Microsoft scrambles to quell fury around its new AI data centers
Microsoft scrambles to quell fury around its new AI data centers It looks like the wave of campaigns against data centers are getting under big tech companies’ skin – and Microsoft is the latest giant to promise to address frustrations on the ground in communities around their data centers. The company announced a five-point plan […]
Anker goes big with new whole home backup system
Anker goes big with new whole home backup system If you can afford this house you can probably afford a whole-home backup solution like the E10. | Image: Anker Homeowners in search of grid independence have another option today with the launch of Anker’s Solix E10 big-ass battery system. It joins companies like Tesla and […]
Google pulls AI overviews for some medical searches
Google pulls AI overviews for some medical searches Earlier this month, The Guardian published an investigation that showed Google was serving up misleading and outright false information via its AI overviews in response to certain medical inquiries. Now those results appear to have been removed. According to the original report: In one case that experts […]
Meta expands nuclear power ambitions to include Bill Gates’ startup
Meta expands nuclear power ambitions to include Bill Gates' startup Meta has forged agreements with three nuclear power providers in an effort to secure the vast amount of electricity it needs to power AI data centers. The agreements with TerraPower (which is backed by Bill Gates), Oklo (backed by Sam Altman), and Vistra are expected […]
CES 2026 was awash in bodily fluids
CES 2026 was awash in bodily fluids Mira is a hormone testing kit that I tried out ahead of CES 2026. I had to pee in that cup. This is Optimizer, a weekly newsletter sent every Friday from Verge senior reviewer Victoria Song that dissects and discusses the latest phones, smartwatches, apps, and other gizmos […]
Bluetti now charges power stations at up to 1200W in your car
Bluetti now charges power stations at up to 1200W in your car This cutaway shows how the Bluetti Charger 2 can be integrated into your vehicle. | Image: Bluetti Bluetti’s latest car charger can quickly charge power stations at a very fast 1200W – about 10 times faster than plugging it into the 12V cigarette […]
The weirdest tech we’ve seen at CES 2026
The weirdest tech we've seen at CES 2026 You’re not ready for this level of weirdness. There’s never a shortage of exciting and innovative tech at CES. A superthin TV and tri-folding phone are cool and all, but sometimes the weirdest gadgets are the ones that make us go “huh.” Luckily, there was plenty of […]
The Vivoo FlowPad turns menstrual pads into an at-home hormone test
The Vivoo FlowPad turns menstrual pads into an at-home hormone test The FlowPad will measure follicle-stimulating hormone. | Image: Vivoo Wellness tech companies are increasingly interested in bodily fluids like blood, urine, sweat, and saliva. At CES 2026, it’s time to add menstrual blood to that list, too. Health tech startup Vivoo just announced the […]
The taint bandaid has evolved into the taint zapper
The taint bandaid has evolved into the taint zapper Alternatively, you could call it a gooch taser. | Photo by Victoria Song / The Verge Six years ago, I first laid eyes upon the taint bandaid. It was the first night of CES 2020. In a corner of the inaugural CES Unveiled showcase, there was […]
This egg-shaped gadget aims to demystify hormones… with pee
This egg-shaped gadget aims to demystify hormones… with pee Your urine can tell you a lot about your reproductive health hormones. Unfortunately, at-home testing can be cumbersome, involving collecting samples that are then mailed out to labs. That’s what health startup Mira is trying to simplify with its $249 Ultra4 Hormone Monitor. The pitch is […]