Prism Drives secure 20TB cloud storage plan is under $90 until May 22

Macworld While cloud storage is a given these days, theyre not necessarily sufficient for all our photos, videos, and other media, and they often come with recurring or subscription fees. With Prism Drive, you can say goodbye to pesky subscription fees, as aone-time payment gets you 20TB of cloud storage for life .Now, you can grab it for less than$90, the lowest price you can find online. Prism Drives cloud solution offers an intuitive interface, and its 20TB plan meanstheresplenty of room for all your content. Helpful features like quick file previews, large file transfers, active monitoring for uploads, and trash recovery for up to 30 days makes this cloud storage option exceptionally handy. If youre concerned about privacy and security, Prism Driveis protectedby AES 256-bit and HTTPS encryption . That means your media is safe at rest and in transfertheres no tracking here. Files, photos, and videos stored on Prism Drive are also easy to share. Create shareable links to send to friends, family, or coworkers. Never run out of space again when you get a lifetime subscription to 20TB of Prism Drive cloud storage, now just $89.97 until May 22 at 11:59 PM Pacific. Thats the best price online, too! 20TB of Prism Drive Secure Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription Only $89.97 at Macworld StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

Review: Is the Turtle Beach Burst II Air a 47g bargain gaming mouse at just $99? [video]

Things are getting a little crazy in the lightweight gaming mouse market. Today, the Turtle Beach Burst II Air is officially available. Weighing in at just 47g, Burst II Air is one of if not the lightest gaming mice from a big-name brand that I can think of. With the recent Viper V3 Pro weighing in at 54g, is the $99 Burst II Air a worthwhile alternative? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. more

Where to find the Coin Case in Pokmon Infinite Fusion

Looking to hit the slots in Celadon City, but can't find the required Coin Case? Don't worry we know exactly where to find it.

All GTA Vice City cheats: PlayStation, Xbox, Switch and PC

There are a few new cheats that were not included in the original, so check out all the Grand Theft Auto: Vice City -- Definitive Edition cheat codes.

Apple will reportedly offer higher trade-in credit for old iPhones for the next two weeks

It might be a good time to finally upgrade your iPhone if youve been hanging onto an older model according to Bloomberg s Mark Gurman , Apple will be offering a little more than usual for some trade-ins starting next week in the US and Canada. The company itself hasnt said anything about the promotion, but according to Gurman, itll be offered in-store to customers wholl be using the credit toward any model in the iPhone 15 lineup. This will reportedly be in effect starting this Monday and last until June 3. Starting Monday in the U.S. and Canada, youll get an iPhone trade in value boost at Apple retail stores if you use the credit towards an iPhone 15/Pro/Plus/Max. This will last till June 3rd. Mark Gurman (@markgurman) May 18, 2024 Apple lists trade-in values on its website for all iPhone models going back to the iPhone 7. Something that old currently goes for something in the ballpark of $50, while a more recent model like the year-and-a-half-old iPhone 14 Pro Max has an estimated trade-in value of up to $630. Of course, the online estimates arent always what you end up getting, but it gives you an idea. Since Apple hasnt said anything about a temporary value boost, its unclear by how much these numbers may go up. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-will-reportedly-offer-higher-trade-in-credit-for-old-iphones-for-the-next-two-weeks-205239618.html?src=rss

GTA 6: release date window, trailer, gameplay, and more

GTA 6 finally got its first trailer in December 2023. Here's what we know about the next Grand Theft Auto right now based on leaks and rumors from experts.

New trailer for Dead Cells: Immortalis gives us a first real look at the animated series

A full trailer just dropped for the upcoming animated show based on the popular game Dead Cells , and it looks like the creators have made a few unexpected choices. For one, the Beheaded can apparently talk. Dead Cells: Immortalis is being produced by Bobbypills, the studio behind the games animated trailers, and the French streaming service, Animation Digital Network. Along with the trailer, the series now has a release date: June 19. Itll come out in French first, with English subtitles, before getting an English-language release later this year, according to Dead Cells developer Motion Twin . The trailer shows a different animation style than we saw in the teaser that came out last year when the series was first announced. As hinted back then, the main character who the show introduces now as The Chosen One takes on the purple-flame-headed Bobby design. Hes accompanied by a character named Laurie Esposito, Guardian of the Truth. Theres an overall silliness to the trailer, too, so while it looks like there will be plenty of action, dont expect the show to take itself too seriously. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/new-trailer-for-dead-cells-immortalis-gives-us-a-first-real-look-at-the-animated-series-180440816.html?src=rss

The best Roblox Games

Roblox lets anyone and everyone create games, but most of them are of low quality. Here are our picks for the best games in multiple genres you can play now.

The Division 3: release date speculation, news, and rumors

The third game in Ubisoft's massively popular third-person shooter series is definitely in development, and here's everything we currently know about it.

Beats headphones and earbuds with AppleCare+ are on sale at Amazon

Several models of Beats headphones and earbuds are deeply discounted right now in a deal from Amazon, including the noise-canceling Studio Buds , which are nearly half off. The limited time deal also includes the option for two years of AppleCare+ coverage. The Beats Studio Buds with AppleCare+, which would normally cost $180, are only $100 right now. If you dont want AppleCare+, you can get them for even cheaper, at a record-low $80 compared to the usual price of $150. The deal applies to five colors: Black, Moon Gray, Red, Sunset Pink and White. The Beats Studio Buds are a good option for anyone looking for true-wireless, noise-canceling earbuds that perform well but wont break the bank. They offer fast pairing for both iOS and Android devices, and will work with both operating systems Find My networks so you can track them down if ever misplaced. They also support Spatial Audio for tracks that come in that format. The Beats Studio Buds get about eight hours of battery life without active noise-cancellation enabled, and around five hours with it turned on. If youre looking for earbuds to use while youre working out, the Beats Fit Pro, also on sale, may be a better option. These are among our top picks for true-wireless earbuds. The Beats Fit Pro earbuds (without AppleCare+) have dropped down to $160 in the current sale. This model is normally priced at $200, and comes in a slew of colors. The Fit Pro buds have a wingtip to help keep them securely in place while youre exercising, and come with features like active noise-cancellation and adaptive EQ. Also on sale right now are the wireless Powerbeats Pro earbuds, which hook onto the ear, and over-the-ear headphones including the Studio Pro , Solo3 and Solo4 . These also come with the option to add AppleCare+. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/beats-headphones-and-earbuds-with-applecare-are-on-sale-at-amazon-154735059.html?src=rss

X-Men 97 didnt have to go that hard

The following article discusses spoilers for the first season of X-Men 97. I was excited about the return of the 90s Saturday morning cartoon version of the X-Men. Still, I wasnt sure Marvel, under the auspices of Disney, could deliver on the flavor of the original while also making a modern show that older fans, now adults in their 30s and 40s, could enjoy. And X-Men '97 is a total play on our nostalgia, which makes it even odder that it delivers. And is better than the original in pretty much every way. And of all the Marvel baubles that needed some affection, the X-Men arguably needed it most. The ten-episode run managed to cram in so many plotlines, cameos, comic sagas, villains, plot twists and even deaths that, at times, it was hard to process everything but I utterly loved how relentless it all was. X-Men 97 goes hard , especially if youre already an obsessive fan. When Marvel first launched an all-you-can-read comic book app, I went in hard on the X-Men back catalog, especially stories by Chris Claremont and Grant Morrison, two of my favorite writers. X-Men 97 mines a lot of my favorite characters and stories. Magneto is put on trial, and begins a (brief?) redemption arc, Jean Grey turns out to be a clone, and the cartoon crammed a roughly-year-long comic arc, Inferno, into a single episode. Other arcs either included wholesale, or with some riffs, include Lifedeath, Fatal Attractions, Motendo, Operation: Zero Tolerance and more. The highlight of this first season (a second is already underway) has to be the crushing episode 5, where the mutant nation of Genosha is devastated by a high-powered sentinel mothership thing. Just before the attack destroys mutant adults, mutant children and eventually even an X-man, Cable, the time-traveling son of Scott Summers and Jeans clone. (See: Inferno, mentioned above) reappears to stop the attack. But he fails again and his mother dies. Magneto is left helpless as mutants are slaughtered and hes forced to relive the genocide he suffered as a child. Eventually, Gambit sacrifices himself and lights up the entire robot with his mutant ability. This is after Rogue reignites a romance with Magento, changes her mind, and decides to be with Gambit. As I said, each episode is a lot. I may be alone in this, but I still prefer the older series animation style and look. A cartoon can look a little scrappy, in my opinion or maybe Im just 39 and also not a Disney executive. The majority of the action scenes are great, too. Cyclops is finally not done dirty and gets to thrive in fights. There are some great combination attacks comparable to the iconic fastball special. Sometimes, the show can feel a bit too anime (And I love anime, dont at me!), where the ridiculous scale of the fight removed a lot of my interest in it. Cool, Bastian has metal wings in the final episode. Yes, yes, very cool. But didnt one of his super sentinel underlings wipe the floor with the X-Men mid-series? And did we need the Phoenix to reappear (again!) so that Jean can save her 50-something son from the future? Probably not. But, its the X-Men. It wouldnt be the X-Men without this kind of nonsense. I also adored the attention to detail. How Storm changed back to her original comic-book attire, Rogue transitioned to her green and white look, Magneto wore the same black-and-white costume while on trial, just like the original comic book. X-Men '97 doesnt miss the chance to sprinkle in other Marvel characters, too. Captain America pops up a few times, we spot an out-of-costume Spider-Man, with Mary Jane Watson, watching the fall of Asteroid M. The Silver Samurai, who got his own episode in the original series, stares on as Tokyo loses power due to Magnetos attack on the whole of Earth. In other episodes, an aged Polaris, Rachel Grey and more mutants briefly appear in a vision of the future. The series is bursting at the seams with references, easter eggs and surprises. Did you know that Bastian is briefly, obliquely, on-screen during the horrific attack on Genosha, long before hes revealed as the X-Mens primary antagonist? Well, he is. Its a show thats ripe for debate and discussion in an era of Reddit, Discord and YouTube reactions. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige stipulated that both the cast and the music had to return for the project to happen. Im glad it did and Im glad the theme song still slaps. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/x-men-97-didnt-have-to-go-that-hard-140023964.html?src=rss

Razer Fujin Pro Gaming Chair Review: Giving My Back an Extra Life

Ive spent years struggling to find a chair that conforms to my back, rather than the other way around. My search might be over.

Heres everything new in the iOS 17.5 update for your iPhone and iPad

Macworld Its been over a month since the release of iOS 17.4 , which brought new emojis and a few other features here in the U.S., but delivered a massive change for users in the European Union. In compliance with the Digital Markets Act, iPhones running iOS 17.4 and later now allow third-party app stores and browser engines, have new policies and terms for App Store apps, and a whole lot more. iOS 17.5 isnt nearly as monumental, but it still brings a few new features that users here and in the EU will appreciate. And it might be the last one we get for a whilewith iOS 18 coming at WWDC in just a few weeks Apples iOS 17 development is likely to slow down a bit. Heres everything you need to know about iOS 17.5: iOS 17.5 New features The most notable new feature is once again for the EU, Apple now allows users to download apps from a developers website instead of just an App Store. However, there are also some new features for U.S. users. In partnership with Google, Apple has finally introduced cross-platform tracking detection that will deliver notifications to users if a compatible Bluetooth tracker (AirTag and third-party devices) they do not own is moving with them, regardless of what operating system the device is paired with. If you need to send a broken iPhone to the Apple Store, a new Repair State mode will let you keep Find My and Activation Lock enabled but still allow technicians access your phone. The update also includes new Pride month wallpapers in five different color schemes. Additionally, there are some new features for Apple News+ subscribers: Offline mode in Apple News+ gives you access to the Today feed and News+ tab, even when you dont have an internet connection Quartiles is a new and original daily word game that is now available in Apple News+ Scoreboard in News+ Puzzles gives you access to new player data for Crossword, Mini Crossword and Quartiles, including stats and streaks iOS 17.5 security updates There are more than a dozen security updates in iOS 17.5 that include important fixes to AppleAVD (the audio and video decoder), FindMy, Maps, and Notes, along with two critical patches that could lead to arbitrary code execution: Kernel Impact: An attacker may be able to cause unexpected app termination or arbitrary code execution Description: The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. WebKit Impact: An attacker with arbitrary read and write capability may be able to bypass Pointer Authentication Description: The issue was addressed with improved checks. To learn more about each of these, check out Apples page about the security content of iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 . Suffice it to say there are quite a lot of fixes to multiple apps and frameworksa lot of surface area as they sayso updating your iPhone and iPad as soon as possible is recommended. iOS 17.5: How to install You will probably be prompted to install iOS 17.5 eventually, but that can take days or even weeks. If you want to update right away, follow these steps: OpenSetting. Tap General Tap Software Update Youll see the update appear, tap Download and Install (or Install Now if your iPhone has already downloaded it) Youll need to enter your passcode and your iPhone will restart after the update downloads and installs Find out everything you need to know about iOS 17 in our iOS 17 superguide . iOS

Adobe threatens to sue Nintendo emulator Delta for its look-alike logo

Delta , an emulator that can play Nintendo games, had to change its logo after Adobe threatened legal action. You'd think it would face trouble from Nintendo, seeing as it has been going after emulators these days, but no. It's Adobe who's going after the developer, which told TechCrunch that it first received an email from the company's lawyer on May 7. Adobe warned Delta that their logos are too similar, with its app icon infringing on the well-known Adobe A, and asked it to change its logo so it wouldn't violate the company's rights. Delta reportedly received an email from Apple, as well, telling the developer that Adobe asked it to take down the emulator app. Delta If you'll recall, Apple started allowing retro game emulators on the App Store, as long as they don't offer pirated games for download. Delta was one of the first to be approved for listing and was at the top of Apple's charts for a while, which is probably why it caught Adobe's attention. At the time of writing, it sits at number six in the ranking for apps in Entertainment with 17,100 ratings. The developer told both Adobe and Apple that its logo was a stylized version of the Greek letter delta, and not the uppercase letter A. Regardless, it debuted a new logo , which looks someone took a sword to its old one to cut it in half. It's a temporary solution, though the developer said it's releasing the final version of its new logo when Delta 1.6 comes out. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/adobe-threatens-to-sue-nintendo-emulator-delta-for-its-look-alike-logo-123026491.html?src=rss

NYT Connections: hints and answers for Saturday, May 18

Connectionsis the new puzzle game from the New York Times, and it can be quite difficult. If you need a hand with solving today's puzzle, we're here to help.

NYT Strands today: hints, spangram and answers for Saturday, May 18

Strands is a tricky take on the classic word search from NYT Games. If you're stuck and cannot solve today's puzzle, we've got help for you here.

Best Google Pixel Phone (2024): Which Model to Buy, Cases and Accessories, Feature Drops

Heres a guide to all the modelsplus case recommendations and hidden software tricks to try.

How to Remove Annoying News Widgets From Windows 11

Good news! Microsoft has finally made it possible to use the Widget Board on Windows 11 without being subjected to an onslaught of clickbait news articles.

Apple Makes It Easier to Stare at Your Phone in the Car

Plus: Sony Music tries to keep its catalog out of the clutches of AI, theres a towering new Lord of the Rings Lego set, and Googles new AI features march onto the web.

The best video games of 2024 so far

From Final Fantasy VII Rebirth to Helldivers 2, these are the games we've dug the most in a surprisingly loaded first half of 2024.

This waterproof Bluetooth speaker offers 360 surround sound at a price better than Amazons, now $100

Macworld Whether youre planning a beach day or camping trip this summer, theres one thing youll need to keep the mood upbeat: music. Fortunately, you can bring happy beats and tunes wherever you go with the TREBLAB HD-360 Bluetooth speaker. This highly portable and user-friendly speaker is sure to be a welcome accessory, especially since has an impressive 20 hours of battery life, IPX4 waterproofing, surround sound, and more. Now, its on sale for $99.99 (reg. $159)itsa price that even beats Amazons. The standout feature of the TREBLAB HD-360 is its IPX4 waterproofing.Itll keep playing your music even when its touched by wayward splashes, rain, and other liquid .Its the ideal speaker for beach or pool days, as well asother outdoor excursions. The TREBLAB HD-360 easily connects to your iPhone and other devices withBluetooth 5.0 and provides 90W and 360 surround for rich, smooth basses and clear highs.With a full charge,you can play tunes for up to 20 hours. Thanks to its TWS mode, you can amplify your music by pairing two speakers together. This speaker even has NFC technology, which makes it easy to pair NFC-enabled devices to the TREBLAB. Bring immersive, crisp sound anywhere when you get the TREBLAB HD-360 Bluetooth Speaker for just $99.99 . TREBLAB HD-360 Portable Bluetooth Speaker Only $99.99 at Macworld StackSocial prices subject to change. Speakers

Use Beelinguapp to learn a new language by reading and listening, only $29.97

Macworld Learning a new language can help you communicate abroad andcan evenimprove your career prospects. While language learning isnt easy, you can learn more intuitively withBeelinguapp. Beelinguapphelps students master a second language by focusing on the listening approach to learning .Now,lifetime access to this innovative language-learning solution is only$29.97(reg. $100). Compatible with Android 4.3 and up and iOS 9 and higher, Beelinguapp offers 14differentlanguages to learn, including Korean, Spanish, French, and more. How itworksis that it showsyou two texts side by side, one in your first or native language, and the other youre learning.It also provides an audiobook option with karaoke reading, allowing students to follow the audios text for greater language immersion. To keep you motivated to learn your new language,you can pick which type of text to learn from.Options include fairy tales, news, science papers, classic novels, and more. New texts are also added weekly. Beelinguappsinnovative approach to learning a second language has earned it rave reviews, and the platform boasts over 57K reviews on the Google Play Store, as well as a 4.8-star rating out of five on the App Store. Learn a new language by listening and reading along. Grab a lifetime subscription to Beelinguapp, now just $29.97 until May 22 at 11:59 PM Pacific. Beelinguapp Language Learning App: Lifetime Subscription Only $29.97 at Macworld acc StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

How to watch the Microsoft Build 2024 keynote live on May 21

Springtime means its keynote season in the tech world, and in 2024, that means time to show off your AI bona fides. Google and OpenAI have already revealed big new upgrades to Gemini and ChatGPT this month, and now its time for Microsoft Build. The tech giants annual developer conference kicks off with a keynote slated for Tuesday, May 21 at 12 PM ET/9 AM PT, and you can watch the entire event live on YouTube (which is also embedded below) and at Microsoft's site (registration required). What about that Microsoft Surface event you may have heard about? Well, thats actually happening a day earlier: Monday, May 20. Confused? Dont worry, heres the tl;dr version of what to expect, summarized from our more in-depth What to expect from Microsoft Build 2024: The Surface event, Windows 11 and AI . New Microsoft Surface products expected: Monday, May 20 One day before the official Build keynote, Microsoft is hosting a more intimate event for journalists at which it plans to reveal its AI vision across hardware and software. That event wont be livestreamed, but Engadget will have full coverage as it unfolds. The rumor mill strongly suggests that well see new consumer-targeted Surface PCs. And unlike the enterprise-centric models like the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 introduced back in March, these new models may be powered by updated Qualcomm Snapdragon chips Arm chips that run cooler and offer far better battery life than their Intel and AMD equivalents, but often at the expense of reduced app compatibility and processing speeds. Microsoft Build keynote: Tuesday, May 21 The thought is that Microsoft is following the template that its fellow tech giants have demonstrated this season: get the hardware announcements out of the way first, clearing the runway for an all-AI showcase at the developer conference. Thats what happened with Apple and Google in recent weeks, as they respectively revealed new iPads weeks before the WWDC event in June, and a new Pixel 8a phone in the days leading up to Google I/O. Whats that mean for Tuesday? Last years Build announcements give you the general flavor: Microsofts Copilot AI (possibly with more impressive OpenAI-powered smarts) integrated into even more of Microsofts DNA, likely both at the device level (Windows) all the way up to the companys massive cloud infrastructure. While much of Tuesdays news will be through the prism of Microsofts developer community, were looking forward to giving you the big picture on what it all means for end users and how it dovetails with the hardware announcements we expect to hit on Monday. Stay tuned. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/how-to-watch-the-microsoft-build-2024-keynote-live-on-may-21-003204596.html?src=rss

