Jada Jones/ZDNETOver the years, your favorite pair of headphones or earbuds can become just as essential to your daily life as your smartphone. If you're like me, forgetting your AirPods at home can ruin your day. It's important to consider all of your headphone and earbud options, as the right ones for one person may not work for the next person.That's why, at ZDNET, we review plenty of headphones and earbuds for all purposes and budgets, including cheap headphones, noise-canceling headphones, sleep earbuds, headphones for exercising, and more. Different headphones and earbuds have different use cases, and our testing methods align with them.How we test headphones and earbuds in 2025 The Sennheiser Accentum earbuds are a best in class for their price. Jack Wallen/ZDNETOur experts sleep, work, run, swim, hike, watch movies, and listen to music to test headphones and earbuds. During testing, we place our daily drivers in their carrying cases and use the review unit in our everyday lives to see how the devices perform in real-world situations.Usually, we receive review units from manufacturers before they are available for the public to purchase. We use the period between receiving the product and publishing our review to spend as much time as possible putting the review unit through daily use and wear and tear. We also test the product's software features and follow up with manufacturers if needed.Here's a general overview of our headphones and earbuds testing methodology so you can better understand how a pair of headphones or earbuds make it to one of our lists of recommendations.What makes headphones or earbuds ZDNET Recommended?A pair of headphones or earbuds is ZDNET Recommended when our testing concludes that the device is above average in at least one of our testing categories. Once we've made that determination, we add headphones or earbuds to one of our buying guides, which are tailored to those looking for headphones serving a specific purpose.We understand that everyone has different uses, wants, and needs when looking for headphones and earbuds. Our mission is to recommend an array of products that will best serve everyone's individual preferences.Some headphones may excel in the design and comfort category but fall short in the noise-canceling category. Despite that product's shortcomings, we understand that some people don't want headphones with strong noise-canceling properties and prefer headphones with higher levels of comfort. We treat all metrics equally when conducting our testing, but we make it a point to let our readers know when a product won't serve their best interest. Here are the top factors we consider when testing headphones and earbuds.Comfort and design Jada Jones/ZDNETYour headphones and earbuds should offer hours of comfort, especially if you plan to wear them while working, studying, or traveling. Like many headphone and earbud benchmarks, comfort can be subjective because everyone has different head and ear shapes.To remain as objective as possible, we wear headphones and earbuds for hours on end and note in our reviews when they become uncomfortable.Headphones and earbuds come in various material finishes. Some are mostly made of plastic, while others are made from more durable materials like aluminum and stainless steel. Because headphones and earbuds will accompany you in all your daily activities, we wear them for an extended period to assess their durability.We evaluate whether headphone earpads tear, rip, or crack, determine how well a pair of headphones and earbuds can withstand drops, and bend and fold headphones to listen for any creaking or unnatural noises.Noise cancellation Jada Jones/ZDNETNoise-canceling properties are less subjective, as measuring the number of decibels a pair of headphones and earbuds cancel on a noise-level chart is possible. However, some of our readers may be less interested in a chart and more concerned with how headphones or earbuds perform in specific environments.Also: The best noise-canceling earbuds of 2024: Expert tested and reviewedTo give you the best idea of how well a device cancels noise, we wear noise-canceling headphones and earbuds in environments with varying noise levels, including the grocery store, the office, the train, the gym, and coffee shops. We record which noises we can hear and which are masked or significantly dampened to show you which noise-canceling headphones or earbuds will perform best in your daily life.Sound quality Jada Jones/ZDNETSound quality is the most subjective metric when testing and reviewing headphones and earbuds. Everyone's ears perceive sound differently, and hearing is a spectrum. Additionally, headphones and earbuds can sound different depending on whether noise-canceling is enabled, your preferred music streaming service, your listening device's operating system, and which Bluetooth codec your headphones or earbuds may use.To see this subjectivity in action, read one of our headphone reviews, compare our expert opinions with our contemporaries' views, and observe the differences in sentiments. We describe how we hear the sound come through a pair