verge-rss

You won’t need to stuff an AirTag inside ESR’s Geo Wallet to find it. | Image: ESR

With its own integrated tracking module compatible with Apple’s Find My network and a traditional bifold design, ESR’s Geo Wallet can be located using an iPhone if it goes missing and without the bulge of an AirTag stuffed inside.
There’s no shortage of wallets designed to accommodate an AirTag or credit card-sized trackers such as the Chipolo, but by using its own tracking module with a rechargeable lithium battery that’s only 1.6 millimeters thick, the bifold Geo Wallet offers the same functionality with room inside for more than just a handful of cards.

Image: ESR
You can squeeze cash, coins, nine cards, and even a couple piece of ID in the Geo Wallet.

Inside the Geo Wallet are slots for nine cards, including two windowed slots for IDs, a pocket for 10 banknotes, and room to hold some pocket change. It’s made from vegan leather with a layer of RFID-blocking material and is available in seven colors: carbon fiber, twilight black, cocoa, opal gray, aged leather, tangerine, and elephant gray.
The battery in the Geo Wallet’s tracking module is half as thick as the replaceable CR2032 coin cell batteries used in AirTags. ESR claims the thin battery will power the tracker for five months on just a two-hour charge, whereas Apple claims a fresh battery in an AirTag will power it for up to a year.

Image: ESR
A proprietary port means you’ve got one more charging cable to keep tabs on.

Five months of use is long enough for charging not to be a hassle, but to help keep the Geo Wallet slim, ESR has opted for a proprietary magnetic charging cable. That’s yet another cable you won’t want to lose because you can’t locate that vital accessory using your smartphone.
ESR is making the Geo Wallet available through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, which has already surpassed its $12,809 funding goal. Early bird backers can preorder one for $41, while the wallet is expected to sell for closer to $55 after the crowdfunding campaign is over.
There’s always the risk that crowdfunded products won’t deliver the features and functionality promised — or anything at all. But there’s less risk here. ESR is an established brand that has delivered similar Find My compatible wallets before. It’s not breaking new ground with the Geo Wallet, but providing a slimmer solution to Apple’s tracking hardware that still takes advantage of the extensive Find My network to improve the chances of it being found if lost.

You won’t need to stuff an AirTag inside ESR’s Geo Wallet to find it. | Image: ESR

With its own integrated tracking module compatible with Apple’s Find My network and a traditional bifold design, ESR’s Geo Wallet can be located using an iPhone if it goes missing and without the bulge of an AirTag stuffed inside.

There’s no shortage of wallets designed to accommodate an AirTag or credit card-sized trackers such as the Chipolo, but by using its own tracking module with a rechargeable lithium battery that’s only 1.6 millimeters thick, the bifold Geo Wallet offers the same functionality with room inside for more than just a handful of cards.

Image: ESR
You can squeeze cash, coins, nine cards, and even a couple piece of ID in the Geo Wallet.

Inside the Geo Wallet are slots for nine cards, including two windowed slots for IDs, a pocket for 10 banknotes, and room to hold some pocket change. It’s made from vegan leather with a layer of RFID-blocking material and is available in seven colors: carbon fiber, twilight black, cocoa, opal gray, aged leather, tangerine, and elephant gray.

The battery in the Geo Wallet’s tracking module is half as thick as the replaceable CR2032 coin cell batteries used in AirTags. ESR claims the thin battery will power the tracker for five months on just a two-hour charge, whereas Apple claims a fresh battery in an AirTag will power it for up to a year.

Image: ESR
A proprietary port means you’ve got one more charging cable to keep tabs on.

Five months of use is long enough for charging not to be a hassle, but to help keep the Geo Wallet slim, ESR has opted for a proprietary magnetic charging cable. That’s yet another cable you won’t want to lose because you can’t locate that vital accessory using your smartphone.

ESR is making the Geo Wallet available through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, which has already surpassed its $12,809 funding goal. Early bird backers can preorder one for $41, while the wallet is expected to sell for closer to $55 after the crowdfunding campaign is over.

There’s always the risk that crowdfunded products won’t deliver the features and functionality promised — or anything at all. But there’s less risk here. ESR is an established brand that has delivered similar Find My compatible wallets before. It’s not breaking new ground with the Geo Wallet, but providing a slimmer solution to Apple’s tracking hardware that still takes advantage of the extensive Find My network to improve the chances of it being found if lost.

Read More 

Every Korean, Korean-American, or K-pop fan you know probably has the KakaoTalk app. | Image: Getty

Kakao Corp. founder Kim Beom-su was arrested Tuesday in Seoul, South Korea. That might not mean much to westerners, but the story is a bizarre tale of how a celebrated, self-made tech billionaire fell from grace… partly because he bought a scandal-ridden K-pop agency.
Kim, who also goes by Brian, stands accused of manipulating SM Entertainment’s stock price during a high-profile acquisition battle. Kim’s chief rival in the bidding war? HYBE, the K-pop label that is best known for BTS. Prosecutors indicted Kakao’s chief investment officer Bae Jae-hyun last year on similar charges. Kim has denied any wrongdoing.

