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PREORDER: The just-announced Asus ROG Ally X ($799.99) is available for preorder exclusively at Best Buy ahead of its release on Monday, July 22.
Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus ROG Ally X $799.99 at Best BuyA sort-of-new Steam Deck challenger has entered the fray: Asus officially unveiled the ROG Ally X over the weekend, a revamped version of its handheld gaming PC featuring spec and design upgrades as per user feedback. It starts at $799.99, or $100 more than the original ROG Ally from 2023, and preorders are now open at Best Buy ahead of its July 22 release. (I also spotted a listing in the Asus eShop, but it was out of stock at the time of writing.)
As Mashable's Alex Perry reports, the ROG Ally X is technically a second iteration of the ROG Ally, not a full-on sequel. Its seven-inch 1080p display, AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, AMD Radeon GPU, and Windows 11 operating system have all carried over. But it's now configurable with up to 24GB of RAM (up from 16GB) and 1TB of SSD storage (up from 512GB), and it's got a redesigned motherboard with a M.2 2280 SSD slot that makes it easier to add more space yourself.
SEE ALSO: Asus ROG Ally X hands-on: My brief experience with a possible Steam Deck killerIts battery capacity has also been doubled to 80Wh, yet it's only 0.15 pounds heavier than the first ROG Ally (at 1.49 pounds total).
Elsewhere in the design department, Asus has rounded off the ROG Ally X's corners, swapped its XG Mobile port for two USB-C ports, and rearranged its inputs to make everything a bit more comfortable to handle. That includes some durable new joysticks, a more accurate D-pad, and smaller back buttons that aren't as easy to mispress. Peep the new black colorway, too.
The original Asus ROG Ally came in white; this one's black. Credit: AsusAgain, while it's not technically a ROG Ally 2, Perry said these upgrades "give [the ROG Ally X] real potential, especially in a suddenly crowded handheld gaming PC market." Read his full hands-on review.
There's a trend online that turns an average video into viral fodder, and we're all falling for it.
The trend isn't particularly new, but in recent months, it's revved up its engine and has taken over such a large swath of videos across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram Reels that it's become more common than a typical video. In it, a creator will mispronounce a word in a seemingly routine video of a recipe or news roundup.
This likely seems innocuous, but it's a trick. It's a conspiracy. It's a gimmick, a hoax, a great ploy to get interactions on a regular video to bump up its views. For instance, iRick Wiggins, or @iricksnacks on TikTok, posted a video recipe for Greek Pinwheels in January. The food looks delicious, and, at one point in the video, he dips a pinwheel into tzatziki — and pronounces it more like "tezaytezaikai." Nearly every comment points this out.
SEE ALSO: TikTok creators don't believe a ban is comingIt's not new for Wiggins, who does some version of this engagement farming in the majority of his videos — calling the pit of an avocado a "wooden ball," mispronouncing chorizo and tortilla as "cho-rizzo" and "tor-delay," or calling a serrated knife a "sara-ted" knife. This makes viewers want to point out his mistake and comment on the video that he pronounced it wrong or duet the video with their reaction to the egregious pronunciation, which increases engagement and, thereby, views. And he does all of this without offending anyone, which rules for what it is.
Wiggins isn't the only creator who uses this tactic. Lani Sanchez (@lanisanchezzz on TikTok) called gnocchi "yonkees" in a viral recipe video. Nick Jackson (@niickjackson on TikTok) called Schweppes "shoo-wa-pee-pee." There are dozens of similar videos with similar engagement strategies. Eight months ago, a Reddit user said, "Shorts that purposely mispronounce common words for comment engagement" is the YouTube trend they despise the most.
SEE ALSO: TikTok will reward creators making longer videosThe benefit of the doubt would imply that these words may be tricky to pronounce, and perhaps mispronouncing them entirely is the safe bet. Figuring out the best way to pronounce words like bruschetta, gnocchi, and tzatziki can leave people feeling there's no correct answer. There's a great 2022 headline from The Hard Times that reads: "Man Can't Decide Whether To Pronounce Foreign Word Like an Asshole or an Idiot."
But in all likelihood, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram creators deliberately mispronounce words in videos to boost engagement and views — it's just an engagement-farming tactic. So, next time you see a video where someone mispronounces a word, think twice before engaging with it.
Hey, remember those "I'm a Mac" TV commercials from 20 years ago? Qualcomm and Microsoft sure hope you do.
As spotted by The Verge, Qualcomm snuck a quick little nod to Apple's famous ad campaign into its Computex 2024 keynote address.
SEE ALSO: Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 announced — and it's threatening the M3 MacBooks Justin Long appears in new pro-Windows adStarting at about the 1:17:00 mark in the keynote, you can see a short video where actor Justin Long (Herbie: Fully Loaded, Live Free or Die Hard) gets so annoyed at his Mac swamping him with notifications that he starts searching for where he can find a Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered Windows PC.
At the ad's conclusion, he looks toward the camera and says "What? Things change!"
Justin Long typing, "Where can I find a Snapdragon-powered PC?" Credit: QualcommThis is, of course, a reference to Apple's old "I'm a Mac, I'm a PC" commercials from the mid-2000s. In these ads, Justin Long was a cool, hip, young guy who represented Macs — and actor John Hodgman was a stuffy middle-aged man in a suit who represented Windows PCs.
Long would extoll the virtues of Macs (the main argument at the time was that they didn't get as many viruses as PCs) and generally come away looking cooler and less boring than Hodgman.
