This digest compiles the latest from The Verge.
Today’s The Verge Roundup
Net neutrality was back, until it wasn’t
31 Dec 2025, 3:00 pm by Stevie Bonifield
The fight for net neutrality never seems to be truly won or lost.
Federal net neutrality rules have been on and off for the past 15 years. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) passed the Open Internet Order under President Barack Obama in 2010, prohibiting ISPs from blocking or throttling lawful internet traffic, the baseline rule of net neutrality. Then, at the request of those ISPs, a court blocked its rules. An updated framework was passed by the FCC in 2015, only to be overturned in 2017 under President Donald Trump’s first administration. It seemed poised for a comeback in 2024, but the victory lasted mere months before a court …
Leaked video shows the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s new camera island
31 Dec 2025, 2:51 pm by Justine Calma
New photos and video seem to confirm previous leaks hinting that the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra will sport a new camera bump. OnLeaks posted images of what look like dummy phones on X, following renders it leaked back in September.
We’ve seen a similarly raised island on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which 9to5Google points out could lead to an annoying wobble when using the device on a table.
More leaked renders in November appeared to show t …
The Dreame X40 Ultra robovac is about $700 off, nearly matching its best price
31 Dec 2025, 2:23 pm by Sheena Vasani
With the year coming to a close, now’s a good time to set yourself up for a cleaner, more organized start in 2026. The Dreame X40 Ultra — one of our favorite robot vacuum deals from Black Friday — can handle most of the heavy lifting for you, and it’s once again on sale. You can currently buy it for $503 ($697 off) at Amazon at checkout, which is just $4 more than its record low price set during Black Friday.
Dreame X40 Ultra
Where to Buy:
Before the Dreame X50 Ultra took its place, the X40 Ultra was our favorite robovac / mop hybrid for hard floors and carpets. Like the X50 Ultra, it delivers excellent mopping performance, thanks to dual oscillating mop pads that can extend into edges and reach under consoles and cabinets. It can also automatically detach and reattach its mop pads when switching between mopping and vacuuming.
While the X50 Ultra is nearly twice as powerful, the X40 Ultra’s 12,000Pa of suction is still more than capable of handling everyday dirt and debris. It also features AI-powered dirt detection, allowing the robot to slow down and make additional passes over especially dirty areas. What’s more, the X40 Ultra can empty its own dustbin, refill its water tank, and clean its washboard, with mop pads that wash and dry themselves for minimal upkeep.
What you don’t get are some of the newer X50 Ultra upgrades, including the motorized swing arm that lets it clear higher thresholds and the improved dual rubber roller brush system, which does a better job picking up fine debris. That said, the X40 Ultra still performed very well in our testing, making it a great investment — especially considering it now costs about half as much as its successor.
Some more deals to wrap up the year
- You can buy the Baseus 163W Retractable Car Charger for $28.49 ($21 off) at Amazon, which is its best price to date.  The charger can power up to four devices at once, thanks to three USB-C ports and a single USB-A port that together deliver up to 163 watts of total output. That’s enough to charge everything from phones and earbuds to tablets and even laptops. It also includes two built-in retractable USB-C cables, so that’s one less thing you need to worry about bringing while on the go.
- Apple’s Crossbody Strap has dropped to a record-low price, starting at $41.99 ($17 off) at Amazon. The strap attaches to compatible iPhone cases — including the iPhone Air with a Bumper case and Apple’s Silicone and TechWoven cases for the iPhone 17 lineup — letting you carry your phone hands-free. The length is adjustable, and it comes in a range of colors, several of which are pricier but also at record-low prices.
- The last-generation Polaroid Now Plus is on sale for $89.99 ($60 off) at Best Buy in white, which is the cheapest it’s ever been. If you’re after an instant camera with a retro, old-school feel, the second-gen Now Plus is still a solid option, offering Bluetooth support, a range of creative shooting modes through its companion app, and multiple physical lenses. While its photos aren’t as sharp as newer models — including our favorite, the Polaroid Flip — the older Now Plus remains a worthwhile option at this price.
Killing in the name of… nothing
31 Dec 2025, 1:30 pm by Sarah Jeong
In a good and just society, it would have been possible to bury Charlie Kirk without either threatening mass violence toward his enemies or making light of his death with a furry sex meme. But America in 2025 did not remotely resemble a working society, let alone a civil one, and Kirk’s killing came prepackaged with its own desecrating shitposts.
There was, briefly, an attempt at a national mood of somberness. The president ordered flags across the nation to be lowered to half-staff. Politicians, celebrities, and other public figures – even those not aligned with Kirk on the right – rushed out with condolences and grief, painting completely …
The 11 best Nintendo Switch 2 games we played in 2025
31 Dec 2025, 1:00 pm by Cameron Faulkner
2025 was a big year for gaming, and that includes gaming hardware. Nintendo launched its Switch 2 console in June, and since then, numerous Switch 2 titles and noteworthy updates for original Switch games have launched. These include brand-new Nintendo experiences like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, as well as some belated but welcome third-party titles, including Cyberpunk 2077 and Divinity: Original Sin 2. Even classics like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild got some new life on the upgraded console.
If you’re considering buying a console, or you’re getting one for someone else, there are 11 games that we think are a must …
End of today’s The Verge roundup.
