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HBO Max’s annual plans are 28 percent off right now

18 June 2026 at 20:18
Screenshot from the movie Sinners featuring Michael B Jordan.
You can stream Sinners and other recent Oscar winners for less with HBO Max's sale. | Image: Warner Bros. Pictures

The easiest way to save on a streaming service is often to pay for a year upfront, which HBO Max is currently making a lot cheaper. Through July 15, 2026, new and returning subscribers can get 28 percent off any of HBO Max’s yearly plans, bringing the ad-supported tier down to $78.99 ($31 off) per year, the Standard plan to $132.99 ($52 off) per year, and the Premium tier to $164.99 per year ($65 off). That’s up to 40 percent less than paying month to month.

All three plans include access to HBO Max’s extensive library of movies and TV shows, including films from Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Studios, A24, Studio Ghibli, and Turner Classic Movies. Subscribers can also stream recent Oscar winners and nominees like titles like Sinners, One Battle After Another, and Marty Supreme, alongside other HBO Max originals. On the TV side, you’ll also get access to popular series like The Pitt, Hacks, Euphoria, and Heated Rivalry, as well as longtime favorites such as Game of Thrones, Friends, and The Big Bang Theory.Β 

The biggest differences come down to features. The ad-supported Basic plan lets you stream on up to two devices simultaneously, while the Standard plan lets you download up to 30 shows and moviesΒ  for offline viewing. It also includes access to live sports from the likes of the MLB, U.S Soccer, college football, NHL, and more. The Premium tier lets you stream on up to four devices at once, supports 4K and Dolby Atmos, and increases offline downloads to 100 titles.

Snap’s Specs look good on nobody

18 June 2026 at 20:15

Snap's new smart glasses are probably the most impressive bit of face-computer technology we've seen. They're not VR-headset huge; they don't have a big charging puck; thanks to Snap's many years of AR lens development, they're likely to have a lot of features right out of the box. (Yes, they're $2,195, but that may just be what all this tech costs right now.) Snap is clearly at the front of this race.

And then… you see the pictures. The pictures of Snap CEO Evan Spiegel wearing the new Specs, as the enormous and heavy stems smash down on his ears. The pictures of models and athletes wearing Specs, carefully posed to hide the obvious weigh …

Read the full story at The Verge.

No more lightbulbs, much more sports: Five predictions for Roku’s future

18 June 2026 at 16:30
Fox and Roku logos

This is Lowpass by Janko Roettgers, a newsletter on the ever-evolving intersection of tech and entertainment, syndicated just for The Verge subscribers once a week.

When Fox announced its acquisition of Roku earlier this week, executives of both companies were quick to promise that not much would change in the near future. Sure, getting its hands on Roku will help Fox become a major force in streaming, and surpass the viewership of Netflix in the United States when you include Fox's TV networks. But Roku will remain open to all streaming services, and Fox will keep selling its programming to anyone, they pledged.

Of course, that doesn't me …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Spotify’s reserved ticket sales to music superfans are now going live

18 June 2026 at 15:00
Spotify is launching "Reserved," a new system that will hold two concert tickets for an artist's superfans before they're on sale to the public.

In a big year for horror, Widow’s Bay still stands apart

17 June 2026 at 15:30
A still image from the Apple TV series Widow’s Bay.

Horror is having a moment. In 2026, the genre is especially well-represented: new blood is dominating the box office through films like Backrooms and Obsession, established names like Sam Raimi and Damian McCarthy are at the top of their game, and long-running franchises like 28 Years Later and Resident Evil continue to stay relevant. But the most impressive piece of horror this year might just be found in the world of TV comedy: Widow's Bay, a series that manages the delicate balance of mixing scares with laughs, while also doubling as a loving tribute to the genre. It's the kind of combination that often doesn't work, which is part of what …

Read the full story at The Verge.

In Toy Story 5, the problem really is these damn phones (and tablets)

A CGI image of a toy horse and a toy cowgirl<br> looking angrily at a frog-themed tablet.

The Toy Story franchise began with a story about a vintage doll feeling threatened by the arrival of an electronic action figure. Woody and Buzz's rivalry embodied a shift that was happening in the '90s as children's toys were becoming more technologically sophisticated, and while toys have gotten even more tech-focused in the years since, there's also an entirely new world of smart gadgets and digital platforms that now shape kids' playtime.

Though Toy Story 5 is a continuation of Woody and Buzz's adventures in humanland, it is also a poignant exploration of what it's like for kids to grow up in a world where they're often encouraged to ex …

Read the full story at The Verge.

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