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The latest tech news about the world’s best (and sometimes worst) hardware, apps, and much more. From top companies like Google and Apple to tiny startups vying for your attention, Verge Tech has the latest in what matters in technology daily.

Uber Eats is adding AI to menus, food photos, and reviews

Some customers can also get paid for uploading pictures of their meals.

Jess Weatherbed
Apple says Trump’s tariffs are adding another $1 billion to its costs

The iPhone maker already spent $800 million on tariffs during the June quarter.

Emma Roth

Latest In Tech

Here are the best AirPods deals you can get right nowHere are the best AirPods deals you can get right now
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The best iPad to buyThe best iPad to buy
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Andrew Liszewski
This free app turns your MacBook’s trackpad into a makeshift scale.

Is it a good idea to keep your MacBook in the kitchen while you’re baking? Probably not, but it’s still good to know that developer Kris Shah has created a simple macOS app that can turn your Apple laptop’s trackpad into a makeshift scale, as spotted by Lifehacker.

Track Weight, available for free on GitHub, does require you to keep one finger resting on the trackpad to use it which is a bit inconvenient, but it’s surprisingly accurate.

A screenshot of the Track Weight macOS app.
Track Weight requires you to keep a finger touching your MacBook’s trackpad at all times to function, but there’s a button to reset the scale to zero before placing another object on it.
Screenshot: Andrew Liszewski / The Verge
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Emma Roth
Amazon Music is launching monthly recaps.

After rolling out its own take on Spotify Wrapped last year, Amazon Music now lets you view “insights,” which show the artists, songs, and podcasts you listened to the most during each month. Other music streaming platforms have started offering more frequent glimpses into user listening habits, too, with YouTube launching seasonal recaps and Apple Music delivering them on a monthly basis.

Image: Amazon
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Dominic Preston
Google rolls out Deep Think to AI Ultra subscribers.

The advanced problem-solving model, first announced at I/O in May, is now available in the Gemini app for anyone signed up to Google’s $250 per month plan.

The version rolling out is a variant on the model that recently picked up Gold at the International Mathematical Olympiad. While that version took hours to solve complex math problems, the wide release is apparently much faster, but Google estimates it could still get Bronze.

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Richard Lawler
Amazon finds a writer for its James Bond flick: Steven Knight.

Amazon announced its Q2 earnings results today, and at the same time said that Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, See, Dirty Pretty Things) will be the writer of its first 007 movie, which Denis Villeneuve is already set to direct.

According to Deadline’s inside sources, even with those roles locked down, it could be a while until we hear about who will carry on the starring role, as Knight works on the script and Villeneuve is finishing up Dune: Part Three.

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Richard Lawler
Trump announces new “reciprocal” tariff hikes.

The Trump administration has revealed updated tariff rates on exports from dozens of countries due to take effect on August 7th, and an EO targeting alleged “inaction and retaliation” from Canada that will raise its rate on certain items from 25 to 35 percent starting August 1st.

CNN has a simple breakdown here of what this means so far. According to the WSJ, “the result will be significantly higher tariffs on virtually every US trading partner,” ranging from 10 to 41 percent, and a 40 percent penalty rate for goods “transshipped” to avoid tariffs.

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Charles Pulliam-Moore
Pray for the content moderators.

In director Uta Briesewitz’s upcoming thriller American Sweatshop, a social media content moderator (Lili Reinhart) can’t move on from a gruesome murder she’s forced to watch as part of her job. The movie’s trailer makes it look like a smart way to focus on the real horrors people have to endure to keep the internet running, which might make it a surprise hit when it hits theaters on September 19th.

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The Verge
Jay Peters
I need your help for Installer!

I want to know what you’re into right now for the Installer newsletter. What are you reading / watching / playing / going down a deep rabbit hole about? Tell me in the comments so I can include it! (And subscribe to Installer!)

Sorry this is a bit later than usual. I thought I had hit the button to publish the post, but I guess not!

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Lauren Feiner
Senator proposes calling off the TikTok ban — legally.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly ignored the bipartisan law banning TikTok from operating in the US unless it’s separated from Chinese parent company ByteDance. Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) is calling for a new way to avoid a ban without breaking the law. In a draft bill, Markey proposes letting TikTok operate in the US as long as it provides transparency into its content moderation and keeps US user data out of countries like China.

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Emma Roth
Google’s Pixel Watch 4 might stay the same price, too.

After a leak from Android Headlines showed no major pricing changes for the Pixel 10 lineup, the outlet has shared another rumor that suggests the 41mm Pixel Watch 4 will start at the same $349 price tag for the Wi-Fi version, increasing to $399 for the LTE variant.

Meanwhile, Android Headlines says the larger 45mm Pixel Watch 4 could cost $399 for the Wi-Fi version and $449 with LTE.

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Jay Peters
A new leak shows off Google’s next budget-friendly Pixel Buds.

Android Headlines published renders of the unannounced Pixel Buds 2A in a light purple color that Google will apparently call “Iris.” I like it. A pair of gray buds showed up in a recent Evan Blass leak, but Android Headlines reports that those are actually a new color for the Pixel Buds Pro 2.

Google is expected to announce a bunch of Pixel hardware at its August 20th event.

Update: Added detail about potential new gray earbuds.

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Jay Peters
Twitch is opening up some monetization tools to more people.

Starting today in the US, “we’re giving all streamers access to some of our best monetization and community building tools including Bits, subs, emotes, badges, and Channel Points,” Twitch says. Twitch is also making it easier to reach Affiliate status, which opens up additional streaming features.

Monetization for All

[blog.twitch.tv]

Why AI researchers are getting paid like NBA All-Stars

The Verge’s Hayden Field and I chat about how AI researcher became the most lucrative tech job of all time.

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Andrew Liszewski
Bose is partnering with Epson for new home theater projectors.

Epson has already tip-toed into the all-in-one projector market with its EpiqVision Mini, but the company is looking to expand its consumer-friendly offerings. Yesterday Epson announced a new partnership and a new lineup of all-in-one projectors featuring “Sound by Bose technology” that will launch in the US and China in September 2025.

There are no other details, but the Bose partnership could help Epson compete with companies like Xgimi and Anker who already offer affordable all-in-one solutions.

Oakley Meta HSTN Limited Edition review: a polarizing choice

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Verge Score

Great for outdoorsy folks. Everyone else, get the Ray-Bans.

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Emma Roth
Proton is adding yet another privacy-focused app to its arsenal.

The company has introduced Proton Authenticator, an open-source two-factor authentication app that can sync 2FA codes across devices using end-to-end encryption. Though Proton’s password manager already comes with a built-in 2FA feature, Proton says using its standalone Authenticator offers an “extra layer of security” by generating codes in a separate app.

Proton Authentication is available for free on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Image: Proton