IT General
Get the 12.4-inch Galaxy Tab S10+ for 20% Off
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ just got a big 20% price drop. Originally costing $999.99, this top-tier Android tablet is now priced at $796.56 on Amazon.
Cassettes Making a Comeback Is Weird—But I Get It
You might have seen the news reports with tongue-in-cheek segments noting the uptick in people collecting and listening to cassette tapes. Yes, those fiddly plastic rectangles I thought we'd left long behind once people figured out how to put a CD player in a car.
A Raspberry Pi Can Be an Instant Camera, Too
Humble Raspberry Pi computers have been the brains powering a huge variety of projects. People have shown they can create just about anything with a Pi, and that now includes Polaroid-style instant cameras.
The Surface Laptop Studio Might Be Dead
Microsoft's Surface lineup has suffered another setback with the quiet discontinuation of the Surface Laptop Studio 2. While Microsoft has not officially declared the device dead, the company has told resellers that production has stopped.
The 10 Weirdest Record Players in History
Against all my personal expectations that the fad would pass, vinyl records continue to be popular and there are hobbyists all over the world saying "no thanks" to digital music and prefer dropping a needle onto a vinyl disc.
Stream smarter, not harder: Lifetime Access to BitMar is A$23
TL;DR: There's only until June 1 to hop on this BitMar offer. Grab this lifetime content aggregator and get access to millions of free shows, movies, etc., for only A$23 with code BITMAR5.
If you're tired of hopping between streaming platforms to catch your favorite shows, movies, and music, BitMar offers a refreshing alternative. With your one-time payment of A$23, (reg. A$234) with code BITMAR5, you can unlock lifetime access to an all-in-one streaming platform that consolidates content from various sources into a single, easy-to-navigate interface.
What is BitMar?BitMar isn't just another streaming service — it's a content aggregator powered by AI, similar to Bing's search engine. It scours the web to bring you millions of free, on-demand movies, TV shows, channels, videos, and songs from platforms like YouTube and TV networks. Whether you're in the mood for a classic film, the latest TV episode, or international content, BitMar has you covered.
Check out all the other perks of owning BitMar:
Massive content library: Access over 200,000 channels and countless movies, TV shows, and music.
Ad-free viewing: Enjoy your content without pesky interruptions.
Multi-device support: Stream on up to five devices, including smart TVs, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
DMCA-compliant: You'll have peace of mind knowing that all content is legally sourced and compliant with copyright laws.
No subscriptions: Pay once and enjoy unlimited access without recurring fees.
With streaming costs on the rise and content spread across multiple platforms (we're looking at you, Netflix), BitMar simplifies your entertainment experience. Instead of managing multiple subscriptions, BitMar consolidates all of the best free content into one platform, saving you time when choosing what to watch and putting extra money back in your wallet.
You have until June 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT to grab this BitMar lifetime subscription for just A$23 — enter code BITMAR5 at checkout to grab it at this low price.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: BitMar BitMar Streaming Content-Finder: Lifetime Subscription AU$23AU$234 Save AU$211 Get Deal
The exact 50-inch Walmart brand TV I have is now $151 cheaper — get it for a crazy low $178
SAVE $151: Walmart's onn. 50-inch 4K Roku TV is on sale for just $178 as of May 15. That's nearly 50% off its list price of $329.
Opens in a new window Credit: onn. onn. 50-inch 4K Roku TV $178 at Walmart$329 Save $151 Get Deal
There's two kinds of people in the world: those who splurge on fancy specs and those who opt for the cheapest model they can find that'll still get the job done. I fall into that second category.
Nearly three years ago, I moved to a new place and needed a bigger (and newer) TV to fill the space a bit better than my old 32-inch model from college (don't judge me). I ended up grabbing the onn. 50-inch 4K Roku TV, which is Walmart's own TV brand, because it was on sale for only $238. After years of watching endless hours of New Girl and literally hundreds of NHL games, I can honestly say I love this thing. It's reliable, looks great, and is equipped with the best smart TV platform (in my opinion), Roku TV. The one thing I don't love? It's now way cheaper than when I bought it.
As of May 15, the onn. 50-inch 4K Roku TV is on sale for an outrageously low $178. That's nearly 50% off the list price of $329 and $60 less than when I found it on sale back in 2022.
