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Eastern equine encephalitis, which has a high mortality rate, is becoming more common in North America as climate changes expands the habitats of insects.

Apple's next event is happening this coming Monday, September 9, and we should see the grand unveiling of the iPhone 16 series at the show. While we count down the days, we've heard a couple of new rumors about what to expect from the Pro models.

First up, the analysts at TrendForce (via MacRumors) reckon that both the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max are going to start at 256GB of storage this year – which would be a bump for the smaller phone.

While the iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at 256GB, the iPhone 15 Pro is available with 128GB of storage. It seems Apple is now ditching that lowest storage option, so both of these handsets will be available with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of built-in storage.

This isn't the first leak to suggest the 128GB storage option on the Pro model will be dropped, but we'll have to wait and see how it affects pricing – it may well mean the starting price of the iPhone 16 Pro is higher than its predecessor ($999 / £999 / AU$1,849).

Video capture

The iPhone 15 Pro Max (Image credit: Future)

Our second iPhone 16 Pro rumor of the day concerns video recording. Sources speaking to 9to5Mac say the Pro and Pro Max will be capable of capturing content in 4K resolution at 120 frames per second – up from 60 frames per second on the current models.

In addition, Apple has apparently been testing out 8K video recording on the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, 9to5Mac says it's not clear whether this capability will be enabled, and it might be saved for the iPhone 17 in 2025.

There's also another mention of the rumored new Capture button here, for taking photos and videos. This is set to be made available to third-party apps as well as the default Camera app, so you won't have to use Apple's own app to make use of it.

From what we're heard so far, it sounds as though the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max are going to have an identical triple-camera setup on the back, which wasn't the case with the 2023 equivalents. We'll find out for sure on Monday.

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Apple could use AI and hardware upgrades to justify higher prices.

Another ban on another student loan forgiveness plan leaves millions of borrowers in limbo -- again.

PlayStation Pulse Elite: Two-minute review

The PlayStation Pulse Elite is the next official headset from Sony for the PS5, offering a more premium wireless audio companion for the current-gen console.

The new features and tech inside the Elite, its superb audio quality, depth, and detail, and its ease and speed of connectivity across the PS5 and PlayStation Portal connectivity mean it’s an easy recommendation to make and gives many of the best PS5 headsets a run for their money.  

Like its gaming earbud brethren, the PlayStation Pulse Explore earbuds, there are some hugely enticing selling points with the Pulse Elite headset. The first is the inclusion of planar magnetic drivers to provide stellar gaming audio, and the second is the PlayStation Link connectivity compatibility. Both are excellent features and make for a compelling gaming headset package for those looking to upgrade their audio game, make a jump up from 2020’s Pulse 3D headset, and certainly those that are enjoying the PlayStation Portal too.

The planar magnetic drivers provide some of the best audio I’ve experienced on PS5. All the way up the sound spectrum, from booming bass, to rich middles and pitch-perfect highs, and in all game genres and scenarios the audio absolutely sings. 

The Elite’s PlayStation Link connectivity is a feature that’ll be attractive to some - though it admittedly does remain somewhat niche right now. However, what it does mean is that the Elite is a perfect companion for the PlayStation Portal and will connect directly to it wirelessly via Sony’s new proprietary wireless connection, PlayStation Link; a huge bonus given there are only two devices that offer this (officially) - the other being the Pulse Explore buds.

It’s not all roses though as I personally find the design and build strangely shaped and of a bulbous form when it's on your head. Plus the set is a bit heavy compared to its direct competition. Even though you won’t see this bulbous shape when you’re wearing it, you’re reminded of it by anyone you live with, as well as the overall weight of the headset.

The mic isn’t a world-beater but it’s still wonderfully clear and crisp and has a very tidy retractable design that means it disappears into the headset when you don’t need it. The same plus point on design impacts the controls too, all of which are neatly and intuitively positioned for interaction.

Overall, if you’re looking for a PS5 headset upgrade or something to buy that’ll service your gaming on the console and on PlayStation Portal then the Pulse Elite is easy to recommend.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) PlayStation Pulse Elite: Price and availability

• List price: $149.99 / £129.99 / AU$239.95
• Faces stiff competition at this price point
• Widely available in most regions

Launching in February of 2024, the price point of the PlayStation Pulse Elite is about right for what it offers - a premium official PS5 headset with more than its predecessor, the Pulse 3D. However, it does still face extremely stiff competition, particularly from third-party brands such as SteelSeries and Turtle Beach. 

Facing direct competition from the former’s Arctis Nova 5 (priced at the same point) and the Arctis Nova 7P (a little bit more expensive) means the Elite is in a crowded room. The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX and slightly cheaper Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX also provide direct matchups.

