Forget sharing a KitKat bar or a pizza; Nimble lets us share power banks by splitting them in half. If you're having trouble digesting this bit of info, you're not alone. If I hadn't been using the Nimble SHARWPOWER 10,000mAh power bank myself for a few weeks, I wouldn't have believed it either. But it's a real product, and it's well executed.

It's a wild concept, and once you've let the idea sit with you for a while, you might ask why do that when a multi-port power bank can easily be shared with extra cables. But there are some occasions that call for such a shareable battery pack.

It's not cheap, but it's one in a million

At $79.95, the Nimble SHAREWPOWER 10,000mAh power bank isn't an affordable purchase. It supports 35W PD wired charging in total and comes in four colorways: black, pink, white, and blue. It's a very small power bank that can easily fit in the palm of your hand, even when whole.

When split in half in what is called Share Mode, both halves are 5,000mAh batteries, and each comes with a built-in USB-C cable. So while this might be a pretty expensive 10,000mAh power bank compared to virtually every other option, its splitting act sets it aside from the rest.

Magnetic pins keep the two 5,000mAh halves together, and when you separate them, you reveal a folded USB-C connector inside. This is attached to the half that has the display indicating the battery percentage.

The other half has a proper USB-C cable that's tucked inside like a lanyard when the two halves are stuck together, which is called Stack Mode.

Each half also has one extra USB-C port, so you can actually charge four devices altogether when the batteries are split. The two halves support 20W PD each in Share Mode.

A truly and properly shareable power bank

This is such a fun little power bank, and you can tell how much thought was poured into its design once you start using it. Imagine a day out with your friends, and you need to share a battery pack; the other person can just walk away instead of leaving their phone with you.

Whether it's friends or family on a longer vacation or a short getaway with you, there is always that one person who refuses to bring their own charger or power bank along and usurps your battery pack. The Nimble SHAREPOWER helps you preserve half for yourself in such scenarios.

Even if someone hijacks one half of the SHAREPOWER power bank for the entirety of the trip or excursion, you don't need to be side by side or in close proximity all the time. You can go to the bathroom without leaving your phone behind or waiting in separate lines, since this product doesn't require two people to stay anchored to one power bank.

This is easily the best part of the power bank.

A great power bank for group trips and holidays

The Nimble SHAREPOWER addresses the main issue with sharing a multi-port power bank with others: you both need to be attached to the power bank and therefore must be close to each other for a while.

This is obviously problematic sometimes, especially when on holiday with lots of other people. Someone might need to go to reception while the other individual heads to the restaurant. One person might decide to skip an activity and stay behind. I've faced this issue myself as I'm always the designated tech person on holidays, and there's always one friend or another borrowing my power bank.

There have been times when I needed to go to a separate location as my friend, and we were both low on phone battery, in an unknown city, with all but one 5,000mAh power bank to share. One of us had to leave our phone with the other person until it fully charged, then meet up at a designated location later. Obviously, this was quite a risky move, but luckily we had other friends to accompany the phone-less person.

This illustrates the usefulness of the Nimble SHAREPOWER's ability to split into two independent halves that function as two separate 5,000mAh power banks in Share Mode. You don't even have to worry about bringing extra cables along. So if you're going on a trip with lots of other people, I highly recommend investing in one or two of these power banks.

If you need a headset to use at work, Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Gen II and the Sony WH-1000XM6 are undoubtedly good choices. I prefer the Bose because of its comfort and sound quality, and it is the headset I use while traveling.

But I found out recently that there is a better choice: Jabra's Evolve3 85. It is positioned as a work headset, but it does so much more; I used it for the better part of three months now, and I'm convinced that it is better than what Bose and Sony have to offer. Coming in at $475, it is on the higher end of the scale, but it has meaningful advantages over its immediate rivals.

Let's start with the design. The Evolve3 85 is the lightest headset in its category at 220g, and I immediately noticed the difference. Bose and Sony's headsets are at least 30g heavier, and switching between the QC Ultra Gen II and the Evolve3 85, it's clear that Jabra nailed the comfort. The lightweight design ensures you get a fit that doesn't lead to any fatigue even with all-day use.

The ear cushions have a breathable design, and that extends to the headband as well. Build quality is great, and while it is light, you never get a feeling that it is flimsy — it's built to last. Another positive is the case; the headset folds flat and fits snugly into the bundled case, which is significantly smaller than what you get with Bose and Sony. This is a big deal in and of itself, as the Evolve3 85 doesn't take up anywhere as much room in your bag.

I also like the connectivity on offer. The Evolve3 85 uses Bluetooth 5.3, and I didn't see any issues pairing the headset with my Pixel 11 Pro XL, Find X9 Ultra, X9 Pro, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, iPhone 17 Pro, or the iPad Pro M4. It has Fast Pair, so it's about as easy to connect it to an Android device. There's also USB-C and 3.5mm connectivity if you want to plug the headset in, and my favorite inclusion is a USB-C receiver that lets me use the headset with my Windows machine.

I don't like using Bluetooth with Windows; my Gigabyte motherboard has a Bluetooth modem that's built clearly as an afterthought, because it is flaky at the best of times. As such, the convenience of being able to use a receiver to connect the headset with Windows is just great, and I like that Jabra went with USB-C. You also get USB-C and 3.5mm cables in the box, and I like the attention to detail that the brand lavished when it comes to connectivity.

Connectivity is a big part of what makes a work-related headset stand out, and the Evolve3 85 excels in this area. Oh, and you can easily change the battery itself, should you need to down the line. I like tech that's built to last, and given that batteries tend to degrade over time, they're usually the biggest point of failure in a headset, so it's good to see Jabra addressing the issue.

There are other niceties as well; Jabra's ClearVoice does a good job tuning out ambient noises when you're talking, and it holds up astonishingly well. I use NVIDIA Broadcast to do the same, but ClearVoice is a good enough alternative. On that note, it has dedicated ANC as well, and it does an effective job blocking sounds in your surroundings if you're in a meeting or outdoors. The headset pairs with whichever digital assistant you use on your phone, and there are physical controls.

Sound quality is pretty good, too. Honestly, given how much Jabra positioned this as a work headset, I didn't think it would sound as good as its rivals, but the 32mm drivers do a great job. You get a detailed sound with plenty of bass, clean mids, and a tight treble. It's obviously built for meetings, but the headset is just as effective at extended music listening sessions. In fact, the only problem is that you don't get AptX codecs — it is limited to SBC and AAC.

Another thing Jabra does well is charging tech; the Evolve3 85 includes wireless charging, and I didn't realize just how convenient this is until I used the headset — I now want all of my Bluetooth headsets to have this as standard. There's fast charging too, with a 5-minute charge delivering five hours of power. The headset lasts well over 23 hours of meetings, with regular music listening at 60 hours — double that of Bose and Sony. Basically, you'll only need to charge it once a week even if you use it all day.

You get six mics in total, and they use MEMS solid-state tech, delivering better fidelity and low distortion. I attended dozens of meetings with the Evolve3 85 over Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams, and the headset did a brilliant job.

While the Evolve3 85 is targeted as a work headset, it is just as great to listen to music or podcasts, and the lightweight design combined with all the extra features gives it a unique advantage you just don't see in this category.

It was when I started running out of storage boxes that I realized I may have too many GaN chargers. I joke that if you casually throw a GaN charger in my home, you're bound to hit another one. Anyway, I have dozens of these things lying around, and having tested just about every major charger released in the last three years, I know what a good charger needs to offer.

So when I got started with the BMX GaNsta 140W (as puns go, the name gets an 8/10), it was clear that the charger ticked a lot of the right boxes. It has three USB-C ports, a USB-A port, foldable blade pins with EU, UK, and AU converters that make it easy to travel with, and 140W power over USB PD 3.1.

Oh, and it gets an LCD panel that shows real-time charging details out of each port, which is a must-have in a GaN charger in 2026. The GaNsta costs $89 as of writing, which is $10 pricier than Anker's charger, and $30 more than the last-gen 160W UGREEN Nexode Pro, both of which also have LCD screens.

The GaNsta is a little smaller than other 4-port chargers, but not enough that you'd notice the difference. Build quality is decent, and I didn't see any issues in the two months I used it. I tested the charger with my Find X9 Ultra, Pixel 11 Pro XL, iPhone 17 Pro, iPad Pro M4, and a dozen or so accessories — including 160W power banks — and it turned out to be reliable in day-to-day use.

I like that each port's power output is clearly labeled, and it takes a lot of the guesswork out of figuring out which port to use. The USB-C1 and C2 ports individually go up to 140W over the USB PD 3.1 protocol, and I tested this using a standalone power meter (Power-Z KM003C). I also like that the area around the ports has a slotted design to prevent scratches; this is a thoughtful design choice that makes a difference.

The LCD screen is the real star of the show. It shows real-time charging details, power going out of each port, and heat levels. The latter isn't quite as useful as you don't normally see thermal issues on a 140W charger, but it's there. And as AI needs to be shoehorned into every product these days, this thermal management feature is assisted by AI (however that works). Anyway, what you need to know is that even with all ports in use, the GaNsta doesn't have any issues with overheating.

You also get emoticons on the panel, and you can easily cycle through the various menus via the button at the bottom.

With four ports available, you get the ability to charge four devices at once. Of course, the total power budget is limited when all ports are in use, and with the GaNsta, you get 125W cumulatively: 65W + 45W + 7.5W + 7.5W. I would've liked to see 65W on both the C1 and C2 ports — like the latest Nexode Pro 160W charger — but that isn't the case.

That said, if you're just going to leave four devices to charge overnight, the GaNsta 140W does a decent enough job. The inclusion of a USB-C to USB-C cable along with travel plugs is a good move, and the size of the charger means you can easily throw it into a travel bag. What I'm not too sure about is the pricing; it is costlier than its rivals, and if you're willing to shell out $89, the new Nexode Pro 160W is a better deal at $99 as it has a retractable cable. If you don't need the built-in cable and like the travel-related accessories, the GaNsta 140W is a good choice.

What you need to know

• Rumors now say Nothing is getting closer to a new audio product launch dubbed the "Headphone 1 Pro" late in September.
• The device could enter a more premium aesthetic for consumers with a $399 price tag, 60 hours battery life, improved ANC, and a triple audio driver setup.
• The original Headphone 1 were pretty good, and could've arguably been one of the best (if not the best) audio product of 2025.

Nothing's first over-ear headphones made a splash when they debuted. Now, rumors suggest the company wants to make even more noise with a "Pro" model.

Late this week, a post by Dealabs suggests Nothing is developing a "Headphone 1 Pro" model, and a launch could be closer than we think (via 9to5Google). As with any device, especially one marked by "Pro," design changes/improvements are possible. The publication claims the Pro headphones could feature "aluminum and glass" on their body. The idea could be to not only separate the Pro from the base model, but also to solidify a "premium" aesthetic, as the post notes.

White and black colorways are supposedly likely once this (allegedly) hits the market around September 29, 2026. However, rumors claim Nothing plans to make the Pro tag matter with a triple audio driver. Improved bass, sharper audio precision, and improved treble were mentioned.

Whispers allege real-time "adaptive" ANC that could outshine the original's. Battery life is another highlight. The Pro model could offer 60 hours of playback time. What's not clear is whether this is with ANC active or not. The original model could run for 35 hours with ANC on and 80 hours with it off. If this higher number concerns the former, that could be a huge boon to consumers.

There's nothing official, but rumors claim the Headphone 1 Pro could run consumers $399 in the U.S.

The original model was good

If you take a quick step back to when the Headphone 1 launched, Nothing stuck them with a $299 price tag in the U.S. The Pro model would ask for ~$100 more, if we're to believe these early rumors. Anyway, Nothing wanted to make a bold statement with these headphones. The device brought back real, physical buttons, rollers, and paddles that make the experience more manageable.

There were pieces of aluminum that accented the Headphone 1. The Pro version could take that up a bit, and with more glass, too. In our experience, the Headphone 1 was a good piece of hardware. In fact, it was arguably one of the best audio products of 2025. Considering the positioning of the controls, the Headphone 1 made it easy to control our music. What's more, since these buttons are physical, we avoided those accidental song skips or pauses.

Nothing equipped the Headphone 1 with "a custom 40mm driver with sound tuned by KEF" that sounded "amazing," per Android Central's Harish Jonnalagadda.

What you need to know

• Galaxy SmartTag 3 rumors continue, suggesting Samsung could redesign the little tracker into a squircle shape, like the Galaxy Watch 8 and 9.
• The tracker is reportedly arriving in white and black; however, Samsung has removed the built-in loop, meaning consumers may have to shell out more cash for a case with a loop.
• Recent rumors suggested the SmartTag 3 could debut with the Galaxy S26 FE, but that never happened as the phone showed up solo late last month.

Samsung's next smart tracker has been long overdue—three years, to be exact. Rumors continue in September, suggesting a reworked design is in the cards.

Alleged renderings obtained by SammyGuru claim Samsung has redesigned the Galaxy SmartTag 3 with a familiar shape (via 9to5Google). The publication mentions this, too: the SmartTag 3 might take on a squircle shape, similar to the Galaxy Watch 8 and 9 series. A thicker, colored outer portion encases a silver (metallic) center. Rumors add that the SmartTag 3 could arrive in white and black. The latter trades in a silvery metallic center for a black, almost brushed metal aesthetic.

The post highlights a few expectations, such as (improved) Bluetooth and UWB (ultra-wideband), like its previous model. What's more, the "NFC-based Lost Mode" is also suspected to continue in this next generation. The tracker's battery specifications are still unknown, but here's hoping that the SmartTag 3's longevity hasn't taken a hit.

There's no dodging the elephant in the room. While the SmartTag 3 appears to take on a squircle shape, the alleged renderings highlight that it's missing a built-in mounting solution. According to the publication, consumers might have to shell out extra cash for a "separate case with an attachment loop."

As far as pricing is concerned, the publication cites alleged "retailer listings." The SmartTag 3 could stay ~$30 in the U.S.; however, consumers in Europe might see a slight price increase of a few bucks (or... euros).

This change is certainly a choice

We've been playing around and tracking with the Galaxy SmartTag 2 since 2023. What's interesting is that the tracker also reworked its design from the original tag. It brought in a wider attachment loop. Consumers could get a case for it that would provide another loop (more of a keyring-style). But rumors from July finally got us thinking about a SmartTag 3 after three years.

A tipster on social media claimed the next tag could debut sometime in September, alongside the Galaxy S26 FE. That didn't end up happening. The S26 FE debuted late in August. So there's a chance we're looking at a solo launch for the SmartTag 3, or perhaps something closer to the Galaxy Tab S12 debut this year.

There's extensive choice if you want to get a pair of decent earbuds. Bose, Sennheiser, and Sony continue to be heavy-hitters in this category (I use my Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen II while traveling), and phone brands also a good job with their earbuds — Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro deliver a vibrant sound with plenty of useful features.

But if you want the best sound quality, you'll need to turn your attention to Noble Audio. The boutique brand is known for its IEMs, and it has ventured into wireless earbuds in recent years. I've heard plenty of great things about the brand, so I was excited to get my hands on the FoKus Amadeus. Retailing for $320 on Amazon, the Amadeus is in the similar price bracket as the Bose QC Ultra Gen II and Sony WF-1000XM6, but what you're getting here is markedly different.

For starters, the design of the FoKus Amadeus is unlike any other earbuds around. Mainstream brands play it pretty safe with their designs, and they're not meant to stand out — that isn't the case here. With a bright red design and a custom shell that's bigger than most earbuds, these are guaranteed to grab attention.

Like the Amadeus name, the red design is an homage to Mozart’s signature tailcoat, says Noble. Build quality is great, and while the size of the shell means the earbuds jut out, I didn't see any issues with comfort. Each bud weighs 7g, and that's in line with other products in this category. The only omission is ingress protection, so I wouldn't suggest using these at the gym. Just like the buds, the case itself is bigger, but the square design makes it easy to take anywhere.

Coming to connectivity, the Amadeus gets Bluetooth 5.4 via Qualcomm’s QCC3091 modem, and there's SBC, AAC, LDAC, and AptX Adaptive. The buds connect to two devices at once, and I had no problems pairing with my Pixel 11 Pro XL, Find X9 Ultra, and iPad Pro M4. There's good ANC as well, and the buds did a great job tuning out the ambient sounds in my surroundings.

