Best Budget Earbuds for 2023: Cheap Wireless Picks - CNET

Here are our current favorites from among the many budget true-wireless earbuds we've tested and reviewed. You don't need to spend a fortune to get surprisingly good sound quality and features.

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Apple Watch Ultra 2 Specs vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, Garmin - CNET

Here's how Apple's rugged smartwatch stacks up to the competition.

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Latest Tech News

Acer recently revealed a brand-new gaming monitor for the Chinese market, which boasts an incredibly high 540Hz refresh rate.

The Acer Nitro XV242F has been listed on Chinese retailer Taobao and, as reported by TFTCentral, has a 24.1-inch screen with a TN Film panel, FHD resolution, and 1ms gray-to-gray response time. Judging from the high-end specs, this monitor is for professional gamers and is clearly meant to compete with Asus’s 500Hz+ monitor, the Asus ROG Swift Pro PG248QP.

According to the Nitro XV242F’s third-party listing, both it and the ROG Swift Pro PG248QP share specs, including an AU Optronics display panel with 400 nits of brightness, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, 99% sRGB and 90% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, and a 10-bit color depth. But, the Acer monitor doesn’t have a Nvidia G-Sync processor unlike the Asus one, instead describing it as being Nvidia G-Sync compatible.

Besides the Asus monitor, the Acer Nitro XV242F would also be in direct competition with Alienware’s own 500Hz refresh rate gaming monitors: the Alienware AW2524H 500Hz and the just released Alienware AW2524HF. The former is easily one of the best gaming monitors out there, scoring four out of five stars from us, and the latter seems to be of similar quality but at a cheaper price point.

Smart pricing will be the key to victory 

Pricing is probably going to be the most important factor in determining the Acer Nitro XV242F’s success. According to the current listing, it’s priced at CNY 4999 (around $700 / £550) but this is unofficial until it launches, which means it could be cheaper. Meanwhile, there’s no official pricing for the Asus ROG Swift Pro PG248QP, the Alienware AW2524H 500Hz is $829.99 (about £680 / AU$1,236), and the Alienware AW2524HF is at $649.99 (about £525 / AU$1,010).

Acer was already late to the proverbial 500Hz display punch, beaten out by two other competing manufacturers, so it needs an edge in order to undercut them. The easiest price point to mimic would be Alienware's $649.99 one, as its specs are quite similar. The fact that the Acer monitor has a higher refresh rate would make it more attractive to buyers looking for the best deal and would also greatly undercut the more expensive $829.99 AW2524H monitor.

Finally, it would preemptively undermine Asus, which hasn’t even released a price for its own offering as of now. Acer’s path is clear, but it’s up to the manufacturer to take advantage of its biggest advantage.

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Giant SpaceX Starship Could Fly Again in October - CNET

An investigation into April's explosive test flight has closed, opening the door for another attempt.

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Best Pillows for Back Sleepers in 2023 - CNET

Back sleepers need the right amount of support from their pillow. Here are the best supportive pillows for back sleepers -- tested and reviewed.

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Latest Tech News

Bose has today launched three brand-new models in its acclaimed QuietComfort series of headphones. Despite the fact that they remain well-regarded and competitive, the QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, the QuietComfort Earbuds II and the QuietComfort 45 are no more. Say hello to the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and, um, the QuietComfort Headphones. 

Each new pair of headphones feature Bose’s brand-new ‘Immersive Audio’ technology. This is a variation on the established ‘spatial audio theme’. Bose has deployed Inertial Measurement Units along with some proprietary digital signal processing software in an effort to conjure a ‘layered’ and ‘multi-dimensional’ effect from any old source material. The company suggests that rather than presenting music as extremely close ‘left’ and ‘right’ channels, ‘Immersive Audio’ lays a recording out to sound as if it’s in front of you. ‘Still’ and ‘motion’ modes mean sound should either remain in a fixed position or respond to your movements.

All three new offerings are also compatible with Bose SimpleSync technology. This means they can pair with appropriate soundbars and speakers for a personal listening experience – volume control is independent, naturally, so the speaker can be silent while the headphones are as loud as you prefer. And like the best Bose headphones, all three are compatible with the Bose Music control app.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: key features and specifications 

(Image credit: Bose )

The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are now the flagship of the Bose wireless headphones range, which we rank among the best headphones. Thoroughly reworked over the model they replace, the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones feature a sophisticated microphone array intend to improve what was already impressive active noise-cancellation. 