Specs wise, the Walmart brand TV isn't anything spectacular, but if you just want a way to stream your favorite shows, movies, and sports, you probably won't care. It's equipped with 4K UHD and HDR10, so it looks good to the average viewer. It's compatible with Apple AirPlay, Apple Home, Google Home, and Alexa, includes plenty of connections for your peripherals (3 HDMI inputs, 1 composite, 1 USB, 1 LAN, 1 coaxial/cable, 1 optical, and 1 headphone jack), and can be set up in minutes. The sound isn't going to wow you, but you can always connect external speakers or a soundbar to boost it up a few notches like I did. With all the money you'll save on the TV itself, you can splurge on a sound system.
If you're concerned about buying a Walmart brand TV instead of a well-known brand like LG or TCL, a two-year limited warranty should ease your mind. Plus, mine has been kicking for nearly three years and I've never had a single complaint or issue. If you're like me and don't care much about specs and just want something reliable, it's going to be hard to beat a 50-inch 4K TV for only $178.
The best TV deals to shop this week-
Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)
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Amazon Fire TV 4-Series (43 inches, 2024) — $269.99 (List Price $329.99)
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55-inch Sony Bravia 3 4K LED Smart Google TV (2024 Model) — $578.00 (List Price $699.99)
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LG 65-inch Class UR9000 Series 4K Smart TV — $496.99 (List Price $629.99)
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Hisense 85-Inch Class U8 Series Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD Google Smart TV — $1,697.96 (List Price $1999.96)
Coinbase confirms data breach with hackers demanding $20 million ransom
The biggest cryptocurrency exchange in the United States just confirmed that it was hacked.
On Thursday, Coinbase confirmed that their systems were breached by unauthorized users and that internal company documents along with customers' personal data were accessed. The company was made aware of the breach via an email from the threat actor on May 11.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Coinbase disclosed that in the email that the company received from the hackers was a demand for a $20 million ransom in exchange for not publicly leaking the stolen data. Coinbase says it will not pay the ransom and will instead establish a $20 million reward fund for anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the criminals behind the breach. The company also said it's cooperating with law enforcement.
The news of a data breach at Coinbase was first disclosed in legally required filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Coinbase believes the intrusion occurred after cyber criminals recruited a group of overseas contractors and support agents. Coinbase detected workers with authorization to access its systems "accessing data without business need."
The crypto exchange says it immediately fired contractors who were involved with the breach and warned customers whose information was accessed.
Less than 1 percent of the exchange's monthly transacting users have been affected by the breach, according to Coinbase. Based on previous company filings regarding its user data, that means around 100,000 Coinbase users were affected.
According to Coinbase, no user login credentials such as passwords, personal keys, crypto wallets, or exchange funds were accessed.
However, the affected data is still quite concerning. Coinbase says the hackers obtained names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of its users. In addition, customers' masked bank account numbers, photos of government IDs such as driver's licenses and passports, as well as the last four digits of social security numbers were stolen. Furthermore, the bad actors accessed certain user account data such as balance snapshots and transaction history.
As for company information, Coinbase says the hackers received limited corporate data such as training materials, support agent communications, as well as other internal documents.
In a video statement posted by Coinbase CEO Brain Armstrong, the Coinbase head describes changes being made to ensure a similar breach doesn't happen again. For example, the company is revamping its customer support systems and relocating its customer support operations as a result of the breach.
Armstrong also pledged to reimburse any customers who were socially engineered due to the breach and lost funds as a result.
Upgrade your home security with a wired Google Nest cam for its lowest price yet
SAVE $30: As of May 15, get the Google Nest Security Cam for $69.99, down from its usual price of $99.99. That's a discount of 30% and the lowest price we've seen.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Nest Security Cam (Wired) $69.99 at Amazon$99.99 Save $30 Get Deal
If you want to make sure everything is copacetic around your home, it's a good idea to invest in a security camera. Just to see what's going on when you don't want to get up and look outside, or when you're away. And here's the good news: you don't to spend a bonkers amount of money on one if you're ready to make a purchase. Not if you shop at Amazon right now, anyway.
As of May 15, get the Google Nest Security Cam for $69.99, down from its usual price of $99.99. That's $30 off and a discount of 30%. It's also the lowest price we've seen. This price applies to all colorways, including Fog, Linen, and Snow.
This is a wired camera that gives you crisp 1080p HDR video as well as night vision, so you can still see what's going on when the sun goes down. What's more, it comes with 3 free hours of event history so even if you do happen to miss something, you can go back and review it. A Nest Aware subscription gives you 60 days of history if you prefer to pay though, so you have more options there.