of headphones or earbuds and explain which factors may contribute to our conclusions.Also: The best music headphones of 2024: Expert tested and reviewedOur experts test sound by listening with transparency and noise-canceling modes, which enable us to note any differences in sound. We also listen on iPhones, Android phones, laptops, TVs, and tablets to document noticeable sound distinctions. There can be noticeable differences in sound quality when listening to Apple Music versus Spotify, so we test for that, too.Additionally, we test wireless headphones with their included wires to determine if a pair of headphones can be listened to actively or passively.Battery life Jada Jones/ZDNETBattery life is an objective benchmark when testing headphones and earbuds, but it can be affected by several factors. Battery life can differ from the manufacturer's claims depending on how loud you listen to headphones or earbuds, whether noise-canceling or spatial audio is enabled, the length and frequency of phone calls taken while wearing the headphones, and the settings of your listening device.We track battery life by using all of the headphones' features to gauge how well they match the advertised number of hours of continuous use.Use cases Matthew Miller/ZDNETSome headphones and earbuds are better suited for specific use cases than others, and it's our job to let our readers know which pair will best suit them. To do so, we watch movies, listen to music, travel, work, and exercise in the headphones and earbuds we test to let you know during which activities they perform the best.We consider any software limitations or unique features to ensure you know how well a pair of headphones or earbuds can integrate into your personal device ecosystem.Also: The best bone conduction headphones of 2025: Expert tested and reviewedWe review many headphones and earbuds for all use cases and budgets to show you your options. However, buying a pair of headphones or earbuds is a highly personalized decision, and you should consider your wants and needs before purchasing. Here are a few things to consider before making a purchase.Asses how frequently you'll wear a pair of headphones to determine how much continuous battery life you need. If you plan to wear headphones often in public areas, invest in headphones with strong noise-canceling properties. Consider how much you're willing to spend on headphones, as we've reviewed and recommended headphones ranging from $60 to $1,000+.ZDNET Recommends

You will finally be able to speak to your Google TV like you would speak to a person.

Marvel RivalsNetEaseWe just got the first official trailer for Marvel Rivals first season, the blockbuster hit getting out of season zero and moving into its first official one with a boatload of new characters arriving, namely the entire Fantastic Four.Along with the trailer, we also got perhaps the most important thing, confirmation of the season 1 release date and time. And so:The official Marvel Rivals season 1 release date is Friday, January 10, 2025 at 1 AM PST, 4 AM EST. In other words, in the Americas youll be able to wake up that Friday morning and begin playing the new season. Heres the new trailer:The season is called Eternal Night Falls and features Dracula turning on a blood moon over the streets of New York City, which will be the new map. Facing off against him is the Fantastic Four, Mr. Fantastic, The Invisible Woman, The Thing and Human Torch. We still dont know their confirmed roles nor do we have confirmation they are doing a two-at-launch and two-in-midseason release the way leaks have indicated. But between today and Friday we will no doubt get a lot more information. Heres the official synopsis for the story of the season in a game where story islets say, not exactly the focus:Darkness engulfs New York as the Timestream Entanglement leaves Doctor Strange trapped in the Entangled Astral Plane, scattering the Darkhold pages. Dracula and Doctor Doom disrupt the moons orbit, plunging the city into eternal night and unleashing an army of vampiric creatures. With the world on the brink, the Fantastic Four join forces with iconic Marvel heroes, standing together in the epic battle to break the mystical darkness with science. Ignite the battle against Dracula with the Fantastic Four in Marvel Rivals!MORE FOR YOUMarvel RivalsNetEaseThe appearance of Dracula of course strongly indicates that vampire hunter Blade, already a datamined character, is going to be showing up. This season, for five characters in one season? That seems unlikely, but maybe he shows up in the finale to cut Dracula down and arrive for the season 2 launch. I just dont get how wed be doing a Dracula plot here and not have Blade show up sooner rather than later.Over the next few days I would expect featurettes for the Fantastic Four and blog posts about other additions and changes that are coming. Leaks indicate nerfs to characters like Hela and Hawkeye, and buffs to Captain America, Venom and others. More to talk about soon.Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram.Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.

