Skip to content

Tech News

T-Mobile is booting customers from its oldest plans

An illustration of the T-Mobile logo on a purple and black background
Time to say goodbye to that legacy Sprint plan. | Image: Alex Castro / The Verge

Earlier today, T-Mobile started notifying customers that it will be retiring many legacy plans and moving subscribers onto one of its current rate plans. This move includes plans that date back to the 3G era, and it's going about as well as you'd expect.

Affected customers began sharing screenshots of the text on reddit and Threads this morning, and T-Mobile's chief marketing officer Allan Samson confirmed the news to The Verge:

We're retiring our oldest plans, some of which were built nearly 15 years ago - in the 3G and 4G eras, and well before our 5G network was fully deployed. Customers will transition to modern plans that provide acc …

Read the full story at The Verge.

After a great start, DC’s new cinematic universe is already slowing down

While Kara Zor-El's appearance at the end of James Gunn's Superman was a very pleasant surprise, Warner Bros. Discovery's plan to fast-track a standalone Supergirl feature always felt a little dubious. It seemed odd that, after Superman, the studio wanted to flesh out its new cinematic universe with films about another Kryptonian and one of Batman's less notable villains. But Gunn implored fans to have faith in his vision and trust that the DCU would become a world of interconnected stories that put WBD's last batch of comic book movies to shame.

Though hopes were high for Supergirl, the movie has turned out to be a bit of a dud. Critics ha …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Leaked iPhone 18 Pro photos reportedly wound up on the dark web

Orange iPhone 17 Pro camera hump against a dark back ground.
The iPhone 17 Pro. | Image: The Verge

Leaked iPhone 18 Pro photos and parts lists appeared on the dark web following a data breach affecting one of Apple's key suppliers, according to a report from Reuters. The leaked images show a drop test of what a source tells Reuters is the iPhone 18 Pro, equipped with a three-camera layout and Apple logo.

This comes just a week after Tata Electronics, an India-based company that manufactures iPhone components and assembles the devices, confirmed that it suffered a data breach. Security researchers told Reuters at the time that the ransomware group, World Leaks, posted more than 200,000 files related to the breach on the dark web. The leak …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Tidal won’t pay royalties on AI-generated music but isn’t banning it outright

Colorful graphic of Tidal logo

Tidal shared its new policies regarding AI-generated music today and how the platform plans to "protect artists" and "inform listeners." Instead of banning it outright, starting on July 15th Tidal will label tracks it has identified as being 100 percent AI-generated with an icon. But starting today those tracks will no longer be monetizable. "Tidal's priority is ensuring royalties go to original works directly produced, written, and performed by people. We will therefore not knowingly attribute royalties to music we identify as wholly AI-generated," the company's announcement reads.

The platform didn't specify what tools it's using to iden …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Sony’s next-gen PlayStation will go ‘beyond the living room’

A photo of various devices that let you play PlayStation Remote Play.
There are already a few ways to play PlayStation games on the go, but Sony is also rumored to be working on a new handheld. | Photo by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

Sony hinted in a recent Q&A with investors that the next generation PlayStation will offer some kind of experience that lets you play games outside of your living room.

Here's the relevant portion from the transcript, emphasis mine:

Q: How can you bring back to the PlayStation platform users who migrated to gaming PCs during the COVID period? In aiming for profit growth, are there limitations on what can be done in the short term, or do you see the potential for more significant changes with the next-generation platform?

A: PlayStation has long been strongly associated with the idea of playing in the living room. However, in recent yea …

Read the full story at The Verge.

OpenAI is teasing new hardware… for Codex

An image of OpenAI’s upcoming Codex device

OpenAI is releasing some sort of device related to its AI-powered coding tool, Codex, on July 15th. In a video posted to X on Monday, OpenAI shows a square-shaped device with several buttons, alongside the caption, "Your favorite Codex shortcuts are getting an upgrade."

This isn't the mysterious AI-powered device OpenAI is working on with former Apple designer Jony Ive, however. As shown in the teaser, OpenAI is launching the device in partnership with Work Louder, a company that sells an array of mechanical keyboards and macro pads with mappable keys, dials, and switches.

The silhouette of the device shown by OpenAI looks a bit like Work …

Read the full story at The Verge.

At $499, Apple’s M3-powered iPad Air is a good deal

The iPad Air supports Apple Pencil Pro, plus hover support. | Photo: Antonio G. Di Benedetto, The Verge

Most of Apple’s price increases have gone into effect, resulting in iPads and other products costing hundreds more than they did a few days ago. If last week’s Prime Day sale wasn’t a good time to consider buying an iPad, we found a deal worth considering that’s just under $500 right now. The 128GB iPad Air that has the M3 processor, plus both Wi-Fi and 5G cellular support, costs $499 at Best Buy. At just $50 more than the base iPad (now $449, up from $349), it’s a significantly faster and all-around better tablet.