To back it up a bit, Kakao Corp is best known for KakaoTalk, South Korea’s most popular messaging app, used by roughly 47 million of the country’s 50 million people. You could describe it as Korea’s WhatsApp, but Kakao isn’t a platform just for messaging. The company has dozens of affiliates that handle everything from shopping and banking to music and ride-hailing. Currently, the company’s valued at roughly 17 trillion Korean won, or $12.4 billion USD.
If Kakao was already so dominant, you might wonder why the company would allegedly risk financial crimes to acquire a K-pop company. But SM Entertainment isn’t just some label. It’s one of the big three K-pop agencies responsible for hit acts like Girls Generation, EXO, NCT, and Aespa.
Acquiring SM was meant to help expand its global reach, because while Kakao is dominant in Korea, it’s not very well known outside of it. K-pop, however, is massively popular in Asia and increasingly, the west. Except Kakao’s bidding war with HYBE was really the final chapter in a bigger, sprawling K-pop takeover scandal involving alleged tax evasion and embezzlement, as well as the downfall of the so-called “godfather of K-pop”. Kakao ultimately “won” by throwing $963 million at SM to secure a majority stake.

Image: Getty
In Korea, Kakao Corp’s services are considered part of the infrastructure.

Symbolically, Kim’s arrest matters because among Korea’s elite, he is the rare example of a self-made billionaire. In other words, he’s not from a chaebol. In Korea, chaebols are family-run conglomerates like Samsung, Hyundai, SK Group and LG. These chaebols dominate South Korea’s economy, often at the expense of smaller businesses. Kim, by contrast, was a classic rags-to-riches story, growing up in poverty to become the first in his family to go to college. At his peak, Kim even overtook Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong as the richest man in South Korea with a fortune estimated at over $13 billion.
In all seriousness, the aggressive pursuit of a monopoly is what’s really landed Kakao and Kim in hot waters. The company has faced increased government scrutiny after a Kakao data center fire in 2022 caused a five-day nationwide outage, sparking concerns about Korea’s dependence on a handful of tech companies. Since then, Kakao has also been the subject of tax evasion investigations. According to Bloomberg, Kakao has also lost a third of its value just this year with Kim losing roughly $10 billion of his own fortune.
Though, it probably didn’t help that Kim went a little power-hungry during one of the worst K-pop scandals of the decade.

Every Korean, Korean-American, or K-pop fan you know probably has the KakaoTalk app. | Image: Getty

Kakao Corp. founder Kim Beom-su was arrested Tuesday in Seoul, South Korea. That might not mean much to westerners, but the story is a bizarre tale of how a celebrated, self-made tech billionaire fell from grace… partly because he bought a scandal-ridden K-pop agency.

Kim, who also goes by Brian, stands accused of manipulating SM Entertainment’s stock price during a high-profile acquisition battle. Kim’s chief rival in the bidding war? HYBE, the K-pop label that is best known for BTS. Prosecutors indicted Kakao’s chief investment officer Bae Jae-hyun last year on similar charges. Kim has denied any wrongdoing.

To back it up a bit, Kakao Corp is best known for KakaoTalk, South Korea’s most popular messaging app, used by roughly 47 million of the country’s 50 million people. You could describe it as Korea’s WhatsApp, but Kakao isn’t a platform just for messaging. The company has dozens of affiliates that handle everything from shopping and banking to music and ride-hailing. Currently, the company’s valued at roughly 17 trillion Korean won, or $12.4 billion USD.

If Kakao was already so dominant, you might wonder why the company would allegedly risk financial crimes to acquire a K-pop company. But SM Entertainment isn’t just some label. It’s one of the big three K-pop agencies responsible for hit acts like Girls Generation, EXO, NCT, and Aespa.

Acquiring SM was meant to help expand its global reach, because while Kakao is dominant in Korea, it’s not very well known outside of it. K-pop, however, is massively popular in Asia and increasingly, the west. Except Kakao’s bidding war with HYBE was really the final chapter in a bigger, sprawling K-pop takeover scandal involving alleged tax evasion and embezzlement, as well as the downfall of the so-called “godfather of K-pop”. Kakao ultimately “won” by throwing $963 million at SM to secure a majority stake.

Image: Getty
In Korea, Kakao Corp’s services are considered part of the infrastructure.

Symbolically, Kim’s arrest matters because among Korea’s elite, he is the rare example of a self-made billionaire. In other words, he’s not from a chaebol. In Korea, chaebols are family-run conglomerates like Samsung, Hyundai, SK Group and LG. These chaebols dominate South Korea’s economy, often at the expense of smaller businesses. Kim, by contrast, was a classic rags-to-riches story, growing up in poverty to become the first in his family to go to college. At his peak, Kim even overtook Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong as the richest man in South Korea with a fortune estimated at over $13 billion.

In all seriousness, the aggressive pursuit of a monopoly is what’s really landed Kakao and Kim in hot waters. The company has faced increased government scrutiny after a Kakao data center fire in 2022 caused a five-day nationwide outage, sparking concerns about Korea’s dependence on a handful of tech companies. Since then, Kakao has also been the subject of tax evasion investigations. According to Bloomberg, Kakao has also lost a third of its value just this year with Kim losing roughly $10 billion of his own fortune.

Though, it probably didn’t help that Kim went a little power-hungry during one of the worst K-pop scandals of the decade.

