Republicans defend Elon Musk in FTC’s Twitter probe
Image: Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
House Republicans came to the defense of Elon Musk Thursday, tearing into Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan over an agency investigation they claim borders on “obsession” with Twitter and its owner.
The blustering support for the billionaire dominated a Thursday House Judiciary Committee hearing overseeing the agency’s work under Khan’s leadership. The committee’s chair, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), set the tone right out of the gate, calling Khan’s leadership a “disaster” and suggesting that the FTC’s Twitter probe was politically motivated.
“Why are you harassing Twitter?” Jordan pressed Khan Thursday. “This wasn’t harassment. It was a shakedown.”
The hearing came hours after Musk asked a federal court to end the FTC’s investigation into Twitter over possible user privacy failures and terminate a settlement it entered into with the agency last year. In the filing, Musk’s X Corp. claimed the probe had “spiraled out of control and become tainted with bias.”
Shortly after Musk took over Twitter last year, the FTC began investigating whether the company had the resources necessary to maintain the privacy of its users. Under a consent decree Twitter entered into with the FTC in 2011 (later expanded in 2022), it’s required to inform the FTC on how it protects consumer data and coordinate regular security audits.
Responding to Republicans’ complaints, Khan noted that the FTC imposed the privacy restrictions Musk cursed more than a decade ago. “Twitter has a history of lax security and privacy policies,” she said.
Republicans also criticized the Khan FTC’s recent court failures to challenge mergers, including a decision this week allowing Microsoft to purchase Activision Blizzard, and suggested it was a ploy to make Congress pass new antitrust rules.
“Are you losing on purpose?” Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) asked of Khan. “You’re losing because you don’t have the authority that you want from Congress.”
Khan denied those motives Thursday, but she’s previously suggested that courtroom losses could force Congress to craft stronger competition regulations, according to The New York Times.
Your LG TV and appliances are about to get more annoying
LG CEO William Cho (pictured above at CES 2023) has revealed how the company plans to squeeze additional revenue out of its customers. | Photo by David Becker/Getty Images
LG Electronics is looking to squeeze some additional cash from its customers by going all in on advertising and subscription offerings for its home appliances and televisions. It’s part of a plan to increase global annual revenue from the $51 billion reported last year to almost $79 billion by 2030. Part of that growth strategy is to get webOS — the operating system running LG smart TVs — onto more external TV brands and “other product groups.”
On Wednesday, LG CEO William Cho announced the Korean tech giant’s intention to transform itself into a “smart life solution company” by diversifying its current business portfolio and creating a business model that focuses on “customer engagement.” LG’s new growth strategy will introduce a “platform-based service business model that continuously generates profits, such as content and services, subscriptions and solutions” across its product portfolio.
“LG will continue to pursue its bold vision to transform and leap forward as a smart life solution company that connects and expands customers’ various spaces and experiences, rather than resting on its current position as the best home appliance brand that provides quality products,” said CEO Cho. “We will establish a brand-new LG by reinventing the way we work and communicate toward this goal.”
LG says that its TV business will be the first to transition to the new business model, with the intent of transforming into a “media and entertainment service provider.” Sometime towards the end of this year, the company is looking to introduce changes to its webOS TV software that will allow LG to expand “content, services and advertisement” across products like LG’s OLED and QNED TVs. According to LG, the webOS platform is already running on over 200 million smart TVs globally. The company also intends to bring its webOS software to external television brands and non-TV hardware in the LG product family at some point in the next five years.
Subscriptions will also play a prevalent role on LG’s range of household appliances. According to the company’s press release “the goal is to further evolve LG ThinQ UP appliances that upgrade functions customers need even after purchase and evolve into a “Home as a Service platform,” which includes customer personalization options, subscription services, and support for unnamed smart home services. LG introduced its ThinQ UP range of upgradable appliances last year that are designed to be updated with new features via the ThinQ app. We noted at the time that some automakers were using a similar business model to charge customers to unlock features that are already built into their vehicles — it seems LG was paying attention.
It’s hard to imagine these changes will be met with open arms by consumers. As noted by The Register, the sheer number of services adopting subscription models in recent years has sparked concerns over “subscription fatigue” — a term used to describe consumers who are overwhelmed by subscription offerings. It’s prevalent enough that the US Federal Trade Commission has proposed introducing firmer regulations to stamp out some of the industry’s more nefarious practices, like nonconsensual billing and making subscriptions intentionally difficult to cancel.
Awards are little icons on posts you might have come across while scrolling around Reddit, and they’re given by other users to show appreciation for a post. Perhaps the most commonly-known award is Reddit Gold, which shows up as a gold medal with a star, but there also reaction awards and awards specific to certain communities.
Screenshot by Jay Peters / The Verge
See all those icons? Those are awards.
To buy an award, you need to use Reddit Coins, but if you don’t already have some, you aren’t able to get any more of them as of Thursday, according to a post from Reddit admin (employee) venkman01. Awards and existing coins will still be available until September 12th, and the change to the awards and coins systems means that Reddit Premium subscribers won’t get a regular allotment of coins.
“While we saw many of the awards used as a fun way to recognize contributions from your fellow redditors, looking back at those eons, we also saw consistent feedback on awards as a whole,” venkman01 said. “First, many don’t appreciate the clutter from awards (50+ awards right now, but who’s counting?) and all the steps that go into actually awarding content. Second, redditors want awarded content to be more valuable to the recipient.”
Reddit does have plans for some kind of award system in the future, but the post only provides vague hints about what that might look like. “Rewarding content and contribution (as well as something golden) will still be a core part of Reddit,” venkman01 said. “In the coming months, we’ll be sharing more about a new direction for awarding that allows redditors to empower one another and create more meaningful ways to reward high-quality contributions on Reddit." In a reply, venkman01 said that “we want to create a system that is simple, easy to use, and easy to understand.”
Many users aren’t happy with Reddit’s decision. “Killing features without replacements ready, yep, sounds like Reddit to me,” wrote one user in a highly-awarded reply. Another, replying to an announcement post in a subreddit for moderator news, expressed unhappiness that Reddit isn’t providing some sort of compensation or transition into the next system. And for users already frustrated at Reddit over new API pricing that forced some popular third-party apps to shut down, the loss of awards like Reddit Gold, arguably one of the most iconic elements of the platform, could sting that much more.