As I say, however, with the Elite offering a superior experience compared to the other official model, the Pulse 3D, the pricing feels about right - especially with those planar magnetic drivers, which are usually reserved for super-premium headsets like the Audeze Maxwell.

The Elite will also benefit hugely from any price cuts or sales - if it ever drops to the $100 / £100 mark - therefore almost the same level as a Pulse 3D - then the proposition becomes a no-brainer for PS5 owners.

PlayStation Pulse Elite: Specs

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) PlayStation Pulse Elite: Design and features

• Bulbous design won’t be for everyone
• Great connectivity to PlayStation Portal as well as PS5
• Neat retractable mic and button set

The Pulse Elite shares the same design aesthetic and language as the PS5 family of consoles and accessories. Sweeping white curves and contrasting black elements work together once again to make for a striking design that’s easy on the eye and very slick. It’s a solid and pleasing evolution of the Pulse 3D design and looks immediately like a worthy successor.

Overall the shape and design of the headset do mean it’s much bulkier in mass and weight than its predecessor. When wearing it on your head the Elite has a distinctly bulbous appearance which is not flattering, to say the least. While you may not see it yourself, it’s enough for me to make it noteworthy and bring it to attention. You’re also reminded of that design when examining its weight. Coming in at 12.2oz / 347g, it’s nearly two ounces (almost 60 grams) heavier than the Pulse 3D and weightier than the likes of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 too (9.5oz / 266g).

Completing the minor qualms I have with the design is a tiny note about the leatherette material on the cups. I noticed it slides around (against the harder plastic underneath) under your fingers when you hold the cups which is slightly disconcerting and detracts from the premium feel of a headset that costs comfortably north of $100 / £100 - though ultimately makes no impact on use or experience.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

However, beyond these issues, the headset’s build is robust and can survive a bump, while it’s also flexible enough to find the right fit to wear for hours.

The buttons and onboard controls are also a success. The retractable mic is housed in one of the wireless gaming headset’s ‘arms’ (the narrow white plastic parts which the cups are attached too) - the slightly longer one on the left-hand side - and features slick textures in the form of the PlayStation face button shapes to give it grip. It’s also got a visible-but-not-distracting LED and a mute button. On the right-hand headset arm, there’s a dual-purpose power and PlayStation Link connection button, volume controls, and the USB-C and 3.5mm audio jack ports. The underside of the top headband also has a charging port that can connect to the included wall-mountable charging dock which is a welcome feature to have thrown in.

While it’s made for PS5 and PlayStation Portal (via PlayStation Link) it can be taken to PC too with the use of another Link dongle (or the same, if you don’t mind unplugging it and replugging the dongle in all the time) which makes it very convenient when moving between the two platforms. Note that an extra dongle would require another purchase of $20 / £20 from PS Direct or a go-to online retailer. The headset’s Bluetooth connectivity is a good bonus too for pairing with mobile devices, and there’s also an audio jack connection to make it truly multiplatform if you don’t mind being tethered.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) PlayStation Pulse Elite: Performance

• Stupendous audio from brilliant planar magnetic drivers
• Neat and tidy, and crystal clear retractable mic
• Solid battery life and reliable quick charge function

Cutting to it, the Pulse Elite is a brilliant-sounding PS5 headset, and produces some of the best audio I’ve experienced on the console. There was much hype and chatter about the inclusion of planar magnetic drivers in an official PS5 gaming headset, and the move is something that has paid off in spades. 

The smallest environmental details in Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl - a game rightly praised for its audio work - were beautifully and hauntingly conveyed to me. Meanwhile, the comic book-like sounds in Assassin’s Creed Chronicles were crisp and punchy; and the bombastic soundscapes of sci-fi adventure Star Wars Outlaws and power fantasy bullet-fest Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 were out of this world. 

Of course, neodymium drivers from brands like SteelSeries, Razer, and Turtle Beach sound spectacular too, especially with tuning via each set’s dedicated apps, but there’s something extra rich and detailed about the planar magnetic ones in the Pulse Elite which always had me coming back for more.

In terms of multiplayer, and the microphone, I was treated to similar joys in Ghost Recon Breakpoint and Saints Row with weapon noises, voices, and vehicle roars sounding beautiful while my voice easily carried over them to my teammates. On that note, the mic is very solid but unspectacular - it won’t blow your teammates away or have you recording podcasts with it, but it’s easily clear enough for flawless communications, even in the busiest of Diablo 4 encounters.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

In terms of comfort and use, the Pulse Elite shines brightly too. On the latter, being an official set has its advantages, and using it with the PS5 and Portal is easy, seamless, and so intuitive. Everything from changing EQ settings on the PS5 to connecting to the Portal via PlayStation Link is super easy. Even using the mic is easy given those aforementioned grips ensuring you hold it a particular way, away from the mute button.

