Our Experts Written by David Carnoy Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement How we test Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Kobo e-books and audiobooks. Expertise Headphones, Bluetooth speakers, mobile accessories, Apple, Sony, Bose, e-readers, Amazon, glasses, ski gear, iPhone cases, gaming accessories, sports tech, portable audio, interviews, audiophile gear, PC speakers Credentials Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer See full bio What to consider Budget It's important to know how much you want to spend, and what features you want, before going too far into research. Fit A secure fit in your ears not only impacts how comfortable the earbuds are but the quality of sound can also be impacted. Return policy Where you buy from matters, especially if you end up not liking the headphones once you put them on. Table of Contents When thinking of noise-canceling headphones, you're likely to picture full-size over-the-ear noise-canceling headphones before you think of wireless earbuds. But so many people prefer the earbuds that top sound companies have made great options for noise cancelation in the earbud form. Wireless earbuds are easier to carry around and are often just as good at muffling ambient noise. We found not only the best premium wireless active noise-canceling earbuds but some affordable models as well. Sometimes you're looking for cheap earbuds, and having the best wireless earbuds doesn't have to mean emptying your wallet. I've tested all the earbuds on this list and fully reviewed many of them. Our Picks Best for noise-canceling Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds View details $229 at Bose View details Best Sony earbuds Sony WF-1000XM5 View details $300 at Amazon View details Best Apple noise-canceling wireless earbuds Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) View details $190 at Amazon View details Top value noise-canceling earbuds Earfun Air Pro 4 View details $90 at Amazon View details Best wireless earbuds for Samsung users Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro View details $190 at Samsung View details

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SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KGO) -- The parents of a former OpenAI researcher who was found dead in a San Francisco apartment have hired an independent investigator to determine his cause of death. He was known for being a whistleblower.Mercury News reported the new updates after police found the body of 26-year-old Suchir Balaji on November 26 during a well-being check.The Medical Examiner says Balaji died by suicide and there are no signs of foul play, but his parents Poornima Ramarao and Balaji Ramamurthy have doubts and have hired an expert to perform an independent autopsy.RELATED: Ex-OpenAI engineer who raised legal concerns about the technology he helped build has diedBalaji died just three months after publicly accusing OpenAI of violating U.S. copyright law while developing ChatGPT.His information was expected to play a key part in lawsuits against the company.OpenAI has said all of its work is legal under fair use laws.Balaji worked at OpenAI for nearly four years before quitting in August. He was well-regarded by colleagues at the San Francisco company, where a co-founder this week called him one of OpenAI's strongest contributors who was essential to developing some of its products."We are devastated to learn of this incredibly sad news and our hearts go out to Suchir's loved ones during this difficult time," said a statement from OpenAI.His parents said they are still seeking answers, describing their son as a "happy, smart and brave young man" who loved to hike and recently returned from a trip with friends.Balaji grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and first arrived at the fledgling AI research lab for a 2018 summer internship while studying computer science at the University of California, Berkeley. He returned a few years later to work at OpenAI, where one of his first projects, called WebGPT, helped pave the way for ChatGPT.If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.The Associated Press contributed to this report

The latest LG gaming monitors are here, and the company's newest bendable model is a world's first.