Read More 

Image: Kamala HQ

On Sunday, President Joe Biden shocked the country with his announcement that he would not seek reelection in November. He threw his support behind vice president Kamala Harris. If elected, Harris would be the first Black and Asian American woman to become president, and her historic run is already creating excitement. Most Democrats are quickly falling in line. Some would say Harris is having a Brat summer.
“Brat summer” is a phrase that’s become the defining pop culture meme of the season — at least for the very online set — and references an album released in June by pop artist Charli XCX titled Brat. Charli XCX is a 31-year-old English woman who’s been around for a while, though her influence is greater than her name recognition. You might remember the hit 2012 song “I Love It” by Icona Pop (“I don’t care! I love it!”). That was written by, and features, Charli XCX. Her work with producer A.G. Cook and electronic artist Sophie has had lasting impact on what pop music sounds like, giving mainstream exposure to a niche genre called “hyperpop.”

kamala IS brat— Charli (@charli_xcx) July 22, 2024

Charli XCX has already had a long and fruitful career (not to brag but I’ve been here since the beginning). But Brat has landed in a way no other prior work has: critics have praised it, and it is by far Charli XCX’s biggest hit. Charli XCX has long been a critical darling rather than a blockbuster mainstream superstar like Taylor Swift. There’s an edginess that plays well to her fanbase that would otherwise be lost on a more general audience.
The music is confident yet candid: on the record, Charli XCX sings about wanting to hear her own music in the club, and being “your favorite reference, baby.” Then she moves on to the feeling of being an outsider, never to fit in with industry elites. Her public image isn’t squeaky clean or family friendly, and she’s acknowledged disputes she’s had with her record label in the past.
Brat the album brings this history together with personal narrative, creating a revealing portrait of a person who seems both a little detached but also deeply introspective. Songs like “I think about it all the time” have her questioning her life choices around parenthood, worrying whether she’s missing out on something by not having a child. The very next track is about endless partying and doing “lines” and “keys” in the club. Humans are complex.
The “Brat summer” concept is all of this rolled into one: chaotic club energy mixed with existential questions about life. Brat summer is, but not limited to: cigarettes and no bra; bed rotting; annoying your boyfriend; not working; and alternates between crisis and unadulterated joy. It’s tender and vulnerable, but also a little cocky and snotty. It’s called Brat for a reason.
Brat the album is wonderfully fun, but the marketing and rollout of the record is truly clever. Its album art — a plain lime green background with slightly pixelated black lettering reading, simply, “brat” — was derided by some when it was initially revealed, but as the weeks went on, it became obvious how meme-able (and thus shareable) the album was before it was even released. Green now automatically means brat. There are multiple Brat generators so people can put their own blurry text over a green background.

why did I stay up till 3am making a von dutch brat coconut tree edit featuring kamala harris and why can’t I stop watching it on repeat pic.twitter.com/hqcmerD1Pb— ryan (@ryanlong03) July 3, 2024

On Sunday, Kamala HQ, the rapid response account for Harris’ campaign, changed its X profile banned to a custom image in the Brat style. Shortly after, Charli XCX herself tweeted “Kamala IS Brat” — probably as close to an endorsement as you can get from a club kid pop artist who is huge with young people. The Brat aesthetic has seeped into CNN roundtables, and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) shared a picture of her with Harris, that was edited to has a lime green filter on it. Brat.
The Harris campaign is walking a fine line with its co-opting of the Brat imagery and language — the margin between amusing and cringe is razor thin. We can think of the Brativity (brat activity) as a micro targeted political ad meant for young people tapped into internet culture, especially on TikTok.
But those same young voters care about other things as well: they want a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, where Israeli attacks have already killed nearly 40,000 people. They worry about the economy and access to reproductive care. They are skeptical of institutions and don’t turn out to vote like older populations. A coconut tree meme cannot fix these things, and politicians should not expect young people to vote solely because your campaign is funny online.

BRAT Kamala shirts already on Fire Island. The gays move SO FAST pic.twitter.com/Zq3e9yctzv— Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) July 21, 2024

At the same time, Harris is a prime candidate for this level of niche meme because even before Brat, she was at the center of internet jokes. More than a year ago, Harris delivered remarks at a White House event in which she was discussing equity and how different people come from different backgrounds.
“[My mother] would say to us, ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with you young people. You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?’ You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you,’” Harris recalled. The strange image of someone falling out of a coconut tree — coupled with Harris’ distinct laugh and immediate tone shift — made this small snippet the soundtrack of countless videos online even before the Brat crossover. It’s a little poetic in a weird way, especially when the few sentences are taken on their own without much explanation. And so the coconut tree meme was born. Harris’ campaign seems to be subtly leaning into this, too: the Harris HQ X account’s bio reads, “Providing context.”

Harris is far from the only politician trying to manufacture viral moments into electoral victory — former president Donald Trump won his 2016 election on a wave of viral imagery used and spread by his base. “The Great Meme War” waged by 4chan users and other pro-Trump communities ensured that Pepe the Frog represents something bigger than just a poorly drawn amphibian. Biden’s camp has plastered merch with “Dark Brandon” imagery, a meme of a sinister Biden that originated in right wing circles but was then (mostly successfully) clawed back and embraced by Democrats.
But even before the internet became a battleground for the ballot box, things we could describe as memes — spreadable images or slogans carrying larger meanings — have haunted politics. Did the image of Michael Dukakis smiling while riding a tank kill his presidential ambitions after the goofy footage was used in a Republican attack ad? Probably not entirely. But it created an enduring image that is still cited today as a lesson for how to tank your chances (sorry).
I suspect we will see Harris pop up in other meme contexts: this morning while scrolling TikTok, I saw that she has become the subject of a Harry Daniels video — for those uninitiated, Daniels is a creator who approaches celebrities and other notable people and asks if he can sing for them. The singing is purposely strained, off tune, and often unsettling. For Harris, Daniels sang a few lines from Beyoncé’s “Formation” while Harris looks amused and wide eyed.
As she walks away into the next room, you can hear her ask a staffer, “Who was that guy?” Most voters will have that same reaction. But if you know, you know.

Image: Kamala HQ

On Sunday, President Joe Biden shocked the country with his announcement that he would not seek reelection in November. He threw his support behind vice president Kamala Harris. If elected, Harris would be the first Black and Asian American woman to become president, and her historic run is already creating excitement. Most Democrats are quickly falling in line. Some would say Harris is having a Brat summer.

