The AI code wars are heating up
The AI code wars are heating up This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on the AI coding and vibe-coding booms, follow David Pierce. The Stepback arrives in our subscribers’ inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here. How it started Writing […]
Google says Polymarket bets showing up in News was an ‘error’
Google says Polymarket bets showing up in News was an 'error' Polymarket bets started popping up in Google News alongside legitimate news articles. But now those results aren’t showing, and Google says they were never supposed to. Spokesperson Ned Adriance told The Verge that “Google News is designed to show sources that create content about […]
YouTube Premium is getting pricier
YouTube Premium is getting pricier YouTube Premium is getting more expensive in the US, with prices rising by $2 on standard individual accounts and as much as $4 for the family plan. The price hike is already in effect for new accounts, and is rolling out now for existing customers. Premium’s Individual plan now costs […]
Google’s Gemini AI can answer your questions with 3D models and simulations
Google's Gemini AI can answer your questions with 3D models and simulations Google’s latest upgrade for Gemini will allow the chatbot to generate interactive 3D models and simulations in response to your questions. With the new feature, you may see options to rotate the AI-generated model, manually adjust sliders on it, or input different values […]
Google makes it easy to deepfake yourself
Google makes it easy to deepfake yourself YouTube Shorts is rolling out a new AI-powered feature giving creators an easy way to realistically clone themselves on camera. The launch, hinted at earlier this year, reflects the platform’s fraught relationship with AI-generated content, adding more generative features while struggling to contain AI slop, deepfake scams, and […]
Gemini gets notebooks to help you organize projects
Gemini gets notebooks to help you organize projects Google’s Gemini is getting a feature called “notebooks” to help you organize things about certain topics in a single place while using the AI chatbot, the company announced on Wednesday. You can pull in things like files, past conversations, and custom instructions into notebooks that Gemini can […]
You can now turn 2D apps into 3D while using the Galaxy XR headset
You can now turn 2D apps into 3D while using the Galaxy XR headset Android XR is getting a new feature that turns 2D apps, websites, images, and videos into “3D experiences.” The feature, which Google calls “auto-spatialization,” was initially announced last year, and it’s launching on Tuesday as an experimental feature for Samsung Galaxy […]
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra is $200 off for the first time
Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra is $200 off for the first time Privacy Display ensures that onlookers can’t see what’s on the screen. | Photo: Allison Johnson / The Verge My colleague Allison Johnson loved the Privacy Display in her review of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. The display feature, which blocks onlookers from getting a […]
Can AI responses be influenced? The SEO industry is trying
Can AI responses be influenced? The SEO industry is trying Let’s pretend you work in IT and you’re looking for a new digital service desk platform to help your employees reset passwords or onboard new hires. You use Google’s AI Mode to search for suggestions, which quickly spits out a detailed answer listing companies to […]
I let Gemini in Google Maps plan my day and it went surprisingly well
I let Gemini in Google Maps plan my day and it went surprisingly well Take me to the tacos, Gemini. You may be familiar with Gemini as the thing that’s in every Google service you use – whether you want it or not. While it’s been a constant, sometimes unwelcome presence in Gmail for at […]