Technology
Google’s Pixel 8 phones now come in a new mint color
Google wasn’t exactly subtle with its teases earlier this week, and now the company has confirmed that it’s launching both the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro in a new mint green color. The latest color option is a bit muted compared to the “bay” blue 8 Pro. But if you’re a fan of the smaller regular Pixel 8, this is your first chance at a color beyond the very safe black, hazel, and rose gold options that have been available since the phone shipped back in October.
For both phones, mint is only available with the base 128GB of storage. If you need more than that, you’ve gotta stick with the original colors. Google sent a sample of the 8 Pro over to me, and a pamphlet included in the package describes mint as “inspired by the vibrant hue you’d find in nature” and “a luminous color that invites the mind into a state of energizing calmness.” Yes, there’s more. It’s “a color that’s equal parts daring, focused, and optimistic for a fresh new year, and a fresher version of you.” Right. Whatever you say, Google design team.
Seeing it in person, daring isn’t exactly the word that comes to mind. In most indoor light, mint can look almost white. Hit it with some natural light, and the color comes out a bit more. It’s tasteful, but if you were hoping for a saturated seafoam green-type finish, this isn’t that. At the very least, it’s giving buyers more choice, with both Pixel 8 models now available in four different colors. I’d be curious to see whether the glossy glass on the smaller standard 8 makes mint pop a bit more than it does on the matte 8 Pro.
Personally, the blue is still far and away my favorite because it’s the most colorful of the lot — and that’s something sorely lacking from a lot of “pro” smartphones these days. But if you prefer a less in-your-face option, maybe mint’s just the thing. Most phones inevitably find their way into cases, anyway. (Google’s already got mint covered there.)
The mint Pixel 8 and 8 Pro will be exclusively available from the Google Store — carriers and retailers won’t be getting them — and you can also purchase either phone through Google Fi. US customers will be able to buy the new color starting on January 25th. In addition to releasing the new color, Google is also detailing the latest feature drop for its Pixel devices, which you can read more about here. Meanwhile, the leaks for this year’s Google phones have already begun.
Photography by Chris Welch / The Verge
Technology
Meta’s glasses will turn off the camera if you tamper with the privacy light
Amid public backlash over its smart glasses, Meta announced that it will be updating its glasses with a new feature that will disable the camera when it detects that someone has tampered with or destroyed the glasses’ privacy LED light. The update is meant to address modders who have taken actions such as physically drilling into the LED light.
Meta has previously tried to discourage tampering with the LED light. For example, starting with its second generation glasses, blocking the light with tape or other objects will trigger a prompt asking users to uncover the recording light. However, many modders have found various workarounds for that particular measure.
Meta’s VP of wearables Alex Himel told The Verge that the privacy-focused update was on the way a few weeks ago after launching cheaper Meta Glasses without Ray-Ban branding. At the time, Himel acknowledged that the company was aware of increasing misuse alongside wider adoption of the devices.
Technology
Discord accidentally banned over 8,000 people for posting grids and other ‘benign’ images
Stanislav Vishnevskiy, Discord co-founder and chief technology officer, writes that the bug impacted around 200 users who posted “grid-like” pictures, in addition to about 8,000 people who posted “other benign images” since May 2026. “Everyone affected has now been unbanned,” Vishnevskiy says.
In a thread on X, Discord writes that its safety system is designed to flag content by “matching it against known harmful material.” This system can produce “false positives,” Discord explains, which is when an employee would step in to review the flagged content. But instead of just temporarily preventing the account from uploading content during the review, a glitch led its system to ban users entirely.
“When our staff reviewed and cleared those accounts, the same bug prevented the ban from being lifted automatically, so it just stayed in place,” Discord says.
Technology
Hoto’s PixelDrive screwdriver is down to $60, matching its best price
If your Prime Day purchases included a new desk, TV stand, bookshelf, or other furniture you still haven’t assembled, Hoto’s PixelDrive cordless screwdriver can help speed up the process. It’s currently on sale for $59.99 ($20 off) at Amazon, matching its best price to date.
From tightening loose screws on furniture to repairing electronics, the PixelDrive is designed to handle a wide range of household projects. Hoto includes 30 screwdriver bits that cover many of the most common screw types, all neatly organized in a small cylindrical case. It also offers six adjustable torque settings, allowing you to use less power when working with fragile electronics or increase it when putting together a desk, bookshelf, TV stand, or other furniture. You can also switch between a slower 80RPM mode for more precise work and a faster 200RPM mode with the press of a button.
Hoto also added several features that make assembling projects a little easier. A built-in display lets you quickly check your current torque setting and remaining battery life, while an integrated LED light helps illuminate dim spaces, whether you’re working under a desk or inside a cabinet. The rechargeable 2,000mAh battery also charges over USB-C, so you won’t need to keep buying disposable batteries.
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