Someone obtained Essential’s unreleased smartphone that took the “candy bar” style phone a bit too far. Originally revealed in 2019 as “Project Gem,” this PH-2 looks like what you’d get from splitting an already tall Sony Xperia 1 in half. It reminds me of memes that popped up about the slightly taller 4-inch screen on the iPhone 5, as people imagined what might happen if phones just kept getting taller instead of wider.

A long-delayed hands-on with Essential’s skinny Android phone

Microsoft’s AI-powered Designer app is coming out of preview today for both iOS and Android users. Microsoft Designer lets you use templates to create custom images, stickers, greeting cards, invitations, and more. Designer can also use AI to edit images and restyle them or create collages of images. Originally...

Microsoft’s Designer app arrives on iOS and Android with AI editing and creation

Lancaster County, PA

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NewsByJoshua

Fans of Frisco's Chicken were left reeling as the beloved Peruvian-style eatery announced the closure of all its locations in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The chain, known for its delicious food and strong community values, posted a heartfelt note on its doors, informing customers of the devastating news.

Favorite Chicken Chain Suddenly Closes All Stores, Heartfelt Message Found on Doors

New York City, NY

Writers represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program and self-verified their accounts. Writers are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

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Cheryl E Preston

Yesterday was the third time this year that an ad stating Chelsea Clinton lives in a beautiful Virginia home popped up on my laptop. My computer did not warn me this was a dangerous site, so this time, I clicked on the link.

Chelsea Clinton is rumored to be living in Virginia but probably still in NYC

Chicago, IL

Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

Butler, PA

Just two days after the attempted assassination at former President Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the FBI announced it “gained access” to the shooter’s phone. The bureau has not disclosed how it broke into the phone — or what has been found on it — but the speed with which it did so is significant, and security experts say it points to the increased efficacy of phone-hacking tools.

It’s never been easier for the cops to break into your phone

Indiana State

Franklin, IN

A wave of closures is hitting Pizza Hut, a pizza chain known for its iconic slanted-roof buildings, with 6,775 locations feeling the pinch in the tough restaurant industry landscape.

A well-known pizza chain with over 6K locations has begun closing some of its stores

Texas State

Ford is taking the opportunity to advertise its Pro Power Onboard generators available in some F-150 models, including gas and Lightning EV versions, after Hurricane Beryl caused major outages in the Houston area. Communications director Mark Levine posted a map showing where F-150 trucks generated at least one kilowatt of electricity.

Ford’s answer to Texas blackouts: loads of generators on wheels.

The FBI has successfully broken into the phone of the man who shot at former President Donald Trump at Saturday’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. “FBI technical specialists successfully gained access to Thomas Matthew Crooks’ phone, and they continue to analyze his electronic devices,” the agency said in a statement on Monday.

The FBI says it has ‘gained access’ to the Trump rally shooter’s phone

Illinois State

MOD Pizza has over 500 locations across the country with 22 restaurants in Illinois. The Washington-based chain offers fast-casual fare known for its customized, artisan-style pizzas. Customers can choose from over 40 toppings and 8 sauces to create their own masterpiece.

Bankruptcy Looms for Major Pizza Chain With Chicago Suburban Locations

Washington State

Mill Creek, WA

Timothy A Gruver

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries reported on Wednesday that it fined four roofing contractors more than a million dollars for letting their workers perform on top of homes without fall protection gear, among other safety violations.

Roofing Companies Fined $1.27M for Endangering Workers

Total Apex Sports & Entertainment

Conflicts are inevitable in life as we have different opinions. Some zodiac signs are good at arguing while others strive to create harmony and avoid arguments. Yet, conflict resolution is a crucial skill at home and work. It helps people live peacefully and in unity.

5 Zodiac Signs Who Are Most Likely to Win Arguments

Generac — a power and energy management company known for its gas-powered home backup generators — has released its first electric vehicle charger. The new charger joins the company’s home battery solution in its move toward clean energy. Generac also owns Ecobee, a smart thermostat company. The...

Home generator company Generac just launched an electric vehicle charger

The Cadillac Escalade IQ, the electric version of the automaker’s yacht-sized luxury SUV, won’t be out until later this year, so in the meantime, the automaker is hoping to whet appetites by giving the gas-powered version an EV makeover. Starting the front grille, the new 2025 Escalade will...

Cadillac is giving its gas-powered Escalade an EV glow-up

In our review of the LG StanbyME TV (the stick one, not the suitcase one) we called it “a so-so TV on a stellar stand.” And you can get a better TV for less, but not with that sleek, wheeled stand. It even has a battery. It’s on...

LG’s “calming beige” TV on a stick is $200 off.

And having previously purchased one I can confirm that it isn’t half bad! Is the metal sort of cheap and the adhesive backing pitiful? Yes. But it also includes screws to mount it directly into the wall, and having all my Airwrap accessories on the wall makes me feel fancy. At $32.45, it’s 19 percent cheaper than when I bought it.

There’s a wall mount for the Dyson Airwrap,

What you have on your desk and in your workspace at home can reveal a lot about you: how you work, what you like to distract yourself with, what kind of toys and other tchotchkes you like to have around you. That is why we have the What’s On Your Desk? series, where we look at how some of our coworkers organize their spaces. It gives us — and you, our readers — a glimpse into the personality of the folks here.

Deals from the desks of The Verge’s staff

The new 5,668-passenger Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas is docked in Florida, where sites like Cruise Critic have gotten a preview of the amenities before it enters service on July 19th. That includes a unique experience called Royal Railway Utopia Station, where passengers dine on a virtual train ride while staring at simulated scenery zipping by on giant screens.

You can escape this Royal Caribbean cruise aboard a virtual train ride

Every year, new laws that were passed the prior year go into effect on July 1. In 2024, a number of new laws will begin this Monday. Among them include higher wages for tipped employees, a gas tax increase, and driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants.

New Laws July 1: Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Migrants, Raises for Tipped Workers, and More

Mercedes-Benz and Starbucks are teaming up to install fast electric vehicle chargers at 100 coffee-slinging locations on Interstate 5, which runs along the West Coast from Canada to Mexico. The new stations will be part of the German automaker’s $1 billion plan to build 2,000 new EV charging hubs across...

Mercedes-Benz’s 400kW EV chargers are coming to Starbucks

NewsBreak

Windows on Arm finally has legs

When I first used the Arm-powered Surface Pro X in 2019, I loved the hardware but disliked the software experience. Everything felt like it was lagging....

Windows on Arm finally has legs

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