You can access your camera feed 24/7 via app, and it uses AI to determine whether humans or animals or cars are passing by your home at any given time of day. That determines what types of alerts it'll send so you're not bothered all day by false positives.
This is a wired camera so you'll have to be strategic about placement, but it's worth picking up for the money saved alone. You can stay on your couch and keep a safe home. What a concept.
The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo automatic espresso machine is back at its lowest price ever at Amazon
SAVE 31%: The De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Automatic Espresso and Coffee Machine is on sale at Amazon for $549.95, down from the listed MSRP of $799.95. That's a savings of $250 that matches the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: De'Longhi De'Longhi Magnifica Evo automatic espresso and coffee machine $549.95 at Amazon$799.95 Save $250 Get Deal
Coffee is one of life's greatest pleasures. You can ignore that statement if you're not a fan of coffee, but if you are, you know how it goes. No morning is complete without a perfect cup of coffee. Sometimes it's not even the caffeine we crave, it's simply the routine of having something nice to enjoy each morning. If you're not in the mood to put on real clothes and head out the door to the local cafe, become your own at-home barista thanks to this deal at Amazon.
As of May 15, the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Automatic Espresso and Coffee Machine is on sale at Amazon for $549.95, marked down from the listed MSRP at De'Longhi of $799.95. That's a savings of $250 and a sale price that matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.
The best home and kitchen deals to shop this week-
Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender — $89.99 (List Price $119.99)
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Skylight Frame 10-inch Digital Picture Frame — $99.90 (List Price $159.00)
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Skylight Calendar 15-inch Digital Calendar & Chore Chart — $319.99
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Ninja Crispi Air Fryer — $159.99 (List Price $179.99)
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Birdfy AI Smart Solar Powered Bird Feeder with Camera — $179.99 (List Price $249.99)
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KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer — $349.95 (List Price $449.99)
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Eufy Omni C20 Robot Vacuum and Mop With Self-Emptying Base — $399.99 (List Price $699.99)
Convenience with quality is everything you need to know about the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo automatic espresso and coffee machine. With one touch, you'll be in line for a frothy cafe latte, a bold espresso, or an iced coffee. The built-in conical burr grinder has 13 settings which means you'll be able to grind beans to your exact desire. Plus, the De'Longhi LatteCrema system is friendly with both milk and milk alteratives.
Instead of getting dressed and heading to the coffee shop, snag the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo automatic espresso and coffee machine while it's back at the lowest price ever. For just $549.95, you can become your own at-home barista making perfect morning coffees and awesome espresso martinis come evening.
Get Elden Ring: Nightreign for its lowest pre-release price at Newegg
SAVE $8: As of May 15, preorder a digital copy of Elden Ring Nightreign for $31.99 at Newegg, down from its usual price of $39.99 ahead of release with promo code ERNSAVE. That's a 20% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Newegg Elden Ring Nightreign $31.99 at Newegg$39.99 Save $8.00 Get 20% off with promo code ERNSAVE Get Deal
There's a new Elden Ring adventure in town, and it's set to debut later this month. Elden Ring Nightreign is the first Elden Ring spinoff, and it's a co-op multiplayer adventure that changes things up significantly. There's still time to preorder if you want to get your game on with friends, but if you want to save some cash while doing so, Newegg has you covered.
As of May 15, preorder a digital copy of Elden Ring Nightreign for $31.99 at Newegg, down from its usual price of $39.99 ahead of release with promo code ERNSAVE. That's $8 off and a 20% discount.
This preorder is for the digital edition, so you'll be getting a code delivered to you via email, so you'll need to watch out for it after your purchase. The code won't go live until the game does, so there's still a bit of a wait left until May 29, but saving almost $10 on a brand new game is a good idea no matter how you slice it.
Journey to the land of Limgrave, now renamed Limfeld, and explore procedurally-generated versions of the area as one of a few premade characters with your friends. You can play in a single-player mode if you wish, but the game was created for teams of three to work together and clear out sections on their way to defeat a final boss.
If you're ready for another slice of Elden Ring, albeit in a different form factor, don't miss out on getting some cash off a game you probably planned on buying anyway.
Google adds new AI accessibility features to Android, Chrome, and Chromebook
Google today announced a suite of new accessibility features in honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, including AI-powered and personality-driven settings for users' most popular assistive tools.
