The Morning After: Sony's best headphones keep getting better
When it comes to headphones, we can't shut up about Sony's top-tier buds and over-the-head options. In each iteration, the company adds new features, develops better technology and hones its strengths in portable audio, and three years on from the WH-1000XM5, the sixth-gen model does it yet again.
Sony's overhauled its flagship headphones in all the right ways. The WH-1000XM6 sound better, with improved active noise cancellation and convenient features that match the best-sounding and the most feature-packed rivals.
You should definitely check out Billy Steele's full review. The headphones' only major challenge remains a non-clunky naming convention.
— Mat Smith
Get Engadget's newsletter delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!
As spoiled by Google itself, Android is getting a major visual refresh. Dubbed Material 3 Expressive, it's the latest evolution of the Material You design, adding customizable color swatches and, I guess, spicier fonts.
Google says the Quick Settings menu can now fit more actions, and there is an addition of live-updating notifications, similar to Apple's Live Activities.
In Android 16 (and even Wear OS 6), expect more animation between menus and items, while notifications will jiggle and offer haptic responses to your touch.
Google is basing a lot of these tweaks on research: The company claims up to 87 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds prefer expressive design — a term hard to define. There's a lengthy post on Google's design blog if you want to get into all that.
Continue reading.
Sony has now folded in Hi-Fi sound from its Walkman series, as well as the company's Bravia screen tech and Alpha camera smarts. The Xperia 1 VII has launched quietly with an array of new audio features, including high-end Walkman components. Unlike other smartphone makers, Sony has kept its headphone jack and improved wired sound via a premium-grade integrated circuit. The Xperia 1 VII supports Sony's DSEE Ultimate AI sound upscaling technology, along with 360 Reality audio or Dolby Atmos formats.
The latest Xperia also features a new 48-megapixel ultrawide camera with a good-sized 1/1.56-inch sensor, significantly improving the specs of the Xperia 1 VI's ultrawide. That's on top of the main 48MP 1/1.35-inch 24mm camera and a 12MP telephoto zoom.
Sony is also trying to differentiate its smartphones through camera features, with improved Bokeh mode, real-time tracking, and even real-time eye autofocus. It claims low-light shooting is 'in line with full-frame cameras, " which is bold!
I'm wondering what other parts of Sony's corporate machinery it will integrate next. Maybe Aibo dog ears?
Continue reading.
Want a cheaper sub for Peacock? You'll need a code, but if you input SPRINGSAVINGS at checkout you'll get $55 off the standard annual price of the Premium plan. It does include ads, however. The big draw for this particular streaming service is likely the long-awaited spinoff of The Office , called The Paper . That premieres in September, so you'll be primed and ready to watch (and rewatch).
Continue reading.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNBC
26 minutes ago
- CNBC
DOJ pushes for big Google changes: Here's what to know
CNBC's Eamon Javers joins 'Squawk Box' with the latest news on the Justice Department's case against Google.
Android Authority
36 minutes ago
- Android Authority
One of the greatest platformers of all time is currently free on Android
TL;DR Limbo is currently free on both PC and Android via the Epic Games Store. The stylish 2010 title is considered one of the best platformers ever made. It will be free until June 5, but it remains in your account forever once claimed. Platforming games have long been one of the best suited to playing on phones, and if you act quickly, you can grab one of the best platformers of all time for keeps. The essential horror/puzzle/platform title Limbo is the latest free game on the Epic Games Store, and it's available on both PC and Android. In case you somehow missed Playdead's 2010 classic, Limbo is a stylish black and white platformer where you control a boy searching for his sister in a dangerous land. Many of the game's puzzles rely on trial and error, with the expectation that the player will frequently die and restart from the last checkpoint. Once claimed, the game will remain on your account forever. Each of those deaths is pretty gruesome. You'll be impaled by giant spiders, crushed in hydraulic presses, and smashed by bear traps as you make your way to the end of the game. Despite this, watching your character ragdoll due to the unique physics engine is actually a highlight. The game was released on Android over a decade ago, but the critically acclaimed 2016 sequel Inside has not. It was ported to iOS way back in 2017, but for whatever reason, it never received an Android release. Playdead's third game has been in development for more than eight years at this point, but there's still no news on a release date. Regardless, you can claim Limbo from the Epic Games Store for free until June 5, so don't miss out. Once claimed, it will remain on your account forever. On PC, you can grab both Limbo and Tiny Tina's Wonderland. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Tom's Guide
an hour ago
- Tom's Guide
Dropbox vs. Box: Which is best for you?
