HP’s HyperX Omen 15 isn’t quite the budget-friendly gaming laptop its predecessor was
HP’s HyperX Omen 15 isn’t quite the budget-friendly gaming laptop its predecessor was

The HP HyperX Omen 15, which I first saw at CES, replaces the HP Victus 15, a longtime bestselling budget gaming laptop. The Victus cost just $800, or less when on sale, and was a good entry point to decent laptop gaming. The Omen 15 has nice little upgrades over the Victus. Its RTX 5050 […]

Foldables are sort of boring now — and that’s great news for Apple
Foldables are sort of boring now — and that’s great news for Apple

This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on smartphones and Android, follow Dominic Preston. The Stepback arrives in our subscribers’ inboxes on Sunday at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here. How it started Believe it or not, it didn’t all start with […]

Pixel 11 specs and price leak with no surprises
Pixel 11 specs and price leak with no surprises

Android Headlines claims to have the specs and price for the entire Pixel 11 lineup. What the site shared basically lines up with everything else that we’ve heard in the lead-up to the August 12th event. The Pixel 11 is expected to get a $100 price hike, starting at $899, but will come with 256GB […]

The Verge’s 2026 back-to-school shopping guide
The Verge’s 2026 back-to-school shopping guide

Knowing exactly what your student needs for the school year ahead is next to impossible. Sure, you’ll probably nail the essentials, but there will likely be a few items you forgot to buy, or didn’t think they’d need to have. We’re pulling our weight during the back-to-school season with a new shopping guide that’s a […]

You could be taking way better photos on your phone
You could be taking way better photos on your phone

Your smartphone photos can look way better. If you’re willing to put in a little extra work, use third party apps and spend a bit of time editing, it’s possible to take photos that – under the right circumstances – can rival dedicated digital cameras. I post a lot of smartphone photos online, and “How […]

Top tech of the month: the best new gadgets we’ve tested for August 2026
Top tech of the month: the best new gadgets we’ve tested for August 2026

These are the standouts from the past four weeks of testing, including a stellar new GoPro flagship and a controversial TV.

The OG reading app just got a big update
The OG reading app just got a big update

Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 138, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you’re new here, welcome, happy August, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, I’ve been reading about microwave sounds and Meta glasses and Alex vs. Alix, testing the […]

With Switch 2, iPhone, and laptop tricks, the Sharge Disk Pro 2 is finally a worthy EDC
With Switch 2, iPhone, and laptop tricks, the Sharge Disk Pro 2 is finally a worthy EDC

Sharge, the company that makes delightful retro Mac-shaped chargers and see-inside batteries, is finally impressing me with a portable SSD. I couldn’t recommend the Sharge Disk, Disk Plus, or even the Disk Pro, but I’d be happy to own the new Disk Pro 2 Ultra. This isn’t just a drive. It’s a 4K HDMI dock […]

Apple’s new AirTags are back down to their best price
Apple’s new AirTags are back down to their best price

We spotted a great deal on Tile trackers earlier this week that’s still live, but if you’re an iPhone owner, we ultimately recommend Apple’s latest AirTag. Right now, you can pick up a four-pack for $89 ($10 off) at Amazon and Target, matching the bundle’s all-time low price. If you’re a member, Costco also has […]

Google Earth’s AI deepfake tool only lasted one day
Google Earth’s AI deepfake tool only lasted one day

Google has shut down Google Earth feature it launched Thursday that allowed users to edit satellite images with text prompts using AI. The tool essentially let users create AI deepfakes of the real world using text prompts; Digital Digging’s Henk van Ess, for example, intentionally generated images adding things like refugees near the Mexican border […]