“Brat summer” is a phrase that’s become the defining pop culture meme of the season — at least for the very online set — and references an album released in June by pop artist Charli XCX titled Brat. Charli XCX is a 31-year-old English woman who’s been around for a while, though her influence is greater than her name recognition. You might remember the hit 2012 song “I Love It” by Icona Pop (“I don’t care! I love it!”). That was written by, and features, Charli XCX. Her work with producer A.G. Cook and electronic artist Sophie has had lasting impact on what pop music sounds like, giving mainstream exposure to a niche genre called “hyperpop.”

Charli XCX has already had a long and fruitful career (not to brag but I’ve been here since the beginning). But Brat has landed in a way no other prior work has: critics have praised it, and it is by far Charli XCX’s biggest hit. Charli XCX has long been a critical darling rather than a blockbuster mainstream superstar like Taylor Swift. There’s an edginess that plays well to her fanbase that would otherwise be lost on a more general audience.

The music is confident yet candid: on the record, Charli XCX sings about wanting to hear her own music in the club, and being “your favorite reference, baby.” Then she moves on to the feeling of being an outsider, never to fit in with industry elites. Her public image isn’t squeaky clean or family friendly, and she’s acknowledged disputes she’s had with her record label in the past.

Brat the album brings this history together with personal narrative, creating a revealing portrait of a person who seems both a little detached but also deeply introspective. Songs like “I think about it all the time” have her questioning her life choices around parenthood, worrying whether she’s missing out on something by not having a child. The very next track is about endless partying and doing “lines” and “keys” in the club. Humans are complex.

The “Brat summer” concept is all of this rolled into one: chaotic club energy mixed with existential questions about life. Brat summer is, but not limited to: cigarettes and no bra; bed rotting; annoying your boyfriend; not working; and alternates between crisis and unadulterated joy. It’s tender and vulnerable, but also a little cocky and snotty. It’s called Brat for a reason.

Brat the album is wonderfully fun, but the marketing and rollout of the record is truly clever. Its album art — a plain lime green background with slightly pixelated black lettering reading, simply, “brat” — was derided by some when it was initially revealed, but as the weeks went on, it became obvious how meme-able (and thus shareable) the album was before it was even released. Green now automatically means brat. There are multiple Brat generators so people can put their own blurry text over a green background.

On Sunday, Kamala HQ, the rapid response account for Harris’ campaign, changed its X profile banned to a custom image in the Brat style. Shortly after, Charli XCX herself tweeted “Kamala IS Brat” — probably as close to an endorsement as you can get from a club kid pop artist who is huge with young people. The Brat aesthetic has seeped into CNN roundtables, and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) shared a picture of her with Harris, that was edited to has a lime green filter on it. Brat.

The Harris campaign is walking a fine line with its co-opting of the Brat imagery and language — the margin between amusing and cringe is razor thin. We can think of the Brativity (brat activity) as a micro targeted political ad meant for young people tapped into internet culture, especially on TikTok.

But those same young voters care about other things as well: they want a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, where Israeli attacks have already killed nearly 40,000 people. They worry about the economy and access to reproductive care. They are skeptical of institutions and don’t turn out to vote like older populations. A coconut tree meme cannot fix these things, and politicians should not expect young people to vote solely because your campaign is funny online.

At the same time, Harris is a prime candidate for this level of niche meme because even before Brat, she was at the center of internet jokes. More than a year ago, Harris delivered remarks at a White House event in which she was discussing equity and how different people come from different backgrounds.

“[My mother] would say to us, ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with you young people. You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?’ You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you,’” Harris recalled. The strange image of someone falling out of a coconut tree — coupled with Harris’ distinct laugh and immediate tone shift — made this small snippet the soundtrack of countless videos online even before the Brat crossover. It’s a little poetic in a weird way, especially when the few sentences are taken on their own without much explanation. And so the coconut tree meme was born. Harris’ campaign seems to be subtly leaning into this, too: the Harris HQ X account’s bio reads, “Providing context.”

Harris is far from the only politician trying to manufacture viral moments into electoral victory — former president Donald Trump won his 2016 election on a wave of viral imagery used and spread by his base. “The Great Meme War” waged by 4chan users and other pro-Trump communities ensured that Pepe the Frog represents something bigger than just a poorly drawn amphibian. Biden’s camp has plastered merch with “Dark Brandon” imagery, a meme of a sinister Biden that originated in right wing circles but was then (mostly successfully) clawed back and embraced by Democrats.

But even before the internet became a battleground for the ballot box, things we could describe as memes — spreadable images or slogans carrying larger meanings — have haunted politics. Did the image of Michael Dukakis smiling while riding a tank kill his presidential ambitions after the goofy footage was used in a Republican attack ad? Probably not entirely. But it created an enduring image that is still cited today as a lesson for how to tank your chances (sorry).

I suspect we will see Harris pop up in other meme contexts: this morning while scrolling TikTok, I saw that she has become the subject of a Harry Daniels video — for those uninitiated, Daniels is a creator who approaches celebrities and other notable people and asks if he can sing for them. The singing is purposely strained, off tune, and often unsettling. For Harris, Daniels sang a few lines from Beyoncé’s “Formation” while Harris looks amused and wide eyed.

As she walks away into the next room, you can hear her ask a staffer, “Who was that guy?” Most voters will have that same reaction. But if you know, you know.

