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On a legacy Verizon 5G plan? This perk is coming to an end.

TL;DR Verizon has notified customers that it’s dropping the free Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass perk on some older 5G plans. This applies to users on its 5G Get More and 5G Play More plans. These subscriptions will be discontinued on September 22, 2025. Verizon offers free Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass subscriptions on some of its older 5G plans. Unfortunately, the company has now decided to ditch this perk, and affected users will need to pay for these subscriptions later this year.

Google lost its antitrust case with Epic again

Google's attempt to appeal the decision in Epic v. Google has failed. In a newly released opinion, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has decided to uphold the original Epic v. Google lawsuit that found that Google's Play Store and payment systems are monopolies. The decision means that Google will have to abide by the remedies of the original lawsuit, which limits the company's ability to pay phone makers to preinstall the Play Store, prevents it from requiring developers to use its payment sy

40 Best Toys for Kids in 2025: Our Editors Found the Hottest Gift Ideas for All Ages

Best kids' toys overall Hex Bots Wall Crawler Gecko CNET's Bridget Carey says this won her over "both as a mom and as someone who delights in making my co-workers squirm." By using a remote -- that can be as far as 25 feet away -- you can make it scale walls or perform spin tricks, she explains. To charge it, there's a USB-C port and you'll need two AAA batteries for the remote. Read our review here. $25 at Walmart Close RealFX Disney Stitch Not just any puppet -- this amazing 18-inch-tall Sti

The best sports watches of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

Ordinary smartwatches are great for communication and using apps, but dedicated GPS sports watches provide extensive customization of the user experience with a focus on training. You don't have to be a professional triathlete to enjoy the Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED, available starting at $1,100, and avid runners could easily train and excel using a value sport watch like the Coros Pace Pro, priced at $349. With a sports watch, your sleep, resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and more can hel

Aaron Sorkin’s Social Network sequel might recast Mark Zuckerberg

is a news editor covering technology, gaming, and more. He joined The Verge in 2019 after nearly two years at Techmeme. Aaron Sorkin is writing and directing a follow-up to The Social Network, and Jeremy Strong is reportedly the lead candidate to play Mark Zuckerberg. According to Deadline, “Sources say no formal offer has been presented but that he is the top choice to play the Facebook founder.” Jesse Eisenberg played Zuckerberg in the first film. Deadline reported on the new film, The Socia

Spotify Panama Playlists expose the soundtrack of the elite (and the death of their privacy)

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR A website called Panama Playlists claims to have exposed the Spotify listening habits of politicians, tech CEOs, celebrities, and journalists by tracking their public playlists and listening activity. The leak reveals the personal music choices of some of the world’s most powerful people, including US Vice President JD Vance, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, United States Attorney General Pam Bondi, and others. The site highlights a big flaw in how Spotify hand

Spotify activity revealed for celebrities, politicians, exposing privacy faults

Spotify has always had a bent toward social sharing and keeping music activity public. Now, a new website called Panama Playlists has exposed the service’s privacy gaps by revealing Spotify playback activity, playlists, and more for various celebrities—including tech leaders, politicians, and more. Panama Playlists exposes Spotify’s privacy shortcomings Do you know what your Spotify privacy settings are? That’s the question being prompted by a new website. As highlighted by The Verge, Panama

M4 MacBook Pro vs M4 MacBook Air: What $500 extra really gets you [Video]

Back-to-school time always brings some of the best deals on laptops, and this year is no exception. Amazon is offering insane deals on both the entry-level M4 MacBook Air ($799) and the baseline M4 MacBook Pro ($1299). While my gut reaction is in awe at how much power and value you get from the M4 MacBook Air at $799, after I stopped to think about it, the M4 MacBook Pro at $1299 could actually be the best bang for buck computer out on the market, but is it worth the $500 price difference? That

Spotify's lax privacy means anyone can see the Vice President's song choices

A new cybersecurity "breach" has revealed the personal information of various celebrities, and while it won't let you steal their identities, it will allow you to... judge them. The "Panama Playlists" details the Spotify song choices of notable people ranging from Vice President JD Vance to talk show host Seth Meyers to tech bros like Palmer Luckey. And technically, it wasn't a breach at all, but a possible lack of understanding around Spotify's privacy settings. Spotify has always allowed user

What JD Vance, Pam Bondi, and Sam Altman Can’t Stop Listening to, According to the ‘Panama Playlists’

From JD Vance's dinnertime Bieber to Sam Altman's Shazaming of incredibly popular hit songs, a website claiming to have published the Spotify listening habits of members of the Trump administration, tech leaders, and journalists is making the rounds. “We’ve been scraping their accounts since summer 2024. Playlists, live listening feed, everything. We know what songs they played, when, and how many times,” the Panama Playlists site reads, alleging, “With a little sleuthing, I could say with near