Doctor Who: Boom review: All hail the conquering hero

The following contains spoilers for Boom. It should be a given any new series needs time to find its footing, even when its a revival of an already-running hit. The first three episodes of new Doctor Who have been fun, but not without their own idiosyncrasies that made them hard to love. Now its time for Steven Moffat, the series greatest 21st century writer, to show what this new season can do. Theres the usual degree of showboating and cleverness, but its hard to deny the mans genius when he pens the first genuine classic of the Disney+ era. Bloody hell. Boom thrusts the Doctor and Ruby into the smallest corner of a war, and lets it play out in microcosm. This is an angry story about how money, power and cruelty make people inhuman, and is the sort of episode Doctor Who excels at. This story makes no bones about the pointlessness of war and why money is the engine that keeps it going. Its framing may be modern theres one too many uses of the word algorithm here but its central thesis is timeless. Bad Wolf / BBC Studios In a wasteland battlefield on Kastarian 3, two militarized Anglican clerics are walking back to base. Carson (Majid Mahdizadeh-Valoujerdy) is leading his friend, John Francis Vater (Joe Anderson) who has been blinded in the fighting, an injury thatll take four weeks to recover from. In the distance, they spot an ambulance but seem afraid of it and look to go the long way around it. Carson loses his footing and slips into a small crater, activating a land mine that instantly obliterates him. The disturbance summons the ambulance, a tank-tracked device with a large screen with an apparently friendly avatar (Susan Twist) which injects its tendrils into Vater, identifying his injury. It decides that four weeks is an unacceptable amount of time for recovery and terminates him instead. His scream is heard by the Doctor, who sprints out of the TARDIS to help but winds up putting one foot on the exact same mine that killed Carson. Ruby arrives to find the Doctor frozen in place, asking her to describe what hes standing on: A Villengard mine. Its an anti-personnel explosive made by a notorious weapons manufacturer that Moffat has referenced several times before. The Doctor asks Ruby to find something heavy for him to hold, so that he can shift his weight and put his foot down without triggering the mine. What she finds is Vaters compacted remains bolted to an AI canister containing a simulacrum of Vater. The Doctor asks Ruby to throw it to him, but she instead opts to walk within the blast range and hand it over. It affirms the dynamic that as Gatwas Doctor has vacated the role of big-chested hero, Ruby has stepped in to fill the void. The mine is, however, unsure if the Doctor is a viable target, and so remains frozen on the edge of activation. Villengards weapons are notoriously vicious and the company has created a warfare algorithm to limit the number of bodies in the battle zone at one time, while also dragging wars on profitably and indefinitely. It gives the company license to slay the wounded rather than spending the cash to cure them. Bad Wolf / BBC Studios Before he died, Vater was speaking to his daughter Splice (Caoilnn Springall), who was brought along to the war as there was no-one else to look after her. While her father was on patrol, she had been left in the care of Mundy (Varada Sethu), a lower-ranking soldier in the army. But she slips her minder to reach the last GPS-tagged location of her father. She arrives, triggering the hologram attached to Vaters remains that delivers his valediction to his daughter. Soon after, Mundy tracks down her wayward ward and is able to explain the rest of the plot to the TARDIS crew. The Anglicans have been fighting a war for six months against an enemy thats never seen or heard. Mundy and the Doctor spar on the nature of religion and how faith in more than just a higher power helps create willing material for the meat grinder of war. Mundys skeptical about the Doctor and Ruby but is quickly convinced when she scans the Doctor to see hes not just going to explode on the mine. As a complex space-time event, the mines activation wont just kill him but destroy half of the planet. It gets worse: The mine is going to time out and go off anyway after its stuttering activation. Having detected the fracas, an ambulance arrives and jams its menacing tendrils into the Doctor. Ruby, again refusing to allow anyone else control the narrative, grabs Mundys rifle and tries to create a distraction to no effect. Mundy tells Ruby to shoot her using the rifes lowest setting which would draw the ambulance without being fatal. But, as Ruby takes aim, Canterbury (Bhav Joshi) arrives just in time to misappraise the scene and shoot Ruby to defend his fellow soldier. Ruby, on the edge of death, generates more snow but is fading fast The Doctor has worked out the problem, which is that theres no enemy on the planet at all its barren. Villengard's algorithm is sending soldiers out to die with the traps they themselves bought and probably placed. The only solution is to surrender but thats not something Mundy is willing, or empowered, to do, so the Doctor needs to find proof to show to the senior cleric. He uses the AI of Vater, appealing to his duty as a father and whatever humanity is left inside to search through the military database to find evidence there is no enemy at all. More ambulances arrive in an attempt to overwhelm the people in the crater, looming down on them all. As Mundy and Canterbury speak, the latter is suddenly minced for reasons that boil down to were in the final few minutes of the episode. In the chaos, it looks as if all is lost, but as the Villengard AI projects a hologram, its quickly taken over by Vater, whose love for his daughter has hopefully triggered some sort of feedback loop, ending the war and disabling the mine. As the war is ended, Ruby is resurrected by the ambulance and the four survivors are able to enjoy the beautiful view in the skies over Kastarian 3. Theres even time for the Doctor to mention a grumpy old man who told him once that what will survive of us is love. Thats a reference to notoriously acerbic poet Philip Larkins work An Arundel Tomb , referencing a long-decayed sculpture of two people lying in state. The Doctor mentions Splice may have a bright future ahead of her, and gets ready to head off to their next adventure. Bad Wolf / BBC Studios Theres no good place to address this later, so Ill add that Varada Sethu has also been cast as a new companion for Doctor Whos second season. Initial rumors suggested she was replacing Millie Gibson but the BBC said last month the trio would travel together. Its not uncommon for an actor to play a minor role in one episode and then return as a member of the core cast. Peter Capaldi, Karen Gillan, Freema Agyeman and Colin Baker all played one-off roles before joining as a Doctor or as a companion. I have no idea if Mundy will return, or if Sethu will play a new character, but Im not sure Mundy was a compelling enough character to warrant a revisit. Bad Wolf / BBC Studios Boom is a masterclass in perpetually-building tension in a way that Doctor Who has rarely attempted. I wouldnt want to experience this level of stress every single week, but its a wonderful change from the status quo. The one thing that doesnt quite work with the episode is the uneven pacing. For all the effort put into building the tension, the ending just seems to happen. I feel like Moffat was straining against the running time, since the last few minutes are just dashed off without as much attention as Id have liked. Interestingly, the other times Moffat has written stories that are this bleak, like The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances and World Enough and Time / The Doctor Falls, they were both two-parters. Im not sure Boom needed 90 minutes, but an extra 10 or so might have helped things breathe. Despite being rooted to one spot for most of the story, Gatwas Doctor still commands every frame he occupies. Theres enough chemistry between him and Millie Gibson that the pairs interactions are entirely believable. The rest of the cast, however, dont really get as much time to shine, given the limited focus and the stock roles they play in the narrative. Its entirely in keeping with Moffats style that hed come back to a show, now equipped with a Disney-sized budget, only to make an episode set in one location. As a writer, hes always enjoyed tying one hand behind his back and then allowing those restrictions to force him to be better. It was his Swiss watch plotting, smart storylines and snappy dialog that has always ensured his episodes are events. History has also silenced his critics: Last year, Doctor Who Magazine polled readers to rank every episode of the show made. Staggeringly, of the top 10, Moffat was credited with five , knocking Robert Holmes, the shows greatest writer, off his perch. And, as I said at the top, Boom stands proud as the first bona fide classic of the Disney+ era. Susan Twist Corner This week, Susan Twist played the avatar of the sinister Villengard ambulances that roamed the battlefield. Several times, the Doctor appealed to Vaters AI homunculus on the fact that they are, or were, both fathers. If it isnt clear, I think the show really wants the audience to know that the Doctor is a father with a child, whereabouts unknown. The hacky premise would be that its Susan who has taken the mantle of The One Who Waits, or that shes somehow Ruby. Yeugh. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/doctor-who-boom-review-all-hail-the-conquering-hero-000001420.html?src=rss

The best games you can beat in a day

Games are getting longer than ever now, even reaching 100 hours. We don't all have that kind of time, so here are the best games you can beat in one sitting.

Caseologys new MagSafe wallets look like macOS folder icons and arrive from $24 Prime shipped

While this isnt the first of its kind , it might be the best version of a MagSafe wallet made to look like Apples iconic macOS folder icon yet. Caseology, a Spigen sister brand based out of California, is now ready to unleash its new Folder Pop MagSafe wallet onto die-hard Mac users everywhere. The new Caseology Folder Pop is an animal-friendly vegan leather MagSafe wallet made to look almost exactly like those little soft blue folders we have all been staring at on our Mac displays for more years than I can count. It comes in four flavors and is now available for purchase via the brands official Amazon storefront starting from $24 Prime shipped . Head below for a closer look at the new macOS folder icon MagSafe wallets. more

BISSELLs portable Little Green Pro cleaner is a carpet (life) saver, now back to best price in years at $125

As part of its early Memorial Day sales, Amazon is offering the BISSELL Little Green Pro Portable Carpet, Upholstery Cleaner, and Auto Detailer for $124.79 shipped . Normally going for $165, weve seen few discounts over the last few years for this model, often only two to four major price cuts in each and other minor drops in small increments scattered throughout. Last month we saw it return to $125 for the second time ever, with todays deal coming in to repeat the savings as a 24% markdown that returns costs to the lowest price we have tracked in the last three years and the second-lowest overall falling only $5 short of the all-time low from 2021. more

Motorolas 2024 Razr lineup may include a bigger cover screen for the budget model

We may have a good look at Motorolas next foldable phones. Separate leaks from 91Mobiles (via 9to5Google ) and longtime device-leaking insider Evan Blass show the entry-level Moto Razr 50 and high-end Razr 50 Ultra (likely branded as the 2024 Razr and Razr+ in the US) in various colors from all sorts of angles. Leaks point to the high-end Razr+ (2024) aka Razr 50 Ultra running on a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip with 12GB of RAM and 256GB storage. Its expected to have a 6.9-inch OLED display at 2,640 x 1,080 resolution on the inside and a 3.6-inch cover display on the outside. A 50MP wide-angle camera paired with a 50MP telephoto lens, a 32MP front sensor and a 4,000mAh battery round out the (alleged) specs. Leaked images of the flagship model show dark blue, dark green, peach and pink color options. Meanwhile, the entry-level Razr (2024) likely branded as the Razr 50 outside the US will supposedly run on a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, a departure from the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 found in its 2023 equivalent . Another apparent change from its predecessor is its reported 3.63-inch cover display, quite a step up from the piddly 1.5-inch outward-facing screen on last years budget model. The leaks show no sign of the snazzy wood option Motorola included in the Edge 50 phone series unveiled last month. Old-school smartphone buffs will remember that as a throwback to the Moto X from way back in 2013 , when the company was under Google ownership . (Its been under Lenovos umbrella since 2014.) You can check out a gallery of the leaked images below, courtesy of Blass and 91Mobiles . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/motorolas-2024-razr-lineup-may-include-a-bigger-cover-screen-for-the-budget-model-203745181.html?src=rss

Save up to $500 on Rad Power e-bikes, with free extra batteries too, all starting from $1,099

Update: Rad Power has price corrected the RadRover 6 Plus High-Step Fat-Tire e-bike to $1,099 shipped , after a mistake on their end but dont worry! If you purchased it before 12:45 PM today, May 17, the company will honor the price at $999. Rad Power Bikes has launched its Memorial Day sale through May 29 that is taking up to $600 off three of its e-bikes, while also giving you a free extra battery for two of the models. Leading the sale is the RadRover 6 Plus High-Step Fat-Tire e-bike for $999 shipped . Usually going for $1,599 since the company lowered prices across its lineup of models , this e-bike has seen three previous flash sales since the new year began, with the most recent one in April dropping costs to $1,099. Todays deal comes in as a new all-time low, amounting to a $600 markdown off the going rate. You can learn more about this model by heading below the fold or checking out our hands-on reviewover at Electrek . more

Roborock Q7 Max+ robot vac and mop with auto-empty dock now $480 ($390 off), more from $240

As part of its early Memorial Day sales, Amazon is taking up to 45% off a collection of Roborocks vacuums and mops both robotic and stick models. The biggest price cut is on the Q7 Max+ Robot Vacuum and Mop with Auto-Empty Dock Pure for $479.99 shipped. Down from its $870 price tag, this is the second-lowest price we have tracked for this model, with the new $460 all-time low appearing in March and repeating again last month. It comes in as a 45% markdown that gives you $390 in savings, making this as good an opportunity as ever to upgrade your homes cleaning needs to a more automated system. Weve also curated a list of other notable Roborock discounts below. more

Get this Insignia 2D zero-gravity full-body massage chair at $1,500 off for today only

As part of its Deals of the Day , Best Buy is offering the Insignia 2D Zero Gravity Full Body Massage Chair for $999.99 shipped . Normally going for $2,500, this is the third one-day discount on this massage chair that weve seen since the start of the new year. We only saw it fall from its MSRP three times back in 2023, with Black Friday sales having the biggest discount to the $949 low. This is a repeat 60% markdown that is giving you $1,500 in savings and returning costs back to the second-lowest price we can find. more

Hundreds of early Memorial Day deals now live! Apple, Samsung, smart home, TVs, apparel, more

The Memorial Day deals are starting to arrive now. While every year we track loads of notable Memorial Day deals and promotions, it feels like the price drops are landing earlier than usual on everything from Apple, Beats, and Samsung gear, to smart home products from ecobee, Ring, and Blink, alongside loads of e-bikes and TVs, smartphone accessories, and apparel. Amazon has already flipped its Gold Box over to feature its early Memorial Day deals, Best Buy is now offering up to $500 in gift cards on major appliances (or even $1,000 in some cases ), there are $600 in savings now live on the official Rad Power site , up to 50% off Greenworks tools , and the list goes on. While we are expecting more to come through the pipeline as we inch closer to the holiday proper in just over a weeks time, we thought it would be a good idea to get ahed of the game and feature some early Memorial Day deals for this weekend. Everything you need on your radar ahead of Memorial Day 2024 awaits below. more

The OpenAI team tasked with protecting humanity is no more

In the summer of 2023, OpenAI created a Superalignment team whose goal was to steer and control future AI systems that could be so powerful they could lead to human extinction. Less than a year later, that team is dead. OpenAI told Bloomberg that the company was integrating the group more deeply across its research efforts to help the company achieve its safety goals. But a series of tweets from Jan Leike, one of the teams leaders who recently quit revealed internal tensions between the safety team and the larger company. In a statement posted on X on Friday, Leike said that the Superalignment team had been fighting for resources to get research done. Building smarter-than-human machines is an inherently dangerous endeavor, Leike wrote. OpenAI is shouldering an enormous responsibility on behalf of all of humanity. But over the past years, safety culture and processes have taken a backseat to shiny products. OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Engadget. X Leikes departure earlier this week came hours after OpenAI chief scientist Sutskevar announced that he was leaving the company. Sutskevar was not only one of the leads on the Superalignment team, but helped co-found the company as well. Sutskevars move came six months after he was involved in a decision to fire CEO Sam Altman over concerns that Altman hadnt been consistently candid with the board. Altman's all-too-brief ouster sparked an internal revolt within the company with nearly 800 employees signing a letter in which they threatened to quit if Altman wasnt reinstated. Five days later, Altman was back as OpenAIs CEO after Sutskevar had signed a letter stating that he regretted his actions. When it announced the creation of the Superalignment team, OpenAI said that it would dedicate 20 percent of its computer power over the next four years to solving the problem of controlling powerful AI systems of the future. [Getting] this right is critical to achieve our mission, the company wrote at the time. On X, Leike wrote that the Superalignment team was struggling for compute and it was getting harder and harder to get crucial research around AI safety done. Over the past few months my team has been sailing against the wind, he wrote and added that he had reached a breaking point with OpenAIs leadership over disagreements about the companys core priorities. Over the last few months, there have been more departures from the Superalignment team. In April, OpenAI reportedly fired two researchers, Leopold Aschenbrenner and Pavel Izmailov, for allegedly leaking information. OpenAI told Bloomberg that its future safety efforts will be led by John Schulman, another co-founder, whose research focuses on large language models. Jakub Pachocki, a director who led the development of GPT-4 one of OpenAIs flagship large language models would replace Sutskevar as chief scientist. Superalignment wasnt the only team at OpenAI focused on AI safety. In October, the company started a brand new preparedness team to stem potential catastrophic risks from AI systems including cybersecurity issues and chemical, nuclear and biological threats. Update, May 17 2024, 3:28 PM ET: In response to a request for comment on Leike's allegations, an OpenAI PR person directed Engadget to Sam Altman's tweet saying that he'd say something in the next couple of days. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-openai-team-tasked-with-protecting-humanity-is-no-more-183433377.html?src=rss

The best sous vide machines for 2024

For those looking to elevate their cooking, a sous vide machine might be the perfect addition to your toolkit. Previously, these gadgets were almost exclusively used by high-end restaurants. But more recently, prices have come down to where they can be relatively affordable additions to your kitchen. These devices make preparing perfectly cooked steaks a breeze while taking all the guesswork and hassle out of dishes like pulled pork or brisket. And its not just for meat either, as a sous vide machine can make easy work out of soft-boiled eggs, homemade yogurt or fish. And while some may say you need a lot of accessories like vacuum sealers or special bags to get the best results, starting with the right appliance will get you 90 percent of the way. So to help you figure out which sous vide machine is right for you, weve assembled a list of our favorite gadgets on sale right now. What we look for While they might have a fancy name, the main things we look for in a quality sous vide device are quite straightforward: ease-of-use, reliability and a good design. It should be easy to clean and have clear, no-nonsense controls. It should also have some way of attaching to a tank or pot, whether by magnet or adjustable clamp, so it doesnt become dislodged during use. And most importantly, it should have a strong heating element and motor that can deliver consistent water temperatures to ensure your food hits the correct level of doneness every time without overcooking. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-sous-vide-133025288.html?src=rss

Valves next game appears to be Deadlock, a MOBA hero shooter

According to a pair of content creators, the wait for a new Valve game is almost over: A third-person hero shooter called Deadlock is in closed alpha and an announcement seems imminent. The game has apparently been in the works since 2018, with IceFrog, a developer synonymous with the original DotA mod, in charge. Its reportedly what became of the Neon Prime project that has been rumored for a couple of years. Tyler McVicker, a veteran Valve reporter, and the content creator Gabe Follower, have this week both independently confirmed the game is in an advanced state of development. In terms of scope, McVicker says, this is meant to be Valve's next major competitive game. The next Counter-Strike. The next Dota. He describes it as Valves attempt to bring the companys various game communities together, with precise gunplay and the laning objectives of a MOBA. McVicker describes it as looking like Valorant , Overwatch , Dota 2 and Team Fortress 2 had a baby. The new title is apparently based in a fantasy setting mixed with steampunk, a marked shift from prior reports on the project that described Neon Prime as sci-fi inspired. Gabe Follower posted four screenshots on X which show something a little more subdued than the Overwatch and Valorant comparisons might imply. Since testers started sharing Deadlock screenshots all over the place, here's ones I can verify, featuring one of the heroes called Grey Talon. pic.twitter.com/KdZSRxObSz Gabe Follower (@gabefollower) May 17, 2024 The images show six vs. six gameplay across four lanes suggesting a mix of solo lanes and two vs. two action across the map. It also shows transit lines that can get players back to lane faster, like League of Legends hex gates. McVicker says these transit lines are inspired by BioShock: Infinite s Sky-Hook system. Outside of Counter-Strike 2 and Half-Life: Alyx , its been a hell of a long time since Valve released an all-new, big-scope title, and its been even longer since the company launched an all-new IP. McVicker says Deadlock is currently in a closed alpha, with hundreds of people playing. Of course, this is Valve, so its never too late for the project to be killed. But with June traditionally being a big month for video game news , it's not impossible we'll hear something official soon. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/valves-next-game-appears-to-be-deadlock-a-moba-hero-shooter-185418880.html?src=rss

Android game and app deals: FOTONICA, Brotato, Baggage Packing Checklist PRO, more

Your Friday afternoon deals on Android games and apps are now ready to go down below. Just be sure to check out this weekends offers on Googles indoor/outdoor wireless Nest Cams , Samsungs 47mm Galaxy Watch 6 Classic , and the 512GB Galaxy S24 Ultra while youre at it. As for the apps, we have FOTONICA, Lovecrafts Untold Stories, EXIT The Curse of Ophir, Brotato, Baggage Packing Checklist PRO, and more. Head below for a complete look at todays best Android game and app deals. more

Hit the road with PlayAIBoxs Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Wireless Adapter down at $90

No one can debate the convince and value of Roku. Its made the home TV viewing experience more accessible than ever. While Roku hasnt yet entered the vehicle space, PlayAIBox has created a comparable device for motorists with its Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Wireless Adapter with Streaming Service Support. Its available for $89.99 (Reg. $129.99). more

Epic Games just teased a Fallout and Fortnite crossover

Considering how big Fallout is right now, it only makes sense that it'll pop up in Fortnite. Thanks to a post from Epic Games, we know now that it's happening.

Next years iPhone could feature a thin, redesigned ultra high-end model

Macworld It might seem like every year the next big iPhone update is just a year away, but a new rumor claims that this time it might actually be true. A new report from The Information (subscription required) says that Apple is working on a new version of the iPhone for 2025 that will be sold as a higher-end version above Pro Max model. However, this new iPhone wont simply be a larger version of the Pro Max. In fact, it might not be a Pro model at all. The Information reports that the new iPhones most defining characteristic will be its redesigned body with a new ultra-thin case, smaller Dynamic Island, and centered rear camera, giving this iPhone an obvious visual difference from the other models in the lineup. The size of the display may fall between the Pro and Pro Max models, the first time Apple didnt place a premium on the largest model. The new thin iPhone will also likely have an A19 Pro chip and appears to replace the iPhone Plus, even though it will be more expensive than the iPhone Pro Max. Apple has been rumored to be releasing a new higher-end iPhone for years, but it was reported that it would be an ultra-high-end model with a larger screen. This model appears to be a departure from that plan. It appears as though thin is back in style in Cupertino. Apple just unveiled the M4 iPad Pro with a thickness of 5.3mm, the thinnest device Apple has ever made. The iPhone 16 Plus has a thickness of 7.8mm compared to the M2 iPad Pro, which had was 6.4mm depth. The Informations report comes after analyst Jeff Pu wrote in an investor note earlier this month about a similar new iPhone model. Pu said the iPhone 17 and 17 Slim will have 8GB of RAM with either the A18 or A19 chip, while the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will have an A19 Pro with 12GB of RAM. However, the Informations report paints a picture of a higher-end model than Pus rumor. Also chiming in on the rumor is Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants, who says the new model will have a 6.5-inch display . iPhone

The best iPhone emulators

While iPhones can now host emulators, it isn't open season for retro games on your phone. Here is what you need to know about the new app store rules for games.

Apple is said to be working on a 'significantly thinner' iPhone

Just like it slimmed down the latest iPad Pro , Apple is said to be looking at making the iPhone more slender. To be more precise, the company is working on a significantly thinner device that may arrive as part of the iPhone 17 lineup in place of a Plus model, according to The Information . This model has been described as an iPhone X-level leap forward in design language for the company, according to several sources. Apple has yet to lock down the design and it's said to be looking at various options, including an aluminum chassis. An upgraded front-facing camera could be housed alongside Face ID sensors in a smaller pill-shaped cutout, while the rear camera array could move to the center of the phone (that could reduce the possibility of accidentally covering the lenses with your fingers). The screen size is pegged somewhere in between that of the current base iPhone and the iPhone Pro Max so between 6.12 and 6.69 inches. If that's of interest to you, it's worth bearing in mind that the slimmed down iPhone may actually be more expensive than the iPhone Pro Max, which starts at $1,200. But hey, at least you'll have some time to save for it. This thinner model could be set to replace the Plus in the iPhone lineup. The report suggests that there will be an iPhone 16 Plus, but that could be the end of that format, which hasn't lived up to Apple's sales expectations. This year's iPhones are said to be more about AI advancements than any major changes to the physical design, though there may be a new button on the side with touch sensitivity for improved camera control. Engadget has asked Apple for comment on the report. Meanwhile, there's unfortunately no indication that the company is going back to smaller screen sizes. I still miss my iPhone 5 sometimes. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-is-said-to-be-working-on-a-significantly-thinner-iphone-180823565.html?src=rss

Amazon slashes in-house TVs as low as $150 ahead of Memorial Day: 40-inch HD, 74-inch Omni, more

As a part of its early Memorial Day deals, Amazon is now offering some notable discounts on a variety of its in-house Fire TV displays. Our favorite just hit an incredibly low price, and its the Amazon 40-inch 2-Series HD Fire TV for $149.99 shipped. Typically sold for $200, youre looking at 25% off, which is a substantial percentage for an entry-level TV. Todays offer easily undercuts the lowest Amazon price, as well. For comparison, we havent seen it sold for less than $179. While its not going to win any awards for being a top-tier TV set, this 1080p offering is at a very digestible price that will be great for a bedroom, an additional display in the office, and the list goes on. Amazons Fire TV operating system is onboard as well, meaning you wont need to spring for an additional streaming device to get this unit up and running. Ports range from 3x HDMI to Ethernet, Optical, and more. Continue reading to find more of our favorites from the sale. more

Early Memorial Day Fire tablet deals go live today from $50: All-new HD 10 $95, Kids, more

As part of its early Memorial Day sales, Amazon is bringing back many of the notable price drops we spotted for Mothers Day on its latest lineup of Fire tablets. Alongside the models youll find down below,theAll-new Amazon Fire HD 10 tabletthat first debuted last fall is now on sale at $94.99 shipped for the 32GB model. Regularly $140, this is the same 32% price drop we tracked for the spring sale and Mothers Day this year alongside being the best we can find. This model is now on par with the best we have seen since the limited-time $80 Black Friday deal went live in 2023. Head down below for more details on theAll-new Amazon Fire HD 10 tabletand the rest of the early Memorial Day Fire Tablet deals. more

First EA Sports College Football game in over a decade officially revealed

It has been 11 years since there was an EA college football video game, but EA Sports College Football 25 is bringing the NCAA back to players.