Read More 

Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Spotify

The saga of Spotify HiFi has many twists and turns. First announced over three years ago, the music service’s higher-quality streaming tier has still yet to materialize. Recent reports have said lossless audio will be bundled together with other perks (like advanced library management, AI-powered playlists, and headphone sound quality optimization) as an add-on to Spotify’s premium subscription. And today, during Spotify’s earnings call, the company’s CEO, Daniel Ek, confirmed that a better-than-Premium offering is still in the works — though he offered no firm timetable as to when it’ll be available.
In what might be my favorite-ever use of a cliche tech industry phrase, Ek said the effort is still “in early days.” (For those keeping score at home, it has been 1,247 days since Spotify first announced HiFi.) “The plan here is to offer much a much better version of Spotify,” Ek said. “Think something like $5 above the current premium tier. So it’s probably around a $17 or $18 price point, but sort of a deluxe version of Spotify that has all of the benefits that the normal Spotify version has, but a lot more control, a lot higher quality across the board, and some other things that I’m not ready to talk about just yet.”

That pricing would match Bloomberg’s estimates of the tier costing around $5 extra on top of Spotify’s $11.99 monthly rate. Whatever final form Spotify’s lossless audio ultimately takes will be much different than what the company first envisioned. By all indications, Spotify was caught flat-footed when Apple and Amazon began offering higher-resolution audio as part of their standard subscription plans. The leading music streamer had always intended to sell it for an added premium.
Those companies can be more aggressive with pricing since they’ve got numerous other divisions to help balance out any losses. Spotify isn’t so lucky, so the company has had to rejigger its plans and come up with an add-on package that will hopefully prove compelling to as many of the app’s power users as possible. Finally, the timing seems to be right.
“There’s a good subset of that group of 246 million subscribers that want a much better version of Spotify,” Ek said. “Those are huge music lovers who are primarily looking for even more flexibility in how they use Spotify and the music capabilities that exist on Spotify.”
Bloomberg reported that Spotify aims to roll out its “deluxe” version (as Ek refers to it) later this year. So, after all this waiting, we’ve only got a few months left before we learn everything that the add-on plan entails.

Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Spotify

The saga of Spotify HiFi has many twists and turns. First announced over three years ago, the music service’s higher-quality streaming tier has still yet to materialize. Recent reports have said lossless audio will be bundled together with other perks (like advanced library management, AI-powered playlists, and headphone sound quality optimization) as an add-on to Spotify’s premium subscription. And today, during Spotify’s earnings call, the company’s CEO, Daniel Ek, confirmed that a better-than-Premium offering is still in the works — though he offered no firm timetable as to when it’ll be available.

In what might be my favorite-ever use of a cliche tech industry phrase, Ek said the effort is still “in early days.” (For those keeping score at home, it has been 1,247 days since Spotify first announced HiFi.) “The plan here is to offer much a much better version of Spotify,” Ek said. “Think something like $5 above the current premium tier. So it’s probably around a $17 or $18 price point, but sort of a deluxe version of Spotify that has all of the benefits that the normal Spotify version has, but a lot more control, a lot higher quality across the board, and some other things that I’m not ready to talk about just yet.”

That pricing would match Bloomberg’s estimates of the tier costing around $5 extra on top of Spotify’s $11.99 monthly rate. Whatever final form Spotify’s lossless audio ultimately takes will be much different than what the company first envisioned. By all indications, Spotify was caught flat-footed when Apple and Amazon began offering higher-resolution audio as part of their standard subscription plans. The leading music streamer had always intended to sell it for an added premium.

Those companies can be more aggressive with pricing since they’ve got numerous other divisions to help balance out any losses. Spotify isn’t so lucky, so the company has had to rejigger its plans and come up with an add-on package that will hopefully prove compelling to as many of the app’s power users as possible. Finally, the timing seems to be right.

“There’s a good subset of that group of 246 million subscribers that want a much better version of Spotify,” Ek said. “Those are huge music lovers who are primarily looking for even more flexibility in how they use Spotify and the music capabilities that exist on Spotify.”

Bloomberg reported that Spotify aims to roll out its “deluxe” version (as Ek refers to it) later this year. So, after all this waiting, we’ve only got a few months left before we learn everything that the add-on plan entails.

Read More 

Image: Wooting

Earlier this month Razer beat Wooting to a speedy new keyboard feature that lets players counter-strafe more quickly in a variety of competitive PC games. Now Wooting has implemented the same feature.
Normally, to switch strafe directions in a first-person shooter, you have to fully release one key before pressing the other. If both are pressed, they cancel each other, and you stand there like a dummy for a moment until you release one of the keys. Professional players have mastered not overlapping A and D keys to get perfect counter-strafing and movement in games, but with Razer’s Tap Snap and Wooting’s new Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions (SOCD) beta, you don’t need to release a key and can rapidly tap the A or D key to counter-strafe with little to no effort.
Wooting has also been working on a similar feature called Rappy Snappy, which works a little differently. Rappy Snappy takes advantage of Wooting’s hall effect switches and prioritizes keys based on how far down they’re pressed, so it’s not the same as the last-pressed priority SOCD feature that Razer has branded as Snap Tap. While Wooting had initially resisted SOCD in favor of its own approach, it’s now offering both options for its keyboards.
Wooting’s implementation of SOCD is actually better than Razer’s, offering different resolutions and the ability to have both keys active at the same time if that feels a little more natural to you.

