Feed aggregator

• iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS 15.2 are now available
• They have new Apple Intelligence features including Genmoji and Image Playground
• The new update also adds ChatGPT integration to Siri

iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 are now available adding new Apple Intelligence features such as ChatGPT in Siri, Genmoji, and Image Playground to your Apple devices.

These new upgrades are some of the biggest mid-cycle updates we've ever seen, they almost feel more significant than the initial Apple Intelligence-less iOS 18 launch in September. The headline features are Genmoji, generative emojis that have the potential to be a massive success, Image Playground which is Apple's answer to the best AI image generators, and smarter Siri thanks to ChatGPT integration. Each feature in itself is big enough to be a headline update, so to get all three wrapped into one package is the perfect early holiday gift. Both Genmoji and Image Playground will arrive on Mac at a later date.

iPhone 16 owners also get their hands on Visual Intelligence, the exclusive Apple Intelligence feature that takes advantage of the best iPhone's Camera Control. Visual Intelligence lets you search for anything you take a photo of using Google or ChatGPT, so it's similar to Google Lens.

The updates also add new language support to Apple Intelligence, with the AI now working in English (Australia), English (Canada), English (New Zealand), English (South Africa), and English (UK).

The new languages mean you can now use Apple Intelligence without changing your device settings to US English.

Siri is better, thanks to ChatGPT

(Image credit: Apple)

ChatGPT's seamless integration into Siri is a sight to behold in these latest updates, allowing you to ask Siri complex questions and actually get answers for the first time since the voice assistant's inception over 10 years ago.

ChatGPT can be accessed via voice or Type to Siri and lets you ask the incredibly smart OpenAI model complex questions that Siri can't answer. The new update to Siri is a big step forward and while it's impressive, is only just a taster of what's to come once Siri has on-screen awareness and the ability to understand personal context next year.

These new upgrades show Apple is delivering on its promise to vastly improve Apple Intelligence with every update and the best is still yet to come.

You might also like...

• Apple Intelligence "changed my life" says Tim Cook
• I've used Genmoji and now I'm convinced Apple Intelligence will be a huge success
• I've used Apple Intelligence Writing Tools and it supercharges the Notes app

• Nintendo Alarmo's latest firmware update is live now
• It features a handful of scenes from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
• Alarmo owners can download the update now if they've connected the device to the internet

The Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo might just be the most bizarre piece of gaming hardware released this year, yet as promised by Nintendo at launch, it's just received another sizeable update.

This latest Nintendo Alarmo update brings Mario Kart 8 Deluxe scenes to the alarm clock device. As shared by the Nintendo of America X / Twitter account, Alarmo owners can now update their clock to the latest version (should they have painstakingly entered their Wi-Fi password via the clunky dial on top of the device) to receive the new scenes.

The Nintendo Alarmo update adds seven unique Mario Kart 8 Deluxe scenes all featuring music and imagery from the Nintendo Switch's best-selling game. Honestly, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a pretty great choice for the Alarmo, with its upbeat jazz soundtrack certainly having the potential to make me into more of a morning person.

Otherwise, not much has changed with the Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo. It's still a very expensive alarm clock that undoubtedly has that Nintendo-esque polish and quirkiness. But ultimately, it's still just a very extravagant way of waking you up at the crack of dawn when - perhaps rather cynically - you could just get your phone to do that instead.

Hopefully, Alarmo will get some more meaningful updates in the future to make a purchase more enticing. Perhaps integration with the recently-launched Nintendo Music mobile app, or even some kind of Nintendo Switch 2 support once that console arrives sometime next year.

You might also like...

• 8BitDo is one of my favorite controller makers, and it's just released a follow-up to its excellent budget Switch gamepad
• New Nintendo Switch 2 leak may have revealed the first look at the new handheld
• Lego Fortnite Brick Life is an all-new, social roleplaying game mode arriving this week

• GPU sales for Q3 are down almost 8% year-on-year
• This is normally a strong period for sales of discrete graphics cards
• It seems that gamers are holding off for RTX 5000 and RDNA 4 GPUs

Normally, this time of year would witness strong sales in the desktop GPU market, but one analyst firm observes that Q3 2024 has seen a distinct drop in buying activity.

This comes from Jon Peddie Research (JPR), which has compiled figures for Q3 sales of ‘graphics add-in boards’ (meaning standalone GPUs that slot into desktop PCs) finding that 8.1 million units were shifted in the quarter.

That’s down 7.9% on the same quarter in 2023, a fairly hefty drop, and it’s also down compared to Q2 2024, with an even larger decrease of 14.5%.

AMD lost a bit more ground here, too, as Nvidia now has 90% of the discrete graphics card market (up from 88% in Q2), with Team Red holding the remaining 10% (down from 12%). Intel Arc products don’t register on the scales for standalone GPUs, sadly for Team Blue - though unsurprisingly it still holds the majority share when it comes to CPU-integrated graphics.

The future also looks gloomy, JPR forecasts, as discrete GPUs are forecast to have a negative compound annual growth rate of -6%, with the market set to shrink further through to 2028.

(Image credit: Nvidia) Analysis: Buyers are playing a waiting game

Obviously, this isn’t great news for any of the GPU giants, but AMD will be particularly displeased to see more market share slip away from it – the company is only just clinging onto double digits at this point.

A year ago, Team Red had a 17% share of the market. So, despite some notably successful Radeon GPU launches in recent times – namely the RX 7900 GRE, which in fact tops our list of the best graphics cards, and the RX 7800 XT, a strong mid-range offering that headed up that list when it came out last year – AMD is floundering, at least according to these stats.

Why are overall GPU sales down in a reversal of the normal picture for the third quarter? That’s surely due to the proximity of next-gen graphics cards from AMD and Nvidia, which are about to launch, in theory, at CES 2025 in both cases.

Gamers are likely holding off for those RTX 5000 GPUs and RDNA 4 GPUs – I know I am, as it just makes sense at this stage of the launch timeframe. Indeed, sales may have been affected earlier this year, too, as would-be buyers may have still been hopeful that these next-gen graphics cards could turn up late in 2024 – along with Intel’s Battlemage desktop GPUs (2nd-gen models that were recently revealed). We're also likely to see some potential RTX 4000 and RX 7000 price drops when the new cards are revealed, which cash-strapped PC gamers could be waiting for.

A further issue that Jon Peddie points out is that the attach rate of discrete GPUs relative to CPUs in desktop PCs has dropped, meaning that more PCs are shipping with no discrete graphics card, relying on integrated graphics instead. That attach rate fell by 26.9% in Q3 compared to the previous quarter, which again is a shaky sign for GPU makers.

Finally, the reason for the prediction of negative growth through to 2028 is Trump coming into office in the US and imposing import tariffs (particularly on China) that are potentially going to push up the price of PCs and components by a hefty amount.

So those who are waiting for next-gen GPUs in the US might need to move pretty swiftly when these models (hopefully) go on sale early next year, before potentially major price hikes start kicking in for all manner of consumer electronics.

Via Tom’s Hardware

You might also like

• Intel Battlemage GPU spotted in benchmark – chill out, PC gamers, there’s no need to panic over that leaked B580 core count
• Nvidia’s RTX 5090 now rumored to have superfast clock speeds – as well as being super-slim – could this GPU be too good to be true?
• Best PC games: must-play titles you don't want to miss

• Popular language learning app Duolingo has teamed up with Netflix to help people learn Korean
• Duolingo’s app features over 40 keywords and phrases from the show
• Duolingo hopes it will "enrich learning" by connecting lessons to the Netflix hit through its "Learn Korean or Else" campaign

TV fans all over the world are hyped for Squid Game season 2, where one of the best Netflix shows will return for a highly anticipated follow-up. But while many global viewers will no doubt choose to watch the series with subtitles or dubbed audio, language learning app Duolingo wants to change that by helping you learn Korean..."or else", the companies warned.

That warning is quite literally the name of the marketing campaign that Duolingo and Netflix have used to bring the world of Squid Game to the language learning app. If that green bird wasn't scary enough, he's already started donning the iconic Squid Game jumpsuit and is encouraging users to learn Korean by immersing himself in that terrifying world, which is pretty on-brand for him, admittedly.

Magno Herran, vice president of partner and brand marketing at Netflix, said of the collaboration: "We discovered there were a lot of shared traits between Duo the Owl and the Pink Guards – both very determined and menacing. So we made it official and gave Duo a Pink Guard uniform and ultimately created something we know fans will love and talk about, cheering A-ssa! in celebration."

What can we expect from the 'Learn Korean or Else' campaign?

Duo, the green owl mascot, will be everywhere in the run-up to Squid Game season 2's debut, being his usual menacing self to encourage people to take Korean lessons. As well as wearing the Pink Guard uniform in the app, fans will also start to see Duolingo ads on Netflix's ad-supported tier, so if you thought you could escape him, you're wrong!

A Duolingo press release also teased that: "Whether [he's] chasing down users in videos or appearing at fan events and on billboards, Duo reminds fans to learn Korean or “face the consequences”.

If you're up for the challenge, you'll start seeing these lessons in-app, featuring over 40 keywords and phrases from the show like 'dolgana', 'Trust no one', 'Let’s play a game', and 'You’ve been eliminated'.

(Image credit: Duolingo)

The Squid Game-specific phrases will be integrated with regular Korean lessons, so the experience won't be too threatening. Then again, it's Duo, so I'd make sure you don't lose your streak. You know he doesn't like that.

This news comes after Netflix's improved dubbing strategy which aims to make non-English language movies and shows even better. So if you are eliminated from your Duolingo lessons, you can always turn on dubbing. You tried your best!

You might also like

• Squid Game season 2's stylish new trailer teases the return of a fan-favorite character and I'm even more excited for the Netflix show
• Squid Game season 2 cast talks fan theories for the returning Netflix show… sort of
• Netflix releases trailer for new Harlan Coben thriller Missing You and it looks like the perfect New Year binge watch

• Aurora is a new photorealistic image generator for Grok
• It appeared for a few hours, then vanished
• Musk claims it was a beta released by mistake

Grok had a new image generator, at least for a few hours this weekend when some X users stumbled upon Aurora, a photorealistic image generator apparently inadvertently released for the social media platform. Aurora offered some fun for users for a little while before it vanished as quickly as it arrived.

Aurora's brief appearance marked a significant upgrade from the current Flux AI image creator. One thing they have in common is a somewhat laid-back approach to copyright and trademark rules, judging from what was shared online. Whether any lawyers have told people to take down AI images they post of Mario, as happened with Flux, isn't clear as of yet. That said, even the most impressive images had the usual quirks, subtle or otherwise, of AI creation, including weirdly long or short limbs and poreless faces. The only thing it apparently wouldn't show is nudity.