Xbox Game Pass Core subscriptions (or extensions) start from $20 today

Update: While the Newegg deals below have now come and gone, Woot is now offering some price drops on Xbox Game Pass Core subscriptions/extensions . Youll find the regularly $25 3-month option down at $19.99 and the usually $60 12-month at $51.99 with free digital delivery. More details below: The digital key(s) to authorize and register your subscription will be delivered to you as the tracking number (a 25-character alphanumeric serial number)for your purchase. Youll receive the tracking numberfor your purchase in a normalshipment confirmation email from Woot within a few business days ofyour purchase. Multiple codes are stackable on both existing or new Xbox Game Pass accounts.Multi-unit/key purchases are delivered as a single tracking number stringwith each keydelineatedviacomma. Today only, as part of its deals of the day , Newegg is now offering a 12-month membership to Microsofts Xbox Game Pass Core at $48.99 with free digital delivery . Be sure to apply code SSDR844 to redeem the discounted price. This deal is for US accounts only. Regularly $60, this is nearly 20% off the going rate, matching our previous mention, and the lowest price we can find. The 12-month membership is still listed at $60 on Amazon, for comparison. It is also among the lowest we have tracked on 1-year memberships since Microsoft debuted its new Core tier membership plan last summer , shortly after price hikes went live on the Ultimate membership . You can get more details on what it brings to your gaming setup right here and down below. more

This solar-powered smart scale logs your weight to Apple Health, more at $20 (New low, 50% off)

The official Renpho storefront at Amazon is now offering its Solar Power Smart Scale for $19.99 Prime shipped once the on-page $6 off coupon has been clipped . Dont have a Prime membership? Shipping fees can be dodged by checking out with at least $35 in your cart. Spending most of its time at $40 since December, todays offer is a notable markdown and the on-page coupon only makes things better. This deal undercuts the previous all-time low by $4, making this an excellent time to pick one up. With summer rapidly approaching, you may have felt the urge to keep tabs on your weight. Thankfully, this deal is ripe for the picking and will allow you to automatically log 13 body composition metrics in the Renpho app which can then pass the data along to Apple Health, Google Fit, Samsung Health, and more. Measurements captured range from weight to body fat, BMI, muscle mass, and more. Perhaps the most notable feature about this scale is its built-in solar panel, which allows it to automatically recharge using natural or artificial light. Continue reading to find some related deals below. more

Metroid Prime 4: release date prediction, trailers, gameplay, and more

Remember Metroid Prime 4? It's apparently still in development, though little else is known about the project. Here's everything we know about Metroid Prime 4.

macOS compatibility: Heres the latest version your Mac can run

Macworld Wondering which versions of macOS your Mac can run? Weve put together a macOS compatibility checker that will show you what Macs the different versions of macOS and Mac OS X support, so you can tell what version you should be running on your Mac. What Mac operating systems can my Mac run? Apple releases a new version of the Mac operating system almost every yearbut the new version of the Mac operating system will not support every Mac. Each year more and more Macs fall off the compatibility list and are unable to be updated to take advantage of the latest features. The latest version, macOS 14 Sonoma, arrived on September 26. Read on to find out which Macs are supported by each version of the Mac operating system. For advice about installing Sonoma read: How to install macOS Sonoma on your Mac. To learn how to install the Sonoma beta read: How to install the macOS beta . Can I install an older OS on my Mac? Officially, the operating system that was available on your Mac at the time that you bought it is the oldest version of macOS that can run on that Mac. Its likely that an older OS wont include the necessary drivers for the hardware on your newer Mac. For this reason, it is unlikely that you will be able to install an older version of macOS on a new Macbut you can take a look at how to install old versions of macOS or OS X for other Macs. Owners of Macs with M1 or M2 chips wont be able to run older versions of macOS that werent designed for M1 Macs . But it may not just be a case of wanting to know if your Mac can run the newest operating system. You might also want to know if it is possible to downgrade your Mac to an older version of macOS and need to know the oldest version of macOS. Youll also find that below. You can also see a complete list of all the different versions of macOS and Mac OS X . Not sure which Mac you own? Check our article about how to identify your Mac. Note: In each case, the year referenced below is the year that Mac was introducedyou could for example have bought a 2016 MacBook in early 2017, but its still the 2016 MacBook. This is important to keep in mind if you are looking to run an older version of macOS on a Mac. Macs are generally incompatible with versions of macOS that are older than the one it shipped with. Will macOS 15 arrive in 2024? Apple will preview macOS 15 during its annual WWDC keynote presentation on June 10. We dont know which Macs will be compatible, but we assume some Intel Macs will be dropped, if not all of the remaining ones since its already been four years since the first Apple silicon Macs arrived. We expect all M-series Macs will be supported for at least another year. macOS 14 Sonoma compatibility macOS Sonoma is the newest version of macOS. macOS Sonoma is the newest version of macOS. IDG macOS Sonoma is the newest version of macOS. IDG IDG macOS 14 Sonoma became available on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. The latest version, macOS 14.5 , released on Monday, May 13. If you want to install the operating system update you will only be able to do so on one of these Macs: iMacfrom 2019 and later MacProfrom 2019 and later iMacProfrom 2017 MacStudiofrom 2022 and later MacBookAirfrom 2018 and later Macminifrom 2018 and later MacBookProfrom 2018 and later For more information read: Can my Mac run Sonoma? macOS 13 Ventura compatibility Apple Apple Apple Apple released macOS 13 Ventura to the public on October 24, 2022. The latest version is 13.6.7 which arrived on May 13. Read our guide to every version of macOS released to find out about the latest version. To run Ventura you will need one of these Macs: MacBook models from 2017 or later MacBook Air models from 2018 or later MacBook Pro models from 2017 or later Mac mini models from 2018 or later iMac models from 2017 or later iMac Pro (all models) Mac Pro models from 2019 or later Mac Studio (all models) For more information read: Can my Mac run Ventura? macOS 12 Monterey compatibility Apple Apple Apple macOS 12 Monterey was made available to download on October 15, 2021. The latest version is 12.7.5 which arrived on May 13. The following Macs are compatible with macOS Monterey: MacBook models from early 2016 or later MacBook Air models from early 2015 or later MacBook Pro models from early 2015 or later Mac mini models from 2014 or later iMac from 2015 or later iMac Pro (2017 and later) Mac Pro models from late 2013 and later Mac Studio macOS 11 Big Sur compatibility Apple Apple Apple macOS 11 Big Sur was the version of macOS that arrived on November 12, 2020. The latest version is 11.7.10 which arrived in September 2023. Heres a list of the Macs that can run macOS Big Sur: MacBook models from early 2015 or later MacBook Air models from 2013 or later MacBook Pro models from 2013 or later Mac mini models from 2014 or later iMac from 2014 or later iMac Pro (all models) Mac Pro models from 2013 and 2019 macOS 10.15 Catalina compatibility Catalina arrived in October 2019, and the latest version is macOS 10.15.7 with Security Update 2022-05 (which arrived in July 2022) and can run on the following Macs: MacBook (2015 to 2017) MacBook Air (Mid-2012 to 2019) MacBook Pro (Mid-2012 to 2019) Mac mini (Late 2012 to late-2018) iMac (Late 2012 to 2019) iMac Pro (all models) Mac Pro models from 2013 Note that the M-series Macs will not be able to run Catalina or earlier. An M-series (Apple Silicon) Mac cannot be downgraded beyond Big Sur. An M-series (Apple Silicon) Mac cannot be downgraded beyond Big Sur. An M-series (Apple Silicon) Mac cannot be downgraded beyond Big Sur. macOS 10.14 Mojave compatibility Mojave arrived in September 2018 (latest version 10.14.6) and can run on the following Macs: MacBook (Early 2015 to 2017) MacBook Air (Mid 2012 to 2017, because its the same as 2015 model) MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 to 2018) Mac mini (Late 2012 to late-2018) iMac (Late 2012 to mid-2017) iMac Pro (all models) Mac Pro (Late 2013, plus mid-2010 and mid-2012 models with recommended Metal-capable GPU) macOS 10.13 High Sierra compatibility High Sierra arrived in September 2017 (latest version 10.13.6) and can run on the following Macs: MacBook (Late 2009 to 2017) MacBook Air (Late 2010 to 2017, which is same as 2015 model) MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 to 2017) Mac mini (Mid 2010 to 2014) iMac (Late 2009 to mid-2017) Mac Pro (Mid 2010 and 2013) macOS 10.12 Sierra compatibility Sierra, the first update to drop the X from the name, arrived in September 2016 (latest version 10.12.6) and can run on the following Macs: MacBook (Late 2009 to 2017) MacBook Air (Late 2010 to 2017, which is same as 2015 model) MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 to 2015) Mac mini (Mid 2010 to 2014) iMac (Late 2009 to 2015) Mac Pro (Mid 2010 and 2013) Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan compatibility El Capitan arrived in September 2015 (latest version 10.11.6) and can run on the following Macs: MacBook (Early 2015 to 2017) MacBook (Late 2008 to 2010) MacBook Air (Late 2008 to early 2015) MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 to early 2015) Mac mini (Early 2009 to 2014) iMac (Mid 2007 to mid-2015) Mac Pro (2008, 2010, 2013) OS X 10.10 Yosemite compatibility Yosemite arrived in October 2014 (latest version 10.10.5) and can run on the following Macs: MacBook (Late 2008 to 2010) MacBook Air (Late 2008 to mid 2013) MacBook Pro (13 Mid-2009 to mid 2014) MacBook Pro (15 Mid/Late 2007 to mid 2014) MacBook Pro (17 Late 2007 to 2011) Mac mini (Early 2009 to 2012) iMac (Mid-2007 to mid-2014) Mac Pro (2008 and 2010) Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks compatibility Mavericks arrived in October 2013 (latest version 10.9.5) and can run on the following Macs: MacBook (Late 2008 to 2010) MacBook Air (Late 2008 to mid 2013) MacBook Pro (Mid 2007 to early 2013) Xserve (Early 2009) Mac mini (Early 2009 to 2012) iMac (Mid 2007 to early 2013) Mac Pro (Early 2008 and 2010) Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion compatibility Mountain Lion, the last of the big cat versions of the Mac operating system launched in July 2012 (latest version 10.8.5) and can run on the following Macs: MacBook (Late 2008 to 2010) MacBook Air (Late 2008 to mid 2012) MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 to mid-2012) Mac mini (Early 2009 to 2011) iMac (Mid-2007 to 2011) Mac Pro (Early 2008 and 2010) Wondering how long Apple will support your Mac for? Read: How long do Macs last? Mac, MacOS, Personal Software

Amazon all-time low knocks $100 off Logitechs Sona XLR streamer mic at $250 shipped

Today we are tracking the best Amazon price yet on theLogitech Sona Active Dynamic XLR Microphone at$249.99 shippedin black. This model debuted in late 2022 as one of the brands flagship streaming and podcasting mics. The regularly $350 solution has only seen a few price drops since then, with todays offer landing as a new Amazon all-time low at nearly $20 under our previous mention. As detailed in our hands-on review , the Sona features a modern, almost futuristic aesthetic to it (I love the way it looks on camera) alongside Logitechs pro-grade internals for streaming, broadcasting, podcasting, and vocals of just about any sort. The ClearAmp active preamp tech and a dual-diaphragm dynamic capsule are said to deliver smooth low end and superb detail while rejecting unwanted noise and hum. Head below for more details. more

Redfall will get a final update that adds an offline mode

While Microsoft said it was halting active development on Redfall, the game will get one more update that adds an offline mode.

A Fallout crossover is coming to Fortnite

Prime Video's Fallout series has been a hit with critics and audiences , but Microsoft and Bethesda weren't ready to fully capitalize on its success. Fallout 4 rocketed up the sales charts and Bethesda updated it for current-gen consoles, but there was no new Fallout game ready to go. In fact, the next Fallout title is several years away. Bethesda won't properly get to work on it until The Elder Scrolls 6 is done . But there's another gaming entity ready to make the most of Fallout's upswing in popularity Fortnite . The battle royale's X account teased a crossover ahead of the new Fortnite season, which is dubbed Wrecked and will go live on May 24. Epic shared an image of the Brotherhood of Steel's power armor. It's too early to tell exactly what the Fallout crossover will entail, but Fortnite has already begun setting the stage for a possible post-apocalyptic version of the island as a sandstorm appears to be on the way . Maybe you'll be able to use Fallout-inspired weapons like mini nukes. This is just the latest example of Epic being tapped into the zeitgeist better than just about any other publisher or studio. Meanwhile, vaulting the term Epic uses for the act of removing items from Fortnite could be about to get a whole new meaning if fallout shelters start popping up on the island. pic.twitter.com/AKjFXVnHST Fortnite (@FortniteGame) May 17, 2024 This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/a-fallout-crossover-is-coming-to-fortnite-165853292.html?src=rss

Sharges gorgeous Starship Seer 10,000mAh USB-C Portable Charger hits $40 (New low, 49% off)

Right now the official Sharge storefront at Amazon is offering its Starship Seer 10,000mAh USB-C Portable Charger for $39.99 shipped. This unique device just fell from $100 at Amazon, but to be fair, it has historically spent some time selling for as low as $50-$60. We think $79 is a fair price for comparison, which equates to 49% in savings. Folks on the hunt for a power bank with a truly unique design are bound to be amused by Starship Seer. It wields a built-in display, retro style, and a 10,000mAh capacity. There are two outputs, courtesy of USB-A and Type-C along the side. It can crank out 35W of total power and receives up to 30W when refueling the internal battery. Best of all, Starship Seer can be fully recharged in just one hour. The built-in display showcases either how much time until the battery is depleted or how long until it will be fully replenished. Keep on reading to find more deals like this one. more

Amazon takes up to 50% off Greenworks tools during Memorial Day sales starting from $97

As part of its early Memorial Day sales, Amazon is taking up to 50% off a large collection of Greenworks mowers, blowers, trimmers, pressure washers, chainsaws, pole saws, bundles, and more. A standout amongst the bunch is the 24V 6-inch Cordless Electric Mini Chainsaw for $99.97 shipped. Regularly fetching $160, this tool has only seen three discounts since the start of the new year, with the first two keeping at $136, while last month we saw it fall to the $100 low. Todays deal is a slightly bigger 38% markdown off the going rate that lands it at a new all-time low with only a few cents of difference. Weve also curated a list of our other top picks in this sale below. more

Amazon's Kindle Scribe dips back to an all-time low, plus the rest of this week's best tech deals

Apple and Google recently held events to showcase new products and services. From a deals perspective, that means some older iPads are hitting new low prices we even spotted a few modest $30 and $50 discounts on brand new iPad Air and iPad Pro models. Google's latest smartphone, the Pixel 8a , shipped this past Tuesday, but a few retailers are still offering pre-order deals of a free $100 gift card with purchase. There were plenty of deals on other tech too, like a return to an all-time low on the Kindle Scribe , a sale on one of our favorite outdoor pizza ovens and discounts on a couple of Anker portable chargers that'll keep your phone topped off as you do what you do. Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still get today. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazons-kindle-scribe-dips-back-to-an-all-time-low-plus-the-rest-of-this-weeks-best-tech-deals-163858971.html?src=rss

Assassins Creed Shadows: release date, trailers, gameplay, and more

Assassin's Creed Shadows is finally bringing the series to Japan. The game will be arriving soon, so read up on all the details.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is reportedly getting a cool battery upgrade

Macworld One of the reasons why customers opt for Apples iPhone Pro Max is because of the larger battery. The current iPhone 15 Pro Max offers up to 29 hours of video playback and that might improve with the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro Max. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apples top-end iPhone is getting a boost in battery life but not by making the battery biggeritll stay the same size as the 15 Pro Max. Kuo reports that Apple has increased the energy densityessentially, how much charge it can holdwhich results in the battery lasting longer. Kuo doesnt offer any information as to how much the life will increase. As a result of the increased energy density, the battery temperature will be higher when its running. Kuo states that Apple is going to use a stainless steel battery case for the first time as a thermal solution. The internal case will also provide better protection for the battery and the iPhone system. The new case also makes it a little easier to remove the battery, which in turn helps Apple comply with the requirements of the European Union for replaceable batteries. Kuo states that if this new battery implementation works out well, Apple will use it in all its new iPhones in 2025. Kuos report follows reports that involve mock-ups of the iPhone 16 Pro Max that show that the phone will be bigger than the current iPhone 15 Pro Max. If Kuos report is accurate (he often is, but has missed a few times), then implementing the new internal steel case for the battery could explain the size increase. Check out our iPhone 16 guide for the latest on Apple next iPhone. iPhone

Streamline your EDC by snapping an ESR 3-card MagSafe Wallet on your iPhone: $12 (Save 26%)

Right now an ESR authorized storefront at Amazon is now offering the companys 3-card Vegan Leather MagSafe Wallet for $11.89 Prime shipped once the on-page 15% off coupon has been clipped . Folks without a Prime membership can checkout with $35 of items in their cart to receive free shipping. Typically sold for closer to $16, todays offer slashes 26% off the usual rate, making this a great time to cash in on this affordable wallet upgrade. Best of all, this price is very close to the all-time low, which was just over $11. If you have been itching to find a way to streamline your EDC, this wallet from ESR is here to help. Youll be able to store three cards in it and when not in use it will snap right onto any MagSafe-equipped Apple smartphone (iPhone 12 or newer). Another handy perk is its built-in finger grip along the back, making your phone fit more securely in the palm of your hand. Continue reading to find more deals. more

Marvels Midnight Suns dev confirms romance options were never in the game

Firaxis never planned to include romance options in Marvel's Midnight Suns, according to Jake Solomon, the RPG's creative director.

Jackerys new Explorer 1000 v2 power station now $679 in pre-order special (Save $120)

Jackery has launched an early bird pre-order deal on its new Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station for $679 shipped , after using the on-page code E1000V2 at checkout for $120 off . This is the very first opportunity to save on this newly upgraded power station before it begins shipping out next month, giving you until May 31 to lock down your very own ahead of summer. Its predecessor, the standard Explorer 1000, has regularly been discounted between $640 and $650 during most major sales weve seen since the new year began, meaning for the same general price youll be able to get this updated model instead of settling for its older version. more

Is Helldivers 2 coming to Xbox?

Helldivers 2 is a hit for Sony and can be played on PlayStation 5 or PC. But if you want to play the game on Xbox, you may be wondering what the future holds.

This Anker Nano 10K power bank is on sale for just $32

This Anker Nano 10K power bank is on sale for $32 via Amazon . Thats a discount of 20 percent on one of our most recommended chargers . Anker makes good stuff and its products are all over our list of the best power banks . One of the nifty features of this particular power bank is that it has a USB-C cable built right into the unit, so you wont ever have to curse yourself when forgetting to bring along an extra. Theres also a handy display that shows the current charging status, which is always a nice add-on. This thing is called Nano for a reason. Its tiny, at four inches tall, making it easy to throw in a bag and forget about it until needed. The 10,000mAh capacity is enough to supply around two full charges to a modern smartphone, though results may vary depending on the make and model of your phone. To that end, this is a USB-C charger, so its only useful for the latest Apple iPhone 15 line of smartphones , though its good for Android handsets going back years. Itll be future proof for Apple products, however, as forthcoming iPhones will all be equipped with USB-C ports. The only downside? The battery itself doesnt provide the fastest charge in the world, but it gets the job done. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/this-anker-nano-10k-power-bank-is-on-sale-for-just-32-151128977.html?src=rss

TCLs 120Hz 98-inch S5 4K Smart Google TV is now at down at $2,000 (At least $1,000 off)

While we are still tracking some big-time price drops on some of the higher-end oversized Hisense smart TVs this week, Best Buy is stepping in to bring back the TCL 98-inch S5 at an even lower price point. Sure, some folks are going to want the high-end specs for their main home theater display, but some just want to go huge without spending nearly as much. The deal we are still tracking on Hisenses 2024 larger-than-life 100-inch Smart Google TV is definitely a solid one at $2,500 , but you can now score theTCL 98-inch S5 S-Class 4K UHD LED Smart Google TV and bring Mario to life at $1,999.99 shipped . It is also now matched at Amazon. This is a 2023 release that started life at $4,000 and now fetches a regular price tag at $3,000 via Best Buy, todays deal is the second-lowest we have tracked and one of the best values around on a massive 98-incher. Head below for more. more

Anker ANC headphones and wireless earbuds fall as low as $24 ahead of Memorial Day (Up to $50 off)

As a part of Amazons early Memorial Day sale, the official Anker storefront is offering a wide variety of discounts on its headphones and earbuds at up to 33% off . One of our favorites has to be the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 ANC Headphones for $99.99 shipped. These tend to fetch $150, meaning you can spend $50 less on these popular ANC headphones. While todays offer is in line with the best Amazon pricing weve tracked, we wont shy away from the fact that these have sold for less at other retailers in the past. Weve seen them fall to around $70, but these bigger discounts were only available through paid Costco or Best Buy memberships, which not everyone is willing to pay for and stay subscribed to. Want to tune out distractions and bolster focus on the task at hand? If so, these headphones from Anker could help get you on your way. They feature active noise cancellation that automatically adapts to your surroundings to create 98% less noise. These headphones are equipped with 40mm drivers and up to 50 hours of playback time when ANC is enabled. Available in white, black, and blue colorways. Keep on reading to find a list of more Anker earbuds and headphones on sale and priced from $24 . Just be sure to clip any on-page discounts to get the best price available. more

The AirPods Max are $100 off for the first time in months

Macworld The Apple AirPods Max are back on sale, marking only the third time this year that theyve been available at such a steep discount. This limited-time offer allows you to save $100, bringing the price down to $450 from the original $549. Dont miss out on this rare opportunity to own these high-quality audio products at a significantly reduced price. While not the lowest historical price, which was $429 way back in 2021, its the bestyoureyoull get for now. The best chance you have to save that extra $20 is to wait until Prime Day on the off-chance theyll go that low then. Still, thats two months away, and it may very well not happen. The AirPods Max stand out with their Apple-designed dynamic driver, which delivers high-fidelity audio. This, combined with Apples magic and the H1 chip, creates a truly exceptional listening experience. As we highlighted in our review , the AirPods Max are not just about audio quality,but also about their superior design and build, making them atop choice among consumer headphones. One of the standout features of the AirPods Max is the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). This technology efficiently blocks external noise, allowing users to immerse themselves in their music without distractions fully. Whether in a busy cafe or on a noisy street, the ANC feature ensures a pure and uninterrupted audio experience. Audio reproduction stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best wireless Bluetooth headphones, and the active noise canceling is perhaps the best Ive ever heard, our expert said about the headphones and his experience with them. Of course, there are times when ANC isnt ideal and you have to be aware of your surroundings. For those instances, the AirPods Max have a convenient Transparency mode. This enables you to hear and interact with the world around you without needing to remove the headphones. Its a safety feature you can rely on, especially when crossing the street. With up to 20 hours of battery life, even with Active Noise Cancellation and Personalized Spatial Audio enabled, the AirPods Max are perfect for long listening sessions. So,supposeyou listen to music on your Apple device, and youre looking for headphones that deliverthe premiumaudio quality, advanced noise cancellation, and superior build quality.In that case, the AirPods Max are the perfect solution, especially now that theyre $100 off. Grab the Apple AirPods Max for $100 off at Amazon Headphones

Will this years Call of Duty game be on Xbox Game Pass?

There has been a lot of debate over whether or not the next Call of Duty game will come to Xbox Game Pass when it launches later this year.