Comfort-wise, I did notice my ears getting a bit warm in the Elite’s cups in the hotter weather recently, but otherwise, I never had to take off the headset due to ear or headache and could keep it on all day happily.

The battery life of the Pulse Elite won’t win any prizes, but its quoted 30 hours is a decent and very welcome improvement on the Pulse 3D that’ll easily have you covered. From a full charge on day one of my testing, I easily reached the 30-hour mark and had juice to spare. The quick charging feature is a welcome addition too and can get you back up and running in minutes - I experienced more than two hours of juice when charging the headset for just 10 minutes to test Sony’s quoted numbers.

All in all, the Pulse Elite is a very capable and attractive headset for PS5 users (or prospective PS5 Pro owners) - and especially those who also use the PlayStation Portal. If you’re after the latest in gaming headset driver tech and something to cover those two devices the Elite is a great fit. It’s simply a superbly easy, convenient, and excellent PS5 headset to use on both the console itself and the handheld Portal, and combining that with some of the best audio available on the market is a truly winning combination.

How I tested the PlayStation Pulse Elite headset Buy it if...

You want some of the best drivers for audio in gaming going
The planar magnetic drivers in the Pulse Elite headset are the real deal: the headset has given me some of the finest PS5 gaming audio I’ve ever listened to. The audio is rich, super detailed, and just a joy at every turn. If you want the best or latest in gaming audio drivers, then the Pulse Elite is right up there.

You want something that’s a perfect PlayStation Portal companion
If you’re embracing the PS5 remote play device and want a headset that’s perfect for it, having been designed with it in mind - and one that will be a brilliant PS5 headset too - then the Pulse Elite is a no-brainer. 

You want a headset that’s tuned and designed to be integrated into the PS5
If you like official, then this is the best official PS5 headset available today, and its integration into the PS5 family is a worthy point of attraction - out of ease and convenience but also audio-wise, as the headset can make the most of the Tempest 3D audio capabilities in the machine, as well as the built-in EQ settings now on the PS5.

Don't buy it if...

You need true multiplatform connectivity
For this price, you can now get truly multiplatform wireless gaming headsets, like the Arctis Nova 5 from SteelSeries, that will cover you across all the major consoles. If you need this type of connectivity then the Elite won’t scratch that itch.

You need a lightweight, sleek gaming headset
The Pulse Elite has quite a bulbous design which isn’t that appealing aesthetically, and is also on the heavier side of the gaming headset spectrum so might be one to avoid if those are sticking points for you.

You don’t play on PlayStation Portal
While we love the direct connection to Sony’s remote play device the Elite offers, and its performance just on PS5, if you don’t have the Portal and can remove this feature from your list of needs then the rest of the PS5 headset market opens up to you.

Also consider...

If you’re still not entirely sold on the PlayStation Pulse Elite then check out these two excellent similar products for comparison and consideration.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless
You might not get the Portal compatibility with the Nova 5 headset but you get compatibility with almost everything else, particularly with the 5X version. This is a superb one-and-done wireless gaming headset that augments all of SteelSeries’ excellence with a new companion app with hundreds of game audio presets to choose from on the fly.

For more information, check out our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless review.

Sony PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless headset
The  Pulse 3D headset that launched in 2020 alongside the PS5 offers a more streamlined option to the Elite. If you’re not fussed about PlayStation Link or planar magnetic drivers, then it’s still a brilliant wireless PS5 headset that offers great comfort, awesome audio, and reliable mics - for less money.

For more information, check out our full Sony PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless headset review.

How I tested the PlayStation Pulse Explore earbuds

• Tested for around two months
• Compared it directly to other headsets and earbuds
• Tested across game types and compatible devices

I’ve used the Pulse Elite headset for a couple of months now, and have learned to live with it as my daily driver for gaming and work purposes. 

For gaming, I have embraced it as a single-player companion and have put it through many game types including the first Stalker game, a full playthrough of Assassin's Creed Chronicles, my full review playthrough of Star Wars Outlaws, and some parts of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. It was in these games that I also tested the headset directly with the PlayStation Portal. I also used it online with friends playing Ghost Recon Breakpoint, Diablo 4 and the Saints Row reboot.

Elsewhere I used the headset for work regularly, both in meetings and calls, and music listening throughout the day. I also tested the Bluetooth functionality with my phone and listening to music and have been able to compare it to other headsets in my setup such as the Pulse Explore earbuds, SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X, and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July to September 2024.