SEE ALSO: Apple adds accessibility labels to App Store, braille options to hardwareEarlier this week, the company also announced new AI-powered scam prevention tools in Chrome browsers, as it tries to overhaul the public's perception of tech and its encroachment into our lives, Black Mirror-style.
Gemini for Talkback can carry a convoFor Android users, Google is enhancing the Talkback experience — the company's in-house screen reader tool for people who are blind or have low vision — with more Gemini features, including the ability to ask questions about Talkback's descriptions. Users can also get live information about their entire screens by asking specific questions to Gemini while using Talkback.
Google first announced Gemini for Talkback in 2024, intended to provide support for onscreen images without alt text.
More human captionsGoogle is also revamping its Expressive Captions feature, introduced in December to provide a more accurate captioning experience that includes the vocalizations and emotions of the speaker within the caption's text, such as gasps, raised voices, and background noise context. The new expressive captions will now add the flair of a speaker's vocal stylings, such as elongated vowels or dragged out sounds, and even more sound labels, like whistling.
New accessibility tools for students, and moreFor Chromebooks, the company is collaborating with College Board — the national nonprofit that oversees AP, SAT, and college admissions curricula — to integrate Google's accessibility tools into the Bluebook testing app. Students will be able to use their Chromebook's assistive features, like ChromeVox screen reader and Dictation, when taking a College Board test.
In addition, mobile Chrome users will now be able to zoom in on just the text of a webpage, instead of the entire screen, with Page Zoom. And the company is also introducing Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for PDFs, which will allow screen readers to interact and understand scanned PDFs.
Philips now allows customers to 3D print replacement parts
Philips is embracing the "right to repair" movement.
The Dutch tech company has started up a new program called "Philips Fixables," per Tom's Hardware. The idea behind Philips Fixables is that users will be able to 3D print their own replacement parts for Philips products, using exact Philips specifications, at home. The plan is for Philips to put the files up on Printables.com, a popular home for 3D printing information, for free.
SEE ALSO: A popular YouTuber tore open the Google Pixel 9a and found a big red flagThere are, of course, a few catches to this. One is that it's seemingly only available in the Czech Republic right now, though it will obviously expand to other regions over time. Another is that the only replacement part that's currently available for 3D printing is a 3mm comb for one of Philips' shavers, so Philips didn't launch with a particularly exhaustive list of parts for users to print.
The right to repair personal electronics has gained a ton of momentum over the past several years. Some manufacturers, like Framework, produce laptops that are meant to be opened up and messed around with by users. On the flip side, Google received some criticism this week for making it nearly impossible for users to perform their own battery replacements on the recently launched Pixel 9a phone.
With the spread of accessible 3D printing tech (as well as economic concerns about inflation and tariffs), don't be surprised to see this kind of thing become more popular over time.
The EcoFlow River 2 Max portable power station just dropped to a record-low price at Amazon
SAVE $179.01: The EcoFlow River 2 Max portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $289.99, down from the MSRP of $469. That's a 38% discount and the lowest price we've seen at Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: EcoFlow EcoFlow River 2 Max portable power station $289.99 at Amazon$469 Save $179.01 Get Deal
Summer camping season is just weeks away which means you might be considering the logistics of how you'll stay powered up while off-grid. Instead of packing countless portable power banks to keep your phone charged, consider upgrading to a portable power station. And thanks to today's deal at Amazon, you won't have to spend a fortune.
As of May 15, the EcoFlow River 2 Max portable power station is on sale for $289.99, down from the list price of $469. That's a 38% discount that takes $179.01 off the normal price. It also happens to be the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon for the River 2 Max.
Fully recharging in just one hour means the EcoFlow River 2 Max might just be more important to pack on the camping trip than the s'mores supplies. While we don't recommend forgetting either, the EcoFlow River 2 Max is around to keep your fully charged up with three USB-A and one USB-C port. You'll also get four AC ports, two with grounding.
The best home and kitchen deals to shop this week-
Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender — $89.99 (List Price $119.99)
-
Skylight Frame 10-inch Digital Picture Frame — $99.90 (List Price $159.00)
-
Skylight Calendar 15-inch Digital Calendar & Chore Chart — $319.99
-
Ninja Crispi Air Fryer — $159.99 (List Price $179.99)
-
Birdfy AI Smart Solar Powered Bird Feeder with Camera — $179.99 (List Price $249.99)
-
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer — $349.95 (List Price $449.99)
-
Eufy Omni C20 Robot Vacuum and Mop With Self-Emptying Base — $399.99 (List Price $699.99)
Like all EcoFlow portable power stations, you can also recharge via solar panels, but you'll want to grab those separately.