Best MagSafe wireless chargers for iPhone 2024

Macworld Weve rounded up the best MagSafe, Qi2 and MagSafe-compatible magnetic chargers, from the plain pad to multi-functional stands (up to six devices charged), and even the most colorfulfrom snap-on chargers and modular stands to foldable power banks and full desk mats. Apples MagSafe technology, supported by all models of iPhone 12/13/14/15, presents a more efficient way of wirelessly charging compatible iPhones. MagSafe is the ring of magnets around the iPhone 12, 13, 14 and 15s internal charging coil that senses compatible accessories and magnetically snaps securely into the most efficient charging position with the right accessories. With MagSafe, youre less likely to wake up to find your phone wasnt correctly placed on the wireless charger so didnt charge at all! We have tested a lot of magnetic chargersMagSafe, Qi2 and Compatibleand here inform you which one will work best for you. There are simple magnetic wireless chargers, multi-device chargers for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods, travel chargers, car chargers and more. Click here to get to the type of charger you need or keep scrolling for the full list of the favorites we have tested. Best simple MagSafe chargers Best 2-in-1 MagSafe chargers Best 3-in-1 MagSafe chargers Best travel MagSafe chargers Best MagSafe charging stands with power banks Best MagSafe car charger Best wireless charging desk mat Best wireless charging sleeve Offering up to 15W power output, MagSafe charging is twice as fast merely compatible 7.5W magnetic wireless charging. PROMOTION ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Watch Charging Set for Apple Qi2-certified 15W MagSafe iPhone charging gives you safer, more reliable charging at faster speeds. Power all 3 of your essential Apple devices together, declutter your desk or nightstand, and de-stress your daily charge at home, office and during travel. Compatible for MagSafe charging station support iPhone 15/14/13/12 series, AirPods Pro/3/2, Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch Series 8/7/6/5/4/3/2/1, and Apple Watch SE 2/1. Use code MacworldQi2 at checkout to receive an exclusive 10% off. SHOP Now A new Qi2 standard , supported by the iPhone 13/14/15 family (and unofficially the iPhone 12), now means that some non-MagSafe chargers are able to charge supporting phones at the full 15Wif they are certified for Qi2, of course. Qi2 is based on the same technology as Apples MagSafe so offers similar 15W speed charging. Weve started testing the new Qi2 chargersread our Anker Qi2 MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station review and the Qi2 charging speeds are close enough to MagSafes to be regarded as identical. Foundry Foundry Foundry MagSafe or Qi2 certification Apple certifies MagSafe accessories to ensures that the output charging is 15W, compared to non-certified magnetic but MagSafe-compatible chargers that are usually just 7.5W. Certified MagSafe chargers also have a single-wire NFC antenna that allows the iPhone to identify the device, a built-in magnetometer, and a compass to prevent interference while you are using your iPhone while its charging. In our tests, 15W MagSafe and new Qi2 chargers are evenly matched for charging speeds. 7.5W MagSafe compatible chargers, as you might expect, take around twice as longcertainly in the early stages of charging. But dont rule out 7.5W chargers as they are often high quality, nearly always noticeably cheaper and just take a while longer to fully charge an iPhone. We have avoided the many cheap models found online and focused on the premium brands, while also including those that offer something different. Simple vs multi-device magnetic chargers The most basic form of MagSafe or magnetic charger is the simple pad that latches on to the compatible iPhone. Some pads feature a pop-out arm so the iPhone can be propped up while charging. There are also products that can simultaneously charge an iPhone plus other Apple devices, such as an Apple Watch or wireless AirPods charging case. Note that the AirPods case must be of the wireless variety, and the original AirPods case lacked this functionality. The base of a multi-charger could also be used to charge a second iPhone but mostly not magnetically and at 5W rather than 7.5W or 15W. Also see our round up of the Best Apple Watch chargers and stands . Best simple MagSafe chargers A simple MagSafe charging pad is the cheapest route to wireless iPhone charging. Its still half as fast as using a standard Lightning or USB-C cable, however, and if you are going to the bother of connecting this product to a wall charger, why not just use a Lightning (iPhone 12/13/14) or USB-C (iPhone 15) cable? You can fast-charge an iPhone to 50% battery in under 30 minutes using a cable, while it takes around 50 minutes to wirelessly charge iPhone from 0 to 50% using even 15W MagSafe. That said, there are interesting options to choose from. After these well look at more multi-functional MagSafe chargers. 1. Apple MagSafe Charger Best simple MagSafe charger if you must buy Apple Pros Fast 15W for iPhone Cons Short cable Price When Reviewed: $39 Best Prices Today: $31 at Walmart $33.15 at Amazon $33.99 at Best Buy Output charging : 15W (MagSafe) Cable : 1m (3.3ft) Wall charger : Not included Colors : White The most obvious MagSafe Charger to buy for your Apple iPhone is, of course, the Apple MagSafe Charger. Its the charger that Apple would have shipped with the iPhone if it did such things anymore. Its as minimalist a design as youd expect from Appleit looks a lot like a giant Apple Watch Charger. You can also use it to charge your AirPods. Its main advantage over the non-certified competition is its 15W charging power. Its still half as fast as using a Lightning or USB-C cable, however, and if you are going to the bother of connecting this product to a wall charger, why not just use a Lightning (iPhone 12/13/14) or USB-C (iPhone 15) cable? You can fast-charge an iPhone to 50% battery in under 30 minutes using a cable, while it takes around 50 minutes to wirelessly charge iPhone from 0 to 50% using even 15W MagSafe. And the Apple MagSafe Charger is not perfect. It is too small and light to stay on the desk when you pick up your iPhone, making it a poor wireless charging pad. The 1m cable is far too short to comfortably charge and use your iPhone at the same time, or maybe stretch from a power socket to a nearby table. Dont forget that it still requires a USB-C wall chargerat least 20W recommended if you want the full 15W potential. We think there are better MagSafe and MagSafe-compatible alternatives, so keep reading for our non-Apple recommendations. 2. Anker Qi2 MagGo Wireless Charger (Pad) Best budget simple MagSafe charger Pros Fast 15W for iPhone 1.5m cable Inexpensive Price When Reviewed: $21.99 Best Prices Today: $21.99 at Amazon $21.99 at Anker Output charging : 15W (Qi2) Cable : 1.5m (5ft) Wall charger : Not included Colors : Black, White Another basic magnetic charger, Ankers MagGo Wireless Charger Pad works just like the Apple pad, and also at a fast 15Walthough its technology is Qi2 rather than Apple MagSafe. It works just as well, though, and is one of the cheaper premium magnetic chargers. The cable is a decent length at 1.5mhalf again as long as that on the Apple MagSafe Charger pad, but not as long as on the 2m Belkin MagSafe charger reviewed below. 3. Belkin BoostCharge Pro Portable Wireless Charger Pad 15W Best simple MagSafe charger with stand Pros Fast 15W for iPhone 2m cable Built-in stand Cons High list price Price When Reviewed: $49.99 Best Prices Today: $29.99 at Amazon $29.99 at Belkin Output charging : 15W (MagSafe) Cable : 2m (6.6ft) Wall charger : Optional Colors : Black, White Available in two predictable colors, the Belkin BoostCharge Pro Charger Pad is as fast as Apples Charger and comes with a longer cable and handy pop-up stand. The cable is twice as long as Apples, which makes using the phone much easier when charging. Its also thicker nylon-braided cable with a handy integrated silicone cable tie. Its list price is higher than Apples, which is a surprise, so youre paying a premium for the longer premium cable and the kickstand but we think its worth the extra if you must have a certified 15W MagSafe charger. Check our price comparison here for cheaper online prices. An alternative is the 15W Anker Qi2 MagGo pad, reviewed above, which has a 1.5m cable but no stand. Again, a straight cable connection will be faster but we like the kickstand, which you dont get with a standard cable connection. You can buy with a 27W power adapter included or just on its own if you already have a wall charger to use. There are a few very similar Belkin Charger Pads so make sure you get what youre after. For example, there is a slower but more affordable 7.5W MagSafe-compatible BoostCharge Charger Pad ($29 and sometimes cheaper from Amazon U.S. and Amazon U.K. ) that lacks the stand. If you just want a cheap MagSafe-compatible charging pad, this is a decent option. Be warned: Belkin also sells a Qi Wireless Charging Pad that lacks the magnetic connection so is not recommended as it will be picky where the phone is placed and slower to charge as a result. 4. ESR HaloLock Kickstand Wireless Charger Best budget magnetic charger with stand Pros Inexpensive Kickstand Color options Cons 7.5W Price When Reviewed: $35.99 Best Prices Today: $17.59 at Amazon Output charging : 7.5W (Compatible) Cable : 1.5m (5ft) Wall charger : Not included Colors : White, Black, Blue, Pink This is a small, simple magnetic charging pad that has a kickstand that lets you prop your attached iPhone 12/13/14/15 up either in landscape or portrait mode for video viewing or hands-free FaceTime calls. Its a more affordable but slightly slower alternative to the Belkin pad reviewed above. The detachable cable length is reasonable at 1.5m and matches the four colors, so is wildly more flamboyant than the other magnetic wireless chargers tested here, except for 5. Casetify Magnetic Wireless Charger Widest choice of fun designs Pros Hundreds of options Cons 7.5W Price When Reviewed: $40 Best Prices Today: $40 at Casetify Output charging : 7.5W (Compatible) Cable : 1m (3.3ft) Wall charger : Not included Colors : Many cool and/or odd patterns We picked the English Breakfast pattern for its sheer wanton oddness but there are plenty of other patterns (Acid, Checks, Cherry Blossom) and pictures (Yeti, Harry Potter, Snoopy) to choose from. Indeed, there are a sometimes baffling 556 different wireless charger designs to choose from. Most are quite random but there are themes such as Street Art and Anime, plus characters such as Doreamon and SongeBob, and individual artists, with the option to customize a plain charger with text. This 100% recyclable slim charger has eco sustainability points, too, as its made with recycled aluminum and printed with eco-friendly ink. Best 2-in-1 MagSafe chargers Why restrict your charger to just one device? You can buy MagSafe chargers that tackle up to six different devices at the same time. Here, we start with basic 2-in-1 MagSafe chargers that can wirelessly charge your iPhone and AirPods case (the case must be wireless-charging enabled). Most multi-device chargers are stands but there are also folding travel chargers that work equally well full-time on your desk or nightstand or on the road with you at your hotel or office space. 1. Satechi 2-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wireless Charging Stand Best 2-in-1 magnetic charger Pros Charges iPhone and AirPods Fast 15W for iPhone Adjustable charging pad Folds for travel Price When Reviewed: $79.99 Best Prices Today: $79.99 at Satechi Output charging : 15W (Qi2) Cable : 1.2 m (4ft) Wall charger : Not included Colors : Aluminum gray With a remarkably small 3.5-inch square (9cm) footprint, this 2-in-1 charger uses the new Qi2 wireless charging technology to match MagSafe on 15W speed. The AirPod charging pad charges at 5W and could be used to charge a second phone, although much slower than using the raised magnetic pad. It even folds up flat to make it travel friendly, although youll need to supply your own USB-C wall charger. Its pretty light at just 9.6oz (272g). 2. Anker PowerWave Magnetic 2-in-1 Stand Best budget 2-in-1 magnetic charger Pros Charges iPhone and AirPods Adjustable charging pad Cons 7.5W Price When Reviewed: $39.99 Best Prices Today: $39.99 at Amazon Output charging : 7.5W (Compatible) Cable : 1.5 m (5ft) Wall charger : Not included Colors : White Built to charge both an iPhone 12/13/14/15 and wireless AirPod case charger, the Anker PowerWave is compatible rather than Apple certified and therefore doesnt reach the 15W phone charging heights. However, it is well made, very affordable and works a treat (if a little slower). Its 7.5W charging is fine if you have the time; if youre in a real hurry youd be better off using a cable than using a 15W certified MagSafe charger anyway. The AirPods are charged at 5W, which is standard for all such multi-device magnetic chargers. You get angled landscape (up to 40 degrees) and portrait modes with this good-looking stand from one of our favorite premium accessory makers. The magnetic link is super strong so you dont need to worry about the iPhone falling off even during re-angling. 3. Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Dock with MagSafe 15W Best designer magnetic charger Pros Charges iPhone or AirPods and Watch Designer looks Fast 15W for iPhone Fast Apple Watch charging Includes 30W charger Cons Pricey Price When Reviewed: $129.99 Best Prices Today: $129.99 at Belkin Output charging : 15W (MagSafe) Cable : 1.5 m (5ft) Wall charger : 30W AC power adapter Colors : Charcoal, Sand Weve chosen this fast magnetic charger not because of its heroically long-winded name but for its designer good looks. Its a minimalist 2-in-1 charging stand that can wirelessly charge an iPhone at 15W and fast-charge an Apple Watch. The top pad can angle at up to 70 degrees. Steve Jobs and Jony Ive knew that tech should aspire to timeless design, and its no surprise that Apple has chosen to stock the Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Dock MagSafe charger in its stores . The docks organic looks are complemented by the two available neutral yet naturalistic colors: Charcoal and Sand. There are other magnetic wireless chargers reviewed here that can do more and at lower prices, but this is one wed proudly place on our designer desk to show off rather than hide away. Read our full Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Dock with MagSafe 15W review 4. Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Charging Pad (Qi2) Best 2-in-1 magnetic charging pad Pros 2-in-1 Fast 15W for iPhone Cons Phone lies flat Price When Reviewed: $79.99 Best Prices Today: $79.95 at Amazon $79.95 at B&H $79.99 at Belkin Output charging : 15W (Qi2) Cable : 1.5m (5ft) Wall charger : 30W AC power adapter Colors : Black, White Belkins expanding range of fast Qi2 wireless chargers includes a simple pad that can fit an iPhone plus an AirPods case. Although it doesnt include an Apple Watch charging module, there is a 5W USB-C port that you can connect your Watch-charging cable into and charge all three devices simultaneously. It might not be as pretty a 3-in-1 solution as its own MagSafe-certified Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad, reviewed above, but as a 2-in-1 solution it is cheaper and better suited for those who havent succumbed to every Apple device available. Being certified as Qi2 means that it can wirelessly charge at the same 15W as official MagSafe chargers. It is reassuringly heavy so you wont pull it off your bedside table when you remove your iPhone from the magnetic pad. This makes it less obviously portable, but its small and flat enough to slip into a backpack. As its a pad you cant angle the phone into StandBy mode. If you want to more easily see the time on your nightstand, consider one of the charging stands reviewed above. It ships with a 30W USB-C wall charger and cable. 5. Casetify 2-in-1 Charging Stand Widest choice of fun designs Pros Charges iPhone and AirPods Adjustable charging pad Wide range of fun designs Cons 7.5W Price When Reviewed: $102 Best Prices Today: $102 at Amazon $102 at Casetify Output charging : 7.55W (Compatible) Cable : 1.8m (6ft) Wall charger : Not included Colors : Many With the Casetify range, there are 52 (at the time of writing) different designs to choose from if you want your wireless charging stand to stand out from the crowd. Choose from the base representing a basketball or tennis court, football pitch, piano keys, Acid Flowers, Strawberry Checkers or a bunch of other prints. Its a 7.5W iPhone wireless charger and 5W AirPods charger, so not the fastest but it does the job fast enough unless you are in a desperate rushin which case we recommend using a charging cable. The stand is at a decent height and the charging pad can tilt. Best 3-in-1 MagSafe chargers If you have brought full-in on the Apple product ecosystem, and have iPhone, AirPods and an Apple Watch, there are some great 3-in-1 magnetic chargers that will wirelessly charge all three devices simultaneously. 3-in-1 charging stands save you precious desk space or keep your nightstand or bedside table clear of clutter, while ensuring that you dont run out of power during the day. 1. Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe Best overall 3-in-1 MagSafe charger Pros 3-in-1 charging Fast 15W for iPhone Fast charge Watch Adjustable pad Includes charger Cons Only in black Price When Reviewed: $149.99 Best Prices Today: $149.95 at Apple $149.99 at Twelve South Output charging : 15W (MagSafe) Apple Watch fast charge: Yes Cable : 1.5m (5ft) Wall charger : 40W AC power adapter Colors : Black A 3-in-1 charger that can re-power iPhone, AirPods and Watch is a boon for Apple fans, but most of the products weve tested take up quite a lot of desk space. The stylish HiRise 3 Deluxe, as its name suggests, goes more vertical and so has a smaller footprinthandy for bedside tables and other places where a giant charging stand is less welcome. It is fully Apple certified, so can fast-charge any MagSafe iPhone (iPhone 12, 13, 14 or 15 models but not SE) at 15W as well as fast-charge an Apple Watch (Series 7, 8, 9, SE and Ultra) at 5W and Apple AirPods (2nd and 3rd generation AirPods, and all AirPods Pro) at 7.5W. Its 6 inches (15.4cm) high, 3.4in (8.5cm) wide and 6.3in (15.9cm) deep. In comparison, the Belkin 3-in-1 is 13.5cm wide. For an even smaller footprint, consider the OtterBox 3-in-1 Charging Station, reviewed below. The MagSafe iPhone charger can angle and tilt by 35-degrees, and hold the device in either landscape or portraitso works well in iOS 17s StandBy mode . The Watch charger is also tiltable and we like the way everything but the AirPods case is front-facing. The base charges at 7.5W and can be used to power up AirPods or a second iPhone, and the Watch part fast charges at 5W. Read our full Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe review 2. ESR Qi2 HaloLock 3-in-1 Watch Wireless Charging Set Best 15W budget 3-in-1 magnetic stand Pros 3-in-1 charging 15W for iPhone Fast charge Watch Includes charger Cons Non-adjustable pads Price When Reviewed: $89.99 Best Prices Today: $59.99 at Amazon $89.99 at ESR Output charging : 15W (Qi2) Apple Watch fast charge: Yes Cable : 1.5m (5ft) Wall charger : 27W AC power adapter Colors : Black, White Qi2 chargers should be cheaper than fully Apple MagSafe certified chargers as manufacturers dont have to pay a license fee for the privilege, and this 3-in-1 Qi2 wireless charger comes in at a lower price than equally speedy 15W MagSafe variants we have reviewed here. It offers fast 15W iPhone wireless charging and 5W Apple Watch fast charging in a small-footprint design (3.7-inch square base) that tucks the Apple Watch charger at the back. The Watch charger is detachable, meaning you can remove it and take it with you to plug directly into any USB-C charging port. This is a useful option missing from most other 3-in-1 chargers. in our tests the Qi2-based ESR 3-in-1 charger was marginally faster than the MagSafe-based Twelve South 3-in-1, reviewed above,. This proves that you dont need to buy and pay for MagSafe-certified chargers if the charger uses Qi2, which is based on MagSafe anyway. The ESRs Qi2 pad is not adjustable, although you can position the iPhone in either landscape (StandBy) or portrait orientations. In this way it lacks the front-facing flexibility of the HiRise 3 Deluxe, but it is available at a significantly lower price. It comes with a decent-length cable and a 27W USB-C wall charger. Its closest rival in looks is the Journey Trio 3-in-1 , reviewed below, which also features a detachable Watch charger. In terms of budget, its a close run race with the Anker Qi2 MagGo 3-in-1 Stand , which has a different design and a more powerful USB-C charger. Check the prices to see which is the most affordable at the time of reading. 3. Satechi 3-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wireless Charging Stand Most flexible 15W 3-in-1 magnetic stand Pros 3-in-1 charging Fast 15W for iPhone Adjustable charging pad Folds for travel Price When Reviewed: $129.99 Best Prices Today: $129.99 at Satechi Output charging : 15W (Qi2) Cable : 1.2 m (4ft) Wall charger : 45W AC power adapte Colors : Aluminum gray As with the 2-in-1 model, we are big fans of the Satechi Qi2 Foldable 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand. It has the same small 3.5-inch square (9cm) footprint, and Qi2 wireless charging technology to match MagSafe on 15W speed. The AirPod charging pad charges at 5W and could instead charge a second phone, although much slower than with the MagSafe pad. Apple Watch charging is fast, with the back-mounted pad providing 5W of power. It too folds up flat to make it travel friendly, and this time comes with a 45W USB-C chargers that is further boosted with U.K. and E.U. travel adapters. For a 3-in-1, its light at just 10.7oz (302g). The cuter and more compact Anker 3-in-1 Cube, reviewed below, weighs 14.3oz (405g). Its not as affordable as the ESR so misses our budget recommendation, and we prefer the Watch charger to be front-mounted, which gives the Twelve South the overall crown. However, with its foldability and travel plugs, this makes a great charging station choice for at base and on your travelssee lower down for more best MagSafe travel chargers . if you dont mind the Watch at the back, this chargers flexibility and fast speeds makes it an easy recommendation. 4. Journey Trio Ultra 3-in-1 Fast Wireless Charging Station Pros 3-in-1 charging 15W for iPhone Fast charge Watch Adjustable pad Includes charger Cons Only in white Price When Reviewed: $169.99 Best Prices Today: $169.99 at Journey Output charging : 15W (MagSafe) Apple Watch fast charge: Yes Cable : 1.5m (5ft) Wall charger : 30W AC power adapter Colors : White This 3-in-1 charger for iPhone, Watch and AirPods has a small footprint, about the same size as the Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe reviewed above. It also matches that charging station in terms of charging speed and tilting charging pad. Its fully certified for iPhone (so fast 15W) and Watch (fast 5W). The lower charging pad is rated at 5W and can be used to charge your AirPods or a second phone, although not magnetically and much slower than the main MagSafe pad. While this is an impressive 3-in-1 charger, we prefer the cheaper HiRise 3 Deluxe for its more flexible, front-mounted Watch charging module. However, if you dont mid hanging the Watch at the back and prefer white over black, you should consider the Trio Ultra instead. The Trio Ultra also has a smaller footprint than the HiRise, and is a little taller, which some may prefer. It measures 6.7 inches high, 3.4in wide and 5.3in deep (16.9-x-8.6-x-13.4cm). Journey also offers a cheaper 7.5W version, the $139 Journey Trio 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station , below, which has the same measurements and tilting skills as the Trio Ultra but offers a slower iPhone charging pad (7.5W vs 15W). This model is available in either white or black. Journey Journey Journey The 7.5W version has some tricks up its sleeve, as its detachable USB-C Apple Watch charger means you can take it with you on your travels and simply plug it into a USB-C portsay on your MacBookto charge your Apple Watch away from the charging stand. While its cheaper than the faster Trio Ultra, the more basic Trio doesnt ship with a wall charger, so youll need to add your own. The 1 5W ESR Qi2 3-in-1 , reviewed above, is similar in looks (with detachable charger) and is both cheaper and more powerful (15W vs 7.5W) than the basic Journey Trio 3-in-1. 5. Anker MagGo Qi2 Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1 Stand) 15W budget 3-in-1 magnetic stand Pros 3-in-1 charging 15W for iPhone Fast charge Watch Includes charger Cons Non-adjustable pads Price When Reviewed: $99.99 Best Prices Today: $99.99 at Amazon $99.99 at Anker Output charging : 15W (Qi2) Apple Watch fast charge: Yes Cable : 1.5m (5ft) Wall charger : 40W AC power adapter Colors : Black, White Like the ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Watch Wireless Charging Set (HaloLock), reviewed above, the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 charger is cheaper than fully Apple MagSafe certified chargers. You could pay half again for a full MagSafe 3-in-1 charger that offers the same 15W iPhone power. It too offers fast 15W iPhone wireless charging and 5W Apple Watch fast charging but in a coat-stand design that is sturdy and with iPhone and Watch facing the front. This differs from the ESR charger, which places a detachable Watch charger at the back. We prefer the Watch at the front so we can still interact with it, but it does make the stands base larger (5.5 inch diameter vs ESRs 3.7-inch square base). Neither the iPhone or Watch charging pad is tiltable. You can, however, position the iPhone in either landscape (StandBy) or portrait orientations. It comes with a 5-foot cable and a powerful 40W USB-C wall charger. 6. Alogic MagSpeed 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station 7.5W budget 3-in-1 magnetic stand Pros 3-in-1 charging Cons 7.5W Not Watch fast charge Non-adjustable pad Short cable Price When Reviewed: $99.99 Best Prices Today: $99.99 at Alogic $99.99 at Amazon Output charging : 7.5W (Compatible) Apple Watch fast charge: No Cable : 1m (3.3ft) Wall charger : Not included, except in Australia: 20W AC power adapter Colors : Black, White For a budget 3-in-1 magnetic stand that will charge your iPhone 12/13/14/15, AirPods wireless-charging case and Apple Watch, the Alogic MagSpeed 3-in-1 Wireless Charger is similar in charging speeds to the Journey Trio 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station, reviewed above, but not the Trio Ultra, HiRise 3 Deluxe or Anker MagGo. The iPhone can be rotated in either portrait or landscape mode, but it cant be angled up or down. This is where the Anker charger wins out in the battle of the affordable 3-in-1 MagSafe chargers. If you are buying in Australia (Alogic is an Australian company), you get a 20W charger, but elsewhere youll need to use your own wall charger. While this was once a great price point, the arrival of Qi2-based 15W 3-in-1 chargers has brought faster charging down to the same ball park of under $100. As such, the ESR Qi2 3-in-1 and Anker MagGo 3-in-1 represent better value than the Alogic MagSpeed 3-in-1 Wireless Chargeralthough you may prefer this design. 7. Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe Best compact 3-in-1 magnetic charger Pros 3-in-1 charging 15W for iPhone Fast charge Watch Compact Includes 30W charger Cons Heavy Price When Reviewed: $149.95 Best Prices Today: $129.99 at Amazon $149.95 at Anker $149.95 at Apple Output charging : 15W (MagSafe) Apple Watch fast charge: Yes Cable : 1.5 m (5ft) Wall charger : 30W AC power adapter Colors : Gray This 3-in-1 MagSafe charger is certified by Apple, so offers full 15W wireless charging for iPhone 12/13/14/15 plus 5W for AirPods and 5W for Apple Watch. Although on the heavy side, its super-compact and great for travel. The Watch charging part is hidden in the cube until you need it. It comes with a 30W USB-C wall charger with switchable UK and EU plug fittings that slide onto the US plug prongs. Its tiny footprint means it takes up little space on your desk or bedside cable, too. The stand works in landscape and portrait orientations but isnt high. It does have adjustable viewing angles up to 60. A similar 3-in-1 charger from the same company is the A-frame Anker 737 MagGo , which can also simultaneously charge an iPhone (at 15W), AirPods and Watch. Aside from the shape, the only real difference from the Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe is that the slightly cheaper 737 doesnt support fast-charging for the Apple Watch. 8. Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1 Pad) Best 3-in-1 MagSafe charging pad Pros 3-in-1 charging 15W for iPhone Fast charge Watch Includes charger Price When Reviewed: $99.99 Best Prices Today: $99.99 at Amazon $99.99 at Anker Output charging : 15W (Qi2) Apple Watch fast charge: Yes Cable : 1.5m (5ft) Wall charger : 40W AC power adapter Colors : Black, White Like its Qi2 charger 3-in-1 Stand sibling, Ankers 15W Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1 Pad) is cheaper than 15W MagSafe rivals but just as powerful. The 5W Apple Watch charger also allows for fast charging. In fact, it beats its nearest competition, the Belkin Boost Charge 3-in-1 Wireless Charing Pad, reviewed below, not just on price but on flexibility. Where the Belkin features an adjustable Watch charging module (for Nightstand mode) like the Anker, its iPhone charging pad only allows for a flat placement, while the Anker has a pad that can be raised and tilted 90-180 degreesit could even be described as a stand/pad combo. It measures 9-x-3.4-x-0.5 inches (22.9-x-8.6-x-1.3cm) and weighs 12oz (340g). Read our full Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1 Pad) review 9. Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad Pros 3-in-1 charging 15W for iPhone Fast charges Watch Cons Phone lies flat Price When Reviewed: $149.95 Best Prices Today: $126.99 at B&H $133.99 at Best Buy $149.95 at Apple Output charging : 15W (MagSafe) Apple Watch fast charge: Yes Cable : 1.5m (5ft) Wall charger : 40W AC power adapter Colors : Black, White Belkin has two models of 3-in-1 wireless charger, both MFi-certified, that can simultaneously charge your portable Apple goodies: iPhone, AirPods and Watch. If youve bought into the whole Apple device ecosystem, this one will charge all you pocketable or wearable devices. of particular note is that it can fast-charge the Apple Watch. This model is a flat pad that also includes the possibility to leave the Watch in Nightstand mode as a bedside or desk clock. We would have preferred if the phone charger could also be angled to prop up the phone for video viewing, like you can with the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Pad reviewed above. While minimalist in design, it does take up a fair section of deskmeasuring about 23cm across and 8cm wide, and the iPhone sticks out at either side. Its around the same size as the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Pad. The pad format is better for travel portability than a charging stand, and it comes with its own wall power supply unit, so you dont need to add your own USB-C charger. 10. Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand with MagSafe Pros 3-in-1 15W for iPhone Stylish Includes wall charger Cons Expensive Not Watch fast charge Large footprint Price When Reviewed: $149.99 Best Prices Today: $119.95 at Amazon $149.95 at Apple $149.99 at Belkin Output charging : 15W (MagSafe) Apple Watch fast charge: Yes Cable : 1.5m (5ft) Wall charger : 40W AC power adapter Colors : Black, White Belkin has a 3-in-1 MagSafe Charger that is a stand where the phone and Watch are held high and the AirPods case sits underneath in a Qi-compatible hollow on the base. This is more stylish that other wireless charging stands, having a Sixties space-age design with chrome arms, and a silicone-covered plastic base. A stand is useful as it lifts the charging phone to a height that makes it easier to FaceTime or watch videos without having to hold the phone aloft. It can hold the phone in either portrait or landscape mode. In order to support the weight of the phone, the circular base has to be quite wide, at 13.5cm. For a smaller footprint 3-in-1 charger consider the Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe or OtterBox 3-in-1 Charging Stationboth reviewed above. An LED indicates if the AirPods are charging, and it ships with its own power supply unit. 11. Mophie 3-in-1 Extendable Stand Best height-adjustable MagSafe charger Pros 3-in-1 charging 15W for iPhone Fast charge Watch Height adjustment Tiltable MagSafe mount Cons Mostly plastic construction Pricey Price When Reviewed: $149.95 Best Prices Today: $149.95 at Mophie/Zagg $149.99 at Best Buy Not Available at Amazon Output charging : 15W (MagSafe) Apple Watch fast charge: Yes Cable : None Wall charger : Not included Colors : Black If you want to properly raise your iPhone in a stand, this Mophie 3-in-1 charging stand is height adjustable between 7.5 to 16 inches (19-40cm). The MagSafe mount is tilt adjustable, too, making this stand great for using FaceTime on the iPhone. Fully Apple certified, it wirelessly charges an iPhone at 15W and can also fast-charge an Apple Watch. While it feels stable, wed have preferred a less plasticky stand column. Read our full Mophie 3-in-1 Extendable Stand review 12. OtterBox 3-in-1 Charging Station with MagSafe Pros 3-in-1 charging 15W for iPhone Fast charge Watch Includes charger Cons North America only Price When Reviewed: $149.95 Best Prices Today: $149.95 at OtterBox Output charging : 15W (MagSafe) Apple Watch fast charge: Yes Cable : 2m (6.6ft) Wall charger : 36W AC power adapter Colors : Black or White This fast-charging 3-in-1 charger is a little smaller than even the Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe and Journey Trio Ultra, both reviewed above. It measures 5.6 inches high, and 4.6 inches both wide and deep (13.9-x-11.7-x-11.7cm). Its a great multi-device charger but is beaten by the other two fast 3-in-1 products, which both feature more flexible, tiltable iPhone charging pads. Read our full OtterBox 3-in-1 Charging Station with MagSafe review 13. Zens 4-in-1 Modular Wireless Charger Best 4-in-1 MagSafe charging stand Pros 4-in-1 (up to 6-in1) 15W for iPhone Modular Includes wall charger Cons Expensive Not Watch fast charge Price When Reviewed: $179.95 Best Prices Today: $179.95 at Apple $179.99 at Zens Output charging : 15W (MagSafe) Cable : 1.5m (5ft) Wall charger : 65W AC power adapter Colors : Black The Zens 4-in-1 Modular Charging Station for iPhone with MagSafe, AirPods, Apple Watch and iPad is a MagSafe-certified charging stand that can handle not just four Apple devices but more if you buy extra charging modules to connect. Any MagSafe iPhone (12/13/14/15) can be wirelessly charged at up to 15W, faster than non-certified MagSafe-compatible chargers. AirPods and Apple Watch will each charge wirelessly at 5W. The iPhone can be placed in either portrait or landscape mode. At the back is a stand where you can place an iPad, which can be wired charged via a side-mounted USB-C port at up to 30W. All devices can be charged simultaneously as the power supply has a 65W total output. The Watch module that ships with the 4-in-1 charger can handily be situated on either the right- or left-hand side depending on your preference. Modules attach magnetically. The Apple Watch extension can be disconnected from the main station and charged via a USB-C port to become a standalone wireless charger when travelling. Up to three modules can be added, and different modules are available separately. Aside from extra Watch modules, the Single Wireless Charger Extension is a 10W wireless charging pad, and the Modular USB-hub Extension lets you recharge a USB-A powered device. As an environmental bonus, the Charging Station and all modules are made from recycled plastic. Another Zens product that can charge four devices at the same time, the aluminum Zens 4-in-1 MagSafe + Watch Charging Station ($169.99) is also certified Made for MagSafe so can fast-charge an iPhone 12/13/14/15 at 15W. The base features a 5W Qi charging pad allows for charging wirelessly rechargeable AirPods or other Qi compatible device, but the Watch charger isnt rated as fast-charge like some youll find on other products reviewed here. The fourth device is charged using a side-mounted USB-C port, so is wired rather than wireless like the parts for iPhone, Watch and AirPods. Rated at 18W charging, this USB-C connection can fast-charge another iPhone or charge an iPad. The supplied 45W wall charger comes with US, UK and EU adapter plugs so you can take the Zens 4-in-1 Charging Station on your travels. Best travel MagSafe chargers Many multi-device magnetic chargers take the form of elegant and frankly quite bulky stands that are designed to sit on a desk or bedside table/nightstand and stay there. Having a 3-in-1 MagSafe charger that can slip in a pocket, handbag or backpack would be even more useful when traveling between offices, homes or hotels. Thankfully, there are some truly great 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 travel-friendly MagSafe chargers, and we have tested the best of them here. 1. Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (Foldable 3-in-1) Best overall travel MagSafe charger Pros 3-in-1 charging 15W for iPhone Fast charge Watch Compact Includes 40W charger Price When Reviewed: $109.99 Best Prices Today: $109.99 at Amazon $109.99 at Anker Output charging : 15W (Qi2) Apple Watch fast charge: Yes Cable : 1.5 m (5ft) Wall charger : 40W AC power adapter Colors : Black, White Power specialist Anker is one of the first companies to release Qi2-compatible chargers, and the foldable Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station is a great example of what we can expect from the latest technology. It charges the iPhone (iPhone 13 and later) at 15W, and is also certified by Apple to fast-charge the Apple Watch, as well as Qi charge AirPods in a wireless charging case. It is super compact, measuring about the length and width of a credit card (3.52.36 inches; 8.96cm) and an inch (2.5cm) deep, weighing 6.9oz (195g). The 5W Watch-charging module is tucked away on the underside (see above) and can lie flat or sit up at an angle for Nightstand mode. The Qi2 pad raises to create a stand for your iPhone, in either portrait or landscape mode for StandBy mode. You can also charge an iPhone with the charger folded and the Qi2 pad on top. You need to unfold it only if you want to charge some AirPods or use the Qi2 pad as a stand. There are certainly many cheaper 3-in-1 foldable chargersfor example, the $50 Kuxiu X55 3-In-1, reviewed belowbut none at either 15W MagSafe or Qi2. Youll also need to add a USB-C power supply to these cheaper 3-in-1 devices, while the Anker MagGo Charging Station ships with its own powerful 40W wall charger. Read our full Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (Foldable 3-in-1) review 2. Twelve South ButterFly 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger Best 2-in-1 travel MagSafe charger Pros Charges Watch and iPhone and 15W for iPhone Can swap Watch for AirPods Fast charge Watch Portable Small footprint Price When Reviewed: $129.99 Best Prices Today: $129.95 at Apple $129.99 at Twelve South Output charging : 15W (MagSafe) Apple Watch fast charge: Yes Cable : 1,5m (5ft) Wall charger : 30W AC power adapter Colors : Aluminum Not content with making our favorite 3-in-1 iPhone/Watch/AirPods charger, the HiRise 3 Deluxe reviewed above, Twelve South has wowed us with this easily pocketable 2-in-1 charger that can handle iPhone and Apple Watch or iPhone and AirPods, charging two devices simultaneously. It is fully Apple certified, so fast wirelessly charges the iPhone at 15W and the Watch at 5W. You cant get faster wireless chargingnote that wired charging is much faster for iPhones. Its a really clever, compact foldable size and offers MacBook-like styling. Unfurl the charger and the two wireless charging pads are revealed. You can fold 180 degrees and place the Watch in Nighstand mode. Flip it round, and you can set the iPhone in landscape StandBy mode. Yes, its expensive but it does come with a super-compact 30W USB-C wall charger that comes with interchangeable international plug heads: US, UK, EU and AU/NZ. Read our full Twelve South ButterFly 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger review 3. KUXIU X55 3-In-1 Foldable Magnetic Wireless Charger & Stand Best budget 3-in-1 travel MagSafe charger Pros 3-in-1 charging Foldable for travel Pad and stand function Super compact, lightweight design Cons 7.5W Not as sturdy as some Price When Reviewed: $45.99 Best Prices Today: $45.99 at Kuxio $49.99 at Amazon Output charging : 7.5W (Compatible) Apple Watch fast charge: Yes Cable : 1 m (3.3ft) Wall charger : 30W AC power adapter Colors : White, Black, Gray The Kuxiu X55 3-in-1 Foldable Magnetic Charger is a neat, portable way to charge all your Apple mobile devicesWatch, iPhone, AirPodsat the same time. Its special because it folds up into such a compact packagemeasuring 2.7-x-2.7-x-1.2 inches (6.8-x-6.8-x-3cm). Its closest alternative is the Evolved 3-in-1 Foldable Charger , reviewed below. From a design and charging point of view, both are similarand each has its advantages over the other. In terms of design, the X55 is shorter but deeper. It is also 50g lighter than its rival travel 3-in-1: 147g compared to 197g. From a portability point of view, the X55 therefore wins but because of its weight and size the Evolved 3-in-1 is sturdier and less likely to tip back if at extreme angles. It can be set higher and is more adjustable. In terms of charging, both are MagSafe compatible so can wirelessly charge the iPhone at 7.5W. However, the X55 can fast-charge an Apple Watch as its Watch-charging module is rated at 5W compared to Evolveds 3W, which will therefore charge a Watch slower. We appreciate the X55s lighter weight and faster Watch charger. If you are going to use the stand part of the charger as a mainstay, then we vote for the Evolved. If you prefer the lightness and the fact that the X55 can be laid flat as well as function as a stand, then our vote switches to the X55 accordingly. The X55 is our favorite 3-in-1 travel stand and pad combo. The X55 also ships with a hard-shell carry case and a 20W USB-C wall charger, which youll need to supply for the Evolved 3-in-1. We also like the ESR HaloLock 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set , reviewed below, which is an inch longer and a little wider, but nearly half the depth. The X55 3-in-1 beats the ESR because its Apple Watch charger is integrated and not an attachable module. Again, its horses for coursesif you like the idea of having a detachable Watch charger that you can carry separately, then the ESR takes the crown. The Journey SWIV 3-in-1 , reviewed above, is a little larger but noticeably lighter, and also can fast-charge the Apple Watch. It lies flat so doesnt have the stand function. 4. Journey SWIV 3-in-1 Foldable Wireless Charging Station Pros 3-in-1 charging Fast charge Watch Foldable for travel Super compact design Cons 7.5W Price When Reviewed: $119.99 Best Prices Today: $119.99 at Journey Output charging : 7.5W (Compatible) Apple Watch fast charge: Yes Cable : 1.5 m (5ft) Wall charger : Not included Colors : White This 3-in-1 iPhone/Watch/AirPods charger folds up extremely neatly into a compact and lightweight package that you wouldnt really notice in a coat pocket. Of course, despite being wireless when charging your devices it still requires a wall charger (not included); it does comes with a USB-C cable. The MagSafe charger is compatible so only 7.5W but the Watch does offer 5W fast-charging for your wearable. The Watch module can lie flat or flip up for Nightstand modeperfect for a bedside table. If you want a MagSafe travel charger with a stand, consider the Kuxiu X55 , reviewed above. Read our full Journey SWIV 3-in-1 Foldable Wireless Charging Station review 5. ESR HaloLock 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set Pros 3-in-1 charging Foldable for travel Cons 7.5W Price When Reviewed: $89.99 Best Prices Today: $54.99 at Amazon $86.99 at ESR Output charging : 7.5W (Compatible) Apple Watch fast charge: No Cable : 1.5 m (5ft) Wall charger : 20W AC power adapter Colors : Black The ESR HaloLock 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Set is certified by Apple for Apple Watch but is just compatible with MagSafe for iPhone 12/13/14/15 charging, so offers 7.5W rather than 15W. The Watch charging part is separate but plugs in once the stand is unfolded. When folded it can be used as a wireless charging pad. The iPhone can be set in either landscape or portrait orientation when the charger is doubling up as a stand. Its lightweight and foldable, which makes it a great travel solution if you own iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch. Both the Kuxiu X55 and the Evolved 3-in-1 Foldable Charger are a more compact package for Apple Watch and iPhone owners because their Watch-charging modules are built-in. The Journey SWIV is about the same weight as the ESR but without the detachable nature of the Watch charger. It also can fast-charge a Watch unlike the ESR or Evolved foldable chargers. It measures 4.5-x-2.6-x-0.63 inches (11.3-x-6.6-x-1.6cm). Theres a smart travel case included that fits in the 20W charger, cable, Watch attachment and folding charging stand. 6. Zens 2-in-1 MagSafe + Watch travel charger Pros 15W for iPhone Charges iPhone and Apple Watch Cons Not Watch fast charge Best Prices Today: $99.99 at Zens Output charging : 15W (MagSafe) Apple Watch fast charge: No Cable : 1m (3.3ft) Wall charger : Not included Colors : White Coming in its own hard-shell travel case, the Zens 2-in-1 MagSafe and Watch travel charger is a portable delight for owners of iPhone (12/13/14/15 series) and Apple Watch. It is officially certified as Made for MagSafe, so charges at the full wireless 15W. Sadly the Watch doesnt fast charge, too, but its arm folds out to create a kickstand for the iPhone in either portrait or landscape orientation. Best MagSafe charging stands with power banks Elsewhere we have reviewed the best magnetic battery packs that work with the iPhone 12/13/14/15 , but if you want something more substantial weve tested the best MagSafe charging stands that include a portable power bank but can work as a standard charging station when youre not out and about. 1. OneAdaptr OneGo Best MagSafe charger with power bank Pros 3-in-1 charging 10000mAh power bank Cons 7.5W iPhone, 2W Watch Not Watch fast charge Price When Reviewed: $89 Best Prices Today: $89 at OneAdaptr Output charging : 7.5W (Compatible) Watch fast charge: Yes Cable : 0.5 m (1.6ft) Wall charger : Not included Colors : White or Black OneGo is a compact portable wireless charging station with a handy detachable, high-capacity (10000mAh) power bank that you can take with you on your travels. Folded it measure 6.1-x-3.1-x-1.5 inches (15.5-x-7.8-x-3.7cm). The Watch-charging module flips up from the back of the power bank. AirPods can be powered up at the back of the stand when the charger is unfolded. While its not the fastest wireless charger (7.5W iPhone and 2W Watch) you can connect a cable to the power banks 18W USB-C port for speedy charging. The OtterBox 2-in-1 Power Bank with MagSafe, reviewed below, offers faster wireless charging (15W and 5W) but is a much chunkier slab to carry around as the power bank is integrated rather than detachable. Read our full OneAdaptr OneGo review 2. Alogic Matrix Ultimate Fold 3-in-1 Stand with Power Bank Pros 3-in-1 fast charging stand 15W iPhone, 3W Watch Detachable 15W MagSafe power bank Foldable for travel Cons Low battery capacity Bulkier than slower rivals Price When Reviewed: $169.99 Best Prices Today: $169.99 at Alogic Output charging : 15W (MagSafe) Watch fast charge: Yes Cable : 1.5 m (5ft) Wall charger : 36W AC power adapter Colors : White The Alogic Matrix Ultimate is multi-talented. It can charge an iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods wireless charging case at the same time, plus you can detach the iPhone charging pad and take it with you as a power bank. You can also detach the Apple Watch charger and slot that into any charging USB-C port, including that on the power bank. On top of all that, you can fold the whole thing up and pack it in its own carry case. Fully certified, it boasts 15W wireless iPhone charging, and can fast-charge a Watch at the same time. The power banks battery capacity is 5000mAh, which in our tests gave us nearly a three-quarter recharge. There are alternatives, such as the OneAdaptr OneGo, reviewed below, that feature a 10000mAh power bank with much higher recharge potentialbut none are rated as fast at charging as the Matrix Ultimate. Read our full Alogic Matrix Ultimate Fold 3-in-1 Stand with Power Bank review Best MagSafe car charger In the old days cars had cigarette-lighter sockets, but today a power/charging port for your phone or other device is more common. A magnetic wireless charger in your car is the latest must-have gadget and weve tested a bunch to find the best on offer. 1. Belkin Boost Charge Pro Wireless Car Charger with MagSafe Best MagSafe car charger Pros 15W for iPhone Dedicated car accessory Cons Not compatible with all car vents Expensive Price When Reviewed: $99.99 Best Prices Today: $99.95 at Apple $99.99 at Belkin Output charging : 15W (MagSafe) Cable : Built-in Wall charger : 12V car charger included Colors : White Use your iPhone for satnav directions or to have easy access to your playlists in the car with this MagSafe-certified wireless charger and car vent mount, which works in both landscape and portrait modes. It has an integrated USB-C cable, and a 12V car charger adapter for cars that come with USB-A ports. The magnetic link is strong, which should mean that it can cope with any big bumps in the road. It works best with straight, horizontal vent slats up to 3mm in thickness and 20mm in depth. It does work with vertical slats, but there might be slight movements if the mount is overloaded with weight, says Belkin. As the only dedicated MagSafe-certified 15W car mount available, it is expensive. If you can handle a lower charger rate, the Belkin BoostCharge Magnetic Wireless Car Charger 10W does pretty much the same job for a lot less. Or you can buy Spigens Mag Fit Phone Holder Car Mount and add Apples MagSafe Charger (reviewed above) for pretty much the same 15W result. That product is also available in black, like most car vents. 2. ESR Qi2 Magnetic Wireless Car Charger (Halolock) Pros 15W for iPhone Dedicated car accessory Inexpensive Cons Not compatible with all car vents Car charger not included Price When Reviewed: $35.99 Best Prices Today: $29.99 at Amazon $35.99 at ESR Output charging : 15W (Qi2) Cable : 1m (3.3ft) Wall charger : Not included Colors : Black While still able to charge at a fast 15W Qi2 chargers are mostly cheaper than the Apple-certified MagSafebut as Qi2 is based on MagSafe you have nothing to fear choosing this cheaper option. It comes with a 1m USB-C cable, with USB-A adapter if your car still has that older standard. You can clip it into the slats on your cars air vent (ESR says it is compatible with 99% of all cars, which we cant verify) or you can use the included 3M adhesive mount for a semipermanent attachment to your cars dashboarddont use this on a nice leather or fabric (or curved) dash. Best wireless charging desk mat 1. Journey ALTI Wireless Charging Desk Mat Pros Stylish charging desk mat Reversible Cons 7.5W Best Prices Today: $129.99 at Journey Output charging : 7.5W (Compatible) Cable : 1.5m (5ft) Wall charger: Not included Colors : Black, Light Gray This smart desk mat includes a detachable side strip that includes a magnetic wireless charging pad for phone and a non-magnetic section to charge your AirPods. Not only is the mat reversible, with smooth, wipeable vegan leather on one side and warmer-feel felt on the other, but you can pull back the mat to stow paper and notes to help reduce clutter. Its quite a large mat, measuring 780 x 70 x 4mm. The Light gray color is actually more of a warm stone tone. The charging panel connects to the mat with a light magnetic snap, and can be positioned on either side simply by flipping the mat round 180 degrees, depending on whether you are left or right handed. As its MagSafe compatible rather than certified, it charges the iPhone at 7.5W rather than 15W, but will charge other compatible phones at the higher power. Earbuds can be charged at up to 5W. The magnetic fit is strong so you cant knock it off its charging position with a stray flick of an arm. It comes with a USB-C cable but requires a charger; recommended 20W or higher. Best wireless charging laptop sleeve 1. Journey NEXA 4-in-1 Laptop Sleeve with Wireless Charging Pros Luxury MacBook sleeve MagSafe-compatible charging Cons 7.%W Price When Reviewed: $129.99 Best Prices Today: $119.99 at Journey Output charging : 7.5W (Compatible) Cable : 1.5m (5ft) Wall charger: Not included Colors : Black, Light Gray The premium-quality, vegan leather Journey NEXA laptop sleeve bills itself as a 4-in-1, and it certainly is multi-functional. As well as protecting your laptop during travel, it includes two wireless chargers (one MagSafe compatible at 7.5W; one 5W for AirPods or a second phone) and can work as both a desk mat and mousepad to free your workspace of clutter. While it comes with a USB-C cable, youll need to add your own charger (check our roundup of the best iPhone chargers ) to connect with the USB-C port in the sleeve. Alternatively you can charge the MacBook itself while it sits protected in the sleevefor this youll need a more powerful MacBook charger . Read our full Journey NEXA 4-in-1 Laptop Sleeve with Wireless Charging review Why wireless? Wireless charging is convenient and fine for situations when you dont need a super-fast recharge. If youre leaving your home in 20 minutes and need as much juice as possible, plug in the Lightning cable (or USB-C for iPhone 15) as even a 12W USB charger can power up an iPhone a third faster than wireless, and 50% faster if you use a 20W USB-C PD charger. It is less wearing than constantly inserting a cable into your phone, and more reliable as that vulnerable cable port can fill with fluff and dust after all the time spent in your trouser pocket or bag and its one of the most common reasons that an iPhone refuses to charge even when connected with a cable. Its easy to clean with a toothpick (but please do it softly!) but will affect most of us at some time. Wireless charging isnt affected by the build-up of dust and fluff in the phone port and is also less vulnerable to oxidation and corrosion. With wireless, you dont have to remember to run around trying to find whos taken your charging cable, and its certainly a lot neater. Of course, wireless charging is not really wireless, unless you are using a portable MagSafe battery pack. The MagSafe charger is still connected by a cable to your wall charger; its just the connection to the phone that is properly wireless. What else you need Some MagSafe chargers come with their own wall charger, but most require you to add your own. Apple recommends at least a 20W USB-C power adapter (wall-socket charger) and we agree. You wont get over 15W charging power from the MagSafe charger to the iPhone, but 20W all but guarantees youll get as much power as you can. We have tested the best iPhone wall chargers to help you choose a recommended solution. Mobile Phone Accessories, Mobile Phone Chargers, Power