The beamform arrangement they form is also supposedly able to be able to differentiate the sound of your speech from 360 degrees-worth of ambient sound. Super-clear, dependable call quality and voice-assistant interaction ought to be the result. Battery life is a claimed 24 from a single charge, and Bose suggests the array of physical controls is the most intuitive and reliable it’s ever developed.

This new model features the Snapdragon Sound Technology Suite, so sturdy connectivity to premium Android devices should be assured. Google Fast pair maximises ease-of-use, and wireless connectivity is via Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX Adaptive codec compatibility.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: key features and specifications

(Image credit: Bose)

The new QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds take over from the very accomplished QuietComfort Earbuds II, and Bose is claiming this new model improves on what was already widely acknowledged to be the best active noise-cancellation available in any pair of earbuds. 

Newly developed dynamic mic mixing works with adaptive filters to improve far-field call quality, and the shinily slippy design has been moved upmarket thanks to some metallic treatment on the body of the earbuds themselves. 

Battery life is six hours from a single charge, according to Bose, and the company is ready to sell you a silicone charging-case cover that makes wireless charging possible. The slip-case is also compatible with the outgoing QuietComfort Earbuds II.

Also, like the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones above, this earbuds equivalent also features the Snapdragon Sound Technology Suite, Google Fast pair, Bluetooth 5.3 and aptX Adaptive codec compatibility.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones: key features and specifications

(Image credit: Bose )

The new QuietComfort Headphones, meanwhile, intend to replicate the excellent noise-cancellation and competitive sound quality of the model they replace while adding a few welcome flourishes. 

Adjustable active noise cancellation with custom options, for example. Bluetooth 5.1 with multipoint wireless connectivity, too. Battery life that’s claimed to be 24 hours from a single charge.

How much does Bose' new QuietComfort headphone range cost? 

The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are on sale from early October, and preorders begin today at bose.com. They’re both available in either ‘black’ or ‘white smoke’ finishes and cost £449 and £299 respectively. 

Meanwhile, the QuietComfort Headphones are on sale now. In addition to ‘white smoke’ and ‘black’ finishes, they’re available for a limited time in a ‘cypress green’ alternative, and they’re priced at £349.

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An infostealing malware campaign has been underway for at least three years, going completely unnoticed, Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has revealed.

The finding came after the company decided to take a closer look at the growing number of Linux-based attacks, which “can operate for years without being noticed by the cybersecurity community.”

This example in particular focuses on what appears to be a free download manager destined for use on Debian machines, which has been available in its malicious form since January 2020.

Debian download manager malware

Affected versions of the downloadable software contain an infected postinst script that is executed upon installation, which the analysts say contains comments in both Russian and Ukrainian.

Having downloaded and installed an infected version of the software for further investigation, Kaspersky’s workers reveal that a Bash stealer is deployed to collect information such as system information, browsing history, saved passwords, cryptocurrency wallet files, and credentials for cloud services - specifically, AWS, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, Azure.

Fortunately, the researchers also revealed how the malicious version of the software had been distributed. They confirmed that the official website and its content had not been compromised, and actually, the infostealing version had been posted to online communities like Reddit and StackOverflow over a period of around two years.

The genuine makers of Free Download Manager have since been notified by Kaspersky, though at the time of writing, they had not responded.

According to Kaspersky, the threat actor targeted Linux machines specifically because they are much less frequently analyzed compared with Windows and macOS devices, simply due to popularity reasons. 

Still, there are some very easy steps that users can take to protect themselves online. Most importantly, users should only download from legitimate sources and check things like domains and email addresses against what has been verified as legitimate. Doing so would have saved victims from this case of malware.

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Spatial Video: Our Biggest Questions About the iPhone 15 Pro's Immersive Feature - CNET

The iPhone 15 Pro will record 3D videos for Vision Pro. Will this make more people want to try recording spatial memories?

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OM Digital Solutions recently discontinued the Olympus Tough TG-6 compact camera – a camera that still occupies top spot in our best waterproof cameras guide, four-years after its release. Now we see why, with the announcement of a successor, the OM System Tough TG-7.

It's a familiar package, with a different name (since Olympus was acquired by OM Digital Solutions). Core Tough-series features are virtually untouched; we still have a 12MP 1/2.3-inch sensor (that's a similar sensor size to your average smartphone), a 25-100mm F2.0-4.9 lens equipped with super-macro focusing, plus class-leading build quality that includes IPX8-rated waterproofing up to 15m.