This is all part of a recent larger movement to prove that laptops running on Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon X Elite chipset can be as powerful (if not more) than the best MacBooks. (The new Surface Laptop 7 and the Surface Pro 11 are some of the recently unveiled Snapdragon X Elite-powered PCs). It felt like the "Mac vs. PC" debate ended at least a decade ago, but maybe we're back.
GET UP TO 36% OFF: Upgrade Dad's listening experience with top-rated earbuds from Sony, JBL, and Google, now up to 36% off at Amazon.
Our top picks: Best deal overall Google Pixel Buds Pro $139.99 at Amazon (save $60) Get Deal Best runner-up deal Sony WF-1000XM5 $248 at Amazon (save $51.99) Get Deal Best budget deal Sony LinkBuds S $128 at Amazon (save $71.99) Get DealFather's Day is just around the corner, and if you haven't snagged the perfect gift yet, don't panic. There's still plenty of time to find something Dad will love, and we've got just the thing for the music-loving pops in your life.
SEE ALSO: The 5 best earbuds to buy in 2024Whether your dad is a diehard audiophile or just someone who likes to jam out on the go, you can’t go wrong with a new pair of earbuds. And right now, Amazon is offering up to 36% off top-rated brands like Sony, JBL, and Google.
Here are our top picks from the sale:
Best deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Google Our pick: Google Pixel Buds Pro $139.99 at AmazonThe Google Pixel Buds Pro features active noise cancellation with Silent Seal technology to help block out outside noise and provide a true listening experience. When Dad needs to tune back into the world, Transparency Mode lets him hear his surroundings without missing a beat.
With custom 11 mm speaker drivers and Volume EQ, Dad can rock out at any volume without compromising sound quality. These buds have an 11-hour battery life or up to 31 hours with the charging case.
Best runner-up deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Our pick: Sony WF-1000XM5 $248.00We couldn’t talk about earbuds without mentioning Sony. The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are a bit pricier than the Google Pixel Buds Pro, but the quality and features might justify the extra cost.
These earbuds come with active noise cancellation and AI-based noise reduction that’ll help Dad stay focused. The Speak-to-Chat feature pauses the music when Dad starts talking, so he won't miss anything important. Plus, their water-resistant exterior and comfortable fit make these earbuds perfect for workouts or outdoor activities.
While the battery life is only eight hours (24 with the charging case), a quick three-minute charge gives an additional hour of listening time.
Best budget deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Our pick: Sony LinkBuds S $128.00 at AmazonIf you're interested in Sony buds but don't want to spend over $200, the Sony LinkBuds S are a great alternative. These earbuds offer active noise cancellation and Smart Sound technology, which adapts to your dad's listening habits. They're also lightweight and comfortable, with an integrated processor V1 that delivers crisp, clear audio.
The Sony LinkBuds S can connect to two devices simultaneously, so Dad can switch between his phone and tablet seamlessly. With six hours of battery life (up to 20 with the charging case), Dad will have plenty of time to enjoy his favorite tunes. Plus, a quick five-minute charge provides up to an hour of playback, perfect for when he's on the go.
Even more deals on earbuds for Father's Day:Soundcore P20i True by Anker — $19.99 $24.99 (save $5)
JBL Vibe Buds — $39.95 $49.95 (save $10)
JBL Vibe Beam — $39.95 $49.95 (save $10)
Soundcore P30i by Anker — $39.99 $49.99 (save $10)
Note: In 2022, several security researchers and VPN providers flagged ongoing vulnerabilities in Apple's iOS that were impacting the security of VPNs for iPhone. We're looking into the issue to find out if the bug has been resolved in iOS 17. In the meantime, we recommend that journalists, activists, and other users handling sensitive information steer clear of iPhone VPNs out of an abundance of caution.
For all of the security and privacy features stuffed into the iPhone, a virtual private network, or VPN, isn't one of them. (No, Private Relay technically doesn't count.) Users who want to connect to a VPN on an Apple phone will have to manually configure one or install a third-party VPN service.
If you're not especially tech-savvy, the good news is that all of the best VPNs we've reviewed maintain iPhone apps — though they don't have the exact same features as those offered by their desktop (and even Android) counterparts. After conducting additional hands-on testing to see how they function on iOS, we've got recommendations for users of all budgets and experience levels.
Read on for Mashable's guide to the best VPN for iPhone.
SAVE $40: Today, June 3, the Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker is on sale for $59.99, a 40% discount from its list price of $99.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Keurig Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker $59.99 at AmazonIf the thought of coffee is the first thing to lure you awake in the morning, chances are that waiting to enjoy your cuppa joe until you make it out of the house and to your favorite coffee shop is too mighty a test of patience. A Keurig can fix that.
Today, June 3, the Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker is on sale for just $59.99, taking $40 off its regular list price of $99.99. This is the Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker's second-lowest price on record, so we recommend acting on it while you can.
Not only does the Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker brew individual cups of coffee to your liking, but it's also a beautiful piece of equipment to have in your kitchen. The evergreen hue livens up the space, while the sleek design makes the most of your counter. At less than five inches wide, the Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker can fit even in the tightest kitchens. We also love that this model is travel mug friendly: When you remove the drip tray, the Keurig can accommodate travel mugs up to seven inches tall.
Make the most of your morning routine when you shop the limited Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker deal today at Amazon.