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Anker Soundcore Space One Pro: Two-minute review

The Anker Soundcore Space One Pro are the most expensive headphones Anker has ever released. Sure, they're still a lot cheaper than the likes of the Sony WH-1000XM5, but it does pile on a bit of pressure for these headphones to deliver, especially considering top-rated headphones like the Sennheiser Accentum Plus come in at nearly the same price. Happily, though, the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro are a great-sounding pair of wireless headphones that kept me listening for hours on end, day in, day out.

Thanks to LDAC codec compatibility, you’re getting hi-res audio, which helps the Soundcore Space One Pro to deliver rich, well-weighted all-round sound. If you appreciate some depth, these will likely pique your interest, thanks to the impressively weighty bass and sub-bass on offer. More generally, audio is to a high standard – it's not always as sharp as it could be or as clean-sounding as some top-of-the-range headphones, but it'll satisfy the vast majority of listeners.

Thanks to the Soundcore app, you can also find the perfect sound for you. There are classic EQ settings, which include a huge array of presets and a custom option too. But what’s really exciting is the HearID setting which assesses your personal tastes and hearing capabilities to suggest the perfect calibration – something that even some of the best headphones don’t offer. Not only that, but there’s a Dolby Audio mode available for those looking for a more expansive soundstage when watching movies or TV shows on the go.

More broadly, you’re getting a strong feature-set here. There’s Easy Chat for having conversations without needing to pause your tunes, multi-point connectivity and adjustable active noise cancellation settings. Speaking of ANC, you’re getting cancellation that’s a cut above some of the best cheap headphones. Some high-pitched sounds will still creep through, even when listening at higher volumes, but overall, you’re not going to get too distracted by the outside world when using the Space One Pro.

You’ll also be able to listen pretty much unbroken thanks to two key factors: battery life and comfort. Firstly, you’re getting plenty of playtime with the Space One Pro, which can go for 40 hours with ANC on and 60 hours with ANC off – although beware, with hi-res audio switched on, this number will be significantly cut. In terms of comfort, it really doesn’t get much better. Wearing the Space One Pro is never grating, even after listening for multiple hours consecutively – a fantastic plus given a lot of over-ear headphones fall at this hurdle.

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, though. One of the Space One Pro’s biggest flaws for me is their looks. Although when folded they’re ultra-compact, in use they appear chunky and a little bit disappointing quality-wise – especially the button controls. This might not be a deal breaker for many, but Soundcore has increased its asking price for these headphones. Don’t get me wrong, these are good quality cans, but with this amount of cash, there are some outstanding alternatives from the likes of Sony and Sennheiser available to you – are the Space One Pro better than these? I’m not too sure.

Still, they sound great and you’ll happily keep playing your favorite tracks for hours on end. The main issue is the strength of the competition. For example, in our Sennheiser Accentum Plus review, we gave these similarly priced headphones 4.5 stars, thanks to their impeccable sound quality – although their fit isn’t suited to every head. Some people may find the Soundcore more comfortable, and prefer them for that reason, but most people will probably want to go for the better sound quality.

Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: Price & release date

• $199.99 / £149.99 (about AU$300)
• Launched on September 5 2024 in UK/US
• Launching in Australia in October 2024

With the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro headphones, the brand has ventured into slightly more premium territory. These cans will set you back $199.99 / £149.99 (about AU$300) – that puts them in the same ballpark as the Sennheiser Accentum Plus, which retail for $‌179.95 / £169.99 / AU$299, and the Sony ULT Wear, which go for $199.99 / £149 / AU$348.

It’s a significant price jump on the classic Soundcore Space One, which were just $99 / £99 at launch. Of course, the newer model is more compact, has more mics and higher-quality audio, but that’s still a big jump considering the Space One still has ANC, a very similar battery life and hi-res audio capabilities.

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: Specs

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: Features

• Solid active noise cancellation
• Hi-res audio capability
• Feature-rich companion app

Something I love about the Space One Pro is that they boast a pretty expansive feature-set. You get the classic options you’d expect from modern wireless headphones, including multi-point connectivity and EQ settings, but there’s a good amount more to uncover.