Looking into the future - and seeing superpowersgettyLouis Rosenberg envisions a brave new world, where human / AI integration accelerates existing technology to offer human beings new superpowers. Rosenberg is the founder and CEO of Unanimous A.I., and hes known for developing the first functional AR (augmented reality) system for the Air Force Research Laboratory. His predictions in VentureBeat outline the evolution of existing tools, like smart phones, wearables and more - so that our current abilities turn into superpowers. With the global wearable AI market expected to reach $304.8 billion by 2033, what exactly are these superpowers - and are other experts seeing this evolution the same way?From Clunky Watches to the Whisperverse: Will AI Tech Give Us Superpowers?In 1977, Hewlett-Packard introduced the HP-01 watch - considered the first instance of a wearable. Today, we wear our phones, looking at them an average of 144 times a day. Consider a simple scenario in the near future. You are thinking about having an early lunch at a new restaurant. A simple question, such as what time does this store open? is top of mind. Rosenberg sees a future where we dont have to take out our phones to find out - and that future is already here, in many cases. He explains it like this: You are wearing AI-powered glasses that can see what you see, hear what you hear and process your surroundings through a multimodal large language model (LLM). Now when you spot that store across the street, you simply whisper to yourself, I wonder when it opens? and a voice will instantly ring back into your ears 10:30 AM. The whisperverse is part of the next evolution towards human-AI integration.More than just looking for store openings and lunch specials, wearable AI technology is being used by the Department of Defense in an effort to predict diseases before they appear. The biometric data comes from off-the-shelf wearables, such as the watch on my left wrist right now, and leverages advanced AI algorithms. Predicting or even stopping disease would definitely enable a new superpower - a sort of cybernetic Wolverine, perhaps, where we avoid disease and heal faster? The tech, called RATE, demonstrated that it could predict COVID-19 2.3 days prior to diagnostic testing - according to DOD reports.By 2035, you may not even need to mouth the words, according to Rosenberg. Thats because the AI will learn to interpret the signals in our muscles with such subtlety and precision, we will simply need to nod or shake our heads to respond. He says that advancements in the near future will allow AI to respond to what we think about, just by mouthing words silently to convey our intent. We will be able to focus our attention on any item or activity in our world and think something. Useful information will ring back from our AI glasses like an all-knowing voice in our heads, according to Rosenberg.The transition to these integrated AI systems is a natural progression from our current reliance on smartphones. As Rosenberg notes, we already use technology to extend our capabilities; the next step is to make these extensions more seamless and intrinsic. This evolution will likely lead to a future where the line between human ability and technological enhancement becomes increasingly blurred.MORE FOR YOUSharing the Vision for Superpowers via WearablesOther executive leaders are on board with Rosenbergs vision, in various ways. Elon Musks Neuralink is building a future where brain-computer interfaces enable humans to merge with AI, enhancing cognitive abilities and achieving a kind of superpowered symbiosis, where questions and answers are happening through direct connection with artificial intelligence.Described as fully implantable and "cosmetically invisible", the Neuralink chip uses thin, flexible threads equipped electrodes to record the activity of neurons. According to Capitol Technology University, these are the nerve cells that send messages all over the body, driving nearly all human functions. The coin-sized Neuralink device is powered by an advanced custom chip within the implant that processes these signals and transmits them to a digital device through a standard Bluetooth connection. Surgical robots meticulously weave these threads into the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for the brains higher-level processes like learning and emotion, to ensure precise placement of the electrodes.Imagine a world where you could receive real-time input and coaching in a job interview, for example, via a wearable or implanted device. What would that mean for your career? Or mine?Marc Andreesen, founder of Netscape and co-founder of Silicon Valley VC firm Andreesen-Horowitz, says that, Every person will have an AI assistant/ coach/mentor/trainer/advisor/therapist that is infinitely patient, infinitely compassionate, infinitely knowledgeable, and infinitely helpful. The AI assistant will be present through all of lifes opportunities and challenges, maximizing every persons outcomes. His views are offered in an essay entitled, Why AI Will Save the World, where he predicts enhanced productivity, scientific breakthroughs and a golden age of the arts - where superpowers augment our natural human intelligence, via AI.Human-AI integration also raises important considerations - and cautions. But the future is already here, in many ways, when it comes to wearable AI. Human AI integration is evolving - and that evolution will impact every aspect of our careers, our relationships and our lives. Musk has repeatedly cautioned that guardrails need to be put in place for this rapidly-advancing technology. He warned that AI poses a "fundamental risk to the existence of human civilization" if left unchecked - and that was back in 2017! The following year, he departed OpenAI, a company he helped co-found, over the absence of guardrails. Privacy concerns, the potential for manipulation, and the ethical implications of such pervasive technology must be addressed. What if AI input is a close as your next thought? As AI provides us with superpowers, it is wise to remember the lesson of Spiderman (borrowed from Voltaire): with great power comes great responsibility.

