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Boox’s quirky page-turning remote won me over

10 June 2026 at 16:00
The Boox Tappy wireless page-turning remote on top of one of the company’s E Ink tablets.
Tappy is a tiny wireless remote that doesn’t look like one.

Following the launch of the surprisingly popular Kobo Remote, Boox has released its own device to ease the burden of reaching for an e-reader’s touchscreen that’s an arm’s length away. The Tappy isn’t Boox’s first page-turning remote, but its design takes a much different approach to the company’s slim but boring B.T. Remoter. The Tappy feels like a mashup of wireless remotes, fidget toys, and macro pads, with a healthy dash of retro charm. 

The Boox Tappy next to the Kobo Remote on a Kobo e-reader.

While the Kobo Remote looks like a streaming dongle accessory with a design that prioritizes ergonomics, the Tappy can be best described as a miniature keyboard distilled to just two buttons that draws its design inspiration from a retro typewriter. It’s not as comfortable to hold as Kobo’s accessory, but it’s small enough to sit discreetly in your hand. There are also four rubber feet on its underside so it won’t slide around if used on a desk, and it’s available in two very glossy color options: olive green and a bright orange that I tested.

The Boox Tappy on an e-reader next to the included alternate button designs.

Tappy’s two round buttons don’t use actual keyboard switches but they have about a quarter-inch of travel and are satisfying to press when you’re in need of something to fidget with. Out of the box, the buttons are labeled with a pixelated heart and steaming mug of coffee, which I just don’t understand. I immediately switched to the included alternatives that are instead labeled with an X and an O, but more customizability, even if it was just a sheet of stickers I had to apply myself, would be preferred. Forward and back arrows, or even just a plus and minus, would be welcome alternatives to what’s included.

Pairing the Tappy to a Boox device is easy, but don’t misplace the fold-out quick start guide that walks you through the process. After powering it on using a sliding metal switch on the side, you put the remote into pairing mode by holding down both buttons for about two seconds until a single LED on the side flashes blue. From there, you just need to connect to it through your Boox device’s Bluetooth settings. When you power it back on in the future, it reconnects automatically.

The buttons’ default functionality is Reading mode that turns pages forward and back or controls volume when outside a reading app, but the Tappy can be switched to two other modes. Multimedia mode changes the buttons’ functionality to skipping tracks in music, video, podcast, or audiobook apps, while Browsing mode lets you scroll up and down through long webpages or social media feeds for as long as you’re pressing either button.

Pressing both buttons for about five seconds switches modes, which causes the LED to momentarily flash green. Repeating that process cycles through Reading, Multimedia, and Browsing modes, and every time you switch, a notification pops up at the top of your Boox device letting you know the current mode. But it’s not persistent and can be easily missed. A trio of labeled LEDs indicating the Tappy’s current mode or even having the single LED display a different color for each one would make it easier to know what mode it was in at a glance, especially when using the remote with other devices.

While Tappy works best with Boox e-readers and tablets running the company’s V4.2 firmware or later (which includes recent hardware like the Boox Palma 2 Pro), it can also be used with other Android mobile devices, and iPhones and iPads, with varying levels of functionality. The functionality is supported in both the Kobo and Kindle Android apps, but not in the iOS or iPadOS versions. However, I was able to use the Tappy on my iPhone and OnePlus phone to scroll webpages, control music playback, and adjust the volume.

A person holding and pressing a button on the Boox Tappy with an e-reader in the background.

The bigger challenge when using the Tappy with non-Boox hardware is you don’t get the useful pop-up notifications letting you know which mode you’ve just switched to. And without any LED indicators, the only way to know what mode Tappy is in is to just press the buttons and see what happens. Did the volume go up and down? Great, you’re in Reading mode and are just two switches away from the Browsing mode you want.

Other e-readers from companies like Pocketboot or BigMe are supported, according to Good e-Reader’s testing, but I had no luck getting the Tappy to work with the Kobo and the Kindle. That’s unfortunate because while I still regularly enjoy using the Kobo Remote for reading at night, I would happily abandon it for the Tappy. The tiny remote has already replaced my Apple Watch for skipping tracks when streaming my iPhone through my HomePod, even if its buttons occasionally get accidentally pressed when it’s bouncing around my pocket. At $29.99 it’s the same price as the Kobo Remote, but its buttons are more satisfying to use and it’s more than just a one-device accessory.

Photography by Andrew Liszewski / The Verge

The Apple Watch Series 11 is back to its best price

10 June 2026 at 15:57
The Apple Watch Series 11 on an illustration background.
The Apple Watch Series 11 is $100 off in all colors.

Apple’s upcoming watchOS 27 update will bring Siri AI and other exciting features to the Apple Watch Series 9 and newer Apple Watch models. If you’re contemplating an upgrade, all colorways of the GPS-enabled 42mm Apple Watch Series 11 — the latest model — are on sale for $299 ($100 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Target, matching its best price so far. You can customize your look by picking up a discounted Apple Watch band at Woot, starting at $14.99 ($35 off).