Why not start your week out with some shopping? Amazon has plenty of great deals that await you on any given day and we've sorted through the best of them on Monday, June 3 to select the top picks worth your money. We're still over a month away from Prime Day, but that's not stopping the mega retailer from dishing out record-low prices on big brands.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If these options aren't your cup of tea, be sure to check back throughout the week for more.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 2022 13.6-inch MacBook Air (M2 chip, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $829.00 at AmazonLooking to upgrade your MacBook? You can do it on a budget if you opt for the 13.6-inch M2 MacBook Air from 2022. Not only did a permanent price drop in March knock its starting price down to $999 from $1,099 (thanks to the release of the M3 MacBook Air), but Amazon also just knocked another $170 off as of June 3. That brings the M2 Air down to a record-low $829. While it may no longer be the latest and greatest MacBook on the market, the M2 Air is still a beast of a laptop. Tech reporter Alex Perry granted it a Mashable Choice Award and praised its peppy M2 processor, rock-solid battery life, slim profile, and more than satisfying keyboard design.
Read our full review of the M2 MacBook Air.
Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Sense 2 $189.95 at AmazonThe Sense 2 is the most advanced smartwatch in the Fitbit lineup. Its design is Apple-esque and it does everything you'd want a smartwatch to do — including tracking things like sleep, altitude changes, blood oxygen levels, ECG, skin temperature, and more. There's over 40 exercise modes built in, so you can keep up with your training whether you're a runner, skier, cyclist, paddle-boarder, or anything in between. It also allows you to take calls, use Google Maps, tap-to-pay, receive emails, and more. As of June 3, it's on sale for just $189.95 at Amazon — that's $60 off its usual retail price and $10 less than its price on the Fitbit website.
Opens in a new window Credit: TheraGun TheraGun Relief handheld massage gun $129.00 at AmazonNeed a Father's Day gift idea? How about a massage gun to soothe sore muscles? The TheraGun Relief was just released last year as a budget version of the popular TheraGun Elite. As of June 3, it'll only cost you $129 (reg. $149) at Amazon as well as other retailers. Of course, for the budget price, you'll miss out on some of the fancy extra features, but you'll still get three attachments, three speeds, a similar ergonomic design, and "all the benefits of a 15-minute massage in just under two minutes."
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 $20.99 at AmazonOne of our favorite Bluetooth trackers, the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 can quickly and accurately help you find your misplaced stuff. We like that they're affordable, have a compact design with a built-in hole to attach them easily to your keys, have a long battery life, and can help you find items offline with SmartThings Find. The only real downside is that they only work with Samsung Galaxy devices. As of June 3, you can snag one for just $20.99 at Amazon — that's 30% off and just $1 away from its record-low — or grab four for just $69.99 (reg. $99.99).
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are expected to break a world record, according to two leakers.
One tipster from Weibo, a China-based social media website, claims that they have measured the bezels of both iPhone 16 Pro models — and they're set to be the "narrowest in the world."
Ice Universe, a well-known bean spiller in the tech space, concurs with this leak. "My friend confirmed that the iPhone 16 Pro will reduce bezel, surpassing Galaxy S24 to become the world's narrowest bezel mobile phone, which seems to be very close to the dream form."
SEE ALSO: iPhone 16: Release date, price, specs, features, and other rumors Tweet may have been deleted iPhone 16 Pro models rumored to have the world's slimmest bezelsThe Weibo tipster pointed out that the iPhone 15 Pro models' bezels are about 1.71mm thick, give or take.
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max Credit: Stan Schroeder / MashableFor the next-generation iPhone series, they are reporting the following measurements:
iPhone 16 Pro - 1.2mm
iPhone 16 Pro Max - 1.15mm
However, I'd suggest you have your grain of salt ready. Last August, shortly before the reveal of the iPhone 15, 9to5Mac claimed that the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models will sport "1.5mm bezels". The outlet even leaned on Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a respected Apple analyst and leaker, to corroborate the rumor. However, this leak turned out to be false.
There was, indeed, a bezel reduction for the iPhone 15 Pro models — but the measurement slash wasn't a record-breaking one.
As such, we won't know for sure if these rumors are true until the Cupertino-based tech giant reveals the next-generation iPhones later this year. However, this scuttlebutt does appear to meet Apple's ultra-thin plans for its products. After all, the recently unveiled iPad Pro is Apple's thinnest product ever.
Opens in a new window Credit: unknown Apple iPhone 14 Pro MaxIn today's fast-paced world, tablets help us stay connected to work and entertainment no matter where we are. Whether we're simply at home, away from the office, or packing the car up for a trip with the kids, having the right tablet can add great value to our downtime.
The best Amazon Fire Tablet deals as of June 3: Best budget-friendly entertainment tablet Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet $94.99 at Amazon (save $45) Get Deal Best productivity tablet deal Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet $179.99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal Best tablet deal for young kids Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet $69.99 at Amazon (save $40) Get Deal Best tablet deal for older kids Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet $149.99 at Amazon (save $40) Get DealAs of today, June 3, Amazon is cutting back prices on a variety of Amazon Fire Tablets, giving shoppers up to 36% off. Whether you're shopping for yourself or your kids, today's tablet deals offer budget-friendly picks that meet a variety of needs.
Best budget-friendly entertainment tablet Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet $94.99 at AmazonAt $94.99, the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is your budget-friendly tablet pick for enjoying all things entertainment. Whether you love to unwind with your favorite shows or movies, play games, read, or enjoy video calls with family and friends, the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is built to support you thanks to its 10.1-inch screen, brilliant color display, and 13-hour battery life. Built with an octa-core processor, this tablet has the speed needed for you to move seamlessly between apps and activities, too.
