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The deal is expected to close in 18 months, if it gets past regulatory approval. | Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge

Verizon has entered an agreement to acquire the fiber internet provider Frontier in an all-cash deal valued at $20 billion. In its press release announcing the transaction, Verizon says the deal will “significantly expand Verizon’s fiber footprint across the nation, accelerating the company’s delivery of premium mobility and broadband services to current and new customers.”
The deal with Frontier may help Verizon regain its old Fios subscribers, after some of its wireline operations — including Fios fiber internet connections — were purchased by Frontier in 2015 for $10.5 billion. Frontier’s existing 2.2 million fiber subscribers in 25 states will now join Verizon’s approximately 7.4 million Fios connections in nine states. Frontier currently has 7.2 million fiber locations, and still plans to build out 2.8 million more by the end of 2026.
“The acquisition of Frontier is a strategic fit,” said Verizon Chairman and CEO Hans Vestberg. “It will build on Verizon’s two decades of leadership at the forefront of fiber and is an opportunity to become more competitive in more markets throughout the United States, enhancing our ability to deliver premium offerings to millions more customers across a combined fiber network.”
As we said yesterday, this is an opportune moment for Verizon to get back into the fiber internet business following AT&T’s own expansion and T-Mobile’s bid to acquire Metronet. Verizon says the transaction is expected to close in around 18 months, subject to any closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

The deal is expected to close in 18 months, if it gets past regulatory approval. | Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge

Verizon has entered an agreement to acquire the fiber internet provider Frontier in an all-cash deal valued at $20 billion. In its press release announcing the transaction, Verizon says the deal will “significantly expand Verizon’s fiber footprint across the nation, accelerating the company’s delivery of premium mobility and broadband services to current and new customers.”

The deal with Frontier may help Verizon regain its old Fios subscribers, after some of its wireline operations — including Fios fiber internet connections — were purchased by Frontier in 2015 for $10.5 billion. Frontier’s existing 2.2 million fiber subscribers in 25 states will now join Verizon’s approximately 7.4 million Fios connections in nine states. Frontier currently has 7.2 million fiber locations, and still plans to build out 2.8 million more by the end of 2026.

“The acquisition of Frontier is a strategic fit,” said Verizon Chairman and CEO Hans Vestberg. “It will build on Verizon’s two decades of leadership at the forefront of fiber and is an opportunity to become more competitive in more markets throughout the United States, enhancing our ability to deliver premium offerings to millions more customers across a combined fiber network.”

As we said yesterday, this is an opportune moment for Verizon to get back into the fiber internet business following AT&T’s own expansion and T-Mobile’s bid to acquire Metronet. Verizon says the transaction is expected to close in around 18 months, subject to any closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

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The Segway-Ninebot ZT3 Pro has six inches of ground clearance thanks to 11-inch tubeless tires. | Image: Segway-Ninebot

The new Segway-Ninebot ZT3 Pro is the company’s first electric scooter that’s designed to handle terrain considerably rougher than the average urban commute.
Weighing a hefty 65.5lbs, the ZT3 Pro pairs 11-inch tubeless tires with a fork suspension on the front, a coil suspension swing arm on the back, and six inches of ground clearance beneath its deck. That setup should not only provide a smoother ride when going off road but also help reduce the risk of the ZT3 Pro bottoming out when traversing uneven terrain.
Powered by a 1,600-watt electric motor, the US version of the ZT3 Pro will have a top speed of 24.9mph and a maximum range of 18.6 miles in its full-power sport mode. Switching to a much slower eco mode will boost the scooter’s range to almost 44 miles, but the ZT3 Pro seems more appealing for quick bursts of high-speed fun. You’ll just want to make sure you’re wearing more safety gear than a bicycle helmet if you do plan to hit the trails at its top speed.

Image: Segway-Ninebot
Front fork suspension and a swingarm for the rear tire will help the ZT3 Pro absorb bumps from obstacles and uneven terrain.

Given the ZT3 Pro will be potentially driven over sand, dirt, gravel, and even wet surfaces, Segway includes a traction control system that works alongside the company’s “Segride stability enhancement system” to reduce wheel slip and handlebar shake. You won’t want to ride the ZT3 Pro through very deep puddles, as its body and internal components only come with water-resistant IP ratings, but riding it in the rain shouldn’t be an issue thanks to front and rear disc brakes that will bring the scooter to a stop even in wet conditions.

Image: Segway-Ninebot
A basic LCD display gives the rider details on their speed and the scooter’s remaining battery charge.