11-inch iPad Air M3

The last-gen 11-inch iPad Air features Apple’s fast M3 chip with GPU upgrades like dynamic caching for smoother performance in demanding apps. It also supports the Apple Pencil Pro and the newest Magic Keyboard, which features a larger build and a 14-key function row. Read our review.
A photo of an iPad Air on a table.

Where to Buy:

While the last-gen Air matches the base iPad’s 11-inch screen size, the Air has a laminated, antireflective coating, plus a wider color gamut. In other words, it’s the better choice for entertainment or for creating content. In terms of specs, its M3 processor leaps ahead of the A16 with more cores, not to mention Apple Intelligence support (as well as support for iPadOS 27 coming later this year). It also boasts Apple Pencil Pro support.

It stacks up well compared to the newer M4 Air, too, which now starts at $749 for the Wi-Fi model, and a whopping $899 for the cellular. The M3 processor is only slightly slower, it has 8GB of memory instead of 12GB, and its wireless radio is older, but it’s otherwise nearly identical, for much less money. $500 for the M3 Air is a steal.

Read our iPad Air (M3) review.
window.HYPE_DESK_CONFIG = { productImageUrl: "https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/USE-For-Stubborn-Stains-.jpg", productImageAlt: "Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete Robot Vacuum", productTitle: "Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete Robot Vacuum", shortDescription: "A robot vacuum built for pet owners who are tired of doing it themselves.", longDescription: "If you have been putting off the robot vacuum upgrade, the X60 Max Ultra is the one worth waiting for. Dreame's 2026 flagship navigates around obstacles with enough precision to actually trust it unsupervised, and the all-in-one docking station handles mop washing, drying, and maintenance automatically. Powerful suction, intelligent cleaning, and a system that takes care of itself so you genuinely do not have to.", purchaseUrl: "https://go.skimresources.com/?id=1025X1701640&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dreametech.com%2Fproducts%2Fx60-max-ultra-complete-robot-vacuum&xcust=DreameHypedeskPlacement14", purchaseLinkText: "Shop at Dreame" };

The best July 4th sales we found so far

The Govee Uplighter in action. | Image: Govee

July 4th sales are typically a precursor to what we’d see during a mid-July Prime Day, but obviously things are flipped around this year. Last week’s big Prime Day sale is over, yet there are a number of familiar deals still poking around in the week leading up to the nation’s birthday. Best Buy is hosting its own 4th of July sale, for example. And, if you’re on the hunt for tech and gear for the outdoors, REI is hosting a sale on products that will last through the week. There are even some Apple deals you can get, some of which are selling at pre-price hike levels.

We’ll be logging the best July 4th sales we find this week below, keeping the list updated with notable discounts as we spot them.

Baseus AM52 power bank (with built-in cable)

Through June 30th, Verge readers can get a low price on the best, fastest Qi2 10,000mAh power bank around. This AM52 features a built-in USB-C cable and a soft-touch MagSafe-ready magnet.

Where to Buy:

Asus ROG Falcata

The Falcata is stuffed with features (wired / wireless connectivity, split ergo design, Hall effect customization), and it’s a bargain to get it all at Best Buy’s 4th of July pricing. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

11-inch iPad Air M3

The last-gen 11-inch iPad Air comes with Apple’s M3 chip and GPU upgrades. It’s available in dark gray, blue, purple, and a “starlight” cream shade. Read our review.
A photo of an iPad Air on a table.

Where to Buy:

LG C5 OLED TV

LG’s C5 features a 120Hz panel, along with four HDMI 2.1 ports and support for both AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync. The gamer-friendly TV also packs all the hallmarks of a modern OLED, including deep black levels and sublime contrast.

Where to Buy:

Apple AirTags (second-generation)

Apple’s latest AirTag features an upgraded ultra-wideband chip for more precise location tracking, a noticeably louder speaker, and an expanded Bluetooth range. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

OhSnap MCON controller

The MCON is one of the best mobile controllers for iPhones. While too big for most pockets, its slide-out design is satisfying, and its folding grips make it a bit more comfortable than Backbone’s controller. Watch Sean’s hands-on.

Where to Buy:

Osprey Poco Child Carrier

Backpacks make it easy to carry precious cargo, but for a relatively new dad’s most precious cargo — their tiny kiddo — Osprey’s Poco child carrier is a must-have backpacking accessory. It’s comfortable for the kid, and the built-in sunshade and rain protector can keep them relaxed and dry while dad does all the hard work.