Facepalm: What's worse than (another) full-screen pop-up from Microsoft warning Windows 10 users that they should be planning for Windows 11's arrival? A pop-up that freezes and crashes as soon as it appears. It's not a good look for Microsoft and does little to instill confidence in Windows 10 users who refuse to upgrade despite the OS' impending end-of-support date. Microsoft has been nagging Windows 10 users to move to Windows 11 for years. With the older operating system reaching its end-of-life date on October 14, 2025, the Redmond firm has been ramping up its efforts to get people to make the move, reviving an aggressive upgrade campaign in February and again in November.Most people still using Windows 10 have little intention of upgrading until they absolutely have to, which means intrusive, full-screen pop-ups aren't something they want to see. Incredibly, Microsoft has managed to make its latest one even worse for some users.As reported by WindowsLatest, Microsoft recently started rolling out a new full-screen pop-up titled "Start planning for Windows 10 end of support." The message contains the usual information about Windows 10 no longer receiving security updates after its end-of-support date, and Windows Backup helping users transfer important files.X user @ems_konto highlighted another issue some Windows 10 users are discovering with the pop-up: it stops responding after it appears, showing a message that reads "Reusable UX Interaction Manager is not working." // Related StoriesThe Reusable UX Interaction Manager (RUXIM) is a component of Windows primarily associated with Windows Update. It assists in scheduling and delivering these updates and managing interaction campaigns, which includes full-screen notifications or messages related to system updates or promotions, such as the Windows 11 campaign.For the first time ever, Microsoft is allowing individual users, not just those in enterprise and education, to continue receiving Critical and Important security updates for Windows 10 after the October 14 end-of-support date. The caveats are that it will cost $30 for a year and new features, bug fixes, and technical support will not be included in the program.Despite Microsoft's efforts, Windows 10's global market share increased over the previous two months to 62.7% while Windows 11 fell to 34.1%, according to Statcounter. The Steam survey paints a different picture, though: Windows 11 is the most popular OS among participants. It holds a 55% share while Windows 10 has dropped to 42%.Will you be moving to Windows 11 this year?