Obviously, sound quality is where the Amadeus excels. The sound signature from the 8.3mm dynamic driver is tuned towards musicality, and you get a good bass rumble with clean mids and a nice treble extension. These are particularly great with vocals, and the soundstage is significantly wider than any other earbuds in this category. There's a level of dynamism to the sound that you just don't get with Bose or Sony, and that ultimately makes the Amadeus enjoyable even in extended listening sessions.

Another thing I like is the sheer level of customizability to the sound. Noble uses Audiodo to tune the sound of the Amadeus to your individual preferences. This is done by a listening test that lasts up to three minutes, and then you get a custom EQ that's tailored to your ears. The tech works exceedingly well, and it makes a big difference to the sound. In addition to Audiodo, you get a 10-band EQ and custom modes that let you tweak the sound profile to a granular degree.

Then there's the app; the Noble FoKus app has to be the best of any buds I used. You get a minimal interface without any overt styling (looking at you, Sennheiser), but there's an extensive amount of customizability when it comes to adjusting the sound.

I got good battery life as well. The Amadeus lasted close to eight hours between charges, and each bud has a 65mAh battery. The case provides an additional 2.5 times charge via a 500mAh battery, so you get just around 40 hours before you'll need to plug in the case. There is fast charging that gives you two hours of music with a 10-minute charge, and a full charge takes just over 90 minutes.

I know that's $320 is at the higher end of the scale when it comes to earbuds, and to its credit, Noble Audio didn't omit anything in the FoKus Amadeus. The design stands out quite a bit, but the earbuds are comfortable to wear, and the sound quality is outstanding; if you've used Bose's QC Ultra or any of Sony's earbuds, you will see an immediate difference when switching to these — I did.

When Dbrand told me it was launching a new minimalist case sub-brand, I was immediately interested. I've loved the company's products for years, and they often come out with new and interesting design ideas, but MNML immediately felt different from Dbrand's usual vibes.

It's such a departure from the company's usual designs that you won't even find the name Dbrand on the case. It's just MNML on the corner, and there's no support for Dbrand skins or any of the usual snarky flair most of us are used to.

You'll also find the prices to be much more minimalist than Dbrand's usual afair. At just $39, these are a bit more palatable than the $50 Ghost cases or the $60+ Grip cases, and they come in four simple colors. The burgundy is my favorite of the four, although I think it looks terrible on an orange iPhone. Better stick to black or tan for a bolder color like that.

Dbrand sent me cases for the Pixel 11 Pro and the iPhone Pro Max 17/18 (since they're the same phone anyway). The "sandstone" texture on these isn't at all like OnePlus's sandstone phones or cases — meaning they're textured but not rough like sandstone usually is — which gives it a nice grip without sanding your fingerprints off by accident.

I also love the clicky covered buttons on the case. It's got all the port cutouts you'd hope to find on a case, plus a perfectly sized lip around the front glass to protect it. I didn't have trouble using gestures with these cases, unlike some rugged cases that have too large a lip and usually get in the way.

These also aren't minimalist in the way Thinborne cases are. They're not super rugged like Dbrand's Tank cases are, but they still add a little bit of bulk to the phone. They're cushy and a few millimeters thin, but they weigh around 40-50g, depending on the phone, which is roughly twice the weight of an aramid fiber case (like Thinborne).

The bright side to the extra "bulk" is that these are more drop-resistant than aramid fiber cases. I purposefully dropped the Pixel 11 Pro on the concrete from about 3ft up a few times to see what would happen. The phone looked untouched, and the MNML case just had a few minor dings on the corners.

Seems to me that these will generally hold up nicely to wear and tear over the life of your phone, making them a great option to grab the next time you're in a Best Buy (so long as you don't care about Dbrand skins).

Dbrand makes MNML cases for 24 phone models across Apple, Samsung, and Google Pixel phone lines. That MNML sub-brand also includes a handful of MagSafe accessories, like a kickstand wallet, slim wallet, and an AirPods case (I guess that's a thing?).

What you need to know

• Samsung is reportedly working on Galaxy Buds On, a new pair of open-ear earbuds with a clip-on design.
• Leaked renders show two rounded sections connected by a silicone loop, with black and white color options expected.
• Galaxy Buds On could offer Auto Volume, head gestures for controls, and automatic pausing when you fall asleep.

It looks like Samsung is cooking up a pair of open-ear Galaxy Buds, and they could launch fairly soon.

While the best wireless earbuds still offer features like ANC and superior sound quality, open-ear earbuds have suddenly started taking over. We recently checked out the Huawei FreeClip 2, which we called one of the most comfortable open-ear earbuds we've tried, and now it looks like Samsung is preparing to challenge the throne.

As reported by SammyGuru, Samsung appears to be working on a pair of open-ear earbuds called the Galaxy Buds On. The publication has shared what appear to be product renders of the device, giving us an early look at the earbuds.

According to the leak, the Galaxy Buds On will feature a fairly standard open-ear design, with two rounded sections connected by a flexible silicone loop. One side will presumably sit closer to the user's ear, while the flatter section will remain on the outside and likely provide an area for touch controls and gestures.

The leaked renders show the Galaxy Buds On in black, although a white color option also appears to be in the works.

The publication was also able to extract illustrations showing how the Galaxy Buds On will clip around the user's ears. The report claims the earbuds will feature Auto Volume, which will automatically adjust the volume depending on your surroundings, alongside head gestures like nodding and shaking.

Another interesting feature will reportedly detect when the wearer has fallen asleep and automatically pause whatever is playing.

There's still no word on exactly when Samsung plans to launch the Galaxy Buds On. However, the company now has several products rumored to be waiting in the pipeline, including the long-awaited Galaxy Glasses and Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra, so we could be hearing much more about Samsung's upcoming hardware fairly soon.

I've been using UGREEN's Nexode Pro chargers while traveling for well over two years now. These charges don't take up much room thanks to GaN tech, and they have all the ports I need. The latest iteration of the product — the UGREEN Nexode Pro 160W Charger with Retractable Cable — adds a retractable cable, built-in panel, and foldable pins, and while it is a little bigger than its predecessor, it the new features provide much better convenience in daily use.

The Nexode Pro 160W charger is now available for $99 on Amazon, and I think that's a reasonable price when you look at everything on offer. I the Nexode Pro 160W for the better part of three months, and I'm outlining three reasons why it is now my go-to GaN charger.

The built-in LCD panel takes guesswork out of charging

While the Nexode Pro 160W isn't the only charger to come with a built-in LCD screen, it makes a big difference in my usage. I connected a lot of accessories and phones to the charger in the last three months, and knowing just how long it takes to fully charge these devices takes all the guesswork out of charging.

The screen also shows real-time charging speeds, including wattage, voltage, and which charging protocol is being used. This is particularly useful for me, as I tend to use phones like the Find X9 Ultra and Vivo X300 Ultra that use their own charging standards. Thankfully, these phones rely on USB PD at up to 50W, and that's what I ended up using. The screen rotates based on the orientation of the charger, which is a nice addition.

The retractable cable is an added bonus

Retractable cables in charging products became a thing around two years ago, and since then, I didn't use a power bank that didn't have it. They're just so useful, and I'm excited to see brands adding these cables to chargers. The retractable cable on the Nexode Pro 160W goes up to 140W, and is ideal for charging phones, notebooks, and power banks.

The cable has four preset lengths, and goes up to 70cm with a full extension. The USB-C connector has a built-in magnet that ensures the cable is attached to the GaN charger when not in use, and after three months of extensive use, I didn't see any issues with the retractable motor.

It has all the ports I need

With three USB-C ports (including the retractable cable) and a USB-A connector, the Nexode Pro 160W has all the ports I need in daily use. The USB-C1 and retractable ports go up to 140W over the USB PD 3.1 protocol, the USB-C2 port hits 100W, and the USB-A port goes up to 22.5W, which is ideal to use with accessories.

It has a total power budget of 160W when using all three USB-C ports — 65W + 65W + 30W — and it's a decent choice if you're like me and need to charge several devices at once. I also like that the plug is foldable; that's the case with U.S.-style blade plugs anyway, but I'm using the EU model, and it's just easier to have a plug that folds — it makes the Nexode Pro 160W just that little bit better as a travel charger.

Overall, the Nexode Pro 160W has all the features I need in a GaN charger, and the build quality combined with the extras make it a good choice if you need a new charger to use at home or on the road.

Labor Day has come to an end, but there are still a surprising number of leftover tech deals if you know where to look. Case in point: even though its holiday sale has has ended, Amazon is still slashing 50% off the Sony WH-1000XM5, a pair of flagship cans that once topped our list of the best wireless headphones that money can buy.

Sure, these noise-cancelling headphones have since been supplanted by the newer Sony WH-1000XM6, but if you want to enjoy a premium listening experience for cheap, going with the last-gen XM5 is one of the best ways to do so, particularly when you slap on a record-smashing discount. You can thank me later.

Despite their last-gen status, the Sony WH-1000XM5 continue to impress as some of the best noise-cancelling headphones that money can buy. You get powerful active noise cancellation (ANC) straight out of the box along with the excellent sound quality that Sony is famous for, plus the cans boast a comfortable fit, a ton of customizable EQ settings (with 10 presets), and up to 30 hours of battery life on a single charge.

The headphones also come with four built-in microphones for voice calls, while multipoint connection means that you can connect your Sony XM5 to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Your purchase will even come with a free carrying case, which, considering the rigid construction of the XM5, is a nice bonus.

Sure, the Sony WH-1000XM6 technically offer a better experience, with longer battery life, a new QN3 processor, and a flexible build, but I'm not sure these upgrades are worth the steep price tag.

Indeed, if you want the flagship Sony audio experience for less than $200, this discount is one of the best headphone deals on the web. This Labor Day deal could end at any moment, however, so I'd either buy now or prepare to wait until Black Friday season rolls around in a few months. The choice is yours.

Baseus knows how to make great charging and audio accessories, and the brand is going all-out ahead of the iPhone 18 Pro launch. The Dark Cherry collection includes five products that are debuting in a bold new cherry red colorway designed to match the Dark Cherry variant of the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro.

The highlight of the new collection is the PicoGo Pro AH22, the smallest 100W GaN charger with three USB-C ports. It comes with a built-in panel that shows real-time charging details, and it is now available for $59 on Amazon.

There's also the PicoGo AM52, a 25W Qi 2.2 power bank with 10,000mAh battery that's available for $79, and the ultra-thin PicoGo Air AM71 5,000mAh power bank that costs $69. The Bose-tuned Inspire XC1 earbuds get the Dark Cherry makeover as well, and they're $149. Rounding out the list is the 100W USB-C to USB-C cable, and it costs $12.

Baseus has an exclusive deal for AC readers that is live now and runs until October 31, 2026:

• Baseus PicoGo AH22 100W GaN Charger: $39.99 with code BSAH22AC (34% off)
• Baseus PicoGo AM52 25W Qi2.2 10,000mAh Power Bank: $41.29 with code BSAM52AC (48% off)
• Baseus PicoGo Air 5,000mAh Ultra-Slim Power Bank: $41.99 with code BSAM71AC (40% off)

Baseus 100W PicoGo Pro AH22: This is the GaN charger you want

I used the PicoGo Pro AH22 as my go-to charger for the last month, and there's a lot to like. It is noticeably smaller than other 100W chargers I have on hand, and it still has three USB-C ports. The smaller size and the vibrant color makes it a great choice for travel (it's going straight into my tech bag), and I like that it has a built-in screen that shows real-time charging details, time left to charge, and what protocol a connected device is using.

It has three charging modes — Smart, Gentle, and Turbo — and the Smart mode is useful while charging several devices at once. The Gentle mode is what you need for overnight charging, and Turbo prioritizes the C1 port to 100W.

There's intelligent device recognition, and I like this feature a lot. Baseus also added a set of fun effects that show up while charging. The individual USB-C ports go up to 100W, and with all three in use, you get a 95W power budget. I used it with my Pixel 11 Pro XL, Find X9 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, iPad Pro M4, and a few dozen accessories, and the charger did a great job.

Baseus PicoGo AM52 25W Qi2.2 10,000mAh Power Bank: Charge anything with ease

The PicoGo AM52 isn't a new product, and I've been using the power bank for the better part of a year. The Qi 2.2 tech allows it to charge phones at 25W, and it's great to use with the iPhone 17 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL.

There's no doubt that the cherry color looks much better than the standard grey model I've been using all this time. The 10,000mAh battery is able to charge the iPhone 17 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL to full, and it has a built-in USB-C cable if you need to plug in other devices, going up to 45W.

Baseus PicoGo Air AM71 5,000mAh Power Bank: The thinnest power bank

The PicoGo Air AM71 is a 5,000mAh magnetic power bank, and it is one of the thinnest I've used yet. It doesn't have 25W charging, instead using the standard Qi standard to deliver a 7.5W charge. There is a USB-C port that gets you 22.5W, and the power bank recharges at 20W.

While I'm not a huge fan of ultra-thin power banks, I will admit that the AM71 has unmatched portability. It's just 0.3 inches and weighs 105g, and is easy to slot into a bag or trousers — I have one in my tech EDC bag. The 5,000mAh battery isn't enough to charge a phone to full, but it will get your iPhone 17 Pro Max to the halfway point. This is down to energy conversion, and is true of all power banks.

Baseus Inspire XC1: Bose sound for less

I like the Inspire XC1 because of the open ear design, and they're a good choice if you have issues getting a good fit with regular buds. The cherry color makes these buds stand out a lot from the regular model, and they definitely get a lot of attention while outdoors.

The Bose-tuned sound quality is terrific, and the buds have meaningful bass along with a clean mid-range and good treble. They're pretty great with calls as well, and have LDAC and IP66 ingress protection. I get over seven hours of battery life between charges, and that's more than adequate in daily use. The only point of contention is that the cherry variant is $149, which is a sizeable increase over the $99 that the regular model costs these days.

Baseus FrostCool: A reliable 100W USB-C cable

I have a lot of these cables in the house, and they're reliable in everyday use. The cherry color is the only difference here, and other than that, it's the same cable: it can deliver a 100W charge over USB PD, is 6.6ft in length, and the braided design is built to last.

Baseus is going all-in on Dark Cherry, and I like that the brand has an entire range of accessories available in the new colorway. While there's a little bit of a wait before we know all about the iPhone 18 Pro, you can get a head-start by grabbing the accessories you need.

I like portable SSDs a lot, and I have one always on hand in my EDC tech bag. I look for two things in a portable drive: fast transfers, and long-term durability. I don't really think about the size or weight, as SSDs tend to be smaller and lighter than mechanical drives anyway.

But Lexar clearly felt like this was an area to focus on for its next SSD, the Muse. Dubbed the world's thinnest SSD, the Muse is 3.8mm at its thickest point, going down to just 1mm at the edges. Lexar says it used an "ultra-thin PCB architecture, high-density NAND stacking, and an integrated internal structure" to maximize the internal space.

The Muse has 1,050MB/s read and 1,000MB/s writes and can handle ProRes content at 4K120, which is in line with most portable SSDs. What isn't usual is the connector; instead of a regular USB-C port like every other SSD, the Muse uses a proprietary PogoPin magnetic connection, and you'll need to use the bundled cable in the box to connect the drive to your phone.

Oh, and it doesn't have the requisite magnets built-in (obviously), so you'll need to put it in a magnetic carry sleeve to attach it to a phone. Lexar notes portable SSDs can add "bulk and cable clutter," so it created the Muse to deliver a more "considered approach." It doesn't quite feel that way when you consider that you have three things to manage when using the Muse: the SSD itself, the magnetic sleeve, and the proprietary cable, which will inevitably get left behind when you're out and about.

I just don't get the need to tech industry's obsession to make products thinner. A regular-sized portable SSD doesn't have these limitations, and if anything, I like using drives like the LaCie Rugged SSD4, which are chunky but can take an absolute beating. The Muse adds a layer of complexity you don't need in a storage device, and that's before you factor in overheating. With such a small size and a sealed chassis, where does the heat go? There doesn't seem to be any room to manage the heat that builds up in a drive, so it will likely get quite hot when moving data.