There's also plenty of reason to keep an EcoFlow River 2 Max portable power station at home and ready to keep you charged up during storms that knock out power. You'll want to make sure your phone has juice in any scenario.
SEE ALSO: Save $700 on the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max portable power station at AmazonInstead of worrying about how you'll stay charged while camping this summer, score the EcoFlow River 2 Max portable power station while it's at the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon of just $289.99. Everyone in your camping party will be thankful you made the investment.
Review: I compared Sony’s new XM6 headphones to the competition
On May 15, Sony launched its latest flagship product, the noise-cancelling WH-1000XM6 headphones. It's been three long years since the previous-generation XM5 headphones were released, and there is one major design change: The headphones now fold up for easy portability.
Otherwise, I'd class the changes as more iterative than innovative, but if you want best-in-class noise-cancellling headphones and pristine audio quality, the headphones deliver — with a catch. The new Sony XM6 headphones are about $50 more expensive than the XM5s.
The most likely explanation for the price increase? Tariffs, of course. There's been a rash of tech price hikes lately, but let's not go there.
So, how do the new Sony headphones sound? I've been testing the headphones ahead of their official launch, and I believe they (mostly) justify their $449.99 price tag. We'll be updating this review as we spend more time with these wireless headphones, but let's dive into my first-hand impressions.
You can also watch my Sony XM6 headphones review in video form, if you prefer:
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones review: How do they sound?When testing the XM6 headphones, I compared them to other elite wireless headphones and earbuds. Specifically, I've also tested the Sony XM5 headphones, Dyson OnTrac headphones, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and Panasonic Technics AZ100s, among others. Sony's new flagship headphones definitely hold their own among other flagship cans and buds, but do they offer the best sound I've ever encountered? Not quite.
The new Sony headphones offer impressive audio quality, and they definitely improve on the XM5 models. The active noise cancellation is particularly phenomenal (more on that below). I really appreciated the overall balance, depth, and quality of the audio. For the XM6, Sony audio engineers worked with music mastering engineers here in the United States, and the results are clear when you listen to music. Like all headphone reviewers, I have a dedicated playlist for testing new audio products, and I found that vocal-heavy tracks sound particularly great, with noticeable improvements over the XM5s.
The new Sony XM6 headphones (left) next to the previous-gen XM5 model (right). Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / MashableWhile I tend to have weaker bass hearing, I had no trouble picking out the bass line in my favorite Radiohead tracks. As for the mid- and high-frequency range, the vocals on tracks like "Hello" from Adele and "Someone You Loved" by Lewis Capaldi rang out clearly, as did the strings in classic Mozart symphonies.
However, I did have one small problem with the audio, which is a disappointment for a pair of $450 headphones. On extremely layered tracks like "National Anthem" from Radiohead or "Outro" by M83, I found the sound a little lacking in clarity. I wouldn't go so far as to call it muddy, but the soundscape did blur a touch. I also found that to truly appreciate all the richness of the XM6 sound, I had to turn the volume up a little higher than I'd like.
Honestly, I think the Technics AZ100 earbuds have just ruined me for other audio products, as the latest Technics driver really has no equal in terms of clarity. Still, these headphones do sound very impressive, and they pass the "bop" test. As in, how much did I bop my head and play air drums while listening to my favorite music? If you're a music lover, I don't think you'll be disappointed with these cans.
One more note: If you love big-thumping bass, as I noted in my video review above, opt for the Sony ULT headphones, which prioritize bass.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones review: What's new? The newly released XM6 headphones fold up for portability. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / MashableSony introduced one major design change with the XM6 headphones: They now fold up for portability. The travel case is also sturdier (the XM5 travel case was truly terrible), with a magnetic closure instead of a very breakable zipper. The case may not look that much smaller in photos, but when you're stuffing them into a backpack, the compact size and shape make a big difference.
The new storage case (left) and the old (right). Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / MashableSony also added a new processor to the headphones. The new Sony QN3 processor is seven times faster, according to Sony, and powers improved adaptive noise cancellation and better call quality thanks to "AI beamforming" tech. Sony also added additional microphones (12 versus the eight in the XM5) for improved noise cancellation. For phone calls, there are six dedicated mics instead of four.