While Reddit hasn’t specified what the new system might look like, Android Authority may have dug up some clues. Based on code in the Reddit’s Android app, Reddit appears to be working on a “contributor program” that would let users cash out gold or karma (basically, points you get for posts, comments, or giving awards) they receive into real money. Reddit didn’t respond to a request for comment sent Wednesday about Android Authority’s article.
Cowboy releases cheeky app to keep VanMoof e-bike riders on the road
Cowboy sends you its love. | Image: Cowboy
Belgian e-bike maker Cowboy has released a free app to keep rival VanMoof owners on the road now that the Dutch company is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.
The Bikey app — get it... bike key — can generate and save a VanMoof owner’s unique digital key, which might be needed if the company’s servers are ever taken offline. It also provides basic access to the VanMoof e-bike’s settings. The key can be exported elsewhere for safekeeping.
The app currently only works with S3 and X3 e-bike models, the most common VanMoof e-bikes currently on the road, with support for new S5 and A5 e-bikes on the way. It’s in beta and is iOS only for now, with an Android beta releasing soon. Cowboy says that “nothing is shared outside of the app,” not even your email.
“Just generate your local key and enjoy peace of mind again,” reads the description in a cheeky little dig at VanMoof’s celebrated Peace of Mind e-bike recovery service. Nevertheless, Cowboy says its intentions are noble. “We believe deeply that every single bike deserves to be on the road and that’s why we decided to build this project.”
Given Cowboy’s shared similarities with VanMoof, both of which are independent e-bike makers that raised millions in capital and rely upon many custom-built parts, maybe Cowboy shouldn’t get too full of itself. It has plenty ofits own investors looking to get paid and had its own issues earlier in the year when it had to reorganize and seek additional funding to deal with supply chain issues.
One major difference: Cowboy is on a better path to profitability, unlike VanMoof, which needs court-ordered protection to help pay its bills.
F.T.C. Is Investigating ChatGPT Maker The agency sent OpenAI, which makes ChatGPT, a letter this week over the chatbot’s potential harms and the company’s security practices.
Unlike most TVs, beneath Telly’s 55-inch 4K display is a smaller screen separated from the main display by a soundbar. That thinner display is dedicated to showing advertisements, which is the point of its business model.
To even use the thing, you’ll need to commit to having your viewing data sucked up and used by advertisers. If you’re okay with that, you can also use the secondary display to show widgets that surface sports scores, a news sticker, the weather, and more. The TV features a camera (with a privacy shutter) for fitness programs as well, along with a set of built-in games.
Additionally, Telly announced that it’s working with Nielsen to “collect and interpret first-of-its-kind viewership and ad effectiveness insights” for advertisers and TV programmers. It’s also working with Microsoft, Magnite, and MNTN to power the ads on the TV. Microsoft became Netflix’s advertising partner for its new ad-supported tier last year.
It’s not clear how many customers Telly is shipping its TVs out to during this round, but it says those who receive the device will get to participate in the public beta program. That means they’ll also get access to some of the features Telly is making available at launch, including integrations with Spotify, LiveOne, and Zoom. Telly doesn’t come with streaming apps, however, so you’ll have to settle for using a third-party Roku device, Amazon Fire Stick, or Apple TV.
“We are thrilled to begin shipping what is by far the smartest television ever built to consumers,” Telly CEO and founder Ilya Pozin said in a statement. “Our disruptive ad supported business model makes the television completely free to consumers, but the most exciting thing about Telly is the technology that enables our dual-screen television to get better with every update.”
Even though you’ll have to sacrifice a part of your privacy to use Telly, a free TV might be too hard to pass up for some. One month after Telly opened up its waitlist, 250,000 people already signed up, and I’m guessing that number has increased since then.
The best Amazon Prime Day deals you can still get
Illustration by Hugo Herrera for The Verge
We’ve now endured two whole days of Amazon Prime Day, which had us poring over thousands of deals and covering hundreds of the best the tech world had to offer — and yet, we’re not quite done here.
As usual, there are still a bunch of lingering discounts to sift through. So if you didn’t yet blow your entire budget on gadgets like wireless earbuds, tablets, e-readers, video games, or fancy smart home accessories, well, there’s still time to make that happen.
Below are the best remaining Prime Day deals for 2023, the stubborn ones that just won’t go quietly into the night, still vying for your hard-earned money. It’s your final chance to consider that big or small purchase and decide whether you’re pulling the trigger or holding out for something better to come along.
After all, Black Friday is only 133 days away.
Apple deals
If you prefer a pair of noise-canceling headphones over a set of true wireless earbuds, you can also buy Apple’s AirPods Max for $449.99 ($100 off) at Amazon. Along with a premium build quality and terrific sound, the headphones feature a natural-surrounding transparency mode. Read our review.
Headphones, earbuds, and speakers
The Beats Powerbeats Pro are still $149.95 (about $100 off) at Amazon a substantial. They may be a little older (released in 2019), but if you want your earbuds to stay in during the most rigorous of workouts it’s hard to deny the stability of the Powerbeats’ ear hooks. Read our review.
Smartwatches and fitness trackers
TVs and streaming devices
Phones
Google’s Pixel 7 is on sale at Amazon for $499 ($100 off). It’s an exceptional phone for anyone who likes Google’s colorful and customizable software design for Android. Read our review.
Nomad is still running a site-wide 30 percent off sale on its standard edition in-stock smartphone and wearable accessories — including its Apple Watch straps and MagSafe chargers.
Casetify’s storefront on Amazon is still offering up to 35 percent off many of its phone cases. For example, you can get the Casetify Essential iPhone 14 case in all manner of colorful patterns for $29.25 (about $16 off) if you’re a Prime subscriber.
Laptops and computing
Logitech’s StreamCamis now $129.99 ($40 off) at Amazon. It’s a fine 1080p webcam for everything from videoconferencing to Twitch streaming, even if its USB-C cable being permanently attached is slightly annoying. Read our webcam buying guide.