A simple three-inch LCD screen serves as the rider’s dashboard, with information on speed and the battery’s remaining charge, while a headlight, turn signals, and brake light allow the ZT3 Pro to be used even after the sun has gone down. Security features include a Bluetooth-based system that will only allow the scooter to be ridden while in the proximity of a paired smartphone running the Segway-Ninebot app, plus support for Apple’s Find My network, allowing the ZT3 Pro to be tracked should it go missing.
Segway plans to make the ZT3 Pro scooter available for preorder starting on September 26th, with shipping expected as early as late October. Pricing details haven’t yet been revealed.

The Segway-Ninebot ZT3 Pro has six inches of ground clearance thanks to 11-inch tubeless tires. | Image: Segway-Ninebot

The new Segway-Ninebot ZT3 Pro is the company’s first electric scooter that’s designed to handle terrain considerably rougher than the average urban commute.

Weighing a hefty 65.5lbs, the ZT3 Pro pairs 11-inch tubeless tires with a fork suspension on the front, a coil suspension swing arm on the back, and six inches of ground clearance beneath its deck. That setup should not only provide a smoother ride when going off road but also help reduce the risk of the ZT3 Pro bottoming out when traversing uneven terrain.

Powered by a 1,600-watt electric motor, the US version of the ZT3 Pro will have a top speed of 24.9mph and a maximum range of 18.6 miles in its full-power sport mode. Switching to a much slower eco mode will boost the scooter’s range to almost 44 miles, but the ZT3 Pro seems more appealing for quick bursts of high-speed fun. You’ll just want to make sure you’re wearing more safety gear than a bicycle helmet if you do plan to hit the trails at its top speed.

Image: Segway-Ninebot
Front fork suspension and a swingarm for the rear tire will help the ZT3 Pro absorb bumps from obstacles and uneven terrain.

Given the ZT3 Pro will be potentially driven over sand, dirt, gravel, and even wet surfaces, Segway includes a traction control system that works alongside the company’s “Segride stability enhancement system” to reduce wheel slip and handlebar shake. You won’t want to ride the ZT3 Pro through very deep puddles, as its body and internal components only come with water-resistant IP ratings, but riding it in the rain shouldn’t be an issue thanks to front and rear disc brakes that will bring the scooter to a stop even in wet conditions.

Image: Segway-Ninebot
A basic LCD display gives the rider details on their speed and the scooter’s remaining battery charge.

A simple three-inch LCD screen serves as the rider’s dashboard, with information on speed and the battery’s remaining charge, while a headlight, turn signals, and brake light allow the ZT3 Pro to be used even after the sun has gone down. Security features include a Bluetooth-based system that will only allow the scooter to be ridden while in the proximity of a paired smartphone running the Segway-Ninebot app, plus support for Apple’s Find My network, allowing the ZT3 Pro to be tracked should it go missing.

Segway plans to make the ZT3 Pro scooter available for preorder starting on September 26th, with shipping expected as early as late October. Pricing details haven’t yet been revealed.

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Like an El Camino with hydros, this robot vacuum tilts and lifts. | Image: SharkNinja

SharkNinja has a new 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that picks itself up over rugs, high-pile carpet, and other obstacles to both prevent the transfer of wet messes and to help get out of situations where it might get stuck. The lift tilts the robot up to 20mm, which is amongst the highest alongside the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra. But SharkNinja claims no other robot vacuum on the market is designed to lift the entire robot.
Boldly called the PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro with “NeverStuck” technology, SharkNinja claims its robot vacuum and mop 2-in-1 will, well, never get stuck. And, along with its included Pro Base auto-empty station, you won’t need to touch it for up to 30 days.

Image: SharkNinja
SharkNinja won’t be winning any aesthetic awards, but the NeverTouch has some promising functionality.

It takes about a month for the station’s cleaning solution tank to need a top-up after the robot’s repeated auto-refills and cleaning cycles. The station also collects dirt from the robot for up to 45 days, and there’s no bag you need to purchase, just remove the bin, empty, wash, and reinstall.
The NeverTouch Pro uses lidar for mapping and navigation, and SharkNinja says it can also sense dirt and will increase vacuum power to grab more. It has an EdgeDetect function that can move its mop over and wipe up to the kickboards, and it uses a blast of air to get debris out of both edges and corners and into the vacuum.
The robot can also sense stains on hard floors, and will run its mop a few times more to try and clean spots. During its mopping cycle, when it lifts itself over rugs, it won’t vacuum the rug — but it will later go drop off the mop to the station and come back to finish the job.

Image: SharkNinja
No need to do the mean, lean, under-the-table clean.

Image: SharkNinja
Auto-empty station for the stick vacuum, too.