Musk’s response to Aurora’s sudden spotlight? A casual acknowledgment on X. “Just the beta version, but it will improve very fast,” he posted in reply to a fan’s praise of the model. That comment suggests Aurora’s development is far from over, and this little test run was likely an unpolished preview of what’s to come.

Just the beta version, but it will improve very fastDecember 7, 2024

Grok the picture

For a model that’s not ready for full release, it's still pretty obvious that X wants Aurora to compete with DALL-E and other AI image models. The goal is likely to keep X users willing to pay for premium services like Grok with the aid of high-quality AI images.

Aurora would tie in nicely with other moves made by Musk for X to expand access to Grok with a new free tier offering limited access to the AI chatbot. While the sudden retraction of Aurora implies there are some issues that the developers are ironing out, the overall goal is still to compete in every facet of AI tools. It also fits with the expanding presence of Grok in other areas, such as an expected mobile app launch in the near future.

You might also like...

• How to (briefly) chat with Grok on X for free
• ChatGPT might finally face some real competition from Grok
• Grok-2 arrives on X with AI image creation, precious few guardrails, and lots of questions

• Zenless Zone Zero Version 1.4 arrives next week
• It overhauls the combat and exploration experience
• Two new agents will also be added, with one free for players

Zenless Zone Zero Version 1.4, or ‘A Storm of Falling Stars’, is on the way and it looks to be one of the biggest and best updates that the game has received yet.

It introduces a wealth of improvements designed to streamline and overhaul the gameplay, finally ditching the controversial 'TV mode' exploration system in favor of a much more immersive 3D environment that you can actually move around. To accommodate this change, Main Story stages have been redesigned all the way from the Prologue to Chapter 3.

Contracted Agents will finally be playable in the city, which sounds like a great way to snap more in-game pics of your favorites. A new Quality Time Mode will be added too, letting your Agents follow you around Sixth Street and other locations on your daily tasks.

Combat has received a small but noticeable tweak in that Decibels, the units you need to accumulate in order to trigger powerful ultimate abilities, are no longer shared between your squad - letting you now use Ultimates sequentially with different characters.

As you might expect, new story content will be introduced focusing on the Section 6 faction and a new Port Elpis environment. In addition to the S-Rank Bangboo Agent Gulliver, two new S-Rank characters from Section 6 are being brought in.

Image 1 of 3

Hoshimi Miyabi (Image credit: Hoyoverse)Image 2 of 3

Asaba Harumasa (Image credit: Hoyoverse)Image 3 of 3

Agent Gulliver (Image credit: Hoyoverse)

This includes the powerful Section 6 leader Hoshimi Miyabi, a Frost Anomaly Agent armed with a magical katana that inflicts Frost Anomaly damage on enemies. There’s also Asaba Harumasa, an Electric Attack Agent with a bow. You will actually be able to obtain Harumasa completely for free, provided you are Inter-Knot level 8 or above after the update is live.

A few new combat modes are coming too, such as the Deadly Assault periodic operation. New environment Reverb Arena will then host a wide range of events with unique gameplay mechanics, including a tower-defense challenge with Bangboo.

Finally, the update adds PlayStation 5 Pro support introducing “enhanced performance” and ray-tracing for even more pristine visuals. Version 1.4 will release on December 18.

If you’re interested in trying Zenless Zone Zero, it’s available now as a free-to-play title on PC, mobile, and PlayStation 5.

You might also like...

• Zenless Zone Zero Version 1.3 adds two new playable agents, new story content, and special events
• PlayStation Wrap-Up is still down after breaking almost immediately at launch
• 8BitDo is one of my favorite controller makers, and it's just released a follow-up to its excellent budget Switch gamepad

• Another Samsung Galaxy Watch is getting the Wear OS 5 treatment
• One UI 6 Watch is rolling out to the Galaxy Watch 4 range
• It comes with new AI fitness features, watch faces, and more

After a slow, gradual rollout of Wear OS 5 to its Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 5 models, Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy Watch 4 is now also receiving the free upgrade, as One UI 6 Watch rolls out to users.

It's a major milestone for Samsung, as its entire Wear OS smartwatch range now supports the latest software, despite a fairly clunky and disjointed rollout.

Samsung has confirmed that it's now rolling out the One UI 6 Watch (Samsung's skin for Wear OS 5) upgrade for its Galaxy Watch 4 range. So what's new in the One UI 6 upgrade for 2024?

Wear OS 5 comes to the Galaxy Watch 4

(Image credit: Future)

As with the Wear OS 5 updates for the Galaxy Watch 5 and 6, the new software brings a host of upgrades, tweaks, and improvements.

Galaxy Watch 4 owners will get new watch faces and visual improvements to the interface, with a new default font, buttons, and toggles. Tile graphics have also been upgraded to make things look better.

Under the hood, new health metrics and improvements bring Samsung's AI-powered energy score, showing you your physical and mental condition based on your sleep and exercise, with advice to help you stay on top of your wellbeing.

There are also more detailed sleep insights, custom workout routines, and the new double-pinch gesture to make navigation easier.

There's also a new power-saving mode that limits some health features and extends battery life.

First released in August 2021, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 marked the return of Wear OS to the Galaxy Watch lineup, but it's possible that this year will be the last major software update the aging model gets.

You may also like

• I’ve been wearing the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra for 2 weeks and here’s what I’ve learned
• Samsung's Galaxy Watches could get a massive battery life boost thanks to solid-state technology
• Wear OS 5 is finally rolling out to Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 – with older models to follow

• New Reddit Answers tool will search Reddit for the answer you want
• It produces a summary of the information on Reddit
• The feature is in testing right now and US-only

Reddit is full of great information, at least if you can find it. Now, the forum is testing an AI solution to dig up the actual information you are seeking in the depths of its threads. The new Reddit Answers tool, hinted at earlier this year, sorts through all those posts for you, filtering out any irrelevancy (or personal digression) in the way of what you’re looking for.

Reddit Answers has a simple premise: You ask Reddit a question, and Reddit Answers digs through relevant posts and threads to give you curated responses. No more clicking through page after page of search results—just the insights, recommendations, and entertaining banter you’re actually looking for.

Say, for instance, you’re planning a trip to Tokyo and want the best local food spots. Instead of scrolling through endless threads or posting a question and waiting hours for replies, you ask Reddit Answers, “What are the best hidden food gems in Tokyo?” The AI pulls together summaries from threads where people have already debated this topic, giving you a bite-sized collection of recommendations, complete with links to the original threads for deeper exploration. Whether you want ramen joints hidden in alleys, quirky cafes, or sushi spots only the locals know, Reddit Answers helps you zero in on what you need.

Or maybe you’re staring at a long row of wood and nail options at the hardware store because you believe you can build a backyard deck on your own. Instead of sifting through conflicting opinions, Reddit Answers might serve up a summary of tips from r/HomeImprovement, like which materials to use, what mistakes to avoid, and links to step-by-step guides posted by fellow DIYers.

Reddit AI

Of course, if the summaries only whet your appetite, you can get more in-depth. A quick round-up explaining why a particular movie from the ‘90s is having a resurgence in popularity is nice, but if you want to see all of the arguments, jokes, and debates that led to that conclusion, you can jump to the end of the original thread. It’s like getting a highlight reel before deciding if you want to binge the whole series.

Reddit Answers is only in testing right now and limited to the U.S. and in English. The company has plans for a wider rollout if the testing goes well. Reddit Answers also fits with Reddit’s broader push to integrate AI across its services. Earlier this year, Reddit announced a partnership with OpenAI, allowing the AI powerhouse to train its models using Reddit’s vast ocean of posts and comments.

Combining AI and the content on Reddit makes sense since AI can be quite good at collecting information but not always great for people looking for specifics, especially on less active threads. But, with AI summaries and guidance, you might find a lot more people leaning on the Reddit community for advice on everything from their personal lives to what electronics to buy, the source of a weird noise in your car, or even just which website always has the best insight into new AI tools being released for you to find those answers (hint: you're already there).

You might also like...

• Reddit will use AI to summarize its insanely long threads and could transform the service
• Reddit is now blocking big search engines and their AI web crawlers from bringing up relevant posts – unless they pay up, and Google already has
• OpenAI's ChatGPT might soon be thanking you for gold and asking if the narwhal bacons at midnight like a cringey Redditor after the two companies reach a deal

The key to AI success is having the right data foundation in place. Put simply, there is no AI without data. But data alone isn’t enough; organizations need to bridge the silos between data, AI and infrastructure to get the most value out of “traditional AI”.

Most organizations, especially non-digital natives, are missing the connection between these three efforts, which is hindering scaled innovation ambitions.

Bridging the gap

In today’s digital world, organizations are focusing on monetizing data as an asset. To achieve this, there needs to be a deliberate business strategy on how to leverage the technology innovations happening in the world of data, AI and infrastructure.

The basic value chain of data and AI is simple: Data is converted into insights, which is converted into actions and decisions to create solutions and services. For example, with traditional AI use cases like personalization, an AI tool provides insights based on someone’s personal data, like from social media, and then generative AI (GenAI) models produce the relevant content for the specific individual.

What’s often missing from this unified data and AI strategy is infrastructure. Both data and AI are infrastructure hungry, and while storage costs have become lower over time, if organizations don’t consider the infrastructure strategy, then the ROI becomes highly questionable.

Very few organizations have an enterprise-wide unified data strategy that connects both AI and infrastructure, as well as structured and unstructured data. Organizational models need to pivot to break these silos. Agile DevOps ways of working and embracing change management are imperative to scale AI to transform your business.

Connecting the dots

Once a business strategy is created, to build the connections between data, AI and infrastructure, there are four steps that organizations can follow:

1. First, understand that you need to shift from collecting to connecting the dots. A mindset shift needs to occur.

2. Identify the big problem you're trying to solve and the use cases that will create the maximum business impact, rather than just collecting data and building AI models and use cases in isolation.

3. Determine the optimal way to run AI models — either by sending the data to the model, such as with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, or getting the AI or the model to the data, which resides in a private, secure environment. Either route depends on factors like data sensitivity and cost, and infrastructure must be a consideration, as AI models consume a lot of GPUs.

4. Strategically ensure the AI, data and infrastructure teams are aligned and working together to solve the problem, rather than operating in silos. Otherwise, organizations will end up with multiple flavors of execution from a technology standpoint for the same project.

