Pikmin preparing to do battle with a Bulborb | Image: Nintendo
If you’re wondering what video game to play this weekend, my colleague Sheena Vasani spotted a discounted Nintendo Switch title with instant digital delivery. Walmart has the digital version of Pikmin 4 for Switch discounted to $39.88, just over $20 lower than its usual price. This version of the game follows the same puzzle formula as previous titles in the series, but adds in a dog companion for an extra layer of complexity and action, and dives deeper into the dark undertones previous games hinted at.
Nintendo recently announced a Switch 2 version of Pikmin 4 will launch on November 12th, 2026. That version features polished visuals, adds in voice commands for your dog companion, plus a new mode called Dandori Academy that adds extra challenges over time. You’ll be able to upgrade to that version for just $10, saving you $20 total over buying the $69.99 Switch 2 Edition outright.
Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 148, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you're new here, welcome, hope you're enjoying all your pumpkin-flavored everything, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.)
The new Apple TV 4K will be available in November. | Image: The Verge
Earlier this week, Apple announced its new Apple TV 4K, which costs nearly twice as much as the 2022 model did at launch. Amazon is now offering the first discount on the forthcoming streaming box (coming out on November 13th), just days after discounting Apple’s new smart display for the first time. Right now, you can preorder the latest Apple TV 4K ahead of its November 13th release date for $289.99 ($9 off) at Amazon. Yes, it’s a tiny discount, but every little bit helps given the higher price tag.
Powered by the new A19 chip, Apple’s latest streaming device now features support for Siri AI out of the box, which is coming to older Apple TV 4K models via a software update. Unlike its predecessors, though, the new model features far-field microphones so you can quickly make hands-free requests. You can, for example, ask for recommendations, like nature documentaries available on Apple TV, or ask questions about what you’re watching. Siri AI can also understand personal context, too, so long as you have an iPhone or iPad connected to your account that supports Apple Intelligence.
Apple has made a few other welcome upgrades, though — as my colleague John Higgins points out — not as many as some may have expected. While Apple skipped features we’d hope to see on a $300 streamer, like audio passthrough and support for 120fps output, it’s nice that the Siri Remote now supports Find My precision tracking, so you can make it ring when it goes missing or use the Find My app on your iPhone to pinpoint its location. The new Apple TV 4K also supports a more expansive surround-sound setup, allowing you to pair up to four compatible HomePod speakers instead of just two.
If you’ve been meaning to pick up Pikmin 4, Walmart is selling a digital copy for $39.88 ($20 off), which is a great price considering most other retailers are still charging the full $59.99. It’s the original Switch version, but you can upgrade to the forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Edition when it arrives on November 12th by purchasing a separate $9.99 upgrade pack, which adds improved graphics and a new Dandori Academy mode. That brings your total to just $49.87, saving you about $20 compared to buying the $69.99 Switch 2 Edition outright. Read our review.
All eyes might be on the iPhone Duo — which is now available to preorder, despite shipments being delayed into 2027 — but if you have a non-foldable iPhone, Woot is currently discounting a wide range of Otterbox cases through October 31st. I’ve owned several of the brand’s cases for both my smartphones and tablets over the years, and I’ve been impressed by their durability. I currently use the OtterBox Symmetry Series Clear Case for my iPhone 16, which normally costs $49.99 but is now available in various colors for just $5.99 with a 90-day warranty. The sale also includes cases for other iPhones, as well as some Samsung and Google phones, so it’s worth browsing even if you’re not planning to upgrade your phone anytime soon.
Fanttik’s S1 Pro electric screwdriver is on sale for $45.99 ($44 off) at Amazon, which is $5 shy of its best price to date. It’s a handy cordless option for small tasks ranging from tightening screws to assembling desks, with 16 S2 hardened steel bits for tackling a variety of jobs. The USB-C rechargeable screwdriver also comes with a 220RPM motor and three torque settings, along with a LED light to help illuminate your workspace.
It's been a couple of days since Apple's big smart home announcement, and we have some more information - and a bunch of new questions - about the Apple HomeView. The device has plenty of computing oomph, is always connected to power, and looks like a perfect place to run a bunch of apps. And yet the HomeView is relying almost entirely on CarPlay. What gives here?
Analogue announced new versions of its Super Nt and Mega Sg retro consoles today with a "reworked industrial design" and built-in wireless connectivity for controllers and accessories. Like the original versions, the new Super Nt Plus and Mega Sg Plus are able to play Nintendo and Sega Genesis cartridges using an FPGA processor that perfectly recreates the functionality of Nintendo and Sega's 16-bit consoles without the need for emulation.
