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Sean Hollister
Sean Hollister
Zuck doesn’t want to press pause on AI.

OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Elon Musk have tentatively agreed to slow their roll, but Meta seemingly isn’t aligned. Mark Zuckerberg just tweeted each company has its own individual responsibility “to move at the pace required to train its models safely,” and claims Meta is already doing so.

He also prominently links to his manifesto from August, which contains this quote: “Any policy that slows American model releases -- even by a month -- could add significant risk to American leadership while letting foreign models race ahead.”

Andrew J. Hawkins
Andrew J. Hawkins
NHTSA gives Tesla a deadline to respond to Cybercab queries.

The electric automaker has until September 30th to answer a series of questions about how its steering-wheel- and pedal-less Cybercab complies with federal safety standards.

Stevie Bonifield
Stevie Bonifield
UMG is suing DistroKid for alleged deceptive trade practices and “blatant copyright infringement.”

The lawsuit claims DistroKid has created an “AI-slop pipeline” diverting listeners away from human artists. Universal Music Group, which is launching its own AI music platform, also alleges that DistroKid gives users the “false impression” that the music it distributes is “created and owned by real human artists,” not AI-generated music.

Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
It’s decision day for Marvel Comics staffers on its move out of New York.

As Comics Beat points out, 100 or so employees had until today to decide if they’ll move with the company out of New York City to Burbank, CA, the home of Marvel Studios and Disney.

It was announced in July, but the actual move will take place next year, bringing the bits of the MCU closer together under new EIC Stephen Wacker, replacing C.B. Cebulski, who is moving to Japan to lead a manga push and become the editor of Asia originals.

Don’t screw this up, Marvel

Charles Pulliam-Moore
Andrew Webster
Andrew Webster
Musk hits theaters a little sooner.

Yesterday I wrote about the gigantic new Elon Musk documentary that comes out next month. If you can’t wait to sit in a theater for four hours to watch it, there’s good news, as the premiere date has been moved up a week to October 9th.

Andrew J. Hawkins
Andrew J. Hawkins
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are going amphibious.

Two boat manufacturers, Crest Marine and Balise Pontoons (both owned by MasterCraft Boat Holdings), announced today their plans to enable smartphone projection in their upcoming models in 2027. The boats will feature a seven-inch “marine touchscreen” that will display CarPlay or Android Auto alongside marine-specific technology. The manufacturers are also working with marine navigation app Savvy Navvy to offer access to nautical charts, smart routing, GPS tracking, live weather, and tidal data — all displayed on the same screen as other apps. Avast!

Image: Crest Marine / Balise Pontoons
Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
Google’s September Pixel Drop and Android 17 QPR1 updates are rolling out now.

Now the “Pause Point” option Google launched on the Pixel 11 is rolling out to more devices, across Android 17 QPR1, and for Pixel hardware going back to the Pixel 6. The new Android 17 update also increases the use of background blur and adds a new Quick Settings tile that points to your notes app, among other updates.

Stevie Bonifield
Stevie Bonifield
You can just watch stuff on JustWatch starting next month.

The popular streaming guide is launching its own streaming service, JustWatch TV, offering paid and ad-supported streaming and rentals. Users will be able to watch included shows and movies directly on its app and website, or through connected streaming services, which keep getting pricier.

Charles Pulliam-Moore
Charles Pulliam-Moore
Netflix is turning the Stanford prison experiment into a reality series.

First there was Squid Game: The Challenge, then there was Willy Wonka’s Golden Ticket, and now Netflix is turning Stanford professor Philip Zimbardo’s highly unethical prison experiment into yet another deranged reality series.

Correction: The New Stanford Prison Experiment is an unscripted reality series, not a reality competition show.

Stevie Bonifield
Stevie Bonifield
Prime Video is bundling AMC Plus, BritBox, MGM Plus, PBS Masterpiece, and STARZ.

If you’ve been waiting to rewatch Project Hail Mary and the modern Doctor Who seasons like I have, this new bundle could make it a little less expensive even as prices for individual services keep climbing. It’s one of the biggest bundles on Prime Video, including all five streaming services for $29.99 per month.