Apple’s Series 11 watch is a solid upgrade, especially for those who are still using an Apple Watch Series 6 or older. Battery life is one area where you’ll see big improvements, with up to 24 hours on a single charge. It also has a more durable, scratch-resistant design and bright, wide-angle OLED screen. While it has the same S10 chip as the $219 Apple Watch SE 3 that we recommend to most people, the Series 11 has a host of extra features, including hypertension notifications, an ultra-wideband chip, a brighter (and more pixel-dense) screen, plus a depth gauge, to name most of the differences.  

As previously mentioned it’s one of a few Apple Watch models that will support watchOS 27 when it arrives this fall. The update will bring a redesigned app grid, custom Wallet passes for cards that use barcodes or QR codes, and new Siri AI capabilities. Beyond asking Siri AI to handle a range of tasks from your wrist, it will also be able to surface information stored across your Apple devices, and let you continue conversations after starting them on your iPhone.

Read our Apple Watch Series 11 review.

Three more ways to save 

  • You can buy the Beats Studio Buds Plus wireless earbuds for $99.99 ($70 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, Target. That matches their best price so far this year, and includes the slick translucent option we were particularly fond of. The Studio Buds Plus deliver a good combination of excellent sound, solid noise cancellation, and comfort, while working well with both Android and iOS devices. They’re also water-resistant and last up to nine hours on a charge, with swappable ear tips for a more secure fit. Read our review.
  • Fujifilm will be releasing a new Instax Mini 13 on June 25th, but if you’d rather save some money — or pick up a fun Father’s Day gift — Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 12 is on sale for $79.95 ($14 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, which is one of its better prices in recent months. While it lacks Mini 13’s self-timer, the Mini 12 is an excellent instant camera, producing clear, natural-looking prints and offering a simple, beginner-friendly experience that’s easy for all ages to enjoy.
  • The last-gen 11-inch LTE-enabled iPad Air with 128GB of storage is on sale for $499 ($250 off) at Best Buy, putting it at the same price as the Wi-Fi-only model. Its M3 chip isn’t as powerful as the newer M4’s, but it’s still fast, and it touts support for Apple Intelligence. It’ll be compatible with iPadOS 27 when it’s released in the fall, which adds Siri AI updates and makes transferring files to an external drive faster, among many other improvements. Read our review.

The AirPods Pro 3 are $179 at Walmart, their best-ever price

10 June 2026 at 15:00
AirPods Pro 3 | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Ahead of Prime Day, Walmart is offering the best price we’ve seen yet on the Apple AirPods 3 wireless earbuds. Originally $249 (though commonly selling somewhere between $200 and $220), they’re $179 at Walmart, presumably for a limited time. If you have an iPhone, these are the best wireless earbuds you can get at this price.

AirPods Pro 3

The AirPods Pro 3 have a new design that improves their fit, superior noise cancellation, better bass, and fairly accurate heart rate sensors. Read our review.
Hands holding the open case for the AirPods Pro 3 above multi-colored books on a wooden table.

Where to Buy:

The AirPods Pro 3 are one of the three sets of earbuds that our A/V reviewer John Higgins always keeps in rotation. He appreciates their stellar active noise cancellation and sound quality, and for being super simple to use. Depending on the shape of your ears, they might not be ideal for workouts (the fin-equipped Beats Powerbeats Fit could be a better pick), but no other set of earbuds comes close when it comes to packing in as many features, especially at this low price.

Read our AirPods Pro 3 review.

Google’s Nest Cam with Floodlight is selling at its lowest price yet

10 June 2026 at 15:00
The Google Nest Cam with floodlight sitting on a table before installation.

The Google Nest Cam with Floodlight is marked down to $179.99 ($100 off) at multiple retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, Home Depot, and directly from Google. This weather-resistant outdoor camera captures 1080p video across a 130-degree diagonal field of view, with snappy notifications and great customization options.

Google Nest Cam with floodlight (wired)

A Google Nest Cam attached to two bright, adjustable floodlights, this camera has free video recording, powerful lights, and on-device processing of smart alerts for people, vehicles, and animals. There’s no siren, but there is 24/7 recording and facial recognition. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

Even without a subscription, the camera can store the past three hours of video, and offers notifications when it detects motion from people, vehicles, or animals. You can enable continuous recording and 30 or more days of saved video with a Google Home Premium plan, starting at $10 per month. While the field of view isn’t as wide as some competitors, the Nest Cam with Floodlight shoots clear video, even in the dark thanks to its color night vision. 

You can easily adjust the camera and floodlight behavior from the Google Home app, including settings for different timing and motion-sensing responses, and incorporate them into your smart home routines for when you’re home or away. Even if the power goes out, its backup battery will let the camera keep recording, and it has enough internal storage to log up to one hour of events.

