Valve is so behind on Steam Controller orders that some won’t ship until 2027
Valve has some good news and bad news about Steam Controllers. The good news: if you make a reservation for a Steam Controller, the company will now show you one of three estimates of when you'll be able to actually order your gamepad: by September 2026, by December 2026, or sometime in 2027. The bad news: any reservations made today "indicate a 2027 date for shipping," Valve says.
"We have no plans to stop making Steam Controller," according to Valve. "But as we look at the current demand compared to how many we know we can make by the end of the year, we want to manage expectations as much as we can with regards to when folks can expect t …
You can now use the Game Boy Camera with your phone
The $50 GB Operator is an accessory that lets you connect, play, and authenticate Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges on PCs and other devices. Now it's getting some new functionality for the Game Boy Camera. After turning the Game Boy Camera into a charmingly awful desktop webcam two years ago, device-maker Epilogue has just released an iOS/Android mobile app so you can take photos while the Game Boy accessory is connected to your smartphone through the GB Operator.
The Game Boy Camera was a terrible camera even by 1998 standards when it was released. It captured 0.01434-megapixel images in just four shades of gray an …
HBO Max’s annual plans are 28 percent off right now
The easiest way to save on a streaming service is often to pay for a year upfront, which HBO Max is currently making a lot cheaper. Through July 15, 2026, new and returning subscribers can get 28 percent off any of HBO Max’s yearly plans, bringing the ad-supported tier down to $78.99 ($31 off) per year, the Standard plan to $132.99 ($52 off) per year, and the Premium tier to $164.99 per year ($65 off). That’s up to 40 percent less than paying month to month.
HBO Max
Where to Buy:
All three plans include access to HBO Max’s extensive library of movies and TV shows, including films from Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Studios, A24, Studio Ghibli, and Turner Classic Movies. Subscribers can also stream recent Oscar winners and nominees like titles like Sinners, One Battle After Another, and Marty Supreme, alongside other HBO Max originals. On the TV side, you’ll also get access to popular series like The Pitt, Hacks, Euphoria, and Heated Rivalry, as well as longtime favorites such as Game of Thrones, Friends, and The Big Bang Theory.
The biggest differences come down to features. The ad-supported Basic plan lets you stream on up to two devices simultaneously, while the Standard plan lets you download up to 30 shows and movies for offline viewing. It also includes access to live sports from the likes of the MLB, U.S Soccer, college football, NHL, and more. The Premium tier lets you stream on up to four devices at once, supports 4K and Dolby Atmos, and increases offline downloads to 100 titles.
Snap’s Specs look good on nobody
Snap's new smart glasses are probably the most impressive bit of face-computer technology we've seen. They're not VR-headset huge; they don't have a big charging puck; thanks to Snap's many years of AR lens development, they're likely to have a lot of features right out of the box. (Yes, they're $2,195, but that may just be what all this tech costs right now.) Snap is clearly at the front of this race.
And then… you see the pictures. The pictures of Snap CEO Evan Spiegel wearing the new Specs, as the enormous and heavy stems smash down on his ears. The pictures of models and athletes wearing Specs, carefully posed to hide the obvious weigh …
The best early Amazon Prime Day deals so far
Amazon’s earlier-than-usual Prime Day doesn’t begin until June 23rd, but there are several even earlier deals on must-have products that you can check out right now. To name some examples, Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are selling at their cheapest-ever price at Amazon and Walmart (though, the sale keeps playing peek-a-boo). Also, you can grab Ring’s latest battery-powered doorbell for $60 off and it includes a free Indoor Cam Plus with purchase. There are also enough early Apple deals and discounts on fantastic robovacs that we’ve spun up coverage ahead of next week.
While the pre-Prime Day deals are looking good so far, you may not see the brands or products you’re looking for — hopefully, those deals will come later in June. Still, we’ve only included early deals that meet the criteria we hold for all our commerce coverage: they’re good products sold at attractive prices.
We’ll update this post frequently ahead of Prime Day.
Headphone / earbud deals
- Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 have been available at their lowest price to date for the past week or so. Originally $249, the noise-canceling, wireless earbuds are $179 at Amazon and Best Buy — no membership required. Walmart has a product page that lists $169 as a sale price, though it’s out of stock at the time of publication. The AirPods Pro 3 are the latest earbuds from Apple, packing better bass and active noise cancellation than their predecessor, plus the ability to do some light fitness tracking, among other niceties. Read our review.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones (second-gen)
The latest over-ear, noise-canceling headphones from Bose offer longer battery life over ANC, plus lossless audio support via USB-C.
Where to Buy:
- The AirPods 4 on sale at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy for $99 ($30 off). Apple’s entry-level earbuds offer richer bass than previous generations along with a more robust IP54 rating for water and dust resistance. They match the latest AirPods Pro in voice call quality and work well with other Apple devices too, though they lack more advanced features like active noise cancellation. It might be a pro or con to some that this model simply rests in your ear. They don’t create a tight seal like the AirPods Pro.