The Elgato Collapsible Green Screen Chrome Key Panel is on sale at Best Buy and Amazon for $117.99 ($42 off).
The orb-like Creative Pebble Pro are down to $54.99 ($5 off) on Amazon if you’re looking for a relatively inexpensive alternative to your computer’s built-in speakers. The basic speakers feature Bluetooth, a 3.5mm input, and subtle lighting on the bottom, which you can easily turn off if you’re not a fan of the RGB aesthetic.
MSI’s 17.3-inch GF Series laptop with a 12th Gen Intel 12700H CPU, RTX 3050 Ti GPU, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, and 144Hz 1080p display is on sale at Newegg for $799 ($100 off).
For an all-AMD entry-level gaming laptop from MSI, you can get the 15.6-inch MSI Bravo with Ryzen 7 5800H CPU, Radeon RX6500M GPU, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, and 144Hz 1080p screen for $699.99 ($200 off) at Best Buy.
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut for PS4 and PS5 is $29.99 ($40 off) at Amazon.
No Man’s Sky is available at Amazon for around $39.99 (about $20 off) for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5.
The PlayStation 5 version of The Nioh Collection, which contains both of Team Ninja’s challenging Souls-like action-adventure games Nioh and Nioh 2, is on sale for $29.99 ($40 off) at Amazon.
Microsoft’s standard Xbox Wireless Controller is on sale starting at $46.99 ($13 off) at Amazon. The stock controller of the Xbox Series X / S is great for anyone gaming on Xbox or PC, though if you’re not a fan of its AA batteries, you can also get the Remix special-edition Xbox controller in a unique Earth-themed green colorway with a rechargeable battery pack for $71.63 ($14 off).
The Nacon Pro Compact controller is on sale for $20.48 (about $28 off) in black at Amazon. It may be a wired controller that’s best fit for slightly smaller hands, but it offers a number of customizable options with lots of software tweaks.
Google’s latest Pixel Stand is available for $59 ($20 off) at Amazon for Prime members. The second-gen Qi charger works best when paired with newer Pixel models, which are able to take advantage of speedy wireless charging speeds and a few more unique features — including the ability to act as an impromptu photo frame when docked. Read our review.
The Joseph Joseph Garlic Rocker seems like just a simple curved piece of metal with holes in it, but it’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to mince garlic. It’s on sale at Amazon for $19.99 ($4 off).
The retro-inspired Polaroid Now Plus is down to $93 ($57 off) at Amazon for Prime Day, its all-time low. As mentioned in our guide to the best instant cameras, the Now Plus is tailored toward those who are a fan of the old-fashioned instant-film experience, one that takes a heavy cue from the classic Polaroid 600 of yesteryear.
If you’re a huge nerd for the iconic (or infamous, if you prefer) brown-and-tan color scheme of Noctua PC fans and coolers, you can get it in an MT3 keycap set for Cherry-compatible mechanical keyboards for a nice $69 ($61 off) at Drop.
Foundation’s showrunner explains why big book adaptations start so dang slow
Lou Llobell in season 2 of Foundation. | Image: Apple
Adaptations of big, complex books tend to start slow — and that’s usually because there’s just so much to explain. It was true of Game of Thrones and The Rings of Power, and it was especially true of Foundation on Apple TV Plus, which took Isaac Asimov’s novels and turned them into prestige television. With unusual concepts like psychohistory (a kind of math that can predict the future) and a genetic dynasty (a never-ending line of clone emperors who rule the galaxy), the first few episodes of season 1 were bogged down by exposition.
According to David S. Goyer, showrunner on Foundation, there really wasn’t a way to avoid that. “I felt like the first three episodes of season 1 were so exposition heavy, but — trust me — we tormented ourselves trying to figure out a way around it,” he explains. “We just decided, screw it, we have to explain this stuff and hope the audience is still around.” He believes that might just be a necessary evil of this kind of adaptation, though. “A lot of the really worthwhile shows that I ended up loving took a while to get going,” Goyer says. “Maybe that’s just what one has to do when you’re doing a big ambitious, novelistic show.”
But with season 2, which premieres on July 14th, Goyer says the team didn’t have that same problem. “I just felt like this massive weight had been lifted from our shoulders. We were unburdened by all of this expositional pipe-laying.”
Photo by Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images
David S. Goyer.
The goal with this season is to be more approachable. “I was determined to make season 2 more accessible and to hopefully broaden the audience,” Goyer says. That means things like exploring the internal lives of characters like Hari Seldon, having more action (the first episode includes an excellent fight sequence), and even some sex and — gasp — humor. “I wanted to introduce more levity,” Goyer explains. “We had only a few scenes with a little bit of wry humor in season 1, and people were nervous about that. But I felt that was something that even Asimov himself had done in his writing.”
The goal is not to change what Foundation is, he explains, but to present it in a way that makes it easier for new audiences to get into it.
“I think there was a perception among some people that Foundation was really beautiful but it was very cerebral,” Goyer explains. “And hopefully it remains cerebral. But I was determined to say, ‘What are the kinds of scenes that people would not expect from Foundation season 1? And do they have a place in this story?’ We didn’t do them just to be gratuitous. But I thought, ‘Why not?’ We’re telling a story about humans and humans are messy — so let’s get messy.’”
It’s still a complicated show, of course, one that spans many years. Season 2 takes place a century after the first — with time jumps, various warring factions, and all of the other complexity inherent in this kind of story. Goyer and his team used various tools to stay on track, ranging from show bibles and flowcharts to copious Post-it notes. But the complexity is exacerbated by the filming process. The episodes aren’t filmed in order, and most of the time, two units are shooting scenes simultaneously. “It is a logistical challenge,” Goyer says.
The trick, he says, is not letting the actors know too much — even if they really want to. “Many of them are frustrated that I won’t tell them where they’re going in future seasons,” Goyer explains. “Sometimes I don’t even tell them where they’re going at the end of the season. Usually, I hold episode 10 back until I absolutely have to, and I’ll redact it. Or if we have to film a scene with one character, I won’t give it to the other actors until I absolutely have to. I don’t like them to play the future — which is ironic given the nature of our show.”