OM System Tough TG-7 price and release date

The list price of the TG-7 on the OM System website is £499.99 – that's a 25% mark up from the launch price of the TG-6, while shipping commences from Sep 20. There's loads of add-on accessories available that make the TG-7 an even more versatile stills camera, too many to sensibly list here.

So what's new? Its ports are brought up to today's standards, including USB-C connectivity for charging. Interval and timelapse modes have been added, too. Elsewhere, there's not a whole lot different going on – which is no bad thing because the Tough TG-6 also sits pretty in our best travel camera guide. We still get a rugged build, built-in GPS (which I’ll get onto), and photography versatility that also includes a plethora of add-on accessories for various photography scenarios, such as underwater housing.

The TG-7 could now be the camera to throw in the bag for outdoorsy family vacation photos. It's more versatile for photography than the best GoPros and many of the best action cameras, but less so for video, even though it shoots 4K / 30p from the full width of the sensor, and now includes a new vertical video setting, too. 

(Image credit: OM System)

Analysis: Built for adventure

I recently wrote about how the DJI Osmo Action 4 convinced me that action cameras beat mirrorless for vacations, and that’s certainly true if you’re primarily shooting video. But if you’re more into photography, then arguably a tough camera like the new TG-7 is your best choice.

Whether you’re on the beach, going for a swim, or hiking up a mountain – you'll want a tough camera that you don't have to worry about, one that keeps out water and grit, like the TG-7. Like the previous model, it also has built-in GPS, compass, thermometer and barometer, meaning you can map out your trip and pin your photos taken en route with precise location, plus data such as altitude. It’s super helpful stuff – albeit power hungry – not usually found in a camera.

(Image credit: OM Ssystem)

And the TG-7 is a different proposition to the Hero 12 Black and Osmo Action 4 – fixed-lens cameras equipped with powerful in-body image stabilization. It can’t match those cameras for videos on the move – you won’t strap it to the handle bars of an off-road bike for smooth video – but it is a more versatile photography camera, with a decent zoom range, plus a fantastic macro photography setting.

If you haven’t spent all your money on the camera – which has a 25% premium over the TG-6 – add-on accessories include underwater housing that extends waterproofing depths to 45m, and a ring light that fixes around the lens and can add a little fill light for punchy macro shots.

The lack of any real digital camera action since the shift from Olympus to OM System is ominous, and there might not be a whole lot new to say about the TG-7, but it’s a safe bet to replace the TG-6 in our various buying guides, and we’ll confirm that once our upcoming in-depth review is complete.

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Latest Tech News

Amazon has announced plans to help make running physical stores just as easy as it has made running online stores.

The launch of Supply Chain by Amazon will see the ecommerce giant collect your inventory from manufacturing sites around the world before shipping it across borders and handling customs clearance on your behalf.

From here, Amazon promises to look after ground transportation and store your inventory in bulk while keeping your shelves full at Amazon facilities and other locations.

Supply Chain by Amazon

The company hopes that by taking care of the logistics, businesses can focus on more important aspects, such as developing new products and driving profitability.

Most noteworthy is the use of machine learning to predict which locations need restocking and when in an effort to keep products as close to customers as possible so that they can be available via same- and next-day delivery. Amazon reckons having these fast delivery methods available increases FBA unit sales by 15%.

While the company has proudly discussed its own network several times in recent months, business owners will also benefit from the Partnered Carrier Program, allowing them to benefit from Amazon-like delivery services from third parties “at up to 25% lower costs compared to alternatives.”

The company also looks to be scrapping fourth-quarter peak pricing for Amazon Warehousing Distribution, which has been a sticking point for many businesses during the busy holiday period. Companies can now expect to pay $0.42 per cubic foot year-round, compared with $0.87 for FBA standard-size storage and $2.40 at peak times. It also allows them to book long-term bulk storage for even larger discounts.

Amazon has not provided specific details with regard to the cost of Supply Chain by Amazon, but says that “increased efficiency, reduced storage costs, and significant discounts on AGL shipments” can all be expected compared with using each service individually.

Business owners can explore the firm’s webpage for more detail to see whether it suits their needs.

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Double Tap Feature Gives Apple Watch Users Hands-Free Control - CNET

The new gesture announced during Apple's Wunderlust event lets you pick up a phone call or play music without touching your Apple Watch display.

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Latest Tech News

What's the story?

The iPhone 15 Pro might inhabit a slightly awkward place in the iPhone 15 range this year. While the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro Max got some really big upgrades, the Pro has slightly less to shout about.