David Pierce
David Pierce
Co-sign.

I have always believed that if you take a call on speaker, in public, I am allowed to participate. You made it a group call, I’m gonna weigh in! The Journal discovered that blaring your phone’s audio for the world to hear — also known as “loudcasting” — is a big and growing problem. I’m all for fining and shaming perpetrators, but this is simple. Just wear headphones! EarPods are the best $20 you’ll ever spend, for both your audio quality and my sanity.

Andrew Webster
Andrew Webster
Rock stars tease Rockstar game.

It’s no surprise that there will be plenty of music in Grand Theft Auto VI’s in-game radio stations, but now we have an idea of who exactly will be featured. Kotaku has compiled a list of artists — ranging from Keith Richards to Yung Lean — who have started teasing their participation.

TC Sottek
TC Sottek
Barack Obama takes the middle way on AI.

AI commentary is frothy this week! Obama chimed in with a series of posts on X saying he’s neither an AI “accelerationist” nor a “doomer.” In a familiar tone from the former president, he cautioned that choices we make about technology “should not be made just by the companies involved, but by all of us.”

“We need government — and specifically our leaders in Washington — to get proactive in coming up with concrete proposals, laws, and regulations that deal with serious safety concerns,” Obama said.

President Obama’s post on X: I was encouraged this week to see the leaders of the frontier labs agree on the need for them to slow down the pace of AI development. Given the stakes, it’s a good and necessary first step. But I’m even more encouraged by the growing recognition that how this powerful new technology develops should be at the center of our public debate. I’ve been watching the progress on AI for over a decade now, and one thing that’s clear to me is that the potential impact of this technology is not overhyped. It’s also moving at lightning speed – and even faster than those who are engineering it can keep up with. I’m not an AI accelerationist who believes it will lead to some techno-utopia, and I’m not a doomer who thinks it will inevitably lead to humanity’s destruction.But whether this technology results in amazing breakthroughs in medicine, energy and education or unleashes huge economic disruptions, greater inequality, and potential catastrophe will depend on the choices that we make right now – choices that should be made not just by the companies involved, but by all of us.
TC Sottek
TC Sottek
Can Verge readers beat the national average?

I was dismayed to discover only 9% of US adults answered all eight questions correctly in the Pew Research Center’s basic quiz on the First Amendment. How well can you do? Hint: it’s a leash on government restriction of speech. With that, I’m sure you’ll score better than Brendan Carr.

How The Oregon Trail became a generational iconHow The Oregon Trail became a generational icon
David Pierce and Travis Larchuk
Stevie Bonifield
Stevie Bonifield
Spotify’s letting you exclude your kids’ music from Wrapped.

A new settings toggle rolling out starting today excludes kids and family music from your taste profile and recommendations. With it turned on, your kids can listen to their music on repeat without it taking over your Spotify Wrapped, Discover Weekly, and Daily Mix.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
SwitchBot adds a roller mop to its pint-sized robovac.

I saw the upcoming S30 Mini at IFA last week, and my bathroom floors are excited. SwitchBot’s line of mini robot vacuums is great for smaller spaces like apartments, home offices, or bedrooms, but none have full mopping capabilities — until now. The S30 Mini adds a roller mop to the 11-inch-wide vacuum, and it looks like a good solution for small bathrooms. There’s no price or release date yet.

<em>An upgrade to its excellent K series, SwitchBot’s S30 Mini comes with a compact self-cleaning/refilling/auto-empty dock, and the option of</em> <em>a battery-powered auto-refill, auto-drain dock you can plumb into your home’s water system.</em>
<em>The robot vacuum has a self-cleaning, extending roller mop with an automatic cover that deploys when it detects carpet, along with 15,000 Pa suction and AI collision avoidance.</em>
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An upgrade to its excellent K series, SwitchBot’s S30 Mini comes with a compact self-cleaning/refilling/auto-empty dock, and the option of a battery-powered auto-refill, auto-drain dock you can plumb into your home’s water system.
Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
Andrew Liszewski
Andrew Liszewski
Hisense’s RoamView is a 32-inch Android tablet you can roll around the house.

