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Screenshot by Tom Warren / The Verge

Microsoft is finally rolling out spellcheck and autocorrect for its Notepad app in Windows 11, more than 40 years after the simple text editor was first introduced in Windows in 1983. The software giant started testing both features in March, and has now quietly started enabling them for all Windows 11 users in recent days.
The spellcheck feature in Notepad is almost identical to how Word or Edge highlight misspelled words, with a red underline to clearly show mistakes. I say almost identical because when you right-click on a misspelled word in Notepad the spelling submenu isn’t automatically expanded like Microsoft does in Word, so you have to click again to see a list of correct spellings.
It’s strange that Microsoft hasn’t fully adopted the way spellcheck works in Word, especially given the company showed off the ability to right-click and instantly select the correction in Notepad during the beta testing phase. Microsoft Word first had a spellcheck feature in 1985, when it was known originally as Multi-Tool Word for Xenix and MS-DOS systems. Microsoft originally created Notepad, which was first known as Multi-Tool Notepad in 1983, to be a stripped down version of Word.

Screenshot by Tom Warren / The Verge
You can easily disable Notepad’s new spellcheck and autocorrect features.

You can enable or disable spellcheck on a file type basis in Notepad for Windows 11, so if you don’t want to see corrections in files like .md, .srt, .lrc, or .lic then those can be toggled in the settings menu. Microsoft has also added autocorrect to Notepad, which means typos are automatically corrected when spellcheck is enabled. Autocorrect can also be disabled in Notepad’s settings.
Microsoft has been gradually adding more and more features to its Notepad app for Windows 11, just in time for the company to remove the built-in WordPad app from Windows 11 later this year. Notepad now has a character count, dark mode, tabs, Copilot integration, and even a virtual fidget spinner.

Screenshot by Tom Warren / The Verge

Microsoft is finally rolling out spellcheck and autocorrect for its Notepad app in Windows 11, more than 40 years after the simple text editor was first introduced in Windows in 1983. The software giant started testing both features in March, and has now quietly started enabling them for all Windows 11 users in recent days.

The spellcheck feature in Notepad is almost identical to how Word or Edge highlight misspelled words, with a red underline to clearly show mistakes. I say almost identical because when you right-click on a misspelled word in Notepad the spelling submenu isn’t automatically expanded like Microsoft does in Word, so you have to click again to see a list of correct spellings.

It’s strange that Microsoft hasn’t fully adopted the way spellcheck works in Word, especially given the company showed off the ability to right-click and instantly select the correction in Notepad during the beta testing phase. Microsoft Word first had a spellcheck feature in 1985, when it was known originally as Multi-Tool Word for Xenix and MS-DOS systems. Microsoft originally created Notepad, which was first known as Multi-Tool Notepad in 1983, to be a stripped down version of Word.

Screenshot by Tom Warren / The Verge
You can easily disable Notepad’s new spellcheck and autocorrect features.

You can enable or disable spellcheck on a file type basis in Notepad for Windows 11, so if you don’t want to see corrections in files like .md, .srt, .lrc, or .lic then those can be toggled in the settings menu. Microsoft has also added autocorrect to Notepad, which means typos are automatically corrected when spellcheck is enabled. Autocorrect can also be disabled in Notepad’s settings.

Microsoft has been gradually adding more and more features to its Notepad app for Windows 11, just in time for the company to remove the built-in WordPad app from Windows 11 later this year. Notepad now has a character count, dark mode, tabs, Copilot integration, and even a virtual fidget spinner.

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Skydance founder David Ellison is set to become Paramount’s new chairman and chief executive. | Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Paramount Global has agreed to merge with Skydance Media in a deal that will see the joint enterprise, dubbed “New Paramount,” valued at approximately $28 billion.
As part of the two-step agreement announced on Sunday, Paramount Chair Shari Redstone (the daughter of Sumner Redstone) will sell National Amusements — which holds her family’s controlling stake in Paramount — for $2.4 billion. Skydance will then merge with Paramount, investing $8 billion to purchase Paramount’s shares and pay off some of the company’s balance sheet. Bloomberg reports that Paramount has $14.6 billion of debt as of March, partially attributed to streaming losses and a decline in the company’s broadcast and cable TV business.
“Given the changes in the industry, we want to fortify Paramount for the future while ensuring that content remains king,” said Redstone, citing a phrase often associated with her late father. “Our hope is that the Skydance transaction will enable Paramount’s continued success in this rapidly changing environment. As a longtime production partner to Paramount, Skydance knows Paramount well and has a clear strategic vision and the resources to take it to its next stage of growth.”

Skydance founder David Ellison (son of Oracle’s Larry Ellison) will become the new chairman and chief executive of Paramount, with former NBCUniversal chief executive Jeff Shell assigned as its new president. Ellison replaces former Paramount CEO Bob Bakish, who departed the company in April after reportedly clashing with Redstone over the Skydance deal.
The merger announcement follows months of negotiations, with the agreement initially appearing to be called off in June after the companies couldn’t “reach mutually acceptable terms.” According to Reuters, the new deal offered by Skydance increases the Redstone family’s payout to $1.75 billion and bolsters legal protections against potential shareholder lawsuits.
Redstone now has a 45-day “go-shop” period under the merger agreement to accept a better deal. However, as Deadline notes, Redstone’s internal announcement sent to employees thanking them for their service suggests it’s a done deal. “The agreement we entered into today is subject to closing conditions, and we expect the deal to be completed in the first half of 2025.”