SpaceX has had a busy and memorable year, conducting more Falcon 9 missions than ever and making tangible progress with the development of its next-generations Starship vehicle, the most powerful rocket ever to fly.The most notable of the Starship test missions came on October 13 when SpaceXs launch tower caught the returning Super Heavy booster at the very first attempt.Recommended VideosThe spectacular feat involved the 70-meter-tall booster returning with pinpoint accuracy two giant mechanical arms on the launch tower, which secured the booster above the ground at SpaceXs Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas.Please enable Javascript to view this contentReturning the booster in this way allows SpaceX to reuse the booster for multiple flights similar to what it does with its workhorse Falcon 9 rocket, drastically reducing missions costs.RelatedBelow, weve pulled together various video clips showing the Super Heavy boosters extraordinary homecoming on October 13. The first one shows both the launch and landing of the Starship, which comprises the first-stage Super Heavy booster and upper-stage Starship spacecraft:Launch and return are fundamental techniques for Starships fully and rapidly reusable design pic.twitter.com/vrTdGkB08s SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 13, 2024This video is an onboard view showing a close-up of how the rocket came to rest on one of the so-called chopstick arms just minutes after deploying the Starship spacecraft to orbit:Onboard view showing a catch fitting on Super Heavy as it contacts a chopstick catch beam pic.twitter.com/r1TVQEdITc SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 14, 2024In a message attached to the next clip, SpaceX said: Thousands of distinct vehicle and pad criteria had to be met prior to catching the Super Heavy booster. Thanks to the tireless work of SpaceX engineers, we succeeded with catch on our first attempt.Thousands of distinct vehicle and pad criteria had to be met prior to catching the Super Heavy booster. Thanks to the tireless work of SpaceX engineers, we succeeded with catch on our first attempt. pic.twitter.com/6wa5v6xHI0 SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 13, 2024Heres a view from a camera attached to the launch tower, again showing in great detail how the Super Heavy rocket came in to land:The final phase of Super Heavy's landing burn used the three center Raptor engines to precisely steer into catch position pic.twitter.com/BxQbOmT4yk SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 14, 2024Next, we have a beautiful wide shot over southern Texas, looking toward the Gulf of Mexico, with the Super Heavy using its Raptor rocket engines to slow itself before coming to rest on the tower:Super Heavy landing burn and catch pic.twitter.com/wppBezuOet SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 14, 2024Another view from the tower shows more clearly the two arms moving together as the rocket returns:Tower view of the first Super Heavy booster catch pic.twitter.com/Bgjeyuw7Hf SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 14, 2024The video below shows the rockets speed and altitude data as it comes in to land:Mechazilla has caught the Super Heavy booster! pic.twitter.com/6R5YatSVJX SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 13, 2024This clip shows a SpaceX render (apparently created before the fifth test flight though released afterwards) that closely imagined how the actual landing (right) would appear:Making a rapidly reusable future a reality pic.twitter.com/CM3cb24bw9 SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 17, 2024Finally, enjoy this video showing the rockets return and landing, together with commentary from the SpaceX team and the reaction of those watching:Starship | Fifth Flight TestSpaceX conducted a sixth test flight on November 19, but a communications issue between the launch tower and the returning Super Heavy forced mission controllers to send the booster into the Gulf of Mexico instead of attempting a second catch.SpaceX will try to repeat its extraordinary landing feat on its seventh test flight, which is expected to take place in early January.Editors Recommendations

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd" Ahead of CES 2025, LG has announced new extra-large additions to its line of UltraGear GX9 OLED gaming monitors: one being a massive, 45-inch display with a bendable panel, and the other, a 39-inch smart gaming monitor with webOS built-in.Lets start with the big boy, though, because it has an impressive worlds first designation behind it. Its the first 5K OLED monitor on the market, featuring a resolution of 5120 x 2160 also known as 5K2K. Not only is it the first OLED monitor in general to have a 5K resolution but its also the first gaming monitorto launch with this higher resolution, normally reserved for high-end creator monitors like the Apple Studio Display.Recommended VideosAt 45 inches, UltraGear 45GX990A has pixel density of 125 pixels per inch and use the RGWB subpixel layout. Remember: these are LGs WOLED panels, as differentiated from Samsungs QD-OLEDs.LGThe UltraGear 45GX990A is the bendable model, meaning it can transform from flat screen to an aggressive 900R curve in just a few seconds. If youve been paying attention, this isnt the first bendable OLED monitor weve seen. Corsair launched its Xeneon Flex back in 2022, and there was even the LG OLED Flex in 2023, a 42-inch monitor/TV hybrid with the same bending technology. The major advantage the 45GX990A has over the Corsair monitor, again, is resolution. Its a 45-inch panel with a 21:9 aspect ratio and a 5120 x 2150 resolution. It also has an updated version of LGs Dual-Mode functionality that we saw in its monitors from last year, allowing you to switch between the two resolution/refresh rate combinations to best match the game youre playing.RelatedLG did not provide information at this time on what the presets were or what the refresh rate of its native resolution was. However, we do know that the previous dual mode LG OLED could switch between 4K at 240Hz and 1080p at 480Hz. We also know that in this second-gen version of Dual-Mode, there are now eight overall configurations to choose from, which include letting you switch between 21:9 and 16:9, and different picture sizes 39-inch, 34-inch, or 27-inch.LGLG will also be selling a non-bendable version of this monitor, the 45GX950A, giving you the same resolution and updated Dual-Mode functionality. LG hasnt shared pricing or availability on these monitors yet, but I assume the non-bendable option is more affordable.LG also announced the UltraGear 39GX90SA, which sports the aforementioned smart capabilities. Its powered by webOS, the same operating system used on LG televisions. And yes, that means it can function all without being connected to a PC or a streaming device. Weve seen a number of these smart monitors come out recently, including LGs own MyView Smart Monitor lineup, but this is the first to come built into a gaming monitor.Aside from the smart functionality, this is a 39-inch display with a 21:9 aspect ratio and an 800R curve. Of course, its also OLED and comes with a unique L-shaped monitor stand.LG has not indicated what refresh rate the UltraGear 39GX90SA uses.We will certainly be learning more about these new monitors at CES though, as we hope to get to see them up close and in-person.Editors Recommendations

