logo
Ear we go again! Snag a pair of 'next level' Apple AirPods Pro for $80 off

Ear we go again! Snag a pair of 'next level' Apple AirPods Pro for $80 off

Yahoo28-04-2025

As I'm writing about Apple AirPods Pro, none other than my Apple AirPods Pro are snug in my ears. Yep, pretty meta. Even funnier? I used to scoff at spending over $50 on headphones. But once I tried AirPods, I got what the hype was about, and now there's no turning back. With features like active noise cancelling, transparency mode and conversation detection, these Pros have barely left my ears since the day I first popped them in — and they're $80 off right now. For something I use every single day, and that actually lasts? That's a no-brainer.
AirPods Pro are some of the most sought-after earbuds on the market, and at over 30% off, they're a lot more attainable. (If Pros are still too rich for your blood, check out our comprehensive review of AirPods Pro alternatives under $100 — there's something for everyone.)
Big ears? Small ears? Doesn't matter. Unlike the original one-size-fits-most AirPods, the Pros come with silicone tips in multiple sizes, so you can finally get a snug, comfortable fit that means your buds won't pop out mid-run or during a Zoom call. They even include a built-in ear-tip fit test to help you figure out which size works best for your ear shape. (If you want to know more about how these compare with the previous generation, read our full review.)
The real magic, though, is the active noise cancellation. Whether you're trying to drown out chatty coworkers or airplane engine hum, these buds are shockingly good at shutting out the world. Battery life also got a serious upgrade — up to six hours on a single charge, plus another 24 with the included wireless charging case.
And while these are made with Apple users in mind (they sync effortlessly with your iPhone, iPad, MacBook — you name it), they play nice with Android phones and Windows laptops. So no matter what ecosystem you're in, you're covered.
These AirPods Pro have more than 3,400 five-star fans, and with over 10,000 pairs bought in the past month, it's safe to say Apple has a hit on its hands.
If there's one reason to pick up a pair of AirPods Pro, it's the sound, shoppers say. "They've exceeded my expectations in every way," one audiophile raved. "The sound quality is exceptional, with a rich, balanced audio profile that makes listening to music and podcasts a joy. The noise cancellation feature is also significantly improved, effectively blocking out background noise even in busy environments. ... I can wear them for hours without any discomfort."
"Wow, these things are next level!" said a lively listener. "The Bluetooth connection is seamless as always, and the active noise cancellation is ridiculously good — like, the world just melts away when you put them in. Perfect for noisy commutes or when you just want some peace and quiet. One feature that surprised me is the new hearing aid feature. If you need a little boost for conversations or specific sounds, it really helps. And when you don't want to be fully isolated, the transparency mode is super clear — lets you hear what's happening around you without having to take the earbuds out."
A third reviewer said, "I bought these mainly for the noise cancellation feature. It works great and much better compared to Beats. It's on par with Bose noise cancellation. ... A great pair of headphones, especially if you own other compatible IOS devices."
The biggest complaint about the Pros? Battery life. Even though it's longer than previous generations, fans want more: "Battery life is sufficient, though it wouldn't hurt if it could last an extra hour or so for longer flights."
Some people still find it difficult for the buds to stay in their ears. "I just wish they didn't always feel like they were going to fall out. Apple, I don't even care if you add a piece that goes around the outside of my ear. Just make them stay in."
If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

TSMC says tariffs have some impact but AI demand robust
TSMC says tariffs have some impact but AI demand robust

Yahoo

time28 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

TSMC says tariffs have some impact but AI demand robust

HSINCHU, Taiwan (Reuters) - U.S. tariffs are having some impact but demand for artificial intelligence (AI) remains strong and continues to outpace supply, the chief executive of Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC said on Tuesday. U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policies have created much uncertainty for the global chip industry and TSMC, the top producer of the world's most advanced semiconductors whose customers include Apple and Nvidia. C.C. Wei, speaking at the company's annual shareholders meeting in the northern Taiwanese city of Hsinchu, said they have not seen any changes in customer behaviour due to tariff uncertainty and the situation may become clearer in coming months. "Tariffs do have some impact on TSMC, but not directly. That's because tariffs are imposed on importers, not exporters. TSMC is an exporter. However, tariffs can lead to slightly higher prices, and when prices go up, demand may go down," he said. "If demand drops, TSMC's business could be affected. But I can assure you that AI demand has always been very strong and it's consistently outpacing supply." In April, the company, the world's largest contract chipmaker, gave a bullish outlook for the year on robust demand for AI applications. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Texas bill banning social media for minors fails to pass
Texas bill banning social media for minors fails to pass

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Texas bill banning social media for minors fails to pass