Smart home deals
Govee Outdoor Lamp Post
A 8-foot-tall, 2,000-lumen RGBIC smart outdoor lamp. The model has six color zones and dedicated white lighting. It features built-in motion and light sensors, works with Matter, is IP66 rated, and includes a long power cord for easy installation.
Where to Buy:
- The 8-piece and 14-piece Ring Alarm Pro home security systems have gotten big discounts ahead of Prime Day. The smaller kit of the two is $209.99 ($90 off) and includes a base station (it doubles as a eero 6 Wi-Fi router), a keypad, four contact sensors for doors or windows, a motion detector, and a range extender for the alarm. The 14-piece set doubles the keypads, contact sensors, and motion detectors. Both include a 30-day trial to Ring Protect plan, which will cost $19.99 per month after the trial.
Govee Table Lamp Classic
Sometimes, you don’t need a bright light. You just need a capable, portable light source. Govee’s Table Lamp has adjustable color temperature, not to mention customizable colors and brightness levels.
Where to Buy:
- In addition the Echo Dot Max linked right above, Amazon has switched on several deals for its latest smart speakers and displays. The Echo Show 8 is down to $124.99 (originally $180) at Amazon, and the bigger Echo Show 11 is just a little more, costing $149.99 (down from $219.99) at Amazon. If you want bigger sound than the Echo Dot Max can provide, the Echo Studio is your best bet, costing $174.99 (originally $219.99) at Amazon — its best price yet. Finally, Amazon’s Echo Spot that’s great for nightstands is down to $44.99 from $80 at Amazon.
Ring Battery Doorbell Plus (second-gen)
The 2026 doorbell offers 2K video and 6x zoom, plus a removable battery. It supports Ring’s Retinal Vision, which uses AI to improve footage quality.
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Smartwatch / wearable deals
- Fitbit’s Charge 6 fitness tracker has dropped to its lowest price yet at Amazon, costing $79.99 (originally $159.99, but usually around $100). It’s a solid alternative to Google’s $99 and screenless Fitbit Air. The 2023 Charge 6 features an OLED screen, a haptics-based button, plus the ability to ping you with notifications. Read our review.
Apple Watch Series 11
Although the Apple Watch Series 11 is the same size as its predecessor, it features a 5G cellular modem, a display that Apple claims is twice as durable, and slightly improved battery life. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Misc. deals
Logitech MX Master 3S
The MX Master 3S is a favorite among many Verge staff members because of its comfort and customization. It can connect via Bluetooth, via its included 2.4GHz receiver, or wired with its USB-C cable.
Where to Buy:
- While not a gadget deal, Walmart is offering a big discount on annual subscriptions to its Walmart Plus service. Originally $98, it’s $49 for a year, which includes early access to its own Prime Day-equivalent sale, not to mention free shipping on order $35 and up, and a host of other benefits.
- The Baseus AM52 10,000mAh power bank that can deliver Qi2.2 25W wireless charging speeds is cheaper than ever for Verge readers. Through June 30th, you can head over to Amazon and use the code THEVERGECODE to nab one for $42.99 — considerably cheaper than the $63.99 price that Prime members have access to. Read about the AM52’s performance here.
Lego Ideas – Van Gogh “Starry Night” set
You and a pal can probably assemble the 2,316-piece set of Starry Night in a couple of days. Sure, it’s said that it took Van Gogh just as long to paint the masterpiece, but we can’t all be artistic geniuses.
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Tablets and e-reader deals
- Amazon’s Fire 7 Kids tablet is steeply discounted ahead of Prime Day. The 32GB tablet that includes a bumper case, one year of access to a suite of kid-friendly content, and a two-year hardware warranty is down to $64.99 at Amazon (originally $129.99). There’s nothing spectacular about the specs, but it’s a good-enough tablet to withstand whatever your kiddo does to it. The two-year warranty is “worry-free,” which Amazon defines as “if it breaks, we will replace it.” The 16GB version is $54.99.
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Essentials Bundle
You can get a huge discount on the 16GB Colorsoft that includes a leather cover and a power adapter.
Where to Buy:
- While Amazon’s latest 16GB Kindle Paperwhite typically costs $159.99 on its own, there’s now a fantastic deal happening on the 32GB Signature Edition tablet that supports wireless charging. A $154.98 bundle that also includes a metallic jade cover and a Kindle-branded, cream-colored sling bag is available now at Amazon.
Gaming deals
- For a limited time, you can get a $15 promotional gift card when you buy a $100 Newegg gift card. It’s always nice to get a little more for your money, especially if you plan to buy pricey PC components, be it RAM, an SSD, or a graphics card.