Dropbox and Box are two of the best cloud storage platforms that target the same potential users. But while they seem nearly identical on the surface, they differ in small ways. Understanding these differences can help you choose the perfect cloud storage solution. In this guide, we compare Dropbox vs. Box in terms of price, features, file sharing, and more to help you decide which platform is right for you. Here's how Dropbox and Box compare in six key areas: Both Dropbox and Box support a massive list of file types, from documents and photos to videos, design files, and beyond. You'll be hard-pressed to find a file extension these platforms don't support. One benefit to Dropbox is that it supports larger file uploads than Box for similarly priced plan tiers. Paid Dropbox plans support file uploads ranging from 50GB to 250GB, while paid Box plans offer uploads ranging from 5GB to 150GB. One of the most significant differences between Dropbox and Box is their cost. Dropbox offers just 2GB of storage for free, with paid plans starting at $9.99 per month (billed annually) for 2TB of storage. Dropbox Business plans start at $15 per user per month (billed annually) and 9TB per team. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Box offers 10GB for free. Its paid plans for individuals start at 100GB and run for $10 per month (billed annually). Box Business plans start at $15 per user per month (billed annually) and offer unlimited storage. So, Box is the better value for businesses and individuals searching for free cloud storage. Meanwhile, Dropbox offers more value for individuals who need terabytes of storage. Dropbox and Box offer dedicated backup and sync apps for Windows, Mac, and Android and iOS mobile devices. Both also have web platforms where you can upload, access, and share files. Dropbox and Box offer many similar tools to help you manage your files and enhance productivity. For example, both include integrated e-signing and the ability to watermark shared files with your business's logo. They also support file versioning, enabling you to review changes to files and instantly restore earlier versions. Both platforms also support integrations with a wide range of third-party apps, including popular business software. Dropbox offers a few hundred integrations, while Box provides more than 1,500. Importantly, both platforms support popular office suites like Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace. You can automatically sync files from Microsoft Word and Google Docs straight to your cloud storage. You'll also find collaboration tools in both Dropbox and Box. For example, built-in word processing apps enable your team to work on documents without leaving the cloud storage platform. Dropbox and Box handle file syncing very similarly. When you create files within either platform, you can choose to keep them online-only or download them to your computer for offline editing. Both services also support selective syncing, so you can decide which folders are synced between your computer and the cloud. The two platforms manage file sharing in nearly identical ways. You can share files or folders using a link or email invitation. You can also set permissions for each collaborator, including whether they can edit or download a file. Additionally, Dropbox and Box let you password-protect links and set link expiration dates for additional security. Both platforms encrypt files at rest using 256-bit AES encryption, too. However, only Dropbox supports end-to-end encryption. Both platforms also support two-factor authentication and single sign-on for business customers. However, Box shines for enterprise-scale companies because it offers more customization options for security and compliance. For example, you can choose what countries your data is housed in or give administrators control over your company's data encryption keys. Dropbox and Box are very similar in most key capabilities. However, when you dig in, you'll find that Dropbox provides more affordable plans for individuals, larger file uploads, and end-to-end encryption. Conversely, Box excels with unlimited storage for businesses and thousands of integrations with popular business software. Overall, Dropbox is slightly more suited for individuals and small businesses, while Box is better for large companies and enterprises. Want to explore more solutions, such as Google Drive and OneDrive? Check out our guide to the best file syncing platforms. Yes, Box offers unlimited storage for business users on its paid plans. This makes it a strong choice for enterprises and companies with significant data storage needs. Dropbox offers a free plan with 2GB of storage. However, for more storage and advanced features, you must upgrade to a paid plan. Yes, you can manually download files from Dropbox and upload them to Box. Some third-party migration tools also offer automated transfer options.