For those who prefer chores but still don’t like cleaning bins, SharkNinja has a new stick vacuum with its own auto-empty ability, too. The new PowerDetect Clean and Empty Cordless Vacuum boosts suction when it detects more dirt and when met with corners and edges.
But its neater trick is its “DuoClean Detect” nozzle that picks up dirt and debris in both forward and reverse motions while also resisting human hair getting wrapped up. It also has an articulating stick to get under furniture easily, and it can fold further to stand up by itself without needing to be placed back in the charge station.
You can buy the PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro ($999.99) and the Cordless Vacuum ($499.99) at sharkclean.com today. Later this fall, both will be available at retail stores, including Best Buy and Walmart, and on Amazon.

Like an El Camino with hydros, this robot vacuum tilts and lifts. | Image: SharkNinja

SharkNinja has a new 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that picks itself up over rugs, high-pile carpet, and other obstacles to both prevent the transfer of wet messes and to help get out of situations where it might get stuck. The lift tilts the robot up to 20mm, which is amongst the highest alongside the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra. But SharkNinja claims no other robot vacuum on the market is designed to lift the entire robot.

Boldly called the PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro with “NeverStuck” technology, SharkNinja claims its robot vacuum and mop 2-in-1 will, well, never get stuck. And, along with its included Pro Base auto-empty station, you won’t need to touch it for up to 30 days.

It takes about a month for the station’s cleaning solution tank to need a top-up after the robot’s repeated auto-refills and cleaning cycles. The station also collects dirt from the robot for up to 45 days, and there’s no bag you need to purchase, just remove the bin, empty, wash, and reinstall.

The NeverTouch Pro uses lidar for mapping and navigation, and SharkNinja says it can also sense dirt and will increase vacuum power to grab more. It has an EdgeDetect function that can move its mop over and wipe up to the kickboards, and it uses a blast of air to get debris out of both edges and corners and into the vacuum.

The robot can also sense stains on hard floors, and will run its mop a few times more to try and clean spots. During its mopping cycle, when it lifts itself over rugs, it won’t vacuum the rug — but it will later go drop off the mop to the station and come back to finish the job.

Image: SharkNinja
No need to do the mean, lean, under-the-table clean.

For those who prefer chores but still don’t like cleaning bins, SharkNinja has a new stick vacuum with its own auto-empty ability, too. The new PowerDetect Clean and Empty Cordless Vacuum boosts suction when it detects more dirt and when met with corners and edges.

But its neater trick is its “DuoClean Detect” nozzle that picks up dirt and debris in both forward and reverse motions while also resisting human hair getting wrapped up. It also has an articulating stick to get under furniture easily, and it can fold further to stand up by itself without needing to be placed back in the charge station.

You can buy the PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro ($999.99) and the Cordless Vacuum ($499.99) at sharkclean.com today. Later this fall, both will be available at retail stores, including Best Buy and Walmart, and on Amazon.

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Illustration: Nick Barclay / The Verge

Meta should allow users to post “aspirational” statements for Venezuelan paramilitary groups to be killed, the Oversight Board ruled in a decision released on Thursday. The board’s ruling involves two posts on Facebook and Instagram in the wake of Venezuela’s contested presidential election, both of which were captioned with calls for violence against members of paramilitary groups, called colectivos. The board found that these posts were “statements expressing a hope that violent actors will be killed,” rather than specific calls for violence, and therefore said they don’t violate Meta’s rules.
The board’s decision noted the “limited outlets for free expression” in Venezuela and the colectivos’ role “in the violent crackdown against protesters” in the aftermath of the election. The two Venezuelan cases were decided on an expedited basis due to “exceptional circumstances, including when content could result in urgent real-world consequences.”
The board’s decision noted the “limited outlets for free expression” in Venezuela
Moderators had removed one post — a Facebook video depicting a group of men on motorbikes who presumably belonged to a colectivo, with a caption urging people to “kill those damn colectivos” — for violating Meta’s rules against inciting violence. The second post — an Instagram video in which a woman told men presumed to be members of a colectivo, “Go to hell, I hope they kill you all” — was not removed, because it expressed “a conditional or aspirational statement against a violent actor rather than a call to action,” the board wrote.
The board upheld the decision not to take down the Instagram post and overturned the decision to remove the Facebook post.
“Meta’s policies distinguish between permitted ‘statements expressing a hope that violent actors will be killed,’ and prohibited ‘calls for action against violence actors,’” the board wrote in a press release. “Meta finds this balance ‘particularly difficult’ in the context of violent threats against colectivos,” but the board ultimately found that both posts are aspirational statements rather than calls for action. In other words, users can’t make specific threats against colectivos or their members, but they can post vague desires that colectivo members be killed.
The board has made similar decisions in the past, allowing users to post calls for violence against certain political actors including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In December 2023, the board overturned Meta’s decision to take down a video showing people breaking into a police station in Haiti, which prompted Meta to update its rules to allow exceptions for “threats when shared in an awareness-raising or condemning context” or when calling for “threats against violent actors, like terrorist group.”

