The name Google is synonymous with online searches, but over the years the company has grown beyond search and now builds multiple consumer products, including software like Gmail, Chrome, Maps, Android, and hardware like the Pixel smartphones, Google Home, and Chromebooks. Its name can also be found on internet services such as Google Fi, Flights, Checkout, and Google Fiber. Here is all of the latest news about one of the most influential tech companies in the world.
The Moto Watch stands out with up to 13 days of battery life, open-source software, and Polar-powered dual-frequency GPS.
Other deals include an arcade controller, an Ultimate Ears speaker that’s perfect for parties, and a pair of Bose headphones.
Google enlisted Xreal to bring Android XR to life in a compact set of AR glasses, resulting in Project Aura. They’ll launch in 2026, but Google is already locking down Xreal’s hardware chops for another couple years. It’s now designated as a lead hardware partner for Android XR.
The upcoming 14-inch HP Chromebook Plus and Chromebook Plus x360 announced at CES have been updated with Intel Core 3 N355 processors and offer up to 512GB of M.2 SSD storage, with the previous 16:9 aspect ratio displays switching to 16:10.
Samsung’s three-panel foldable phone won’t be officially available in the US until next year, but it’s already hit the YouTuber’s durability test table. Its thin frame (that’s different sizes across all three sections) doesn’t deal well with being bent the wrong way, even if Samsung’s hinge technology is pretty resilient, but... it didn’t explode.
Press play for a peek at the test results and a look at all three internal battery cells.
AI can help you make it look like a plush toy is traveling the world. But I’m not convinced that’s a great idea.
In addition to an update for its power outage problem, Waymo is also working on an AI Ride Assistant. That’s according to security researcher Jane Manchun Wong, who found details on the bot’s system prompt from Waymo’s mobile app code.
When a substation fire cut off electricity across the city, Waymo SUVs stuck at malfunctioning stoplights quickly became another headache, and now the company is explaining it as an issue of too many remote operator assistance requests:
While the Waymo Driver is designed to handle dark traffic signals as four-way stops, it may occasionally request a confirmation check to ensure it makes the safest choice. While we successfully traversed more than 7,000 dark signals on Saturday, the outage created a concentrated spike in these requests. This created a backlog that, in some cases, led to response delays contributing to congestion on already-overwhelmed streets.
The arrival of generative AI assistants in our smart homes held such promise; instead, they struggle to turn on the lights.
Google’s parent company will acquire Intersect for $4.75 billion to “enable more data center and generation capacity to come online, faster, while accelerating energy development and innovation,” according to a press release. Intersect will “remain separate from Alphabet and Google.”
Google announced a partnership with Intersect last year.
Through December 31st, Google is offering 40 percent off its Pixel 10 lineup to some YouTube Premium subscribers. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a promo code in your inbox. This brings the Pixel 10 down to $479.40 ($319.60 off), which is the biggest discount we’ve seen yet.
If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.
I saw someone on Threads the other day say, basically, “I know GChat is technically still a thing, but does anyone actually use it?” Google sure hopes you do — and it’s turning it into something much more like Slack. The new thing is that you can pipe RSS feeds into Chat, where they can appear in real time in whatever group you want. It’s a good idea! We have a bunch of RSS feeds funneling into our Slack. But I’d rather just have Google Reader back.
[Workspace Updates Blog]
The Mous Pixel Watch Charger, available through Google’s online store for $50, is the first third-party charger that works with the Pixel Watch 4’s side-mounted charging pins. It’s larger and potentially more stable than Google’s $30 Pixel Watch Quick Charge Dock, and can connect to other Mous charging pads.
If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.
Google’s high-end wireless earbuds are among the best you can buy if you value having great active noise cancellation, a clear transparency mode, and detailed sound quality. Even better: they’re now cheaper than they were on Black Friday, with prices starting at $164.79 (about $64 off) at multiple retailers.
If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.
In 2025, the company staved off monopoly charges and AI upstarts to set revenue records.
The tool, which lets you have voice conversations in AI Mode in the Google app, now uses Google’s newest Gemini model for native audio, which means that responses are “more fluid and expressive than ever before,” the company says. You can hear an example in this video.