One of my favorite features was Easy Chat, which lowers the music volume playing and makes voices clearer. This was incredibly useful in an office setting, especially when I had to respond to questions or chat with colleagues briefly, making for a seamless transition from listening to talking. You can easily adjust the time it takes for music to fade back in after using Easy Chat in the Soundcore app, with 5, 10 and 15 second wait times available, although I found the default 5 was ideal. Sensitivity here was just right too; for instance, the sound of typing wouldn’t set off Easy Chat, making for a near-flawless user experience. You will have to resist singing along to the music, though…

Another neat little feature is Safe Volume. When I listen to music, I like to listen at loud volumes – maybe a bit too loud sometimes. However, the Soundcore app has a decibel reading meter that displays whether your volume level is normal, acceptable (ie, a bit on the loud side but probably okay), or too high. This is useful for keeping yourself in check, and you can set a high volume limit too, if you want to be on the cautious side, or to keep kids' hearing safe if you give the headphones to them.

As I mentioned, there are classic EQ settings here, including a bunch of neat presets for various genres and the option to make a totally custom sound. However, one of the coolest settings available is HearID Sound, which assesses your hearing capabilities at various frequencies and asks you to pick your preferred sound through a small handful of multi-choice questions to find your perfect sound. This worked fantastically well and gave me some added depth in the bass department, a little bit of additional height in the treble, with a dip in the mid-range – a calibration that suited my taste very nicely.

One more feature that enables you to customize sound is Dolby Audio. This is useful if you want a more immersive, expansive sound from your headphones, but is likely better suited towards people watching videos. I found that this did add a bit of width to the soundstage, but I rarely used it when listening to tunes. When you are blasting your favorite songs, though, you can activate the LDAC audio codec (compatible with most Android phones), which delivers richer, more detailed hi-res audio – something I kept turned on throughout most of the testing process.

(Image credit: Future)

Another part of the Space One Pro that’s decently customizable is ANC. You can toggle on Wind Noise Reduction when out and about and switch between full, normal, and transparent levels of noise cancellation. But how is the ANC itself? Pretty good actually.

In a café, I could still hear a conversation on my table with music at half volume, but at a more realistic listening level of 65-70%, I could barely hear any words at all. When listening to more mellow classical music, however, sounds like plates being placed down crept through sometimes, even at high volumes.

At around 60% with Wind Noise Reduction on, traffic was barely audible, although some higher pitched noises did seep through from time to time. Similarly, when using a hairdryer, the screech-like noise it emitted was still audible when listening to a bass-heavy track.

With the lower-frequency tones of a microwave, I heard almost nothing at 50-55% volume, although this didn’t surprise me a lot as the Space One Pro seemed to be very competent at blocking out lower-frequency sounds, as is common with the best noise cancelling headphones.

I compared this to the more budget 1More Sonoflow and Sony WH-CH720N in the same environments, and the Space One Pro were a clear upgrade over them both.

To top everything off, the Space One Pro have a very respectable battery life of 40 hours with ANC on and 60 hours with ANC off. This is, of course, reduced if you’re using hi-res audio. When testing battery life with ANC on, I found the 40-hour claim to be accurate.

Sure, there are some headphones out there, such as the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100, that can go for up to 60 hours with ANC on, but they’re about $80 / £80 more expensive. And this battery life is 10 hours longer with ANC on (and 20 hours with ANC off) than the considerably pricier Sony WH-1000XM5. So, all in all, it's fair to say the Space One Pro are a top choice if longevity matters a lot to you.

• Features score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: Sound quality

• Full-sounding hi-res audio
• Satisfying bass
• Audio isn’t perfectly sharp

Overall, we were pretty positive about the original Anker Soundcore Space One’s audio, particularly because of its ability to offer strong bass, clear vocals and LDAC support. Thankfully, all of this holds true for the Pro model, which more generally delivers great audio quality.

Let’s start with bass: if like me you’re someone that appreciates lots of depth, these are gonna hit the spot. Sub-bass in Backseat Freestyle by Kendrick Lamar was perfectly weighted, never feeling overly dominant in the mix – a lot of cheaper headphones struggle to handle this level of depth, but not the Space One Pro. When listening to Black Eye by Allie X, the dynamism of the bass connecting up to the mid-range was impressive too, although the kick of the drum machine was slightly lethargic.

Mid-range sounds come through clearly and with solid levels of detail. When comparing these to the cheaper Sony WH-CH720N, the Space One Pro achieved a fuller sound, helping to expose a few more sonic intricacies. This is, of course, helped further if you activate the LDAC codec for hi-res audio.

Like the ‘non-Pro’ edition, these produce a pleasingly wide soundstage experience, which is ideal for atmospheric tracks like Rains again by Solji. This track sounded a little bit constrained with the CH720N, but when using the Space One Pro, the intro’s rain sound effects were natural and quieter vocal segments were more controlled. The soft vocals maintained their intended levels of delicacy too and highs often sounded sweet when using these headphones. From time to time, vocals could be a little harsh at top volumes, something I discovered when listening to the opening of SICKO MODE by Travis Scott, but this wasn’t too common.