Illustration: Nick Barclay / The Verge

Meta should allow users to post “aspirational” statements for Venezuelan paramilitary groups to be killed, the Oversight Board ruled in a decision released on Thursday. The board’s ruling involves two posts on Facebook and Instagram in the wake of Venezuela’s contested presidential election, both of which were captioned with calls for violence against members of paramilitary groups, called colectivos. The board found that these posts were “statements expressing a hope that violent actors will be killed,” rather than specific calls for violence, and therefore said they don’t violate Meta’s rules.

The board’s decision noted the “limited outlets for free expression” in Venezuela and the colectivos’ role “in the violent crackdown against protesters” in the aftermath of the election. The two Venezuelan cases were decided on an expedited basis due to “exceptional circumstances, including when content could result in urgent real-world consequences.”

Moderators had removed one post — a Facebook video depicting a group of men on motorbikes who presumably belonged to a colectivo, with a caption urging people to “kill those damn colectivos” — for violating Meta’s rules against inciting violence. The second post — an Instagram video in which a woman told men presumed to be members of a colectivo, “Go to hell, I hope they kill you all” — was not removed, because it expressed “a conditional or aspirational statement against a violent actor rather than a call to action,” the board wrote.

The board upheld the decision not to take down the Instagram post and overturned the decision to remove the Facebook post.

“Meta’s policies distinguish between permitted ‘statements expressing a hope that violent actors will be killed,’ and prohibited ‘calls for action against violence actors,’” the board wrote in a press release. “Meta finds this balance ‘particularly difficult’ in the context of violent threats against colectivos,” but the board ultimately found that both posts are aspirational statements rather than calls for action. In other words, users can’t make specific threats against colectivos or their members, but they can post vague desires that colectivo members be killed.

The board has made similar decisions in the past, allowing users to post calls for violence against certain political actors including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In December 2023, the board overturned Meta’s decision to take down a video showing people breaking into a police station in Haiti, which prompted Meta to update its rules to allow exceptions for “threats when shared in an awareness-raising or condemning context” or when calling for “threats against violent actors, like terrorist group.”

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Image: BMW

Toyota and BMW are updating their partnership in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, signing a new memorandum of understanding to accelerate the development of next-generation, zero-emission vehicles. BMW will launch its first hydrogen-powered model in 2028.
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, but automakers have struggled to market fuel cell vehicles to the public. A severe lack of fueling infrastructure outside of California in the US has prevented hydrogen from becoming as popular or prevalent as battery-electric cars. And vehicle sales have essentially collapsed: only 322 fuel cell vehicles were sold in the US in the first half of 2024, 82 percent lower than a year ago.
Toyota and BMW think they can overcome these challenges together. The upgraded partnership aims to standardize components and bring down the cost of fuel cell vehicles by developing their own shared powertrain. They will also work together to build hydrogen fueling stations to address the core stumbling block to fuel cell vehicle adoption. The companies originally joined forces in 2012 on hydrogen vehicles.

BMW says its series production model will be an existing model in its lineup that’s offered as a hydrogen-powered variant. The two companies will also work together on fuel cell-powered commercial vehicles but didn’t specify what type. They also called for the creation of a “conducive framework” between government and industry to ensure hydrogen technology has legs to stand on.
Hydrogen fuel cells use compressed hydrogen as their fuel, releasing water vapor as its only emission. Several automakers have recently seized on the technology for its advantages in the development of heavy-duty vehicles and mobile power generators — and as a way to further transition away from polluting gas-powered vehicles and meet their own climate goals.

Photo: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Toyota, in particular, is one of the few companies that is still selling passenger vehicles powered by fuel cells. The Toyota Mirai is only available in California and comes with a complimentary fueling voucher worth up to $15,000. As of June this year, the Japanese carmaker had sold about 26,000 Mirais since its launch, according to the company. BMW also has its own fuel cell-powered vehicle, the iX5, but the company is only testing the waters by making a handful so far.
Still, BMW and Toyota face an uphill battle. The fueling infrastructure in California seems on the brink of collapse, with dozens of stations offline at any given time. Earlier this year, Shell closed its stations in the state amid fuel shortages. And the price of hydrogen continues to climb, as production problems and supply shortages roil the market.
BMW and Toyota are holding a roundtable Thursday to answer questions about their upgraded tie-up, as well as the challenges they will face ahead.

