Tech
IBM's new Granite 4.2 models ride the wave of interest in local LLMs
The focus is on agentic capability and predictable enterprise deployment.
Fake US thinktank set up and funded by Israel sought to game AI for propaganda
In effort to prime chatbots to make pro-Israel arguments the site published 124 reports, over 560,000 words in nine days, Guardian analysis shows A pro-Israel messaging website badged with the name of a thinktank that…
Nine CEO sees ‘world of growth in publishing’ as network slashes costs
Matt Stanton says company has ‘good pipeline’ of AI deals ahead even as it aims to cut $160m in costs Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast…
In China, talking to AI is normal. Now the government fears it might replace human intimacy
Companion bots are being regulated over worries they foster ‘emotional dependence’ and young people could stop marrying and having families When law student Zhao Wei heard that her AI boyfriend was going to be switched…
Instagram CEO denies company hid low use of teen safety feature in Meta trial
Adam Mosseri is first top executive from Meta to testify in blockbuster lawsuit brought by 29 US states Instagram’s CEO disputed allegations by US prosecutors that his company hid negative information from the public…
Taiwan charges nine people for smuggling ‘high-end’ AI servers to China
Among those charged are two Super Micro employees and one from Nvidia, marking another flashpoint in US-China AI rivalry Taiwanese prosecutors charged nine people on Monday, including one from Nvidia and two from Super…
From mixed martial arts to mechanical dogs: the World Robot Conference 2026 – in pictures
More than 3,000 products were shown at the 2026 World Robot Conference in Beijing as China showcased its rapidly growing robotics industry. The event, which ran from 19-23 August, showcased the latest advances across…
The OG reading app just got a big update
Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 138, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you're new here, welcome, happy August, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.)…
Defcon's new badge is a security key you can see inside
A removable chip lets hackers inspect their badge—and keep using it after Defcon.
How fruit flies chase invisible ribbons of smell to get to their source
Tracking smells in turbulent air takes a keen sense of direction and sharp memory.
Not just Neanderthals: Ghost lineage in Africa left its mark on our DNA
Some group with no modern descendants contributed a lot to our genomes.
With Switch 2, iPhone, and laptop tricks, the Sharge Disk Pro 2 is finally a worthy EDC
The Sharge Disk Pro 2. | Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge Sharge, the company that makes delightful retro Mac-shaped chargers and see-inside batteries, is finally impressing me with a portable SSD. I couldn't…