The big picture: When we think of drunk driving incidents, we typically imagine alcohol-impaired drivers behind the wheels of cars or trucks. However, in recent years, a new safety concern has emerged on our streets: intoxicated riders of e-bikes and e-scooters. Fortunately, despite the surge in popularity of these lightweight electric vehicles, fatalities in this category remain comparatively rare. Injuries involving e-scooters and e-bikes have tripled since 2019, according to a study published in the Injury Prevention Journal. Among over 4,000 emergency room visits analyzed, alcohol use was reported in 8.6 percent of e-scooter incidents and 2.5 percent of e-bike crashes.Perhaps more surprising is the profile of the typical intoxicated e-rider: young, male, and prone to risky behavior. Men were found to have 2.6 times higher odds of alcohol involvement compared to women. Alarmingly, the study revealed that teens aged 10 17 were 7.5 times more likely than adults aged 18 39 to have alcohol or drugs contribute to an e-scooter or e-bike crash that landed them in the ER.While the consequences of e-scooter and e-bike crashes have been relatively minor compared to car accidents, experts warn against complacency. Between 2019 and 2022, an estimated 279,990 emergency room visits in the US were attributed to e-scooter injuries, along with 16,600 for e-bike-related injuries. These numbers are expected to rise as electric mobility continues to surge in popularity.A significant part of the issue lies in the inherent instability of e-scooters compared to bikes. Their upright stance makes them considerably harder to control, especially at higher speeds or on uneven terrain. Coupled with low rates of helmet usage, head injuries are among the most common outcomes when riders lose control and crash.Akshaya Bhagavathula, an epidemiology professor and co-author of the study, explained to Scientific American that infrastructure, regulations, and public awareness around the risks of impaired riding lag far behind the rapid adoption of these devices. // Related StoriesBhagavathula emphasized several straightforward ways to improve safety. Stricter public messaging and regulations to encourage helmet use are critical. Additionally, e-mobility companies could take a more active role in promoting protective measures, particularly helmet usage, to reduce the risk of serious injuries.

TL;DR: Intel has discontinued its RS1 stock cooler, which was bundled with the entry-level Pentium G7400 and Celeron G6900 processors. The RS1 will not have a direct successor, instead the existing Laminar Cooler RM1 will take over as the in-box cooler for these two CPUs. The RM1 currently ships with the Intel 300 (yes, that's the full CPU name...), which debuted last year as the company's latest entry-level dual-core CPU for consumers. It is also the stock cooler for many other locked Intel processors, ranging from 12th-gen Core i3 models to 14th-gen Core i7 chips.The RM1 and RS1 are similar in design and are both rated for 65W. However, the RS1 features an aluminum base, while the RM1 has a copper heatsink base, which improves heat dissipation. Additionally, the RM1 includes a rotating LED light strip, offering enhanced aesthetics.Alongside the RM1, Intel also uses the Laminar RH1 stock cooler, which is included with several high-end locked CPUs, such as the i9-14900, i9-14900F, i9-13900, i9-13900F, i9-12900, and i9-12900F. Like the RM1, the RH1 is not sold separately to consumers or resellers.The RH1 is the most premium stock cooler in Intel's portfolio, featuring a copper heat column as its core material. Its heatsink fastener, which attaches to the supplied backplate, is made of stainless steel rather than plastic. However, the heatsink fins, like those on the RM1 and RS1, are still made of aluminum.Intel has not disclosed why it is discontinuing the RS1, but one possibility is that the RM1 provides superior cooling performance. Another more likely explanation, however, is that producing a separate cooler for a few low-margin, entry-level processors makes no sense financially. // Related StoriesEither way, the change is only academic for people who are planning to buy the Pentium G7400 or Celeron G6900 in the future. The extra copper in the RM1 could help with better heat transfer in theory, but it is unlikely to result in a significant difference in real-world performance. The RS1 was good enough to keep the temps in check for these processors, and the RM1 should deliver comparable performance.

CES 2025 is kicking off in Las Vegas. Here's all the hottest tech news to come out of the pre show.