Although neither of the new consoles allows SNES or Genesis titles to be played in 4K like the Analogue 3D does with Nintendo 64 titles, the 1080p Super Nt and Mega Sg Plus add a USB-C port so you can po …
Nvidia’s new SoC is available in Windows laptops from six different manufacturers. We’ve collectively tested four of them so far. | Photo: Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge
Nvidia's RTX Spark N1X processor is finally here, and we've been collectively testing a small fortune's worth of powerful laptops sporting this new "superchip." RTX Spark is designed to be a high-performing Arm-based SoC for laptops and small desktop computers, rivaling the best from Apple, Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm. It has loads of cores, Nvidia RTX Blackwell graphics, and enough power and unified memory to run sizable local AI models.
The flagship placement is inside Microsoft's Surface Laptop Ultra with a staggering 128GB of unified memory, which our own Tom Warren fully reviewed. Sean Hollister has been testing a 64GB version of the Asus …
There's a new storage upgrade option for smartphones compatible with wireless chargers and other magnetic accessories, but it won't help if you've run out of room for apps, pics, and videos. The MagSafe Flex Pouch looks like a magnetic wallet for pairing a small stack of credit cards to your phone, but its storage capacity goes well beyond a few thin plastic cards thanks to an extremely stretchy silicone pouch.
The MagSafe Flex Pouch's creators, a company called Ninja Labs, has a bunch of suggestions for how to use the $58 accessory on its website. You can use it as yet another MagSafe wallet but one that has enough capacity for all the cre …
When the midrange Sony Xperia 10 VI was announced over two years ago with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset and Android 14, Sony promised three major OS updates which would have included this year's Android 17 release. However, according to a notice posted to the company's UK support site, the Xperia 10 VI won't be getting Android 17 after all.
In the notice Sony explains that a "detailed technical assessment" revealed that "limitations related to the device's storage configuration" mean the Xperia 10 VI "does not support an Android 17 upgrade experience that we consider adequate." As a result, the company has "decided not to make this …
The iPhone Duo is Apple’s first foldable phone. | Photo by Antonio Di Benedetto / The Verge
Few phones have been more anticipated than a foldable iPhone, but it's finally here. The iPhone Duo was unveiled during Apple's "Surprise and shine" event alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 models.
Apple's first foldable has a 5.4-inch outer screen, and it unfolds to show off its 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR screen. Apple Pencil support is coming later this year. While it lacks Face ID for facial unlocking, there's a Touch ID sensor along its edge to identify your fingerprint. The device has an IP68 rating, with Ceramic Shield 2 on its back, with Ceramic Shield covering the front display. It has the same A20 …
This MacBook Pro lookalike is designed for developers.
After setting up Microsoft's Surface Laptop Ultra, I spent five minutes just staring at it. I wasn't surprised by its MacBook Pro-like design or blown away by its bright display. I was trying to work out what I'd actually do with a $5,900 laptop.
This isn't just any regular Windows laptop. Microsoft has teamed up with Nvidia to build a high-end laptop to showcase Nvidia's new Arm-based RTX Spark chips. It's a big moment for Windows on Arm, as these chips can run demanding AI models locally, alongside the latest AAA games and creative apps. The promise is compelling, but the reality of local AI is much messier.
If you're a new user of Withings' fitness-tracking smartwatches or smart scales and want to sync and access your health data through third party apps like Apple Health or Google Health it's now going to cost you.
According to a discussion on Withings' support forumsspotted by MacRumors, new Withings accounts created from October 13th, 2026, and onwards will require a Withings Plus subscription to use the "automatic sync to third-party apps" feature. The subscription costs $9.95 per month or $99.50 per year but Withings' devices come with a free one month trial that includes the option to sync their data to third-party apps. When the trial …
The Alienware AW3426DW is discounted to $742.22 at Amazon, just over $50 off its usual price of $799.99. It’s not quite the lowest price we’ve seen on this well-equipped gaming monitor, but still a decent discount. The 34-inch screen just came out a couple months ago, and is equipped with Penta Tandem quantum dots for bolder colors than you’ll find on other QD-OLED panel. And of course, it provides the deep blacks and high contrast expected of the display tech.
This ultrawide (21:9) QHD OLED gaming monitor has a 280Hz refresh rate, a fast response time, and a slick design. It’s tough to get more OLED for your money than with this model when it’s discounted.
Alienware supports both Nvidia G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro adaptive refresh rate tech, so PC gamers with modern GPUs can enjoy a smooth frame rate when their systems can’t output a frame rate that matches its native 280Hz refresh rate. The 1800R curve adds an immersive element to the setup, and it has two HDMI 2.1 ports, as well as DisplayPort, and USB-A and USB-C for charging and connecting peripherals.
Other deals to consider
You can take 25 percent off the price of eligible Belkin Screen Skinzcustom screen protectors when you use code Screenskinz25 at checkout. These unique screen protectors come in both clear and privacy versions that keep onlookers for seeing your screen. They have a hidden design that show up only when the phone’s display is off, or when viewed from the side with the privacy versions. There are options for custom designs or collaborations with sports teams and brands.