Best productivity tablet Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet $179.99 at AmazonWhen it comes to utilizing your Amazon Fire tablet for productivity and creative projects, the Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet is a great pick. With an 11-inch screen, this tablet gives you extra space to work on, which comes in handy if you choose to purchase and work with the optional stylus pen and keyboard. With a 14-hour battery life and 64GB of storage, this tablet can keep up with long workdays and store everything you need in one place. Plus, when you buy today, you can save $50.
Best tablet deal for young kids Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our Pick: Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet $69.99 at AmazonIf you're raising young kids, you know how important it is for them to learn as they play. The Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet is suited for kids ages 3-7 and gives kids access to age-appropriate books, apps, and games through an included one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+. Plus, additional parental controls give parents the power to curate their child's tablet use in a way that supports their values and goals. With a thick, child-proof case, this tablet is equipped to handle the inevitable wear and tear that will come its way.
Best tablet deal for older kids Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our Pick: Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet $149.99 at AmazonIf your kiddo is growing out of their first tablet, then the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet is an excellent option, giving them access to a more sophisticated device without losing the safety and control features that make Kids tablets so favorable for parents. Through the parent dashboard, you can set screen-time limits, pause the device, and approve your child's app store requests. With a 10.1-inch screen and a 25% speed increase from the last generation, this tablet is high-performing. Today, you can score it for under $150.
SAVE $170: Normally $999, Amazon has the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air (Apple M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) on sale for $829 as of June 3. That's a 17% discount and its lowest price to date.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (Apple M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $829.00 at AmazonIt's a pre-WWDC miracle: The 13-inch Apple MacBook Air with an M2 chip under its hood has plunged to an all-time low price ahead of its maker's annual developer conference. The base model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage typically retails for $999, but Amazon has it on sale for only $829 as of June 3 — a rare $170 savings. (This same deal popped up twice in May, but only very briefly.)
Elsewhere, this exact M2 MacBook Air configuration is still stuck at a prior record-low of $849 at Best Buy and Abt. It wasn't on sale at any other authorized Apple retailers like B&H Photo or Adorama at the time of writing.
SEE ALSO: WWDC 2024: What to expectFor MacBook loyalists looking to upgrade, this previous-generation laptop is an affordable alternative to Apple's freshest M3 model that shouldn't give anyone major feature FOMO. Faster chipset aside, the only things its predecessor lays sole claim to are a fingerprint-resistant finish, WiFi 6E support, and the ability to run two external monitors with its lid closed.
Those probably won't be dealbreakers for most users, considering you're otherwise getting the same bright 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, all-day battery life, snappy keyword, and sleek design that earned the M2 Air a Mashable Choice Award upon release in mid-2022. Tech and games reporter Alex Perry gave it a 4.6/5 rating and called it "the ideal work-from-home (or work-from-wherever, really) companion" at the time — check out his full review.
GET $60 OFF: As of June 3, you can score a Fitbit Sense 2 at Amazon for $189.95, down from $249.95. That's a 24% discount or $60 off.
Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Our pick: Fitbit Sense 2 $189.95 at AmazonYou don't need to be a personal trainer or marathon runner to get a fitness tracker. (Though, it seems like everyone is training for a marathon these days — kudos to them!) Seriously though, fitness trackers are for everyone and anyone trying to get a handle on their health goals, mental and physical.
And, right now you can snag a top-notch fitness tracker for a steal at Amazon. As of June 3, the Fitbit Sense 2 is only $189.95, down from $249.95. That's 24% off — so basically a $60 discount just for wanting to be a healthier you.
SEE ALSO: The best fitness trackers of 2024: Tested and reviewedThe Fitbit Sense 2 does more than track your steps and calories burned. This fitness tracker also monitors your heart rate, sleep activity, and even stress levels. With a built-in GPS and a workout intensity map, you can track your activities and see a visual representation of your workout intensity.
You can also take calls and receive notifications right from your wrist, making it a convenient companion for anyone who’s always on the go.
When I got an invite to a Sonos briefing in New York City promising a “highly anticipated innovation,” I kept my fingers crossed it’d be a headphones announcement. The Sonos brand has more than 20 years in the audio industry and has finally released its first pair of headphones, which were three years in the making.
Sonos Ace are premium Bluetooth headphones, but they’re more than just a pair of headphones for listening to music or podcasts. They’re compatible with Sonos soundbars to seamlessly swap audio and create a home theater experience for one.
I got to go hands-on with Sonos Ace at the briefing and test them in my home for about a week. The first impressions were amazing, but read on to see if the excitement lasted.
SEE ALSO: Sonos launches its first-ever headphones, the Sonos Ace Sonos Ace price and specsThe Sonos Ace headphones retail for $449 and come in two colors: black and soft white. To put that in context, Apple AirPods Max retail for $549, while Mashable Choice Award-winning Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones go for $400. I was not surprised by the Ace’s price considering Sonos speakers are on the higher price end, with the Move 2 and Era 300 costing the same $449.
In terms of specs, the Sonos Ace feature:
Drivers: Custom 40mm drivers in each ear cup (the same drivers that power Sonos speakers)
Weight: 11 ounces
Battery life: 30 hours with ANC on
Charging: USB-C, up to three hours of playback after three minutes of charging
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.4
As soon as I turned the Sonos Ace headphones on straight out of the box, they were in pairing mode and connected to my phone within seconds. Pairing them with a second device (my MacBook) was simple and straightforward as well — I just held down the power button until the headphones went into pairing mode and selected them from my laptop’s Bluetooth settings. The headphones transfer seamlessly between devices without interruption to playback.