So far, Foundation has only been confirmed for two seasons, but Goyer has much bigger goals — he’s stated before that the outline is for 80 episodes spanning eight seasons in total. It’s an ambitious plan but also one that he says is somewhat malleable. While there are major plot moments that are firmly in place, the way that characters get to those moments can change depending on how things progress during production.
“I’d say we’re about 85 percent adhering to it so far,” he says of the plan versus the reality of the show. “There are definitely things in season 2 that I intended to roll out in season 3, and I just saw an opportunity to move that moment forward. I said, ‘Screw it, let’s go for it.’ That’s something that I learned from working with [Dark Knight director Christopher] Nolan. He used to say that if you’ve got an idea, burn it now — don’t wait for it.”
Now Google’s Bard AI chatbot can talk and respond to visual prompts
Illustration: The Verge
Google is adding some new features to its Bard AI chatbot, including the ability for Bard to speak its answers to you and for it to respond to prompts that also include images. The chatbot is also now available in much of the world, including the EU.
In a blog post, Google is positioning Bard’s spoken responses as a helpful way to “correct pronunciation of a word or listen to a poem or script.” You’ll be able to hear spoken responses by entering a prompt and selecting the sound icon. Spoken responses will be available in more than 40 languages and are live now, according to Google.
The feature that lets you add images to prompts is something that Google first showed off at its I/O conference in May. In one example, Google suggested you could use this to ask for help writing a funny caption about a picture of two dogs. Google says the feature is now available in English and is expanding to new languages “soon.”
Google is introducing a few other new features, too, including the ability to pin and rename conversations, share responses with your friends, and change the tone and style of the responses you get back from Bard.
Google first opened up access to Bard in March, but at the time, it was available only in the US and the UK. The company has been rolling out the chatbot to many more countries since then, and that now includes “all countries in the EEA [European Economic Area] and Brazil,” Google spokesperson Jennifer Rodstrom tells The Verge. That expansion in Europe is a notable milestone; the company’s planned Bard launch in the EU was delayed due to privacy concerns.
Increasing speed limits can lead to more crashes and deaths, AAA finds
Photo by Robert Nickelsberg / Getty Images
Raising speed limits leads to more frequent car crashes, while lowering them leads to fewer crashes, a new analysis by AAA concludes. It’s the kind of conclusion that seems obvious on the surface but still needs to be highlighted given how many statesseem convincedthat raising speed limits can save drivers time, when all it really does is endanger the lives of pedestrians and cyclists.
The report is the latest in a growing body of evidence that finds that changing speed limits can have a big impact on road safety in the US. AAA analyzed a dozen roadways of varying types in the US in which half raised their speed limits while the other half lowered the limit. The group then did a before-and-after assessment to see what kind of impact the altered speed limits had on traffic safety as well as commute times.
Two of the three highways that increased speed limits experienced increased numbers of crashes, injuries, or deaths. Meanwhile, commute times remained “comparable” to where they were before the limits were raised — dashing the expectation that increasing speeds would lead to faster trips for drivers. A number of other road types that raised speed limits did not see a corresponding increase in crashes, injuries, or deaths, leading AAA to conclude that more research is needed.
Lowering speed limits also had a marginal impact on commute times, which could help dash arguments that altering limits come at the expense of travel time and driver convenience.
Speeding is a critical factor in traffic crashes in the US. Speeding-related fatalities recently reached a 14-year high, making up almost one-third of all traffic deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This is amid an ongoing “crisis” in road deaths in the US, with traffic fatalities peaking in 2021.
AAA recommends that states apply a “holistic approach” to the question of raising or lowering speed limits, including the type of road, surrounding land use, and historical crash data.
“The movement in statehouses to raise speed limits is happening across the country in at least eight states this year,” said Jennifer Ryan, director of state relations for AAA. “But the benefits are overrated, and the risks are understated. Increasing speed limits does not always yield the positive results envisioned by traffic planners.”
FTC is appealing ruling that cleared Microsoft to buy Activision Blizzard
Illustration by William Joel / The Verge
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says it is appealing a recent US federal court order that cleared the way for Microsoft to purchase Activision Blizzard. The FTC has filed a notice that it’s appealing Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley’s decision, but we won’t know the regulator’s arguments until the full appeal is submitted to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Microsoft won a grueling fight with the FTC earlier this week, with a federal judge denying a preliminary injunction request from the US regulator. “The Court finds the FTC has not shown a likelihood it will prevail on its claim this particular vertical merger in this specific industry may substantially lessen competition,” Judge Corley wrote in the ruling. “To the contrary, the record evidence points to more consumer access to Call of Duty and other Activision content.”
Screenshot by Jay Peters / The Verge
You can readthe full notice of appeal here, but the document doesn’t have much more than this.
If the preliminary injunction had been granted, it would have temporarily blocked Microsoft from closing its Activision Blizzard deal until the result of the FTC’s own administrative case against the company. That separate legal challenge is still due to commence on August 2nd.
Now that the FTC is choosing to appeal Judge Corley’s decision, the regulator needs the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to issue an emergency stay to extend the existing temporary restraining order (TRO) that is set to expire at 11:59PM PT on Friday, July 14th. It’s not clear if the appeals court will even rule before the deal deadline on July 18th, potentially leaving the door open for Microsoft to close the Activision Blizzard deal on Monday or Tuesday without a restraining order in place.
Microsoft still needs to resolve the issues of the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) with its acquisition before it can close, after the regulator blocked the deal on cloud concerns earlier this year. Both Microsoft and the CMA almost instantly announced they had agreed to pause their legal battles to negotiate after Judge Corley’s ruling on Tuesday.
In a surprise statement on Wednesday, the CMA then warned Microsoft’s opportunity to restructure its deal could “lead to a new merger investigation,” and that talks between the regulator and Microsoft were still at an “early stage.”