What JD Vance, Pam Bondi, and Sam Altman Can’t Stop Listening To, According to the ‘Panama Playlists’

From JD Vance's dinnertime Bieber to Sam Altman's Shazaming of incredibly popular hit songs, a website claiming to have published the Spotify listening habits of members of the Trump administration, tech leaders, and journalists is making the rounds. “We’ve been scraping their accounts since summer 2024. Playlists, live listening feed, everything. We know what songs they played, when, and how many times,” the Panama Playlists site reads, alleging, “With a little sleuthing, I could say with near

Spotify’s terrible privacy settings just leaked Palmer Luckey’s bops and bangers

is a reporter who writes about tech, money, and human behavior. She joined The Verge in 2014 as science editor. Previously, she was a reporter at Bloomberg. Have you ever wondered what bops powerful figures are listening to on Spotify? You’d be amazed what you can get with a profile search — but just in case you want them all in one place, there’s the Panama Playlists, a newly published collection of data on the musical listening habits of politicians, journalists, and tech figures, as curated

PUBG’s plan to beat Fortnite, Roblox, and every other game

Roblox and Fortnite are two of the biggest games around, and a huge part of why is because they aren’t just one game: instead, they’re vast platforms where you can party up with your friends, dress up in ridiculous digital outfits, and quickly jump from one experience to another. Back in the day, Fortnite copied PUBG by making a battle royale, and now, PUBG is mimicking Fortnite by trying to become more of a platform than a game. As part of a roadmap released earlier this year, PUBG developer K

Next-Gen Xbox and PlayStation Might Not Bore Us In the Switch 2 Era

Let’s forget about the mudslinging that occurs when anyone brings up the two big console makers who don’t have a big “N” in their name. Instead, let’s ask a simple question: what do we actually want from a next-gen Xbox or PlayStation? The latest rumors suggest 2026 could be a big year for Microsoft and Sony, as both may pump out new consoles with PC-level graphics capabilities and handheld gaming platforms to compete with the Steam Deck and Switch 2. The only caveat that’s going to deflate our

PlayerZero raises $15M to prevent AI agents from shipping buggy code

As Silicon Valley races toward a future where AI agents do most of the software programming, a new problem is created: finding the AI-generated bugs before they are put into production. Even OpenAI is dealing with such issues, a former employee has described. Newly funded startup PlayerZero has created a solution: use AI agents trained to find and fix problems before the code is put into production, the startup’s CEO and sole founder, Animesh Koratana, tells TechCrunch. Koratana created Player

NBA quietly trials smart basketballs with embedded sensors and AI tracking

In brief: Kinexon and other companies have spent years refining connected-ball technology to enhance sports analytics, improve training, and collect more data than ever. As professional leagues begin adopting the new tech, questions remain about potential minute changes to basketball physics. Unbeknownst to most players, about half of the NBA games played in Las Vegas earlier this month used balls equipped with smart tracking technology. The league is considering full adoption, but one company

NBA quietly tested smart basketballs with embedded sensors and AI tracking

In brief: Kinexon and other companies have spent years refining connected-ball technology to enhance sports analytics, improve training, and collect more data than ever. As professional leagues begin adopting the new tech, questions remain about potential minute changes to basketball physics. Unbeknownst to most players, about half of the NBA games played in Las Vegas earlier this month used balls equipped with smart tracking technology. The league is considering full adoption, but one company

Google is finally fixing an Android update bug that’s been an annoyance for weeks

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority TL;DR Google is addressing an issue that’s been affecting the installation of Play System updates on devices running Android 16. The company says it has identified the problem and will resolve it with an upcoming update. The issue also affected our Pixel 9a running Android 16, and many others reported the problem on other Pixel phones as well. I’ve been dealing with an update issue on my Pixel 9a running Android 16 for weeks, and it turns out I’m not the on

iOS 26 solves a pesky CarPlay annoyance

iOS 26 brings major changes to CarPlay, including a new Liquid Glass design and support for widgets. There’s also a small change that addresses a years-long feature request for many CarPlay users: the ability to disable CarPlay screenshots. For years, you’ve been able to take a screenshot of your CarPlay display by simply taking a screenshot on your iPhone. This feature can also be quite frustrating when your iPhone is connected to CarPlay and you only want to take a screenshot of your iPhone’

Alarm․com launches new CarPlay app for smart home control

Homeowners and businesses with an Alarm․com smart home system have a new way to keep tabs on things. The company has announced the launch of its first CarPlay app, unlocking easier access to smart home controls for things like garage doors, scenes, routines, and more. Alarm․com touted the features of its new CarPlay app in a press release today: Hassle-Free Garage Door Control: Easily open and close compatible garage doors with a tap, whether pulling into the driveway or leaving for the day. P

