In a first, US will allow some private firms to carry out cyberattacks
The new order sweeps away decades of existing U.S. cybersecurity policy prohibiting private companies from conducting ‘hack back’ attacks or offensive cyber operations.
Tech
Rivian is finally getting a long-requested feature — and no, it’s not CarPlay
Rivian R1S owners, rejoice. Rivian has heard your pleas for second-row captain’s chairs. For years, Rivian owners have lamented the absence of captain’s chairs in the R1S, noting that the three-row SUV would be much improved with standalone seats instead of a bench in the second row. Parents groused that loading and unloading kids in […]
Wearables are getting a taste of much-needed minimalism
This is Optimizer, a weekly newsletter sent from Verge senior reviewer Victoria Song that dissects and discusses the latest gizmos and potions that swear they’re going to change your life. Opt in for Optimizer here. During my summer vacation, I went in on the screenless wearable life. These past two weeks, I wore the Fitbit […]
Microsoft is combining its Copilot apps ahead of a ‘super app’
Microsoft is finally beginning to combine its consumer and commercial Copilot AI assistants into a single “super app” interface, starting with the Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot apps. Both personal and work accounts will be moved to the new unified app, which recycles the “Microsoft Copilot” name but features an updated app icon. The single […]
Can social media start over? Bluesky’s CEO and COO deliver their case at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026
Bluesky CEO Toni Schneider is joined by COO Rose Wang for a Disrupt Stage session on whether social media can start over and where Bluesky fits into that potential reboot.
Flock CEO: ‘We got this one wrong’
Surveillance tech company Flock is rolling out updates to address reports of cops across the country abusing its tools to stalk ex-romantic partners and others. CEO Garrett Langley is delivering a mea culpa, and in an interview with The Verge, says he’s changed his mind on what responsibility Flock bears for how law enforcement uses […]
Nintendo’s next Fire Emblem has a bold new structure
Nintendo’s first Fire Emblem game for the Switch 2 is structured in an ambitious way. Unlike the well-loved Three Houses, a strategy game that tasked you with pledging allegiance to a specific faction and seeing their story all the way to the end, the new Fortune’s Weave lets you swap between four heroes and their […]
Some Claude users are mad that Anthropic’s new watermarks will catch them using it at their jobs, classes
Is Anthropic’s new watermarking system a travesty? Some have taken to social media to complain that it is.
AI nuclear power firm Fermi finally has a new CEO
Lee McIntire, an independent member of Fermi’s board, has been hired as CEO, more than three months since the company fired co-founder Toby Neugebauer from the top post.
Made by Google 2026 live blog: Let’s watch Trevor Noah talk about the Pixel 11
It’s almost time for the Made by Google keynote, where the company will show off the brand-new Pixel hardware it announced today. Like last year, it’ll be a celebrity-packed live show, though Trevor Noah is hosting instead of Jimmy Fallon. If the 2025 show was any indication, today’s broadcast might be something of a cringefest. […]