A report from CNBC originally claimed Microsoft and the CMA had agreed on a “small divestiture” to address the cloud gaming concerns, but was later corrected to clarify Microsoft has only offered “a small and discrete divestiture” that the CMA hasn’t necessarily accepted. CNBC didn’t expand on what that divestiture could involve, but such a scenario will likely be specific to the UK and could involve changes to Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming services in the region.
EU regulators also had cloud gaming concerns but approved the deal earlier this year thanks to 10-year licensing deals that Microsoft has offered to cloud gaming competitors. The CMA also warns that Microsoft doesn’t “have the opportunity to put forward new remedies” once a final report is issued.
Microsoft’s deal with the EU included a key remedy that involves a free license to consumers in EU countries that would allow them to stream via “any cloud game streaming services of their choice” all current and future Activision Blizzard PC and console games that they have a license for. Cloud providers will also be offered a free license to stream these games.
All eyes now turn to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and Microsoft’s potential deal with the CMA in the UK.
Correction July 12th, 7:33PM ET: Based on a CNBC report, this article originally stated Microsoft and the CMA may have agreed to a “small divestiture.” CNBC has corrected its article, and now says that Microsoft offered the divestiture without saying the change has been accepted.
Democrats call on DOJ to investigate tax sites for sharing financial information with Meta
Photo by Michael A. McCoy / Getty Images
A group of Democratic senators is urging federal law enforcement officials to investigate and prosecute some of the most popular online tax filing companies for allegedly sharing millions of taxpayers’ financial data with Meta and Google.
On Tuesday, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and others asked the Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission, Treasury Department, and the IRS to investigate whether TaxSlayer, H&R Block, and TaxAct violated taxpayer privacy laws by sharing sensitive user information with the two tech firms.
Senators also released their own report Wednesday detailing the accusations, first raised by The Markup last November. The report alleges that for years, tax preparation companies infused their products with Meta and Google tracking pixels that revealed identifying information — like a user’s full name, address, and date of birth. The senators also suggest that some of the information provided, like the forms a user accessed, could be used to show “whether taxpayers were eligible for certain deductions or exemptions.”
The senators claim that the companies did not receive user consent to share this information, which could violate laws banning tax preparers from sharing tax return information with third parties, especially since much of this data could be used for advertising purposes.
“The findings of this report reveal a shocking breach of taxpayer privacy by tax prep companies and by Big Tech firms that appeared to violate taxpayers’ rights and may have violated taxpayer privacy law,” the senators said in their Tuesday letter.
TaxSlayer, H&R Block, and TaxAct all confirmed that they shared “extensive taxpayer data” through Meta’s pixel in the senators’ report. After The Markup published its November findings, each of the companies said they had “removed or disabled” it from their websites.
‘An Act of War’: Inside America’s Silicon Blockade Against China The Biden administration thinks it can slow China’s economic growth by cutting it off from advanced computer chips. Could the plan backfire?
F.T.C.’s Lina Khan Faces Fresh Questions After Microsoft Ruling Lina Khan has said a fear of defeat should not deter the agency from suing big tech companies. But after Microsoft won a ruling this week, her critics say that strategy is flawed.
OpenAI’s DALL-E will train on Shutterstock’s library for six more years
Image: Shutterstock
Shutterstock is extending its partnership with OpenAI for six more years, allowing the AI company to train its models using Shutterstock’s sprawling library of images, videos, music, and metadata during that time.
The stock image site’s partnership with OpenAI first began in 2021. That’s when Shutterstock started letting the company use its images to train its text-to-image model, DALL-E — a deal OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described as “critical” to the model’s training. Last year, Shutterstock launched a “Contributor Fund” to compensate artists when their work is used to train OpenAI’s models.
At that time, Shutterstock also integrated OpenAI’s image generator directly into its website and banned the sale of AI-generated images that weren’t created using its built-in DALL-E tool. But now, Shutterstock is expanding this integration and says it will give users the ability to “edit and transform any image in the entire Shutterstock library.” Shutterstock also plans to bring AI features to Giphy, the GIF-making platform it acquired from Meta earlier this year.
“We’re pleased to be able to license Shutterstock’s high-quality content library,” Brad Lightcap, the chief operating officer of OpenAI, says in a statement. “This extended collaboration not only enhances the capabilities of our image models but also empowers brands, digital media, and marketing companies to unlock transformative possibilities in content creation and ideation.”
Unlike other image-sharing platforms like Getty Images, Shutterstock is fully embracing AI — and all the consequences that may come with it. Artists have expressed concerns about their work getting scraped to train AI models, which Getty Images has addressed by banning AI-generated content from its platform completely. Getty Images also sued Stability AI, the company behind the AI art tool Stable Diffusion, over allegations that it “unlawfully copied and processed millions of images protected by copyright” on its website.
While Shutterstock may see its library grow through its integration with DALL-E, it might not save the platform from the legal gray area surrounding AI-generated content.
The best Amazon Prime Day deals you can get
Illustration by Hugo Herrera for The Verge
From earbuds and smart displays to robot vacuums and phones, here’s the best of what Prime Day has to offer on tech and gadgets.
anPrime Day is upon us once again. It’s Amazon’s big, pretend holiday drummed up to generate sales during the slow season, and it brings with it a bevy of deals and discounts on a massive range of tech and gadgets. We’re here to help you sort through all that Prime Day has to offer, separating the wheat from the chaff and helping you not just save money but also spend it wisely (well, as wisely as a borderline-superfluous tech purchase can be).
While Prime Day may be designed to sell Prime memberships, its ripple effects mean there are many equivalent deals at other retailers available to all. Many are just the discounts you can generally find on wireless earbuds, tablets, e-readers, etc. But there’s always a chance of some new, all-time low prices that you might not otherwise see outside of Black Friday times.
We’re on the lookout for it all on your behalf through the curated tastes, watchful eyes, and slightly deranged minds that only The Verge offers. So be sure to check back frequently as we continue tracking, adding, and updating deals through Prime Day — both today and tomorrow because Amazon doesn’t understand pluralization.