The headband design has also been tweaked for improved comfort, and I have to say these headphones are extremely comfortable. Even while wearing them all day at the office, I didn't have any issues with comfort or ear fatigue.
The Sony XM6 headphones have easy-to-use touch controls and a redesigned ANC button. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable The new storage case is also more compact. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones review: What's not new?After three years, you might have hoped for bigger changes. I certainly did. While the foldable design is a much-appreciated change, and while there are improvements to sound, those are differences of degrees, not miles. Sony also made no improvements to battery life. The XM6 headphones have the same 30-hour battery life (with ANC engaged) as the last model. In my Dyson OnTrac review, I noted that Dyson hid extra battery packs in the headband to power its incredible 55-hour battery, but Sony seems to have opted for foldability over a battery improvement.
The overall aesthetic is still recognizably Sony, so if you liked the look of the XM5 headphones, you'll like the new design as well.
Can you tell the difference between the XM5 and XM6 at a glance? Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / MashableTo me, they also prove that headphones have somewhat plateaued. Just look at the newest Apple AirPods Max headphones, which added USB-C charging and not much else with their most recent update. I imagine Sony and Apple audio engineers reluctantly telling their bosses, "We can't make the drivers any better than they already are!" That's not entirely fair, as Sony did make some tweaks for improved vocals (which you can really hear), but I do think we're reaching the peak of headphone quality, barring a big advancement in audio technology.
Two more important notes: First, the multi-point pairing here is absolutely seamless. I could switch between my iPhone and MacBook with no issues. Second, you can now listen to music and charge the headphones at the same time.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones review: The ANC is incredibleSony's flagship headphones have always been at the head of the pack with noise cancellation, and that legacy continues here. The ANC in the XM6 is as good as or better than any I've ever heard.
Good noise cancellation should feel a little bit like magic. When the ANC engages, you should instantly step into a bubble of silence, and that's what you get here. With music playing, the noise cancellation is near perfect. Sure, on the subway, some sounds get through, but under normal listening conditions, it's spooky how sounds disappear. I like to use these headphones at work for their noise cancellation (with no music playing) just so I can focus better.
The ANC on the new flagship Sony headphones works like magic. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / MashableOn the downside, while Sony says these headphones have adaptive noise cancellation, they don't really offer much personalization. Some Bose headphones (and the Technics earbuds I mentioned) let you fine-tune the ANC settings to your liking, which would have been a nice addition.
The new Sony XM6 Headphones: Just the specsProcessor: Sony QN3
Microphones: 12
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (LDAC support)
Battery: 30 hours with ANC (40 hours without)
Charge time: ~3.5 hours
Noise cancellation: Active noise cancellation
Spatial audio: Yes
Colors: Midnight blue, black, silver
Inputs: USB-C, 3.5mm audio jack
Quick charge: 3 hours in 3 minutes
I say yes, absolutely. While I wouldn't say these headphones deliver the best sound I've ever heard, they come close. Add to that elite noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and a travel-friendly design, and you have flagship headphones that justify their $450 price tag. That being said, they're not an instant upgrade if you already own the XM5 headphones. But if you have an older pair, want LDAC support, or just like the Sony product ecosystem, they're a worthy purchase, no doubt.
While we don't love seeing a price increase, it has been three years since we got the XM5s. On top of that, other flagship headphones from brands like Bose, Dyson, Sonos, and Apple have all come in at $449 and above. If you're a music lover who wants the best possible sound, that's the new price of admission, folks.
You can buy the new Sony headphones now for $449.99 at Sony, Amazon, and Best Buy.
Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones $449.99 at AmazonShop Now
Sonys new flagship XM6 headphones are here — but theres a catch
On May 15, Sony released its newest flagship headphones, the noise-cancelling WH-1000XM6 headphones. The new headphones have improved noise cancellation and sound, but there's a catch — they cost $449.99. That's about $50 more than the previous version, and hardly a surprise in the tariff era. Still, that's a big ask for music lovers.
As I noted in my full review, "other flagship headphones from brands like Bose, Dyson, Sonos, and Apple have all come in at $449 and above. If you're a music lover who wants the best possible sound, that's the new price of admission, folks."
Mashable has been testing the new wireless headphones over the past couple weeks, and you can read our full review of the new cans (spoiler alert: they sound fantastic). But if you're ready to pass go, drop $450, and collect your new headphones, you can already purchase them at Sony, Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers.