SEE ALSO: Sonos' new app has all your music on the Home screenSonos Ace also come with a 3.5mm headphone jack for lossless audio, and the headphones are compatible with Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound AptX Lossless and Apple Lossless Audio Codec.
The big draw of the Sonos Ace headphones is the TV audio swap feature with compatible Sonos soundbars, and that was also easy to set up. I did have to go into the Sonos app for the initial swap, but that was as simple as tapping a button on my phone’s screen. After that, I used the content key button on the headphones. More on that later.
SEE ALSO: The best soundbars compensate for your flat-screen TV's flat-sounding speakers Sonos Ace design and comfortDesignLooking at Sonos Ace, they have a very sleek and premium-looking design. The ear cups have a super low profile, with a similar appearance to the AirPods Max. They have a soft, smudge-proof finish with a simple Sonos logo engraved in the right cup. The headband is plush and cushiony, and both it and the inside of the ear cups consist of memory foam wrapped in vegan leather. There are no visible hinges on the headphones — those live inside — just sleek metal rods that allow you to adjust the fit. The headphones are made from “circular materials” that allow Sonos to use 17 percent less virgin plastic, and the carrying case is made from 75 percent recycled plastic bottles.
The headphones and carrying case are made with recycled materials. Credit: Miller Kern / MashableSonos Ace are not IP-rated, so they’re not water- or sweatproof — but they were environment-tested for sweat. I worked out in them, and didn’t experience any issues in the moment or after. I definitely sweat a lot around my ears and trapped major heat, but that happens with any over-ear headphones. I probably wouldn’t make it a habit to work out in these headphones just because they are so expensive and I wouldn’t want a sweaty exercise session to be the death of them. But it is nice to know that I can exercise and sweat while wearing the Sonos Ace headphones if I want to.
The ear cups are removable — attached via magnet — and replaceable. I tested the soft white pair of Ace, so I can see this being beneficial if I get makeup or sweat stains on the leather. I appreciate that these headphones are designed with sustainability and longevity in mind.
The ear cushions pop right off. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable ComfortNo exaggeration, these are the most comfortable over-ear headphones I’ve personally tried. Usually, when I wear headphones the band digs into the top of my head and I have to take them off to give my scalp a break. But the Sonos Ace honestly felt like a cloud on top of my head. They’re so lightweight and don’t dig or create pressure points at all. There’s plenty of space for my ears in the cups, and the cups didn’t squeeze my head for the most part — though my head is on the smaller side.
Sonos Ace look and feel awesome. Credit: Joe Maldonado / MashableThat said, when I wore sunglasses, the ear cups lifted from my head quite a bit and didn’t create the seal needed for ANC to work properly. I’ll touch more on that in the noise cancellation section of this review.
ControlsAt the briefing for these headphones, there was a big emphasis on making them a very tactile experience. That means the on-headphone controls are buttons rather than swipe commands. My concern with button controls is that they don’t always include volume, and that’s an important function for me. But, luckily, Sonos Ace’s controls do include volume.
There’s the power on the left ear, which is also how you activate Bluetooth connection by long-pressing. The right ear houses a button that toggles between ANC and aware mode. For some reason, it doesn’t come programmed to toggle through the “off” option for standard listening without noise cancellation or transparency mode, but you are able to add this as a command within the Sonos app. The right ear is also home to the content key, which is where you control music and access the soundbar audio swap. Play/pause with one press, skip forward with two, skip backward with three, audio swap with a long press, and control volume by sliding up and down. The controls are intuitive and I figured them out without having to read or hear any instructions.
The content key is where you'll access most of the controls. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Sonos Ace sound qualityAudio quality is Sonos’s wheelhouse and where the Ace headphones rise above competitors. I’ll admit I’m not the biggest audio snob, but testing headphones for a living definitely makes me aware of the differences between good sound quality and outstanding sound quality. Other headphones I’ve tested pale in comparison to Sonos Ace when it comes to sound quality.
I am a Sony loyalist and I’ll stand by claims that the brand has industry-leading audio quality, but I’ll also be the first to say that Sonos snatches that industry lead. I recently tested Sony’s new ULT Wear headphones, and those are easily my favorite over-ear headphones for bass. But the Sonos Ace headphones are my new go-to for overall sound quality.
During the NYC briefing with Sonos, I listened to a demo experience on the headphones that started with a man speaking. His words were so crisp and clear that I don’t think listening to him in person would have even sounded as good.
Songs with spatial audio sound unreal on Sonos Ace. You can hear the audio exactly where the producer wants you to hear it. Three songs in particular felt almost like a religious experience on these headphones (not to be dramatic): “Carolina” by Young Mister, “Praise the Lord” by BRELAND and Thomas Rhett, and “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish. The latter starts on the left side and then fills up the entire space. As the song progresses, you can feel the audio move from right to left. It’s immersive in a way I haven’t experienced from other headphones.
If bass is your number one priority in headphones, I’d still recommend Sony ULT Wear. But if you value crisp, immersive sound, Sonos wins.
Sonos Ace noise cancellationNoise cancellation is where I ran into a few issues with Sonos, and I think other brands perform better. It’s pretty good noise cancellation that blocks out most outside noise. Turning ANC on instantly silenced white noise I heard from my window AC unit and general city sounds I could hear from my apartment. However, while wearing the headphones outside, I could still hear a dog bark very loud and clear.