Review: The Ninja FrostVault with Dry Zone may be the coolest cooler I have ever used

The excitement surrounding Ninjas brand-new line of coolers is hard to ignore. Ninja has made a name for itself in the kitchen gadget world, but this is its first line of coolers. Brands like Yeti and Igloo have dominated the cooler scene for years; does the Ninja FrostVault even stand a chance? I had the pleasure of taking the Ninja FrostVault 30qt Hard Cooler with Dry Zone for a test run, and I think youll want to keep reading to see how it went. more

This Philips Hue Smart Starter Kit includes 3 bulbs, a bridge, and dimmer for $120 ($50 off)

Today only, as part of its Deals of the Day , Best Buy is now offering a notable price drop on a Philips Hue 60W A19 Smart LED Starter Kit (White and Color Ambiance) at $119.99 shipped . This set, which includes three A19 Hue smart bulbs, a Hue Bridge, and the Hue Dimmer Switch, regularly sells for $170 both at Best Buy and Amazon. The latter of which is currently offering this bundle down at $136 shipped and has never sold it for less than the $120 youll see today at Best Buy. The Philips Hue ecosystem has been a favorite around here for quite some time, and this bundle allows you to step in for the first time with some smart lighting and no extras required or just to expand the setup you already have. Head below for more details. more

The next Call of Duty will reportedly hit Game Pass on its release day

Recent reports suggested that Microsoft executives had been debating for some time whether to put new Call of Duty games onto Game Pass on day one (i.e. on their release day). That seems like something it should have figured out before spending $68.7 billion on CoD publisher Activision Blizzard, but it seems that Microsoft has finally reached a decision. According to the Wall Street Journal , the company will indeed bring the next Call of Duty title directly to Game Pass when it arrives later this year. Doing so may mean that Microsoft will leave hundreds of millions of dollars in game sales on the table given that each annual Call of Duty release is one of the top-selling titles of its respective year. However, the company has struggled to significantly increase the number of Game Pass subscriptions in recent times. Putting a new Call of Duty title on there will certainly bring in new members. Microsoft will still make boatloads of money from in-game purchases, sales on other platforms (it agreed to release CoD games on PlayStation , Nintendo and elsewhere for at least a decade after the Activision deal closed) and those who prefer to buy games outright on Xbox. Xbox-owned games are selling well on PlayStation in general. There's always the possibility that Microsoft will increase the price of Game Pass to offset some of the revenue it's likely to lose from lower sales of the next Call of Duty entry on Xbox and PC. Before Microsoft bought it , Activision had largely eschewed the idea of putting its games on subscription services. While Call of Duty titles have been made available on the likes of PlayStation Plus in the past, that usually happens years after the games were originally released. After Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard closed late last year, it said that it would take some time for the publisher's games to start showing up on Game Pass. To date, only Diablo IV has joined the service. Having a brand new Call of Duty game on a subscription service on day one marks a major change in strategy, though it's one that lines up with recent comments from Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer. Our intent is the full portfolio of games from ZeniMax, Activision Blizzard and XGS Xbox Game Studios will be on Game Pass, day one, Spencer told Game File in February. Xbox fans will also be pleased to know that the long-standing approach of putting all first-party Microsoft releases on Game Pass on day one is likely sticking around. We'll likely find out more about Microsoft's plans for Call of Duty and other Activision games when it comes to Game Pass at its annual showcase on June 9 . The core showcase will be followed by one focusing on a eloved franchise, which is widely expected to be CoD. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-next-call-of-duty-will-reportedly-hit-game-pass-on-its-release-day-142332534.html?src=rss

NIUs KQi3 Pro foldable electric kick scooter zooms down to $600 for today only (Reg. $799)

As part of its Deals of the Day , Best Buy is offering the NIU KQi3 Pro Foldable Electric Kick Scooter for $599.99 shipped . Usually fetching $799, this model has seen very few discounts since the new year began, with its successor, the KQi3 Max often receiving discounts over it. Weve seen it go for as low as $599 in the past, meaning todays deal gives you the second-lowest price we have tracked at just $1 above the all-time low from Black Friday sales. Regardless, its still a great opportunity to snag this commuting option at its lowest prices but dont forget, the deal only lasts until the end of the day. more

Best over-ear headphones: AirPods Max vs the competition

Macworld Large over-ear headphones have taken a bit of a backseat in recent years, overshadowed by the success of Apples AirPods and other pocket-size earbuds (sometimes referred to as true wireless stereo headphones, or TWS). Larger over-ear headphones do still have some important advantages, though, and theyre starting to make a bit of a comeback. There are a lot of low-cost over-ear headphones that only use Bluetooth to provide wireless audio, but the best over-ear models also tend to provide one or more wired connections via a USB-C interface or a 3.5mm audio connector (or both). Apple has always focused purely on Bluetooth for wireless audio, ignoring the fact that you really need a wired connection to play the high-quality lossless and high-res audio formats that are now available on Apple Music and other streaming services. That is a weakness with the expensive AirPods Max, which rely on Bluetooth alone, and cant even play the best audio formats provided by Apples own streaming service. Apple has plenty of competition in this space, including traditional hi-fi manufacturers, such as Bowers & Wilkins, who have decades of expertise producing over-ear headphones that can meet the demanding standards of audiophiles and hi-fi buffs. Apple also has competition from within its walls in the shape of Beats, an Apple subsidiary, which has been known to produce superior and less expensive headphones than Apple. On that note, compared to the Beats Studio Pro (at just $349.99/349.99) the AirPods Max is left looking very overpriced at $499/499. These larger headphones have other advantages too, most obviously starting with the fact that they can use larger driversthe mechanism inside the earpiece that produces the sound you listen toproviding a more powerful and detailed sound. Larger earpieces can also provide longer battery life, with many of Apples rivals providing far more than the 20-24 hours of the Beats and AirPods range. So heres our guide to some of the best over-ear headphones currently available for use with your Mac, iPhone or iPad. Here we are concerned with over-ear headphones, also known as on-ear, cans or full-sized headphones. We cover the different styles of headphones separately, see: Best earbuds and Best wired and USB-C headphones . Updated May 2024 to add Beats Solo 4 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Best Over-Ear Headphones for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV 1. Beats Studio Pro Pros Lightweight Good compatibility with Apple and other devices 3.5mm and USB-C audio input Excellent battery life Clean and balanced audio Cons Headband is a little stiff No ear detection Price When Reviewed: $349.99 Best Prices Today: $179.95 at Amazon $179.99 at Best Buy $219.95 at B&H While Apples AirPods Max are now more than two and a half years old and in need of an update, Apples subsidiary, Beats, has launched a set of over-ear headphones that cost less, deliver better sound and offer most of the AirPods features, including one-touch pairing, iCloud pairing (although not instant switching!), Handoff to Apple Watch, hands-free Hey Siri support, and Find My support. They even support personalized Spatial Audio and head tracking. Youll find all the necessary controls built natively into iOS, as you would expect from of a product from an Apple-owned company. There are a few missing Apple features, such as ear detection (which would stop them playing when you took them off) and they dont feature Apples H-series headphone chips (even though some Beats products do). Instead, they offer a proprietary Beats processor which allows them to more easily support Android features. The Beats Studio Pro sound really good. The low end has the clarity and punch of AirPods Max, but the high frequencies are noticeably crisper. The built-in DAC supports hi-res and lossless audio up to 24-bit/48KHz. Adaptive noise canceling quality is excellent, though perhaps not as good as the 2nd-gen AirPods Pro. Noise canceling is not supported in USB-C wired mode. The headphones mic can be used as mic input on your Mac or PC (though the quality is not up to the standard of a good dedicated headset). They are less comfortable to wear than the AirPods Max. The ear cushions dont have the soft velvety feel of AirPods Max, and the headband is much stiffer, but they are lighter (260 grams compared to 384 grams). They fold up to easily fit in a bag and come with a real carrying case. On the left cup, youll find integrated controls concealed by the b. These are standard play/pause/advance/back control buttons. Youll also find a standard headphone jack with audio input fully supported without any dongles or adapters. On the right cup youll find the power button which is also used to enter pairing mode, or you can double-click it to change noise canceling modes between Signature, Entertainment and Conversation. There is also a USB-C port for charging that can also be plugged any supported audio source for audio input. We got around 4 hours of playback time from a 10-minute charge. A full charge takes around 2 hours. Beats claims 40 hours of battery life with ANC off and 24 hours with ANC on. Thats about 20 percent better than AirPods Max. Even if they werent $200 cheaper, wed recommend these over the AirPods Max. The lack of ear detection is a bummer, but Beats Studio Pro delivers betters sound, battery life, controls, and compatibility, and they weigh a lot less too.- Jason Cross Read our full Beats Studio Pro review 2. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Pros High-grade audio reproduction Boses best-ever active noise cancellation All day wearability Immersive Audio Cons While improved, battery life isnt state of the art Immersive Audio can be gimmicky Price When Reviewed: $429.00 Best Prices Today: $379 at Lenovo USA $429 at Amazon $429 at B&H The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are pricy, at $429/449.95 which is more than the $399/319 Sony WH-1000XM5, but they are still cheaper than the Apple AirPods Max at $499/499. They do offer excellent sound quality and active noise cancellation, though, which goes a long way to justify the price. They also support aptX streaming, and feature Boses CustomTune technology for personalizing the headphones audio to your unique ears. Theres also a spatial audio option. Operational controls are minimalist. On the right-hand cup, there are two buttons and a thin thermal volume strip. Sliding a finger up or down the strip adjusts the volume. Tapping and holding the strip activates one of several shortcuts. A second button performs several functions such as play and pause the music, answer or decline a call. A long press lets you cycle through audio listening modes including Quiet, Aware and Immersion. Theres also a Wind Noise Suppression feature. Immersive Audio feature is particularly impressive, but doesnt suit every music type. On-Head Detection circuitry senses when you put them on and take them off, so there is no need for the power button. The manufacturer says they will auto-shut off after 24 hours of idle time. Run time is quoted as up to 24 hours and they achieve a full charge in less than three hours The headband is soft-touch pleather and the memory foam in the ear cups feels premium grade. It seals and cushions reasonably without being bulky and resided comfortably on my head almost all day long. Jonathan Takiff 3. Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Pros Hi-fi sound quality Luxurious design Bluetooth with AAC, aptX USB-C and 3.5mm wired connections Cons Expensive A little heavy (320g) Price When Reviewed: $699.00 Best Prices Today: $699 at Amazon $699 at B&H $699 at Best Buy Apple surprised a lot of us when it (finally) added USB-C and 3.5mm wired inputs to the Beats Studio Pro. However, hi-fi specialists Bowers & Wilkins have been using USB-C to provide lossless and high-res audio with their PX range of headphones since 2017. Its a little pricey at $699/599 its even more expensive than the AirPods Max but the design and sound quality are impeccable. Available in black or tan, the padded headband and earpieces feel absolutely luxurious (although the leather covering might not suit everyone). The adjustable cast-aluminum armatures look very smart and are sturdy enough to cope with life on the road when youre traveling, and theres a hard-shell carrying case included as well. The 40mm drivers support Bluetooth with support for both Apples AAC and aptX Adaptive for Android users. As mentioned, theres a USB-C interface for wired connections and lossless audio, and a 3.5mm adaptor is included for good old-fashioned analog audio as well. The sound quality is as good as youd expect from a company with B&Ws hi-fi heritage. Theres an icy clarity to the steel guitar on You Cant Trust Violence by Low, and the bands harmonies are smooth as silk, even as they repeat the chilling chorus of no, you cant trust violence. Theres a nice bass sound too, bouncing along with a firm, infectious rhythm on Bad Guy by Billie Eilish, and contrasting well with the sharp, precise finger snaps that set the pace and drive the track forward. The noise-cancellation features work very well too, and with 30 hours of battery life when using Bluetooth and noise-cancellation the Px8 is a great option for frequent fliers or commuting on a train. The luxurious design and sound quality of the Px8 are worth every penny, but if youre on a tight budget then you can still find the previous Px7 S2 model available online with a recent price cut to 299, which makes it a real bargain. Cliff Joseph Read our full Bowers & Wilkins Px8 review 4. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Pros Competitive price Impressive battery life Supports AAC, aptX Adaptive Good carrying case and accessories Cons 2.5mm line-in connector Some users may require a USB-C adaptor Price When Reviewed: $379.95 Best Prices Today: $293.83 at Amazon $299.95 at Adorama $379.95 at B&H The first set of headphones that I ever bought in my student days was made by Sennheiser, but the company isnt trading on nostalgia with its Momentum 4 Wireless , which provides excellent sound quality and features at a competitive price. This fourth-generation Momentum is a bit more compact and streamlined than its predecessors, with the weight now reduced to just 293g in order to ensure that its light and comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Even so, Sennheiser has still managed to squeeze an impressive range of features into the headphones, starting with 42mm drivers that are larger than those used by most of its rivals. These also provide an impressive frequency response of 6Hz 22KHz, which again beats most rival headphones in this price range. Unsurprisingly, the Momentum 4 provides excellent sound quality. It digs deep and delivers a taut, menacing bass pulse on You Should See Me In A Crown by Billie Eilish. The higher frequencies work well too, capturing Billies whispered vocals with great clarity, and picking out the edgy ticking of percussion that gives the song its manic energy. The digital features are right up to date as well, with Bluetooth 5.2, and support for both AAC for Apple devices and aptX Adaptive for Android. The USB-C port on the right earpiece can be used for charging, but also supports USB audio for wired connections, and theres a 2.5mm analog line-in connector too (with cable provided). However, the USB cable provided by Sennheiser is USB-A-to-USB-C, so youll need to provide your own USB-C adaptor for Macs and iPads that only have USB-C. The noise-cancellation features work very well, and Sennheisers Smart Control app lets you adjust the level of noise-cancellation manually, by using a slider control, or you can just select the adaptive option which allows the Momentum to monitor background noise and adjust the noise-cancellation automatically. But, even with all those features, the really outstanding feature of the Momentum 4 Wireless is its battery life lasting for around 60 hours even when using Bluetooth and noise-cancellation together. Theres a good set of accessories too, with a hard-shell carrying case and airline adaptor provided for when youre traveling. And, with a competitive $379.95/309.99 price, the Momentum 4 Wireless even manages to undercut the price of the new Beats Studio Pro as well.- Cliff Joseph 5. Beats Solo 4 Pros Excellent Apple & Android support Great battery life USB-C and 3.5mm audio support Cons No ANC Design is dated No on-ear detection Price When Reviewed: $199.99 Best Prices Today: $149.95 at Amazon $199.95 at Adorama $199.99 at Apple Its been a while since Apple-subsidiary Beats updated its more affordable on-ear Solo headphones. More than seven years, to be exact. As you would expect, a lot has changed. The Apple W1 chip has been replaced with a proprietary technology platform that supports features in both Apple and Android devices. Apple users get personalized spatial audio with head tracking and hands-free Hey Siri support in addition to all the older stuff (one-touch pairing, iCloud pairing, and Find My support). For non-Apple users theres support for Google Fast Pair, cloud pairing with your Google account, Find My Device and multi-point pairing for seamless audio switching. Sound quality is improved compared to the previous generation, as it should be. There is support for USB-C audio output and input, and it is possible to charge and play USB-C audio at the same time. Over USB-C or 3.5mm you can listen to lossless audio (unfortunately the sound reproduction of these headphones is not good enough to notice). Sound is going to be limited by the fact that these are on-ear headphones, lacking the larger diaphragms of over-the-ear models or the tight in-ear fit of earbuds. Theres a power button on the bottom of the right earpiece. You need to use this because there is no on-ear detection to automate things. The left earpiece has a big button for play/pause/forward/reverse and to trigger the voice assistant. Pressing above or below that button changes the volume. Beats claims 50 hours of battery life, likely a result of the lack of active noise cancellation, which is probably the biggest strain on battery life. The lack of ANC, which is expected on all but the cheapest earbuds and headphones, could be seen as a disadvantage. The earpads are soft, but the spring tension makes the pressure a little uncomfortable after long listening periods when I wear my glasses. This is a common problem with on-ear headphones and a reason why over-the-ear cans may be more comfortable. The new models replace the old micro-USB plug with USB-C. Jason Cross Read our full Beats Solo 4 review 6. Master & Dynamic MW75 Price When Reviewed: $599 Best Prices Today: $599 at Master & Dynamic Master & Dynamic is a relatively young company, having been founded in New York barely a decade ago, but it quickly developed a reputation for the impressive craftsmanship and sound quality of headphones such as the MW75. Priced at $599/549, and available in a variety of colors, the MW75 oozes quality, constructed out of lightweight aluminum and tempered glass, and with a padded headband and earpieces wrapped in soft leather (although, of course, the choice of leather may not be to everyones taste). The earpieces are relatively small for an over-ear headphone, though, and some people might find the fit a bit snug. The little control buttons on the earpieces are also rather small as well. Its got a classy design on the inside too, with 40mm drivers that are constructed out of Beryllium a very rigid material used in many high-end hi-fi systems in order to reduce vibration and distortion that might affect the sound quality. The MW75 supports Bluetooth with both AAC for Apple devices and aptX Adaptive for Android, and theres a USB-C port for wired connections with support for lossless and high-res audio formats up to 24-bit/96KHz. Theres also a USB-A adaptor included for older computers, a 3.5mm adaptor for analog input, and a 6.3mm adaptor for use with high-end hi-fi equipment. Travelers will also appreciate the smart, fabric-covered hard-shell carrying case and airline adaptor, as well as healthy battery life that lasts for 28 hours when using Bluetooth and noise-cancellation together (or 32 hours without noise-cancellation). The noise-cancellation features are very effective and, like most headphones these days, the MW75 includes an ambient mode that lets in some of the background noise when required. However, theres also an additional voice mode that helps to pick out peoples voices if youre in an office or perhaps waiting for a flight announcement in an airport. But, as always, the sound quality is key, and the MW75 provides excellent clarity and detail right across the spectrum. It provides a deep, ominous rumble for the electronic bass on Max Richters Shadow Journal , but it doesnt allow the bass to overwhelm the piercing clarity of the violin, or the gentle ambient sound-cloud of electronic loops that swirl lightly through the air.- Cliff Joseph 7. Yamaha YH-E700B Pros Strong sound quality Bluetooth with AAC and aptX Adaptive 3.5mm audio connector Good app for customizing sound Cons No USB audio A little heavy (335g) Price When Reviewed: $350 Best Prices Today: $219.87 at Amazon $349.95 at B&H $350 at Yamaha Yamaha has decades of experience producing musical instruments and audio equipment for professional musicians, and it brings that audio expertise to its YH-E700B headphone. Yamaha gets all the basics right, with large 40mm drivers that are designed to reduce distortion and provide an impressive 8Hz 20KHz frequency response. The YH-E700B uses Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless audio, with support for both AAC for Apple devices and the latest aptX Adaptive for our Android-toting friends. Theres also a 3.5mm connector to provide a wired connection, although its disappointing that the USB-C connector on the headphone is only used for charging, and doesnt provide USB audio input too. And, since the YH-E700B is an update for Yamahas older YH-E700A headphone, it also provides improved noise-cancellation features which are very effective and an ambient mode that lets you listen out for background sounds when you need to (but watch out, as the original YH-E700A is still on sale online, so make sure you buy the correct model). The internal mics used for noise-cancellation also work with Yamahas Listening Optimiser technology to scan the inside of your ear canal to create a personalized sound profile. And, if you want to fine-tune the sound even further, then Yamahas Headphone app includes a five-band equalizer with a variety of presets and the ability to create two custom presets as well. That set of features ensures that the YH-E700B provides excellent sound quality. The headphones 8Hz low-end digs really deep for the slinky bass guitar riff on Leonard Cohens You Want It Darker , and Cohens own voice has a terrifically deep and world-weary tone. But the YH-E700B handles higher frequencies well too, with a crisp, sharp stab on the percussion that sets the pace, and a smooth velvet tone on the choir that joins in on the chorus. And, with an impressive battery life of 30 hours when using noise-cancellation or 32 hours if you switch it off you can enjoy that high-quality music even on the longest journeys.- Cliff Joseph 8. Logitech Zone Vibe Pros Affordable Bluetooth headset Adjustable boom mic with mute Supports AAC for Apple devices Cons No noise-cancellation for music No spatial audio No wired inputs Price When Reviewed: $109.99 Best Prices Today: $91.03 at Amazon $96.99 at Best Buy $99.99 at B&H Most headphones just focus on the music side of things, with features such as spatial audio or noise-cancellation to enhance the listening experience, but Logitech takes a different approach with its Zone Vibe range of headphones. Its more affordable than many of its rivals and focuses mainly on office use, for people who may work in call centers or customer support, or perhaps need a headset for video calls when working from home. There are currently two versions of the Zone Vibe available from Logitech, with the Vibe 100 being a basic Bluetooth headset that costs $99.99/109.99. Theres also the Vibe 125 , priced at $129.99/129.99, which uses the same headset but also includes a USB wireless adaptor for use in busy offices that may have a lot of Bluetooth devices that could potentially cause interference and affect call quality (theres a third model as well, although this is designed for large corporate users and is only available from specialist business suppliers). The headset weighs just 185g, which is very light for a large over-ear headset such as this, as its designed for people who may have to wear it all day long while theyre at work. It also has a boom mic for voice calls, which can be folded up out of the way in order to quickly mute the mic as well. There are no fancy audio features theres a noise-canceling filter on the microphone to keep your voice clear for calls, but the earpieces dont provide active noise-cancellation (ANC) for listening to music. However, the headset supports Apples AAC codec for Bluetooth audio and provides good sound quality for both calls and music. It delivers a clear, detailed sound for the dense production on Kate Bushs The Big Sky , and manages to balance the songs huge avalanche of drums and percussion very well, without overlooking more delicate details such as the gentle tambourine that shimmers away in the background. Battery life is good too, with 20 hours of listening time, or 18 hours of talk time for voice calls. And, paying good attention to detail, Logitechs Tune app is available for Macs and Windows, as well as Android and iOS mobile devices, so you can easily get the Zone Vibe set up when youre preparing to take voice or video calls at work.- Cliff Joseph 9. Austrian Audio Hi-X25BT Price When Reviewed: $179 Best Prices Today: $179 at Amazon Not Available at Adorama Austrian Audio makes high-end headphones and microphones for musicians and audiophiles, and they also make more affordable headphones, such as the Hi-X25BT, which provides impressive sound quality for a very affordable $179/135. As the name suggests, the Hi-X25BT does include Bluetooth to provide a wireless option when required, with an impressive 30 hours of battery life in Bluetooth mode. Its not at its best with Bluetooth, though, as it doesnt support either Apples AAC or AptX for Android, relying on the more basic SBC codec for wireless audio. The emphasis, therefore, is more on using the Hi-X25BT as a set of wired headphones via its USB-C connector. Austrian includes two cables with the headphones, with a USB-C-to-3.5mm connector that provides standard analog audio, or a straightforward USB-C cable that provides digital audio from an iPad, Mac or other devices that have USB-C. Theres also a USB-A adaptor included too, and I had no trouble using the Hi-X25BT with both USB-A and 3.5mm connections on my aging office iMac. I also found a Lightning audio adaptor from Belkin in my desk draw, which allowed me to use the Hi-X25BT with a Lightning connection on my iPhone as well although, of course, this isnt included with the headphones, so youd need to provide your own adaptor for an iPhone. And, as youd expect from a company with Austrians Hi-Fi background, the sound quality is great, thanks to 40mm drivers with impressive 12Hz 24KHz frequency response. The cymbal crash that starts Blondies Rapture rings out crisp and clear, with a loose relaxed feel on the jangling rhythm guitar. The songs bouncing bass line works a treat too, and never gets lost in the mix as can sometimes happen with less precise headphones. Cliff Joseph 10. Apple AirPods Max Price When Reviewed: $549 Best Prices Today: $449.99 at Amazon $477 at Walmart $489 at B&H The AirPods Max are quite comfortable, despite their heavy weight of 384 grams. They also look better than any other headphones youve used thanks to their smooth matte finish on the aluminum closed-back earpieces, the stainless steel rods in the band, the fine mesh of the ear pads and canopy headband. The headband and soft, deep, breathable ear pads are comfortable enough to wear that the weight isnt too much of a bother (although if you run with them on youll feel the bulk). The controls are simple, intuitive, and unobtrusive. Theres a digital crown like that on the Apple Watch along and a single button on top of the right earpiece. The crown controls volume and playback (skip forwards and backward, press and hold for Siri, etc). The button toggles between noise-canceling and transparency mode and turns noise-canceling on. Audio reproduction matches other high-end premium wireless Bluetooth headphones. Apple has tuned the AirPods Max to boost bass and mid-high frequencies a bit, which most listeners will probably find quite pleasing. The bass has kick when its called for, and its clean with no distortion. The active noise canceling is perhaps the best weve heard, excelling at clearing away irregular sounds like traffic, general office disturbances, or background talking. Apples transparency mode, which allows you to have a conversation while still listening to the music, sounds more clear, natural, and normal than any other noise-canceling headphones. The AirPods Max charge only with a Lightning connector and have no 3.5mm headphone jack input. To listen to lossless audio, or if youre editing video and want to eliminate the latency of Bluetooth, youll need an adapter to plug them into anything other than an iPhone (which itself soon be getting a USB-C port) which seems like a bit of an oversight (especially as the EU has forced Apple to adopt USB-C for the iPhone). Another thing we arent keen on is the not-so-smart Smart Case that the AirPods Max ship with. Its a case that hardly covers the headphones and doesnt do anything to protect them. The case does evoke a low-power mode to save battery, but thats about it. As we said in our review, its Really awful. Ill-conceived and poorly executed. Apple promises a battery life of 20 hours of listening time with noise canceling enabled, which isnt quite as good as the competition. Charging is fast: just 15 minutes on a basic 5-watt power adapter took us from 20 to 44 percent But, the biggest problem is the price. At $549/599 its difficult to recommend AirPods Max when the competition costs $200/200 less. You do get what you pay for though: build quality is unmatched and there are some clever design flourishes. But there are all the compromises weve mentioned above. The main reason to get AirPods over other headphones is their seamless integration with your Apple ecosystem. They pair just by holding them near your iPhone, switch easily to your Mac or iPad, and you can change settings and get firmware updates within Settings instead of requiring a separate app. One of the coolest features of the AirPods Max (and AirPods Pro) is Spatial Audio, whereby Dolby surround is massaged into a sort of faux-3D sound stage. Initially only available on the iPhone and iPad, Spacial Audio now works on Apple TV and (Apple silicon) Macs too. Apples high-end headphones look, sound, and feel great, but two and a half years on from the launch they lack too many key features. They also cost way more than is justified, although we often find them at a discount. See Best AirPods deals . Jason Cross Read our full Apple AirPods Max review Buying advice Full-size headphones fall into two categories: closed and open. Closed models block out some degree of external noise (and also keep your music from disturbing others), while open models, which some people prefer sonically, let more noise in and out. Note that to reach their potential, many full-size models (open or closed) require more juice than others. For the most part, the main differences between models relate to comfort and sound quality, but not all full-sized headphones are equal and there are some other features that may interest you. To help you find the perfect set of over-ear headphones, heres what to look (and listen) for. Noise-Canceling: If youre not a fan of in-ear-canal phones, but you want something that can filter out external noise such as airplane engines, train rumblings, or the hum of a crowd or noisy office, consider investing in a good set of noise-canceling headphones. These headphones sample outside sound and then pipe in an inverse audio signal to cancel out a good deal of monotonous noise. (For more on the technology and its limitations, see my review of noise-canceling models from a while back.) Although they dont usually sound as good as comparably priced in-ear-canal headphones, noise-canceling models are easier to put on and take off, and they let you hear whats going on around you. Noise-canceling headphones are available in canalbud, lightweight, and full-size models, but full-size models tend to provide the best noise isolation and audio quality. Wireless/Bluetooth: If you think being tethered to your Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod is a dragor, for the gym rats, an equipment-snagging hazardconsider going wireless. You can stream audio to stereo Bluetooth headphones from Macs; iPad; and iPhones. Most Bluetooth headphones also double as headsets, letting you seamlessly switch between music and voice features. Specs and sound quality : As I noted in our speakers buying guide, you should generally ignore manufacturers specificationsespecially frequency-response numbers. Theres no standard testing methodology for headphone frequency response, and many vendors exaggerate their specs for marketing reasons. Even if specs were accurate, they wouldnt tell you much about how a particular set of headphones actually sounds . Instead of reading specs, use your ears. (If you cant audition a product in person, read reviews from a source you trust.) As with speakers, a quality set of headphones reproduces audio with good balance between the treble (upper), midrange, and bass (lower) frequencies, producing full, rich sound while preserving detail. However, because of their especially small drivers (speakers), headphones present a unique challenge when it comes to bass response: Unlike huge speaker woofers that you can not only hear, but feel , the drivers in most headphones cant reproduce the visceral impact of low bassyou may be able to hear the lowest frequencies, but you probably wont be able to feel them. We point out this bass issue because some vendors address it by emphasizing certain bass and upper-bass frequencies to give their headphones more kick. This helps the headphones stand out from other headphones in the store, and some peopleespecially those who use their headphones when exercising or for beat matchingreally want that visceral impact. But such headphones often become fatiguing to listen to over time. If youre interested in accurate audio reproduction, be careful not to be wowed by emphasized bass. (The same goes for exaggerated treble detail.) The best approach is to audition a set of headphones for several hoursor, even better, several dayswith a variety of music. If the headphones still sound great at the end, theres a good chance theyll satisfy you over the long run. Headset functionality and inline control modules : Many current headphone models include, right on the cable, an inline module with a microphone and one or more remote-control buttons. At the minimum, the remote features a single multi-function button for controlling media playback; making, taking, and ending phone calls; and taking advantage of iOSs Siri and Voice Control features. You may also find dedicated volume-up and -down buttons, as well. The modules microphone can be used to talk on the phone, make voice recordings, and give Siri and Voice Control commands. Fit/comfort : Unlike most consumer-electronics devices, you actually wear headphones. So how well a set of over-ear headphones fits your head plays a significant role in your long-term satisfaction (or lack thereof). We include a few comfort-related tips below when describing the different headphones, but reading about a particular style is no substitute for actually giving a product a test drive (or a test run, as the case may be). Accessories, Audio, Headphones