Sony's flagship headphones always rank among the very best noise-cancelling headphones, and the XM6 are no exception. In this post, we'll cover what's new, what's not, and other need-to-know details on the latest Sony noise cancellers.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones $449.99 at AmazonShop Now Meet the new XM6 headphones: The specs
You can't release a new product in 2025 without adding some type of AI feature, even if you have to use the term AI liberally. However, Sony really did add a faster chip (seven times faster, the company says), the Sony QN3 processor. That chip powers improved noise cancellation, particularly for phone calls. The other improvements definitely fall into the iterative category, with one big exception: these headphones now fold.
Meet the new Sony flagship headphones. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / MashableAnd here are the specs:
Processor: Sony QN3
Microphones: 12
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (LDAC support)
Battery: 30 hours with ANC (40 hours without)
Noise cancellation: Active noise cancellation
Spatial audio: Yes
Colors: Midnight blue, black, silver
For the new headphones, Sony audio engineers worked with mastering engineers here in the United States to improve the overall audio quality. And when directly comparing them to the XM5 headphones and wireless earbuds, there is a noticeable improvement. (How much better? Read our full XM6 review to find out.)
For call quality, additional microphones and "AI beamforming" provide clearer, more directional sound. For calls, the headphones also feature two additional microphones.
Most importantly, the new headphones are more travel-friendly. The case is slimmer and smaller than the XM5 case. They also trade the terrible, easily broken zipper for a magnetic latch. While the case might not look much smaller, in person, it's significantly more compact. And here's the big news: The headphones now fold up for storage.
The XM6's case is more travel-friendly. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable Unlike the previous model, the XM6 headphones fold up for easier storage. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable The XM6 Headphones: What's not new?While Dyson's OnTrac headphones were able to achieve a mighty impressive 55 hours of battery with ANC, the XM6 headphones have exactly the same battery life as the previous model. That's pretty disappointing. (Though, unless you're taking back-to-back 20-hour flights, I'm not sure anyone really needs more than 30 hours of playback at a time.) I would also class the noise cancellation and audio improvements as a matter of degrees, not miles. Considering it's been three years since the previous model, I was hoping for a little more.
Honestly, it's looking like noise-cancelling headphones like this have pretty much plateaued. Just look at the non-existent changes Apple made to the "new" AirPods Max headphones. At least Sony included noticeable audio quality improvements, a new processor, and a big new design change.
Where to buy the Sony XM6 HeadphonesIf you've been eagerly waiting for Sony's new headphones, you can order them now from Sony, Amazon, and Best Buy. The headphones have a $449.99 price tag and come in three colors, Midnight blue, black, and silver.
Get the Sony XM6 headphones Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones (Midnight Blue) $449.99 Shop Now Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones (Black) $449.99 Shop Now Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones (Silver) $449.99 Shop Now The previous-gen model Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones $348 (Save $50) Get DealHow to watch Espanyol vs. Barcelona online for free
TL;DR: Stream Espanyol vs. Barcelona in La Liga for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Barcelona are on the cusp of winning La Liga, and they can confirm the title against their local rivals Espanyol. It doesn't get much sweeter than that for Hansi Flick's squad of young stars led by Lamine Yamal.
This feels like the start of something special for another generation of La Masia products.
If you want to watch Espanyol vs. Barcelona for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Espanyol vs. Barcelona?Espanyol vs. Barcelona kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on May 15. This fixture takes place at the RCDE Stadium.
How to watch Espanyol vs. Barcelona for freeEspanyol vs. Barcelona will be broadcast live on ITV4, with free live streaming available on ITVX.
ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK. This process makes it look like you're connecting from the UK, so you can access ITVX from anywhere in the world.
Unblock ITVX by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit ITVX
Stream Espanyol vs. Barcelona for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By making the most of these offers, you can gain access to ITVX without actually spending anything. This is not a long-term solution, but it gives you plenty of time to stream Espanyol vs. Barcelona in La Liga before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for ITVX?ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:
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A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Stream Espanyol vs. Barcelona in La Liga for free with ExpressVPN.