My biggest gripe with the Sonos Ace headphones is that, while the ear cups’ slim design looks fantastic, it doesn’t lend itself well to cancelling noise. While walking down the street in New York, every time I turned my head, the headphones popped off my ears slightly. This caused the seal to break and let external noise in. And this wasn’t a fluke — it happened almost every time I turned my head left or right. While I was stationary, the active noise cancellation worked great, but when walking is my main mode of transportation, I want a pair of headphones that’s going to stay locked on my ears and doesn’t break the noise-cancelling seal.
On the other hand, I do want to shout out Sonos’s aware mode. I notoriously hate any sort of transparency mode because they always seem to heighten external sounds to the point where I can’t focus on my music. The Sonos Ace’s aware mode is probably the best transparency mode I’ve experienced on a pair of headphones. It let me hear what was going on around me without making that all I could hear.
Using Sonos Ace with Sonos soundbarsYes, the sound quality is exceptional and the noise cancellation is pretty decent. But where the Sonos Ace headphones really shine is the TV audio swap function, which lets you switch audio from a compatible Sonos soundbar to the headphones with the press of a button.
This means you get Dolby Atmos spatial audio and head tracking, which create a surround sound-like experience in the headphones. During my demo with the Sonos team, I watched a clip from Barbie where voices felt like they were coming from every part of the room and a clip from a nature show where the sounds of chimpanzees fighting one another for food rattled my ears from all angles.
Tapping the "swap" button in the Sonos app pulls audio from the Sonos Arc soundbar to the Ace headphones. Credit: Screenshot: Sonos Using the TV audio swap gives you access to spatial audio and head tracking in the headphones. Credit: Screenshot: SonosI tested this feature in my own home as well and found even the most straightforward, certainly not sound-focused shows sounded amazing. I have a Samsung TV that is always on a random included cable channel when I turn it on. Lately, it’s been showing me Operation Repo, and the spatial audio on the Sonos Ace makes even those chaotic confrontations sound superb.
As I mentioned in the controls portion of this review, setting up TV swap just required me to tap an icon in the Sonos app, then I was able to use the content key on the headphones to easily switch between the Sonos Arc soundbar and Sonos Ace headphones. Long-pressing the content key also activated the swap even when my TV was off and triggered my TV to turn on.
At launch, Sonos Ace headphones are compatible with the flagship Sonos Arc soundbar. Sonos Beam, Beam (Gen2), and Ray will follow soon, though the exact date has not been disclosed. New TrueCinema technology is coming later this year, too, and will map your space to render a true surround sound experience in the headphones.
Sonos Ace battery lifeSonos advertises that the Ace headphones have a battery life of up to 30 hours with active noise cancellation on. I am still in the process of running a full battery test and will update this review when I’ve completed it. However, some early findings show that the battery went from 100 percent to 75 percent after seven hours and 46 minutes of playback. That means the headphones are on track to hit at that ~30 hours of battery life.
Sonos Ace competitionLooking at their price and design, the obvious Sonos Ace competitor is the AirPods Max. They also offer similar features and specs to Sony’s WH-1000XM5 and the Bose 700. Their price puts the Sonos Ace somewhere in the middle-to-high end of the spectrum, though the $550 AirPods Max are sort of an outlier that skews the scale.
Sonos wins when it comes to sound quality, though other brands have better noise cancellation.
Are the Sonos Ace headphones worth it?For $449, I have a hard time saying, “Yes, everyone should absolutely buy these headphones.” I would recommend Sonos Ace to people who 1) are true audiophiles who value incredible sound quality above all else, and 2) have a Sonos ecosystem at home and will use the TV audio swap feature with their Sonos Ace and soundbar.
Sonos Ace $449.00 at Best BuySpotify has hiked its subscription prices in the U.S. again.
On Monday, the company announced the new pricing plans, starting at $11.99 for Individual subscribers. Spotify Duo now costs $16.99 per month, Family plan is $19.99, while Student plan costs $5.99 per month.
"So that we can continue to invest in and innovate on our product features and bring users the best experience, we occasionally update our prices," the company wrote in a blog post.
According to Spotify, existing subscribers in the U.S. will receive an email "over the next month," notifying them about the new pricing, which goes into effect in July.
This the second time Spotify has increased its subscription prices in the U.S. over the span of 12 months. The company increased its prices from $9.99 to $10.99 in July 2023. A report from Bloomberg in April said that Spotify might leave the price at $10.99 for users who don't want audiobooks, but that didn't happen. All premium Spotify tiers (except for the Student tier) still get 15 hours of audiobook listening per month.
SEE ALSO: Spotify just made all remaining Car Things unusableIn the least surprising development ever, the company hasn't said a word about its Supremium plan, which it originally announced under the name Spotify HiFi in February 2021 (yes, more than three years ago). Every now and the, the company mentions the new plan which is supposedly in the works, but it still hasn't materialized.
Meta's Instagram has concocted a new way to keep you from doomscrolling, but you're not going to like it.
Called "ad break," it's a new way of displaying ads on the platform, and it's apparently being tested with some users, with reports showing up on X and Reddit.
"Ad breaks are a new way of seeing ads on Instagram. Sometimes you may need to view an ad before you can keep browsing," the feature's description reads.
We've seen unskippable ads on other platforms, such as YouTube, where you'll typically see such ads before a video starts (or, in the middle, if it's a longer video). While these are annoying, at least YouTube videos are typically last longer than a few seconds, and on Instagram, you're often blazing through posts a lot faster, apparently making ad breaks feel far more intrusive.
While we haven't seen an ad break on Instagram personally, judging by the descriptions from users who have seen them, the new ad format sounds pretty intrusive. The ads pop up in the middle of your browsing, last a couple of seconds (with an included counter at the bottom), forcing you to watch the ad's content before you can continue using the app.