Skydance founder David Ellison is set to become Paramount’s new chairman and chief executive. | Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Paramount Global has agreed to merge with Skydance Media in a deal that will see the joint enterprise, dubbed “New Paramount,” valued at approximately $28 billion.

As part of the two-step agreement announced on Sunday, Paramount Chair Shari Redstone (the daughter of Sumner Redstone) will sell National Amusements — which holds her family’s controlling stake in Paramount — for $2.4 billion. Skydance will then merge with Paramount, investing $8 billion to purchase Paramount’s shares and pay off some of the company’s balance sheet. Bloomberg reports that Paramount has $14.6 billion of debt as of March, partially attributed to streaming losses and a decline in the company’s broadcast and cable TV business.

“Given the changes in the industry, we want to fortify Paramount for the future while ensuring that content remains king,” said Redstone, citing a phrase often associated with her late father. “Our hope is that the Skydance transaction will enable Paramount’s continued success in this rapidly changing environment. As a longtime production partner to Paramount, Skydance knows Paramount well and has a clear strategic vision and the resources to take it to its next stage of growth.”

Skydance founder David Ellison (son of Oracle’s Larry Ellison) will become the new chairman and chief executive of Paramount, with former NBCUniversal chief executive Jeff Shell assigned as its new president. Ellison replaces former Paramount CEO Bob Bakish, who departed the company in April after reportedly clashing with Redstone over the Skydance deal.

The merger announcement follows months of negotiations, with the agreement initially appearing to be called off in June after the companies couldn’t “reach mutually acceptable terms.” According to Reuters, the new deal offered by Skydance increases the Redstone family’s payout to $1.75 billion and bolsters legal protections against potential shareholder lawsuits.

Redstone now has a 45-day “go-shop” period under the merger agreement to accept a better deal. However, as Deadline notes, Redstone’s internal announcement sent to employees thanking them for their service suggests it’s a done deal. “The agreement we entered into today is subject to closing conditions, and we expect the deal to be completed in the first half of 2025.”

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You can now control the ROG lighting in Windows. | Photo by Tom Warren / The Verge

Asus is planning to support Microsoft’s new Dynamic Lighting feature that allows Windows 11 users to control a motherboard’s RGB lighting without needing a separate app. Asus has started testing new beta BIOS updates for both of its AMD 600 and Intel 700 series motherboards that include the Dynamic Lighting support.
Microsoft added Dynamic Lighting to Windows 11 in September, providing native RGB lighting controls inside Windows for the very first time. The feature lets users control RGB lights using the open HID LampArray standard, and manufacturers like Acer, Asus, HP, HyperX, Logitech, Razer, and Twinkly have all partnered with Microsoft to support this.
The Dynamic Lighting support on Asus’ latest motherboards requires a BIOS update that should be available in the coming weeks. A beta version is available right now from Asus’ forums for AMD and Intel boards, but I wouldn’t recommend flashing a beta BIOS unless you’re happy to restore an older BIOS version if you run into bugs.

ASUS’ latest beta BIOS updates for its newest AMD and Intel boards enables Microsoft’s Dynamic Lighting feature in Windows 11, so you can control the motherboard lighting directly in Windows pic.twitter.com/e34Vk1ExkH— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) July 7, 2024

Once your Asus board supports Dynamic Lighting you can then manage the brightness, colors, and effects in the Settings section of Windows 11. The lighting controls are fairly basic right now, but at least you can avoid Asus’ Armory Crate tool and use native RGB controls in Windows. This also means you don’t have to use third-party RGB controller software like OpenRGB either, unless you need the extra functionality it provides.
The Intel Z790 beta BIOS updates even include the microcode update that should help with some of Intel’s game crashing issues.

You can now control the ROG lighting in Windows. | Photo by Tom Warren / The Verge

Asus is planning to support Microsoft’s new Dynamic Lighting feature that allows Windows 11 users to control a motherboard’s RGB lighting without needing a separate app. Asus has started testing new beta BIOS updates for both of its AMD 600 and Intel 700 series motherboards that include the Dynamic Lighting support.

Microsoft added Dynamic Lighting to Windows 11 in September, providing native RGB lighting controls inside Windows for the very first time. The feature lets users control RGB lights using the open HID LampArray standard, and manufacturers like Acer, Asus, HP, HyperX, Logitech, Razer, and Twinkly have all partnered with Microsoft to support this.

The Dynamic Lighting support on Asus’ latest motherboards requires a BIOS update that should be available in the coming weeks. A beta version is available right now from Asus’ forums for AMD and Intel boards, but I wouldn’t recommend flashing a beta BIOS unless you’re happy to restore an older BIOS version if you run into bugs.