Snap Tap, or SOCD, is already proving to be controversial among Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, and Overwatch 2 players. “Razer’s new keyboard is basically cheating,” claims YouTuber optimum, who does a great job of explaining how Snap Tap and Wooting’s SOCD beta work. Counter-Strike creator MrMaxim also points out that Snap Tap can even help you achieve longer jumps, and it also helps you pull off “wall bugging” where you hug diagonal walls to prevent fall damage.
“Shouldn’t be allowed,” says professional Counter-strike 2 player ropz in a post on X. “Nice work but this is a bit too much, literally a macro / script, otherwise known as null binds.” PC players have used null binds to prevent you from pressing two opposing directions for years, in scripts that can be loaded into games or macros that can be assigned to keys. Null binding is typically banned in tournaments. Razer’s senior esports ambassador, Jimmy Malavong, was quick to respond to ropz’s concerns, noting that the company had spoken to tournament owners.
The debate around this feature looks set to continue in the weeks ahead, and it may end in games just implementing null binds to let anyone achieve this without having to buy a Razer or Wooting keyboard.
If you’re an owner of a Wooting keyboard you can grab the update that includes Rappy Snappy and this Snap Tap-like SOCD feature through the company’s beta wootility software.

Image: Wooting

Earlier this month Razer beat Wooting to a speedy new keyboard feature that lets players counter-strafe more quickly in a variety of competitive PC games. Now Wooting has implemented the same feature.

Normally, to switch strafe directions in a first-person shooter, you have to fully release one key before pressing the other. If both are pressed, they cancel each other, and you stand there like a dummy for a moment until you release one of the keys. Professional players have mastered not overlapping A and D keys to get perfect counter-strafing and movement in games, but with Razer’s Tap Snap and Wooting’s new Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions (SOCD) beta, you don’t need to release a key and can rapidly tap the A or D key to counter-strafe with little to no effort.

Wooting has also been working on a similar feature called Rappy Snappy, which works a little differently. Rappy Snappy takes advantage of Wooting’s hall effect switches and prioritizes keys based on how far down they’re pressed, so it’s not the same as the last-pressed priority SOCD feature that Razer has branded as Snap Tap. While Wooting had initially resisted SOCD in favor of its own approach, it’s now offering both options for its keyboards.

Wooting’s implementation of SOCD is actually better than Razer’s, offering different resolutions and the ability to have both keys active at the same time if that feels a little more natural to you.

Snap Tap, or SOCD, is already proving to be controversial among Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, and Overwatch 2 players. “Razer’s new keyboard is basically cheating,” claims YouTuber optimum, who does a great job of explaining how Snap Tap and Wooting’s SOCD beta work. Counter-Strike creator MrMaxim also points out that Snap Tap can even help you achieve longer jumps, and it also helps you pull off “wall bugging” where you hug diagonal walls to prevent fall damage.

“Shouldn’t be allowed,” says professional Counter-strike 2 player ropz in a post on X. “Nice work but this is a bit too much, literally a macro / script, otherwise known as null binds.” PC players have used null binds to prevent you from pressing two opposing directions for years, in scripts that can be loaded into games or macros that can be assigned to keys. Null binding is typically banned in tournaments. Razer’s senior esports ambassador, Jimmy Malavong, was quick to respond to ropz’s concerns, noting that the company had spoken to tournament owners.

The debate around this feature looks set to continue in the weeks ahead, and it may end in games just implementing null binds to let anyone achieve this without having to buy a Razer or Wooting keyboard.

If you’re an owner of a Wooting keyboard you can grab the update that includes Rappy Snappy and this Snap Tap-like SOCD feature through the company’s beta wootility software.

Read More 

Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) plans to announce in a speech that he will bring the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children’s and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) to the Senate floor this week for a procedural vote. This tees up the biggest step yet on the federal level to move forward with a law in the area of kids’ online safety legislation.
“Over the past few months I’ve met with families from across the country who have gone through the worst thing a parent could endure – losing a child,” Schumer said in a statement. “Rather than retreating into the darkness of their loss, these families lit a candle for others with their advocacy. I am proud to work side-by-side with them and put on the floor legislation that I Believe will pass and better protect our children from the negative risks of social media and other online platforms. It has been long and daunting road to get this bill passed, which can change and save lives, but today, we are one monumental step closer to success.”

KOSA would impose a duty of care on online platforms to take reasonable steps to mitigate certain harms to minors, require the option for parental controls for minors’ accounts, and prevent features like autoplay. COPPA 2.0 would build on an existing children’s privacy law and raise the age for privacy protections from kids under 13 to 17, and ban targeted advertising to that group.
Some advocacy groups like Fight for the Future and the Electronic Frontier Foundation have remained critical of KOSA, fearing it would stifle speech across the internet and could limit access to certain resources for marginalized kids on ideological grounds. While other groups, including prominent LGBTQ+ groups like GLAAD and the Trevor Project, had previously raised concerns that KOSA could be weaponized against resources for LGBTQ+ youth, they dropped their opposition after the bill’s sponsors made several changes.
Schumer had tried to pass the bills through unanimous consent — an expedited way to pass legislation if no senator opposes it — but late last year, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced he’d oppose such a move, due to concerns about the earlier version’s impact on LGBTQ+ content. Still, the bills have overwhelming support that should ensure their success in the chamber so long as they are given the time to proceed. KOSA, for example, has for months had more than 60 co-sponsors, clearing the threshold needed to pass the chamber.
Even if they pass the Senate, the bills could still face additional challenges ahead. They’d need to be passed by the House, which recently canceled a committee hearing that would have included a discussion of KOSA due to Republican leadership concerns on a separate privacy bill. While states throughout the country have passed varying types of kids’ online safety bills, many have been successfully blocked on First Amendment grounds, and still others have yet to contend with the implications of a recent Supreme Court decision affirming that social media companies’ content moderation and curation choices are expressive, protected speech.

Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) plans to announce in a speech that he will bring the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children’s and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) to the Senate floor this week for a procedural vote. This tees up the biggest step yet on the federal level to move forward with a law in the area of kids’ online safety legislation.