SEE ALSO: 'No-launch' is the latest Instagram dating trendWhile ad breaks currently seem to be showing up for a small subset of Instagram users, the ones that are seeing them mostly hate it. On Reddit, basically every commenter said that they closed the app immediately after seeing these ads, and the sentiment on X is similarly negative.
"Meta has top tier UX designers, did they not do any research on this before pushing it onto the public? It completely disrupts the user's flow," said one Redditor.
"Wow just had my first one as well and am blown away. Kind of not surprised but I am because it’s such a bad way to control the user and force an ad. This is gonna piss a lot of people off," said another.
It's unclear how widespread the new format is, or whether Meta plans to expand it to more users. If it does, the company better be ready for some serious backlash.
Instagram has often been the target of criticism for being too aggressive with ads. In 2022, numerous users (me included) rebelled after their Instagram feed became mostly ads, prompting the company to fix the issue, saying that this was "not the intended experience." We've reached out to the company about this new ad format, and will update this article when we hear back.
A carpenter has provided police with the key to cracking a multi-million dollar theft case — and it all happened thanks to some hidden Apple AirTags.
The 43-year-old from Virginia, who spoke anonymously to the Washington Post, said he decided to hide the Bluetooth tracking devices – which are typically used to help people keep tabs on things like luggage and keys – after he'd been the victim of previous tool thefts.
SEE ALSO: How to get alerts for unknown AirTags on an AndroidThe man hid the AirTags in his remaining tools, and when these too were taken they helped him lead police to a storage locker filled with stolen goods. The discovery led police to more locations, which in turn resulted in the recovery of tools worth a total of $3-$5 million, per a Howard County police press release.
"#HoCoPolice have recovered approximately 15,000 stolen construction tools totaling $3-$5 million in what is believed to be one of the largest and most expansive theft cases in the region in recent years," wrote the post on X (formerly Twitter).
Tweet may have been deletedAlthough this is an example of a positive use, Apple is currently working with Google to stop AirTags – and other Bluetooth trackers – from being used for stalking. As of last December, it seemed that the companies were getting closer to reaching a solution.
Once finalised, the end result will likely allow people to detect unknown tracking devices without having to download extra apps.
TL;DR: Live stream Coco Gauff vs. Ons Jabeur in the 2024 French Open for free on 9Now, France TV, RTBF, ORF, or Servus TV. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Coco Gauff vs. Ons Jabeur will be one of the most intriguing quarter finals of this year's Roland-Garros. Gauff is the American sweetheart of tennis and she's got the skills to back up the reputation. At just 20 years old she's the No. 3 seed and she's already a French Open finalist and US Open winner.
Jabeur will prove tough competition though. The Tunisian is the No. 8 seed and a three-time Grand Slam finalist. It's fair to say that both competitors will fancy their chances at winning the French Open for the first time.
The good news for tennis fans is that you can watch this high-profile fixture for no cost whatsoever. And unlike the players, you don't need to be in France to take part.
If you want to watch Coco Gauff vs. Ons Jabeur in the 2024 French Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Gauff vs. Jabeur?Coco Gauff vs. Ons Jabeur will meet in the 2024 French Open from 6 a.m. ET on June 4.
How to watch Gauff vs. Jabeur in the 2024 French Open for freeThe 2024 French Open is available to live stream for free on the following platforms:
These platforms are intended for viewers in these respective countries, which means they're actually geo-blocked anywhere else in the world. But you can bypass the geo-block restrictions by using a VPN. VPNs are handy tools that can mask your IP address (digital location) and connect you with a secure server in another country, such as one of the countries where the aforementioned streaming platforms are based. That means you'll be able to watch the 2024 French Open no matter where you are in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2024 French Open by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia, Austria, Belgium, or France
Stream Coco Gauff vs. Ons Jabeur for free from anywhere in the world
The streaming platforms may be free, but the best VPNs for streaming do require a subscription free. There's still a way to watch without spending any cash, however. VPN providers usually offer incentive deals such as free trial periods and money back guarantees. Take advantage of these deals to access free streams of the 2024 French Open. All you have to do is sign up, enjoy all the tennis action, and cancel the membership to reclaim any upfront costs. You'll also have time to watch any other sporting events within that free trial period.
What is the best VPN for the French Open?ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams of the 2024 French Open, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
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For a limited time, a one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is available for the bargain price of just $99.95 — a massive saving of 49%. Within that deal you get a bonus three months at no extra cost, plus a free year of unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
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TL;DR: Live stream Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 French Open for free on 9Now, France TV, RTBF, ORF, or Servus TV. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
As the second week of Roland-Garros rolls on, the tournament is serving up some exciting quarter final action as comeback kid Stefanos Tsitsipas faces last year's Wimbledon winner, Carlos Alcaraz. This should be an excellent game.
No. 9 seed Tsitsipas fought back in the fourth round, after losing the first set to Matteo Arnaldi. But he'll need to pull out all the stops against Alcaraz, who's in fine form.
But you can bet on a massive effort in this quarter final from Tsitsipas. While Alcaraz has already won Wimbledon and the US Open, Tsitsipas is battling to secure his first Grand Slam tournament win. Can he swing his way to the semis?
If you want to watch Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 French Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Tsitsipas vs. Alcaraz?Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Carlos Alcaraz will meet in the 2024 French Open from 6 a.m. ET on June 4.