The best Amazon Prime Day deals on headphones and earbuds
Amazon’s Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation are on sale with a wired charging case for just $64.99 ($55 off) or with a wireless charging case for $84.99 ($55 off). The second-gen wireless earbuds offer a good amount of value for the money, with a comfortable fit, good ANC, and support for hands-free Alexa commands. Read our review.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, which offer the best noise cancellation you can get in a pair of wireless earbuds right now, are on sale at Amazon for $249 ($50 off). They sadly lack wireless charging, but they remain a dependable set of earbuds with a terrific transparency mode that’s designed to keep you aware of your surroundings. Read our review.
Jabra’s Elite 4 Active are down to $69.99 ($50 off) at Amazon. The durable, gym-friendly pair of wireless earbuds feature a bevy of solid features for the price, including good sound, active noise cancellation, a waterproof design, and what has become a welcome hallmark of most Jabra earbuds in recent years: multipoint Bluetooth support.
If you’re not a fan of wireless earbuds, Sennheiser’s ultra-comfy IE 200 are matching their all-time low of $99.95 ($50 off) on Amazon right now. Not only do the in-ear monitors offer clean, detailed sound, but they come with a detachable braided cable and six sets of ear tips. Read our review.
Sony’s last-gen WH-1000XM4 noise-canceling headphones are on sale for $248 at Amazon for Prime members or $249.99 at Best Buy for anyone. They may not have the newer design or improved mics of the XM5s, but they’re still a great pair of cans, and they actually fold down for smaller storage and easier travel.
Bose’s QuietComfort 45 are on sale at Amazon for $199 ($130 off) in white and blue or $229 ($100 off) in black or gray. They offer terrific active noise cancellation and a useful transparency mode; however, it’s their best-in-class comfort that really cements them as some of the best headphones you can buy. Read our review.
The Sony Linkbuds — arguably the company’s strangest pair of earbuds in years — are on sale at Amazon right now for just $128 ($52 off), matching their best price to date. The unique earbuds don an open-style design, yet they’re surprisingly comfortable and offer top-notch voice call quality in addition to solid sound. Read our review.
Amazon is dropping Google’s premium Pixel Buds Pro to $132.99 ($67 off) in gray and lemongrass (the best color) or $138.99 ($61 off) in coral or black. The well-rounded wireless earbuds are the best pair you can get if you’re a Google Pixel owner, owing to their impressive sound quality, great battery life, and a number of Pixel-exclusive conveniences. Read our review.
The best Amazon Prime Day deals on smart speakers and smart displays
The jumbo-size Echo Studio is on sale with a Sengled smart bulb for $154.99 (about $60 off). The Studio may do most of what an Echo Dot does — execute voice commands, tell you the weather, play music, etc. — but it gets loud enough to really fill a room with sound.
Amazon’s latest Echo Show 5 is selling for $44.99 ($45 off). We haven’t reviewed it yet, but the new model boasts improved sound over its predecessor. The Show 5 has been a mainstay choice for an Alexa-infused display in a small space or at your bedside.
The rotating Echo Show 10 with a Ring smart bulb is $162.99 (about $102 off). Yes, Ring makes bulbs, too, and the Show 10 is a nifty display if you like to move around while on a video call or cooking a recipe you’re viewing on its movable screen.
The Echo Show 15with an included remote is $181.98 ($98 off). It’s the largest Echo smart display and the only one that’s wall-mountable. It’s also the only model that doubles as a Fire TV streaming device for more versatile content consumption.
The best Amazon Prime Day deals on TVs and streaming devices
The Alexa Voice Remote Pro is down to an all-time low of $27.99 ($7 off). It takes largely after the default clicker that comes bundled with Fire TV devices (surprise, surprise), though it introduces backlighting, customizable buttons, and a handy feature that allows you to ping the remote when you inevitably lose it. Read our review.
Hisense’s 65-inch U8H Mini LED TV is now $899.99 (about $150 off) at Amazon. The U8H offers a lot of bang for the buck with its bright and contrast-rich Mini LED panel, with Google TV software onboard to handle the streaming duties.
Vizio’s Elevate soundbar with a 5.1.4 audio setup and rotating, up-firing speakers is on sale for a new low of $590.99 (about $395 off) at Amazon. The high-end speaker — which comes with a dedicated subwoofer and two satellite speakers — offers a more immersive surround sound experience than soundbars with just virtual Dolby Atmos, not to mention support for both Google Cast and Bluetooth.
The best Prime Day deals on phones
You can pick up an unlocked Google Pixel 6A at Amazon right now for just $249 ($100 off), which is nearly its best price to date. The last-gen Android phone is a bit of a step down from Google’s newer 7A since it lacks some newer specs — including a 90Hz display and wireless charging — but it’s still the best phone you can get for under $400 thanks to its excellent performance and battery life. Read our review.
Samsung’s Galaxy A54 5G is on sale for Prime members right now for $349.99 ($100 off). It’s equipped with an exceptional screen for a midrange Android phone, not to mention an IP67 rating, a strong support policy, and dependable performance, making it a good pick as long as you’re okay with middling camera performance. Read our review.
Google’s Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are on sale at Amazon for $499 ($100 off) and $649 ($250 off), respectively. Both of them are exceptional phones for anyone who likes Google’s colorful and customizable software design for Android, with the 7 Pro offering an extra-large display, a telephoto camera, and a bigger battery. Read our review.
Motorola’s unlocked Moto G Stylus is down to just $139.99 ($160 off) at Amazon, exclusively for Prime subscribers. It may not have a very good camera or the best screen, but the massive 6.8-incher sports a built-in stylus and exceptional battery life for a very, very low price. Read our review.
The Samsung Galaxy S23is on sale at Amazon right now with 256GB of storage for $659.99 ($200 off). That’s quite a low price for Samsung’s latest 6.1-inch model, which is not overly big like its Plus and Ultra counterparts but still offers four years of promised OS updates. Read our review.
If you want the best slab phone Samsung has to offer, Amazon is selling an unlocked Galaxy S23 Ultra for $949.99 ($250 off). The S23 Ultra may fake some photos of the moon, but it’s an impressive flagship with pretty much every top-of-the-line feature crammed into its large 6.8-inch frame. Read our review.
