Google Wallet will discontinue support for PayPal payments in the US, ceasing PayPal account linking as of April 11, 2025, and automatically deleting linked PayPal accounts on June 13, 2025. Users must switch to credit cards, debit cards, or bank accounts to continue using Wallet. PayPal-branded debit cards remain accepted. Recurring payments via PayPal will require updates on merchant sites. PayPal transaction history will no longer show in Wallet and must be accessed through PayPal directly. The PayPal integration remains active for users in Germany. PayPal initially supported Google Wallet (formerly Android Pay) since 2017, with ongoing updates including tap-to-pay features on iPhones in Germany and group money pooling.

Apple’s AirPods 4 with noise cancellation are currently priced down to $158.69, marking one of the best deals recently. Various AirPods models, including the new AirPods Max, AirPods 4 with and without ANC, and the latest AirPods Pro with USB-C, frequently have discounts available. The AirPods 4, introduced in September with a standard $129 model and a $179 noise-canceling version, offer major upgrades over previous generations with improved comfort, audio quality, and call clarity. Both versions regularly see price cuts, with the noise-canceling model currently available at $158.59 at Walmart. The second-generation AirPods Pro come with enhanced noise cancellation, swipe controls, and an IP54 rating, currently selling for around $199 after discounts. The AirPods Max feature luxury materials, great sound, and noise cancellation but carry a higher price, now available starting at $479.99 after markdowns. Overall, shoppers can find excellent deals on these Apple earbuds and headphones across several major retailers.

The Texas Senate unanimously passed HB 2963, a right to repair bill requiring manufacturers to provide spare parts, manuals, and tools for equipment sold in Texas. This move positions Texas as the ninth state with such legislation, and the first with a Republican government to do so. The law aims to reduce electronic waste, with significant support from advocacy groups like PIRG and Environment Texas. If signed by Governor Greg Abbott, it will impact a large market and promote repairability for consumer electronics.

The Trump Administration has withdrawn the nomination of Jared Isaacman, an ally of Elon Musk, to become NASA Administrator, just one day after Musk's public resignation as a White House employee. The withdrawal follows reports that Isaacman donated to prominent Democrats, which reportedly led to President Trump's decision. Isaacman, CEO of Shift4 and experienced spaceflight participant with SpaceX, expressed gratitude for the opportunity and reflected on the complexities of government. Meanwhile, NASA's 2026 budget proposal faces significant cuts, raising concerns about the future of space exploration programs. The administration emphasized that the next NASA leader must align with President Trump's America First agenda.

Netflix has officially announced Mikaela Hoover as the actor behind Tony Tony Chopper in the upcoming second season of its live-action adaptation of One Piece. Known for her roles in The Suicide Squad and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Hoover will bring to life the beloved anthropomorphic reindeer from the Straw Hat Pirates. The show uses CGI alongside facial capture of Hoover's performance for the character. Alongside returning cast members like Iñaki Godoy and Mackenyu, the new season will also introduce fresh faces such as Charithra Chandran and Joe Manganiello. While no firm release date is given, the new episodes are expected to premiere in 2026.

At its annual Tudum event, Netflix showcased new trailers for several highly anticipated films. Among them was the first teaser for Guillermo del Toro's live-action Frankenstein, featuring a star-studded cast including Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, streaming this November. The event also revealed the trailer for Wake Up Dead Man, the third Knives Out film starring Daniel Craig and directed by Rian Johnson, premiering on December 12. Additionally, Netflix released a trailer for Happy Gilmore 2, set to stream on July 25, and a new trailer for Squid Game season 3, premiering on June 27. The event concluded with the first six minutes of Wednesday season 2, available from August 6.

Netflix has announced that the fifth and final season of Stranger Things will be released in three separate volumes. Volume 1 will be available on November 26th, Volume 2 on December 25th, and the final Volume, dubbed The Finale, will premiere on New Year's Eve. The teaser shared by Netflix hints at the challenges Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Will, and Max will face in this concluding chapter. Originally planned as two parts, the division into three parts aims to keep viewers engaged over a longer period. Although this marks the end of the main Stranger Things series, Netflix is developing both live-action and animated spin-offs, with more details expected soon.

Dotemu, a video game studio and publisher since 2007, is known for remaking and remastering classics, as well as creating new games inspired by retro titles like Streets of Rage 4 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge. In 2025, Dotemu plans to release three new retro-inspired games: Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, and Absolum. CEO Cyrille Imbert acts as an executive producer, focusing on meeting specific franchise needs. For example, Shredder's Revenge was developed to fill the gap of quality side-scrolling TMNT games, achieving 1 million copies sold in its first week.

Hello, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 85, your weekly guide to the best and most Verge-worthy content. This edition is slightly political but packed with great stuff nonetheless. I've been exploring various topics including Sean Evans, music fraud, playing with Obsidian Bases, and binge-watching Final Reckoning behind-the-scenes videos. I've also been enjoying MGK's track "Cliche," upgrading my WFH setup with Elgato Key Lights, testing the latest Artifacts beta, and loading up podcasts for a long drive ahead. Plus, there’s a very funny new movie that pokes fun at tech CEOs, a fresh new way to use WhatsApp, a cool new phone accessory, and an insightful explainer on crypto politics. It's a short week but packed with great content. As always, I welcome your tips and ideas at installer@theverge.com. Check out the full story at The Verge.

Recent headlines highlight lawyers facing issues after submitting legal filings containing fabricated research generated by AI models like ChatGPT. These AI tools sometimes produce incorrect case information, which lawyers, unaware of the errors, submit in official documents. Despite penalties and warnings, lawyers keep using AI for legal research largely because of time pressures and the integration of AI in professional legal databases like LexisNexis and Westlaw. Many lawyers see AI as an efficient assistant amid heavy workloads, though there is a general lack of understanding about how these language models function.