Anyway, the Muse is coming out in Q4 2026, and it will be sold in 512GB and 1TB variants. Lexar didn't share pricing details, but it is bound to be on the higher side. Don't want to wait that long to get a magnetic SSD? This is the one I use.

What you need to know

• UGREEN announced its all-new cool, MagFlow wireless charging lineup.
• The lineup consists of the MagFlow Pro Magnetic Power Bank with a 10,000mAh cell, supporting Qi2 25W capabilities.
• Joining these charging capabilities in the 2-in-1 Foldable Magnetic charger and the 3-in-1 wireless charging stand.
• UGREEN states its MagFlow lineup is available today (Sept 3) on its website and Amazon.

If you were at Gillette Stadium this evening (Sept 3), you would've caught UGREEN's major reveal: the new MagFlow lineup.

UGREEN says it wants to solve a few problems consumers face daily. The MagFlow lineup aims to deliver a "high-power" wireless charging solution that's fast "without becoming uncomfortably hot." UGREEN's series is taking advantage of the latest technology, delivering Qi2 25W wireless charging, and the biggest stunner is the MagFlow Pro Magnetic Power Bank.

UGREEN's power bank features a hefty 10,000mAh cell. Charging quickly builds up heat, but to keep it cool, the power bank utilizes UGREEN's CryoPulse. Internally, there's a micro-pump that constantly whisks away heat, keeping the temperature comfortably under 18 degrees Fahrenheit. The Magnetic Power Bank also features a digital screen, which shows its charging power, battery level, cycle count, and cooling status.

UGREEN states the MagFlow Pro Magnetic Power Bank is available today for $149 on the company's official store and Amazon.

On-the-go or at home?

While consumers can attach the MagFlow power bank to their phone for quick charges, UGREEN continues the on-the-go idea with a pocket-sized charger.

The MagFlow 2-in-1 Foldable Magnetic wireless charger also features Qi2 25W charging capability. UGREEN says this product can double as a magnetic phone stand. Users can prop it up on a table, desk, or bedside. What's more, when it's folded, the 2-in-1 wireless charger fits in your pocket or travel bag.

Since 2-in-1 isn't enough, UGREEN took things further at Gillette Stadium this evening with its MagFlow Pro 3-in-1 Magnetic Qi2 25W wireless charging stand. Similar to the Magnetic Power Bank, this magnetic charging stand features the company's CryoPulse TEC Active Cooling with an "ultra-quiet" 15dB fan. All of this cooling potential is because consumers can charge multiple devices at once. Temperatures are kept low, and keep reportedly charge an iPhone 17 Pro Max to 50% in under thirty minutes.

Consumers will find a display on the charging stand to keep them informed.

UGREEN states the 2-in-1 Foldable Magnetic charger is available today (Sept 3) for $59. The 3-in-1 charging stand starts at $159. Both devices join the 10,000mAh power bank on UGREEN's official website and Amazon.

UGREEN just announced its first line of smart home products, including a trio of cameras (two outdoor, one indoor), a smart speaker, an ePaper smart frame, and an AI-powered NAS to keep everything safe and local.

If there's one thing you need to know from all this, it's that UGREEN has put a lot of thought into this product. From the incredibly easy-to-use hardware design to the cables themselves, the app's features, and the entire UGREEN HomeAgent family is a marvel of planning and execution.

I received the UGREEN HomeAgent HA100 NAS, SynCare PoE Cam OD600 Pro, and SynCare Indoor Cam ID500 Pro ahead of UGREEN's Boston-based event and got to spend some time with these products for this hands-on report. UGREEN is launching the HomeAgent HA100 crowdfunding program on September 4, including a 50% discount for early backers until October 27.

You've never used a NAS like this

As someone with 15 years of professional IT experience, I've spent plenty of time with big ol' NAS boxes in server racks. Usually, they're a pain in the butt to set up, and while they're mostly a set-it-and-forget-it affair, they're rarely designed to be user-friendly. A home NAS has to be very different from this approach, and it's clear UGREEN went back to the drawing board for the HomeAgent HA100.

Everything here is as self-explanatory and user-friendly as you can imagine. I specifically did not read the manual just to see if I could figure it out, and I was able to get the entire package set up in less than 5 minutes once I unboxed everything. A bevy of ports lines the back of the unit, located right underneath the cooling fan with a nifty magnetic filter that's dead easy to remove and clean.

Underneath the simple magnetic lid is a storage bay for three HDDs of your choice. Standard 3.5" models pop in with no screwdriver needed, while a 2.5" drive will need one of the small brackets included in the box. The drives pop in with a satisfying click and are removed with a simple button on top. They can even be locked into place with an included "key," which can be swapped out with a butter knife if you happen to lose it.

My unit shipped with an AI Accelerator unit already installed, but UGREEN sells models without this compute module for a lower cost. Adding an M.2 SSD is a little trickier since you'll have to flip the unit over and install it below, then add some thermal tape to keep things cool, but I imagine most people won't need M.2 performance anyway.

The front of the unit sports a touchscreen that only requires you to select a language to move forward. The unit is paired with the UGREEN NAS app and just requires you to select it from the list of LAN models found on your network. Since this NAS is hardwired to my router, it was as simple as opening the app on my phone and tapping the HA100 in the list.

UGREEN's HomeAgent line supports all Matter-compatible smart home devices, with Zigbee compatibility coming soon. It's also got full voice command support via UGREEN's Uliya agent, which is built into the NAS and can be used immediately since the NAS has microphones and speakers on the unit.

My NAS is located behind my couch, so it's easy to ask Uliya to toggle my lights and switches without having to worry about adding the dedicated speaker to my house, although I may end up getting a secondary speaker for the bedrooms.

Central to this unit's purpose is the all-local-all-the-time philosophy. That AI Accelerator unit is a mini computer that acts similarly to something like Gemini, albeit much more focused than a normal LLM. This one is made specifically for smart home control and to intelligently manage your media.

On the smart home side, it can keep track of familiar faces, understand the difference between a dog and a package, alert you if your chickens get in the front yard (yes, that's a problem for me), or even wake you if your baby starts crying in the middle of the night. I'll need time to assess how well each of these works, but it certainly sounds a lot like the smart home I've long dreamed of.

And with the pictures and video you can store on the NAS (both from smart home cameras and your smartphones), the AI Accelerator will group events, places, people, and other categories similarly to Google Photos, all without requiring you to pay a monthly fee to store data or for processing.

To say I'm extremely excited about these products is an understatement. From the looks of things so far, this does everything I've wanted a smart home to do and then some. Local control and storage are particularly attractive to me, especially since I stopped using Eufy years ago after all those old scandals.

Now, I've got a proper replacement solution that includes all that awesome local processing, plus the ability to control all my other smart home products using just my voice (thank you, Matter), all without requiring an internet connection. Pinch me, because this feels too good to be true, yet here it is in my living room.

Ugreen has a full roadmap for additional upgrades, including Zigbee device compatibility, a suite of additional voice commands the company is building, and more, which it'll be building out as the crowdfunding project continues through the end of the year.

What you need to know

• The Google TV Streamer has jumped from $100 to $150 at the Google Store and Best Buy.
• Retailers including Amazon may still have older stock at the original price, but supplies could disappear quickly.
• The Nest lineup also gets across-the-board markups, with all five Nest cameras and doorbells seeing price increases of $20 to $50.

If you've been holding off on picking up Google’s smart home hardware, your hesitation just got a lot more expensive. The tech giant has quietly increased prices across its streaming and security hardware lineup.

The Google TV Streamer arrived in 2024 for $100, replacing Chromecast as Google’s flagship streaming box. It was also pretty easy to find below that price, with holiday discounts knocking a few bucks off. Now, Google has quietly bumped up the device’s price by $50 to $150, as spotted by 9to5Google.

The new price is already appearing at Google Store and Best Buy, though some retailers are still selling remaining stock for $100. For example, not all listings have been refreshed by Amazon yet. If you are fast enough, you may be able to pick up older stock at launch prices before it is cycled out.

Google mentions increased component costs, with the Streamer’s 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage making memory costs a likely factor behind the increase. Other recent Google hardware has already been under the same broader cost pressures.

The Nest lineup is taking a hit, too. Google has increased the price of all five of its currently available cameras and doorbells by $20 to $50. The battery-powered Nest Cam is now $200, up from $180, while the second-generation wired Nest Cam Outdoor jumps from $150 to $200.

The third-generation wired Nest Cam Indoor rises to $130 from $100. Both the wired and battery Nest Doorbells now cost $200, up from $180.

Interestingly, the Nest Cam with Floodlight bundle is still priced at $280, and the Nest Hub, thermostats, and the new Google Home Speaker remain unchanged for now.

These changes went into effect August 31, Google says, and with component costs still a big part of hardware pricing, it may be a lot harder to find these older launch prices.

There hasn't been much in the way of innovation when it comes to MicroSD cards, but the standard continues to be dominant in cameras, handheld consoles, and just about any accessory that needs external storage.

I have a dozen or so MicroSD cards in active use across security cameras, action cameras, digital music players, hobbyist SBCs like the Pi 4 and Pi 5, and two handheld consoles. Most of these are the usual A2 class cards ranging from 64GB to 512GB, but I wanted something with higher storage to use with my DJI Osmo Pocket 4P and Pocket 4.

That's where Lexar comes into the picture. The Silver Plus range of MicroSD cards debuted at the end of April 2026, and what immediately caught my attention was the storage sizes. Available from 128GB all the way to 2TB (the model I'm testing), this isn't your average MicroSD card. I used Lexar's SO-DIMM memory modules and internal SSDs in the past, so I was interested in taking a look at the 2TB MicroSD card.

After three months of usage involving dozens of hours of 4K footage shot via the Osmo Pocket 4P and hundreds of photos taken with the OM-D E-M1 Mark III, it's clear that the Silver Plus is a standout MicroSD card. The 2TB model I'm using retails for well over $500, but the 1TB model is available for $239, and I think it is the sweet spot if you're looking to extend storage of your camera or handheld console. There's also a much more modest 128GB variant that costs $49, and the 256GB model is $74.

The Silver Plus is a V30 card, which means you're guaranteed to get at least 30MB/s sustained writes when shooting videos. You also get U3, which is 30MB/s minimum writes, A2, and a UHS-I interface. This is all standard stuff these days, but where the Silver Plus goes above and beyond is the ruggedness: it is IPX7 water-resistant, shockproof, x-ray-proof, magnetic-proof, and resistant to vibrations. Basically, it is built to handle any scenario, and you get a limited lifetime warranty.

Where the 2TB Silver Plus truly shines is video footage. I used it to shoot 4K120 and 8K30 footage, and it didn't prove a bottleneck while storing footage to the device. It is great to use with a drone or handheld gimbal camera like the Osmo Pocket 4P, and I got close to the touted 255MB/s reads and 189MB/s writes while testing it on Windows.

It's great that MicroSD cards can now store up to 2TB of storage. I remember it wasn't too long ago that I was excited about the debut of 128GB MicroSD cards (I got my hands on a few of these at a Best Buy shortly after they launched), and to have 2TB of storage on MicroSD is pretty cool.

While SD cards don't get quite as fast as external SSDs, they're much more portable, and if you're a professional who shoots photos and videos outdoors or want the best MicroSD card to use with your camera or handheld console, the Silver Plus is an easy recommendation.

What you need to know

• Shokz debuted a pair of earbuds early this week: the OpenFit Air2 and the OpenRun Air 2.
• The OpenFit Air 2 is the brand's latest open-ear model, featuring a lighter weight, smaller charging case, improved patented drivers and algorithm for strong audio.
• The OpenRun Air 2 is lighter than previous models with comfortable ear hooks and a neckband for stability.
• Shokz says consumers can find these earbuds on August 27, starting at $129.

If you've been eager to get running or working out, but dreading the lack of appropriate earbuds, Shokz has a dual launch that could help. The company has unveiled two products: the OpenFit Air 2 and OpenRun Air 2.

This morning (Aug 24), Shokz published a press release detailing the launch of the OpenFit Air 2 and the OpenRun Air 2. Each pair focuses on the brand's open-ear and bone conduction-style devices. To make working out comfortable, the OpenFit Air 2 is the company's "lightest OpenFit" product at 7.2g. What's more, Shokz says it's redesigned the charging case to make it ~10.5% smaller, while also making it lighter.

If you're out, Shokz highlights the OpenFit Air 2's eight-hour battery life. If you have the case, it can provide up to 36 hours of charge. However, if you're short on time, a quick 10-minute charge is said to provide up to three hours of listening.

The OpenFit Air 2 features Shokz's Bassphere driver and OpenBass 2.0 algorithm, which offer "more dynamic sound in a compact design." Technically speaking, Shokz's new buds feature a 30-degree angled speaker. Since this is an open-ear product, the OpenFit Air 2 will direct sound into your ear for a "natural listening experience." This works in tandem with DirectPitch tech to make sure your audio remains private to you, and there's no leakage.

Grabbing your phone, Shokz says consumers can download its app (Shokz App) to personalize your earbuds' sound with custom EQ profiles and four preset EQ modes. Sweat and water resistance help make the OpenFit Air 2 hold its own while you're exercising.

The OpenFit Air 2 starts at $129; available in black, white, and Ice Blue on August 27.

OpenRun Air 2

The OpenRun Air 2 is the company's latest bone conduction entry this year. Similar to the OpenFit Air 2, this product is 9% smaller, with a weight of 26.4g. Shokz highlights the Run's lighter and lower-profile approach compared to past versions. Of course, being a pair of bone conduction earbuds, the OpenRun Air 2 features unibody ear hooks and a neckband. Shokz says these should help facilitate better stability.

On the other hand, we have PremiumPitch 3.0 to help the OpenRun Air 2's bone conduction driver. According to the post, this upgraded driver is an "all-metal, dual-coil, dual-reed structure engineered to deliver richer bass, greater vocal detail, and a more balanced listening experience than OpenRun."

Consumers will receive 10 hours of listening on a full charge with the OpenRun Air 2. A quick five-minute charge in its case is said to deliver up to two hours of listening. If you're missing physical buttons, the OpenRun Air 2 provides a few. Shokz says these buttons offer "precise" listening control, alongside a microphone with AI-powered noise reduction software for calls. Users can also download the Shokz App for the OpenRun Air 2 for similar custom EQ profiles and modes like the OpenFit Air 2.

On August 27, consumers can find the OpenRun Air 2 for $129 in black and Ice Blue. Additionally, Shokz has made this product available in Standard and Mini sizes.

Cheap earbuds can sacrifice audio quality, which is why it truly pays to find discounts on products that we already know and love. As one example, Amazon is cutting 27% off the price of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE, representing a $70 price drop and bringing them down to just $80.

The Galaxy Buds 3 FE earbuds launched last August, bringing with them Galaxy AI features, voice commands, live translation, and a larger speaker than the previous iteration. We also loved the upgraded blade design when it was first leaked, along with the sleek two-tone look.

These Samsung earbuds will also sport a better active noise cancellation profile than pretty much anything else you can find around the $100 mark, as well as a solid battery life and charging speeds.

Basically, if you don't want to spend the extra money on Samsung or other brands' premium-level buds, these are a good way to go—especially if you can find a price drop like this one.

✅ Recommended if: you're looking for earbuds for around $100 that will still include ANC and decent-sounding audio quality; you like a sleek pair of earbuds that include a portable charging case and a long-lasting battery with or without ANC engaged; you like having hands-free features for voice commands and playback control.

❌ Skip this deal if: you're in the market for the best wireless earbuds available and would rather upgrade to the Buds 3 Pros, or at least something offering true high-resolution listening; you prefer a pair of earbuds without the silicone ear tips; you need a pair of buds that also includes wireless charging capabilities.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds FEs (or Fan Editions) offer a more affordable entry point for pricing than the Buds 3 Pros, while still featuring modern conveniences like a charging case, ANC backed by three onboard mics, spatial audio, and IP54 water and dust resistance.

Samsung says they'll get up to 24 hours of battery life with intermittent case charges, up to 6 hours with ANC toggled on, or up to 8.5 with the mode turned off. The Galaxy Buds 3 FE don't feature the highest resolution audio available on the market, but they still sound pretty good, especially in this price range.