How to watch Tsitsipas vs. Alcaraz in the 2024 French Open for freeThe 2024 French Open is available to live stream for free on the following platforms:
All of these platforms are intended for viewers in their respective countries, which means they're technically geo-blocked anywhere else in the world. But you can sidestep these geo-restrictions by using a VPN. VPNs work by hiding your IP address (digital location) and connecting you with a secure server in another country, such as one of the countries where these free streaming platforms are based. That means you'll be able to watch the 2024 French Open wherever you are in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2024 French Open by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia, Austria, Belgium, or France
Stream Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Carlos Alcaraz for free from anywhere in the world
The streaming platforms may be free, but the best VPNs for streaming do require a subscription free. However, the top VPN providers tend to offer sweetener deals such as free trial periods and money back guarantees. By taking advantage of these deals you can access free streams of the 2024 French Open. Simply sign up and cancel the membership after a trial period, so you can reclaim any upfront payment. You'll still have enough time to watch the 2024 French Open — not to mention other sporting events that take place within that trial period — at zero cost.
What is the best VPN for the French Open?ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams of the 2024 French Open, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
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Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
For a limited time, a one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is available at the bargain price of $99.95. That deal includes an extra three months for free, plus a free year of unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. That's all for a bargain saving of 49% off the regular price.
Live stream Tsitsipas vs. Alcaraz for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Iga Swiatek vs. Marketa Vondrousova in the 2024 French Open for free on 9Now, France TV, RTBF, ORF, or Servus TV. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
On paper this quarter final is the biggest women's fixture yet at Roland-Garros in 2024. From Poland, Swiatek is the No. 1 in the world — a three time French Open winner (including a victory last year) and a US Open winner.
Vondrousova meanwhile is the No. 5 seed and the winner of last year's Wimbledon. The Czech star also reached the French Open final five years ago. Can she do it again by beating the defending champion? Or even win the whole event?
This fixture promises to be intense and evenly-matched. And you can watch it at zero costs from any location in the world — as long as you have a solid internet connection.
If you want to watch Iga Swiatek vs. Marketa Vondrousova in the 2024 French Open for free from anywhere in the world, here's some handy information.
When is Swiatek vs. Vondrousova?Iga Swiatek vs. Marketa Vondrousova will meet in the 2024 French Open from 6 a.m. ET on June 4.
How to watch Swiatek vs. Vondrousova in the 2024 French Open for freeThe 2024 French Open is available to live stream for free on the following platforms:
All of these platforms are geo-blocked outside of their respective countries, but anyone can access these free live streams with a VPN. For tennis fans who are new to the world of VPNs, these tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries. This simple process allows you to sidestep geo-restrictions and enjoy free streaming platforms from around in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2024 French Open by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia, Austria, Belgium, or France
Stream Iga Swiatek vs. Marketa Vondrousova for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming do technically require a subscription fee or upfront cost, but the leading VPN provider tend to offer deals such as free trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with any cash. Just cancel after the trial period. It's obviously not a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to stream the 2024 French Open — or other global sports — before recovering your investment. And after sampling the benefits of a VPN, you may even decide to sign up for a longer period of time.
What is the best VPN for the French Open?ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams of the 2024 French Open, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is currently on sale for a limited time at $99.95. The package includes a bonus three months of use for no additional cost, along with a year of unlimited cloud backup, and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Swiatek vs. Vondrousova for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Alexander Zverev vs. Holger Rune in the 2024 French Open for free on 9Now, France TV, RTBF, ORF, or Servus TV. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
In terms of rankings, this is one of the most closely matched contests in the fourth round of Roland-Garros — the No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev vs. No. 13 seed Holger Rune. Zverev battled Tallon Griekspoor is a five-set classic in the previous round, while Rune scored in straight sets against Jozef Kovalik.
German native Zverev has seen his share of success, but he's yet to win one of the Grand Slam tournaments — though he's reached the semi-finals at the French Open on three separate occasions. Can he do it again, or even go further, this year?
Rune is likely to be the sentimental favorite, and he'll be looking to reach the quarter finals, which would equal the Dane's best ever performance at the French Open.
If you want to watch Alexander Zverev vs. Holger Rune in the 2024 French Open for free from anywhere in the world, we've pulled together all the information you need.
When is Zverez vs. Rune?Alexander Zverev vs. Holger Rune will meet in the 2024 French Open from 2:15 p.m. ET on June 3.
How to watch Zverez vs. Rune in the 2024 French Open for freeThe 2024 French Open is available to live stream for free on the following platforms:
All of these platforms are geo-restricted to the countries in which they're based, but anyone can access these free live streams with a VPN. For those who have never used one before, a VPN can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure servers in other countries. This will help you circumnavigate the geo-restrictions and access the streaming platforms, which will recognise you as being in their country — no matter where you are around the world.
Access free live streams of the 2024 French Open by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia, Austria, Belgium, or France
Stream Alexander Zverev vs. Holger Rune for free from anywhere in the world
While the streaming platforms are free to use, the best VPNs for streaming unfortunately aren't. But there's a still a way to use them without opening your wallet. Most VPN providers offer free trial periods or money-back guarantees. By signing up to these offers you'll have enough time to watch the 2024 French Open before recovering any upfront payments. You'll find all kinds of benefits with a VPN, such as improved security and anonymity when using the web. Who knows? You may even decide to use a VPN permanently.
What is the best VPN for the French Open?ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams of the 2024 French Open, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
For a limited time only, a one-year subscription to ExpressVPN will cost just $99.95 — a massive saving of 49%. The plan includes an extra three months for free, a year of free unlimited cloud backup, and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Zverev vs. Rune for free with ExpressVPN.
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