Best of The Verge — October 2025

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    If you can get past the terrible logo, Audacity 4 looks pretty great

    Audacity 4, scheduled for early 2026, introduces major UX improvements to address longstanding usability issues. Key updates include removing restrictive interaction modes, adding per-track meters, simplified clip trimming and time stretching via drag-and-drop, and a new split tool. The redesign eliminates many "Audacity says no" moments where the software blocked common operations without explanation. The Sync Lock feature is being replaced with a more intuitive approach to multi-track synchronization, alongside a modernized, customizable interface.

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    MacBook Pro rumor points to OLED, touchscreen upgrades next year

    Bloomberg reports that Apple's 2026 MacBook Pro refresh will feature OLED displays, touchscreen capability, and M6 processors with a hole-punch webcam design similar to iPhone's Dynamic Island. The redesign will include a thinner, lighter frame and reinforced hinges, but is expected to cost several hundred dollars more than current models. Apple may also transition from Touch ID to Face ID authentication in future iterations, though that change is still years away.

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    Meet Mico, Microsoft’s AI version of Clippy

    Microsoft introduces Mico, a new AI-powered virtual character for Copilot's voice mode that responds with real-time expressions during conversations. The bouncing orb assistant includes memory features, a Learn Live tutoring mode with interactive whiteboards, and Easter eggs reminiscent of Clippy. Available initially in the US, UK, and Canada, Mico represents Microsoft's renewed effort to encourage voice interaction with computers, following previous attempts with Clippy and Cortana.

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    ‘There isn’t really another choice:’ Signal chief explains why the encrypted messenger relies on AWS

    Signal president Meredith Whittaker defends the encrypted messenger's reliance on AWS following a major outage, explaining that AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud are the only viable options for providing global-scale, low-latency communication services. She emphasizes that the real issue isn't Signal's choice, but the concentration of power among 3-4 cloud infrastructure providers, making it practically impossible for services to avoid dependency on these hyperscalers without spending billions to build their own infrastructure.

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    These are the Office icons Microsoft rejected

    Microsoft shares rejected design concepts for its new Office icons, revealing experimental approaches that included notepad-style Word icons and designs resembling older Office for Mac versions. The concepts explored various ways to visualize documents, spreadsheet cells, and presentation slides before Microsoft settled on the curvy, colorful icons now rolling out across Windows and iOS platforms.

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    Google’s new deadline for Epic consequences is October 29th

    US District Court Judge James Donato has pushed back enforcement of the permanent injunction in Epic v. Google from October 22nd to October 29th. The injunction requires Google to open up its app store, stop forcing developers to use Google Play Billing, and allow developers to set their own prices. Both Epic and Google requested the one-week delay without publicly stating reasons. Google plans to file a Supreme Court appeal by October 27th and has stated it will comply with legal obligations while continuing its appeal.

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    The iPad just got the chip it needs to be a smart home controller

    Apple's new M5-powered iPad Pro includes the N1 wireless networking chip, bringing official Thread protocol support to iPads for the first time. While the immediate use case appears to be simplified setup of Thread smart home devices without requiring a separate border router, this addition hints at the possibility of iPads returning as Apple Home hubs. The N1 chip combines Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support, and will likely appear in future Apple smart home products like the Apple TV and HomePod Mini 2.

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