Harrowing. Teary. Chronologies. Happily. Tucking. Compromises. Hungrily. Toeing. Communiqués. Heating. Trained. Crystals.

Stories of the day:

• HTC in disarray: staff departures, 'disastrous' First, and production problems cloud company's future
• HTC Asia CEO Lennard Hoornik joins executive exodus
• Xbox One confusion: Microsoft leaves used games and 'always-online' requirement unclear
• Amazon will start publishing fanfiction for 'Gossip Girl' and other books with Kindle Worlds

Today's 90 Seconds on The Verge was written by Bryan Bishop. All production magic is credited to Regina Dellea and John Lagomarsino. Special thanks to C-Stand.