All in all, I found the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro to be very good in the audio department. They’re not going to deliver the incredible accuracy, intricate detail and flawlessly clean audio that super-premium competitors can offer, but for some headphones below the $200 / £150 / AU$300 mark they perform well. Bass is the star of the show here, but there’s excellent customizability if you’re more of an avid podcast fan looking for an emphasis on clear vocals, for example.

• Sound quality score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: Design

• Ultra-compact foldable design
• May be a little chunky looking for some
• Super comfortable fit

When I first unboxed the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro, I got more of an earmuff than headphone vibe. Initially, I was struck by how chunky they were – even the headband is pretty thick and padded. Don’t get me wrong: the Space One Pro aren’t horrible looking, but I don’t think there’s gonna be a rush to hang them in the Louvre.

Even in terms of build quality, I wasn’t massively impressed. That’s mainly because the buttons and silver detail on the headphones look and feel a bit cheap. I did, however, quite like the Cream White color that these cans came in, though a Jet Black alternative is also available.

It’s not all about the looks, of course, and thankfully these headphones are incredibly comfortable. Every day I’ve tested the Space One Pro, I’ve used them for at least five hours and have not once felt a smidge of discomfort, so if coziness is the number one thing for you, these are absolutely perfect.

Another smart aspect of these headphones is their compact nature. Thanks to what Anker calls a FlexiCurve Structure, these can halve in size when fully folded, perfect if you’re a bit limited for space in your backpack or tote bag.

A case is available for them (added free for initial order, but that may not be the case if you buy in the future) that's also waterproof, unlike the headphones themselves, which don’t have a dust or waterproof rating.

Something these do lack is touch controls – which may be pleasing to some, but I would’ve personally appreciated them. Instead, you’re stuck with plain old button controls and unfortunately they’re a bit lacking. I already mentioned they’re not the prettiest, but I also found the volume controls to be quite unresponsive and I had to hold down the power button for quite a while to switch the headphones on or off. You can customize which button controls do a little bit in the Soundcore app, but options are pretty limited.

Overall, I don’t love the Space One Pro’s button controls and I’m not an enthusiast when it comes to their looks either. However, what I can’t deny is that they’re massively comfortable and super-compact, making them totally user-friendly. Fashionistas – you’re probably best served elsewhere I’m afraid, but otherwise I’d urge you not to rule these out on looks alone.

• Design score: 3.5/5

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: Value

• Anker’s most expensive headphones ever
• Stack up to similarly-priced competitors on features and sound
• Still a tad too costly at launch

I’ll be real, reader, I’m conflicted here. I’ve really enjoyed my time with the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro; they’re a great-sounding, ultra-comfortable pair of wireless headphones that have kept me listening for hours on end. But there’s a massive amount of competition in this price range from some of the most well-respected tech companies in the game.

For example, the aforementioned Sennheiser Accentum Plus offer confident, punchy sound, a longer battery life and a more attractive design for a similar price. And the Sony ULT Wear are also super comfortable and offer the LDAC codec – although in our Sony ULT Wear review we had a mixed response to its bass-boosting ULT button. Good options abound at this price point, making any one choice harder to justify.

And there are often bargains available on more premium options: for instance, the legendary Sony WH-1000XM4 are regularly available at a similar price to these these headphones, and they are going to offer almost everything you get here, but with even better audio and a classic design. However, it is worth noting that this only applies to when the Sonys have their price cut, and the Space One Pro will inevitably also see strong discounts, probably as soon as Black Friday, shortly after launch.

What I’m more confident in stating, though, is that these outperform the stronger budget wireless headphones, such as the Sony WH-CH720N and 1More Sonoflow, both of which we’ve spoken about highly on numerous occasions. These have considerably better ANC, audio quality and features. So, although I wouldn’t expect these to be listed at a way lower price, I think these will be extremely attractive on sale, when they’re closer to the $150 / £120 mark.

• Value score: 3.5/5

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro? Buy them if…

Comfort is a priority for you
A lot of over-ear headphones tend to get uncomfortable after a while, but not these. The Anker Soundcore Space One Pro are a delight to wear, even for hours on end, thanks to their soft ear cushions and well-padded headband. Say goodbye to headphone fatigue, and hello to hours of back-to-back bangers.

You want highly customizable audio
If you have specific tastes when it comes to audio, these headphones are a good pick. That’s mainly because of the HearID feature, which provides a custom EQ configuration suited to your ears. There’s also Dolby Audio for a more expansive sound and LDAC compatibility for hi-res output.