The Brief A Texas bill (HB 186) to ban social media for users under 18 failed to pass the state legislature. Critics of the bill argue that an age requirement is an invasion of the privacy of adult users. Patterson says he will bring up the bill again in 2027. AUSTIN, Texas - A bill that would have banned children under 18 from using social media in Texas did not pass the state legislature. House Bill 186, filed by state Rep. Jared Patterson (R-Frisco), was not brought up for a key vote ahead of the end of the legislative session on Monday. Dig deeper House Bill 186 would have required social media companies to verify a user's age when they sign up for an account. Under the bill, social media companies would be required to delete a child's account at the request of a parent or guardian. Companies that do not verify age or do not remove accounts could face penalties from the Texas Attorney General's Office. Violations would be sent to the Consumer Protection Division as a deceptive trade practice. Rep. Patterson called social media the "modern-day cigarette", citing its addictive nature. He also cited recent increases in self-harm and suicide rates for teens, which he believes is connected to the rise of social media. HB 186 passed the Texas House by a 116-25 vote in April. It was not brought to the full Senate. The other side Critics of the bill argue that it's an invasion of the privacy of adult users. A similar bill in Utah was temporarily blocked by a federal judge in 2024. The judge cited concerns about the bill violating the First Amendment. Tech companies, including Elon Musk's X, have established a presence in Texas. What they're saying "HB 186 is - by far - the biggest disappointment of my career," wrote Patterson on social media. "There was no bill filed this session that would have protected more kids in more ways than this one. HB 186 failing to pass this session means I've failed these kids and their families. At least for now. It's devastating, but I'm not done, not by a long shot. My purpose in being here, in this body and with this awesome responsibility, is to fight for those who can't fight for themselves. Even against billionaires and their tactics." Patterson says he plans to file a similar bill in 2027. Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a different bill to limit children's access to some applications online. Senate Bill 2420 is also known as the App Store Accountability Act. Under the law, app store operators like Google and Apple will be required to verify the age of users in Texas and get parental consent from parents before allowing minors to download an app. Apple CEO Tim Cook called Abbott and asked him to change or veto the bill, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. The Source Information on House Bill 186 comes from the Texas Legislature and social media posts from Rep. Jared Patterson.

Apple's most underrated app could change soon, and you're going to love it
Apple's most underrated app could change soon, and you're going to love it

Digital Trends

time2 hours ago

  • Digital Trends

Apple's most underrated app could change soon, and you're going to love it

Apple's shortcuts app is a power user's dream. I think it's one of the most underrated features you can find on an iPhone, and even Macs. In case you haven't used it yet, it allows you to perform a multi-step task in one go, or even trigger certain actions automatically. One of my favorite shortcuts is instantly generating a QR code of a Wi-Fi network, instead of narrating a complex password. I've got another one that automatically deletes screenshots after a 30-day span. There are a few in my library that trigger Do Not Disturb mode for a certain time slot, turn any webpage into a PDF, even snap Mac windows, and activate my smart devices when I reach home. Recommended Videos All that sounds convenient, but creating those shortcuts isn't a cakewalk. The UI flow and action presets can overwhelm tech-savvy users when it comes to creating their own automations. Apple may have a user-friendly solution, thanks to AI, and you just might get it this year. Apple has the foundation ready According to Bloomberg, Apple is preparing an upgraded version of the Shortcuts app that will put AI into the mix. 'The new version will let consumers create those actions using Apple Intelligence models,' says the report. The AI models could be Apple's own, which means they are better suited for integration with system tools and apps than a third-party AI model. Take, for example, the Siri-ChatGPT integration. OpenAI's chatbot can handle a wide range of tasks that Siri can't accomplish, but ChatGPT isn't able to interact with other apps and system tools on your iPhone. That means it can't assist you with making cross-app Shortcuts either. At WWDC 2025, Apple is rumored to reveal its own AI models and open them to app developers, as well. The idea is to let developers natively integrate AI-driven features in their apps without having to worry about security concerns. Microsoft is already using in-house AI models for a wide range of Copilot experiences on Windows PCs. Moreover, the company also offers its Phi family of open AI models to developers for building app experiences. Apple just needs to follow in Microsoft's footsteps. With developers adopting Apple's AI foundations and the company expanding it to the Shortcuts app, it would be much easier to create multi-step workflows easily. How so? Well, just look at Gemini on Android phones. Shortcuts needs an AI makeover Imagine just narrating a workflow to Siri, and it's turned into a shortcut. That's broadly what AI tools are already capable of, but instead of creating a rule for the future, they just execute the task at hand immediately. With AI in Shortcuts, things should go like: 'Hey Siri, create a shortcut that automatically replies to all messages I get on weekends regarding my unavailability, and tell them to reach me again on Monday. Trigger the action when I say the words I'm out.' With natural language processing on AI models, that's feasible. Look no further than how Gemini works on Android devices, especially those with on-device Gemini Nano processing. With a voice command, Gemini can dip into your workspace data and get work done across Gmail, Docs, and more connected apps. It can even handle workflows across third-party apps such as WhatsApp and Spotify. The list keeps on growing, and as capabilities like Project Mariner and Astra are rolled out through Gemini Live, newer possibilities will open. With a revamped Shortcuts app, Apple just needs to get the voice processing right and convert the prompts into actionable commands. Apple's partner, OpenAI, already offers a feature called Operator that can autonomously handle tasks on the web. Creating a chain of commands across mobile apps that are running locally should be easier and less risky compared to browsing websites. With ChatGPT's language chops already baked at the heart of Apple Intelligence, I won't be surprised if the next-gen Shortcuts app exploits it to the fullest. Oh hey, here's a sample Talking about ChatGPT and its integration with iOS, there's already an open-source project out there that can give a rough idea of how voice commands turn into actions on an iPhone. Rounak Jain, an iOS engineer at OpenAI, has created an AI agent that transforms audio prompts into actions on an iPhone. 🚨🤖 Today, I'm launching an AI agent that gets things done across iPhone apps. It's powered by OpenAI GPT 4.1 and is open source. Try it out! — Rounak Jain (@r0unak) June 1, 2025 Jain says the demo video is built atop OpenAI's GPT-4.1 AI model, and it can get work done across multiple apps with a single voice command. For example, users can control the flashlight after sliding down the control center, click and send a picture to one of their contacts, or text travel details and book a cab. Jain's demo is a clear sign that integrating an AI model at the system level, or having it perform tasks across apps, is feasible. A similar pipeline can be integrated to turn those voice commands into shortcuts, instead of executing them immediately. I am just hoping that when Apple implements AI within Shortcuts and lets users create their own routines with natural language commands, it offers a flow where users have the flexibility to modify them at will. I believe the best approach would be to show users the chain of commands and let them make adjustments before the prompt is turned into a shortcut.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store