Once your Asus board supports Dynamic Lighting you can then manage the brightness, colors, and effects in the Settings section of Windows 11. The lighting controls are fairly basic right now, but at least you can avoid Asus’ Armory Crate tool and use native RGB controls in Windows. This also means you don’t have to use third-party RGB controller software like OpenRGB either, unless you need the extra functionality it provides.

The Intel Z790 beta BIOS updates even include the microcode update that should help with some of Intel’s game crashing issues.

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Boeing’s plea deal must receive the approval of a federal judge to take effect. | Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Boeing has agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud charge related to a pair of crashes of its 737 Max planes, as part of a plea deal with the US Department of Justice. Lawyers for the victims’ families plan to object to the deal, which was forged on Sunday just before a midnight deadline and must still be approved by a federal judge.
The two crashes, which happened in 2018 and 2019, killed more than 300 people. The planes malfunctioned because of software that was intended to correct for a design flaw — and that software, called MCAS, relied on just a single external sensor for its data. However, when Boeing launched the 737 Max, it didn’t tell the Federal Aviation Administration, airlines, or pilots about MCAS in order to skirt time-consuming safety regulations. When the two flights went down, the pilots were actively fighting against MCAS — and likely did not even know the software existed.

The agreement allows Boeing to avoid a trial after the Justice Department found the company had violated a former settlement that previously shielded it from prosecution. In 2021, Boeing entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the DOJ over the crashes and was fined $2.5 billion. Under the new deal, Boeing now faces up to $487.2 million in additional penalties, and has agreed to install an independent oversight monitor and spend at least $455 million to improve its compliance and safety programs. The company is also subject to court-supervised probation over the next three years, according to the court filing.
Boeing’s board of directors has also agreed to a meeting with families of the crash victims as part of the agreement, which the families have criticized as a “sweetheart deal.” Paul Cassell, a lawyer for victims’ family members, is planning to object to the deal on their behalf, saying to The Washington Post that “through crafty lawyering between Boeing and DOJ, the deadly consequences of Boeing’s crime are being hidden.” Boeing previously agreed to pay the families $500 million.
“We are extremely disappointed that DOJ is moving forward with this wholly inadequate plea deal despite the families’ strong opposition to its terms.”
“We are extremely disappointed that DOJ is moving forward with this wholly inadequate plea deal despite the families’ strong opposition to its terms,” said Erin Applebaum, who is also representing families of the crash victims, in a statement to Bloomberg. “While we’re encouraged that Boeing will not be able to choose its own monitor, the deal is still nothing more than a slap on the wrist and will do nothing to effectuate meaningful change within the company.”
The guilty plea follows renewed scrutiny over Boeing after a door plug blew out of a 737 Max plane during a flight out of Portland, Oregon, in January. A National Transportation Safety Board investigation found that four bolts appeared to have been missing from that door plug. The DOJ announced in March that it was opening a criminal investigation into the incident, and in May, the agency said Boeing had violated the terms of the earlier agreement, which opened the company up to the possibility of prosecution.
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun is set to step down at the end of the year.

Boeing’s plea deal must receive the approval of a federal judge to take effect. | Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Boeing has agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud charge related to a pair of crashes of its 737 Max planes, as part of a plea deal with the US Department of Justice. Lawyers for the victims’ families plan to object to the deal, which was forged on Sunday just before a midnight deadline and must still be approved by a federal judge.

The two crashes, which happened in 2018 and 2019, killed more than 300 people. The planes malfunctioned because of software that was intended to correct for a design flaw — and that software, called MCAS, relied on just a single external sensor for its data. However, when Boeing launched the 737 Max, it didn’t tell the Federal Aviation Administration, airlines, or pilots about MCAS in order to skirt time-consuming safety regulations. When the two flights went down, the pilots were actively fighting against MCAS — and likely did not even know the software existed.

The agreement allows Boeing to avoid a trial after the Justice Department found the company had violated a former settlement that previously shielded it from prosecution. In 2021, Boeing entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the DOJ over the crashes and was fined $2.5 billion. Under the new deal, Boeing now faces up to $487.2 million in additional penalties, and has agreed to install an independent oversight monitor and spend at least $455 million to improve its compliance and safety programs. The company is also subject to court-supervised probation over the next three years, according to the court filing.

Boeing’s board of directors has also agreed to a meeting with families of the crash victims as part of the agreement, which the families have criticized as a “sweetheart deal.” Paul Cassell, a lawyer for victims’ family members, is planning to object to the deal on their behalf, saying to The Washington Post that “through crafty lawyering between Boeing and DOJ, the deadly consequences of Boeing’s crime are being hidden.” Boeing previously agreed to pay the families $500 million.

“We are extremely disappointed that DOJ is moving forward with this wholly inadequate plea deal despite the families’ strong opposition to its terms,” said Erin Applebaum, who is also representing families of the crash victims, in a statement to Bloomberg. “While we’re encouraged that Boeing will not be able to choose its own monitor, the deal is still nothing more than a slap on the wrist and will do nothing to effectuate meaningful change within the company.”