Scaling AI and innovation

Once the dots are connected, organizations can start scaling AI and innovation initiatives throughout their enterprise by following these steps:

1. Shift from a use-case-driven approach to a capability-driven approach, building reusable AI capabilities like conversational AI and voice analytics for internal or external service desks.

2. Establish a centralized data, AI and infrastructure team to build the core foundation, platform and capabilities, while allowing business units to build their own AI-powered applications on top. This is crucial for establishing efficiency and consistency.

3. Ensure the technology approach is aligned to the organizational model.

4. Democratize the use of AI across the organization, making it easy for non-technical employees to leverage the capabilities and create value. It’s important to understand how to make it easy for the employees to consume AI create value.

5. Focus first on targeting the low hanging fruit, which is driving efficiencies before transforming employee and customer experiences and then creating new products and services.

The shift has begun

The organizations that will succeed in scaling their innovation and AI ambitions need to shift from simply collecting data to connecting the dots between data, AI and infrastructure through a simplified, outcome-focused approach.

By adopting a unified data, AI and infrastructure strategy, organizations can lay the foundation to effectively scale their AI ambitions and drive tangible business value.

A shift in attitude is taking place and organizations are realizing they need to be much more strategic about how they leverage these three areas to scale innovation effectively and achieve their business’ goals.

It’s advisable to start with the outcomes and then work backwards to figuring out what datasets are needed and how to industrialize that data with AI. The good news today is that cloud, AI and data management technology is now available to change ways of working, bridge connections and drive innovation at scale.

We;ve lised the best Gantt chart software.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• The 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Bluetooth controller is available now in the US
• Comes in blue or pink colors and has a number of notable upgrades
• Worldwide release isn't confirmed as of yet

One of my favorite controller brands has just released a new version of its excellent budget gamepad: the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Bluetooth controller.

A refined version of the 8BitDo Ultimate C Bluetooth controller - which I also consider to be one of the best Nintendo Switch controllers - the 2C is currently only available in the US for an impressive $29.99. Coming in two distinct colorways - blue or pink - I imagine availability will extend to the UK and other regions in due time.

At a glance, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Bluetooth controller has some noticeable upgrades over its predecessor. The Hall effect thumbsticks look to be improved with sturdy metal rings and a pair of remappable bumpers have been added. These are situated between the triggers, much like the ones we see on the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro.

Another change is found in the wireless controller's overall aesthetic. The rear shell now bears a lighter shade of its main color (again, either blue or pink), which I think is a very pleasing touch. It appears that the d-pad and bumpers have also been further refined, this time offering a more tactile and responsive feel overall.

You're also still getting gyro aiming with the 2C - quite a rarity for controllers that are this affordable. However, it does seem like near-field communication (NFC) support for amiibo figures and cards is still absent here, just like the original model. Though that's an omission I'm willing to forgive, especially given the controller's low price point.

Much like GameSir, 8BitDo is a brand that I find to rarely miss the mark when it comes to controller design. I've tested and reviewed several 8BitDo products including the 8BitDo Ultimate and 8BitDo Arcade Stick, and always found something to love with the brand's hardware. Be that in overall quality, affordability, or impressive feature sets, it's a brand that I'm typically confident in recommending to those looking to buy a new controller.

You might also like...

• PlayStation Wrap-Up is still down after breaking almost immediately at launch
• New Nintendo Switch 2 leak may have revealed the first look at the new handheld
• Borderlands 4 and Mafia: The Old Country are expected to make an appearance at The Game Awards 2024

• Judge orders Automattic to stop blocking WP Engine’s access to its servers
• WordPress owner must also restore access to how it was before the falling out
• Automattic CEO has indicated he’s unhappy with the decision

In the latest development in what has been a chequered few months for the WordPress hosting platform, the US District Court for the Northern District of California has sided with WP Engine in its battle against Automattic, the parent company of WordPress.com.

The court’s order demands Automattic stop, “blocking, disabling, or interfering with WPEngine’s and/or its employees’, users’, customers’, or partners’ access to WordPress.org” and “interfering with WPEngine’s control over, or access to, plugins or extensions.”

Judge Martínez-Olguín also criticized Automattic’s defense, which argued WP Engine’s reliance on WordPress.org resource was self-imposed, noting Automattic’s targeted actions specifically against WP Engine exacerbated the harm.

WP Engine comes out victorious?

The dispute began when Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg accused WP Engine of being a “cancer” for taking more than it gives to the open source project.

Mullenweg later banned WP Engine from accessing WordPress.org’s resources for free after days of tit-for-tat arguments.

Apart from blocking WP Engine’s access to WordPress.org servers, WP Engine also accused Mullenweg of seizing control of its Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) plugin. In response to Automattic's drastic measures, WP Engine took legal action.

Judge Martínez-Olguín confirmed that Automattic’s “conduct is designed to induce breach or disruption.”

The court also heard WP Engine “experienced a 14% increase in the average number of daily cancellation requests between September 26 and 30, and an increase of 17% in cancellation requests between October 1 and October 14, as compared to September 1 through September 25.”

The Judge also demanded Automattic “[restores] WPEngine’s and Related Entities’ access to WordPress.org in the manner that such access existed as of September 20, 2024,” including to functionality and development resources, data resources, security resources and support resources.

A WPEngine spokesperson told TechRadar Pro, "We are grateful that the court has granted our motion for a preliminary injunction. The order will bring back much-needed stability to the WordPress ecosystem. WP Engine is focused on serving our partners and customers and working with the community to find ways to ensure a vigorous, and thriving WordPress community.”

We’ve reached out to Automattic for their responses to the court ruling, but did not immediately receive a response - however, Mullenweg did share another user’s X post seemingly indicative of his disagreement. It reads: “Agree with him or not, the court is forcing an open source maintainer into providing services to a user.”

UPDATE: Automattic shared the following statement with TechRadar Pro in an email:

"Today’s ruling is a preliminary order designed to maintain the status quo. It was made without the benefit of discovery, our motion to dismiss, or the counterclaims we will be filing against WP Engine shortly. We look forward to prevailing at trial as we continue to protect the open source ecosystem during full-fact discovery and a full review of the merits."

You might also like

• Here’s our choice of the best WordPress plugins
• Cut the costs by selecting one of the best free website builders
• WordPress grants WP Engine "reprieve" - but they'll need to be quick

• A new report suggests we'll be seeing two Galaxy Z Flip phones next year
• The report also tips both phones will run on Samsung's own Exynos 2500 chipset
• But Samsung has yet to offer any official information on upcoming foldables

A new report has pulled together two different threads of rumors concerning the future of the company’s flip foldable lineup following the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.

According to Korean news outlet Chosun Biz, the rumored Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Flip FE smartphones will use Samsung’s own Exynos 2500 chipset, as the company has managed to overcome hurdles in the chipset manufacturing process. The report was shared on Twitter by notable leaker Jukanlosreve.

The direct mention of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip FE in this report adds to previous rumors of a cheaper folding phone from Samsung, though the use of a flagship-class Exynos 2500 chipset may suggest a more premium device than originally expected.

For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE uses Samsung’s own Exynos 2400e chipset, while the flagship Galaxy S24 models all use the more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset from Qualcomm.

Samsung has been making efforts to move away from Qualcomm and towards its own Exynos platform for quite some time now but has faced difficulties with production, chiefly the inability to produce enough chipsets for the amount of phones the company sells.

It is currently the only major phone maker to not use a proprietary chipset in its flagship phones – Apple equips the iPhone 16 family with the A18 chipset, whereas Google implements its Tensor G4 in the Pixel 9 series.

The report quotes an unnamed senior official at Samsung, who noted that 3nm chipset production has “stabilized” after difficulties with mass production. The official added that “It seems difficult to install it in the Galaxy S25 series due to insufficient quantity, but it will be possible to fully install it in the premium models of the Z Flip series.”

Note the plural “models” in the above quote – this seems to support the idea that multiple new Z Flip phones are on the way, and the emphasis on premium may allude to more powerful specs for the rumored Z Flip FE.

If this is the case, the Exynos 2500 will seem right at home within the Galaxy Z Flip FE, though it may bring the total cost of the handset up somewhat.

No matter the price of the new Galaxy Z Flip devices, it’s likely we’ll see both phones make it to our list of the best folding phones.

Samsung have yet to officially comment on these developments, and likely won’t reveal either rumored phone until close to launch. For the latest official updates as we hear them, be sure to keep up with our Samsung Galaxy phones coverage.

You might also like

• After 3 years I still haven’t ditched my iPhone and gone back to Android, and I can’t believe it
• The latest Samsung Galaxy S25 pricing and storage leaks have me worried
• The world’s first Apple Pay rival for iPhones has launched, but it might bring some drawbacks

• The follow-up to the SU7 takes on the globally-popular SUV body shape
• It boasts larger batteries and more power than the Tesla Model Y
• Xiaomi says the YU7 will go on sale in China next year

Chinese smartphone and technology manufacturer Xiaomi has proven it can make waves in the electric vehicle market with the runaway success of its SU7 electric sedan – a high-performance Ultra version of which recently set a record around Germany’s Nurburgring.

Now, details and imagery of the brand’s debut SUV have been revealed via the company's Weibo site, alongside the name. Dubbed the YU7, the large SUV borrows several design cues from its sedan counterpart and features a nod to one its closest rivals in the nomenclature.

Tesla’s Model Y is clearly going to be Xiaomi’s number one target, with its newest vehicle tipped to offer battery sizes of 94.3kWh and 101kWh, which could equate to an all-electric range in excess of 400 miles on a single charge.

(Image credit: Xiaomi)

The YU7 is also longer and wider than the Tesla counterpart, boasting styling that is reminiscent of Ferrari’s Purosangue performance SUV, with hints of Porsche Macan at the rear. It’s certainly not the most original piece of design, but it’s arguably a more purposeful-looking EV than Tesla’s almost formless Model Y.

The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s website, which publishes details of planned electric vehicle launches, suggested that the YU7 would receive a dual-motor powertrain that could offer a combined power output of 681bhp – almost 100hp more than the most potent Tesla Model Y Long Range Performance model.

There is currently no word on what the interior will look like, although we would expect it share many of its components (including its smartphone-derived technology) with the SU7 sister model. Xiaomi says deliveries of the YU7 will start in China next year.

Analysis: Xiaomi is shaking up the EV industry

(Image credit: Xiaomi)

Many scoffed at the thought of a smartphone-maker taking on some of the biggest names in the automotive game, but the company has proven that its domestic customers crave the absolute cutting-edge in technology.