“Over the past few months I’ve met with families from across the country who have gone through the worst thing a parent could endure – losing a child,” Schumer said in a statement. “Rather than retreating into the darkness of their loss, these families lit a candle for others with their advocacy. I am proud to work side-by-side with them and put on the floor legislation that I Believe will pass and better protect our children from the negative risks of social media and other online platforms. It has been long and daunting road to get this bill passed, which can change and save lives, but today, we are one monumental step closer to success.”

KOSA would impose a duty of care on online platforms to take reasonable steps to mitigate certain harms to minors, require the option for parental controls for minors’ accounts, and prevent features like autoplay. COPPA 2.0 would build on an existing children’s privacy law and raise the age for privacy protections from kids under 13 to 17, and ban targeted advertising to that group.

Some advocacy groups like Fight for the Future and the Electronic Frontier Foundation have remained critical of KOSA, fearing it would stifle speech across the internet and could limit access to certain resources for marginalized kids on ideological grounds. While other groups, including prominent LGBTQ+ groups like GLAAD and the Trevor Project, had previously raised concerns that KOSA could be weaponized against resources for LGBTQ+ youth, they dropped their opposition after the bill’s sponsors made several changes.

Schumer had tried to pass the bills through unanimous consent — an expedited way to pass legislation if no senator opposes it — but late last year, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced he’d oppose such a move, due to concerns about the earlier version’s impact on LGBTQ+ content. Still, the bills have overwhelming support that should ensure their success in the chamber so long as they are given the time to proceed. KOSA, for example, has for months had more than 60 co-sponsors, clearing the threshold needed to pass the chamber.

Even if they pass the Senate, the bills could still face additional challenges ahead. They’d need to be passed by the House, which recently canceled a committee hearing that would have included a discussion of KOSA due to Republican leadership concerns on a separate privacy bill. While states throughout the country have passed varying types of kids’ online safety bills, many have been successfully blocked on First Amendment grounds, and still others have yet to contend with the implications of a recent Supreme Court decision affirming that social media companies’ content moderation and curation choices are expressive, protected speech.

Read More 

Photo by Dan Seifert / The Verge

Apple continues to work on a foldable iPhone, which could arrive as early as 2026, according to a report from The Information. The phone is rumored to fold horizontally, like the clamshell-style Samsung Galaxy Z Flip.
In February, The Information reported that Apple was in the early stages of developing two folding iPhone prototypes. But now, it seems Apple may have settled on a design, as The Information says the device has an internal nickname, V68, indicating “the idea has moved beyond the conceptual stage” and is now ”in development with suppliers.”

Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge
Apple’s folding iPhone could look similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5.

Apple is reportedly still working to flatten the crease that appears when the phone is unfolded and is also attempting to make the device thinner. This corroborates Tuesday’s report from the Digitimes, which reveals similar details about Apple’s folding phone plans.
Aside from a folding iPhone, recent rumors suggest that Apple is also working on a MacBook-like foldable that could start shipping in 2026.

Photo by Dan Seifert / The Verge

Apple continues to work on a foldable iPhone, which could arrive as early as 2026, according to a report from The Information. The phone is rumored to fold horizontally, like the clamshell-style Samsung Galaxy Z Flip.

In February, The Information reported that Apple was in the early stages of developing two folding iPhone prototypes. But now, it seems Apple may have settled on a design, as The Information says the device has an internal nickname, V68, indicating “the idea has moved beyond the conceptual stage” and is now ”in development with suppliers.”

Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge
Apple’s folding iPhone could look similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5.

Apple is reportedly still working to flatten the crease that appears when the phone is unfolded and is also attempting to make the device thinner. This corroborates Tuesday’s report from the Digitimes, which reveals similar details about Apple’s folding phone plans.

Aside from a folding iPhone, recent rumors suggest that Apple is also working on a MacBook-like foldable that could start shipping in 2026.

Read More 

Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge

There’s a new name in charge of Netflix’s ongoing gaming efforts. As Variety reports, the streamer has hired Alain Tascan as the new president of its gaming division, after he previously served as executive VP of game development at Fortnite maker Epic Games. The news comes as the game division’s former boss, Mike Verdu, moved into a different role at Netflix focused on a new team “on the cutting edge of game innovation.”
In his previous role at Epic, which he held since 2018, Tascan was in charge of the company’s first-party output, which included not only Fortnite and its various modes like Lego Fortnite but also other live-service games like Rocket League and Fall Guys. In a statement, Tascan explained that he took the role at the streamer because “I firmly believe that Netflix is uniquely positioned to redefine the future of gaming.”
Though it has yet to become a major part of Netflix’s business, the company has dabbled in games since 2021, with a growing library of titles available to subscribers via mobile. More recently, the company has shifted somewhat to focus on games that are connected to its most popular shows; the next season of Emily in Paris, for instance, will premiere on August 15th, alongside the launch of a tie-in game. More recently, the company committed to launching a new game every month.
Tascan’s hiring could help kick-start some of Netflix’s more ambitious gaming plans, which include a push into blockbuster gaming as well as titles playable on TVs and in the cloud.

Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge

There’s a new name in charge of Netflix’s ongoing gaming efforts. As Variety reports, the streamer has hired Alain Tascan as the new president of its gaming division, after he previously served as executive VP of game development at Fortnite maker Epic Games. The news comes as the game division’s former boss, Mike Verdu, moved into a different role at Netflix focused on a new team “on the cutting edge of game innovation.”

In his previous role at Epic, which he held since 2018, Tascan was in charge of the company’s first-party output, which included not only Fortnite and its various modes like Lego Fortnite but also other live-service games like Rocket League and Fall Guys. In a statement, Tascan explained that he took the role at the streamer because “I firmly believe that Netflix is uniquely positioned to redefine the future of gaming.”