Don’t buy them if…

You’re on a budget
These aren’t ultra-premium headphones or anything, but they’re not the most affordable cans out there either. If you’re on a budget there are so many fantastic cheap options out there for under $100 / £100 / AU$200, check out our guide to the best cheap headphones for some recommendations.

Style is your main concern
Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, but I think many will agree with me here – the Space One Pro aren’t the most attractive cans out there. If you want some sleeker headphones, the likes of Sony and Bose have plenty of excellent options that avoid the chunky look that Anker has adopted here.

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: Also consider

Sennheiser Accentum Plus
The Sennheiser Accentum Plus are a fantastic pair of mid-range over-ear headphones. They offer beautiful sound quality, a clean design, decent ANC and an epic battery life. And once you factor in their price, which is scarcely any higher than the Space One Pro, they become a very attractive option indeed – as you can see from the fact we granted them 4.5 stars in our Sennheiser Accentum Plus review.

Sony WH-CH720N
I’ve owned these headphones myself for about one year and can say they’re very good if you want a cheaper option than the Space One Pro. Sure, they don’t support LDAC or produce a super-expansive audio overall, but you still get a nicely balanced sound with solid detail. Not only that, but they have awesome battery life, 360 Reality Audio support, competent ANC and a lightweight design. Given they’ve gone on sale for less than $90 / £80 in the past, they’re an incredible option if you’re working with a tighter budget. Read our full Sony WH-CH720N review.

Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: How I tested

• Tested for one week
• Used in the office, in a café and while on walks
• Predominantly tested using Tidal on Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4

I tested the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro over the course of a week. During this time, I took to a number of environments including a café, built-up roads, the office and my apartment. I typically connected the headphones to Tidal on my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 with the LDAC codec active in order to access the best quality audio. I also tested the headphones with the FiiO M11S hi-res music player, my Windows laptop, and an iPhone 13 Pro. When listening to music, I went through the TechRadar testing playlist, which includes tracks from a number of genres, before expanding to a wider music selection. When appropriate, I also compared the Soundcore Space One Pro directly to the Sony WH-CH720N and 1More Sonoflow.

First reviewed: September 2024
Read more about how we test

A look back at other sitting vice presidents who were running for the top job and debating on TV against the nominee of the opposition party: Gore in 2000, George H.W. Bush in 1988 and Nixon in 1960.

(Image credit: Grace Widyatmadja/NPR)

Editor's note: We live in strange times. With all that's going on in the world, one can sometimes feel cursed. And yeah, I feel like fate is conspiring against me today. 

The reason for this is because the Desert Titanium iPhone 16 Pro is real. And it's not a color I'd have asked for. I'd have rather a nice shade or purple or dark green. But in fairness, in official images Desert Titanium doesn't look too bad. 

However I had a knee-jerk reaction to rumors of its existence which you can read below in the original copy of this article. And I'm not convided its the color I'd choose. Anyway, give the rest of the article a gander, and then pop up back up here for our iPhone 16 launch event live blog recap and everything Apple announced and 16 things we learned. 

I’m not a complex man, despite the claims of my therapist (the one that lives in my head); I like things to be simple and sleek. I’m a plain dark tee kinda guy. I don’t like beers that pretend to be liquid chocolate or mango. And I think Space Gray is the best iPhone color. 

So the rumor of a so-called 'Desert Titanium' color for the not yet official but much-anticipated iPhone 16 Pro turns my stomach a little. 

Maybe I’m just 187cm of lack-of-imagination. Or I have such a vision for aesthetics that I find a white room ambrosia for my eyes. But something about this tipped colorway is rubbing me up the wrong way. 

I’ve seen it touted as a bronze color – which I’m not against, as I’m currently taking the rather lovely Christopher Ward C63 Dune bronze watch for a spin. But that’s made of actual bronze and is developing a patina, mellowing from a slightly too yellow hue to a warm brown. 

However, in my time so far with the iPhone 15 Pro Max I've found that its titanium chassis seems near immune to staining or marking (heck, it’s shrugged off some rather serious drops) let alone discoloration, and that's something I miss when compared to the rather lovely iPhone 13 Pro.

So there’s no scope for an bronze-ish Desert Titanium iPhone 16 Pro to develop a patina, meaning one could be saddled with a phone that doggedly holds onto a color tone that’s not the buttery yellow of caramel or the warm glow of gold (for what it’s worth I think gold iPhones have should have no place on this planet), but rather something sickly in between.

There are four colors in total in the iPhone 16 Pro Lineup: white, black, gold and gray.The desert titanium color is kind of dark gold, similar to the old purple color, relatively discreet and deep pic.twitter.com/uDiNiBI4IzAugust 18, 2024

Bothersome bronze

Also bronze is the color of losers; don’t @ me. 

