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. 

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.

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.

Boox Tappy Wireless Page Turner

Where to Buy:

• $29.99 at Amazon (Green)
• $29.99 at Boox (Citrus)
• $29.99 at Boox (Green)

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.

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

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 Watch Series 11

Where to Buy:

• $399 $299 at Amazon (42mm)
• $399 $299 at Walmart (42mm)
• $429 $329 at Amazon (46mm)

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.

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.

Where to Buy:

• $249 $179 at Walmart

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.

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:

• $279.99 $179.99 at Amazon
• $279.99 $179.99 at Google
• $279.99 $179.99 at Best 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.

I have been an audio reviewer for 20 years. My time as a freelance headphones panelist at Wirecutter, and the multitude of reviews I’ve written for sites like Reviewed, Digital Trends, IGN, and now The Verge, have given me the chance to listen to hundreds of earbuds. Some were truly excellent, and some were pretty hideous. Honestly, they tend to blur together as I move from new earbud to new earbud. But when something worthwhile comes around, it gets and holds my attention. These are the three sets that I reach for most often right now.

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro

Score: 8

Pros	Cons
Incredible call quality Great ANC Useful case screen	Default sound profile needs tweaking

Where to Buy:

• $169.99 at Amazon
• $169.99 at Anker
• $169.99 at B&H Photo

For ages I relied on the Apple AirPods Pro — first the Pro 2 and then the Pro 3. But the new $170 Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro have been my go-to earbuds for the past month. I’m using them to listen to Lofi Girl as I write this. Their sound quality is really good after you use the Soundcore app to fine-tune the frequency response (out of the box the bass is too high, which causes vocals to get muddy and snare hits to be muffled). They fit my ears securely, and since they have an IP55 rating, I could see myself using them on a run in a pinch — though I prefer running with my Powerbeats Fit buds (see below). And they also support the LDAC high-res audio codec with supported devices (sorry, iPhone users).

Noise cancellation is also top-notch and comparable to more expensive earbuds like the Apple AirPods Pro 3 (which we’ll get to in a few paragraphs). The Soundcore buds let in a little more midrange, but handle low-end drone with no problem.

But call quality is the Liberty 5 Pro’s greatest strength. I’ve never heard earbuds that block out as much ambient noise, allowing me to sound clear on my calls and in meetings. Whether it’s a squawk from the family parrot that’s a couple feet to the left of my desk or the Los Angeles traffic as I walk around my neighborhood, nothing distracts my conversation partners from what I’m saying. And many don’t even believe it when I tell them the amount of noise around me.

The Liberty 5 Pro have some nice extra features, including voice controls, AI translation (with the Soundcore app), and a case with a 0.96-inch TFT touchscreen and wireless charging. For $60 more, the Liberty 5 Pro Max’s case adds recording with an AI transcription and summary, but they cost $230 and the earbuds are exactly the same as the 5 Pro. I wouldn’t bother with the upgrade unless you really need to record and transcribe things regularly.

Battery life with ANC on is below average, listed as only 6.5 hours (or a total of 28 hours with the case), and that number goes down if you’re using features like hi-res audio. I find myself needing to charge the case every couple days.

It also takes some finagling to switch the earbuds between paired devices. I regularly use my work MacBook, my iPhone, and my iPad during the day, and the earbuds can only be connected to two at a time. So I find myself regularly needing to disconnect from one to allow them to work on another.

AirPods Pro 3

Score: 9

Pros	Cons
Improved ANC and sound Longer battery Standalone workout tracking Live translation Same price IP57 Better fit Camera remote control is handy!	If you’re hoping for traditional foam ear tips, this isn’t that

Where to Buy:

• $249 $199 at Amazon
• $249 $199 at Walmart
• $249.99 at Best Buy

In those cases I fall back to my Apple AirPods Pro 3. When I’m using Apple products, I don’t have to think about them. I just take them out of their case and they work. When I open my iPad to watch a show on HBO Max or the Dropout app, the AirPods will seamlessly switch over to the new device and alert me with a pop-up notification.

The AirPods sound a bit better than the Soundcore, although it’s not a drastic difference. And they still deliver some of the best noise-canceling performance available.

They also have a plethora of features that only work within the Apple ecosystem. Live translation on supported iPhones works decently, and their case supports magnetic wireless charging. They have Find My for if (when) you lose them, and even a hearing test. There’s also a heart rate sensor that integrates with the iOS Fitness app, and the buds are now IP57 (the Soundcore are IP55, so their water protection isn’t as strong). Although, even with the heart rate sensor and IP rating, I don’t like using the AirPods as workout earbuds for one specific reason.

Even though fit has been improved on the AirPods Pro 3 compared to the Pro 2, I still have issues with it. It’s not a concern as I sit at my desk, but a light jog or run and they start to work their way out of my ears. Earbuds fit is such a personal thing, since everyone’s ears are shaped differently, but for me, Apple has never nailed it. I also don’t like the stem design, to put it mildly. It’s iconic, sure, but also exceedingly frustrating to use when I’m running. I’m constantly jostling them loose as I try to change the track, adjust volume, or switch to a different ANC mode.

Beats Powerbeats Fit

Score: 8

Pros	Cons
Excellent, secure fit Solid sound Good ANC and transparency	H1 chip limits Apple features No wireless charging on case

Where to Buy:

• $199.99 $169.95 at Amazon
• $199.99 $169.99 at Best Buy
• $199.95 $174.95 at B&H Photo

That’s where the Beats Powerbeats Fit come in. Because of their wingtip design, I never worry about them coming out of my ears, and yet they’re comfortable throughout my workout. The in-ear design also keeps out of the way of sunglasses, which is one reason I prefer them over the ear hooks of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2. And even though Beats are owned by Apple, the earbuds are not locked into the Apple ecosystem. They can connect to Android phones and still offer the same functionality with the Beats app.

There’s still a drawback to the Fit as workout earbuds: their IPX4 rating. I don’t sweat profusely near my ears when I work out, and I live in the dry Los Angeles climate, so humidity and rain aren’t huge issues for me. I’d be cautious about running in heavy rain, but they should still be okay in most situations.

The past year has seen an influx of open earbuds. They offer great environmental awareness since they don’t go fully into your ears — but they don’t sound as good as in-ears because they don’t go fully into your ears. It affects the bass response in particular, but also the overall balance. I don’t think the tradeoff is worth it, and the Powerbeats Fit have a fine transparency mode when I need to pay attention to my surroundings. If you don’t like putting things in your ear holes though, something like the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are a good option.

Most people don’t have earbuds coming into and out of their lives as I do, and most people don’t need or want three different sets of $200-ish earbuds. If I had to pick one, I’d choose the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro. Not only are they the cheapest of the bunch, they’re versatile, sound great, and have incredible call quality. With their IP55 rating, you could even use them for workouts. All three are excellent earbuds, and if you feel the need to stay within the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Pro 3 are a good choice. But to me, the Soundcore Liberty Pro 5 are the standout.

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.

With Father's Day on the horizon, happening June 21st, it's time to start thinking about what kind of gifts you want to buy for the fathers you care about. You know your dad best - he may be a man of simple pleasures who wants nothing more than to share a meal or drinks with his loved ones. Or, he might have… extremely specific preferences and expectations of how his big day should go. Of the many dads and dad-knowers polled at The Verge for this here gift guide, we think we have all of the bases covered, no matter your budget.

We focused specifically on items that will delight your dad and make their life easier, or just slightly more fun. …

Read the full story at The Verge.