CMF launched the Buds 2, 2 Plus, and 2a last year, and when I tested these earbuds, I said they're among the best budget buds around. Now, the Nothing sub-brand has an even more affordable option, the CMF Buds Neo.

The Buds Neo are now available in India, and they should make their way to other markets soon. They retail for just ₹1,999 ($20), and once again, CMF nailed the pricing. It's clear that the brand understands how the Indian market works, and by selling these at an aggressive price point, CMF will undoubtedly find plenty of takers.

As all other CMF products, the Buds Neo have a striking design, and they're sold in three colors: white, black, and dark blue. While the black is the most traditional model, the white and dark blue models have two-tone designs that look great; the white has orange accents, and the dark blue gets a teal highlight that contrasts the color really well. Having used all three colors, there's no question that the white model is the most distinctive.

The square case is on the smaller side, and it has a rotating dial, which I like to see in Nothing and CMF products. Build quality is great, and at no point did I get the feeling that I was using a pair of budget buds. More than anything else, it's this trait that makes the Buds Neo stand out; they don't look like budget earbuds at all.

What's particularly interesting is that these earbuds retain Active Noise Cancellation. They even get an adaptive option that changes the isolation based on your surroundings. In regular use, I found the Buds Neo to do a decent enough job tuning out the ambient sounds, including the sounds of my mechanical keyboard (MelGeek Centauri 80) and the hum of the air con. The buds did a decent job on a recent short-haul flight as well, but I'd suggest Buds Pro 2 if your main use case is traveling.

The Buds Neo have good ingress protection too; the buds have an IP54 rating, and the case itself is IPX2. They connect via Bluetooth 6.0, have Google Fast Pair, and I didn't see any issues with connectivity when using the buds with my Find X9 Ultra, Vivo X300 Ultra, and Pixel 11 Pro XL. You don't get any AptX codecs, with the buds limited to SBC and AAC — but that's understandable in this category.

There are no issues with battery life either. I got just over seven hours from a full charge, and the case holds enough power (465mAh) to charge the buds four times over, so you'll only realistically need to charge the case once a week even with heavy use. Oh, and fast charge gives you 5.5 hours of music playback with just a 10-minute charge, and this is definitely handy.

Let's talk about the sound. The Buds Neo have a 12.4mm dynamic driver, and the tonal signature is in line with the Buds 2. You get a warm sound with good detail and clean extension, with a rumbling low-end and natural vocals presentation. There's a mode to boost the bass if you're so inclined, and Nothing X has six EQ presets to tweak the sound profile.

Now, for a brand that says it doesn't like to do things the traditional way, CMF has three earbuds on sale at under ₹3,000 ($31). Why have three distinct products when one will do the job? I don't know, but it's clear that CMF wants to continually churn out budget earbuds.

Not that there's anything wrong with it — the Buds Neo are easily one of the best entry-level earbuds you can get at the moment. They have a stylish design, great sound, and build quality that's better than most products in this category. If you need budget earbuds that don't look or sound like they're built to cost, you should get the Buds Neo.

Choosing the best Google Pixel Watch 5 screen protectors isn't an easy job. It's easy enough to match your Pixel Watch 5 size variant to 41mm or 45mm screen protectors, but narrowing it down to one choice can be tough. There are so many decent options out there, after all. This is exactly why I have rounded up the best picks in terms of quality, price, performance, and durability, and gathered them here in one place. Enjoy your shopping, and don't forget to grab a sweet Pixel Watch 5 band or two afterward.

Have your pick of the best Pixel Watch 5 screen protectors

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Pick the right set of Pixel Watch 5 screen protectors

The best overall Google Pixel Watch 5 screen protector is the plant-based creation from ZAGG. The ZAGG Ultra Eco Smart Watch Screen Protector for the Google Pixel Watch 5 might be a bit pricey at $24.99, but it comes with a no-questions-asked lifetime replacement warranty. This will basically pay for itself over the years! Plus, you get a very high quality edge-to-edge impact and scratch-proof screen guard with ZAGG's own Self-Healing Nano-Memory Technology. You get an installation tray and cleaning kit in the box as well.

Bargain hunters will find that virtually every other pick that I have listed here is very affordable. If you want to split the difference between a budget buy and a branded pick, Ringke has a great two-pack for below $20. This includes two high-grade EPU films with self-repairing properties and an installation and alignment tool that simplifies the installation process.

For bottom-of-the-barrel deals, both EGV and AmorSuit have $10 kits with six units of TPU screen protectors for the Pixel Watch 5, available in both 41mm and 45mm variants. You can't go wrong with either, as both are very well-reputed names in the biz.

The memory shortage is showing no signs of stopping any time soon, but fear not: Amazon has apparently decided to drop a bunch of pretty incredible UGREEN NAS deals anyway. One notable example is this discount that drops 15% off the UGREEN DXP4800 Pro, a model that we called the 'best 4-bay NAS that you can buy in 2026'.

The NAS for home boasts the same design and features of the acclaimed DXP4800 Plus, but now you get the new 6-core Intel Core i3-1315U processor, improved hardware transcoding, and 8GB of DDR5 RAM (expandable up to 96GB). The finished product is a versatile storage system that delivers standout performance and plenty of privacy for your home, office, and beyond.

The best 4-bay NAS of 2026 is now $120 off at Amazon

In addition to the hardware upgrades described above, the DXP4800 Pro
comes with 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, dual M.2 slots, and several HDMI and USB ports. The metal chassis feels durable and built to last through whatever life can throw at it, while privacy features like Data Vault ensure that each file gets the exact amount of encryption that it needs.

One issue is that the DXP4800 Pro does use a bit more power than some NAS servers, and since we're talking about a device that's meant to run 24/7, it's worth considering the impact to your energy bill before you take the leap.

Aside from that, however, the DXP4800 Pro is a pretty perfect file management system, whether you're new to NAS storage or looking to upgrade your existing servers.

What you need to know

• Leaked images show a polished, Apple-like magnetic puck from Motorola.
• The images show a slim, MagSafe-style circular puck with a braided USB-C cable, metallic finish, and a purple accent ring.
• The accessory hints that native magnetic charging could expand across Motorola's mid-range and flagship lineup.

Android hardware makers have been slow to adopt magnetic wireless charging, allowing Apple’s MagSafe and Google’s Pixel lineup to dominate the market. But it seems Motorola wants to join the party. A leaked accessory dubbed the Moto Snap suggests the company could be preparing more phones for Qi2.

Images posted by leaker Evan Blass on X show a slim, round Motorola charging puck with a USB-C connector and braided cable. It looks very similar to Apple’s MagSafe charger, with what look like magnets to automatically align the phone with the charging coil.

Interestingly, Motorola has taken a rather unusual step with the Edge 70 Max, its first phone with built-in Qi2 magnets. The handset supports wireless charging up to 25W, with the magnets built directly into the phone, rather than requiring a special case.

Motorola says its phone can also get up to 12 hours of battery life from six minutes of wired charging with its 90W TurboPower setup.

The Moto Snap itself is much more portable. It’s a flat puck with a metallic finish, a Motorola logo, a braided cable, and what looks like a purple illuminated ring around the edge. It’s designed to be attached directly to the back of a compatible phone.

Of course Motorola has still not said anything. The charger may just be an accessory for the Edge 70 Max. But it makes more sense if Motorola plans to bring magnetic charging to more devices. That could be a big deal for Motorola, whose wider lineup still has plenty of phones without wireless charging in tow.

If the company begins adding native Qi2 magnets to more of its mid-range and flagship models, then magnetic charging could finally become the mainstream Android standard we’ve been promised for years.

What you need to know

• Google Home and Nest suffered a widespread outage, leaving devices unresponsive, routines broken, and Nest Hub screens stuck on white or loading screens.
• Multiple Nest devices were affected, including Nest Hubs, Nest Minis, Google Home speakers, and some third-party Assistant displays.
• Users reported widespread failures, including broken voice commands, slow responses, failed routines, and frozen screens.

Google Home and Nest users experienced a widespread outage that left some devices unresponsive, routines broken, and Nest Hub displays stuck on white or loading screens. It looked like the problem was on Google’s side, and it affected users in a number of regions.

The outage impacted Nest Hubs, Nest Minis, Google Home speakers, and some third-party displays that use the Assistant. Over at Reddit, users reported voice commands not working, slow responses, failed routines, and screens stuck on blank white or loading animations. That the same behavior occurred on multiple devices suggested a server problem as opposed to a spate of hardware failures.

That also explains why the usual troubleshooting playbook wasn’t working either. Some owners rebooted their devices and routers, while others went as far as performing factory resets. In many instances those steps made no difference. Some Nest Hub owners have reported that their devices remain stuck on a white or loading screen, even after a reset.

Android Central managing editor Derrek Lee experienced the problem firsthand shortly before going to bed. He said a voice command to turn off his TV failed initially, with Google Assistant responding that something had gone wrong and asking him to try again. When he repeated the command about a minute later, it took roughly 30 seconds for the TV to turn off instead of happening almost instantly.

The outage wasn’t a quick blip either. Downdetector showed complaints from the US and other countries rising rapidly overnight. The incident was making the rounds, and hundreds of reports were being logged. Furthermore, StatusGator logged a plethora of user-submitted reports, with some coming in just a few minutes ago, indicating a few users are still affected by the outage. That said, the service's status on the site shows everything is working fine.

Android Central has contacted Google for comment.

The incident revealed an awkward Achilles heel of cloud-dependent smart homes. Google’s servers power voice commands, device controls, and routines that can make working hardware appear to be broken when the backend goes down.

At the time, Google had not publicly explained in detail what had caused the problem. Some users later reported their devices were back online, but the outage posed a larger question: As Google moves Nest and Home toward more automation, how much of the smart home should be dependent on Google’s cloud being up?

The Pixel Watch 5 comes in 41mm and 45mm size variants. When choosing one or two of the best Google Pixel Watch 5 bands to go with your Pixel wearable, keep the size in mind. You wouldn't want to order a band that doesn't end up fitting your Pixel Watch 5.

Another cool fact is that every 41mm Pixel Watch, from the first to the Watch 5, can use the same bands. As for the 45mm Pixel Watch variants introduced from the Watch 5, all of them from then until the latest 45mm Pixel Watch 5 can also use the same bands. I have summarized the best Google Pixel Watch 5 bands for your perusal.

These comfy watch bands fit the Pixel Watch 5 well

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Get the right Pixel Watch 5 band to suit your use style

Accessorizing your Google Pixel Watch 5 entails knowing your preferences. The wearable comes with a basic Pixel Watch Active Band (2nd gen) in the box. While it is water resistant, it makes sense to invest in at least one more Pixel Watch 5 band to go with your lifestyle. If you're a very active individual, you might want to get a heavy-duty strap that is tear-resistant and airy. Getting a more formal band for special occasions and corporate events is also a good idea.

The Pixel Watch Performance Loop Band comes in a wide range of colors and you can choose from 41mm and 45mm variants. This lightweight woven band is freely adjustable and ideal for active wear. If you want something more durable or more affordable, Spigen has a number of fantastic Pixel Watch 5 bands, particularly the sporty Athlex Air and the heavy-duty Rugged Band.

Sleek metal bands like the first-party Pixel Watch Metal Links Band are easy on the eyes, but very harsh on your wallet. I am helplessly in love with this classy metal band, and it even comes with a sizing tool to help you remove extra links, but at $199.99, Google is asking too much. If you don't mind the steep cost of acquiring this stunning stainless steel band, it'll surely elevate the look of your Google Pixel Watch 5 in a marvelous way.

Google's small-sized duo shares a 6.3-inch 120Hz Actua OLED display with a peak brightness of 3000 nits. So while the Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro may not be able to share cases, the best Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro screen protectors are one and the same.

Tempered glass provides the best shatter-proofing, whereas TPU and PET films provide better scratch resistance and touch response as they are thinner than glass. Some plastic screen guards can self-repair minor abrasions by design. Regardless of your preference, I have gathered all your top options right here.

These screen protectors thwart colossal screen damage to your Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro

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Reinforce that stunning 6.3-inch OLED on your Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro

Unless you purchase Pixel Care+ when buying your Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro, screen repairs are going to cost you splendid amounts of cash. A split second slip could cause major damage to your phone's screen without any protective measures. That is exactly why a sturdy, reliable screen protector is an absolute must, with or without a phone case to go with it.

Tempered glass provides the best shatter-proofing, which is why the high quality Spigen GlasTR EZ FIT Pro Screen Protector is a great fit for the Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro. I have used this AluminaCore glass screen protector on my Pixel 10 Pro for a year now, and it's still looking fantastic. Touch response is as smooth as butter, phone cases go on with ease, and the installation process is so quick and easy. That $20 price tag is a neat deal, too, delivering plenty of value for money. I also suggest getting the camera lens guard from Spigen, though you need to make sure you buy the model specific variant for your Pixel 11 or 11 Pro.

If you prefer something a lot more premium, ZAGG has got you covered. Spending $60 on the XTR5 for the Pixel 11 and 11 Pro gets you a lifetime replacement warranty to go with the high-end screen protector. Not only is it 11 times as durable as conventional glass protectors, but it also filters harmful blue light emissions from your phone's display, maximizing eye friendliness.

All the best Google Pixel 11 Pro XL screen protectors prevent your mighty expensive Google flagship from cracking from drops and bumps. Even the smallest of scrapes or nicks can be a problem, as it might impair water-proofing. Why take the chance? Just install one of the finest screen guards as soon as your Pixel 11 Pro XL arrives and you will be golden.

Grab one of these solid Pixel 11 Pro XL screen protectors

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Focus on screen protectors that work with your style, with a case on or without one

Most folks probably prefer to rock their Pixel 11 Pro XL with a case on. Whether you do or don't, your screen protector needs to take that into account. Forgoing one is risky, so bear in mind that adding a screen guard won't protect the body of your Google phone.

The Spigen GlasTR EZ FIT Pro Screen Protector for the Pixel 11 Pro XL is affordably priced, costing you $19.99 for two pieces of reliable tempered glass screen protectors. I have tried and tested this screen guard on my last-gen Pixel and am still satisfied by its quality and longevity. This kit also comes with a handy alignment tool, as well as all the cleaning tools you could need for the tidiest self-installation process you can achieve at home.

Spigen offers case-friendly screen protectors, as does virtually every other screen guard brand. Dbrand does something neat, letting buyers choose between case-friendly and non-case-friendly variants of its scratch resistant Prism 2.0 Screen Protector. If you're an adventurous person who doesn't usually use a phone cover, it's a good idea to get the case-less variant of Dbrand's screen protector. It comes with the brand's easy-install frame that only takes two steps to use, so the two-pack is a worthwhile purchase.

Screen protectors are incredibly helpful. They offer a second life to your phone. Now a foldable like the Pixel 11 Pro Fold has two screens, so that means there's twice as much potential damage that could be dealt. Thus, the best Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold screen protectors play a crucial role in protecting and preserving both the folding and non-folding displays of your precious new Google device. Here are your best options, be it for the inside, the outside, or both screens.

Don't leave the house without the most durable Pixel 11 Pro Fold screen protector installed

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Prioritize the most vulnerable elements of your Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold

The Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold has two screens: a 6.5-inch 120Hz Super Actua OLED on the outside and an 8-inch 120Hz Super Actua Flex OLED on the inside. Obviously, this being a foldable and all, the internal screen folds in half, so you can't use tempered glass inside.

In fact, Google does not recommend you to remove the factory-installed screen protector from the folding screen, so you're good to go if you only invest in the best Pixel 11 Pro Fold screen protectors for the outer screen. I have included a screen protector kit that includes internal protection, just in case you want to keep one at bay for emergencies.

With that being said, let's dive into the best screen protector for your Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold. Spigen is the most reasonably priced name brand. It isn't the weight of Spigen's brand image, but the reliable quality that I have been able to depend on through the years. The GlasTR EZ FIT screen protector that I installed on my Pixel 10 Pro a year ago is still intact, unscathed and valiantly deflecting damage. You surely can't go wrong with the $20 two-pack of the same screen protector for your Pixel 11 Pro Fold. And if you want to add camera lens protection, Spigen has one of those too!