This Handheld May Be Our Best Hope to Relive the Nintendo DS Glory Days

Of the mass number of retro gaming handhelds available today, the one missing link is a device that can help us relive the days when dual-screen gaming reigned supreme. The best options for Nintendo DS software emulation are either too flat or too expensive. Niche handheld maker Ayaneo may have a winner with its new iteration of the Pocket DS featuring a large 7-inch screen and a smaller secondary touchscreen, all housed in a clamshell that’s so damn easy to take on the road. The Pocket DS is e

Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ Looks Absolutely Stunning

When Guillermo del Toro finally got the chance to make his dream project, an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, you just knew it was going to be beautiful. Del Toro’s films are known for a lot of things, and sumptuous production design and costumes are right near the top of the list. So, it almost goes without saying that a group of new images from the film are stunning, but these almost go beyond that. First revealed in an article by Vanity Fair and then released by Netflix, 10 new ima

M4 MacBook Pro vs M4 MacBook Air: What $500 extra really gets you

Back-to-school time always brings some of the best deals on laptops, and this year is no exception. Amazon is offering insane deals on both the entry-level M4 MacBook Air ($799) and the baseline M4 MacBook Pro ($1299). While my gut reaction is in awe at how much power and value you get from the M4 MacBook Air at $799, after I stopped to think about it, the M4 MacBook Pro at $1299 could actually be the best bang for buck computer out on the market, but is it worth the $500 price difference? That

Xbox Game Pass Adds Grounded 2 and Other Games This Month

The award-winning, quirky survival game Grounded is like the game version of the classic '80s comedy film, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. And Xbox Game Pass subscribers can get early access to that game's sequel, Grounded 2, now. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, a CNET Editors' Choice award pick, offers hundreds of games you can play on your Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and PC or mobile device for $20 a month. A subscription gives you access to a large library of games, with new ones, including Do

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Miss the Xperia Play? A new Android gaming phone is coming, and it slides like it’s 2011

Nick Fernandez / Android Authority TL;DR AYANEO announced it’s making a gaming phone with a physical sliding design, similar to the Xperia Play. The phone was teased during a livestream, but no specs, images, or release date were revealed. The move follows the expiration of the sliding phone patent and comes amid several other AYANEO hardware announcements. AYANEO is branching out in an exciting way. At the end of a four-hour livestream packed with announcements, the company revealed it’s wo

The New PlayStation 5 Fight Stick Is Way Weirder Than It Looks

Sony’s new controller for PS5 is unlike any of its other twin-stick, two-handed controllers, and not for all the obvious reasons. Sony’s “Project Defiant” fight stick now has a new name, FlexStrike, and a vague release date—2026. But the more intriguing, and more annoying, aspect of the fight stick is how it will connect to your PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 5 Pro. The FlexStrike features all the face buttons and triggers of a regular DualSense controller along with a single Japanese-type fight

Why I wear this $150 smartwatch even after testing competing Samsung and Garmin models

Amazfit Balance ZDNET's key takeaways The Amazfit Balance smartwatch is available now for $150. It features a sleek and stylish design with a brilliant AMOLED display, accurate GPS, and a list of health-tracking features. Just be prepared for the data-heavy companion app, which will take some time to familiarize with. $129.99 at Amazon As a wearables reviewer here on ZDNET, I've been spoiled by the opportunity to test out flagship smartwatches from Apple, Samsung, Garmin, Coros, and many othe

The Most Amazing Cosplay of San Diego Comic-Con 2025, Day 4

The cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con 2025 truly brought out the best in fandom, encompassing the love fans have for their favorite icons. From the latest pop culture hits, including several Huntrix and Saja Boys members from K-Pop Demon Hunters, to creative Star Wars looks (Sith Dog!), and, of course, a hearty dose of Marvel heroes, it was a pantheon of geekdom. Take a look at our last batch from over the weekend of our favorite cosplay! And catch up here for Day One, Day Two, and Day Three. An

Sony ad reveals plan to bring PlayStation titles to Xbox, Nintendo, and PC

In brief: A recent job posting on PlayStation's official hiring platform has signaled a notable shift in the company's approach to its exclusive video game releases. The listing details a search for a Senior Director of Multiplatform & Account Management, a role designed to oversee PlayStation Studios' software titles as they move beyond PlayStation's consoles and onto competitors' platforms. The job listing, spotted by Windows Central, makes clear that Sony is targeting a wide range of platfor

KMPlayer is a powerful media player with broad format support

The KMPlayer is a versatile media player which can cover various types of container format such as VCD, DVD, AVI, MKV, Ogg Theora, OGM, 3GP, MPEG-1/2/4, WMV, RealMedia, and QuickTime among others. It handles a wide range of subtitles and allows you to capture audio, video, and screenshots in many ways. The new KMPlayer is a player optimized for high-end PCs such as 8K and 60FPS. It is a powerful player that plays all the files such as 4K, 8K, 60FPS, and has greatly improved performance to incre