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd" For years, JLab has been synonymous with budget-friendly audio, but lately, its been making inroads into the mid-to-high-end market. The latest product in that effort was revealed at CES 2025: the Epic Lux Lab Edition wireless noise-canceling headphones, which have a sleek design that reminds me of luxury models from Bowers & Wilkins, Sennheiser, and Sony. Still, in keeping with JLabs focus on accessible pricing, these new cans are priced at just $200 and will be available for preorder starting January 6, with shipping expected to begin on January 30.Many of the Epic Lux Lab Edition features and specifications will feel familiar to those who keep an eye on the wireless headphone space, e.g.: 32mm dynamic drivers, spatial audio with head tracking, Bluetooth Multipoint, Google Fast Pair, and Find My Device functionality. Theyre also the first JLab headphones to offer adaptive noise canceling and transparency modes.JLabBut what really helps these cans stand out from the biggest brands, are their massive battery life (a claimed 90+ hours of playtime with ANC off and 60+ hours with it on), their LabShare Mode that lets you share your audio with another Lux headphone owner, and their ability to charge wirelessly as well as via USB-C. JLab even includes a Qi wireless charging mat in the box.Recommended VideosIve seen wireless charging on headsets, like this Cyber Acoustics model, and I also found this Onanoff model that comes with a wireless charging stand, but the Epic Lux Lab Edition is the first set of ANC headphones Ive come across that works with a regular wireless charger.JLabJLab has given the Epic Lux Lab Edition a combination of physical and touch controls, some of which can be customized in the JLab app, along with EQ customizations.Please enable Javascript to view this contentThe company says the ANC system uses AI to filter through various noise frequencies in real time, resulting in an up to 42dB reduction in external sounds. Calling is handled via 4 beamforming microphones (two on each earcup), combined with JLabs environmental noise canceling (ENC) algorithm.JLabJLab says the headphones have been certified for hi-res audio with a frequency response of 20Hz-40kHz. Youll get lossless hi-res when listening via a wired connection, while Android users will get wireless hi-res performance if they use available LDAC Bluetooth codec.RelatedThe Epic Lux Lab Edition ship with a hard shell zippered carry case and two cables (USB-C for charging and USB-C-to-3.5mm for analog listening).Editors Recommendations

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsFilmTelevisionThe 2025 Golden Globes belonged to Emilia PrezThe Brutalist. The two films combined to win seven awards, with Emilia Preztaking home four andThe Brutalistearning three. Emilia Prez, Netflixs French crime musical, won best musical or comedy, best supporting actress (Zoe Saldaa), best non-English language film, and best original song (El Mal). In the dramatic categories, The Brutalistwon best drama, best director (Brady Corbet), and best actor (Adrien Brody).The acting categories provided several genuine surprises, including wins by Fernanda Torres for best actress in a drama and Sebastian Stan for best actor in a musical or comedy. Demi Moore became a legitimate threat to win the Oscar after her excellent acceptance speech for best actress in a musical or comedy.Recommended VideosThe television categories mirrored the Emmys, with Shgun, Hacks, andBaby Reindeerwinning in their respective television categories. Shgundominated the drama categories, winning best drama, best actor (Hiroyuki Sanada), best actress (Anna Sawai), and best supporting actor (Tadanobu Asano).HacksandBaby Reindeereach walked away with two wins apiece.View the entire list of winners below.Please enable Javascript to view this contentA24Best Motion Picture DramaThe BrutalistBest Motion Picture Musical or ComedyEmilia PrezRelatedBest Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture DramaAdrien Brody The BrutalistBest Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture DramaFernanda Torres Im Still HereBest Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or ComedySebastian Stan A Different ManBest Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or ComedyDemi Moore The SubstanceBest Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion PictureKieran Culkin A Real PainBest Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion PictureZoe Saldaa Emilia PrezBest Director Motion PictureBrady Corbet The BrutalistBest Screenplay Motion PictureConclaveBest Original Score Motion PictureChallengers Best Original Song Motion PictureEl Mal Emilia PrezBest Motion Picture AnimatedFlowBest Motion Picture Non-English LanguageEmilia PrezCinematic and Box Office AchievementWickedFXBest Television Series DramaShgunBest Television Series Musical or ComedyHacksBest Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for TelevisionBaby ReindeerBest Performance by an Actor in a Television Series DramaHiroyuki Sanada ShgunBest Performance by an Actress in a Television Series DramaAnna Sawai ShgunBest Performance by an Actor in a Television Series Musical or ComedyJeremy Allen White The BearBest Performance by an Actress in a Television Series Musical or ComedyJean Smart HacksBest Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or a Motion Picture Made for TelevisionColin Farrell The PenguinBest Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or a Motion Picture Made for TelevisionJodie Foster True Detective: Night CountryBest Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical-Comedy or Drama Television SeriesTadanobu Asano ShgunBest Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical-Comedy or Drama Television SeriesJessica Gunning Baby ReindeerBest Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on TelevisionAli Wong Single LadyEditors Recommendations