The company had built and sold 10,000 SU7 models just 32 days after its initial announcement and then went on to hit its 100,000-unit sales target in 230 days. Since that point, it has out-sold Toyota in pure EV sales in China and has gone on to produce a 1,526hp, tri-motor performance version that out-gunned the most ferocious Porsche Taycan around Germany’s infamous Nurburgring.

Xiaomi is shaking up the market and the release of its long-awaited SUV model will only help bolster its sales. Tesla will likely be the most worried about the news, seeing as China has historically been one of its most successful markets.

But, like BYD, Nio and a whole host of fellow Chinese brands, it likely won’t be long before Xiaomi starts to look at other profitable global markets as it seeks expansion.

You might also like

• I’ve driven the Dacia Spring – and this EV is cut-price electric motoring at its bare-bones best
• The Xiaomi SU7 gives us our best look at what the Apple Car could have been
• Best Xiaomi phones 2024: top Mi, Redmi and Black Shark devices ranked

• Android phones are getting a new Motion Cues feature
• The feature should help combat motion sickness when reading in cars
• iPhones recently got a similar feature in iOS 18

If you were paying attention to the iOS 18 launch, you may have noticed a new Vehicle Motion Cues feature that promises to help to combat car sickness. There's now an Android equivalent on the way – and we just got a better idea of how it's going to work.

The folks over at Android Police did some digging into the Google Play Services code on Android, discovering that the feature Google is planning – called, apparently, Motion Cues – is almost ready to be rolled out.

With a few tweaks, the Android Police team was able to get the feature working: You get a simple Motion Cues toggle switch, plus an Auto-enable when Driving option that has the feature kick in whenever your phone thinks you're in a car.

As on iOS, the feature puts small black dots at the edge of the screen, which then move to match the motion of the vehicle you're in. The idea is to remove the disconnect between your body feeling movement and your eyes seeing something fixed and stationary.

Coming soon

The hidden screens enabled by Android Police (Image credit: Android Police)

Google hasn't said anything officially yet, so we don't know when this feature is going to be pushed out – we might not see it until Android 16 arrives around mid-2025, though it could also be part of an Android 15 update. The feature was first spotted last month.

When it does turn up, you'll be able to activate it through the Quick Settings panel, Android Police reports – so with a quick one-finger or two-finger swipe down from the top of the screen you can turn it on and try and ward off any nausea.

Here's how Apple describes its own feature: "With Vehicle Motion Cues, animated dots on the edges of the screen represent changes in vehicle motion to help reduce sensory conflict without interfering with the main content."

That "sensory conflict" happens when there's a disconnect between what you see and what you feel, and Motion Cues should help – not just in cars, but in other places where you might get motion sickness (on a boat, for example).

You might also like

• Everything you need to know about Android 15
• This iOS 18 feature helps prevent car sickness
• AI Mode turns Google searches into conversations

• Samsung will reportedly sell magnetic cases for the Galaxy S25 series
• These could allow you to attach other magnetic accessories to the phones
• It's unclear whether these would be used with or instead of Qi2

One clear advantage the iPhone 16 and other iPhones have over Samsung’s devices is their MagSafe system, which allows you to magnetically attach wireless chargers, tripods, and other accessories to the back of them. But this is a feature that Samsung might be looking to match with the Samsung Galaxy S25 series.

According to leaker Roland Quandt (writing for WinFuture), Samsung is making a range of covers – including transparent covers and what’s being referred to as a “card cover” – with built-in magnets.

According to Quandt’s sources, these magnets will allow you to magnetically attach other accessories to the phone. So, in other words, the case might attach like any normal smartphone case, but its built-in magnet could allow you to attach additional magnetic accessories to the case.

This, then, could allow Samsung to somewhat replicate the MagSafe system without having any MagSafe-like tech built into the phone itself.

The Qi2 question

This leak is all well and good, but recently we heard that the Samsung Galaxy S25 line might support the Qi2 magnetic wireless charging standard. This should mean that you wouldn't need one of these cases to attach magnetic accessories to the phone, as the magnets would already be built into the handset.

So, what’s going on here? It’s possible that both leaks are right, and that Samsung's cases contain additional magnets so you can securely attach accessories even with a case on the phone.

Or maybe the claims of Qi2 were wrong and Samsung’s MagSafe alternative will be powered purely by these cases. Quandt, for his part, said on Bluesky that he hasn’t seen any evidence of Qi2, but that he also wouldn’t be surprised if the standard was supported.

One way or another, though, it’s looking very likely that you’ll be able to use magnetic accessories with the Samsung Galaxy S25 and its siblings.

In other Galaxy S25 news, Quandt has also shared images of some Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra dummy units.

Post by @rquandt030 View on Threads

These images show the phone from all angles in both black and white shades, but they don’t really show us much that we haven’t seen before. As noted by Quandt, they also seem to lack the periscope camera we’re expecting the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra to come equipped with – the device in question has the right number of cameras, but none of the lenses are the square shape we’d expect from a periscope.

As such, it’s possible that other details are wrong too, but these dummy units seem to otherwise line up with other leaked images, which show an S25 Ultra with slightly more rounded corners than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra but an otherwise similar design.

We’re expecting the Samsung Galaxy S25 series to launch in January, with leaks pointing to January 22, so we should get an official look at the design – and any MagSafe-like accessories – before long.

You might also like

• The Galaxy S25 Ultra could have a big RAM boost, but there’s a catch
• Samsung Galaxy S25 specs: all the key rumored specs for every model
• Samsung Galaxy S25 cameras: every expected camera on every model

Whether building a surround sound setup or simply investing in a quality home speaker, Sonos deals are essential to keeping costs low while securing excellent audio. It's easy to get carried away syncing multiple speakers for a full surround sound experience, but such a luxury audio system is well within reach if you play your cards right. After all, we're seeing more and more Sonos sales offering significant discounts across the range, so whether you're after premium or budget models, prices are looking pretty good these days.

Sonos speaker systems offer a wide range of wireless connectivity options to get your music pumping throughout your home. They can tap into your personal collection of MP3s as well as streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. From soundbars to subwoofers, there are Sonos speakers for all occasions—though if you don't pick them up during sales seasons, be prepared for premium pricing.

We have hot deals for the whole line-up, including the Sonos Era 100, Sonos Roam 2, Sonos Beam (Gen 2), and the Sonos Arc. Don't forget to check for Sonos promo codes, too.

Today's best Sonos sales and deals

(Image credit: Sonos) Sonos Era 100 deals

A fantastic upgrade to the Sonos One

Dimensions: 7.2" x 4.7" x 5.1" | Weight: 4.45 lbs | Power supply: 100-240V 50/60Hz internal power supply | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes

Impressive BassCompact design3.5mm line-in option and BluetoothExpensive

The Sonos Era 100 was released in 2023 with a launch price of $249 / £249 / AU$399, which is more expensive than the popular Sonos One speaker. The Sonos Era 100 is an upgrade to the Sonos 100 with the addition of Bluetooth and more connection possibilities, including an adapter that can add a 3.5mm line-in. You're getting room-filling sound with more bass, excellent detail and clarity, and stereo playback, thanks to the two side-firing tweets.

The Sonos Era 100 also features hands-free control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, a beautiful compact design, and Trueplay technology, which analyzes the acoustics of your space to optimize your speaker's EQ.

(Image credit: Sonos) Sonos Roam 2

Dimensions: 6.6" x 2.4" x 2.3" | Weight: .95 lbs | Power supply: 5V/1.5A (7.5W) USB power adapter | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes

Impressive audioLightweight, portable designExpensiveOnly 10 hours of battery life

The Sonos Roam 2 was released in 2024 and is our pick for the best Sonos portable speaker. The Roam 2 features a rugged design with an IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating and weighs just under a pound, making it highly lightweight if you're in the market for an ultra-portable speaker. You're also getting impressive audio with powerful, rich sound and a balanced experience that Sonos speakers are known for, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Sonos Roam 2 retails for $179 / £179 / AU$299 and is available in Black, White, Olive, Sunset, or Wave. While this is pricey for a portable speaker, you can frequently find deals at third-party retailers like Amazon.

Read our full review: Sonos Roam 2

(Image credit: Sonos) Sonos Beam Gen 2

Impressive sound in a compact design

Dimensions: 2.68" x 25.6" x 3.9" | Weight: 6.35 lbs | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240V, 50/60Hz AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes

Room-filling soundVirtual Dolby Atmos supportCompact designExpensive

Released in 2021, the 2nd generation Sonos Beam remains one of the best mid-range soundbars from the company. The Sonos Beam Gen 2 features a compact, sleek design, allowing you to easily situate it beneath your TV and seamlessly blend in. Despite its size, the Sonos Beam can still fill your home with sound, delivering impressive audio with Atmost and HDMI eARC compatibility.

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is also a great choice if you're looking for a Sonos soundbar under $500 / £500. It had a starting price of $449 / £449 / $699 at launch, and because it's been on the shelves for a couple of years now, you can find frequent discounts on the soundbar.

Read our full review: Sonos Beam Gen 2

(Image credit: Sonos) Sonos Arc deals

The best soundbar you can buy

Dimensions: 5.1" x 2" x 5" | Weight: 24.6 lbs | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes

Fantastic sound qualitySleek, discreet designDolby Atmos, TrueHD, and Dolby Digital PlusExpensiveOnly one HDMI port

Launched in 2020, the Sonoc Arc is still the company's best soundbar, thanks to the immersive Dolby Atmos experience. Whether listening to music, watching a movie, or playing a video game, you'll feel like you're in the center of the action - no other speakers needed. The Sonos Arc is also easy to set up and features a sleek, discreet design mounted to a wall or beneath a TV.

At launch, the Sonos Arc cost $799 / £799 / AU$1,399, but after a price hike, it now retails for $899 / £899 / AU$1,499. Discounts are few and far between, so if you see the Sonos speaker on sale, you should take advantage.

Read our full review: Sonos Arc

Sonos One deals

Sonos and Amazon's Alexa is a match made in heaven

Dimensions: 4.8" x 4.8" x 6.4" | Weight: 3.92 lbs | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes

Full-bodied, rich sound Combines best of Alexa and Sonos Plays music while Alexa is muted 

Sonos and Alexa, Amazon's smart personal assistant, are a perfect match for one another - it's almost a wonder it's taken this long for the two of them to meet. Regardless, the Sonos One is here now, and it combines the best of both worlds. The One is able to call upon Alexa to answer basic inquiries, adjust appointments on your calendar, and, for Amazon Prime members, voice access to Amazon's expansive Music Unlimited library.