Where to Buy:

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

The Nova Pro Wireless aims to be the one headset to rule them all. It features multiple ways to connect wirelessly, active noise cancellation, great sound quality, and swappable batteries. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

Samsung microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch 2 has 256GB of storage, but that won’t get you very far if you’ve built up a medium-sized digital game library. Samsung’s Nintendo-branded 256GB microSD express card doubles the console’s available storage.

Where to Buy:

Motorola Razr 2025

Look, you could get something boring yet good like Google’s Pixel 10A. Or, for less, you can get a more versatile folding Android phone that has multiple screens.
The Motorola Razr 2025 being held while showing the cover screen.

Where to Buy:

Apple HomePod (second-gen)

Sure, it’s not technically a deal, but rather the pre-price hike amount. Most other retailers are no longer offering the HomePod at this price.

Where to Buy:

Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light

Glocusent’s LED Neck Reading Light is a great personal book light that illuminates what you’re reading without bothering others. It even has adjustable brightness and warmth settings to dial it in to your liking.

Where to Buy:

Nex Playground

The Nex Playground is a motion-controlled console that connects to your TV and uses a built-in camera and AI to track your movements as you play. Designed for ages five and up, it comes with games like Fruit Ninja and Whack-a-Mole Deluxe. You can download more games, including titles featuring popular characters like Elmo, with a paid Play Pass subscription.

Where to Buy:

Insta360 X5

The Insta360 X5 is a powerful 360-degree camera that offers a larger sensor and new image processing. It can capture 4K footage at up to 120fps or 8K footage at up to 30fps, producing sharp video with rich colors. It also features more durable lenses than prior models, which you can swap out if they get damaged. Read our review.
The Insta360 X5 worn by someone riding a bike.

Where to Buy:

Peak Design Everyday Sling Bag (3L)

Wear it over your shoulder or around your hip. The Everyday Sling Bag has two large and four small internal pockets to hold items, each with a waterproof bottom liner.

Where to Buy:

Keychron K2 HE keyboard

Keychron’s Hall effect keyboard allows for adjustable, per-key actuation points and rapid trigger support. You can also set dynamic keystrokes (the ability to trigger several different functions depending on how far you press or release a key).

Where to Buy:

Govee Uplighter Floor Lamp

The Uplighter is one of the most fascinating floor lamps you can get. It can supply normal light, or you can customize its top-mounted lights to display various colors and soothing patterns across your wall and ceiling. Read Sheena’s hands-on.

Where to Buy:

Kobo Libra Colour

The Libra Colour is one of the first e-readers from Kobo with color. It packs physical-page turning buttons, stylus compatibility, and supports a broad range of file formats, while making it easy to borrow books from the Overdrive library system. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones

They might cost $50 more than their predecessor, but the latest iteration of Sony’s best-in-class noise-canceling headphones up the ante in every way. Sony made subtle improvements to every facet of the WH-1000XM6, from sound quality to ANC performance, while wisely bringing back the foldable, travel-friendly design last seen on the XM4.
Sony WH-1000XM6 on a white background.

Where to Buy:

iPad (2025)

Apple’s entry-level iPad is an excellent tablet for casual use, even if it is getting a little long in the tooth. Its high-res screen is great for watching video, and its A16 processor is still fast enough to handle light games and productivity apps. Read our review.
A photo of the 11th-generation iPad on a table.

Where to Buy:

WhatsApp is launching usernames: here’s how to reserve yours

Examples of the upcoming WhatsApp usernames feature.
You can reserve the username you want to use before the feature starts rolling out later this year. | Image: Meta / WhatsApp

WhatsApp is introducing a new way to add and chat with contacts, without having to share your phone number. Usernames will launch "later this year," in a move to make the communications platform "even more private," allowing you to keep your phone number concealed from people who aren't already in your contacts.

Usernames are available to reserve starting this week, giving you time to claim a specific handle you may already be using elsewhere before the WhatsApp username feature officially launches. The username launch will be rolling out gradually over the coming months, and users will be notified when the feature is available in their cou …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Lawmakers want to ban AI companies from selling your health data

Illustration of a password above a closed combination lock.

A new proposal would ban the sale of Americans' health and location information to data brokers - including information people reveal to an AI chatbot like ChatGPT or Claude.

In the coming weeks, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) are planning to debut a new version of the Health and Location Data Protection Act that's better suited to the AI era. The former version of the bill, first introduced in June 2022, prohibited data brokers from collecting and selling health and location data. Four years later, it's expanded to ban other companies from selling such data to brokers, and to specifically cover …

Read the full story at The Verge.