The guilty plea follows renewed scrutiny over Boeing after a door plug blew out of a 737 Max plane during a flight out of Portland, Oregon, in January. A National Transportation Safety Board investigation found that four bolts appeared to have been missing from that door plug. The DOJ announced in March that it was opening a criminal investigation into the incident, and in May, the agency said Boeing had violated the terms of the earlier agreement, which opened the company up to the possibility of prosecution.

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun is set to step down at the end of the year.

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Honestly, this is Nothing’s best idea yet.

I’ve never had so much fun taking a phone apart.
That’s a misleading statement; I haven’t really taken any phones apart lately, but when CMF’s Phone 1 arrived, that’s the first thing I did. Because this one, my friends, is built different. It won’t be widely available in the US, but if you’re game, you can get one through Nothing’s beta program — and for $199, that’s seriously tempting.
CMF, Nothing’s budget-conscious but still extremely style-driven subbrand, is shipping its first phone, the aptly named Phone 1. While it shares a name and an operating system with Nothing’s first own-brand phone, it comes to the table with a new modular approach to phone customizations. Why put a different case on your phone when you can put a whole new phone on your phone?

Photo: Allison Johnson / The Verge
Nothing heard you like orange gadgets.

The concept is simple: it’s a phone, but the back panel comes off so you can swap it with a different one. Each replacement comes with everything you need for the job, including its own little screwdriver, screws, and a color-matched SIM tray.
There’s also a round accessory port cover in the bottom corner of the phone. Although it resembles the control dial on CMF’s neckband earbuds, it doesn’t offer any functional use aside from protecting the accessory port. At launch, CMF will offer three accessories: a lanyard, a wallet, and a kickstand, each $25 and an eye-catching orange color.
Those are all sold separately, as are the colorful replacement back panels, which are $35 each. In the box, you get a thoroughly respectable budget Android phone with a 6.7-inch OLED, 50-megapixel rear camera, a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, and a generous 5,000mAh battery. It comes with a black panel installed; other options include orange, light green, and blue.

Just living in the moment, not a back panel in sight.

Taking the back panel off is straightforward, though it takes a bit of force — enough to break a fingernail that was too long, as I learned. Probably for the best, though, since that panel is the thing standing between the guts of your phone and the rest of the world. Speaking of guts, it’s so weird seeing a modern phone all naked and exposed like that.
Once the phone is safely encased again, you can add accessories. The wallet is actually two pieces — a plastic panel with a MagSafe-like magnet embedded and the actual wallet. I’m sure it’s no coincidence that I was able to attach the phone with this magnetic mount to a MagSafe charging stand (though the Phone 1 doesn’t offer wireless charging). You can also attach either the kickstand or the lanyard with the wallet in use.
The lanyard is made of a thick, woven fabric. Someone much cooler and younger than me could probably pull off wearing their phone with it. And the kickstand seems sturdy enough, though I wish the arm sat flush against the phone when not in use. They’re all a vibrant orange color — the gadget color of the year, I guess.

Being a budget phone and all, there are obviously some tradeoffs to consider. There’s no NFC, and the Phone 1 is only splash-resistant. That’s understandable, considering the price point, and you know, the way the whole back of the phone comes off. Carrier support in the US is also quite limited. Like the Phone 2A, it will work on T-Mobile’s 4G and 5G networks, but only supports Verizon and AT&T’s 4G bands. But for $199? It might just be worth it — if nothing else, it’s one heck of an accessory.
Photography by Allison Johnson / The Verge

Honestly, this is Nothing’s best idea yet.

I’ve never had so much fun taking a phone apart.

That’s a misleading statement; I haven’t really taken any phones apart lately, but when CMF’s Phone 1 arrived, that’s the first thing I did. Because this one, my friends, is built different. It won’t be widely available in the US, but if you’re game, you can get one through Nothing’s beta program — and for $199, that’s seriously tempting.

CMF, Nothing’s budget-conscious but still extremely style-driven subbrand, is shipping its first phone, the aptly named Phone 1. While it shares a name and an operating system with Nothing’s first own-brand phone, it comes to the table with a new modular approach to phone customizations. Why put a different case on your phone when you can put a whole new phone on your phone?

The concept is simple: it’s a phone, but the back panel comes off so you can swap it with a different one. Each replacement comes with everything you need for the job, including its own little screwdriver, screws, and a color-matched SIM tray.

There’s also a round accessory port cover in the bottom corner of the phone. Although it resembles the control dial on CMF’s neckband earbuds, it doesn’t offer any functional use aside from protecting the accessory port. At launch, CMF will offer three accessories: a lanyard, a wallet, and a kickstand, each $25 and an eye-catching orange color.

Those are all sold separately, as are the colorful replacement back panels, which are $35 each. In the box, you get a thoroughly respectable budget Android phone with a 6.7-inch OLED, 50-megapixel rear camera, a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, and a generous 5,000mAh battery. It comes with a black panel installed; other options include orange, light green, and blue.

Taking the back panel off is straightforward, though it takes a bit of force — enough to break a fingernail that was too long, as I learned. Probably for the best, though, since that panel is the thing standing between the guts of your phone and the rest of the world. Speaking of guts, it’s so weird seeing a modern phone all naked and exposed like that.