- Through June 19th (or until supplies last), Woot is offering new customers a small, but welcome $15 discount on the Nintendo Switch 2 console. The $449.99 device drops to $434 with the code NEW15 used at checkout. I know, I know — it’s not much. It may not even cover sales tax associated with the purchase, but a deal’s a deal.
Home entertainment deals
- Amazon’s Fire TV Soundbar Plus that also includes a wireless subwoofer and two satellite speakers is down to $379.99 (originally $489.99), it’s best price to date. It’s a solid sound system if you don’t want to spend a bunch of money. The soundbar supports HDMI eARC and optical audio for inputs, and it can connect to devices via Bluetooth. My interest in this model has been piqued ever since RTINGS named it one of its favorite budget-friendly soundbars.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select
The 4K Select isn’t Amazon’s most feature-rich nor its zippiest streaming stick. However, it’s one of the best 4K-ready options that you can get for under $20 while it’s on sale.
Where to Buy:
- Marshall has knocked down prices for some of its home audio products, including its amp-inspired Acton III plug-in speaker. Originally $299.99 (though frequently $200 or so), it’s down to $179.99 in all colorways at Amazon. The Stanmore III that’s bigger and even more powerful, with RCA inputs for plugging in a record player, is $249.99 at Amazon. It’s a much bigger price drop for this one, considering it typically sells for around $300.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023)
Amazon’s most capable streaming stick is faster than its predecessor with Wi-Fi 6E and double the storage. It also now displays widgets and artwork when idle while continuing to offer Alexa integration. Read our review.
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This robotic self-driving toilet comes to you
During a recent expo in Shanghai that focuses on elderly care, assistive devices, and rehabilitation medicine, a Chinese company called Yueban debuted a smart toilet that does something we haven't seen before; it comes to you. The autonomous self-driving Xiaoban toilet was designed to improve accessibility for those dealing with mobility issues due to age, injuries, or disabilities. It's expected to sell for ¥28,999 yuan in China, or nearly $4,300, according to IT Home, but global availability hasn't been confirmed.
The Xiaoban toilet uses technology similar to what's found in the most advanced robot vacuums. A suite of sensors, including l …
A year of Walmart Plus is half off ahead of Prime Day
Do you often find yourself shopping at the big blue, or perhaps you’re just looking for an alternative to Amazon? Either way, Walmart is currently offering a year of its Walmart Plus subscription for $49, which typically costs $98. The membership includes perks like free delivery on orders over $35, free next-day and two-day shipping from Walmart.com when available, and free home pickup for returns. Importantly, it also grants you early access to sales, including the upcoming Walmart Deals starting on June 22nd that coincide with Prime Day 2026.
Walmart Plus
Walmart Plus is a membership program that offers exclusive benefits, like free delivery from your store, free shipping with no order minimum, and more.
Where to Buy:
In addition to the aforementioned shopping perks, the subscription bundles in a handful of other offers and memberships. For instance, you can choose from either ad-supported Paramount Plus or Peacock, with the option to switch every 90 days. You’ll also get a Pawp membership for remote veterinary care, discounts on gas at Walmart and Sam’s Club, and even a free Whopper with any purchase from Burger King every three months.
Firefox’s new home page widgets are helping me focus
I launched Firefox this morning to find some new blocks on my home page. The widgets that are currently rolling out add sports scores, time zones, a focus timer, and a checklist, which are already some of my favorite new Firefox features in years. I usually have Focus Friend open on my phone when I need a focus timer, and I use Google Tasks for my checklists. Now I can check in with similar tools every time I open a new Firefox tab instead.
My phone's homescreen is full of useful widgets, so it's a nice addition to have the timer and checklist pop up on my browser - they add some extra functionality and blend in tools I was already using el …
The Onion’s rebooted InfoWars is coming July 2nd
The Onion's InfoWars officially has a launch date: On July 2nd, the conspiracy network previously run by Alex Jones will return as a comedy and media platform. The reboot comes more than a year and a half after news broke that the satirical news site was working to acquire the property owned by Jones, a conspiracy theorist who notably targeted victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting.
"Developed with the support of the Sandy Hook families, the new InfoWars is being reimagined as a comedy and cultural platform featuring original programming, guest talent, and new comedic voices," a press release reads. "The project reflects The Onion's broa …
Amazon employees say they’re facing termination for backing data center limits
When three Amazon software engineers testified earlier this month at Seattle City Council hearings about data centers, they started their testimony by citing a city law barring employment discrimination over political speech. Now, they're accusing their employer of breaking that law by retaliating against them.
On June 10th - one week after the hearing, and one day after the City Council passed a milestone moratorium on data centers - Patrick Schloesser, Darius Irani, and Liesl Wigand were each called into an impromptu meeting with Amazon's "Employee Relations." HR representatives told the employees that the company was investigating them …