Nomad is running a site-wide 30 percent off sale on its standard edition, in-stock smartphone and wearable accessories — including its Apple Watch straps and MagSafe chargers.
The best Prime Day deals on laptops and computing accessories
Logitech’s StreamCamis now $129.99 ($40 off) at Amazon. It’s a fine 1080p webcam for everything from videoconferencing to Twitch streaming, even if its USB-C cable being permanently attached is slightly annoying. Read our webcam buying guide.
The Elgato Facecam is on sale for $119.99 ($30 off) at Amazon, which is a new low. The 1080p-capable Facecam is a little on the jumbo size for webcams, but it has a great selection of adjustable software controls and features an ultrawide 82 degree field of view.
The Samsung M8 Smart Monitor combines a computer monitor and smart TV into a single 32-inch package, making it great for people who consume content on the same machine that they get their work done on. It’s currently $379.99 (about $117 off) at Amazon for Prime members. Read our review.
Elgato’s excellent Stream Deck MK.2, which features 15 LCD macro keys and swappable front cosmetic faceplates, is on sale for $109.99 ($40 off) in white or $114.99 ($35 off) in black at Amazon. There are many Stream Deck owners here at The Verge, namely because it’s as great for desktop power users as it is for streaming.
The best Amazon Prime Day deals on smart home tech
The Kasa Smart Plug Mini is available in a two-pack for $12.99 ($7 off), a three-pack for $17.49 ($7.50 off), or a four-pack for $20.99 ($9 off). Apple Home users also have a compatible option on sale in a four-pack for $34.99 ($15 off). All four of these deals are exclusive to Prime members, and any of them can bring smart functionality, including scheduled timers, to your basic outlet.
The Evovacs Deebot X1 Omni is on sale at Amazon for $854.99 ($695 off), which is the best price to date. The stylish robot vacuum/mop hybrid is still pricey at nearly $900, though it’s loaded with plenty of bells and whistles, including AI obstacle avoidance, an effective self-cleaning function, and the ability to moonlight as a security camera with two-way audio. Read our review.
Google’s Nest Thermostat may be a little basic when it comes to features, but it’s currently on sale for just $84.99 ($45 off) at Amazon, making it a little easier to forgive its simpler setup. It’s fine for controlling your home HVAC from your phone, but it doesn’t adapt to your behavior like Google’s fancier Learning Thermostat. Read our review.
The Chamberlain myQ Smart Garage Door Opener can ensure you always remember to close your garage door when leaving the house, even from afar, and it’s on sale for just $19.99 ($10 off) at Amazon.
The Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wiredis down to just $49 ($100 off) at Amazon. That’s quite a low price for a quality, platform-agnostic doorbell, though keep in mind that Apple Home users need a $100 hub to integrate it.
The best Amazon Prime Day deals on tablets and e-readers
The new entry-level iPad — aka the 10th-gen model from last year — is down to an all-time low of $379 ($70 off) in the 64GB / Wi-Fi configuration at Amazon. The 10.9-inch tablet is somewhat of an odd duck in Apple’s current lineup given its typical price and confusing ecosystem of accessories, but it still offers USB-C charging, plenty of optimized apps, and zippy performance courtesy of Apple’s A14 Bionic chip. Read our review.
If you prefer a smaller Apple tablet, the redesigned iPad Mini from 2021 is also on sale at Amazon, where you can pick it up in its base configuration starting at $379.99 ($120 off). Like the newer entry-level model, the latest Mini offers a great screen and USB-C, though in a more diminutive form factor that’s capped at 8.3 inches. Read our review.
The Kindle Scribe, Amazon’s biggest Kindle, is on sale starting at $254.99 ($85 off) for Prime members, which is one of the e-reader’s better prices to date. Admittedly, it’s still a little lackluster when it comes to note-taking despite recent software updates, but it still offers a large 10.2-inch E Ink display, great battery life, and a handy pen. Read our review.
Amazon’s latest Kindle Paperwhite is on sale at Amazon with ads starting at $89.99 ($50 off), which is the lowest price to date on what we consider to be the best e-reader for most people. It’s got a great combo of features for the price, including months-long battery life, USB-C support, and a crisp, 6.8-inch display that’s a joy to read on. Read our review.
If Amazon’s Fire HD 10 tablet isn’t budget enough for you, the newest Amazon Fire HD 8 is also on sale at Amazon with ads right now starting at just $54.99 ($45 off). The latest model is faster than its predecessor but is otherwise pretty much the same, which means it’s still a good option for kids or anyone who wants a basic slate for consuming Amazon content and other media. Read our Fire HD 8 Plus review.
The best Amazon Prime Day deals on smartwatches and fitness trackers
Apple’s second-gen Watch SEcan be had for as low as $199 ($50 off) on Amazon. The latest SE is still plenty fast despite being considerably cheaper than the Series 8, and it still can leverage most features of watchOS 9. Sure, it doesn’t have an always-on display or some of the more advanced sensors found on the more premium models, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a better entry-level smartwatch for the price. Read our review.
The lightweight Fitbit Charge 5, one of our favorite Fitbit trackers, is on sale at Amazon for $99.95 ($50 off), matching its lowest price yet. It’s a nice bit of hardware overall, with long battery life, a bright OLED screen, and the ability to handle all the usual heart rate and activity tracking you’d expect in a capable fitness band. Read our review.
Amazfit’s GTR 4 is on sale for $30 off at Amazon, dropping the price to a cool $169.99. The platform-agnostic smartwatch is a solid Fitbit alternative if you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, especially since the Alexa-enabled wearable packs an OLED display, blood oxygen monitoring, stress tracking, and a whole bunch of features typically reserved for more premium wearables. Read our review.
Amazfit’s Band 7 is now just $39.99 ($10 off) at Amazon. If you just need a simple fitness tracker but you’re on a tight budget, the Band 7 packs a lot of features, including heart rate tracking, blood oxygen monitoring, cycle tracking, sleep tracking, and a battery that lasts up to two weeks with the always-on display turned on. Read our review.