Once the phone is safely encased again, you can add accessories. The wallet is actually two pieces — a plastic panel with a MagSafe-like magnet embedded and the actual wallet. I’m sure it’s no coincidence that I was able to attach the phone with this magnetic mount to a MagSafe charging stand (though the Phone 1 doesn’t offer wireless charging). You can also attach either the kickstand or the lanyard with the wallet in use.

The lanyard is made of a thick, woven fabric. Someone much cooler and younger than me could probably pull off wearing their phone with it. And the kickstand seems sturdy enough, though I wish the arm sat flush against the phone when not in use. They’re all a vibrant orange color — the gadget color of the year, I guess.

Being a budget phone and all, there are obviously some tradeoffs to consider. There’s no NFC, and the Phone 1 is only splash-resistant. That’s understandable, considering the price point, and you know, the way the whole back of the phone comes off. Carrier support in the US is also quite limited. Like the Phone 2A, it will work on T-Mobile’s 4G and 5G networks, but only supports Verizon and AT&T’s 4G bands. But for $199? It might just be worth it — if nothing else, it’s one heck of an accessory.

Photography by Allison Johnson / The Verge

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Better Siri might be here by the spring. | Screenshot: YouTube

Siri will finally get better in spring 2025 when Apple makes its Apple Intelligence AI system available to everyone via its iOS 18.4 update, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in the latest Power On newsletter. That’s more specific than Apple has been — so far, it’s only said the flagship AI features will be available next year.
Apple regularly doles out its new features piecemeal, in point updates, across its operating systems. So it’s possible, for instance, that Siri will gain the ability (via Apple Intelligence) to do things on your behalf like dig your ID out of your 20,000-photo-deep library in Photos and copy your driver’s license number to enter into an online form, but perhaps the AI-powered emoji generation or writing assistance features won’t be ready yet. Gurman doesn’t speak directly to that, but it’s good to keep in mind.

What’s coming first should become clearer as beta versions of iOS 18 start incorporating the features later this year and the 18.4 release approaches. In the meantime, features like ChatGPT integration, a new Siri interface that ditches the old circle graphic for a pulsing rainbow around the inside of the screen bezel, and deeper product knowledge that lets Siri give you basic tech support are expected this fall.
Down the road, Apple’s AI plan apparently includes those AirPods with embedded cameras that pop up in rumors from time to time, such as in last week’s rumor from supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, saying they would have infrared sensors and be used in concert with the Vision Pro, for hand gesture and motion detection. Gurman describes something akin to Meta’s Ray-ban glasses — for example, AI could process imagery from them to describe things in your environment or help you navigate while you’re walking. These new AirPods Pro, he writes, might be two generations away.

Better Siri might be here by the spring. | Screenshot: YouTube

Siri will finally get better in spring 2025 when Apple makes its Apple Intelligence AI system available to everyone via its iOS 18.4 update, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in the latest Power On newsletter. That’s more specific than Apple has been — so far, it’s only said the flagship AI features will be available next year.

Apple regularly doles out its new features piecemeal, in point updates, across its operating systems. So it’s possible, for instance, that Siri will gain the ability (via Apple Intelligence) to do things on your behalf like dig your ID out of your 20,000-photo-deep library in Photos and copy your driver’s license number to enter into an online form, but perhaps the AI-powered emoji generation or writing assistance features won’t be ready yet. Gurman doesn’t speak directly to that, but it’s good to keep in mind.

What’s coming first should become clearer as beta versions of iOS 18 start incorporating the features later this year and the 18.4 release approaches. In the meantime, features like ChatGPT integration, a new Siri interface that ditches the old circle graphic for a pulsing rainbow around the inside of the screen bezel, and deeper product knowledge that lets Siri give you basic tech support are expected this fall.

Down the road, Apple’s AI plan apparently includes those AirPods with embedded cameras that pop up in rumors from time to time, such as in last week’s rumor from supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, saying they would have infrared sensors and be used in concert with the Vision Pro, for hand gesture and motion detection. Gurman describes something akin to Meta’s Ray-ban glasses — for example, AI could process imagery from them to describe things in your environment or help you navigate while you’re walking. These new AirPods Pro, he writes, might be two generations away.

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Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Here’s some potentially good news for Apple Watch owners who have Apple Watch Ultra screen envy: the Apple Watch Series 10 — may get the same size screen as the company’s 49mm outdoorsy watch. That’s in addition to other possible improvements, like a thinner case and a new chip that could “lay the groundwork for some AI enhancements down the road,” according to Mark Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter for Bloomberg.
The screen rumor seems to back up a CAD render from last month that showed a Series 10 watch with a two-inch display. Gurman says — and that render appears to show — that the watch won’t otherwise feature any major design changes. If that means no magnetic watch strap attachments or whatever, I’m putting that part of the rumor in the “good” column — like many, I’ve accumulated a number of watch straps over the years, and I’d like to keep using them if I decide to upgrade.