Take $650 off the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro business laptop and get set for travel
SAVE $650: The 16-inch Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro business laptop (Intel Core 7 Ultra, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) is on sale at Amazon for $1,399.99, down from the standard price of $2,049.99. That's a 32% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro (Intel Core 7 Ultra, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,399.99 at Amazon$2,049.99 Save $650.00 Get Deal
Work-worthy laptops come with a specific set of must-haves. You'll need something powerful enough to run a presentation while streaming video and editing charts. But you'll also want something that's travel-friendly, easily going from the office to your house or with you to the conference across the country. Thankfully, there's a model that ticks all those boxes and it's on sale today.
As of May 15, the 16-inch Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro business laptop (Intel Core 7 Ultra, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) is on sale at Amazon for $1,399.99, marked down from the usual price of $2,049.99. That saves you (or your employer) $650 thanks to the 32% discount.
The best laptop and tablet deals to shop this week-
Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet — $89.99 (List Price $139.99)
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Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Android Tablet — $199.99 (List Price $269.99)
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Amazon Kindle Colorsoft — $279.99
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Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $999.00
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Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (2025, M4) — $1,049.00 (List Price $1199.00)
With a 1TB SSD and a 3K AMOLED touchscreen display, you'll be in great shape for presentations with the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro. The 16-inch laptop is also equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, but it only weighs 3.44 pounds so you won't feel bogged down when stashing it in your work bag. Plus, you'll get access to two Thunderbolt 4 ports.
If you're already in the Samsung Galaxy family, you'll find seamless connections to your Galaxy smartphone and Galaxy tablet, easily sharing files between the devices. You can also connect your Samsung Tab to operate as a second screen with the Galaxy Book4 Pro.
SEE ALSO: The cheapest gaming laptop we recommend is on sale for a record-low $450Instead of dishing out over $2,000 on a work laptop, snag the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro while it's on sale for $1,399.99. You'll be getting a hefty 32% discount and a laptop with specs that hold up to your busy workload.
Get the best price ever on this Anker charging station and never go looking for an outlet
SAVE $36: As of May 15, get the best price ever on the Anker 525 Charging Station. Shop the charging port now for just $29.99 and save $36.
Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker 525 Charging Station $29.99 at Amazon$65.99 Save $36 Get Deal
It's a plight of the modern era, constantly searching for an outlet so you can charge your phone or laptop. Plus, because we have so many devices to charge and only so many outlets, you might be stuck in a constant rotation of plugging and unplugging. Luckily for you, there is a solution and even better, it's on sale.
As of May 15, shop the Anker 525 Charging Station for $29.99. That saves you $36 for 55% off. This is the best price we've ever spotted on this charging station, making it a guaranteed good deal.
This charging station comes with a five foot cable to extend your reach. The charging portal comes with seven different ports including two USB-A, two USB-C, and three AC outlets. It comes with 65W of power to support multiple devices at a time. Plus, with the ports, you don't need to worry about having a charging block. Not to mention the charging station features ActiveShield 2.0, which has real-time temperature control and power management.
Get the Anker 525 Charging Station now for just $29.99 at Amazon and save $36.
Best laptop and tablet deals-
Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet — $89.99 (List Price $139.99)
-
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Android Tablet — $199.99 (List Price $269.99)
-
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft — $279.99
-
Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $999.00
-
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (2025, M4) — $1,049.00 (List Price $1199.00)
Walmart price hikes due to Trumps tariffs could start weeks from now
President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs will soon mean higher prices at Walmart — and that's coming directly from a top executive at the retail giant.
Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey told CNBC in an interview that tariffs were "still too high" and that American customers would shoulder that cost in the coming weeks.
SEE ALSO: Want to avoid tariff price hikes? Shop our giant list of 81 refurbished tech deals."We're wired for everyday low prices, but the magnitude of these increases is more than any retailer can absorb," he told CNBC. "It’s more than any supplier can absorb."
Rainey said he was "concerned" that consumers were "going to start seeing higher prices" as a result of the tariffs. Those hikes could come as soon as the end of May, he said, "and then certainly much more in June."
Rainey confirmed to CNBC that a recent deal between the U.S. and China — temporarily dropping tariffs from 145 percent to 30 percent — was not enough of a cut to keep prices flat.
SEE ALSO: Walmart denies tariffs caused reinstatement of 'basket fee'Walmart recently made headlines when it reinstated a $6.99 "basket fee" for certain grocery orders, which some claimed was due to Trump's tariffs. The company told Mashable, however, that the fee was unrelated to tariffs.
But as Walmart's own CFO confirmed, that doesn't mean tariffs won't cost you at Walmart — and very soon.