And if you're not planning on using your Google foldable with any of the best Pixel 11 Pro Fold cases, be sure to get the Dbrand Prism 2.0 screen protector two-pack for maximum coverage. It's not a smart idea, but a screen guard can make it a little less risky.

Fortuitously, the best Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold cases are a diverse bunch. Compared to the initial Pixel Fold, the variety and number of phone cases available for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold are greatly improved. This is great news, for this means there's healthy competition in the market. You get to choose from a wide range of prices and all manner of functions and qualities. Here are the best Pixel 11 Pro Fold available to you right now.

The assortment of Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold cases is wider and better than ever before

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Picking a case for the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold is not easy task

Usually, a foldable like the Pixel 11 Pro Fold has a handful of phone cases to go with it. Things are different this time around as the case selection is wider than ever before. This makes the business of choosing one of the best Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold cases a bit more convoluted, as one might feel confused about which case to buy. Let me make things easier for you.

An average user who doesn't require much impact absorption will be very happy with the official Google Pixelsnap Case for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. It's light, thin enough, and not too bulky. Since it's made by Google, you are guaranteed a perfect fit and seamless support for Pixelsnap accessories such as wireless chargers and magnetic stands. You can always add on extras like a Pixelsnap kickstand later on, should you desire more functionality from your phone case.

And if price is the only concern with the first-party case, you can get the cheaper Mous dupe while still getting the same features, including color options that match the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's colorways. There are even cheaper options available too, such as the $22 clear case from FNTCASE that has a magnetic ring on the back and offers basic scratch and drop protection.

Your search for the best Google Pixel 11 Pro XL cases begins and ends here. The largest, fastest charging, and most long-lasting of the Pixel 11 series, the Pixel 11 Pro XL offers generous screen real estate with its 6.8-inch Super Actua OLED display. A bigger phone definitely means you have more grounds to cover in terms of scratch and drop resistance. You should also look for added grip, as a bigger, heavier phone is more likely to fall accidentally. All of my top picks have this covered, and more, so take your time and browse through this guide.

Cases fit for the mighty Pixel 11 Pro XL

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You have options on options on options when buying a Pixel 11 Pro XL case

No matter your style preference or budget range, there's a handsome Google Pixel 11 Pro XL case available out there. Instead of spending hours trying to find the perfect match for yourself, just read through this buying guide that I've put together for you. I test cases for a living, and have gone through everything available to narrow it down to only the very best options here.

Generally speaking, most people will be very happy with the Google Pixelsnap Case for the Pixel 11 Pro XL. It fits like a glove, it has Pixelsnap support, it adds scratch and drop resistance, it has a soft lining inside, and it matches all the colorways of the Pixel 11 Pro XL. If you score a neat pre-order deal, you can save up to $600, so the hefty price tag of the official case won't hurt either.

Now for those on the hunt for more than a basic first-party option, there's no shortage of options. Depending on how much money you'd like to spend, what level of drop protection you want, and whether you want extras like a stand, I have rounded up the best Pixel 11 Pro XL cases in every category. If you can go all out, the Mous Marine Limitless Phone Case for Pixel 11 Pro XL is a robust drop-proof case in a very sleek form factor. Poetic offers an affordable version of this in a clear case too, so if that's more accessible, you should check out the Poetic Guardian case for the Pixel 11 Pro XL.

Google has lifted the veil on the Pixel 11 series, and it's a fun color story across the board. The bad news is that although the base and Pro models share dimensions, measuring 6.0 in (height) x 2.8 in (width) x 0.3 in (depth), the different camera bar depths make it almost impossible to share phone cases across models. Thus, the best Google Pixel 11 cases and the best Google Pixel 11 Pro cases are not the same, as we had first expected.

You'll notice that some case makers have made one Pixel 11 and 11 Pro case, instead of two separate models. This is because the material and design of certain malleable cases can comfortably fit both phones. Don't worry about whether or not a case will fit your Pixel 11 or Pixel 11 Pro, though, for I have listed model-specific options for you right here, sorted in two sections neatly for your ease. There's a little something for every kind of user and every budget, so go ham on these awesome cases!

Dress up your Pixel 11 in a sleek, sturdy number

And now, the best Pixel 11 Pro cases for those who went for the Pro model

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The Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro case drip is too good

Hats off to the first and third-party case makers for the Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro, because the sheer variety of cases available is phenomenal. There are hundreds more where these came from, but I have selected only the best pick of the crop, especially considering the small nature of the two Pixel 11 models. I picked the same options for both Pixel 11 models, because apart from the camera depth, the two Pixels measure the same, so you will have the exact same experience on both models. Plus, there are quite a few cross-compatible options too.

No matter your budget or your priority, there's an excellent Pixel 11 case for you on this list. Whether you want a clear magnetic case or something made of high-grade leather, I've got you covered.

If you don't know how to choose the right Pixel 11 case, think of your budget, whether you want the case to be heavy or light, and if you need extras like a stand or ring. The best overall Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro case is easily Google's own Pixelsnap Case, as it matches the Pixel 11 colorways perfectly, is made of recycled plastic, has a soft lining inside, and has Pixelsnap support. Not to mention, Google promises everyday drop and scratch resistance. It's good enough for any Pixel 11 or 11 Pro owner.

There are plenty of epic alternatives if you don't want to go with a first-party pick, including both tough cases and slim cases. Sift through the categories and find the right pick for your needs from the picks I've listed in this guide. Happy hunting!

What you need to know

• The Pixel Buds Pro 2 now actively adjust noise cancellation in real time to counteract subtle shifts or seal slips during movement.
• Audio settings like EQ adjustments (such as boosting bass) can now be toggled on demand using simple voice commands.
• Tapping an earbud activates near real-time listening for over 70 languages, while your connected Pixel phone can broadcast your spoken response back in the target language.

Google’s new earbuds are leaving hardware updates behind in favor of smarter software tricks. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Buds 2a, which debuted today alongside the Pixel 11 series, are receiving a set of hands-free features to make the earbuds much more adaptable for daily use starting this fall.

The big upgrade is Dynamic ANC, which addresses a surprisingly common issue with earbuds: your fit can change while you’re wearing them. The first-generation Pixel Buds Pro used the standard Silent Seal tech for active noise canceling.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 can now handle slight changes to the seal to keep noise cancelation stronger. That sounds like a useful extension of the Pro 2's existing ANC system, which Google says already cancels up to twice as much noise as the original Pixel Buds Pro.

Google is bringing Gemini closer to the controls, too. You can use your voice to change settings, like telling Google to turn up the bass without having to grab your phone.

Sleep tracking is getting a Pixel ecosystem boost. A Pixel Watch can detect when you’ve gone to sleep and pause playback, turn off touch controls, and mute notifications.

Live Translate is another major leap forward. Pressing the Buds switches you to listening mode so you can get the gist of more than 70 languages in near real time without handling your phone. You can also speak normally and have your Pixel phone say the translated response to the other person.

The hardware is still familiar. The Pro 2 is 27% smaller and 24% lighter than the original Pixel Buds Pro, and it comes with Google’s Tensor A1 chip and a redesigned fit.

Additionally, there's a new Olive finish. Orders will open August 12, with software features rolling out starting in September.

What you need to know

• The Pixel Tag debuts alongside the Pixel 11 series as Google’s first in-house Bluetooth tracker.
• The thin, oval-shaped Pixel Tag weighs just 11.8g and carries an IP67 rating, but it lacks a built-in keyring hole.
• Google taps its network of more than 1 billion Android devices to help locate lost items beyond Bluetooth range.
• UWB and Bluetooth Channel Sounding provide distance and directional guidance, with UWB working up to 50 meters from the paired phone.

Google is finally stepping into the Bluetooth tracker race. The search giant has unveiled the Pixel Tag along with its Pixel 11 series at today’s Made by Google event.

The Pixel Tag combines the Find Hub network with Ultra Wideband and Bluetooth Channel Sounding. It’s a departure from the circular disk design of its competitors and takes a thin oval pebble-like shape in a color simply called "Fog." It weighs roughly 0.4 ounces and has an IP67 water and dust resistance rating.

However, there’s one very major design choice that could split opinions: there’s no dedicated keyring hole. Like the AirTag, you’ll need to purchase a separate case to attach it to your keys.

Software-wise, the Pixel Tag is tightly integrated with Google’s Find Hub network. It’s basically a more advanced Find My Device system that leverages a network of over a billion Android devices to create a crowdsourcing location network. It employs Fast Pair for quick setup.

The basics are familiar if you’ve been using a Bluetooth tracker. Attach the Pixel Tag to your keys, wallet, or luggage, then use the Find Hub app to find it on a map or trigger the built-in speaker to sound.

Google also lets you share a tag with up to 10 people, which could come in handy for shared keys, bags, or other household items. Setup is handled through Android’s Fast Pair and works with phones running Android 9 or newer.

Compatible Android phones can use Ultra Wideband and Bluetooth Channel Sounding for precision finding, providing distance and directional cues instead of making you wander around while listening for a beep. Channel Sounding requires Android 16 and Bluetooth 6.0, while UWB precision finding requires a compatible UWB-enabled Android device and works up to 50 meters away from the paired phone.

But what really makes the Pixel Tag stand out is the built-in button that lets you ring your phone in reverse. You don’t get that on the AirTag.

The Pixel Tag measures 28 x 46.1 x 5.4mm, weighs 11.8g with its battery, carries an IP67 rating, and uses a replaceable CR2032 cell rated for more than a year.

Google will sell the Pixel Tag for $29, or four for $99, starting November 11. It works with Pixel Watch and Pixel Buds, so Google’s greater device ecosystem can help you locate your stuff.

What you need to know

• Samsung announced that its Hearing Aid feature for the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and 4 Pro has been FDA-cleared.
• It states this will work alongside its Hearing Test, which lets users use "clinical-grade, pure-tone audiometry" to test their hearing and see clear results.
• Samsung says Hearing Test and Hearing Aid will arrive on the Buds 3 Pro and 4 Pro in the U.S. and other approved markets in Q4 2026.

Samsung announces that a major accessibility feature for its Galaxy Buds has cleared a key governmental hurdle.

The company announced this morning (Aug 11) that its Hearing Aid feature for the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and 4 Pro has been FDA-cleared. Samsung says this enables the previously mentioned devices "to serve as an over-the-counter hearing aid for adults (18 or older) with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss."

For users, this means you'll have access to the Galaxy Buds' Hearing Test, alongside this Hearing Aid feature. Hearing Test is self-administered from the Galaxy Buds menu in your Settings. Samsung says it uses "clinical-grade, pure-tone audiometry" to test your hearing in each ear. Hearing Test is also said to highlight any "hearing deficits." Your Galaxy Buds will generate an "audiogram" that Samsung says mirrors what you'd receive from a professional test.

Once completed, your test will categorize your results in one of the following categories: mild, moderate, severe, or profound.

Your Galaxy Buds will then use your Hearing Test results to fine-tune its Hearing Aid feature. It might boost "high frequencies, surrounding whispers, or distant voices." The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and 4 Pro benefit from familiar true hearing aid features, such as "noise elimination and beamforming." Hearing Test and the Hearing Aid feature for the Buds 3 Pro and 4 Pro will arrive on Galaxy devices in Q4 2026 in the U.S. and other approved markets.

Hear the world around you

Samsung has continued to focus on the user's hearing health ever since its huge Health app update in June. In the spirit of being proactive, Samsung announced Hearing Health. It will leverage your Galaxy Watch, phone, and Buds to monitor the noise level around you. If loud noises are a constant, your Galaxy Watch would let you know and urge you to make changes. The idea is to help users better preserve their hearing for the long term.

This capability was announced for the revamped app, which includes a lot of new health features for current and upcoming Galaxy devices. For example, the Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 feature this new Hearing Health feature right out of the box. Samsung reiterates that users can keep tabs on their Hearing Health from the Health app, and now these new features are on the way for the Galaxy Buds to take things further.

Android Central's Take

Preserving your hearing is incredibly important. It's one of those things that if you lose it, it's hard to get back. This is even more important, given that we love earbuds. It's easy to pop those in and start listening while working, reading, or walking. But we've got to be conscious about our noise level. You never want those earbuds too loud. That's something we all learned when we were kids, right?

So, you need a pair of ANC earbuds. Recommendations usually start with the pairs that match your smartphone: AirPods, Pixel Buds, Galaxy Buds, OnePlus Buds, or Moto Buds. If you opt for a pair of ANC earbuds from a trusted audio brand instead, you're likely choosing between Sony and Bose. I've used both the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) for months, and they're the best of the best when it comes to active noise-cancellation power.

But there can only be one best. So, I decided to take the flagship Sony and Bose earbuds to three noisy places to see how each one cancels out unwanted sound. This isn't a lab test or a benchmark — it's a real-world showdown that reflects how the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) perform in everyday scenarios. While it was close, there was one pair of ANC earbuds I consistently preferred for its ANC power.

How the specs compare

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) use eight onboard microphones — four per earbud — to cancel out sound. Bose is using new AI-powered algorithms for active noise cancellation, but we don't know the specifics. The Sony WF-1000XM6 also has eight microphones split evenly between the two earbuds. Sony uses a custom QN3e processor for noise cancelation, and it's said to be 3x faster than its predecessor.

For this test, I took the Bose and Sony earbuds to loud places and tested their ANC performance. I placed the earbuds in my ears and listened for active noise cancellation without any music playing. Then, I raised the volume to a modest 50% and started playing music to see how environmental noise is perceived at a comfortable listening level.

This test is purely gauging the earbuds' ANC chops. It ignores sound quality, battery life, call quality, and other features, but every detail is covered in our full reviews of the Sony WF-1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2).

I wore Sony and Bose earbuds in a noisy coffee shop

The first place I took the Sony and Bose earbuds to was my local coffee shop. I'm regularly working from a cafe, and it's a great environment. Good vibes, superb lattes, and free Wi-Fi. The one problem every digital nomad has run into is the noise. Loud espresso machines, constant chatter, and noisy foot traffic can quickly lead to distractions. The obvious solution to this issue is a pair of ANC earbuds, and that's why I brought the WF-1000XM6 and the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) along with me.

Active noise cancellation works best with consistent noise, which is why environments like a coffee shop can trip up ANC earbuds. Sudden bursts of loud conversation or intermittent machinery can pierce the ANC barrier. When I wore the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) without music playing, most background noise and the radio music turned to silence. However, I could still hear laughter, the espresso machine screeching, and chairs sliding around.

I then switched to the WF-1000XM6, but Sony's earbuds struggled to cancel out the mid-frequency environmental noise. Without music playing through my earbuds, I could still hear the music from the overhead radio speakers and make out nearby conversations. Interestingly, the high-pitched sounds that broke through Bose's ANC bubble were suppressed by the Sony earbuds.

Starting to play music through each pair of earbuds at 50% volume made their flaws virtually indistinguishable. With music playing, the Sony WF-1000XM6 blocked out nearly all audible background noise. The same was mostly true of the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2), except for lighter tracks with strong vocals and minimal production.

In this test, I preferred the ANC power of the Bose earbuds. I really didn't like that the Sony earbuds did little to block out the chatter and background music in the coffee shop, which can be distracting.

I wore Sony and Bose earbuds under a rumbling AC unit

Your air conditioning unit might be producing the loudest sound in your home. I live in the Arizona desert, so my AC is running almost nonstop this time of year. Using a sound measurement tool, I recorded my AC's noise level to be 60 decibels. That's quite loud, so I sat right underneath my air conditioner and put the Bose and Sony earbuds in my ears. These low-frequency hums and rumbles coming from your AC unit pose a challenge for even the best ANC earbuds.

Both earbuds nearly canceled out the AC unit's loud noise, but the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) did a better job. While the Sony WF-1000XM6 made the noise less irritating, it was still there. The Bose earbuds, by comparison, made the AC unit sound silent — even without music playing. After choosing a song and setting the volume at 50%, neither pair of earbuds had a problem blocking out the annoying rumble of my air conditioner.

In this test, the win goes to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2). Based on the results of the first two tests, it seems like the Sony WF-1000XM6 isn't quite as good at negating low- and mid-frequency sounds.