As for new sensors, that seems cloudier, as Gurman says Apple is struggling with two big health sensor updates it’s been planning. The company reportedly hasn’t been able to get its rumored blood pressure monitor’s reliability up to snuff, and he writes that not being able to use its banned blood oxygen sensor is hampering its efforts to add sleep apnea detection.
Apple is reportedly planning a cheaper version of the Apple Watch SE to bring pricing in line with Samsung’s $199 Galaxy Watch FE. One way it might do this, apparently, is with a rigid plastic case. That could make the watch cheaper, sure, and perhaps lighter — I can think of at least one other Apple product that could stand to benefit from a similar decision! (The Vision Pro. I’m talking about the Vision Pro.)
Finally, Gurman says that the company is planning to release a Watch Ultra 3, but don’t expect big visual changes. It will reportedly get the new chip that will power the Series 10, though.

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Here’s some potentially good news for Apple Watch owners who have Apple Watch Ultra screen envy: the Apple Watch Series 10 — may get the same size screen as the company’s 49mm outdoorsy watch. That’s in addition to other possible improvements, like a thinner case and a new chip that could “lay the groundwork for some AI enhancements down the road,” according to Mark Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter for Bloomberg.

The screen rumor seems to back up a CAD render from last month that showed a Series 10 watch with a two-inch display. Gurman says — and that render appears to show — that the watch won’t otherwise feature any major design changes. If that means no magnetic watch strap attachments or whatever, I’m putting that part of the rumor in the “good” column — like many, I’ve accumulated a number of watch straps over the years, and I’d like to keep using them if I decide to upgrade.

As for new sensors, that seems cloudier, as Gurman says Apple is struggling with two big health sensor updates it’s been planning. The company reportedly hasn’t been able to get its rumored blood pressure monitor’s reliability up to snuff, and he writes that not being able to use its banned blood oxygen sensor is hampering its efforts to add sleep apnea detection.

Apple is reportedly planning a cheaper version of the Apple Watch SE to bring pricing in line with Samsung’s $199 Galaxy Watch FE. One way it might do this, apparently, is with a rigid plastic case. That could make the watch cheaper, sure, and perhaps lighter — I can think of at least one other Apple product that could stand to benefit from a similar decision! (The Vision Pro. I’m talking about the Vision Pro.)

Finally, Gurman says that the company is planning to release a Watch Ultra 3, but don’t expect big visual changes. It will reportedly get the new chip that will power the Series 10, though.

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Samsung’s next Galaxy Unpacked event is coming up fast at 9AM ET on July 10th in Paris, France. The company isn’t being coy about at least a couple of things it’s talking about — the graphic in its announcement video clearly hints at foldables, and the video’s description reads in part, “Galaxy AI is here.” You can watch the stream either on YouTube or its website.
There’ll be more to the event than just folding phones and pre-announcement device reservation discounts. Samsung does its regular Galaxy phone announcements at its other Galaxy Unpacked event early in the year, so that’s out of the way, but we might also hear about other stuff, including a new Samsung Watch product and, of course, the Galaxy Ring.
Galaxy Ring

Samsung January Galaxy Ring announcement was little more than a tease, but the company gave reporters hands-on time with a prototype at Mobile World Congress in February, revealing colors and ring sizes and a little about what kind of data its sensors will gather. What we’d love to hear is how much the thing will cost, what kind of health sensors it will have, and when it’s coming.
For now, there are rumors, like that it will cost around $300 or $350 and that Samsung may spin up a fitness and health subscription to go along with it. But apart from that and FCC testing records that revealed battery capacities, very little has made its way out of Samsung’s halls about the Galaxy Ring.
Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6

Image: Evan Blass
Leaked renders show the Galaxy Z Fold 6 (left) and the Z Flip 6 (right).

Plenty about the Galaxy Z foldables has already leaked. It seems the Z Fold 6 is getting an updated, more squared-off design, significantly brighter screens, and a touch longer battery life, though using the same 4,400mAh battery size as its predecessor.
The clamshell Flip 6 may be less changed from the previous model, but it’s expected to see some other key updates. Besides a similar brightness boost to the Fold 6, the phone may get a much brighter screen like its larger sibling, along with a vapor chamber cooling system and either a 4,000mAh battery or a 3,790mAh battery, depending on the rumor (the current model’s battery capacity is rated at 3,700mAh). The secondary screen might be an IPS panel instead of OLED.
Both phones are expected to be lighter, thinner, and powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor.
Galaxy AI
Samsung was quick to jump on the AI train, and at least some of its Galaxy AI features are available or coming to all manner of Galaxy phones and devices — not just the latest and greatest. So far, Galaxy AI is full of table stakes for artificial intelligence: things like on-device, in-call audio and text translations and photo and video editing, and Google’s Circle to Search feature. Now is the company’s chance to set itself apart a little bit.
Samsung Galaxy Watch

Image: Smartprix / OnLeaks
The Galaxy Watch 7 ‘Ultra’ in all its rendered squircle glory.