Former President Jimmy Carter died on Sunday at the age of 100.Business and political leaders celebrated Carter's humanitarian work.President-elect Donald Trump said the world owed Carter "a debt of gratitude."Former President Jimmy Carter died on Sunday at the age of 100. World leaders responded with an outpouring of support, celebrating Carter's legacy as a humanitarian.Carter served as president from 1977 to 1981 but is perhaps most known for his work after his presidency.Carter championed human rights and pushed for peace in various corners of the world. In 1982, he founded The Carter Center to focus on such issues and played an active role with Habitat for Humanity until the end of his life.President Joe Biden said the "world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian.""With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us," Biden said in a statement. "He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe."Biden said that the love Carter shared with his late wife, Rosalynn Carter, was "the definition of partnership" and that their leadership was "the definition of patriotism."Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on X that Carter led an "extraordinary life" that touched countless people's lives through his vision and generosity.Also on X, Apple CEO Tim Cook shared a photo of the former president wearing a tool belt in front of a construction site with the message: "Today, we honor President Carter's lifetime of service and his commitment to leaving the world better than he found it. May he rest in peace."Sen. Bernie Sanders said on X that Carter would be remembered as a "decent, honest and down-to-earth man" for both his time as president and his later humanitarian work."He will be sorely missed," Sanders wrote.US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg also shared a tribute to the former president on X, writing that Carter's "leadership, intellect, and moral example ennobled our country, during and ever since his presidency."President-elect Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that Carter's presidency "came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.""Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter Family and their loved ones during this difficult time," Trump said. "We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts and prayers."