Read our full review: Sonos One

(Image credit: Sonos) Sonos Beam deals

Sonos Beam makes the soundbar integral to your music listening routine

Dimensions: 25.6" x 2.7" x 3.9" | Weight: 6.35 lbs | HDMI ARC?: Yes | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: No

Great compact designHDMI ARC compatibleSuperb soundApp isn't home theater friendlyNo Dolby AtmosDifficult non-HDMI ARC set-up

It was a long time coming, but the Sonos Beam was finally a Sonos soundbar worth waiting for. With a design small enough to match most TVs, it's equipped with smart features, innovation and exquisite sound that impresses. There are a few issues worth pointing out (the lack of Dolby Atmos at the price disappoints), but the way the speaker fits in with the rest of the Sonos eco-system makes it a must-have for those that have invested in other Sonos devices.

Providing you've got a HDMI-ARC compatible TV (which most modern ones are) it's easy to set-up and, if you've got other compatible Sonos speakers, it's a simple way to get wireless surround sound for your movies, too.

Read our review: Sonos Beam

Sonos Sub deals

Love bass-heavy music genres? You're going to need this

Dimensions: 15.3" x 6.2" x 15.8" | Weight: 36.3 lbs | Speakers: 2 | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz 2A AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes

Adds hefty amount of bassSuper easy set upStrange designCostly addition

Sonos systems are great. Like seriously great. We want to call them perfect, and yet without some sort of low-end support they just aren't. For that you need the Sonos Sub, the additional audio piece that adds a hefty amount of bass to your favorite music genres. The design here is a bit funky, we'll admit, but hey, if you were looking for a conversation starter (and ender) at your next house party, this is it. That said, it's 15.3 x 15.8 x 6.2 inches (389 x 402 x 158 mm) and weighs 36.3 lbs (16 kg). It's available in two colors – premium white gloss and premium black gloss – that can match either your Playbar or Play:5 speaker. Inside you'll find two Class-D amplifiers, two force-cancelling speaker drivers and dual acoustic ports that help the Sub reach a low frequency of about 25Hz.

Read our hands on review: Sonos Sub

So what’s a good deal for Sonos speakers?

Good deals are subjective, obviously. But if we were in your shoes, we’d wait for at least a $50/£35/AU$75-off sale. These happen around the holidays, mostly, but do happen sporadically throughout the year as well.

If you’re looking for a recommendation, your best bet is to start your Sonos system with a Play:5, the big brother of the bunch, and work your way down. We also have a soft spot in our heart for the Playbar (it’s on our best soundbar list, after all) and a Play One is a great pick for kitchens, bedrooms and studies.

If you want the latest and greatest from Sonos, check out the brand-new Sonos Playbase – it's a speaker and TV stand all in one package. OK, without further ado, here are the best Sonos deals we’ve found today.

• Check out the best soundbars for TV shows, movies and music

Whether building a surround sound setup or simply investing in a quality home speaker, Sonos deals are essential to keeping costs low while securing excellent audio. It's easy to get carried away syncing multiple speakers for a full surround sound experience, but such a luxury audio system is well within reach if you play your cards right. After all, we're seeing more and more Sonos sales offering significant discounts across the range, so whether you're after premium or budget models, prices are looking pretty good these days.

Sonos speaker systems offer a wide range of wireless connectivity options to get your music pumping throughout your home. They can tap into your personal collection of MP3s as well as streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. From soundbars to subwoofers, there are Sonos speakers for all occasions—though if you don't pick them up during sales seasons, be prepared for premium pricing.

We have hot deals for the whole line-up, including the Sonos Era 100, Sonos Roam 2, Sonos Beam (Gen 2), and the Sonos Arc. Don't forget to check for Sonos promo codes, too.

Today's best Sonos sales and deals

(Image credit: Sonos) Sonos Era 100 deals

A fantastic upgrade to the Sonos One

Dimensions: 7.2" x 4.7" x 5.1" | Weight: 4.45 lbs | Power supply: 100-240V 50/60Hz internal power supply | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes

Impressive BassCompact design3.5mm line-in option and BluetoothExpensive

The Sonos Era 100 was released in 2023 with a launch price of $249 / £249 / AU$399, which is more expensive than the popular Sonos One speaker. The Sonos Era 100 is an upgrade to the Sonos 100 with the addition of Bluetooth and more connection possibilities, including an adapter that can add a 3.5mm line-in. You're getting room-filling sound with more bass, excellent detail and clarity, and stereo playback, thanks to the two side-firing tweets.

The Sonos Era 100 also features hands-free control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, a beautiful compact design, and Trueplay technology, which analyzes the acoustics of your space to optimize your speaker's EQ.

(Image credit: Sonos) Sonos Roam 2

Dimensions: 6.6" x 2.4" x 2.3" | Weight: .95 lbs | Power supply: 5V/1.5A (7.5W) USB power adapter | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes

Impressive audioLightweight, portable designExpensiveOnly 10 hours of battery life

The Sonos Roam 2 was released in 2024 and is our pick for the best Sonos portable speaker. The Roam 2 features a rugged design with an IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating and weighs just under a pound, making it highly lightweight if you're in the market for an ultra-portable speaker. You're also getting impressive audio with powerful, rich sound and a balanced experience that Sonos speakers are known for, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Sonos Roam 2 retails for $179 / £179 / AU$299 and is available in Black, White, Olive, Sunset, or Wave. While this is pricey for a portable speaker, you can frequently find deals at third-party retailers like Amazon.

Read our full review: Sonos Roam 2

(Image credit: Sonos) Sonos Beam Gen 2

Impressive sound in a compact design

Dimensions: 2.68" x 25.6" x 3.9" | Weight: 6.35 lbs | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240V, 50/60Hz AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes

Room-filling soundVirtual Dolby Atmos supportCompact designExpensive

Released in 2021, the 2nd generation Sonos Beam remains one of the best mid-range soundbars from the company. The Sonos Beam Gen 2 features a compact, sleek design, allowing you to easily situate it beneath your TV and seamlessly blend in. Despite its size, the Sonos Beam can still fill your home with sound, delivering impressive audio with Atmost and HDMI eARC compatibility.

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is also a great choice if you're looking for a Sonos soundbar under $500 / £500. It had a starting price of $449 / £449 / $699 at launch, and because it's been on the shelves for a couple of years now, you can find frequent discounts on the soundbar.

Read our full review: Sonos Beam Gen 2

(Image credit: Sonos) Sonos Arc deals

The best soundbar you can buy

Dimensions: 5.1" x 2" x 5" | Weight: 24.6 lbs | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes

Fantastic sound qualitySleek, discreet designDolby Atmos, TrueHD, and Dolby Digital PlusExpensiveOnly one HDMI port

Launched in 2020, the Sonoc Arc is still the company's best soundbar, thanks to the immersive Dolby Atmos experience. Whether listening to music, watching a movie, or playing a video game, you'll feel like you're in the center of the action - no other speakers needed. The Sonos Arc is also easy to set up and features a sleek, discreet design mounted to a wall or beneath a TV.

At launch, the Sonos Arc cost $799 / £799 / AU$1,399, but after a price hike, it now retails for $899 / £899 / AU$1,499. Discounts are few and far between, so if you see the Sonos speaker on sale, you should take advantage.

Read our full review: Sonos Arc

Sonos One deals

Sonos and Amazon's Alexa is a match made in heaven

Dimensions: 4.8" x 4.8" x 6.4" | Weight: 3.92 lbs | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes

Full-bodied, rich sound Combines best of Alexa and Sonos Plays music while Alexa is muted 

Sonos and Alexa, Amazon's smart personal assistant, are a perfect match for one another - it's almost a wonder it's taken this long for the two of them to meet. Regardless, the Sonos One is here now, and it combines the best of both worlds. The One is able to call upon Alexa to answer basic inquiries, adjust appointments on your calendar, and, for Amazon Prime members, voice access to Amazon's expansive Music Unlimited library.

Read our full review: Sonos One

(Image credit: Sonos) Sonos Beam deals

Sonos Beam makes the soundbar integral to your music listening routine

Dimensions: 25.6" x 2.7" x 3.9" | Weight: 6.35 lbs | HDMI ARC?: Yes | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: No

Great compact designHDMI ARC compatibleSuperb soundApp isn't home theater friendlyNo Dolby AtmosDifficult non-HDMI ARC set-up

It was a long time coming, but the Sonos Beam was finally a Sonos soundbar worth waiting for. With a design small enough to match most TVs, it's equipped with smart features, innovation and exquisite sound that impresses. There are a few issues worth pointing out (the lack of Dolby Atmos at the price disappoints), but the way the speaker fits in with the rest of the Sonos eco-system makes it a must-have for those that have invested in other Sonos devices.

Providing you've got a HDMI-ARC compatible TV (which most modern ones are) it's easy to set-up and, if you've got other compatible Sonos speakers, it's a simple way to get wireless surround sound for your movies, too.

Read our review: Sonos Beam

Sonos Sub deals

Love bass-heavy music genres? You're going to need this

Dimensions: 15.3" x 6.2" x 15.8" | Weight: 36.3 lbs | Speakers: 2 | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz 2A AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes

Adds hefty amount of bassSuper easy set upStrange designCostly addition

Sonos systems are great. Like seriously great. We want to call them perfect, and yet without some sort of low-end support they just aren't. For that you need the Sonos Sub, the additional audio piece that adds a hefty amount of bass to your favorite music genres. The design here is a bit funky, we'll admit, but hey, if you were looking for a conversation starter (and ender) at your next house party, this is it. That said, it's 15.3 x 15.8 x 6.2 inches (389 x 402 x 158 mm) and weighs 36.3 lbs (16 kg). It's available in two colors – premium white gloss and premium black gloss – that can match either your Playbar or Play:5 speaker. Inside you'll find two Class-D amplifiers, two force-cancelling speaker drivers and dual acoustic ports that help the Sub reach a low frequency of about 25Hz.

Read our hands on review: Sonos Sub

So what’s a good deal for Sonos speakers?

Good deals are subjective, obviously. But if we were in your shoes, we’d wait for at least a $50/£35/AU$75-off sale. These happen around the holidays, mostly, but do happen sporadically throughout the year as well.

If you’re looking for a recommendation, your best bet is to start your Sonos system with a Play:5, the big brother of the bunch, and work your way down. We also have a soft spot in our heart for the Playbar (it’s on our best soundbar list, after all) and a Play One is a great pick for kitchens, bedrooms and studies.

If you want the latest and greatest from Sonos, check out the brand-new Sonos Playbase – it's a speaker and TV stand all in one package. OK, without further ado, here are the best Sonos deals we’ve found today.