I wore Sony and Bose earbuds throughout a crowded shopping mall

For the final test, I took the Bose and Sony earbuds to the loudest place I could think of: a crowded shopping mall on a Friday night. I walked through a supermarket, a food court, and the concourse to get a feel for how each pair of earbuds responded to the noisy environments. Unlike the first two tests, which relied heavily on low- and mid-frequency background noise, the most challenging sounds to cancel out here were in the high-frequency range.

Sony's WF-1000XM6 earbuds actually did a better job blocking out the conversations and chatter around me in the wall, and I have a hunch as to why. There was so much talking going on that all the voices blended together into a kind of white noise the Sony buds easily canceled out. This could be why the WF-1000XM6 stopped voices in their tracks here, but didn't perform as well in the less-crowded coffee shop.

In the food court, the Sony earbuds' ability to block out higher-end sounds shined. The sizzle of frying pans and the clanking of utensils were mitigated by the WF-1000XM6, whereas they were much easier to hear through the Bose earbuds. Even at 50% volume, I could still hear some of those high-pitched noises while wearing the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2).

The two pairs of earbuds didn't stand a chance at canceling out the infrequent PA announcements in the food court, but this isn't surprising. Overall, the Sony earbuds won in the mall. The chatter all blending together, paired with the high-pitched nuisance sounds, gave the WF-1000XM6 the perfect environment to put its ANC strengths on display.

Verdict

Looking back on my week of ANC testing both the Bose and Sony earbuds, the winner on paper seems clear. More often than not, the Bose earbuds canceled out noise better than the Sony earbuds. Still, I'm not ready to write off the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds. I actually enjoyed wearing them for active noise cancellation more than the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2), because the Sony earbuds are decidedly more comfortable.

They're smaller, and don't make as tight of a seal in your ear as the Bose earbuds. Perceived ANC power has as much to do with passive sound isolation as it does active algorithmic cancellation. The very reason the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) performed well might also be the reason I wanted to pull them out of my ears during longer listening sessions. While I found the Bose earbuds canceled out more noise on most tests, I'd reach for the Sony earbuds for their comfort anyway.

As I leaned over the railing, heart pounding and hands shaking, I questioned how I ended up here. A flagship $699 phone in hand, ready to be hurled to its death. Let me explain.

I'm big on phone cases and test them for a living. One of the most common business tactics employed by case makers is to advertise their drop protection. Buzzwords like "impact absorption," "heavy-duty," and even "military grade" are thrown around all the time.

Do they actually mean anything? And what even is military grade? I decided to use my Pixel 8 as the sacrificial lamb and put four incredibly well-known and reputable brands to the test.

I wanted to bump these cases around and fling them from the heights the brands claim they can survive, going as far as driving over the toughest case that I found.

The four cases I chose for this drop test are the Poetic Revolution, Dbrand Grip Case, Quad Lock MAG Case, and BURGA Tough Case. These cases range from mid-range to expensive pricing.

Poetic guarantees 20ft military-grade drop protection and full-body rugged defenses.

BURGA promises reliable, everyday protection against drops, bumps, and daily wear, which I'd say should be your average accidental phone drops from your hands.

Quad Lock promises the same everyday protection from its MAG Case.

Lastly, Dbrand assures us that the Grip Case has military-grade impact resistance, but provides no exact figures in terms of drop or impact resistance.

A tumble and roll in the sack to check scratch resistance

To start off, I grabbed a few heavy objects, random things like my power bank and keys, and chucked them in a bag along with the Pixel 8. I shook the bag like it owed me money and repeated the process with each case.

I won't lie, I was a little nervous about the pointy keys and power bank as they are pretty solid metal objects and I usually keep them in separate compartments of my bag to be safe. I was happy to learn that the scratch-proof claims are accurate, but obviously only the back of the phone is protected. Poetic was the only exception to this rule, as it comes with a built-in screen guard. I had a screen protector on, so there were no scratches on the screen with any of the other cases either.

In fact, the only trouble I had during this part of the test was taking off the darn tough cases. Poetic gave me the most trouble, and I ended up cracking a nail taking it off.

The real test — dropped face first onto tiled floors

Finally, the fun part arrived. I decided to drop the tough cases offering everyday protection from 5ft onto hard tiled floors. This is actually more than the typical "military standard" of drop protection.

Expert case maker SUPCASE detailed this standard, where "the phone case undergoes 26 drops from a height of 4 feet onto a plywood surface laid over a concrete base with a steel backing" to qualify.

Each one of the four cases survived unscathed, so for the next test, I moved on to the toughest contender: Poetic.

Unlike BURGA, Dbrand, and Quad Lock, Poetic takes things a lot further and promises heavy-duty 20ft drop resistance, which is about two floors of an average building.

With a mighty heave-ho, I hurled the Pixel 8 in the Poetic Revolution case from the second floor of my parents' house.

The built-in screen guard stayed glued to the top of the phone even after such a terrible drop, but the case itself came off from the impact. However, the Pixel 8 still worked perfectly afterward, with not even a scratch or crack to be found.

The only damage was a barely discernible dent in the camera bar in the front, but it did not interfere in the functional operation. The aesthetics of the phone were largely intact too.

Unbelievably, the phone was still working. The camera lenses didn't shatter. I could still take pictures and make calls.

I decided to test just how impregnable the Poetic Revolution phone case really is and maybe took things too far with the final challenge.

I drove over the Poetic Revolution heavy-duty phone case with a car

And for my last trick, I decided to literally run the Poetic Revolution case over with a car.

My heart was in my mouth as I watched my dad drive over the phone in his MPV that seats seven. I was hesitant before chucking the phone off the second floor, but this was even more frightening.

Once the deed was done, I picked up the phone and...

Hallelujah! The phone was still working! The touchscreen responded as it should, I took a few pictures, sent a voice note on WhatsApp, and watched some YouTube videos.

Sure, the phone was a little dusty, but I washed off the dirt. Everything was as it should be — until I took the case off and checked the backside of the Pixel.

It hurt to see the bottom part of the glass back with spiderweb-like cracks spreading up. Clearly, the Poetic Revolution case has its limits. One must not drive over it with a car, but that's on me. Poetic never said you could.

I am still impressed that this was after multiple back-to-back drop tests, that too in the searing hot 45°C (or 113°F) Arabian summer. I can still use the Pixel 8 to do everything it needs to do. I even washed it with water, though I do not recommend you to do that with a cracked glass back.

It charges fine, the screen works, the cameras are functional, the mic records properly, and the speakers sound as they should. The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules are operating normally too.

All my ruthless drop testing proved that a good case can save your phone from disaster. The bottom line is, always get a good quality phone case. Those drop protection numbers clearly are not marketing slop. Just make sure it's a reliable brand like Poetic, not some off brand knockoff, so you can trust that the brand actually drop tested their case.

As I write this, I have 78 devices connected to my home network, including phones, tablets, Windows machines, Android TVs, way too many Govee lights, and other smart home tech. The most important device, however, is my network-attached storage (NAS) system; it houses all my data, acts as my media and music server, and essentially runs my smart home.

So when it comes to selecting a new NAS, I'm exacting in my needs. I'm still using the 100TB home server I set up two years ago with the DiskStation DS1823xs+, but I wanted a new NAS solely as a media server, and there was an obvious choice: UGREEN's DXP4800 Pro.

I tested the DXP4800 Pro when it came out, and it became clear to me that it is a powerful Plex NAS. After the review, I slotted in two 24TB Seagate Exos X24 along with two 22TB IronWolf Pro NAS HDDs, and began transferring media and installing all the utilities and services I rely on every day.

How I tested the DXP4800 Pro

After three and a half months of extensive testing — totaling well over 2,500 hours of use — streaming 4K Plex content on well over a dozen devices, and writing 54TB of data to the drives, I can state with confidence that the DXP4800 Pro is the best all-round media server you can buy in 2026. I'll go into plenty of detail about how I tested the NAS over the last three months, but before I get started, here's a high-level overview of the hardware.

The DXP4800 Pro is a 4-bay NAS with the best internals in its class. It's powered by an Intel Core i3-1315U and has hardware transcoding (ideal for Plex and Jellyfin), 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity and a 2.5 Gigabit connection, 8GB of memory, a 128GB built-in SSD, and two NVMe M.2 SSD slots. The Intel Core i3-1315U platform is a solid choice for NAS servers, and it's no surprise that most manufacturers are using it in their enthusiast models. The DXP4800 Pro is available for $719 on Amazon, and you can also buy it on UGREEN's site.

Putting the DXP4800 Pro through its paces

I started testing the DXP4800 Pro by installing UGOS Pro, UGREEN's web-based software. It has come a long way in the last 12 months and is now at a point where you don’t feel like you’re missing out on any of the basics. After installation, I created a storage pool with the four drives; I recommend using a mirrored configuration if you’re looking to set up a NAS, as that way you’ll maintain data integrity should a drive fail. As I had this data in at least two other locations (I’m obsessive about storage), I just went with JBOD.

Then came setting up all the services I use, and this constituted the bulk of the testing. I installed Plex and Jellyfin to manage media, an instance of Roon to manage my music library, Immich to handle photos, and Tailscale to access the NAS remotely. While Jellyfin and Home Assistant are listed in UGREEN’s app store, they’re installed as containers anyway, so I just relied on Docker to install everything. It’s easier to manage, and I get better insights into how much system resources each service is using.

I prefer installing utilities like Plex and Jellyfin via Docker. I find these instances more stable, and I get the flexibility to make any configuration changes I need. On that note, the 8GB of pre-installed memory makes a big difference. Even with eight services running 24/7 within containers, I had 3.2GB of usable RAM left, with enough headroom to run a VM by allocating 2GB of memory.

That said, I subsequently installed a 16GB DRAM module, boosting the memory to 24GB and giving me much better headroom to work with VMs and other containers. Even if you don't want to go this route, know that the built-in 8GB of memory is more than adequate for most homelab hobby projects.

I took ten days to move the data to the DXP4800 Pro, transferring over 54TB in that time. I was conservative in this regard, as I didn’t want to transfer the entire dataset in one go, and I used rsync to move each category — photos, music, documents, and media — individually. A big chunk of that was my music production library that includes VST instruments and their associated media.

I connected the DS1823xs+ to the DXP4800 Pro using a 10GbE switch to take full advantage of the 10GbE connectivity available on both servers, and I was able to saturate the NAS HDDs' bandwidth quite easily. I got close to the 280MB/s maximum bandwidth of the Exos X24 and IronWolf Pro drives, and I saw aggregate transfers hit as high as 580MB/s — both NAS systems could easily handle six times that bandwidth, so this wasn't a problem at all. This was while moving bigger files; images and documents generally transferred at a much more modest average of around 120MB/s.

Thermal management can become an issue with sustained file transfers, and thankfully, it didn’t prove to be a problem on the DXP4800 Pro. The 140mm fan was effective at moving heat away from the internals, and the drives didn’t exceed 48 degrees Celsius.

What I like about Seagate's NAS HDDs is that they’re designed to run 24/7, and they come with unique features like vibration resistance, which is necessary in a NAS system.

But more than anything else, it’s long-term reliability that matters. While the drives I used in the DXP4800 Pro have now clocked just under 3,000 hours (I still count that as almost new), I've had several IronWolf Pro HDDs in the last decade that have clocked over 50,000 hours of usage, and I haven’t run into any issues with any of these drives yet (thankfully).

After the data transfer came the real test: media streaming. I used Plex predominantly, and the DXP4800 Pro delivered three high-bitrate 4K transcodes simultaneously, which is no small feat. Hardware-assisted transcoding via the built-in Intel Quick Sync platform is limited to Plex Pass users, and if you have older client devices like an early-gen iPad, this feature will come in handy.

However, most newer devices have the requisite media containers and codecs to play media files, so you don't actually need to transcode content most of the time — outside of testing how the NAS holds up in this area, I only had to rely on direct play. That said, if your video is encoded using H.265 and you have a TV or streamer that can't handle the codec, it will need to be transcoded to H.264 to play on the client device, and all of this is done automatically.

The verdict is clear

After playing dozens of hours of footage via Plex and Jellyfin over the last three months, it became clear that the DXP4800 Pro is the best 4-bay Plex NAS.

I did notice higher-than-usual power draw in general, with the NAS idling at 24—28W, going up to 60W when the drives are in use, and exceeding 85W under load. There is plenty of headroom, though, given that you get a 150W power brick, so this is not a problem as such. Averaged over three months, the power usage was well within the limits of a powerful 4-bay server, so I didn't worry about it too much.

Overall, the DXP4800 Pro is without a doubt one of the best 4-bay NAS servers around. The combination of powerful hardware and UGREEN's sensible software choices gives it a leg up over its rivals, and after extensive testing, it has consistently proven to be reliable, which is what I look for the most in a media server.

A more in-depth explanation about the incompatibility of older cases with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

When you hold the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and the last-gen Galaxy Z Fold 7 in your hand, or look at pictures of them next to each other, it is very reasonable to think they could share cases. After all, their dimensions are nearly identical, even on paper.

Here's a comparison of the measurements of the two large-form foldable devices.

Looking at the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, the numbers hint at potential backward compatibility of cases. After all, the measurements match almost perfectly.

When folded, both the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Z Fold 8 Ultra measure 158.4 x 72.8 x 8.9 mm, and when unfolded, they're almost identical too, 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.2mm and 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.1 mm. Even their displays have the same sizes, 8 inches internally and 6.5 inches externally.

So what gives? Why can't you use the phone cases for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 on the Z Fold 8 Ultra? Well, if you can't tell from the pictures, the raised unit housing the camera lenses does not match, differing in sizing and placement.

The second difference hindering backward compatibility of cases between the two Z Fold models is the hinge. Because of these two small but important discrepancies between the two Z Fold devices, you cannot use cases for either foldable on the other.

It's hard to say whether these were functional design changes, or alterations that were made to warrant purchasing new phone cases so Samsung could make more money. Regardless, if you've taken advantage of the excellent Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra preorder deals and are waiting for your new foldable, be sure to check out the best Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra cases to go with it too.

What you need to know

• An alleged rendering of an oblong "Google Pixel Tag" has surfaced, showing a tracker in all white with a "loud speaker."
• Rumors claim there isn't a place to mount the tracker, meaning consumers will have to slip it into their bags or wallets.
• There's still a lot that's unknown about the tracker; however, there's speculation that Google could debut it at its Pixel 11 reveal event in August.

A rumor taking us into the weekend suggests Google is working on a tracker to finally enter competition with some big-name brands.

A render of the alleged "Google Pixel Tag" was posted by 9to5Google, who state the name has started circulating across various online sources. According to the publication, the Pixel Tag could feature an oblong shape (rounded corners, not quite like a football), and Google's classic "G" icon in the center. What's more, the post claims there aren't any "mounting mechanisms" on the tag.

This gives the impression that consumers would pop this into their bag and go. One of the sources where the Pixel Tag has leaked is a Slovenian retailer. The folks at 9to5 snagged the tag's alleged description, which says the Pixel Tag is a "smart tracker that helps you quickly and reliably locate your lost items." As you might expect, this would work over the Find My Device (Find Hub) network.

The tag's description highlights items we're used to attaching smart trackers to: wallets, keys, and luggage. What's more, the Pixel Tag will reportedly feature a "loud speaker" to help users quickly pinpoint its location.

A Pixel tracker

One of the immediate comparisons we can make with the Pixel Tag is the Moto Tag 2 or even Apple's alternative. The Moto Tag 2 debuted at the end of June, and it was probably the biggest upgrade Motorola's announcements had to offer. The Tag 2 offers Bluetooth 6.0 and UWB support. Additionally, Google Find Hub was fully integrated with the tracker, alongside a whopping 500 days of battery life on a replaceable CR2032 battery.

Seeing how the Moto Tag 2 shapes up has us wondering about the true form of the Pixel Tag 2. There's still a lot that's under wraps. Rumors assume Google could have a reveal on the way that lines up with the Pixel 11, but nothing's certain. If true, then that means we'll have the Pixel Glow and this Pixel Tag to wow us during the Made by Google event on August 12. Google teased the Pixel 11 Pro recently, showing off Pixel Glow: an LED indicator that sits beside the phone's cameras in the camera bar.