The unique Aura Strap 2 body composition monitor for 41mmApple Watches is $119 ($30 off) at Amazon. The replacement strap has sensors of its own for bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) to detect your body fat percentage, muscle mass, and even water level to give you a more well-rounded measure of your health and fitness — though some of its extras require a subscription. Read our review.
The best Amazon Prime Day Bluetooth speaker deals
The tried-and-true JBL Charge 5 is on sale at Amazon for $119.95, which is $60 off and just $10 shy of its best price to date. The powerful Bluetooth speaker is a good pick if you’re looking for a waterproof option with good sound and marathon battery life, especially since it can also charge your phone in a pinch thanks to a built-in USB-A port.
The best Amazon Prime Day deals on games and gaming accessories
Sony’s InZone H3 Wired Gaming Headset for the PlayStation 5 and PC is now just $58 ($40 off) at Amazon. These are the most budget-minded of Sony’s InZone headset trio, and while it’s not wireless like the H7 and H9, it’s got a similar build quality with soft, comfy ear pads and a boom mic that auto-mutes when you lift it up and away from your mouth.
The HyperX QuadCast condenser mic for PC, PlayStation, and Mac is selling for $89.99 ($50 off) at Amazon. The bold, red-colored mic has four selectable pickup patterns, an internal pop filter for taming plosives, and a headphone jack for self-monitoring.
Microsoft’s standard Xbox Wireless Controller is on sale starting at $46.99 ($13 off) at Amazon. The stock controller of the Xbox Series X / S is great for anyone gaming on Xbox or PC, though if you’re not a fan of its AA batteries, you can also get the Remix Special Edition Xbox controller in a unique Earth-themed green colorway with a rechargeable battery pack for $71.99 (also $13 off).
Octopath Traveler II for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 / 5 is selling for $39.99 ($20 off) at Amazon. The old-school, tactical RPG has some lovely sprite graphics with an engrossing, detailed story.
The Logitech G Fits wireless earbuds are down to $159.99 ( $70 off) at Amazon, matching their all-time low. Like the UE Fits, the G Fits custom-mold to your ears for a personalized fit, and they feature a low latency mode for gaming.
The best Amazon Prime Day deals on charging accessories
Anker’s 715 USB-C Charger is currently on sale at Amazon for $33.99 ($16 off). Like other Anker chargers, the 65W offering uses GaN tech to squeeze more power from its compact package, allowing you to quickly charge everything from your phone to a 13-inch MacBook.
If you’re working with Apple’s latest MacBook Air — or really any laptop with a limited port selection — you can grab Anker’s 341 USB-C Hubon Amazon for just $25.69 (about $9 off). In exchange for a single USB-C port, the expansive hub outfits you with two USB-C and USB-A ports, as well as both an SD card reader and an HDMI output.
Google’s latest Pixel Stand is available for $59 ($20 off) at Amazon for Prime members. The second-gen Qi charger works best when paired with newer Pixel models, which are able to take advantage of speedy wireless charging speeds and a few more unique features — including the ability to act as an impromptu photo frame when docked. Read our review.
The best Amazon Prime Day deals on Verge favorites and other miscellaneous tech
The Aeropress Original is currently selling for $29.16 (about $10 off) for Prime members. The portable, single-cup coffee maker can make standard coffee or espresso and is great for home use, travel, or camping.
If you’re someone who’s prone to aches and pains — and who isn’t, honestly? — the latest Theragun Mini is on sale at Amazon for $169 ($30 off). The handheld massage gun puts out a surprising amount of power for its pocketable size, though, thankfully, you can always ratchet it down if you find the higher speeds to be too intense.
The 2022 Tile Mate is back down to $17.99 ($7 off) on Amazon. Tile’s OG Bluetooth tracker is still quite handy despite the arrival of Apple’s AirTags and other tracking solutions, especially since it lets you keep tabs on your keys, a bag, and other items from up to 250 feet away regardless of whether you’re using Android or iOS.
Of all the ships in recent Star Wars history, none of them are quite as iconic as Din Djarin’s ship from the first season of The Mandalorian. And right now, the Lego Razor Crest is on sale at Amazon for $97.99 ($42 off), which matches the 6,187-piece kit’s best price to date.
The Joseph Joseph Garlic Rocker seems like just a simple curved piece of metal with holes in it, but it’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to mince garlic. It’s on sale at Amazon for $19.99 ($4 off).
LifeStraw’s newer Peak Series Straw is available to Prime subscribers right now for $17.46 (about $7 off). The latest model features an improved flow rate and a more rugged design than the original model, but like previous iterations, it can still filter out bacteria and other potentially hazardous materials from any water source you encounter.
The PetCube Bites 2 Lite, a notable alternative to Furbo’s aforementioned offering, is on sale at Amazon for $79.96 (about $69 off). It’s got a lot of the same features — including a 1080p camera, two-way audio, and a built-in treat dispenser — but it offers a wider field of view and better digital zoom. The tradeoff, however, is that it doesn’t swivel.
The retro-inspired Polaroid Now Plus is down to $99.99 ($50 off) at Amazon for Prime Day, which is a mere $3 shy of its all-time low. As mentioned in our guide to the best instant cameras, the Now Plus is tailored toward those who are a fan of the old-fashioned, instant-film experience, one that takes a heavy cue from the classic Polaroid 600 of yesteryear.
If you want a more sustainable method for stowing food, you can grab one of Stasher’s reusable sandwich bagson sale at Amazon starting at $9.09 (about $4 off). The silicone pouches are great for meal prep or taking your lunch to go; plus, unlike your standard Ziploc, Stasher’s durable bags come in an array of vibrant colors.
If you’re a huge nerd for the iconic (or infamous, if you prefer) brown-and-tan color scheme of Noctua PC fans and coolers, you can get it in an MT3 keycap set for Cherry-compatible mechanical keyboards for a nice $69 ($61 off) at Drop.
Speaking of keyboards, Keychron is offering a 20 percent off sale on its site and on Amazon, which includes many of its pre-built and barebones mechanical keyboards as well as colorful keycap sets. Keychron’s Q Pro line is sadly excluded from the deal, but many other excellent boards, like the Q1, are discounted (it’s now $143.20 or $151.20 with a handy knob).
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