• Check out the best soundbars for TV shows, movies and music

Beats headphone deals are far more commonplace these days. The previously premium cups have taken some serious price cuts over the years, which means cheap Beats headphones are often lining the shelves if you're browsing at the right time. We often see these headphones taking heavier discounts during holiday sales but if you're browsing outside of an event, there are still likely to be some solid offers on the table.

For you Beats deals hunters, that means some fantastic cheap Beats Headphones sales on the older models, although the new ones are often for sale as well. Thankfully, there are Beats Headphones prices for everyone as well, as prices range from just $69/£69 to $249/£249.

We're helping you find all the latest Beats headphone deals right here, with our price comparison software running through all the biggest offers on the web every half hour. Whether you're after one of the more luxurious models or a budget pick, you'll find all the lowest prices right here.

Beats headphones are something of an institution when it comes to consumer audio tech and are absolutely up there with the very best brands when it comes to popularity. Acquired by Apple back in the heady days of 2014, the Beats brand has gone from strength to strength and now encompasses a wide range of over-ear headphones and in-ear earphones, including some of the best wireless headphones.

Today's best Beats headphone deals The best Beats headphone deals

(Image credit: Beats) 1. Beats Solo Buds (2024)

Best earbuds for battery life

Design: In-ear | Noise cancelling: No | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 18h | NFC: No | Controls: Touch | Weight: 5.7g | Colors available: Black, Arctic Purple, Transparent Red, Storm Gray | Year released: 2024 | Launch price: $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$129.95

Long-lasting batteryCompact caseAffordableLacks active noise cancellation

Released in 2024, the Beats Solo Buds are the company's smallest, cheapest, and longest-lasting earbuds, retailing for only $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$129.95.

The most impressive feature of the Solo Buds is its exceptional battery life, with an incredible 18 hours of listening time. The Beats earbuds also feature a compact case and comfortable fit with four ear tip sizes included. While The Solo Buds lack audio features such as active noise cancellation and spatial audio, they still provide quality sound at an affordable price.

(Image credit: Beats) 2. Beats Studio Buds Plus (2023)

The best Beats earbuds you can buy

Design: In-ear | Noise cancelling: Yes | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 9h | NFC: No | Controls: Touch | Weight: 5g | Colors available: Black, Silver, Ivory, Transparent | Year released: 2023 | Launch price: $169/£179/AU$269

Unique transparent designImpressive noise cancellationImproved microphone qualityLacks wireless charging

The Beats Studio Buds Plus were launched in 2023 with a starting price of $169 / £179 / AU$269, only $10 more than the original Beats Studio Buds cost. The earbuds feature improved Active Noise Cancelling and Transparency Mode and better microphone quality that filter background noise for crisp and clear calls. The most glaring new feature of the Studio Buds Plus, is the transparent design option, which allows you to see the inner workings of your earbuds, including circuits, power supplies and components. The Beats Studio Buds provide up to 36-hours of battery life and feature enhanced compatibility with both Apple and Android devices.

(Image credit: Beats) 3. Beats Fit Pro (2021)

A cheaper alternative to the AirPods Pro 2

Design: In-ear | Noise cancelling: Yes | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 6h | NFC: No | Controls: Touch | Weight: 5.6g | Colors available: Black, Red, White, Gray, Blue, Pink, Yellow, Purple, Nude | Year released: 2022 | Launch price: $199/£199/AU$299.95

Comfortable and secure fitActive noise cancellationH1 chip for hands-free SiriExpensive

The Beats Fit Pro were released in 2021 as workout-friendly earbuds that are an alternative to Apple's pricey AirPods Pro 2, costing $199 / £199 / AU$299.95 at launch.

The wireless earbuds feature active noise cancellation and deliver impressive sound quality thanks to Apple's powerful H1 chip that gets you access to hands-free Siri. You're also getting a comfortable and secure fit thanks to the wing tip design, plus an impressive six hours of battery life, on-device controls, and new fun color options like Stone Purple and Sage Green.

(Image credit: Beats) 4. Beats Studio Buds (2021)

Budget earbuds with active noise cancellation

Design: In-ear | Noise cancelling: Yes | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 8h | NFC: No | Controls: Touch | Weight: 10g | Colors available: Black, Red, White, Gray, Blue | Year released: 2021 | Launch price: $149/£159.99

Active noise cancellationCheaper than the AirPods ProQuality soundComfortable fitLacks H1 Wireless Chip

The Beats Studio Buds were released in 2021 as a cheaper option to Apple's AirPods Pro, with a starting price of $149.99 / £129.99 / AU$199.95, which is considerably less than Apple's earbuds.

The Beats Studio Buds deliver a powerful, balanced sound with dynamic range and active noise cancellation, a feature the below Powerbeats Pro lack. You're also getting a comfortable fit with three soft eartip sizes included and full volume and track controls on the earbuds, so you don't need your device to adjust your music. The Beats Studio Buds also provide an impressive 8 hours of battery life and are compatible with Apple and Android devices.

5. Beats Flex (2020)

Beats cheapest earbuds

Design: In-ear | Noise cancelling: No | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 12h | NFC: No | Controls: Touch | Weight: 18.6g | Colors available: Black, Blue, Gray, Yellow | Year released: 2020 | Launch price: $69.95/£69.99

AffordableFast chargingLong-lasting battery lifeNot true wireless earbuds

The Beats Flex wireless earbuds are the brand's cheapest earbuds, retailing for just $69.99 / £59.99 / AU$99.95, which is significantly less compared to other premium earbuds. You're getting many of the same features of the Powerbeats Pro, including the Apple W1 Wireless Chip for seamless connectivity and a built-in sensor that automatically plays music when they're in your ears and pauses when attached around your neck. The Beats Flex also offer an impressive 12 hours of battery life, and a 10-minute Fast Fuel charge will give you 1.5 hours of playback time when the battery is low

6. Powerbeats Pro (2019)

Workout-focused earbuds

Design: In-ear | Noise cancelling: No | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 9h | NFC: No | Controls: Touch | Weight: 22g | Colors available: Black, Ivory, Navy, Moss | Year released: 2019 | Launch price: $249/£219

Excellent battery lifeSnug fit while exercisingThe best in-ear Beats soundStill expensive

Released in 2019, the Powerbeats Pro were the most exercise-friendly Beats headphones at the time, thanks to the hook that reaches behind the ear that ensures your Beats stay in place during any activity.

In addition to that signature bass-heavy sound, you're getting surprisingly adept quality in mid-range clarity as well as superior noise-isolation to the AirPods. Make no mistake, though, Beats are at their best with high-energy, big tunes. So, if you're hitting the gym, these are the Beats you want. They're not waterproof, mind, so be careful if you go running in the rain.

We're loving the 9-hour battery, and that can be boosted to around 24 hours thanks to the charging case that comes with the new Powerbeats Pro headphones. Running late? A five-minute quick charge gives you 90 minutes of playback. Nice.

Even better, the Powerbeats Pro see regular inclusion in cheap Beats headphones sales, making them a fantastic option for deal hunters in particular.

Cheap Beats deals on headphone models

(Image credit: Beats) 1. Beats Solo 4 (2024)

Beats latest over-ear headphones

Design: : On-ear | *Active Noise canceling: No | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 50h (22 with NC) | NFC: No | Controls: Touch and voice | Weight: 217g | Colors available: Black, Slate Blue, Cloud Pink | Year released: 2024 | Launch price: $199 / £199

AffordableImpressive battery lifeLightweight designLacks active noise cancellation

Released in 2024, the Beats Solo 4 are the company's latest over-hear headphones with a starting retail price of $199 / £199 / AU$329. The Beats Solo 4 are the successor to the 2016 Solo 3 and feature updates such as improved audio and a longer battery life.

The Solo 4 also includes an ultra-lightweight design, with comfortable earbuds and a secure fit, which make them great headphones for working out. You're also getting smart features for both Android and iOS – including Personalized Spatial Audio for Apple fans, which works great. While the Solo 4 headphones lack active noise cancellation, the price reflects that compared to similar over-ear headphones with ANC.

(Image credit: Beats) 1. Beats Studio Pro (2023)

Beats best noise canceling over-ear headphones

Design: : On-ear | *Active Noise canceling: Yes | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 40h (22 with NC) | NFC: No | Controls: Touch and voice | Weight: 260g | Colors available: Black, Deep Brown, Navy, Sandstone | Year released: 2023 | Launch price: $349 / £349

Active noise cancellationImpressive battery lifeSleek designExpensive

The Beats Studio Pro are the company's latest over-ear headphones, and their retail starting price is $349 / £349 / AU$530. The 2023 Studio Pro features a beautiful design that Beats is known for and come in a sleek fabric case with four different colors available: black, deep brown, navy, and sandstone. You're getting impressive sound, deep bass, and active noise cancellation with personalized spatial audio. The wireless headphones feature 40 hours of battery life, and a 10-minute fast charge will give you four more hours of playback.

2. Beats Solo 3 (2018)

Still a fantastic pair of headphones

Design: On-ear | Noise cancelling: No | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 40h | NFC: No | Controls: touch+wired | Weight: 215g | Colors available: Matt Black, Satin Gold, Satin Silver, Gloss Black, Gloss White, Rose Gold, Gold, Silver, Red, Black/Red | Year released: 2018 | Launch price: $299/£250

Punchy soundExcellent wireless connectionOften available at a discounted price

If you have a modern iPhone and want a pair of the best Beats headphones made specifically for Apple's latest range, you really should take a look at the Beats Solo 3 Wireless headphones. In addition to a fantastic wireless connection and punchy sound, you're getting a huge battery run-time. A single charge can last for up to 40 hours which could last you for an entire week's worth of commuting between charges.

The Solo 3 Wireless are the most popular over/on-ear headphones in the Beats range and are regularly featured in cheap Beats headphones sales. They're also available in a whole range of different color designs so there's plenty of scope to choose a color scheme that best represents your personality - whether that's jet black or blingy gold!

They fold neatly away in a bag and don't look massive on your head - although there are no noise cancelling options with this model - for that you'd need either the Beats Studio 3 Wireless or the newer Beats Solo Pro. If you're looking for cheap Beats headphones prices on a set of over-ear cans that don't feel outdated in their spec, the 2018 Solo 3 model is for you.