Rumors suggest Gemini would have a heavy presence here, offering bright indicators for various happenings from alerts to order tracking.

What you need to know

• CMF announced the Clip Pro, a set of OWS (open-wearable stereo) earbuds, that will launch on August 4 at 9 am EDT (6 am PDT).
• Interested consumers can sign up at nothing.tech in preparation for the launch event.
• CMF is no stranger to audio devices, as it's developed the Headphone Pro and the Buds 2 Plus in recent history.

The teasers continue for CMF's next product, but now there's a date we can attach to it.

This morning (July 31), CMF by Nothing shared the details of its next product launch: the Clip Pro. The company states the Clip Pro will be its first "OWS" earbuds. These are open-wearable stereo earbuds for the "open" market. Devices like this will sit outside of your ear canal. Traditionally, devices will have a silicone tip that you slide in, but these, since they're outside, might feel more comfortable while you're outside or exercising.

CMF states the Clip Pro will launch on August 4 at 9 AM EDT (6 am PDT). We can expect these buds to clip onto our ears, funneling high-quality sound into our ears. CMF is still keeping the full design under wraps; however, its announcement teaser shows off a bit of its body.

The company says anyone who wants to be kept up-to-date about the launch can sign up.

No stranger to audio

CMF had a bit of interesting news last year when Nothing spun it off as an independent entity. Headquartered in India, a joint venture with Optiemus saw a $100 million investment and the creation of 1,800 jobs. As always, CMF will continue to focus on budget devices under $200. The company's Clip Pro will likely sit under that line, too. Also, CMF is used to developing audio devices, though OWS will be its first.

The company announced the Headphones Pro a few days after its spin-off was announced. These are over-ear headphones for $99 with a roller for ANC/volume, an Energy Slider to control bass and treble, and a shortcut button. CMF highlighted the Headphone Pro's strong battery with 100 hours of life with ANC disabled. What's more, it claims users can get four hours of audio after five minutes of charging.

If you're looking for a more "traditional" earbud, there's the CMF Buds 2 Plus.

Android Central's Take

Open earbuds sound interesting, but never interesting enough for me to grab a pair. I' sure it's probably easier on your ears. There's always been that thing growing up about not leaving earbuds in for too long. So, I can see comfortability with open buds, as well as better ear health. Nothing's launches are always good to keep an eye on, and CMF is no different.

As part of its back-to-school sale, Best Buy has launched a $150 discount on the Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones, marking a certified good deal for those who don't mind going last-gen.

Despite being older than the top-rated Sony WH-1000XM6, the WH-1000XM5 headphones include nearly identical hardware, albeit at a substantially lower price and with regular price drops like this. They feature a powerful sound profile with advanced active noise cancellation (ANC), impressively long battery life with fast charging, as well as a range of other features like multi-point connection. The current deal is available for all four of the device's colors, which include Black, Blue, Silver, and Smoky Pink.

• See our TOP 20+ deals from Best Buy's Back to School sale

✅Recommended if: you're looking for a powerful pair of wireless noise-cancelling headphones with comfortable ear cups and a battery life that can handle long periods of listening; you're looking for headphones for around $250 but you still want to get a high-quality pair with access to high-res listening codecs; you're looking for headphones with high-quality microphones for video conferencing, phone calls, and easy-to-use voice commands.

❌Skip this deal if: you need headphones with a dust and water resistance rating for concern-free outdoor excursions in a variety of weather conditions; you're not looking for industry-leading audio quality and you'd prefer to go with something even more affordable than these, even at this discounted rate; you'd prefer a smaller overall design that's easy to stow for optimal portability.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 may be our top pick for the best headphones on the market today, but they're not that different from their predecessor. The Sony XM5 offer super comfortable speaker cups, up to 30 hours of battery life, and fast charging that can replenish up to 3 hours' worth of battery life in just 3 minutes. Built with eight different mics, these sport a powerful ANC suite, and crystal-clear audio for phone and video calls.

While they aren't known for being very collapsible or easy to stow, the WH-1000XM5 headphones do still come with a carrying case that can at least protect them when transported in a backpack or other bag.

What you need to know

• A rumor claims to have discovered early "design illustrations" for a Ballie app from Samsung.
• The illustrations lay out Samsung's supposed plans for an app, showing battery, location, status icons, as well as a "Streaming" button for the robot's built-in camera.
• It's unclear if this means that Samsung hasn't completely abandoned Ballie, as the last report said the company "delayed" Ballie to figure out "its place in the home" and to likely handle that intense price point.

This certainly wasn't on our bingo card. A leak has surfaced online, offering a glimpse of what could be Samsung's companion app UI for its smart home assistant, Ballie.

Earlier today (July 30), SammyGuru posted a series of alleged "UI design sketches" for what would be Samsung Ballie's companion app. The illustrations give us a good look at the app's main screen. Taking up the center is Ballie's circular frame with its battery percentage, location, and an "Error"/"Ready" icon. There's a chance this could be used in scenarios when the device gets stuck, since it rolls around. If everything's all green, users can likely launch Ballie.

There is a hard-to-miss "Streaming" button. Earlier info about Ballie suggested it would feature a camera. There's a chance this app could let users see what Ballie sees in real-time. "Home Monitoring" seems to be quite an important aspect of this app and of Ballie as a smart home assistant. According to the post, the "monitoring" aspect could involve a setup process in which Ballie maps out its routes, maps out your home for navigational purposes.

Taking another look at the initial icons: battery, location, Error/Ready icon, Home Monitoring might play more of a role than we think. This app could give users every ounce of information they need to view their home, understand where Ballie is, and handle any scenarios that might occur.

Oh, Ballie, Ballie

This is quite surprising. The last time we heard anything about Ballie was when a report suggested Samsung delayed it to "find its place in the home." It gave the impression that Samsung was questioning the right place for Ballie within the home. The company reportedly expressed "caution" about the AI companion. Other concerns, such as a potential high price point and whether consumers would truly engage with Ballie or not, ranked high on its list of worries.

Speculation claimed Ballie could cost consumers ~$2,000, and with everything going on in the world, that might've been too steep a price. Samsung hadn't officially said anything about Ballie. This report was in July, and nothing more has come of the little rolling robot. However, if we want to get real, Ballie was first introduced at CES 2020. Samsung was said to have a "human-centric vision" for robots, and Ballie was the start of it. The company said Ballie "understands you, supports you, and reacts to your needs."

Its built-in camera would be its "eye" into your life, your home, and your needs. There was an announcement that saw Google and Samsung working together to bring Gemini into Ballie for enhanced AI support.

What you need to know

• Samsung's first open-ear Galaxy Buds may finally be on the way, with a secure ear-hook design aimed at fitness enthusiasts.
• Leaked renders show a major design shift, ditching Samsung's traditional stem and bean-shaped earbuds for a workout-friendly fit.
• Expected features include USB-C charging, water and dust resistance, and possibly active noise cancellation.

Samsung may finally be delivering what fitness lovers have been asking for years: a set of Galaxy Buds built to stay put during workouts. Newly leaked images hint at the company’s first open earbuds, offering our best look yet at what might be Samsung’s take on the rising open-ear trend.

Beats and Shokz, among others, have long ruled the open earbuds segment with secure wraparound ear hooks, but Samsung has stuck with traditional stems and compact bean shapes. Now, fresh graphics discovered by SamMobile reveal a pair of earbuds with a distinctive ear-hook design that wraps around the outer ear. The buds are codenamed "Buds Canal 5."

The overall shape is very similar to products like Anker’s Soundcore workout earbuds or Shokz’s OpenFit buds. This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about Samsung’s open-ear earbuds efforts. Previous leaks have pointed to a clip-on design, under the code name “Galaxy Buds Able,” that will reportedly use bone conduction technology.

However, the latest hardware renders suggest Samsung is considering a different design. These earbuds are closer to traditional open-ear styles that direct sound into your ears while leaving the ear canal open. Users could also expect modern essentials like a USB-C charging case, dust and water resistance, and likely active noise cancellation.

The branding is still a bit of a mystery as well. Earlier leaks suggested that Samsung’s clip-on earbuds could launch as the Galaxy Buds Able, while more recent leaks have indicated the name Galaxy Buds On. Similarly, if the product is released to the public, Samsung may rename the Buds Canal 5.

Regardless of what Samsung ultimately calls them, the model number SM-U600 and repeated software references indicate the earbuds are a real product rather than an abandoned prototype. Multiple reports suggest that the earbuds have faced several delays.

If these leaks are true, Samsung is gearing up to enter a market already packed with the best workout earbuds and headphones.

Android Central's Take

Open-ear designs are smart if you want to be aware of your surroundings while you’re running, riding your bike, or commuting. That said, Samsung can’t afford to be late to the party with a “me too” product. Sony, Shokz, and Bose have already been here for a while, so good sound and a comfortable fit won't be enough on their own. If these are to stand out from the competition, Samsung will have to provide a compelling reason for people to pick them up rather than just a familiar logo on the charging case.

My main phone is the Find X9 Ultra, and my wife is using the Vivo X300 Ultra, so when we go on vacation, we just use our phones to take photos and videos. It's just convenient, and this year's flagships do a magnificent job in this regard.

But I generally prefer using a dedicated device to take photos. In the past, that used to be Sony's RX100 cameras, but I wanted something even smaller, and one that took better videos. That's where the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P comes into the picture; I have several friends in the industry who swear by their Osmo Pocket, and I wanted to see how good it is for myself.

So ahead of its global launch, I got the Osmo Pocket 4P along with a whole lot of accessories, and I used it extensively while attending a destination wedding in Bali, Indonesia. It didn't take long to understand the usefulness of the Pocket 4P; the gimbal system makes shooting videos significantly easier, and there's an immediate difference in stabilization versus what you'd get while shooting handheld with your phone.

The Osmo Pocket 4P has an added advantage: a secondary camera with 3x zoom. The dual-lens pocket gimbal camera has a new f/2.0 1-inch 20mm CMOS main sensor with LOFIC — similar to the Xiaomi 17 Ultra — and 17 stops of dynamic range, alongside an f/1.8 60mm lens with 3x optical zoom. The secondary lens gives the Pocket 4P much greater versatility, and it is a decent enough differentiator even against the standard Pocket 4.

There are three features that stood out the most in my month of testing the Osmo Pocket 4P: image and video quality, how stable it is in challenging situations (like walking around on a beach while shooting video), and just how easy it is to use. You don't need to wade through a dozen settings to get started: just hit the power button, choose the orientation, and shoot.

Video is obviously the main focus, and the Osmo Pocket 4P takes stunning 4K content, going up to 4K240. It shoots 10-bit D-Log 2 color profile, and the quality of the HDR footage in general is much better than I imagined. It did pretty well in low-light situations as well, but the thing that stood out the most is the 3-aixs stabilization — there's no hint that you're using a handheld shooter in the resultant videos. More than anything else, this is where the Osmo Pocket 4P has a clear advantage over phones, and it's no wonder that both OPPO and Vivo are set to be making products to rival DJI.

It does a decent job taking photos as well, with the 37MP images coming out with plenty of detail and accurate color rendition. Another thing I like is the tracking mode; this makes it easy to shoot moving subjects. There's a dedicated low-light shooting mode as well, and with 103GB of built-in storage, you can easily record a few hours of footage without any accessories. There's a MicroSD slot as well (thankfully), and I used Lexar's excellent 2TB MicroSD card with the Pocket 4P.

The 5D joystick makes it effortless to pan around while shooting videos, and there's a dedicated button to switch between the 1x and 3x lenses. The 2-inch OLED panel does a great job as a viewfinder, and the Pocket 4P is astonishingly light considering what it has to offer. It's just 230g, and the small size means you can use it just about anywhere.

Battery life is decent enough, and a 20-minute charge gives you three hours of runtime. Oh, and a new update adds automatic footage transfer to your iPhone, provided you're using the iPhone 16 and above. I would've liked a similar feature with Android devices as well, but that isn't available just yet.

The standard edition of the Pocket 4P costs £529/€599, and then there's a vlog combo that retails at £605/€689. There's no U.S. pricing, because this device isn't available in the region.

The vlog combo is the one I'm using, and if you're eyeing this camera, it is the bundle I'd suggest buying. It comes with the Pocket 4P, a mini tripod, fill light, DJI Mic Mini 2 transmitter and windscreens, a remote viewfinder and shutter button, two carrying bags, and all the associated charging cables. Honestly, it's a lot of stuff, and even after a month, I didn't use all the accessories yet.

Overall, I liked the Osmo Pocket 4P a lot more than I imagined. It's easy to take anywhere, takes great photos and videos, and has a ton of extensibility. If you need a portable camera with a built-in gimbal to use outdoors and the versatility of a 3x lens, the Osmo Pocket 4P gets my recommendation.

Enabot's cutesy robots on wheels are always fun contraptions, but the most perplexing thing about them is their animal magnetism. Cats can't seem to get enough of them, as witnessed not just by me but by my colleagues as well. I genuinely wonder if Enabot rubs catnip on their robots at the factory level before shipping them out.

This is perfect, however, because Enabot's smart family robots are primarily advertised as pet companions, with a secondary focus on family companionship and home surveillance. It's an all-in-one security camera on wheels that monitors your beloved family members, whether two-legged or four.

The EBO Max isn't cheap

Enabot launched the EBO Max family bot on March 31, 2026. Priced at $599.99, it is the second most expensive such robot offered by the brand. You can also buy a EBO Max Style Pack for $29.99 that has four cosmetic add-ons, including deer antlers and rabbit ears.

The EBO Max comes with a charging dock, a 32GB SD card pre-inserted into the robot, an adapter, and a resetting pin in the box.

The EBO Max is a mid-sized robot, a lot smaller and more compact than the larger EBO X, but slightly larger than the EBO Air models. The charging dock is significantly smaller and slimmer than the EBO X and other models.

Just like other Enabot robots, you can easily take off the wheel tracks of the EBO Max for cleaning. The entire bottom unit with the wheel tracks slides off with a few clicks. This is also where the memory card slot is located.

What can this robot do?

Before setting the EBO Max up, it was really important to let my cat sniff the robot to his heart's content. This helped ease him into a new element in the house, as cats tend to hate change and can be very nervous around moving objects.

Once he was happy with the smell and familiarized himself with it, I set up the EBO Max charging dock and turned it on. My cat was more curious than afraid, and he even started cuddling with the bot right away.

Initial setup involves the EBO HOME app, which immediately gives you a comprehensive walkthrough of the robot's capabilities. This is helpful because there's a lot to learn and explore in the app, which is the robot's main control center.

The EBO Max bot can use V-SLAM Navigation to map out your house. It can recognize family members once you've registered their faces and voiceprints, and once those are saved, you can set up voice calling settings for those members. If a fall is detected, you can select certain family members to be notified.

You can change the style and color of the "eyes" of the EBO Max robot, which are incredibly expressive. They follow you around, almost in a sentient manner, which can be cute and human-like — but also really creepy at 3 AM. There is a sound localization feature that makes the robot turn to you when it hears your voice. Thankfully, the bot can be scheduled to "close its eyes" during your chosen "Do Not Disturb" hours.

Because the EBO Max has two-way comms, family members can even receive voice calls when fall detection is triggered. You can take this one step further with activity detection, so if no movement is detected for your selected number of days, you and your chosen family members will be notified.

The robot can be scheduled to patrol and play or monitor people and/or pets at home during your selected hours, and you can set it to smartly patrol the house on your chosen route once the house is mapped. Additionally, you can adjust event recording settings to automatically record photos and videos of interactions. When the EBO Max runs low on battery, it returns to the charging dock on its own.

The EBO Max can be remotely controlled via the app as it has Wi-Fi. It sports an 8MP camera with a 4K resolution, a wide 131° field of view, and night vision, so the image quality is very crisp and clear in diverse lighting scenarios.

You can queue actions and sounds, individually or together, when playing with children or pets. There are plenty of cat and dog sounds, as well as many movements, including some of the best actions from other EBO bots, like the figure-eight dance from the EBO X.

Everything from the robot's movement speed and the audio and call volume settings can be adjusted too. There's no manual mic and video shut-off button or shutter, though, which is a bit of a privacy oversight.