That's not to say that the phone, which was announced at today's Apple September event, is without merit. It still gets some neat new features and will be available for a decent-looking price of $999 /  £999 / AU$1,849 for the 128GB model when it goes on sale next Friday (September 22). Here's all the info.

What do I need to know about it?

The big story with the iPhone 15 Pro - check out our ongoing Apple event 2023 live blog for the very latest - is that it gets the new Action button in place of the traditional mute switch. This can be used to trigger custom actions such as swapping between camera modes without delving into menus.

Design-wise, it gets more curved sides which are now crafted from titanium plus thinner edges, and of course as with the other iPhone 15 models it now charges via USB-C rather than Apple's Lightning cable. 

There's also an updated A17 Pro chipset and and it will be available in four titanium colors. But though the cameras get some upgrades too, you only get 3x zoom on the telephoto sensor, compared to 5x on the Pro Max.

What do we think of it?

While it may not have any headline-grabbing upgrades beyond the Action button (and possibly USB-C), there's enough here to make it a contender for our best phones list all the same.

That's because the iPhone 14 Pro was an excellent device which we said "may be the perfect iPhone" and much of that remains true here. It still offers more than the base iPhone 15 - for instance the extra telephoto camera and the more powerful processor - but without the extra size and price of the Pro Max. It could still be the best option for most people. 

We've not yet been hands-on with the iPhone 15 Pro, but look out for our early verdict soon.

Further reading

• iPhone 15: everything you need to know
• iPhone 15 Pro: everything you need to know
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: everything you need to know
• iPhone 15 Plus: everything you need to know

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Apple Releases New Security Update Ahead of iPhone Event - CNET

This update for older iPhones and iPads likely fixes similar security concerns that were included in last week's iOS 16.6.1 update for newer devices.

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Stream Hulu Plus Live TV for Just $50 a Month Right Now (Save $20) - CNET

The deal comes ahead of the service's price hike in October.

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Samsung has inadvertently leaked its upcoming Galaxy Buds FE (Fan Edition) as the tech giant recently published the wireless earbuds’ official user manual on its German website. What’s more is the document is entirely in English.

Initially discovered by Dutch news site GalaxyClub, the manual reveals what the Galaxy Buds FE will look like at launch and details what features it will hold. Images in the 42-page document show the buds have a wingtip design, a pair of microphones on each (four in total), and a touch sensor on the outside. At a glance, they look quite similar to the Galaxy Buds Plus. 

The wingtips are removable, so you can swap them out for another for a better fit. Users will have Small/Medium and Medium/Large silicone tips as their two options. It's important to have properly fitting earbuds, and Samsung states in the manual the device may not work “if the touch-sensitive sensor does not make contact with your ear”. 

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE wireless earphones exposed, similar in appearance to Galaxy Buds+#galaxybudsfe #samsunggalaxybudsfe pic.twitter.com/1UBKi5dIwSSeptember 11, 2023

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Speaking of which, the case sports a square build like the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. But unlike the Pro model, it doesn’t appear the Galaxy Buds FE will support wireless charging since the manual doesn’t mention the capability anywhere. Users instead will have to charge it the old-fashion way via USB-C cable. Other notable design flourishes for the case include a notch for opening it as well as battery indicators on the inside and out.

Software features

Internally, the manual doesn't reveal a whole lot about the Galaxy Buds FE aside from the software features. Chief among these is the inclusion of active noise canceling to shut out environmental noise. Conversely, you can let outside noise in by activating ambient sound mode so you can hear the world around you.

That’s pretty much all we can gather from the user manual. Everything else consists of instructions for certain actions like how to connect the Galaxy Buds FE to your phone via Bluetooth, how to configure the audio settings through the Galaxy Wearable app, and how to activate the Samsung Bixby AI assistant 

Pending availability

The document unfortunately doesn’t reveal the launch date or price point of the Galaxy Buds FE. At the very least, we learn that the devices will be available in black with a glossy white charging case indicating there will be some color variance. No word if there will be a lavender purple version like with the Galaxy Buds 2. The good news is a formal announcement from the company may be imminent considering that Samsung released this manual on an official channel, .

This Galaxy Buds FE leak does lead us to an important question: where are the Galaxy Buds 3? Rumors have circulated about the flagship earbuds claiming they will come out in 2023. But we’re now in the final four months of the year and we still haven’t heard anything from Samsung. Could the Galaxy Buds 3 actually have been the Galaxy Buds FE all along? 

It’s hard to say. Either way, we’ll be keeping an eye out for new info for the flagship Samsung model. Until then, check out TechRadar’s list of the best earbuds for 2023. 

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