Image: BMW

Toyota and BMW are updating their partnership in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, signing a new memorandum of understanding to accelerate the development of next-generation, zero-emission vehicles. BMW will launch its first hydrogen-powered model in 2028.

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, but automakers have struggled to market fuel cell vehicles to the public. A severe lack of fueling infrastructure outside of California in the US has prevented hydrogen from becoming as popular or prevalent as battery-electric cars. And vehicle sales have essentially collapsed: only 322 fuel cell vehicles were sold in the US in the first half of 2024, 82 percent lower than a year ago.

Toyota and BMW think they can overcome these challenges together. The upgraded partnership aims to standardize components and bring down the cost of fuel cell vehicles by developing their own shared powertrain. They will also work together to build hydrogen fueling stations to address the core stumbling block to fuel cell vehicle adoption. The companies originally joined forces in 2012 on hydrogen vehicles.

BMW says its series production model will be an existing model in its lineup that’s offered as a hydrogen-powered variant. The two companies will also work together on fuel cell-powered commercial vehicles but didn’t specify what type. They also called for the creation of a “conducive framework” between government and industry to ensure hydrogen technology has legs to stand on.

Hydrogen fuel cells use compressed hydrogen as their fuel, releasing water vapor as its only emission. Several automakers have recently seized on the technology for its advantages in the development of heavy-duty vehicles and mobile power generators — and as a way to further transition away from polluting gas-powered vehicles and meet their own climate goals.

Photo: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Toyota, in particular, is one of the few companies that is still selling passenger vehicles powered by fuel cells. The Toyota Mirai is only available in California and comes with a complimentary fueling voucher worth up to $15,000. As of June this year, the Japanese carmaker had sold about 26,000 Mirais since its launch, according to the company. BMW also has its own fuel cell-powered vehicle, the iX5, but the company is only testing the waters by making a handful so far.

Still, BMW and Toyota face an uphill battle. The fueling infrastructure in California seems on the brink of collapse, with dozens of stations offline at any given time. Earlier this year, Shell closed its stations in the state amid fuel shortages. And the price of hydrogen continues to climb, as production problems and supply shortages roil the market.

BMW and Toyota are holding a roundtable Thursday to answer questions about their upgraded tie-up, as well as the challenges they will face ahead.

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Content showing intimidation and non-violent aggression is also being restricted. | Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

YouTube is adjusting its algorithm to restrict videos showing non-violent aggression and idealized physical appearances from being promoted to teenagers on the platform. In a new blog post, YouTube says that such content “may be innocuous as a single video” but it could “be problematic for some teens if viewed repetitively.”
The restrictions aim to prevent younger users from falling into harmful “rabbit hole” content pipelines without preventing them from viewing such videos entirely, as many are compliant with YouTube’s content guidelines. “Teens are more likely than adults to form negative beliefs about themselves when seeing repeated messages about ideal standards in content they consume online,” YouTube said.
The new safeguards are being introduced globally, and apply to content that compares or idealizes certain physical features, weight, and fitness over others, or displays “social aggression” like intimidation and non-contact fights. The restrictions also apply to makeup tutorials for changing the appearance of someone’s nose or eye shape, or fitness videos promoting muscular or slim physiques.
“A higher frequency of content that idealizes unhealthy standards or behaviors can emphasize potentially problematic messages — and those messages can impact how some teens see themselves,” said Allison Briscoe-Smith, a researcher on YouTube’s Youth and Families Advisory Committee. “Guardrails can help teens maintain healthy patterns as they naturally compare themselves to others and size up how they want to show up in the world.”

Content showing intimidation and non-violent aggression is also being restricted. | Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

YouTube is adjusting its algorithm to restrict videos showing non-violent aggression and idealized physical appearances from being promoted to teenagers on the platform. In a new blog post, YouTube says that such content “may be innocuous as a single video” but it could “be problematic for some teens if viewed repetitively.”

The restrictions aim to prevent younger users from falling into harmful “rabbit hole” content pipelines without preventing them from viewing such videos entirely, as many are compliant with YouTube’s content guidelines. “Teens are more likely than adults to form negative beliefs about themselves when seeing repeated messages about ideal standards in content they consume online,” YouTube said.

The new safeguards are being introduced globally, and apply to content that compares or idealizes certain physical features, weight, and fitness over others, or displays “social aggression” like intimidation and non-contact fights. The restrictions also apply to makeup tutorials for changing the appearance of someone’s nose or eye shape, or fitness videos promoting muscular or slim physiques.

“A higher frequency of content that idealizes unhealthy standards or behaviors can emphasize potentially problematic messages — and those messages can impact how some teens see themselves,” said Allison Briscoe-Smith, a researcher on YouTube’s Youth and Families Advisory Committee. “Guardrails can help teens maintain healthy patterns as they naturally compare themselves to others and size up how they want to show up in the world.”