Todays best iOS game and app deals: Iron Marines Invasion, Brotato, Tempest, more

Your Friday morning collection of the best iOS game deals and app sales is now waiting down below the fold. On your way down, scope out the deals we are tracking on loads of Beats headphones ahead of Memorial Day , fresh new all-time low discounts on the brand new 13-inch M2 iPad Air , and what might very well be the best 16-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro config . Now on to the apps. Highlights include titles like Iron Marines, EXIT The Curse of Ophir, Brotato, Tempest, Iron Marines Invasion, and more. Hit the jump or a closer look at everything. more

Todays best game deals: Super Mario RPG hits Amazon all-time low at $43, more

A new Amazon all-time low has arrived on one of the best Nintendo Switch releases of 2024, the Super Mario RPG remake. Now ready for your current-generation Nintendo console, this updated edition of the classic is now on sale at $42.93 shipped on Amazon. Regularly $60, this is nearly 30% off the going rate, a couple bucks under our previous mention, and the lowest price we can find it is still up at full price via Best Buy . In some ways, it is surprising to see a deal this deep on a relatively new first-party Switch release, but nows your chance to score a copy several months before we might see it closer to $40 this fall. Both new and classic music, completely overhauled visuals, some fun new combo battle mechanics, and more are all that ready here. Our feature piece details all of it ,and be sure to head below for more of todays best console game deals. more

Beats Studio Buds now at $80 (Reg. $150), Beats Solo 4 $50 off, more up to $170 off

Update: As part of its latest Beats early Memorial Day event, Amazon is now offering one of the best prices we have tracked on the current-generation standard Beats Studio Buds at $79.95 shipped also matched at Best Buy . Regularly $150, this is a deep 47% price drop and the best prices we can find on all of the color options. Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency mode, up to 24 hours of battery life, and IPX4-rated sweat- and water-resistance highlight the feature list. More early Beats Memorial Day deals: Beats Solo 4 headphones at $150 ($50 off) Beats Studio Pro ANC headphones to $180 (Reg. $350) Beats Fit Pro $160 (Reg. $200) And even more Just after going hands-on with the new Beat Solo 4 over at 9to5Mac and with the more entry-level Beats Solo Buds now in the pipeline for release this summer, we are tracking some notable offers on the Beats Studio Buds+ with active noise cancelling at $129.99 shipped , or down at $74.99 shipped in Geek Squad certified refurbished condition . As far as the new listings go, this is a straight up $40 off youll find at both Best Buy and Amazon right now on the transparent, ivory, and black/gold set. On the certified refurbished side of things, this is $25 under our previous Woot Grade A refurb mention and the lowest price we can find for a set of Beats Studio Buds+. The Geek Squad units are thoroughly, painstakingly and lovingly tested, so you can be sure that your device will work right, right away. Hit the jump for more details. more

Backcountrys Memorial Day Sale takes up to 30% off The North Face, Patagonia, Smith, more

The Backcountry Memorial Day Sale takes up to 30% off The North Face, Patagonia, Vans, Smith, Mountain Hardwear, and more. Prices are as marked. Customers receive free delivery on orders of $50 or more. A highlight from this sale is the North Face Heritage Patch Hoodie thats currently marked down to $49 and originally sold for $70. This hoodie pairs nicely with shorts or jeans alike and has a logo on the chest for a fashionable look. Its available in four color options and has a 2-piece hood that easily adjusts with a drawcord. Find the rest of our top picks below, or you can shop the entire sale here . more

Googles indoor/outdoor wireless Nest Cams up to $110 off: Two for $270 or three from $340

Following some ongoing price drops on the Google Nest WiFi Pro routers , Amazon and Best Buy are now offering some notable deals on the latest Google Nest Cams. First up, Amazon is now offering the wireless Google Nest Cam 2-pack down at $269.98 shipped . Regularly $330, this is nearly 20% or $60 off the going rate to deliver the second-lowest price we have tracked this year. Thats $135 per camera and well below the $179 youll pay for one of them right now. However, over at Best Buy youll find the 3-pack on sale for $389.99 shipped , down from the regular $450 price tag. This is also the lowest price we can find and brings the per camera price down to $130 a pop a slightly better overall value for folks that can put all three of the indoor/outdoor smart cameras to good use. And, My Best Buy Plus members can knock an additional $50 off the total right now for up to $110 in savings. Head below for more details. more

NYT Mini Crossword today: puzzle answers for Friday, May 17

The NYT Mini crossword might be a lot smaller than a normal crossword, but it isn't easy. If you're stuck with today's crossword, we've got answers for you here.

NYT Connections: hints and answers for Friday, May 17

Connectionsis the new puzzle game from the New York Times, and it can be quite difficult. If you need a hand with solving today's puzzle, we're here to help.

Apples best 16-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro config with 36GB of memory back at $2,599 low ($300 off)

Its hard to rationalize spending MacBook Pro M3 Pro money unless youre some kind of power user Final Cut editor, running massive Logic Pro sessions, intensive scientific simulations, or this kind of thing and if youre going to be doing that, youll likely need about as much RAM as you can get. Thats why, for me, Apples latest 16-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro with 36GB of memory and the 512GB SSD is one of the best configurations. And now, Amazon is offering it back down at $2,599 shipped, or $300 off the regular $2,899 price tag. This is matching the lowest price we have tracked at Amazon and lands as the lowest total we can find. For comparisons sake, this is the same price youll find at Best Buy right now , but youll need to be a paid My Best Buy Plus member to get it. Head below for more details. more

How to shop for a smart grill

Smart grills are expensive. Companies definitely make you pay a premium for the conveniences that a little Wi-Fi can afford. When it comes to pellet grills, youre likely going to pay over $1,000. Ditto for gas models that have wireless connectivity. For this reason, its important to consider what types of cooking you plan to do and how often you plan to do it when youre shopping. Do you cook burgers for warm-weather holidays or sear the occasional steak? Dropping that much money might be overkill. But if you prefer to cook outdoors nearly year-round and are ready to expand your culinary skills to include low-and-slow smoking, youre in the right place. The real benefit of a smart grill is being able to keep tabs on your food without having to stand next to it the whole time. Most models allow you to monitor temperatures and offer some degree of cooking guidance. Theres convenience for beginners and experienced cooks alike, especially for things that take several hours to complete. However, if youre happy with a Weber Kettle or Big Green Egg , there are ways to get smart grill features without making a pricey purchase. Smart grill alternatives ThermoWorks You can get the basic function of a smart grill for $100 or less. All you really need to keep tabs on temperatures from a short distance away is an RF thermometer that has meat probes. For its accuracy and ease of use, I prefer the ThermoWorks Smoke line . The most affordable option is $99 and it comes with one food probe and one ambient temperature probe. For $169, you can upgrade to the longer-range two-probe Smoke X2 and the four-probe Smoke X4 is $199. All of these allow you to monitor things from inside and they offer the ability to set both high and low temperature alarms for audible alerts. ThermoWorks also sells an additional accessory that can add Wi-Fi to the base-level Smoke model, allowing you to send stats to your phone. Of course, those devices only monitor temperature. They dont do anything to help you adjust heat levels. For that, ThermoWorks built Billows . Its a temperature control fan that eliminates the need for you to manually open/close vents on a smoker or grill thats burning charcoal or wood. Youll need a ThermoWorks controller to use it, like the $239 four-probe Signals unit . Signals is more expensive than the Smoke models, but it has Wi-Fi built in, so it works with your phone right out of the box. If both Wi-Fi and step-by-step guidance are your thing, the Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub is a great option. This adds nearly every smart function to any grill. Webers app not only offers tips for how to prep food, but it also walks you through the entire process from flipping to wrapping and resting. Timers let you know when the next step is coming and the hardware/software combo can even estimate when the cook will be complete. That last bit comes in handy when smoking things like brisket that can take 8-12 hours. The Hub can accommodate up to four probes, so you can keep tabs on multiple foods and grill temp via the simple on-board interface. If having cables criss-crossing the inside of your grill sounds like a hassle, and it very well can be at times, there are wireless options available for keeping tabs on temperature. My preferred product is the Meater 2 Plus ($130 and up) that can pull double duty with one probe. Its completely wire-free and is equipped with six temperature sensors: five for internal temps and one for the ambient heat level of your grill on the other end. The Meater app has an estimator algorithm that predicts how long it will take to cook your food and recommends an amount of time for resting it afterwards. The Meater 2 Plus also has updated Bluetooth that extends its range to up to 250 feet. Plus, this model can be used over a direct flame and its waterproof, making it suitable for deep frying, sous vide and the dishwasher. Pellet grills Traeger When it comes to smart grills, the backyard cookers that burn wood pellets are some of the most popular models. Basically, a heating element in the bottom of the grill ignites compressed wood thats fed to the fire pot via an auger. A fan thats run by a controller on the grill regulates the size of the flame and overall temperature. Of course, all of this is done automatically once you set the temperature. Whats more, Wi-Fi-enabled pellet grills allow you to monitor and adjust temperatures from your phone, so you can stay inside and entertain your guests. A key advantage of pellet grills is their versatility. Most of them can handle low-and-slow cooking at as little as 180 degrees Fahrenheit, as well as searing high-heat temps of 600 degrees or higher. This gives you the ability to cook everything from brisket, ribs and pork butts to burgers, pizza and steaks. Some even have a slider that allows you to sear over the flame of the fire box. These grills allow you to set it and forget it for long cooks, and even for short ones, they dont require much attention other than flipping or saucing foods. There are more affordable smart pellet grills on the market, but for the mix of hardware and software performance, Traeger and Weber are the best picks. Traeger has a variety of models, almost all of which are Wi-Fi-equipped, starting at $800. The companys completely redesigned Timberline series is basically an outdoor kitchen. It can accommodate a variety of accessories to expand its abilities and theres a built-in induction burner on the side for making sauces, cooking sides, and searing. The cook chamber has double-wall insulation and the grill comes with a set of Meater wireless thermometers that connect to its touchscreen controller. However, all of the updates to the Timberline will cost you a whopping $3,300. And thats for the smallest size. Trager also redesigned the Ironwood series , giving it a lot of the updates that the new Timberline offers. Theres no induction burner, wood shelving, storage or dual-wall construction, but the touchscreen controls, new accessories (including a modular rail system) and, most importantly, the companys redesigned grease and ash management system are all here. The Ironwood does have an open shelf on the bottom and a large side shelf in place of the Timberlines burner. And while it doesnt ship with Meater probes, this grill does support them if you buy them separately. The lack of high-end features makes the Ironwood far more affordable, starting at $1,800. With the Traeger app, you get access to a massive library of recipes, all of which can be sent to the grill so you dont have to dial in the settings. You also get step-by-step instructions, timers, food probe temps and the ability to activate special modes. All of that is in addition to remote control and monitoring for grill temperature. The software is compatible with all of the companys Wi-Fi-enabled models, including older ones, so you dont need the newest Timberline or Ironwood to take advantage of what the app has to offer. Webers SmokeFire pellet grill used to be in this discussion, but since it was replaced by the Searwood in the companys lineup, Ive removed it from our recommendations. Ill be reviewing the Searwood soon, and based on the list of features and brief demo I got at CES, that new model will likely earn the spot previously filled by its predecessor. The Searwood has an all-new design and a special cooking mode that allows you to sear and griddle with the lid open. Gas grills Engadget Smart options arent limited to pellet grills, though. If you dont have a need for the lower-temperature cooking, a propane or natural gas model might be a better option. In 2021, Weber brought its Connect smart grilling platform to its gas grills , offering three- and four-burner configurations, some of which also have a side burner for extra cooking space. Just like on the SmokeFire, Weber Connect not only allows you to monitor both food and grill temperatures from a comfy chair, it can guide you through the process and give you time updates. You still have to manually adjust the burners, but Webers app can alert you when youre running low on fuel (propane models). Other types of smart grills Masterbuilt Both pellet and gas grills have their merits, but some folks prefer the tried-and-true flavor of charcoal when cooking outdoors. While the purchase of one of the previously mentioned accessories will probably achieve what you're after for a kettle or kamado-style grill you already have, there are some charcoal smart grills that offer a degree of connectivity for your cooks. For fans of the kamado-style ceramic grills, Kamado Joe recently announced the Konnected Joe . Silly spellings aside, the unit addresses two key issues with these types of grills: lighting the charcoal and regulating temperature. To help with the former, the company installed an ignition system in the bottom of the cooking chamber that lights the fuel at the press of a button. The Konnected Joe is also equipped with built-in smart grilling features that help you keep the temps consistent while being able to monitor food and grill temps remotely via an app. Before now, if you wanted smart features on a Kamado Joe grill, you had to invest in the iKammand add-on. The big caveat here is that I havent yet tested one yet. They were announced in March but wont ship until June (pre-orders are open though). At $1,699, this grill is another significant investment, though that figure is on par with the companys other models that lack the added features connectivity brings. If you prefer charcoal but still want a versatile smart grill, Masterbuilts Gravity Series does everything from low-and-slow smoking to high-heat searing. The gravity-fed charcoal hopper allows you to cook with a fuel source thats more familiar to most people while the units digital fan maintains temperature. You can monitor the grill from your phone and adjust the heat levels as needed. The companys latest version, the Gravity Series XT , has an updated controller with a color display and a number of other design improvements. A word about griddles Weber Flat-top griddles are having a moment. These grills are insanely popular for their ability to accommodate smash burgers, fajitas, fried rice, breakfast and anything else that would otherwise fall through a normal grills grates. There are endless options here, most of which offer the same basic premise: multiple burners underneath a steel, aluminum or cast-iron flat top. Except for Recteqs SmokeStone that burns pellets, the rest of the griddles Ive seen run on propane. Since the basics are pretty much the same across the board, youll want to look at finer details in the design of a griddle while youre shopping. How much space will you need? Whats the cooktop made out of? Does it have an attached lid? Are the side shelves big enough to hold everything youll need to cook? These are the types of questions you should be asking to make sure you buy something youll be happy with long term, since youll be spending several hundred or maybe even a thousand dollars on a griddle. One option that I think goes beyond the normal menu of features is the Weber Slate . This is the second griddle for Weber, a company with a decades-long history of charcoal and gas grills. The Slates cooktop is made of rust-resistant carbon steel, which requires less maintenance and is more forgiving when you forget to clean it immediately after cooking. Theres also a front-mounted temperature display that shows the average reading across the cooking surface. Lastly, Weber offers a line of accessories designed for the Slate, including a caddy, condiment holder, cutting board and storage bins. These tools allow you to reconfigure the griddle so its a prep station/cooking area combo, which means fewer trips to and from the kitchen. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-smart-grills-and-how-to-choose-one-153006286.html?src=rss