Samsung will probably talk about its next Galaxy Watch lineup. Leaked images have suggested more of the same for the regular Watch 7, but the company is expected to announce a cheap Galaxy Watch FE, as well as a heaping helping of smartwatch, maybe called the Galaxy Watch 7 ‘Ultra.’
The Watch 7 Ultra looks like a bigger, badder watch with a squircle case — but a still-circular watchface. The chunky watch seen in leaked renders seems to be the company’s answer to the Apple Watch Ultra, to the point that leaked images even show a third button that could be similar to Apple’s Action Button. It even appears to feature a Samsung interpretation of Apple’s proprietary slide-in watchband connector — meaning you may not be able to use your old Galaxy Watch bands with this one.
New Galaxy Buds

Image: @evleaks (X)

The Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra isn’t the only thing apparently taking cues from Apple’s designs — Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3, based on leaks so far, plainly look like Apple’s third-generation AirPods, but with angular stems instead of round ones, and blue and orange accents at the tips. “Pro” models look a little more different, featuring a matte gray finish. Someone on Reddit claimed to have already bought a pair of those for $250 at a Walmart in the US, so it would seem they’re already in retail store rooms (and, apparently, on some shelves).

Samsung’s next Galaxy Unpacked event is coming up fast at 9AM ET on July 10th in Paris, France. The company isn’t being coy about at least a couple of things it’s talking about — the graphic in its announcement video clearly hints at foldables, and the video’s description reads in part, “Galaxy AI is here.” You can watch the stream either on YouTube or its website.

There’ll be more to the event than just folding phones and pre-announcement device reservation discounts. Samsung does its regular Galaxy phone announcements at its other Galaxy Unpacked event early in the year, so that’s out of the way, but we might also hear about other stuff, including a new Samsung Watch product and, of course, the Galaxy Ring.

Galaxy Ring

Samsung January Galaxy Ring announcement was little more than a tease, but the company gave reporters hands-on time with a prototype at Mobile World Congress in February, revealing colors and ring sizes and a little about what kind of data its sensors will gather. What we’d love to hear is how much the thing will cost, what kind of health sensors it will have, and when it’s coming.

For now, there are rumors, like that it will cost around $300 or $350 and that Samsung may spin up a fitness and health subscription to go along with it. But apart from that and FCC testing records that revealed battery capacities, very little has made its way out of Samsung’s halls about the Galaxy Ring.

Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6

Image: Evan Blass
Leaked renders show the Galaxy Z Fold 6 (left) and the Z Flip 6 (right).

Plenty about the Galaxy Z foldables has already leaked. It seems the Z Fold 6 is getting an updated, more squared-off design, significantly brighter screens, and a touch longer battery life, though using the same 4,400mAh battery size as its predecessor.

The clamshell Flip 6 may be less changed from the previous model, but it’s expected to see some other key updates. Besides a similar brightness boost to the Fold 6, the phone may get a much brighter screen like its larger sibling, along with a vapor chamber cooling system and either a 4,000mAh battery or a 3,790mAh battery, depending on the rumor (the current model’s battery capacity is rated at 3,700mAh). The secondary screen might be an IPS panel instead of OLED.

Both phones are expected to be lighter, thinner, and powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor.

Galaxy AI

Samsung was quick to jump on the AI train, and at least some of its Galaxy AI features are available or coming to all manner of Galaxy phones and devices — not just the latest and greatest. So far, Galaxy AI is full of table stakes for artificial intelligence: things like on-device, in-call audio and text translations and photo and video editing, and Google’s Circle to Search feature. Now is the company’s chance to set itself apart a little bit.

Samsung Galaxy Watch

Image: Smartprix / OnLeaks
The Galaxy Watch 7 ‘Ultra’ in all its rendered squircle glory.

Samsung will probably talk about its next Galaxy Watch lineup. Leaked images have suggested more of the same for the regular Watch 7, but the company is expected to announce a cheap Galaxy Watch FE, as well as a heaping helping of smartwatch, maybe called the Galaxy Watch 7 ‘Ultra.’

The Watch 7 Ultra looks like a bigger, badder watch with a squircle case — but a still-circular watchface. The chunky watch seen in leaked renders seems to be the company’s answer to the Apple Watch Ultra, to the point that leaked images even show a third button that could be similar to Apple’s Action Button. It even appears to feature a Samsung interpretation of Apple’s proprietary slide-in watchband connector — meaning you may not be able to use your old Galaxy Watch bands with this one.

New Galaxy Buds

Image: @evleaks (X)

The Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra isn’t the only thing apparently taking cues from Apple’s designs — Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3, based on leaks so far, plainly look like Apple’s third-generation AirPods, but with angular stems instead of round ones, and blue and orange accents at the tips. “Pro” models look a little more different, featuring a matte gray finish. Someone on Reddit claimed to have already bought a pair of those for $250 at a Walmart in the US, so it would seem they’re already in retail store rooms (and, apparently, on some shelves).