(Image credit: Beats) 3. Beats Solo Pro (2019)

Difficult to find in stock

Design: : On-ear | *Noise canceling: Yes | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 40h (22 with NC) | NFC: No | Controls: Touch and voice | Weight: 267g | Colors available: Black, Ivory, Dark Blue, Light BLue, Red, Gray | Year released: 2019 | Launch price: $299 / £269

Great noise-cancelation40-hour battery lifeUseful transparency mode

Studier than the Solo 3 line and sporting a cool matte finish in each color, the Beats Solo Pro feels like the biggest step up in quality the series has seen in some time for its larger line of headphones. Beats work best with iPhones and pairs fast thanks to modern chipsets, and we love the hands-free Siri integration, too, which is a first on the Beats Solo Pro.

The active noise cancellation brings Apple's Beats somewhat closer to the best offerings from Sony and Bose, although those two are still ahead by some distance. We do like the simple one-button access to the transparency mode here, though. This optional feature allows some outside noise to come through, which can be handy in an office if you want to be aware of someone calling your name or make sure you're aware of traffic around you when walking or cycling.

You'll see one of the higher Beats headphones prices attached to this particular set of cans, but for a 2019 model with such power as these, it's easily worth it.

4. Beats Studio 3 (2017)

The best Beats headphones for noise-cancelling

Design: Over-ear | Noise cancelling: Yes | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 22-40h | NFC: No | Controls: touch+wired | Weight: 260g | Colors available: Black, White, Blue, Red, Grey, Black/Red | Year released: 2017 | Launch price: $349/£299

Excellent noise-cancellingBetter batterySolid performance

The Beats Studio 3 were first launched in 2017 with a starting price of $349 / £299, but since then, you can find frequent discounts on the wireless headphones. Using an over-ear, closed-back design, the Studio 3 is one of the best noise-cancelling sets of headphones Beats has ever made. The battery has massively improved, too, so that you can enjoy music for up to 22 hours, or 40, with the active noise cancellation turned off.

The Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones are a great match for users of modern iPhones missing 3.5mm jacks - you can pair them with any smartphone, though, thanks to the Bluetooth technology. The Studio 3 is available in multiple colors, including red, matte black, white, porcelain rose, blue, and shadow grey. They are more expensive compared with the Solo 3 Wireless, and they're bulkier and heavier, too - so do make sure you're aware of this before you buy.

5. Beats EP headphones (2016)

The cheapest big Beats headphones currently available

Design: On-ear | Noise cancelling: No | Wireless: No | Battery life: N/A | NFC: No | Controls: Wired | Weight: 204g | Colors available: Black, White, Blue, Red | Year released: 2016 | Launch price: $99/£89

Budget-friendly BeatsGreat color optionsBalanced and rounded sound

The Beats EP headphones are the cheapest on-ear headphones in the Beats by Dre lineup and are a fine place to start if you've had your eye on the colorful stylings for a while. They're wired via a 3.5mm jack, but at least you'll never have to worry about them running out of battery juice.

• Try Amazon Music Unlimited with a FREE trial: US | UK | AU

Which cheap Beats headphones should you buy?

On the over-ear and on-ear side of the Beats headphones range you'll find the Beats Solo Pro and Beats Studio 3 Wireless leading the charge with the best sound and highest price. The Beats Solo 3 Wireless is the most popular option, and also one of the more recent, with an on-ear slightly more compact design. Meanwhile, the Beats EP is a cheap Beats headphone option that goes for under $100. You can also still pick up a pair of Beats Pro headphones, made for DJs - though they're no longer listed on the Beats website.

Meanwhile, the Powerbeats Pro are the latest true wireless earbuds in the Beats in-ear headphone range, offering totally wireless listening with a sporty finish – think Apple Airpods but with better noise isolation and better sound.

They're backed up by the Powerbeats3 Wireless, the previous wireless option that connects the earphones behind your neck. The Powerbeats3 and the slightly newer Beats X, a more traditional style of wireless earbuds, are your best bet for cheap Beats headphone sales right now. However, at the bottom end, you also have the wired urBeats3 earphones, available with either 3.5mm or Lightning connector for an iPhone. This is where you'll find the best Beats headphones prices, but not necessarily the quality to back them up.

• Back to the top ^ 

Cheap headphone deals are always ready and waiting to offer up a discount - whether you're on the hunt for the latest and greatest cups or something a little more wallet-friendly. We're rounding up all the biggest discounts on everything from Sony and Apple to Bose right here, as well as some of our favorite budget picks for extra strong value for money.

With every new product release, older generations will shuffle further down the price scale. That's a lot of tracking to make sure you're getting the best value for your cash possible. We've gathered this roundup of the headphones we're currently watching for the biggest offers - and our price comparison software will bring you all the lowest rates every half an hour.

We cover all the best headphones released, including over-ear headphones, noise-canceling headphones, and wireless headphones, so there's plenty on offer. Luckily, you'll find some pretty low-cost headphone deals here, so you won't have to break the bank to find a pair that should last. Prices start at around $20 / £20 on our list this week, and what's more, most of these headphones have been impartially reviewed by us, so you know what you're getting here.

Best headphone deals

(Image credit: Apple) 1. Apple AirPods 4

Apple's latest AirPods at a discounted price

Headphone type: In-Ear | Weight: .15 oz | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Bluetooth range: 800ft | Battery life: 6 hours **Battery life (charging case):** 30 hours

AffordableImpressive noise cancellationQuality soundLacking on-ear volume control

Apple's all-new AirPods 4 were released in September of 2024 and are available in two models: one with active noise cancellation, priced at $179 / £179, and one without, costing $129 / £129.

Apple says the AirPods 4 are the best-fitting AirPods ever and feature a new refined contour and shorter stem. The AirPods include Apple's H2 chip that supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation to improve the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Other features include new controls for playing music and muting calls, a case that delivers 30 hours of battery life, and support for USB-C for wireless charging.

(Image credit: Apple) 2. Apple AirPods Pro 2

Apple earbuds with premium sound and noice cancellation

Headphone type: In-Ear | Weight: .18 oz | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Bluetooth range: 15m | Battery life: 6 hours **Battery life (charging case):** 30 hours

Frequently on saleBattery life is exceptionalImmersive soundExpensive

In September 2022, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 were launched with a starting price of $249 / £249 / AU$399. The earbuds feature enhanced noise cancellation and overall sound quality thanks to Apple's new H2 chip and improved in-ear detection and touch controls for volume adjustment. The 2nd generation AirPods Pro also pack an extended battery life and a redesigned case that provides up to 30 hours of total listening time with Active Noise Cancellation using ‌the MagSafe‌ Charging Case.

Thanks to the release of the AirPods 4, you can find impressive AirPods Pro 2 sales, with record-low prices reaching well below $200 / £200.

3. Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)

Apple's cheapest earbuds

Headphone type: In-Ear | Weight: .14 oz | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Bluetooth range: 10m | Battery life: 5 hours **Battery life (charging case):** 24 hours

Affordable for Apple earbudsSound is greatOne-size-fits-all designDon't lose them! 

Don't discount the Apple AirPods; while they may indeed be a pricier option, recent sales have driven prices down to an almost bargain price point, so much in fact, you can often pick them up for as low as $99 / £110.

There’s a lot about the AirPods that we like. They sound great, their battery life and charging speeds run laps around the competition, and it’s hard to overstate just how seamless the pairing process is. If the prices go down even further, as we expect later this year, they could just be a great value pickup - especially for those with an iOS device.

(Image credit: JBL) 4. JBL Tune 510BT

Cheap over-ear headphones

Headphone type: Over-Ear | Weight: 5.6 oz | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Battery life: 40 hours

AffordableImpressive sound40 hours of battery lifeLacks noise cancellation

The JBL Tune 510BT have over 50,000 positive reviews on Amazon and are one of the best-selling headphones on the site. The over-ear headphones come with JBL's renowned Pure Bass sound to deliver powerful audio and feature Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 Streaming, so you can stream music and podcasts and take calls from your device. You also get an impressive 40 hours of battery life plus a quick five-minute recharge, which gives you two additional hours of listening time.

The best part about JBL's headphones is perhaps the price, retailing at just $49.95 / £39.99 and frequently discounted during holiday sales.

(Image credit: Sony) 5. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's latest over-ear headphones

Headphone type: Over-Ear | Weight: 4.5 oz | Connectivity: Wireless | Battery life: 30 hours

Excellent noise cancellationSmart ambient featuresSleek designExpensive

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones follow their predecessor's steps by offering superb sound, active noise cancellation, and an expensive price tag. Sony's headphones retail for $399/£380/AU$650, which is more than the previous generation, the Sony 1000XM4s, which were priced at $349/£350/AU$549 at launch.

Sony's WH-1000XM5 offer improved noise cancellation, voice microphones for better video and audio calls, and an impressive 40 hours of battery life. Perhaps the most significant change in the WH-1000XM5 is the new design. Sony has gone with a sleeker and curvier style with slimmer headphones for superior comfort.

(Image credit: Sony) 6. Sony WH-1000XM4

Premium headphones frequently on sale

Headphone type: Over-Ear | Weight: 4.5 oz | Connectivity: Wireless | Battery life: 30 hours

Discounted regularlySuperb noise cancellation30-hour battery lifeExpensive

The Sony WH1000XM4 are ranked in the top spot of TechRadar's best noise-cancelling headphones list, offering industry-leading digital noise cancellation technology. Whether traveling, walking, or in a busy office, these headphones will adapt to the sounds around you and block out background noise accordingly. The Bluetooth headphones also include Touch Sensor controls so you can easily skip tracks, control volume, answer phone calls, and more. The Sony WH1000XM4 provide up to 30 hours of battery life, with quick charging if you need a fast recharge.

The premium headphones don't come cheap, retailing for $349 / £349 / AU$549, but thanks to the release of Sony's WH1000XM5, you'll frequently find deals on the headphones, especially during holiday sales.

7. Sony WH-CH510

Budget over-ear headphones

Headphone type: Over-Ear | Weight: 4.6 oz | Connectivity: Wireless | Battery life: 35 hours

Impressive soundSmart noise cancellationAffordableLacks 3.5mm jack and USB audio

The Sony WH-CH510 is our top pick for the best budget over-ear headphones, offering industry-leading digital noise cancellation technology. Whether you're traveling, walking, or in a busy office, these headphones will adapt to the sounds around you and block out background noise accordingly. The Bluetooth headphones also include Touch Sensor controls so you can easily skip tracks, control volume, answer phone calls, and more. The Sony WH-CH510 provide up to 35 hours of battery life, with quick charging if you need a fast recharge.

8. JLab Go Air True Wireless Earbuds

Bargain true-wireless earbuds

Headphone type:: In-ear | Weight:: 3.2 oz | Frequency response:: 20Hz-20kHz | Drivers: 8mm | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Wireless range: 30ft | Battery life: 5 hours

Unbelievable priceGood connectivityIPX5 waterproof ratingPoor audio

No longer is true-wireless tech a feature reserved for the most premium of buds, thanks to the JLab Go Air - a pair of totally wireless earbuds available for the almost unbelievable price of just $29 / £29.