The Baseus Bowie MC2 Open Ear earbuds are only $45.99 at Amazon when you use code HNDCWYO8 at checkout, a nice discount from their usual price of $79.99. These lightweight clip-on style earbuds last over 11 hours on a single charge, and are IP67 water and dust resistant, making them a great choice for working out or walking the dog.
Best Buy has the 2025 edition of the Corsair RM850e on sale for just $72.99, just over half its usual price of $144.99. This fully modular desktop power supply is 80 PLUS Gold rated for excellent efficiency, with full ATX 3.1 support and a dedicated 12V-2×6 connector for single cable operation on newer GPUs.
If you missed out on Prime Day’s headphones deals, you’re in luck. Sony’s latest flagship headphones are selling for even less than they did during Amazon’s big fall sale. As part of B&H Photo’s Deals of the Day, you can currently pick up Sony’s WH-1000XM6 noise-canceling headphones in silver for just $328 at checkout ($130 off) for the rest of the day. That’s one of the best prices we’ve seen, and much cheaper than what you’ll typically pay at major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, even during seasonal sales.
The WH-1000XM6 are Sony’s best over-ear headphones yet, thanks in part to a new chip, which Sony says delivers the most powerful active noise cancellation in the series. Unsurprisingly, they also deliver the best sound of any WH-1000XM-series headphones to date, with new drivers that produce clearer vocals and richer bass. They’re great for work and life outside the office, too, thanks to improved call quality and multipoint Bluetooth, which lets you stay connected to two devices at once.
If you travel or commute frequently, you might appreciate that Sony brought back the foldable design of the XM4, making the headphones easier to pack. Their wider headband also helps with comfort during long listening sessions, and the earcups can be easily removed for cleaning or to be replaced when needed. Battery life remains solid at up to 30 hours with ANC enabled, and as an added convenience, you can now charge them while listening — provided you use a 3.5mm audio cable alongside a USB-C charging cable.
E Ink announced the next generation of its Kaleido color e-paper screen technology today, delivering several welcome improvements. The company's existing Kaleido 3 displays can be found in e-readers and tablets from companies like Kobo, PocketBook, and Boox, while Amazon's Kindle Colorsoft uses a customized version to improve performance. The new Kaleido 4 technology addresses some of Kaleido 3's shortcomings with improved color reproduction, better contrast, and faster screen refreshes.
Other E Ink technologies, like its Gallery 3 display found in the Remarkable Paper Pro, use colored pigments that move around to form full-color images, bu …
Following the launch of its $50 subscription-free security camera last month, Shelly announced another new accessory for smart home automation today that can keep track of multiple people as they move through rooms or large spaces without recording them. The Shelly Presence Gen4 sensor uses mmWave radar technology instead of a camera to detect the presence, motions, and activities of people and pets. It's available starting today for $84.99 through Shelly's online store and is expected to hit other retailers like Amazon and Best Buy soon.
The Presence Gen4 can be perched on a shelf or a table using its built-in stand or permanently mounted …
Apple's iPhone Duo foldable phone opens for preorder tomorrow, October 16th, at 8am ET / 5am PT, but you don't have to wait until then to get your order mostly sorted. The company's product page for the phone now lets you select the color you want, along with storage capacity, carrier preference, and whether you want to set up a trade to make the $1,999 foldable a little cheaper.
Once you enter all of the details, all you'll need to do tomorrow morning, once preorders open, is to confirm your order. It'll be sitting in your cart ready for checkout. This will save you some time, and you'll jump ahead of people who are still customizing their …
The Atom couldn’t have launched at a worse time for Ledger. | Image: Ledger
Ledger has announced its latest crypto-centric hardware effort, the Android-based Atom, a device that resembles a phone but is instead designed to be used alongside one. It arrives at a tricky time for Ledger, which has been forced to cease sales of some of its hardware across southeast Asia following hardware tampering in its supply chain, which has reportedly seen over $86 million worth of crypto stolen from across some users' accounts.
While Ledger's previous hardware wallet signers have been compact devices, running custom software and often with E Ink displays, the Atom is the spitting image of a regular Android smartphone. In fact it …
Last year, Amazon bought Bee, a relatively unknown startup with a $50 always-listening AI wearable that summarized every conversation you had. Today, the e-commerce giant is announcing two new Bee devices - and a new subscription to go with them. First is the $74.99 Bee Frontier, an updated version of the original Bee device. And coming soon is the $99.99 Bee Eclipse, a credit-card-shaped gadget that snaps magnetically onto the back of a smartphone.
Both devices are framed as gadgets to help you stay present in the moment. They listen to your daily conversations and then provide summaries, transcripts, insights, and to-dos based on what ha …