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Is now the right time to say “ka-chow,” or should I wait? | Image: NASCAR

NASCAR showed off a new EV prototype stock car at the Chicago Street Race today as part of a presentation on its sustainability initiatives, which it has a new partner for in Swedish electrification firm ABB. The car, which looks more like a performance crossover like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, is in many ways a total departure from the traditional stock car. Don’t expect the ABB NASCAR EV Prototype to replace the fuel-burning V8 anytime soon, though.
NASCAR says the car has three electric motors — one in the front and two in the back — powered by a 78-kWh liquid-cooled battery that can generate 1,000kW “at peak power,” according to today’s announcement.

Image: NASCAR

NASCAR writes that the EV sits on a modified version of the Next Gen chassis NASCAR introduced in 2022, which was designed with an eye toward transition to alternative fuels. Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota helped with its development, the organization writes.

Before its unveiling, the $1.5 million prototype had only been driven by NASCAR driver David Ragan, reported The Associated Press. Ragan told the outlet that his fastest lap at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia was “two-tenths of a second slower” than a typical racer, despite it having almost twice the acceleration. Unsurprisingly, the weight was a big factor, slowing him down in the turns.
Traditional stock cars aren’t heading for their final left turn, though there are rumors it will introduce hybrids in a few years. Still, it could do something similar to the ABB-sponsored, all-electric Formula E series; NASCAR says it “may explore possibilities around high-performance racing,” according to NBC News.

Is now the right time to say “ka-chow,” or should I wait? | Image: NASCAR

NASCAR showed off a new EV prototype stock car at the Chicago Street Race today as part of a presentation on its sustainability initiatives, which it has a new partner for in Swedish electrification firm ABB. The car, which looks more like a performance crossover like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, is in many ways a total departure from the traditional stock car. Don’t expect the ABB NASCAR EV Prototype to replace the fuel-burning V8 anytime soon, though.

NASCAR says the car has three electric motors — one in the front and two in the back — powered by a 78-kWh liquid-cooled battery that can generate 1,000kW “at peak power,” according to today’s announcement.

Image: NASCAR

NASCAR writes that the EV sits on a modified version of the Next Gen chassis NASCAR introduced in 2022, which was designed with an eye toward transition to alternative fuels. Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota helped with its development, the organization writes.

Before its unveiling, the $1.5 million prototype had only been driven by NASCAR driver David Ragan, reported The Associated Press. Ragan told the outlet that his fastest lap at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia was “two-tenths of a second slower” than a typical racer, despite it having almost twice the acceleration. Unsurprisingly, the weight was a big factor, slowing him down in the turns.

Traditional stock cars aren’t heading for their final left turn, though there are rumors it will introduce hybrids in a few years. Still, it could do something similar to the ABB-sponsored, all-electric Formula E series; NASCAR says it “may explore possibilities around high-performance racing,” according to NBC News.

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Illustration: Alex Castro / The Verge

The Epic Games Store app for EU iPhones has passed Apple’s notarization process, putting the alternative app store a step closer to selling apps directly to iOS users outside of the App Store. AppleInsider reports that while Apple confirmed the app had passed, it has asked Epic to “fix the buttons” in a future submission to the company’s app review process.
But the approval is just “temporary,” posted Epic CEO Tim Sweeney, who puts Apple’s request differently. He says the company is “demanding we change the buttons in the next version,” vowing that the company will “fight this.” The apparently conditional approval is just the latest part of the back-and-forth saga between Apple and Epic. Previously, Apple reinstated Epic Games Sweden’s European developer license after EU regulators started investigating its decision to pull it.

Apple’s DMA saga has taken a turn towards the absurd.Apple is now telling reporters that this approval is temporary and are demanding we change the buttons in the next version – which would make our store less standard and harder to use.We’ll fight this. https://t.co/obwRoU7dWo— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) July 5, 2024

Epic had submitted the store (along with Fortnite) to Apple’s iOS notarization process, which Apple requires for apps available outside the App Store in the EU, at the beginning of the month. Then it posted that Apple rejected the submission because the company felt the game store’s “in-app purchases” label and “Install” button hewed too closely to Apple’s “design and positioning” for its own similar features. (If that sounds familiar, maybe it’s because it’s not the only spat between the two that involves button design.)

Illustration: Alex Castro / The Verge

The Epic Games Store app for EU iPhones has passed Apple’s notarization process, putting the alternative app store a step closer to selling apps directly to iOS users outside of the App Store. AppleInsider reports that while Apple confirmed the app had passed, it has asked Epic to “fix the buttons” in a future submission to the company’s app review process.

But the approval is just “temporary,” posted Epic CEO Tim Sweeney, who puts Apple’s request differently. He says the company is “demanding we change the buttons in the next version,” vowing that the company will “fight this.” The apparently conditional approval is just the latest part of the back-and-forth saga between Apple and Epic. Previously, Apple reinstated Epic Games Sweden’s European developer license after EU regulators started investigating its decision to pull it.

Epic had submitted the store (along with Fortnite) to Apple’s iOS notarization process, which Apple requires for apps available outside the App Store in the EU, at the beginning of the month. Then it posted that Apple rejected the submission because the company felt the game store’s “in-app purchases” label and “Install” button hewed too closely to Apple’s “design and positioning” for its own similar features. (If that sounds familiar, maybe it’s because it’s not the only spat between the two that involves button design.)

Read More