Following the LG StanbyME and Samsung Movingstyle, Hisense is the latest company to debut a TV on a wheeled pedestal. The $1,200 RoamView pairs a 32-inch, 4K, camera-equipped touchscreen with a 10-hour battery, wireless connectivity, Android OS, and an included easel for using the display on a desk.

1/2Image: Hisense
Stevie Bonifield
Stevie Bonifield
Apple’s iCloud Plus subscription is adding Apple TV and Arcade for free in over 100 countries.

Apple’s including both in the $0.99/month 50GB iCloud Plus subscription “at no extra cost.” Users in the US and other regions that aren’t on the list will need a pricier Apple One subscription to get a bundle with those services.

Stevie Bonifield
Stevie Bonifield
The Gates Foundation says it’s spending $1 billion to expand access to AI.

Over the next two years, the funding will go toward improving AI access in education, healthcare, and agriculture, and adding to AI’s “digital foundation.” That includes priorities like creating AI datasets in more languages and making access to AI more affordable.

Andrew Webster
Andrew Webster
Slice and / or dice.

There are some disappointing parts of Insomniac’s take on Wolverine — the flat narrative, the dull exploration — but if you’re in the mood for some pure superhero action, it definitely delivers. The game is out today on the PS5 and you can check out my full thoughts below.

Andrew J. Hawkins
Andrew J. Hawkins
Waymo says it will launch in Japan in 2027.

The robotaxi company is partnering with taxi operator Nihon Kotsu and ride hailing app GO to offer on demand, 24/7 self-driving rides through both the Waymo and GO apps in 2027. Waymo has been testing its vehicles in Tokyo since 2025, but this is the first time it’s put an official date on the launch of its commercial robotaxi service. The company is eyeing additional overseas markets, including London and Munich.

Cameron Faulkner
Cameron Faulkner
Amazon’s next 48-hour Prime Day sale starts October 6th.

Prime Big Deal Days is its annual October sale, and this year it’s running from October 6th at 3:01am ET through the 7th at the same time. New deals will arrive three times daily, and we’ll be covering the event closely, highlighting the best discounts on products that Verge readers care about.

Andrew Liszewski
Andrew Liszewski
A street photographer tested Dyson’s new CameraJet toothbrush.

They say the best camera is the one you have with you, but that might not apply if you’re fastidious about oral care and only have Dyson’s new camera-equipped toothbrush in your back pocket. As the street photographer behind the allthegearnoskill Instagram account discovered, the CameraJet’s camera’s capabilities are optimized for inside your mouth, not the outside world.

Two photos captured using the small camera inside Dyson’s new electric toothbrush.
Screenshot: Instagram
The premium AirPods 5 are the best open-ear earbuds Apple has made

8

Verge Score

The $149 AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case have great ANC and finally add swipe volume controls.

John Higgins
TC Sottek
TC Sottek
All dressed up with hardware to go.

Apple cleaned up on stage at last night’s Emmy Awards with big wins for Pluribus and Widow’s Bay. But new CEO John Ternus might have been even more excited about getting to show off the iPhone Duo.

Andrew Liszewski
Andrew Liszewski
PopSockets’ ultra-thin Low-Pro grip is now available as an iPhone case.

Nearly three months after the MagSafe version of its new 2.6mm thick Low-Pro grip launched, PopSockets is introducing a new version built into a protective case. The $59.99 Low‑Pro Case offers the same functionality including a fold-out, rotating stand, but is only compatible with iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 Pro and Max models.

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<em>The Low-Pro case is available in berry, lilac, clear, fuchsia, black, and teal color options.</em>
<em>The Low-Pro grip and stand stay flush against the back of the case.</em>
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The Low-Pro case is available in berry, lilac, clear, fuchsia, black, and teal color options.
Image: PopSockets