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Here at this website, my colleagues and I follow our beats closely, from wearable tech and laptops to influencer culture and federal policy. Last year, I asked a bunch of staff at The Verge to pretend to be trend forecasters for a lighthearted collection of what’s hot and what’s not. Some of the predictions really held up: many would say the US Supreme Court continues to be out, congestion pricing in New York is decidedly in despite attempts to kill it, and cats are, as ever, a bit of both.
Predicting future trends — and having a pulse on what’s happening now — is part art, part science, and, if we’re being honest, part wish fulfillment. Here’s how we see the tides turning.
Mia Sato, features writer
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Community fridgesSmart fridgesThe Kewpie mayonnaise babyLabubuHope for the futureNostalgia for the pastRich people being tackyRich people doing “quiet luxury”
Adi Robertson, tech & policy editor
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Bootleg flu vaccinesBootleg ivermectinWebringsSubstack Relentless mockery of billionairesA functioning regulatory state
WIRED
TIRED
EXPIRED
WiredThe Washington PostTaboola
Jess Weatherbed, news writer
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TwitterXRetro-inspired EVsTrucks with hideous grillsAI girlfriends / boyfriends (regrettably)Dating appsHot pink / violetGreen
Antonio Di Benedetto, laptop reviewer
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AI slopSEO slopLCDsOLED (thanks, Nintendo)Physical digital mediaPhysical mediaWindows VistaFlat, colorful design
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TariffsTariffsCamera barsCamera bumpsMonorailsWalking
Tristan Cooper, senior social media manager
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Fancams of old moviesTrailers for new moviesProximity chat gamesExtraction shootersWearing goofy neck fans and large sweatbands in publicShameSubscribing to The VergeNot subscribing to The Verge and making me cry on my birthday
Victoria Song, senior cursed tech reviewer
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Salmon sperm serumsSnail mucin serumsRaw milkPasteurizationSkinny phonesBig phonesUsing AI as a therapistTalking to yourself in the mirror (sike, it’s the same thing)
Andru Marino, senior audio / video producer
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Video “shows”Video podcastsDV cam videoAI videoMovie theater subscriptionsStreaming subscriptionsLandlinesTalking to ChatGPT
Barbara Krasnoff, reviews editor
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UX changes just for the hell of itUX changes that actually improve usabilityBlocking extremists on social networksEngaging with extremists on social networksOwned movies on DVDs “Owned” movies disappearing on streaming services“We do not care”Age anxiety
Nathan Edwards, senior reviews editor
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Dumbing your smartphoneBuying a dumbphoneThe em dash as ChatGPT shibbolethThe em dash — which you will never take from me — as editor shibbolethUnderthinkingOverthinkingOverthinkingUnderthinking
Cath Virginia, senior designer
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HopemaxxingDoompillingDo Not DisturbNotificationsAddisonRae
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Streaming actually becoming cableSaying streaming is becoming cable“You sound like ChatGPT”“You sound like a robot”Stainless steelNonstick cookwareSticking with what you haveUpgrading your GPU
Kevin Nguyen, deputy editor
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PandanMatchaNot responding to emailsOOO auto-repliesNeonA24Democratic socialistsDemocrats
Andrew Webster, senior entertainment editor / Death Stranding correspondent
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DollmanDeadmanTar pitsWalkingGhost bulletsPee grenadesTomorrowYesterday
Allison Johnson, smartphone reviewer
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TrifoldsBifoldsShirtless Brad Pitt wearing Airpods Max in an ice bathApple Intelligence“Designed with American values in mind”“Made in America”How do you do, fellow kids?Material You
Liz Lopatto, senior writer
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OutdoorsIndoorsHallucinogensAI hallucinationsSamizdatGoogleCopyrightFair use
Tina Nguyen, senior reporter
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Associating Studio Ghibli with garbage AI slopAssociating Studio Ghibli with Hayao Miyazaki’s singular artistic expressionDonald Trump hating Elon MuskDonald Trump liking Elon MuskCelebrities starting podcastsCelebrities launching lifestyle brands
Sheena Vasani, commerce writer
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Using ChatGPT to enhance therapyUsing ChatGPT to replace therapyLos AngelesICEDo Not DisturbDoomscrollingSoft girl summerHot girl summer
Sarah Jeong, features editor
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Swiss bank accountsCryptoGatherings of celibate men in fabulous dressesGatherings of billionaire heterosexuals in fabulous dressesThe HaguePrison abolition
Owen Grove, video director
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Your right footYour right footAI buttons added to every appFixing the features of those appsBuying Amazon mystery return palletsTemuScalping Pokémon cardsEnjoying Pokémon
Cameron Faulkner, commerce editor
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Liquid AssLiquid GlassIsochronous webcamsBulk webcamsThird-party camera appsDefault camera apps
