Wes Davis
Wes Davis holds down The Verge on weekends, reporting on everything tech and entertainment under the sun. He loves fixing what is (and ain’t) broke with gadgetry and smart home tech, and came to The Verge from the freelance Wi-Fi router review world. When he’s not writing tech news, Wes is cycling (transportation, not racing), gaming, or recording music nobody should listen to. You can find him most places under the username "blunderchief." wes@theverge.com The iPhone 16 lineup could get more battery life. Apple is bumping up the energy density of the battery in its next iPhones, letting them last longer between charges, claims supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo notes that more density means more heat, so Apple is encasing them in stainless steel, which he says will also mean they’re easier to replace — something the EU now requires. “This incredible race to just be the first one to it out loud.” Google spit out a surprise Pixel 9 hardware event announcement last week. It’s set for August 13th, two months earlier than the October phone events it’s held in the last few years. But why? AI reasons? Yeah, probably, as David Pierce and Nilay Patel discussed on The Vergecast. A weird idea goes away for a not-weird reason. Recently, Apple unceremoniously dropped Apple Pay Later, which already felt like an odd, risky choice for the brand, not even a year after launching the small loans program. Why? Regulation, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman: In May, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced increased scrutiny of “buy now, pay later” services, saying providers would need to follow the same regulations as credit card companies ... The increased regulation wasn’t something Apple wanted to deal with, I’m told ... Was this almost the first Google Pixel Fold? Images of what looks like a damaged Pixel 6-style Fold showed up on the XDA forums, in a May thread that quietly petered out. The phone, which forum members assumed was fake, appears to be a legitimate prototype of a foldable that was once rumored for a 2021 reveal, according to Android Authority, citing an unnamed source within Google.
94%
The Daily's Verdict
This author is known for its high journalistic standards. The author strives to maintain neutrality and transparency in its reporting, and avoids conflicts of interest. The author has a reputation for accuracy and rarely gets contradicted on major discrepancies in its reporting.
Bias
100%
Examples:
- Wes Davis reports on technology and entertainment for The Verge. He has a background in freelance Wi-Fi router review and is known for his expertise in smart home technology, gadgetry, and gaming.
Conflicts of Interest
100%
Examples:
- Examples of conflicts of interest include: Apple Intelligence allowing users to create AI images of people they are messaging with on the fly, and Google's integration of ChatGPT into Siri and other apps using OpenAI's GPT-4 and other generative AI models.
Contradictions
95%
Examples:
- Examples of contradictions include: Apple Intelligence being available on specific devices, the OLED iPad Pro being fully back online months after it stopped making sense, and new AI features for iOS 18 and macOS 15 to transcribe voice memos or retouch photos.
Deceptions
80%
Examples:
- Examples of deception include: the belief that every Apple Intelligence feature announced is a step forward in catching up with other tech companies, and the idea that Google may have an easier time creating robots due to their size and resources.
Recent Articles
Apple Rumored to Integrate Google's AI Model, Gemini, into Apple Devices: Enhancing User Experience with Contextually Aware Assistance
Broke On: Sunday, 30 June 2024Apple is reportedly integrating Google's AI model, Gemini, into Apple devices as part of Apple Intelligence. This addition could make iPhones and iPads more useful with contextually aware and interactive assistance. Google's powerful AI model understands complex queries and interacts with other apps for efficient information. The deal would initially not involve monetary exchange but could lead to Apple launching its premium AI service, Apple Intelligence+. 
Apple Vision Pro Demos Get Personal: New Features, Dual Loop Headsets, and the Future of Apple Intelligence for HomePod Users
Broke On: Monday, 01 July 2024Apple enhances Vision Pro demos with personal media viewing and Dual Loop headsets, while Apple Intelligence remains a Vision Pro-exclusive feature for now. HomePod users may need to wait for an updated model to access these advanced functionalities. Apple's Thin Revolution: New iPhone, MacBook Pro, and Apple Watch Models Promise Compact Design Without Sacrificing Performance or Battery Life
Broke On: Monday, 17 June 2024Apple plans to release thinner versions of the iPhone, MacBook Pro, and Apple Watch without compromising performance or battery life. Sources include Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The new devices include a slimmer iPhone 17 with a smaller Dynamic Island and potentially higher price, as well as updated designs for the MacBook Pro and Apple Watch. 
Voyager 1 Resumes Data Transmission After NASA Engineers Overcome Technical Difficulties
Broke On: Saturday, 15 June 2024NASA's historic Voyager 1 spacecraft, over 15 billion miles from Earth and the first man-made object in interstellar space, has resumed normal operations after engineers resolved an issue with its Flight Data Subsystem. Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 has provided valuable data about interstellar space for decades and is expected to continue doing so despite aging issues. Apple's Personal and Powerful AI Leap: Siri as a Chatbot, Email Summaries, and More on iPhone 15 Pro
Broke On: Monday, 10 June 2024Apple unveiled new AI features at WWDC 2024, including a more responsive Siri and email summaries, using on-device processing for privacy. CEO Tim Cook emphasized the importance of personal AI and partnership with OpenAI. New functions include custom emojis (Genmoji), user delegation tasks, and integration into Mail and Messages. Apple Intelligence, available on iPhone 15 Pro models and later devices, uses OpenAI's chatbot for systemwide writing tools. 
Apple's New AI Strategy: Introducing Apple Intelligence with ChatGPT-Powered Siri and Personalized Features
Broke On: Monday, 10 June 2024Apple unveiled Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2024, a new AI strategy that enhances iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices with A17 Pro or M1 chips. Features include personalized notifications prioritization, generative writing tools, image generation using on-device and server-powered models. Siri integrates ChatGPT for conversational requests later this year. Apple's WWDC 2024: AI Strategy Updates, iOS 18 Features, and Potential New Robots
Broke On: Monday, 10 June 2024Apple's WWDC 2024 brings AI strategy updates, iOS 18 features, and potential new robot development. Apple shares trail behind Nvidia, raising investor concerns about AI technology. Rumored iOS 18 features include customizable Home Screens and improved Control Center. The keynote address on June 10th is expected to provide details on Apple's AI strategy and platform updates. 
Samsung and Best Buy End Partnerships: iFixit Concerns Over Affordability, Best Buy Quietly Stops Samsung Repairs
Broke On: Friday, 31 May 2024iFixit ends partnership with Samsung over affordability concerns, Best Buy quietly discontinues Samsung Galaxy repairs. Samsung's expensive repair practices raise questions about commitment to consumer accessibility. 
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Ring: FCC Certification Reveals Improved Battery Capacities and Specs
Broke On: Tuesday, 28 May 2024Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 6 boasts a larger, 3,887mAh battery with fast charging capabilities up to 25W. The foldable Galaxy Ring comes in various sizes with batteries ranging from 17mAh to 22.5mAh. Both devices support Bluetooth LE and Bluetooth 5.4 and are powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Soc, featuring a main camera of up to 50 MP. 
Apple's AI Focus: Improving Siri, Partnerships, and New Features at May 2024 Developers Conference
Broke On: Sunday, 26 May 2024Apple, with its vast user base, aims to make AI the focus at its May 2024 developers conference. Rumors suggest improvements to Siri with wake word-less activation and partnerships with AI companies for chatbots. Apple also plans new AI-generated emojis and OS updates with voice transcription, photo retouching, and faster search results.