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The Belkin SoundForm Isolate give you ANC at a budget-friendly price. | Images: Belkin

Belkin just revealed some updates to its SoundForm line of budget wireless headphones, adding two new closed-back, over-ear models and two sets of earbuds. Both earbuds are available now, while the new over-ear models are expected later this year.
The most notable of these is the $59.99 SoundForm Isolate, a pair of over-ear wireless headphones that offers active noise cancellation (ANC) and a “Hear-Thru” transparency mode. They’ve also got a built-in, looping ambient noise “Relaxation” track.

Images: Belkin
Belkin’s SoundForm Surround headphones are nearly identical to the SoundForm Isolate.

Those features aside, the Isolate and the $39.99 SoundForm Surround share all the same specs, like 40mm drivers, touch controls, and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity with support for connecting to two devices at once. They both charge with USB-C and have 3.5mm audio jacks as well, and Belkin says they’ll go for up to 60 hours on a charge (or 40 hours for the Isolate when ANC is turned on).

Image: Belkin
The ClearFit with their charging case.

Image: Belkin
The SoundForm Rhythm look like AirPods Pro, but have none of the fancy features.

Finally, Belkin announced two pairs of earbuds, the $34.99 SoundForm Rhythm and the $59.99 SoundForm ClearFit. The two are separated by form factor — The Rhythm earbuds use an AirPods Pro-like design with in-ear tips, while the IPx5 sweat-resistant ClearFit headphones are sportier open-ear devices with clips that loop over your ears.
You won’t find special audio features like noise cancellation, though; these are both very basic wireless earbuds. Still, Belkin claims they’ll last eight hours on a charge, which isn’t nothing, and they get another 20 hours (or 18 for the ClearFit) from their charging cases. Both are available now.

The Belkin SoundForm Isolate give you ANC at a budget-friendly price. | Images: Belkin

Belkin just revealed some updates to its SoundForm line of budget wireless headphones, adding two new closed-back, over-ear models and two sets of earbuds. Both earbuds are available now, while the new over-ear models are expected later this year.

The most notable of these is the $59.99 SoundForm Isolate, a pair of over-ear wireless headphones that offers active noise cancellation (ANC) and a “Hear-Thru” transparency mode. They’ve also got a built-in, looping ambient noise “Relaxation” track.

Images: Belkin
Belkin’s SoundForm Surround headphones are nearly identical to the SoundForm Isolate.

Those features aside, the Isolate and the $39.99 SoundForm Surround share all the same specs, like 40mm drivers, touch controls, and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity with support for connecting to two devices at once. They both charge with USB-C and have 3.5mm audio jacks as well, and Belkin says they’ll go for up to 60 hours on a charge (or 40 hours for the Isolate when ANC is turned on).

Finally, Belkin announced two pairs of earbuds, the $34.99 SoundForm Rhythm and the $59.99 SoundForm ClearFit. The two are separated by form factor — The Rhythm earbuds use an AirPods Pro-like design with in-ear tips, while the IPx5 sweat-resistant ClearFit headphones are sportier open-ear devices with clips that loop over your ears.

You won’t find special audio features like noise cancellation, though; these are both very basic wireless earbuds. Still, Belkin claims they’ll last eight hours on a charge, which isn’t nothing, and they get another 20 hours (or 18 for the ClearFit) from their charging cases. Both are available now.

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Yes, it does remind me of a macaron. | Image: Anker

At IFA 2024, Anker announced a slate of new charging accessories, including a new portable 3-in-1 Qi2 charger. The new MagGo 3-in-1 foldable pad unravels into three wireless pucks tethered by rubbery straps: a Qi2-certified 15W charger on one end, a 5W Apple-certified Watch charger on the other, and a 5W Qi puck in the middle that also houses the USB-C power input port.
The new Anker 3-in-1 seems inspired by Twelve South’s Butterfly charger design, including its ability to fold back as a kickstand for an iPhone while charging. Still, the Butterfly only charges an iPhone and Apple Watch. Anker’s is available today for $88.99 and comes in black, white, and pink, with a green one launching “after October.”

Image: Umar Shakir / The Verge
It covers the Apple trifecta.

Anker also has a new MagGo Qi2 charging stand ($39.99) with a satisfyingly tactile — if overengineered — rotating and tilting head that holds your iPhone at any desired angle. It’s specifically weighted for iPhones, as I found when I tried using it with my Pixel 8 Pro in a magnetic Dbrand ghost case (it’s fine…). It couldn’t keep my top-heavy Pixel horizontal.

Image: Anker
The stand comes with the charger and cable.