However, the "Do Not Disturb" mode can be used as an alternative. You can set the robot's active "wake up" hours, and even choose to have the screen (or the "eyes" of the bot) automatically shut off during your selected DND nighttime hours.

Because of course there's AI

The EBO Max family bot has a wide array of useful AI features. You start by saying "EBO EBO" to initiate conversations or give instructions, all in natural language. You can use the "EBO EBO, follow me" command to make the robot leave the charging dock and follow you around the house.

Other features include setting timers, reminders, or alarms; asking about the weather; asking the robot to find a certain family member; and more.

You can change the AI voice tone or clone your voice to be used as the robot's voice using the Pet Parrot feature. So, the EBO Max can read your text when you send it to the robot.

Enabot gave the EBO Max family bot an AI-powered brain, so it literally learns from all the information it absorbs and gets smarter the longer you use it. This adaptive behavior means the bot remembers patterns and perceives its surroundings, and it can even role-play depending on the role you assign it.

You can also assign more complex commands. For example, you could say, "I'm going on holiday for two days starting tomorrow. Patrol the house three times a day and alert me of any unusual activity. Record a video of any movement," and the EBO Max robot will do just that.

Eventually, it can even distinguish memories and learn about your habits, hobbies, preferences, and daily home life. This can be helpful for questions like "Did Grandma take her morning medicine yesterday?" or similar scenarios.

Using the AI functions sometimes causes the robot to run a little hot, and the AI also hangs or glitches at times, especially after being asked a few questions simultaneously. Also, when you're using an AI feature, this prevents you from queuing movements or animal sounds when remotely controlling the robot.

Unfortunately, there is no smart home integration with Gemini or Alexa, so you miss out on automations and options like playing music or switching on your TV. There is also no Bluetooth speaker mode. I find both features incredibly useful on the EBO X, so this was a bummer.

Should you buy the Enabot EBO Max?

In many ways, this is the smartest robot Enabot has ever made, although it's missing smart home integration and some refinement. Native Matter support would've made this a monumental leap in the smart home world.

Once the EBO Max builds memories and learns enough, and with the help of firmware updates, I truly believe the small hiccups will iron themselves out. Enabot is very good with updates — I got one as soon as I installed the EBO Max robot.

At $599, the EBO Max is a lot cheaper than the $999 EBO X, which includes Alexa and physical shut-off buttons for the mic and the camera. So getting a large portion of its features and an AI-powered brain that gets wiser over time, all for $400 cheaper, is a bargain if you ask me.

If you need a smart home camera that can follow and monitor your loved ones or even keep your kids and cats entertained, EBO Max is an outstanding family robot for you.

This year, Soundcore brings both subtle improvements and awe-inspiring upgrades that every pair of earbuds on the market should be replicating. And I don’t say that lightly. While still not market-leading, they’ve even improved their weakest point: active noise-canceling strength.

Overall, I’ve been completely floored by what Soundcore has been able to accomplish, so let’s get to it, and I’ll tell you why the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro and Liberty 5 Pro Max are more than just an upgrade over the 5; they’re a “must-have.”

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro vs Pro Max: Visual differences

I started my review period with the pricier, new Liberty 5 Pro Max, but I’ve been using both Pro models interchangeably. Both new cases' lids slide up like the Liberty 5, and now they have external “smart displays.” Though the dimensions of both new Pro models are similar, the Pro Max is taller and brighter, thanks to its 1.78-inch AMOLED smart display (the Pro’s is .96 inches).

Both displays are responsive and easy to read in direct sunlight. The Pro Max allows you to upload wallpaper, both stills and animations, which display on the screen when it’s awake. Using the case, swiping left or right lets you control ANC modes, EQ, and playback. Swiping up from the bottom gives you access to all the apps, and swiping down from the top brings up quick-access shortcuts for various settings. All of that without pulling out your phone.

The only downside is that while the case is pocketable for a 6 ’ 215lb man like me (it fits in my pants coin pocket), it will be large for others with smaller frames when you compare it to the Pixel Buds or Galaxy Buds 3 Pro cases (see comparison in the gallery above).

This year, the new Liberty 5 Pro models have been redesigned so they’re no longer stem-style earbuds; instead, they have an earbud with a “surfboard” sitting over the backside. And, like some surfboards, the new models have rear fins which come in three different sizes, including the one already installed.

The fins, along with plenty of eartip options, made it easy to get the right fit. And it’s a locked-in fit that feels as secure as my favorite gym earbuds, the Powerbeats Fit!

When placing the earbuds in my ears, the idea is to twist slightly to get the earfins to lock in. Not doing that, they have a looser fit, but they still feel quite secure, and that’s how I’ve worn them most of the time. For the gym, I just twist and lock in, and they’re great!

Generally, I hate the fit of oval-shaped eartips and have not found them comfortable across quite a few earbuds I’ve tested over the years, but with the Liberty 5 Pro models, they feel just right.

Mind-blowing, record-setting call quality

According to Soundcore, the new Liberty 5 Pro models earned a Guinness World Records title for the clarity of their calls, and after my testing, I believe them! The most fascinating aspect of my time with the Pro and Pro Max has been the call quality enabled by the new Anker Thus AI audio chip embedded in the earbuds.

One day during my 45-minute commute home, I gave my friend a call using an iPhone 16 Pro Max with the Liberty 5 Pro connected. He’s a broadcast engineer who intimately knows the ins and outs of audio and video.

We chatted the entire time I was driving, and when I made it home, I asked him where he thought I was calling him from. He told me it sounded like I was in a quiet room and my voice sounded great.

I recorded myself talking using the Voice Recorder app on a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra while playing 80dB of airplane cabin and urban traffic noise. I thought I was in the Twilight Zone when I played that audio back because not only was there not even the slightest hint that 80dB of noise was literally blasting in my face from less than two feet away, My voice was still clear, though very slightly muddy, but it didn’t sound like I was underwater, and there were no dropouts from the AI being overwhelmed.

While recording, I intentionally stopped talking to see how the new Anker Thus AI chip handled background noise when I was silent, and the audio waveform was completely flat (as pictured above), detecting no sound despite 80dB of noise!

These are easily the best earbuds I’ve used for phone calls in years. Jabra was my previous champ, along with AirPods, Technics AZ100, and a couple others, but nothing has come close to achieving exactly what Anker Soundcore has.

The Anker Thus AI chip powers some very useful features and upgrades

The Anker Thus AI chip enables more than just what I believe to be market-leading call quality. The Pro Max’s case is Bluetooth-enabled and connects directly to your phone, letting you use it as a microphone and speaker for translating conversations. I used this functionality a few times, and it works well.

The AI Note Taker feature is really good! It works much like Otter AI or Zoom call transcription, in that it recognizes individual speakers and does so well (see image below). The only time it gets confused about who is speaking is when people speak over each other.

The Anker Thus chip also enables highly responsive voice commands that control many functions without an internet connection, like Sony and Samsung’s flagship earbuds (see above). The only thing I found a bit hit-or-miss was voice chat with the Soundcore personal assistant, Anka.

You can chat with it and ask it to do things, but I found more complex “asks” to be a bit less reliable than the excellent offline voice commands.

The rest of the experience: The highs and lows

Listening to the chaotic Jazz romp “Moanin’” performed by Charles Mingus and crew, the Liberty 5 Pro Max did an admirable job of not turning the most chaotic moments of the song into a pot of mashed potatoes, handling the chaotic mix better than the venerable Sony WF-1000XM6.

The only area lacking was the high frequencies in the pop and hip-hop genres. Listening to Jamiroquai’s “Starchild,” his vocals are clear, and while definitely not buried in the mix, highs feel a bit subdued.

Top-end smoothness is a treat when listening to various genres of rock music. System of a Down’s “Toxicity” is delightful, and nothing ever came across even remotely sibilant.

You’re definitely getting popular, low-end-emphasized tuning out of both Pros, but thanks to features like HearID and their excellent choice of sound EQ’ing options, you really can effectively tune the audio frequencies to your liking.

ANC is also noticeably improved. Mid-range noise, like voices in the background, and higher-frequency sounds, like the clank of weight plates in the gym, are noticeably softened compared to the Liberty 5. With the improved ANC activated, LDAC HiRes enabled, and AI functionality, I still found myself getting around 6 hours of battery with the ‘buds.

The only place I found noise controls lacking at this price point was in the ability to quickly attenuate unexpected loud noises, such as dropping a weight or a pan, while in Transparency mode. My Powerbeats Fit immediately mutes unexpected loud noises, but the Liberty 5 Pro doesn’t respond fast enough.

A noteworthy upgrade

While the ANC is improved but not a market leader, the microphones absolutely are now, and that begs the question: Liberty 5 Pro Max or Sony WF-1000XM6? Market-leading active noise canceling or market-leading call quality?

For most people, the audio quality when listening to music or movies is close enough that it isn’t a major point of contention between the two, but it’s very easy to recommend the Liberty 5 Pro series to you because they’re that good, and they’re roughly $100 cheaper than Sony’s flagship. In this economy, that means a lot!

What you need to know

• Google is rolling out several smart home updates, including one for Gemini that expands its "conversational memory" to 15 minutes.
• Gemini Live arrives on first-gen Home Mini and Nest Hub devices, alongside improved Automation guidance and smart lock alerts for removed users.
• Recent updates for Google Home include Pet Memory for Gemini and Suggested Automations.

Google is rolling into the weekend with a few updates to its smart home systems that you should check your devices for.

Gemini for Home's early access is getting a few refinements this week. Google states Gemini Live is now available on first-gen speakers and displays. The patch notes list first-gen Home Mini and Nest Hubs as devices receiving Gemini Live this week. Keep in mind that only Google Home Premium subscribers can access this. On a related note, Gemini's memory is getting stronger.

Google says the AI's "conversational memory" now lasts for 15 minutes. This will be present "across the entire Gemini for Home experience." Users can follow up on something they've previously asked Gemini to do, so long as it's within those 15 minutes. Automations in the Home app will provide clearer "saving guidance." Google explains that the app will inform users if they're trying to save an automation with conditions but no starter.

Improved controls and labels for smart blinds and window coverings in Automations are included, alongside smart lock "security actions disclaimers." If users remove someone's access from their locks, the app will tell you that their passcodes "need to be changed or removed."

A July 2026 update is rolling out for Nest Cameras. This applies to the wired, third-gen Nest Cam Indoor, Nest Cam Outdoor (wired, 2nd-gen), and the Nest Doorbell (wired, third-gen). Additionally, Google now supports more of Walmart's Onn cameras: Outdoor Plug-In and Outdoor Floodlight Hardwired. Bug fixes make up the remainder of these updates, and you can view them in full.

The Home is looking smarter

This conversational memory update for Gemini reminds us of the Continued Conversations patch from April. Asking the AI to do something is common with so many smart devices to control. What can get frustrating is having to repeat yourself to a computer. Continued Conversations aims to solve that. Google said this highly requested feature helps Gemini "remember" what's going on. It helps make the experience seamless, which is another area Google's been working on.

Gemini would keep its mic open for a few extra seconds, in case there's something to add. This memory upgrade takes this concept and expands on it. Even after Gemini closes its mic, you can still follow up, and it'll (hopefully) remember your conversation from two minutes ago. Pet Memory was another recent patch for Gemini that lets users customize how the AI recognizes their fur babies.

Instead of the generic sentences (i.e., "dog is walking in the living room), users can let the AI know the little one's name.

The best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra cases add robust shock-proofing, prevent the hinge from getting damaged, and add useful extras like a magnetic ring, screen protection, a phone holder, and a stand. Depending on the price, weight, and thinness, you can easily find a stellar Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra that has a few or all of those features.

Read all about the best Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra cases that match your requirement. I have rounded up the most reliable options right here in this guide.

Level up your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra's impact protection with these cases

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Incredible Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra cases exist, but most of them are priced around the $100 mark

From cases that glow in the dark and have grippy sides to cases that have kickstands and really powerful magnets, the best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra cases don't fall short of our expectations. They do, however, almost all cost an arm and a leg to acquire. Fortunately, brands like Spigen exist, making affordable Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra cases priced around $30 instead of $100.

If you want to stick with the cheapest option, you will be pleasantly surprised by how well it functions. The Spigen Air Fit Pro Magfit comes in two colors, black and green, and it is slim enough to allow wireless charging. It still adds military-grade drop-proofing and has incredibly strong N55 magnets inside. You also get dependable hinge protection, all for a really reasonable price.

When money isn't an object, however, you can close your eyes and pick any of the wonderful Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra cases that the most premium brands have to offer. Thinborne is my go-to brand in that case, as the brand uses aerospace-grade 600D aramid fiber to build its cases. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra Case comes in three colors, black, red, and blue, and is magnetic. Measuring just 0.04 inches thin, and weighing just 0.8 ounces, you'll forget it's on your Z Fold 8 Ultra. Of course, it doesn't add rugged drop-proofing, but my colleague actually dropped his phone on the tiled marble floor with the Thinborne case on and was shocked at how it was unscathed. So if you have about $90 to spare, you too can enjoy this marvelous case on your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

The rumored Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide turned out to just be called the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, now with much wider screens. This square-shaped foldable has two very lovely displays, both of which could use the help of the best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 screen protectors to reinforce drop proofing. One slip of the hand and your very expensive book-style foldable could shatter badly, so don't take risk. Whether its durable glass you prefer or flexible plastic, these screen guards have it all.

These Galaxy Z Fold 8 screen protectors are the very best of what's available

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Picking the right Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 screen protector made easy

The best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 screen protectors come with user-friendly installation frames, multiple pieces of screen guards, and cleaning tools to make your life easy. It's not necessary to change the internal foldable display's screen protector, so you don't have to prioritize it, but it sure helps to have a spare ready to go just in case.

For an all-inclusive package that leaves nothing out without bankrupting you, the Ferilinso 3 Pack Inside Screen Protector for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 with Back Camera Lens Protectors is the best option. This $20 purchase will buy you a trio of 9H tempered glass screen protectors with military-grade shatter-proofing for your Fold 8's cover display. The kit also includes three tempered glass camera lens protectors and three flexible films for the Fold's internal display. Ferilinso provides two installation frames, one for each display.

If you don't like glossy finishes, then you can opt for a matte, paper-like screen protector instead. The Diacube Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Paperfeel Anti-Glare Matte Screen Protector three-pack includes three screen guards for each of the Fold's dual displays. All six matte films are anti-reflective and able to self-heal from minor abrasions. Diacube provides one installation frame and a cleaning kit as well, and the entire set is priced below $20.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is the true successor to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, with its similar aspect ratios, screen sizes, and triple camera array. As with any smartphone, it is best practice to always reinforce the display with a sturdy screen protectors. And because foldables are more fragile, with moving parts and dual screens, the need for the best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra screen protectors is even more important.

Protectors to prevent screen shatters, cracks, and abrasions

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A buyer's guide to picking the right Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra screen protectors

The best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra screen protectors will differ from person to person. Some folks like to be minimal with their shopping, opting for a single screen protector for the front. Others like to get multi-packs and have plenty of extras to spare in the future. It's also important to remember that Samsung does not recommend users to replace the internal folding screen's factory-installed screen guard at home, and not until it starts peeling off, which also factors into your decision.

Regardless of how you want to go about choosing a screen protector for your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, I suggest getting an all-inclusive kit with multiple spare. It makes more sense to get it done with initially, so you don't have to repurchase later, and you're always prepared in case of emergencies. Ferilinso has a fantastic package that checks those boxes, giving you three 9H tempered glass screen protectors for the 6.5-inch front display, three flexible plastic films for the internal 8-inch display, and three more glass screen protectors for the camera lenses. Ferilinso also includes cleaning tools like wipes and a squeegee, as well as two installation frames.

If you want to stick with a front screen protector alone, there are several great options in different price segments. The BENKS GlassWarrior AR Screen Protector is a high-quality aluminum-lithium 9H tempered glass with an anti-reflective finish and case-friendly curved edges. It repels fingerprints, smudges, dust, and any other solid or liquid particles. Although it's on the pricey side, I have used and found the BENKS tempered glass to be of dependable quality.