It’s basically the runner-up medal, which to me feels like a bigger sting than just getting a ribbon or certificate saying you took part. Bronze says you tried hard but still missed the loftier podium positions. And as a one-time British bronze medalist in a 200 meters freestyle swimming race, I know the feeling of having such metal on my person. 

The only exception is the bronze on the aforementioned watch. And even then that feels a little try-hard with its desire to age at speed.

So yeah, I’m really not convinced by the idea of a Desert Titanium iPhone 16 Pro. I will reserve the right to change my mind if I see the phone in person, because I’m flighty like that. And there’s more than enough scope for this rumored shade to not actually see the light of day.

Outside of Desert Titanium, the rest of the tipped iPhone 16 Pro colors seem more pleasing to my eye, with gray, white and Space Black shades to be expected; still no Space Gray though, much to my chagrin.

Of course, with the next Apple event set for September 9 – check out our guide on how to watch the iPhone 16 launch event live – we’ll soon see what iPhone 16 which rumors turn out to have been accurate and which were complete tosh. And TechRadar will be over in Cupertino to cover the ‘It’s Glowtime’ event live, so I’ll be keen to see what my colleagues Lance Ulanoff and Jacob Krol make of the new iPhone 16 colors in general.

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Taylor Fritz surged with a six-game run against a fading Frances Tiafoe, also of the U.S., to come out on top 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 and reach his first Grand Slam final.

(Image credit: Seth Wenig)

Here are the answers for the NYT Mini Crossword for Sept. 7.

The spacecraft landed in New Mexico early Saturday morning leaving two astronauts behind on the International Space Station. The crew members will return to earth in February aboard a SpaceX craft.

(Image credit: NASA)

Here are some hints, and the answers, for the Sept. 7 Strands puzzle, No. 188.

Here are some hints and the answer for Wordle No. 1176 for Sept. 7.

Here are some hints — and the answers — for Connections No. 454 for Sept. 7.

Christmas starts early in a lot of retail stores, but in Venezuela it's starting Oct. 1. NPR's Scott Simon explains.

(Image credit: Cristian Hernandez)

You can be a lead in a romantic film promoting an airline and global travel, or at least your face can do so thanks to a new Qatar Airways campaign. The airline has a new AI Adventure campaign combining a short film and deepfake tools as a way of literally seeing yourself having an exciting trip around the world.  

You can try it out for yourself here. You just need to upload a photo of your face and pick a scene from the film put together by the airline. There is a male and female lead; some scenes have just one or both, though you don’t need to upload two faces if you choose not to. Once the picture is approved, you have to pick your skin tone to ensure the result looks as much like you as possible. 

The nonverbal film tells the story of an actress completing a film in London who bumps into a man and drops her earrings. The man tries to return them to her, traveling to places as far apart as Cape Town, Tokyo, and New York before barely missing her. Eventually, he succeeds in giving them back at an airport in Doha, and they have their own romantic trip, with a Qatar airplane flying overhead. 

“Featuring pioneering AI capabilities unseen elsewhere in the airline industry, our latest campaign not only showcases the innovative spirit driving our brand, but also encapsulates our customer-centric approach, helping to turn every journey into an adventure,” Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer Thierry Antinori said. “After all, there’s no limit to how far a dream can take you.”

You can watch the original film and a couple of examples of edited clips below.

AI Ad Magic

The altered films are mixed in quality. The facial expressions and basic look are surprisingly smooth, but the fact that the hair stays the same is a little disconcerting, though not as much as seeing your face on a body type unfamiliar with what you see in the mirror. It is notable how strict the rules regarding what faces you can upload are. 

The airline doesn't explicitly say you can't use photos of someone else, just that they can't be inappropriate. Yet, after several experiments, the website clearly prevented any famous people's faces from being used. The only loophole was if the photo was not very high resolution. The reason is likely how you have to own the content (the picture) you share with the website. 

In other words, you have to be the star. That's probably because the terms and conditions state that while you retain some rights, Qatar Airways can use and modify the video as they choose.

This isn't Qatar Airways' only AI experiment. The airline also offers an AI-powered digital human as cabin crew named Sama 2.0. The virtual being is designed to assist passengers with basic in-flight queries, providing an assistant to complement the human cabin crew.

These ads are definitely a step up technically from the more satirical deepfake Jennifer Lopez employed by Virgin Voyages, at least. In that case, the personalized ads you could make were altered only in the names and aspects of the company Lopez mentioned. 

Whether this is the dawn of a new age in marketing and advertising is unclear, but you can bet there will be at least a few more attempts as AI video tech becomes better and cheaper.

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