Image: Umar Shakir / The Verge
The stand is designed for iPhones; other phones with magnet cases will probably not stay horizontal.

Anker has its own MagSafe grip case with a fold-out “360” ring that lets you stand it up at any angle; now it comes in multiple shades, including clear and gray, for a cheaper $29.99 price tag. Another update is with the MagGo power bank ($69.99), which is now slimmer than last year and fits nicely on the back of every recent iPhone that isn’t a Mini.

Image: Anker
Will fit nicely behind the Pro iPhones.

Anker’s last new accessory is a 30W MagGo power bank, which shares a similar form factor with Anker’s Fusion tethered USB-C power pack but includes a flip-up Apple Watch fast charger (and no AC pins, so charge it with another adapter). It’s available now for $79.99.

Image: Anker
Comes in a bunch of colors.

Yes, it does remind me of a macaron. | Image: Anker

At IFA 2024, Anker announced a slate of new charging accessories, including a new portable 3-in-1 Qi2 charger. The new MagGo 3-in-1 foldable pad unravels into three wireless pucks tethered by rubbery straps: a Qi2-certified 15W charger on one end, a 5W Apple-certified Watch charger on the other, and a 5W Qi puck in the middle that also houses the USB-C power input port.

The new Anker 3-in-1 seems inspired by Twelve South’s Butterfly charger design, including its ability to fold back as a kickstand for an iPhone while charging. Still, the Butterfly only charges an iPhone and Apple Watch. Anker’s is available today for $88.99 and comes in black, white, and pink, with a green one launching “after October.”

Image: Umar Shakir / The Verge
It covers the Apple trifecta.

Anker also has a new MagGo Qi2 charging stand ($39.99) with a satisfyingly tactile — if overengineered — rotating and tilting head that holds your iPhone at any desired angle. It’s specifically weighted for iPhones, as I found when I tried using it with my Pixel 8 Pro in a magnetic Dbrand ghost case (it’s fine…). It couldn’t keep my top-heavy Pixel horizontal.

Image: Anker
The stand comes with the charger and cable.

Image: Umar Shakir / The Verge
The stand is designed for iPhones; other phones with magnet cases will probably not stay horizontal.

Anker has its own MagSafe grip case with a fold-out “360” ring that lets you stand it up at any angle; now it comes in multiple shades, including clear and gray, for a cheaper $29.99 price tag. Another update is with the MagGo power bank ($69.99), which is now slimmer than last year and fits nicely on the back of every recent iPhone that isn’t a Mini.

Image: Anker
Will fit nicely behind the Pro iPhones.

Anker’s last new accessory is a 30W MagGo power bank, which shares a similar form factor with Anker’s Fusion tethered USB-C power pack but includes a flip-up Apple Watch fast charger (and no AC pins, so charge it with another adapter). It’s available now for $79.99.

Image: Anker
Comes in a bunch of colors.

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Eufy’s updated Permanent Outdoor Lights. | Image: Eufy

Eufy, the smart home product company under Anker, is launching new smart lights, including new permanent outdoor lights that can change color depending on who is walking up to your house. It works by communicating with Eufy’s video doorbells and security cameras and can be set to turn into, say, a welcoming soft white light for your family member.
Another example Anker provided is that it can switch to a harsh bright red for unrecognized folks approaching late at night. That might be a problem for early morning shift Amazon delivery workers, but if you can get each of their faces registered, maybe they all can get a thumbs-up bright green light!
The Permanent Outdoor Lights E22 are newer, brighter versions of the existing E120 model with warmer color tones. The lights are rated IP65 for water and dust resistance, while the end-of-run power adapter is IP67-rated. The lights also support a music sync mode and AI-curated themes for different occasions.
Eufy is selling the new lights today starting at $199 for 50 feet (30 lights) and $299 for 100 feet (60 lights).
Eufy is not announcing support for the Matter smart home standard, according to Anker senior PR manager Brett White, speaking to The Verge in a virtual briefing. The lights are designed to pair with Alexa or Google Assistant for voice control, and Eufy also has its own WonderLink system for unified smart home device management, which is how it integrates with the security cameras and their local facial recognition.

Eufy is launching a number of other RGB smart lights today with the same features, including outdoor string lights ($129.99) with hanging clear bulbs containing soft flame-like diffusion effects, 500-lumen outdoor spotlights ($99.99, pack of 2), 350-lumen outdoor pathway lights ($169.99, pack of 4), and an indoor floor lamp ($99.99) that washes the walls with color and looks a lot like the Philips Hue Signe floor lamp.

