes soaked. You can also choose between continuous and interval misting depending on how long you want the water to last. Plus, Shark says the ChillPill can run for up to 11 hours on its lowest setting, which should be enough to get through a full day at a festival or while traveling. When it’s time to recharge, the device uses USB-C, so you can likely use the same cable you’re already carrying for your phone, tablet, or laptop.
TikTok is testing an AI likeness detection tool
TikTok is starting to test an opt-in tool that scans for AI likenesses and lets creators report them to the company, as spotted by social media consultant Matt Navarra. The tool is initially being tested with "some" US creators, TikTok US spokesperson Zachary Kizer tells The Verge. YouTube has been working on a similar tool and recently made it available to all adult users.
Creators who are part of TikTok's test and want to use the tool will first have to verify their identity with a company called Jumio. You'll have to do a real-time selfie scan and an ID check, but Kizer says that "TikTok does not retain ID documents, and facial informati …
Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky says his 30-day warranty is all about trust
Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky says buyers of its new e-paper smartwatches should know what they're signing up for and trust Pebble to make things right if they run into issues, despite the short warranty. "I think the most important thing is trust," Migicovsky told me in an interview this week. "Do people trust the product that we're making and do they trust the company and the people behind it?"
Migicovsky revived Pebble early last year, after the original company shut down in 2016. The new generation of Pebbles has the same aesthetic, but with updated tech, including larger e-paper displays. I was excited about Pebble's return after miss …
Apple Music is getting a price hike
Apple Music is more expensive now. In the US, an individual plan now costs $11.99 per month, a $1 bump up from the previous $10.99 price. A family plan now costs $19.99 per month, up from $16.99, and a student plan costs $6.99 per month, up from $5.99. Apple, in a statement to Music Business Worldwide, says it is increasing prices "as a result of rising licensing costs."
Music Business Worldwide also reports that prices gone up in the UK and Europe, and the publication "understands" that hikes are hitting other countries as well. Apple didn't immediately reply to a request for comment from The Verge.
Apple Music last got a price increase i …
Apple’s plot to crush OpenAI
Apple is suing OpenAI. The complaint is readable and intense, as these things often are, though many experts seem to think many of the allegations are just the ways things are done. So what does Apple really want here, and why is it picking such a public fight with OpenAI?
On this episode of The Vergecast, Nilay and David go through the lawsuit, and look at Apple's history of splashy litigation to determine whether Apple is worried about a possible competitor or simply looking to capitalize on a weak moment for OpenAI. All this is happening as Apple ships the public betas of its new software, headlined by the new Siri AI, and we have though …
Asus’ top-end 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor is $400 off
The Asus ROG Swift 32-inch 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor has almost everything I want in a high-end gaming monitor, most notably a QD-OLED panel for inky black levels and vivid colors that go beyond what’s possible on an LCD screen. Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo have this model on sale for $899.99 (usually $1,299.99). It’s particularly well-suited for fast-paced games with its 240Hz refresh rate, and G-Sync variable refresh rate to prevent screen tearing.
This monitor has been available for this price for most of July. We’re not sure how long the deal will stick around for, but Asus is likely trying to move units at a discount so it can put more focus on its newer $1,299.99 model that has a Tandem QD-OLED display and slightly better specs.
Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDMR
Where to Buy:
The port selection is good, comprised of a DisplayPort 2.1 input, a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports, and USB-C for video via DisplayPort alt mode (with 90W of charging power), plus a USB 3.2 Gen 1 hub with three Type-A ports. A unique feature is that this and several other Asus OLED monitors have a proximity sensor that let it turn off when you walk away to reduce the risk of burn-in. It has a three-year warranty that covers burn-in with normal use.
Other deals to consider
- Newegg has Marathon for Steam on sale for $21.99 when you apply the coupon code EPF5365 at checkout. The notoriously difficult extraction shooter from Bungie is gorgeous and more inviting to new players in its second season that’s currently available. This is the cheapest price we’ve seen if you’re looking to start your career as a runner, and great timing ahead of the experimental PvE mode that’s launching on July 21st.
- A perennial favorite in our deal coverage, the Anker Nano Smart Display Charger Block is on sale for $25.99 at Best Buy and Amazon. The compact 45W USB-C power adapter with foldable prongs comes in four fun colors, and has a display on the front with charging progress and speed and a cute, smiley face to accompany you as your device charges.
- The Sennheiser Accentum Open Wireless Earbuds are $59.99 (usually $129.99) at Best Buy. They don’t have the same truly open design as other clip-on style earbuds like the Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless, and instead fit in your ear without tips, similar to the standard Apple AirPods. They have an IPX4 rating, multipoint pairing, and up to 28 hours of runtime on a single charge, while still allowing outside noise to pass through. They’re a good, budget-friendly option if you’re looking for something to stay aware while working out or doing yardwork.
Samsung’s redesigned Z Fold 8 with a wide display just leaked
Leaker Evan Blass shared images of Samsung's redesigned Galaxy Z Fold 8 just days before the July 22nd launch event where Samsung is expected to officially announce the phone.
The leaked images show a shorter, wider foldable matching earlier leaks of the Z Fold 8. They also reveal some of its specs, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite For Galaxy processor, 50MP wide and 50MP ultra wide rear cameras, 10MP selfie cameras on the inside and outside screens, and an advertised battery life of "up to 26 hours of video playback."
Blass also posted images of the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and shared images of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra in an email receive …
Is America ready for this quirky Jeep-looking EV that can park itself?
Are we living through a small car renaissance? There's the Slate Truck, Amble's dune buggy, and the Fiat Topolino, as well as a whole galaxy of kei cars and trucks from Japan that have their own built-in fan base. While microcar sales in the US are still as tiny as the vehicles themselves, there are some signs that Americans might not be as closed off to the idea of downsizing as you might think.
The latest example is the launch of Chip Motors, a Miami-based startup with an adorably boxy, open-air electric vehicle that defies easy categorization. Is it a golf cart? A Jeep Wrangler that got hit with a shrink ray? A bit of both?
The company …
Florida man arrested for allegedly stealing over $200,000 in crypto using Steam game malware
Federal authorities have arrested a Florida man suspected of stealing at least $220,000 in crypto through malware-infected Steam games, as reported earlier by local news outlet Local10. In the complaint, officials accuse 21-year-old Zyaire Wilkins and co-conspirators of launching eight malware-embedded games from around May 2024 to February 2026, allowing them to infect about 8,000 devices and gain access to 80 crypto wallets.
Though the complaint doesn't specifically say the games were uploaded to Steam, it's likely referring to the Valve-owned gaming platform. As noted by Local10, the FBI put out a call for victim information in a "Steam …