Metro Video Game Awards GameCentrals Best of the Year 2024GameCentralPublished December 30, 2024 1:00am The Plucky Squire pretty but not a particularly good game (Devolver Digital)The best graphics of the year, the best soundtrack, and remake of the year are part of GameCentrals mini-awards, along with Worst Game of 2024.Our list of the Top 20 games of 2024 honours what we consider to be the best video games of the year but sometimes titles can have elements that are worthy of high praise, even though the overall game doesnt necessarily work on every level.We wouldnt unconditionally recommend the games weve named as having the best visuals and best music, and our innovation of the year award goes to a title that only just made our Top 20, but theres no doubting that, at least in some respects, theyre very accomplished games.Our worst game of the year is the only one without any redeeming features but its always useful to warn about that too, especially when its a licensed game.Best VisualsThe Plucky SquireIts very common for the best visuals of the year to not belong to a particularly good game. Ever since gaming began, amazing graphics have been used to compensate for mediocre gameplay and were afraid to say thats definitely true for The Plucky Squire.Its not a bad game but its attempt to combine Zelda style 2D visuals with the ability to walk around in a modern 3D world is much more interesting for how it looks than how it plays. Its a shame, because the game has lots of other great ideas too, such as making the storybook you play in a physical object you can move around to change the game world, but unfortunately it never evolves beyond a neat visual gimmick.Runner-up: Black Myth: WukongBest InnovationThe Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom2024 has been a little short on big new ideas, although we were very impressed by how well Batman: Arkham Shadows nailed its VR controls and how the puzzles in Arranger work. The most enjoyable and inventive idea of the year though was Echoes Of Wisdom, the spin-off Zelda game where you finally get to play as Zelda herself.It wasnt a perfect game, but it did revolve around an entirely new concept where Zelda is able to clone any object whether living or inanimate and create new copies indefinitely. This is used to solve puzzles and engage in combat and while the game doesnt exploit the possibilities to their full potential thats what makes the concept so exciting that its not a one shot gimmick and theres more that can be done with it in the future.Runner-up: Arranger: A Role-Puzzling AdventureFormat of the year The old reliable comes through again (Valve)PCThis is the hardest award to give out this year, since no format has really excelled beyond any of its competitors, although interestingly none of them have embarrassed themselves either. The Xboxs line-up didnt fulfil its early potential but S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 and Indiana Jones both impressed. The Switchs 2024 releases were also clearly all second stringers but only Princess Peach: Showtime! was a real letdown.And while were still disappointed by much of what Sony did this year, we have to admit that they did have some great third party exclusives this year, including Silent Hill 2, Stellar Blade, and our game of the year Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. On balance though we gave the prize to the PC, as not only are most of the best games of the year available on the format but many of the indie titles are exclusive to it at least for now.Runner-up: PlayStation 5Remake of the yearSilent Hill 2Youll be shocked to find that Sonys farcical remake of Until Dawn wasnt in contention for this award. Instead, it was a fairly easy win for Silent Hill 2, which is not something you wouldve guessed at the beginning of the year. There was very little faith in the remake amongst fans, including us, but as soon as we got to play it, it was clear what a good job Bloober Team had done; not just recreating the original with modern graphics and controls but adding to and enhancing the game with new areas, new puzzles, and additional story elements that fit in seamlessly.Silent Hill has always been a very different franchise to Resident Evil but now both horror legends have got excellent remakes for their most famous entries.Runner-up: Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year DoorBest MusicKunitsu-Gami: Path Of The GoddessAnother game we didnt particularly like but where one element clearly stood out as exceptional. The action strategy gameplay in Path Of The Goddess was very undercooked but the soundtrack is fantastic, not least because of how varied it is. Therere multiple jazz tracks that are amongst the best weve heard in games for years, but theres also everything from traditional Japanese music to modern electronica.Most of the boss battles in the game are a chore but theyre greatly enchanced by the superb music, enough to have us play them more than once just to listen to it again in situ. Thats when you know youve got a great soundtrack. Capcom doesnt seem to have made any great effort to promote it separately, but it is on Spotify and we strongly recommend giving it a listen.Runner-up: Final Fantasy 7 RebirthBest StorytellingMetaphor: ReFantazioThey say launching a new IP is difficult but the trick to making a successful one seems pretty straightforward: ensure its good. Metaphor: ReFantazio owes an obvious debt to sister series Persona, especially in terms of the visuals and combat, but its in terms of the plot and characters that it really distinguishes itself.Despite its peculiar set-up, with an election in a fantasy world that has just lost its king, it manages to deal with a lot of serious subjects, from discrimination to populism, without ever getting too specific with its allegories. Its more than enough to make the point though and by coincidence, given how long ago the game was started, it manages to seem very topical as a result.The human (and otherwise) stories are compelling too, as the game neatly avoids being too serious and still has time to be a fun Japanese role-player with outrageous boss battles.Runner-up: 1000xResistWorst gameStranger Things VRMore TrendingSometimes we dont like giving out this award, when it feels like youre just kicking a game when its already down. But other times its a useful second warning that something is not what its pretending to be.More often than not the worst game of the year is a licensed title and so it was this year, with this dreadful VR game that is barely interactive, utilises ugly cel-shades graphics that make it look nothing like the show, and has little in the way of story. When the only thing a Stranger Things game gets right is the music you know things arent going well.Runner-up: SlitterheadEmailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralExclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

JRPGs are a genre rich in options, with titles available for the main consoles in the market. These games vary widely in gameplay style and narrative approach, offering unique experiences for fans. With this diversity, players always find something to enjoy, whether exploring vibrant worlds or delving into exciting stories.