Eufy’s updated Permanent Outdoor Lights. | Image: Eufy

Eufy, the smart home product company under Anker, is launching new smart lights, including new permanent outdoor lights that can change color depending on who is walking up to your house. It works by communicating with Eufy’s video doorbells and security cameras and can be set to turn into, say, a welcoming soft white light for your family member.

Another example Anker provided is that it can switch to a harsh bright red for unrecognized folks approaching late at night. That might be a problem for early morning shift Amazon delivery workers, but if you can get each of their faces registered, maybe they all can get a thumbs-up bright green light!

The Permanent Outdoor Lights E22 are newer, brighter versions of the existing E120 model with warmer color tones. The lights are rated IP65 for water and dust resistance, while the end-of-run power adapter is IP67-rated. The lights also support a music sync mode and AI-curated themes for different occasions.

Eufy is selling the new lights today starting at $199 for 50 feet (30 lights) and $299 for 100 feet (60 lights).

Eufy is not announcing support for the Matter smart home standard, according to Anker senior PR manager Brett White, speaking to The Verge in a virtual briefing. The lights are designed to pair with Alexa or Google Assistant for voice control, and Eufy also has its own WonderLink system for unified smart home device management, which is how it integrates with the security cameras and their local facial recognition.

Eufy is launching a number of other RGB smart lights today with the same features, including outdoor string lights ($129.99) with hanging clear bulbs containing soft flame-like diffusion effects, 500-lumen outdoor spotlights ($99.99, pack of 2), 350-lumen outdoor pathway lights ($169.99, pack of 4), and an indoor floor lamp ($99.99) that washes the walls with color and looks a lot like the Philips Hue Signe floor lamp.

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Belkin has announced its latest portable chargers at IFA 2024, and among them are two new Qi2-certified BoostCharge Pro magnetic wireless travel chargers that, in many ways, pick up where Apple’s discontinued MagSafe Duo left off.
A $119 two-in-one model features a 15-watt Qi2 magnetic charging pad and a flip-up Apple Watch puck, while the $129.99 version adds a 5W nonmagnetic Qi charging pad for devices such as AirPods. Both products, like Apple’s MagSafe Duo, are made up of square pads that fold into a stack for easy stowing.
Each of the chargers can either be unfolded flat or tented for StandBy mode, Apple’s feature that can turn certain iPhone models into something like a digital clock or smart home controller when charging in landscape mode. They’re each powered via USB-C, with a 30-watt power brick for the two-device charger and a 36-watt adapter for the three-device one. Both are coming this fall.

Image: Belkin
Belkin’s BoostCharge Pro two-in-one is basically a Qi2 version of the MagSafe Duo.

Image: Belkin
The BoostCharge Pro two-in-one can unfold all the way, too.

Belkin also announced several similar, but less compact, folding chargers. They have some of the same capabilities as the BoostCharge Pro, like 15-watt Qi2 charging and Apple Watch charging.

Image: Belkin
The BoostCharge two-in-one can charge a set of AirPods and an iPhone, but you have to unfold it to expose the AirPod charging pad.

Image: Belkin
The BoostCharge three-in-one can charge an iPhone at 15 watts and two other devices, including an Apple Watch, at five watts.

These chargers range from $44.99 for a single device charger to $69.99 for a 2-in-1 version that also has a standard Qi pad for its base, to $99.99 for a 3-in-1 model that can charge your Apple Watch. The two-device and three-device chargers are available now on Belkin’s website, while the single-device one will come later this month.

Belkin has announced its latest portable chargers at IFA 2024, and among them are two new Qi2-certified BoostCharge Pro magnetic wireless travel chargers that, in many ways, pick up where Apple’s discontinued MagSafe Duo left off.

A $119 two-in-one model features a 15-watt Qi2 magnetic charging pad and a flip-up Apple Watch puck, while the $129.99 version adds a 5W nonmagnetic Qi charging pad for devices such as AirPods. Both products, like Apple’s MagSafe Duo, are made up of square pads that fold into a stack for easy stowing.

Each of the chargers can either be unfolded flat or tented for StandBy mode, Apple’s feature that can turn certain iPhone models into something like a digital clock or smart home controller when charging in landscape mode. They’re each powered via USB-C, with a 30-watt power brick for the two-device charger and a 36-watt adapter for the three-device one. Both are coming this fall.

Belkin also announced several similar, but less compact, folding chargers. They have some of the same capabilities as the BoostCharge Pro, like 15-watt Qi2 charging and Apple Watch charging.

These chargers range from $44.99 for a single device charger to $69.99 for a 2-in-1 version that also has a standard Qi pad for its base, to $99.99 for a 3-in-1 model that can charge your Apple Watch. The two-device and three-device chargers are available now on Belkin’s website, while the single-device one will come later this month.

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