Though it has yet to become a major part of Netflix’s business, the company has dabbled in games since 2021, with a growing library of titles available to subscribers via mobile. More recently, the company has shifted somewhat to focus on games that are connected to its most popular shows; the next season of Emily in Paris, for instance, will premiere on August 15th, alongside the launch of a tie-in game. More recently, the company committed to launching a new game every month.

Tascan’s hiring could help kick-start some of Netflix’s more ambitious gaming plans, which include a push into blockbuster gaming as well as titles playable on TVs and in the cloud.

Read More 

Image: Activision

Microsoft is bringing last year’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III to Xbox Game Pass tomorrow. It’s the first time a Call of Duty game will be available on Game Pass, and it’s the last in Activision’s franchise to have PlayStation-exclusive content now that Microsoft owns Activision Blizzard.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III will be available for Xbox Game Pass for Console, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on July 24th. The announcement comes just weeks after Microsoft revealed price hikes for its subscription service.
Microsoft announced price hikes for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass earlier this month. The launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III on Game Pass could soften the blow of the price increases, which, in some regions, are up to 25 percent more. Game Pass Ultimate will increase to $19.99 a month on September 12th, a $3 increase over the current $16.99 a month pricing. PC Game Pass is also moving up to $11.99 a month, and Microsoft is planning a new Xbox Game Pass “Standard” option for new members in the coming months that doesn’t include access to day-one games and has online multiplayer included.
Microsoft is also planning to launch Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the next installment in Activision’s popular franchise, on Xbox Game Pass later this year. Existing Xbox Game Pass for Console, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and PC Game Pass subscribers will get access to Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on Game Pass. New members will need to subscribe to the top-tier Ultimate subscription to get day-one access to Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, or PC Game Pass.

Image: Activision

Microsoft is bringing last year’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III to Xbox Game Pass tomorrow. It’s the first time a Call of Duty game will be available on Game Pass, and it’s the last in Activision’s franchise to have PlayStation-exclusive content now that Microsoft owns Activision Blizzard.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III will be available for Xbox Game Pass for Console, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on July 24th. The announcement comes just weeks after Microsoft revealed price hikes for its subscription service.

Microsoft announced price hikes for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass earlier this month. The launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III on Game Pass could soften the blow of the price increases, which, in some regions, are up to 25 percent more. Game Pass Ultimate will increase to $19.99 a month on September 12th, a $3 increase over the current $16.99 a month pricing. PC Game Pass is also moving up to $11.99 a month, and Microsoft is planning a new Xbox Game Pass “Standard” option for new members in the coming months that doesn’t include access to day-one games and has online multiplayer included.

Microsoft is also planning to launch Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the next installment in Activision’s popular franchise, on Xbox Game Pass later this year. Existing Xbox Game Pass for Console, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and PC Game Pass subscribers will get access to Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on Game Pass. New members will need to subscribe to the top-tier Ultimate subscription to get day-one access to Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, or PC Game Pass.

Read More 

You can power up to six devices with Sharge’s new charging station. | Image: Sharge

Sharge’s new 100W charging station falls somewhere between a compact multi-port USB charger and a plastic power strip. Designed with a small footprint so it can live on a desk and stay easily accessible, it delivers enough USB-C power to keep laptops charged while also accommodating hardware dependent on a three-prong plug.
The charging station can deliver up to 100W of power across four USB ports. If you have a device plugged into one of the two 100W USB-C ports, it can draw up to 100W. But if both 100W USB-C ports are in use, one will drop to 65W while the other is capped at 35W. With all four USB ports in use, the fastest power delivery from any one USB-C port will be limited to just 45W. The USB-A port maxes out at 18W but is still a welcome inclusion for older proprietary charging cables that may never see a USB-C refresh.

Image: Sharge
Three USB-C ports are paired with a USB-A port for those proprietary chargers you’ve been using for years but can’t get rid of.

Sharge’s new charging station is comparable to similar products from companies like Anker but at a better price point. Anker’s Nano Charging Station includes only two USB-C ports with a max combined power output of 67W for $65.99, or $45.99 with the $20 discount that’s currently being offered. Sharge’s solution offers more power for $68.67 but also arrives with a limited-time discount. It’s available through the company’s online store for $58.35 or even cheaper on Amazon for $49.90.

You can power up to six devices with Sharge’s new charging station. | Image: Sharge

Sharge’s new 100W charging station falls somewhere between a compact multi-port USB charger and a plastic power strip. Designed with a small footprint so it can live on a desk and stay easily accessible, it delivers enough USB-C power to keep laptops charged while also accommodating hardware dependent on a three-prong plug.

The charging station can deliver up to 100W of power across four USB ports. If you have a device plugged into one of the two 100W USB-C ports, it can draw up to 100W. But if both 100W USB-C ports are in use, one will drop to 65W while the other is capped at 35W. With all four USB ports in use, the fastest power delivery from any one USB-C port will be limited to just 45W. The USB-A port maxes out at 18W but is still a welcome inclusion for older proprietary charging cables that may never see a USB-C refresh.

Image: Sharge
Three USB-C ports are paired with a USB-A port for those proprietary chargers you’ve been using for years but can’t get rid of.

Sharge’s new charging station is comparable to similar products from companies like Anker but at a better price point. Anker’s Nano Charging Station includes only two USB-C ports with a max combined power output of 67W for $65.99, or $45.99 with the $20 discount that’s currently being offered. Sharge’s solution offers more power for $68.67 but also arrives with a limited-time discount. It’s available through the company’s online store for $58.35 or even cheaper on Amazon for $49.90.

Read More