Sure, these are definitely on the more "budget" end of things, and subsequently, you shouldn't expect world-beating audio, amazing build quality, or premium features like active noise cancellation, but for $30 - you're definitely getting a pair of functional buds here.

Available in white, khaki green, black, and navy blue, the JLab Go Air True Wireless Earbuds feature an IPX5 sweatproof rating, 5 hours of battery life, and three different equalizer settings, which you can use to cater to your tracks of choice. Overall, that's not bad in our books and definitely worth considering if you want to get your hands on a pair of truly wireless buds without spending the $99 that the (admittedly much better) Lypertek Tevi go for these days.

(Image credit: JBL) 9. JBL Tune 750BTNC

Great headphones which are often discounted

Headphone type: : Over-ear | Weight:: 7.76 oz | Drivers:: 40mm | Connectivity:: Bluetooth | Battery life:: 22

Great valueGood audio and comfortNo waterproofingAverage battery life

Want a pair of extremely solid, Bluetooth headphones that also pack in excellent active noise cancellation for under $100? Check out the JBL Tune 750BTNC.

While the JBL Tune 750BTNC have an official listing price of $129 / £120, we often see them go for as little as $99 / £89, which makes them one of the best headphone deals around right now. For that price, you're getting a ton of excellent features for the money, including active noise cancellation, great audio, and a pretty damn sturdy pair of headphones for the price.

The only downside we've found with these headphones is the lack of the latest Bluetooth support. These are on a slightly older version so don't quite have the wireless range of the newest premium headphones. There's also no waterproofing on these JBL's either, but otherwise, they get a hearty recommendation for us.

(Image credit: Tascam) 10. Tascam TH-02

The cheapest studio-quality over-ears

Headphone type:: Over-ear closed back | Weight:: 1.01 lbs | Drivers:: 50mm | Sensitivity:: 98 dB ± 3dB | Connectivity:: Wired (3.5mm)

Excellent sound for the priceFoldableCan be a tight fit for bigger headsFairly dated aesthetic

If you're looking for a cheap, no-nonsense set of wired headphones for your work desk or home use, check out the Tascam TH-02. These fully over-ear closed-back headphones aim to provide a detailed, studio-ready audio experience, but most importantly, retail for just $20 / £20 at Amazon currently.

Tascam is a trusted brand that has been around for many years, and the TH-02 is a good choice over the many nameless and unbranded headphones that tend to sit at this price point. You're getting some powerful drivers here, as well as a fairly robust (albeit slightly dated) plastic design that should last for a good time.

Of course, you probably won't want to be seen out with these giant old-school headphones, but for home use and sitting at the office desk, these headphones will give you plenty of quality and isolation for the price.

11. AKG K92

Quality over-ears from an Industry giant

Headphone type: Over-Ear | Weight: 1.2 lb | Frequency response: 16Hz-20KHz | Drivers: 40mm | Connectivity: Wired

Great soundingComfortable to wearBudget plastic constructionNo detachable cable

When it comes to headphones, the general consensus is that you very much get what you pay for. But with AKG's K92, what you're getting is so much more. These headphones offer a level of sound quality that far outstrips their budget price tag. That being said, these are some of the largest cans you might ever find, and therefore might not be the best choice for anyone out there who has a petite noggin. Specs-wise, however, it's all good. The K92's professional 40mm drivers offer an extended 16 - 20,000Hz frequency response with a 113 dB SPL/V sensitivity level. It has a cable length of about 9 feet (3 meters) and weighs around 200 grams.

(Image credit: 1more) 12. 1MORE Triple Driver

Great value wired earphones that are often on sale

Headphone type: In-ear | Weight: 0.6 oz | Frequency response: 20-40kHz | Drivers: 3 proprietary | Connectivity: Wired (3.5mm)

Excellent build qualitySound fantasticRubber cable can snag

One for the audiophiles among you, the 1MORE Triple Driver offers quite simply some of the best audio quality available for under $100, and even better news, they also happen to go on sale frequently for as little as $70 / £80 right now.

For that price, you're getting a pair of specially tuned, audio engineer-approved earbuds that have a pretty novel set of (as the name suggests) proprietary drivers to blast out all your favorite tunes in perfect clarity. Subsequently, you can expect great performance from these, and the built and fit isn't too shabby either.

Remember though, these are fully wired earphones and therefore are subject to tangles, snagging, and general noises unless careful. If you'd prefer wireless, then definitely check out the other great recommendations on our list.

(Image credit: Lypertek) 13. Lypertek Tevi true wireless earbuds

Astoundingly good value earbuds

Headphone type: In-ear | Weight:: 3.53 oz | Frequency response:: 20Hz-20KHz | Drivers:: 6mm | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Battery life: 10 hours

Awesome valueGreat soundAbove average battery lifePedestrian design

The Lypertek Tevi firmly get our nod for the best true wireless earbuds you can buy under $100, and even better news for headphone deals hunters is that they are often discounted to just $89 / £89.

For that price, what's on offer here is pretty unbeatable. Not only have they got a great, balanced sound, but the excellent battery life, USB-C charging, and waterproofing just make for an overall awesome value package here.

While their asking price is firmly on the higher end, especially when compared to the cheaper options on our list, these headphones look, feel and sound like a much more premium set in themselves. Subsequently, if you're happy to spend that little extra that week, you definitely won't be disappointed with these great mid-range earbuds from Lypertek.

(Image credit: Amazon) 14. Amazon Echo Buds

Alexa powered earbuds

Weight: 7.6 grams | Battery Life: 5 hours | Connection: Wireless | Bluetooth: 5.0 | Noise Cancellation: Yes | IPX rating: IPX4 (earbuds only)

Built-in Alexa voice assistantActive noise cancellation by BoseCheaper than AirPods 

The Amazon Echo Buds were released in 2019 with an affordable starting price of $129.99/£119.99. Thanks to sale events like Prime Day, we've seen the earbuds drop to as low as $99.99/£89.99.

The earbuds include Active Noise Reduction technology that was developed by Bose and feature an advanced microphone that allows you hands-free access to Amazon Alexa. The Alexa-enabled earbuds allow you to skip songs, adjust the volume, ask questions, and more completely hands-free. The sweat-resistant earbuds provide up to five hours of battery life and come in three different sizes for a secure and comfortable fit.

• If you're interested in wireless headphones see more of the best cheap wireless headphone deals and sales

Hollow Knight: Silksong does not currently have a release date, after being delayed out of its last window. Thankfully, we did get a short update during the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal event which let us know that it'll come out sometime in 2025.

So far, Team Cherry has revealed a fair bit of gameplay, a couple of trailers, and provided an update on the development of Hollow Knight Silksong nearly two years ago. In terms of upcoming games, Silksong is easily one of the most highly anticipated, so hopefully we see more of it sooner rather than later.

There's still plenty to learn about Hollow Knight Silksong, namely whether or not it can measure up to the lofty legacy of its predecessor. Here's what we know about the upcoming sequel so far, including a look at gameplay, all of the latest news, and what's been said about when Hollow Knight Silksong is coming out, and on what platforms.

Hollow Knight Silksong - Cut to the chase

• What is it? The sequel to Hollow Knight, a modern-classic metroidvania game
• When does it come out? TBC 2025
• What can I play it on? PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch
• Who is making it? Team Cherry

Hollow Knight Silksong platforms

(Image credit: Team Cherry)

Hollow Knight Silksong is currently being developed for PS5, PS4, XSX|S, XBO, PC and Nintendo Switch 2 / Nintendo Switch. Given that it's been quite a while since we had an update about the game, this is subject to change. If platforms for Silksong do change, we'll update this page.

What we do know is that it'll arrive sometime in 2025, according to a short glimpse during the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal event.

Hollow Knight Silksong trailers

The most recent trailer we've seen from Hollow Knight Silksong arrived as part of the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase event in late 2022. This trailer, which you can view below, shows off gameplay, as well as a look at the new protagonist and setting.

There have been a few more trailers released for Hollow Knight Silksong over the last four years or so. We've included some of them throughout this article, but to see all of them you can head over to the game's official YouTube channel.

Hollow Knight Silksong story and setting

Hollow Knight Silksong is set in the haunted kingdom of Pharloom. Visually, it is a gilded, gloomy sort of area, not dissimilar to the deepnest setting of the first game. Hornet will start at the very bottom, having been brought there after being captured. From there, she must climb higher and higher, hunting down foes and ultimately determining the fate of the world around her.

Much like in the first game, Silksong looks likely to convey most of its story via NPC dialogue and lore found in the environment. A story is definitely there if you want to and it, but perhaps takes less of a spotlight when compared to other facets of the game. What we do know is that there will once again be a variety of bosses to take down, friends to meet, and subtle choices to decide on while you play. There's still a lot to learn about the story in Silksong, but we're betting most of it will be kept a mystery, right up until the game is in the hands of players.

Hollow Knight Silksong gameplay

(Image credit: Team Cherry)

Players will play as Hornet in Hollow Knight Silksong, who is a pretty stark contrast when compared to the Knight from the first game. She is much more agile, able to dart and grapple around the world, with her needle weapon in hand. Once again, players will be able to find new abilities as they progress, giving them options for customizing Hornet.

So far, we've yet to see too much gameplay for Silksong, but what's been shown looks to be a continuation of the platforming/boss fighting of its predecessor. You'll explore different zones, slowly unlocking the map. It's a Metroidvania game once again, meaning that certain areas are locked behind ability upgrades, with lots of backtracking involved. Boss fights look to be a big part of Silksong, with the gameplay trailer released last year having shown off a couple of the main foes we'll be taking on.

Generally, if you played Hollow Knight, it seems as though you'll be right at home with the gameplay in Silksong. We'll have to wait and see just how many new bells and whistles are included this time around, but, for now, the action is looking like more Hollow Knight - which is certainly not a bad thing.

Hollow Knight Silksong latest news

Hollow Knight Silksong confirmed for 2025
During a sizzle reel that was shown during the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal event, Hollow Knight Silksong is planned for 2025.

Hollow Knight Silksong delayed out of 'first half of 2023'
In a Tweet, Team Cherry's Marketing Director announced that the game will no longer hit its release window of the 'first half of 2023'.

You Might Also Like...

• The best RPGs on Game Pass
• Our picks for the best single player games on Game Pass
• The best horror games to play in 2025