Read our Google Nest Cam with Floodlight Review.

Everything you need to know about Prime Day 2026

Amazon Prime Day 2026 is getting closer, and it’s possible you might have some questions about the sale. When does it start? Why is it in June instead of July? And, most importantly, when will the deals go live? We have concrete answers to those questions, and we’ll have a lot more Prime Day coverage coming soon as Amazon rolls out more deals.

When does Prime Day start?

Amazon Prime Day 2026 officially starts on June 23rd, 2026 at 12:01AM PT, and ends on June 27, 2026 at 12:01AM PT. Some items will stay discounted for the entire period, or at least for as long as they remain in stock, while others will only run for a shorter chunk of the four day sale. In its article about Prime Day 2026 timing, Amazon noted that special deals will go live at 12AM, 8AM, and 1PM PT each day throughout the sale.

Why is Prime Day in June this year?

While there have been exceptions, Prime Day has historically occurred in July. So, what’s up with the recent change? Amazon’s Jamil Ghani told Reuters that the decision came down to some big events overlapping with its usual July launch. “This year, we have the (FIFA) World Cup […] We’ve got also the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, and so we thought ​this week (beginning June 22) was the best week for us to hold Prime Day,” Ghani said.

When do early Prime Day deals start?

The rollout of early deals is already underway, and Amazon is highlighting deals on household essentials and Amazon devices like Kindle accessories and Ring cameras. It’s safe to assume that there will be several dozen deals available ahead of Prime Day, and we’ll be bringing them to you, so stay tuned.

Do I need to be a Prime member to save?

While there are likely to be some deals available to all shoppers, Amazon Prime members will have exclusive access to many discounts. If you haven’t signed up for Prime before, you can claim a 30 day free trial. 

Young adults and students can claim six months of Prime membership for free, after which you’ll be charged $7.49 per month if you want to continue (or $69 per year if you want to pay annually) with some account sharing limitations. People receiving government assistance can use Amazon Access for discounts on specific products, including a Prime membership.

Are other retailers offering similar deals?

Other retailers are likely to drop prices through Prime Day to meet or at least come closer to Amazon. Walmart is hosting a competing sale from June 22nd, 2026 at 12:01AM ET until June 28th, 2026 at 11:59PM ET both online and in stores, with early access for Walmart Plus members. Similarly, Target has Circle Deal Days starting on June 23rd and running until June 26th for anyone with a free Target Circle account. We’ll keep an eye out for deals wherever we can find them, and let you know if someone else beats Amazon’s price, or launches a similar sale.

Do any retailers offer price matching for Prime Day?

Currently, no major retailers offer price matching for Prime Day deals on Amazon. Best Buy typically offers price matching for Amazon, but most Prime Day deals won’t qualify because they’re either advertised as limited quantity, or require a Prime membership. Neither Target nor Walmart offer price matching for competitors.

How can I know that Prime Day deals are actually good?

There’s a deep trove of products that we’re hoping to see discounts on during Prime Day, and we use tools like CamelCamelCamel to track prices. When the markdowns match or exceed ones we’ve seen before on tech we like, we’ll tell you about it. Of course, you can track price history on items this way, too.

Amazon makes that easy with its own “Alexa for Shopping” price tracker (accessible by clicking “Price history” next to the item’s price), which is great for quick checks, but in our experience it doesn’t show up on every product, and it seems to deliver just up to one year of price history. On the other hand, CamelCamelCamel lets you see pricing data going back for the entire duration of the product’s availability, which is nice for researching slightly older products.

Do prices stay the same through Prime Day?

Generally, yes, though not always. Once a product is discounted for Prime Day, it usually sticks to that price for the duration of the sale. However, there will likely be some instances — Lightning Deals, for example — when deeper discounts might be available for a limited time.

What are the best deals during Prime Day?

Well, that’s something we’ll be able to tell you a lot more about in the coming weeks. But we always look forward to deals on Apple products, like AirPods, as well as other earbuds and headphones. Video games, TVs, monitors, and computer peripherals also typically see big discounts. Pretty much anything you’d likely want to buy during the Black Friday pre-holiday period should get some kind of discount during Amazon’s June event.

Kia Niro EV is the most affordable new EV you can lease in June 2026

8 June 2026 at 12:15

After checking almost every mainstream vehicle brand’s official website looking for the lowest monthly payments with the least amount of money due at signing, one EV stood out as the most affordable new electric car you can lease in June 2026: the Kia Niro EV.

All the new EVs you can buy with 0% financing in June 2026

6 June 2026 at 12:30

Lease deals get all the hype, but a lot of people would still rather buy their vehicles. If that sounds like you, you’re in luck, because there’s a whole bunch of great EVs you can buy with 0% financing this month – including the best-selling Tesla Model Y!

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