Twitter has officially moved to X.com

Twitter officially went through a rebranding almost a year ago, but most of its pages still used Twitter in their URL until now. Now, Elon Musk has announced that the social network is done moving all of its core systems on X.com, which means it's done transitioning into its new identity and scrubbing all traces of the name Twitter and its iconic blue bird logo. As The Verge notes, the website has also edited its landing and log-in page with a note at the bottom that says: Welcome to x.com! We are letting you know that we are changing our URL, but your privacy and data protection settings remain the same. It then links to its Privacy page, which now uses x.com in its address. All core systems are now on https://t.co/bOUOek5Cvy pic.twitter.com/cwWu3h2vzr Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 17, 2024 Over the past year, the company has been shedding its pre-Elon Musk identity little by little. It changed its official handle from @Twitter to @X and replaced the Twitter logo on its headquarters building. Its website changed favicons, which initially triggered some browsers' security safeguards, while its apps switched over to the new X logo from its previous blue bird design. Tweetdeck has been renamed into XPro and Twitter Blue became X Premium. The company has slowly been moving its pages to x.com, as well slow enough that the move became something of a security risk , since bad actors could take advantage of the inconsistent URL to phish victims. Well, now the company is done moving to its new URL, and it's time to say goodbye to one of the last remaining parts of a website that helped shape the social media landscape. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/twitter-has-officially-moved-to-xcom-120028269.html?src=rss

Prices just dropped even lower on the new 13-inch M2 iPad Air folks! Now up to $65 off at Amazon

While we have been tracking $30 price drops, and even one or two $50 price drops , on the new 11-inch M2 iPad Airs , Amazon is getting even more aggressive with early deals on Apples latest this morning. Folks looking to get in on the latest Air tablet will find additional deals landing on the 13-inch models today with as much as $65 in savings landing on the maxed-out 1TB model alongside additional deals on lighter storage capacities. Everything listed below is at new Amazon all-time lows and stock is limited, so jump in now while the price is right if you dont want to wait for deeper deals in the future just about all models are still up at full price via Best Buy , outside of some paid My Best Buy Plus membership offers . Check out the Amazon deals below. more

Twelve Souths leather magnetic BookBook iPhone 15 Pro case drops to $58 today

After seeing some wild BOGO FREE deals on the popular Nomad leather cases last night, today we are tracking one of the best prices ever on the Twelve South BookBook for iPhone 15 Pro. Amazon will sell you the vintage book-style, 2-in-1 cover down at $58.01 shipped right now. This is a regularly $70 cover that is now within $1 or so of the best we have tracked on Amazon. While these BookBook covers arent for everyone, some folks swear by them and have been tucking iPhones inside of them for a long time. While I prefer the much cleaner magnetic two cases in one model from Burton Goods its, frankly, amazing, theres no denying the popularity of the BookBook. More details below. more

Engadget Podcast: Reviewing the iPad Pro M4 and iPad Air

We've spent some time with the iPad Pro M4 and new iPad Air ... and the iPad Pro is still a bit too pricey for us. This week, Cherlynn and Devindra chat with Engadget Deputy Editor Nathan Ingraham about his reviews and why he still prefers the iPad Air. Also, we wrap up Google I/O 2024 with a Project Astra hands on, and we chat about Apple bringing eye tracking to iPhones and iPads as an accessibility feature. Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcast, Engadget News ! Topics Nate Ingraham reviews the iPad Pro M4 and iPad Air: Powerful, but pricy 1:11 Google I/O news wrap up 20:11 OpenAIs new GPT-4o can talk, sing, and sounds a little flirty 28:36 Intel brings back the days of FireWire data transfer with Thunderbolt Share 31:43 New accessibility features from Apple: eye tracking and expanded wake word options 35:48 Biden administration quadruples tariffs on Chinese EVs (along with solar and other hardware) 43:20 Listener Mailbag: The age old question of what to do with your old tech 55:48 Working on 1:01:32 Pop culture picks 1:05:45 Subscribe! iTunes Spotify Pocket Casts Stitcher Google Podcasts Livestream Credits Hosts: Cherlynn Low and Devindra Hardawar Guest: Nathan Ingraham Producer: Ben Ellman Music: Dale North and Terrence O'Brien This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/engadget-podcast-reviewing-the-ipad-pro-m4-and-ipad-air-113044130.html?src=rss

Samsungs 47mm Galaxy Watch 6 Classic with the silver case drops to $298 (Reg. up to $480)

While we are still tracking some big-time price drops on some of the more unique Galaxy Watch 6 Bespoke configurations, Amazon just dropped the silver 47mm Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic down to $297.71 shipped for a limited time. For the record, this is a regularly $480 wearable directly at Samsung and it is now on sale there for $400. Todays deal on the larger 47mm model undercuts our previous mention on the smaller variants by at least $32 while landing the silver case model the best color if you ask me back at the Amazon all-time low. We have seen this same price drop a few times over the last little while, and it very rarely sticks around for very long. Head below for more details. more

The Morning After: Grand Theft Auto 6 is coming fall 2025

One of the biggest, most iconic gaming series is almost back. Grand Theft Auto 6 is apparently on track for a fall launch next year a little more specific than the previous release window of 2025. Theres no new trailer, and GTA publisher, Take-Two, is not quite ready to offer a specific release date. CEO Strauss Zelnick told Variety : I think were going to leave it there for now. The sixth mainline installment will be set in Leonida (Rockstars Florida equivalent) and focused mostly on Vice City (Miami). Compared to GTA Vice City , however, itll be contemporary. So, Im banking on OnlyFans pastiches, vapes, self-driving cars and everything else 2020s. Plus explosions and crime. Mat Smith The biggest stories you might have missed Uber will soon let you reserve a shuttle to get home from a big concert or ballgame Samsungs Music Frame gets its first discount on Amazon The best PC games out there (but we need to add Balatro) You can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! AT&T is making all its phones satellite phones A new deal will connect your phone with five commercial satellites. AT&T AT&T subscribers will soon have cell service even in typical dead zones, like deep inside national parks or far-flung rural locations. The mobile carrier has been working with AST SpaceMobile since 2018, testing two-way audio calls, texts and video calls via satellites in space using ordinary smartphones. Now, the companies have entered a commercial agreement, just in time for a rocket launch of five commercial AST satellites this summer. Those satellites will enable AT&T to roll out its service, but theres no start date, yet. Continue reading. OpenAI strikes deal to put Reddit posts in ChatGPT The deal is similar to the one Reddit struck with Google just months ago. OpenAI and Reddit announced, on Thursday, a partnership for OpenAI to surface Reddit discussions in ChatGPT, and for Reddit to bring AI-powered features to its users. The partnership will enable OpenAIs tools to better understand and showcase Reddit content, especially on recent topics, the companies said in a joint statement. As part of the agreement, OpenAI will also become an advertising partner on Reddit. Ugh. Ive resurrected my Reddit habit due to an incredible/accursed game called Balatro . So hopefully, soon, I can just ask ChatGPT what certain cards and terms mean. Continue reading. US House passes act to force event pricing transparency But it doesnt address exorbitant fees or bots. On Wednesday, the US House of Representatives passed a bill that could provide at least some accountability for Ticketmaster and other live-event vendors. NBC News reports the TICKET Act (not to be confused with the Senates separate bill with the same try-hard acronym) would mandate that ticket sellers list upfront the total cost of admission including all fees to buyers. Reforming the ticketing industry became a political point-scoring item in late 2022 after Ticketmasters Taylor Swift fiasco. The Live Nation-owned service, which has a stronghold on the industry, melted down as millions of fans battled a staggering number of bots. Ticketmaster said presale codes reached 1.5 million fans, but 14 million (including those pesky bots) tried to buy tickets. Continue reading. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-grand-theft-auto-6-is-coming-fall-2025-111507383.html?src=rss

Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag review: Stylish update to an urban icon

Macworld At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Great design and style Top-notch quality Quick and easy access to whats inside Customizable Cons Single strap carrying may not be comfortable Large size doesnt hold a 16-inch laptop snugly Our Verdict The Classic Messenger Bag is a top-quality, stylish bag, designed with plenty of pockets and compartments for different types of stuff. While the bag is a great general carry-all, its ideal for someone who needs quick access to whats inside. Price When Reviewed $99 (XS), $119 (S), $129 (M) $139 (L); custom bags start at $109 Best Prices Today: Classic Messenger Bag Retailer Price $99 View Deal Timbuk2 $99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket There was a time when a trip downtown was filled with the hustle and bustle of people. And a lot of those people sported Timbuk2sClassic Messenger Bagnot just bicycle messengers, but also commuters going to work, tourists sightseeing, and anyone else trying to get where they need to go. The Classic Messenger Bag became more than just a bag. It became an urban icon. Times change, though. Downtown isnt what it used to bethere are fewer people going to the office, delivery from Uber and DoorDash has replaced bike messengers, and tourists arent packing the street like they once were. Timbuktus Classic Messenger Bag has changed, too, and while it was always a great bag, its become even more versatile for the times when you go outdowntown, the suburbs, the park, the beach, on campus, wherever. Classic Messenger Bag design What makes theClassic Messenger Bagso appealing is that its designed for quick and easy access. Just flip open the front flap and your stuff is within easy reach. Close the front flap and its secured with Velcro and a couple of adjustable latches. I tested the largeClassic Messenger Bag, which has plenty of room inside for a 16-inch MacBook Pro and other gear, so much room that it can slide back and forth in the bag. You might find that unsettling, though, so for a snug laptop fit, consider the medium or small sizes. The large size of the Classic Messenger Bag doesnt hold a 14-inch MacBook Pro (pictured) or 16-inch laptop snugly. If a snug fit is what you prefer, look at the small or medium sizes. The large size of the Classic Messenger Bag doesnt hold a 14-inch MacBook Pro (pictured) or 16-inch laptop snugly. If a snug fit is what you prefer, look at the small or medium sizes. Foundry The large size of the Classic Messenger Bag doesnt hold a 14-inch MacBook Pro (pictured) or 16-inch laptop snugly. If a snug fit is what you prefer, look at the small or medium sizes. Foundry Foundry The inside has three large compartments, with the middle section ideal for a laptop, tablet, or documentation. The front compartment is a better fit for bulky items, like shoes, a water bottle, or boxes. The back compartment is where everything in-between can go. Theres also a four-pocket section for items like pens, USB drives, etc. and a zippered pocket. Its not full of holders like some backpacks or other bags, which may or may not be to your liking. Underneath the front flap is what Timbuk2 calls a Napoleon pocket. On the large and medium bags, it has zippers on each side, and you can reach this pocket through the side openings when the front flap is latched. Its a great place to put keys, a phone, or an earphone charging case, anything you need on hand but dont want to have to go inside the main part of the bag. Again, its all about quick access. The Napoleon Pocket can be accessed while the front flap is closed. The Napoleon Pocket can be accessed while the front flap is closed. Foundry The Napoleon Pocket can be accessed while the front flap is closed. Foundry Foundry The Classic Messenger Bag is made of Eco Cordura, a synthetic material made using recycled materials. Its durable and weatherproof, and the interior has been upgraded with a Thermoplastic Polyurethane waterproof liner. The bag is available in a wide variety of colors, and customers can personalize their bag by picking different color panels. Carrying the Classic Messenger Bag TheClassic Messenger Baghas always had a single strap, but Tikbuk2 redesigned it with sateen webbing thats soft and durable, and it can be removed and switched for left- or right-handed wearing. The adjustment buckle has also been redesigned; in the prior version, it was plastic, but now its aluminum, which makes it feel sturdier as you adjust it. The adjustment buckle works effortlessly for tightening or loosening the carrying strap. The adjustment buckle works effortlessly for tightening or loosening the carrying strap. Foundry The adjustment buckle works effortlessly for tightening or loosening the carrying strap. Foundry Foundry The main issue some people have with messenger bags in general is that a single strap means theres a single pressure point on one shoulder. Timbuk2 includes an Ortholite shoulder strap to alleviate the pressure a bit, but theres no way of getting around the fact that it fits differently from a backpack. Depending on what you carry, it may not be comfortable, so if youve never used a messenger bag before, its a good idea to see how it fits before buying. The straps for the flap latches have reflective tabs to make you more visible in the dark. When customizing a bag, Timbuk2 offers three reflective fabrics for the body panels of the bag to make yourself even more visible if youd like. Should you buy the Classic Messenger Bag? Even though the urban landscape has changed, the Classic Messenger Bag endures. Its a top-quality, stylish bag, designed with plenty of pockets and compartments for different types of stuff. While the bag is a great general carry-all, its ideal for someone who needs quick access to whats inside. But if your primary item is a laptop, look at the medium or small sizes. Accessories, Laptop Accessories

These YouTubers bend-tested the M4 iPad Proheres what happened

Macworld The new 11- and 13-inch iPad Pros are among Apples thinnest products ever. Which, of course, means that everyones wondering if theyre fragile. Fortunately, there are plenty of YouTubers around who are more than happy to put the new 13-inch iPad Pro (at 5.1mm thick) to the bend test. Lets start with Zack Nelson at JerryRigEverything , who got a lot of attention when he did a bend test of the 2018 iPad Pro . Nelson spends most of the video performing other durability tests, including holding a flame to the glass and using a razor to scratch the glass and aluminum enclosure. (If the sound of a blade scraping against metal makes you cringe, be prepared. I wasnt. Ack!) You need to get to the 8:30 mark of the 11-minute video for the bend test, where Nelson finds suspicious black magic-levels of integrity going on when bending it horizontally with his hands. He was able to crack the glass after putting more pressure than anormal situation ever would, but says, That central spine is definitely providing enough structure for horizontal bends. However, the iPad Pro didnt hold up as well when Nelson switched to bending the iPad Pro vertically. It suffered a catastrophic failure at the USB-C port. With the glass removed, you can see the cowling that is used to dissipate heat and reinforce the iPad Pro. It runs through the center with the ends at the short sides of the iPad Prothis layout is why the iPad Pro was able to withstand the horizontal bend better than the vertical. The next bend test video comes from Sam Kohl at AppleTrack . He spends most of his 13-minute video bending the 11- and 13-inch iPad Pro with his hands and found similar results as JerryRigEverything: The iPads hold up relatively fine during horizontal bends, but vertical bends lead to dramatic damage. After a horizontal bend, Kohl compares the 13-inch iPad Pro to the previous 12.9-inch iPad Pro and notices that the damage is very similar. Kohl was also impressed that the displays of the tested iPads still worked. Finally, we have a six-minute bend test video from MobileReviewsEh and Aaron Ho, who took a different approach to the bend tests. Instead of bending with his hands, he placed the iPad Pro on a platform and applied pressure to a central point, with the pressure increasing by adding weights. After 70 pounds, the iPad Pro showed some severe warpedness, but it still worked. it took 95 pounds of weight for the iPad to completely fail. In all, what does the 30 minutes worth of videos tell us about the iPad Pro? Well, it takes an extraordinary amount of pressure and effort to bend it. Chances are, if youre stashing it in a bag or backpack, the iPad Pro is probably going to be alright. Its still a good idea to get Apple Care+ for it, but unless it gets caught in an unusual situation, the iPad Pro is going to hold up. Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4, 2024) Price When Reviewed: $999 (Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: $949.99 at Amazon $999 at Apple $999 at B&H Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4, 2024) Price When Reviewed: $1,299 (Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: $1199 at Best Buy $1,290.45 at Amazon $1299 at Apple iPad

iPhone 14 Pro in unlocked Amazon Premium Renewed condition now at $714 (Orig. $999), more from $550

We are now tracking some even better deals on Amazons Premium Renewed listings for Apples iPhone 14 Pro. The unlocked handset remains a compelling everyday carry and you can land some notable, and, still relatively, rare price drops on one from Amazon. The Apple iPhone 14 Pro 128GB is now starting from $714.95 shipped in various colors. This was an originally $999 handset had you bought it directly from Apple and it is now well below our previous $840 Amazon Premium Renewed mention from earlier this year. While it might not be the new iPhone 15, it delivers Apples previous pro-grade smartphone experience at one of the better prices we have seen with a full 1-year warranty and a like-new condition more on Amazons Premium Renewed program below alongside more iPhone 14 deals. more

Best iPad Air deals this month

Macworld If you want a new iPad Air at a discounted sale price, youve come to the right place. Were looking at all the best deals and prices for the iPad Air right nowincluding contract plans. The Air remains incredibly popular and is an excellent halfway house between the entry-level iPad and high-end iPad Proideal for those who need some extra power but dont want to spend hundreds of pounds on a device that may not replace their laptop. Apple introduced a new iPad Air with M2 in May 2024 in two sizes: 11-inch and 13-inch. Read about Apples iPad Air M2 . Have a look at our iPad Buying Guide if you arent sure which model you want. You may also like to read: best iPad for kids , best iPad for students and best iPad for seniors . Best iPad Air deals right now In the U.S: Amazon, 11-inch iPad Air, 128GB, WiFi: $559.99 ($12 off, MSRP $599) Amazon, 13-inch iPad Air, 128GB, WiFi: $764.99 ($35 off, RRP 799) In the U.K: KRCS, 11-inch iPad Air, 128GB, WiFi: 587.02 (12 off, RRP 599) KRCS, 13-inch iPad Air, 128GB, WiFi: 783.02 (16 off, RRP 799) Best 2024 M2 iPad Air deals The M2 iPad Air models launched in May 2024 and you can already get a deal on one of the new models. Look through the tables below to find the best discounts. These tables will always be up-to-date with the latest prices for each iPad Air. For even bigger savings, the previous generation of iPad Air models can be found in the section below this one. iPad Air 11in (2024, M4, 128GB, WiFi): MSRP $599/599 Retailer Price $569.99 View Deal $599 View Deal $599 View Deal $599 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket iPad Air 13in (2024, M4, 128GB, WiFi): MSRP $799/799 Retailer Price $764 View Deal $799 View Deal $799 View Deal $799 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best 2022 M1 iPad Air deals Below are the best iPad Air prices we have seen for the previous generation iPad Air, which will probably remain on sale for some time at resellers, despite being discontinued by Apple. Browse to find the model you want at the best price. Just beware that some prices may be for used iPads, so pay attention to the details. 64GB iPad Air (2022, Wi-Fi) MSRP: $599/669 (WAS 569) New Refurbished Retailer Price $399 View Deal $539 View Deal $549 View Deal $559 View Deal $599.99 View Deal $599.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price $Not Available View Deal iPad Air (2014) 64GB Silver (Wi-Fi) $499 View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB Space Gray (Wi-Fi) $599 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB Pink (Wi-Fi) $599 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB Starlight (Wi-Fi) $599 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB Blue (Wi-Fi) $599 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB Purple (Wi-Fi) $599 View Deal $Not Available View Deal iPad Air (2020) 256GB Green (Wi-Fi) $749 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket View more prices 256GB iPad Air (2022, Wi-Fi) MSRP: $749/849 (WAS 719) New Refurbished Retailer Price $599 View Deal $679 View Deal $699 View Deal $749.99 View Deal $749.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB Space Gray (Wi-Fi) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB Purple (Wi-Fi) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB Starlight (Wi-Fi) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB Blue (Wi-Fi) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB Pink (Wi-Fi) $749 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket View more prices 64GB iPad Air (2022, Cellular) MSRP: $749/849 (WAS 719) New Refurbished Retailer Price $599 View Deal $678.99 View Deal $699 View Deal $749 View Deal $749.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB Purple (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB Blue (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB Starlight (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB Pink (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB Space Gray (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $749 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket View more prices 256GB iPad Air (2022, Cellular) MSRP: $899/1,029 (WAS 869) New Refurbished Retailer Price $749 View Deal $799 View Deal $839 View Deal $899.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB Purple (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $899 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB Pink (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $899 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB Starlight (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $899 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB Blue (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $899 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB Space Gray (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $899 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket View more prices Where to buy the new iPad Air If you want to buy the iPad Air direct from Apple, you can order on the Apple US or Apple UK site. There wont be any discounts available, though Apple does offer occasional carrier deals and trade-ins. Of course, Apple isnt the only place you can buy an iPad Air, the usual resellers around the world will also be stocking the new model including the following. You can see the best prices at these resellers in live price comparison boxes below. US retailers Amazon (see deal above) Best Buy Target Walmart Adorama BH Photo Video Looking for other ways to save money. Find out if you can save money buying Apple products from another country . UK retailers Amazon AO Apple Argos check stock by post code BT Shop Box Currys eBuyer John Lewis Laptops Direct Very Apple has a number of Apple Premium Resellers who stock iPads in the UK, and also offer other services, try the following: KRCS often is the first to discount new products iStore Select Western Computer iPad Air education discounts Apple offers students and staff in higher education discounts on the iPad Air in its Education Store . Apple isnt the only retailer that offers student discounts, however. In the U.K., KRCS offers up to 10 percent off for qualifying students. University students and teachers can also save on the iPad Air with Apples Education pricing. See our full guide on to how to get an education discount. Or head directly to Apple UK or Apple US to get the educational discount. iPad Air carrier deals If youre after the cellular model and want to buy it on contract, heres where to look: U.S. carrier deals Verizon: Save $100 with an Unlimited plan and up to $200 when you buy with an iPhone. U.K. carrier deals O2 Get up to 6 months of Disney Plus (or 12 months of another streaming service); plans start at 28 per month, 20 upfront for 1GB data Vodafone starting from 38 per month, 100 upfront for 2GB data EE Get 4GB data for 42.50 per month, 100 upfront existing customers get 10% off Sky Currently out of stock, but usually has the best price on the market: 2GB of data for 22 per month and no upfront cost (36 months) iPad Air refurbished deals The deals you will see above are generally from Apple resellers rather than Apple itself Apple rarely reduces prices. Apple does, however, sell reconditioned iPads in its refurbished store. So you can grab a bargain. The iPads in Apples refurbished store may be ex-display stock, or they may have been returned to Apple due to a fault, but they are fully reconditioned now and come with a full years warranty. Its not like buying secondhand. The U.S. refurbished store has a selection that includes: Standard iPad (8th and 9th generation) iPad Air (4th generation) 11-inch iPad Pro (2nd and 3rd generation) 12.9-inch iPad Pro (4th and 5th generation) iPad mini (5th and 6th generation) Compared to the original price, you can save as much as $320 on a 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Get a refurbished iPad at Apple's refurbished store (U.S.) In the U.K. youll find a similar selection of iPads available from Apples refurbished store. Youll find the following: Standard iPad (9th generation) iPad Air (4th generation) 11-inch iPad Pro (2nd and 3rd generation) 12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th generation) iPad mini (5th and 6th generation) There are savings of 480 on a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, compared to the original price. There is a large refurbished market for the iPad Air. Wed recommend taking a look at these refurbished resellers for iPad Air offers: Amazon AWD Big Phone Store eBay Envirofone Affordable Mac Tech Trade 4Gadgets Handtec Laptops Direct Music Magpie Preloved Smartfone Store See our full guide to buying a refurbished iPad . If you are interested in one of the other iPads, or just want the best deal, were also tracking the best iPad deals if you want to see other top offers. Also, check out our best Apple deals . iPad