Our Picks Sony's best noise-canceling headphones Sony WH-1000XM5 View details $398 at Amazon View details Best Sennheiser noise-canceling headphones Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless View details $262 at Amazon View details Best Beats over-ear headphones Beats Studio Pro View details $200 at Amazon View details Next-gen Bowers & Wilkins noise-canceling headphones Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 View details $280 at Amazon View details Top value Sony midrange noise-canceling headphones Sony CH-720N View details $93 at Amazon View details Latest Bose noise-canceling headphones Bose QuietComfort 45 View details $349 at Bose View details Premium noise-canceling headphones for less Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 View details $150 at Amazon View details Let's be honest: it's hard to beat the audio quality of the Apple AirPods Max. After all, there's a reason why they are considered one of the most popular headphones on the market. However, there is a huge con: They often come with a hefty price tag, which means they may not be the best option for everyone. Luckily, there are plenty of budget-friendly options that pair wonderfully with Apple devices, all while maintaining great quality. Ive tested these to find the best alternatives to the Apple AirPods Max just for you!AirPods Max can be pricey, usually around $500, which is tough for many. Currently, the retail price of AirPods Max at Apple is $549. Thats why we found some great Bluetooth and wired alternatives that are much more affordable. Ive tested the options below to find the best alternatives to Apple's AirPods Max, with picks like Apple's own Beats Studio Pro, which slashes the price of the AirPods Max in half and is definitely worth considering.What is the best cheaper alternative to AirPod Max overall?If I had to choose one, I'd say Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones are the best cheaper alternative to the AirPods Max. With top-notch sound, active noise cancelation (ANC), a robust feature set and best-in-class voice call quality, the WH-1000XM5s earned CNET's Editors' Choice award in 2023. If you're looking for something even cheaper, Sony's entry-level CH-720N are lightweight and comfortable with good sound and great noise canceling. I've tested hundreds of headphones in the past 20 years, and I've fully reviewed or had hands-on experience with all my picks on this list. I'll be sure to update it as more models are released in 2025. But if you decide that you'd rather have the real thing, check out our list of the best Apple AirPods.Best cheaper alternatives to AirPod Max for 2025 Compare Photo Gallery 1/1 $398 at Amazon $400 at Best Buy Pros More refined sound and even better noise canceling Slightly more comfortable Best-in-class voice call quality Robust feature set Cons Higher price tag than the previous model Larger carrying case (headphones fold flat but not up) Battery Life Up to 32 hoursNoise Cancelling Yes (ANC)Bluetooth Multipoint YesHeadphone Type Over-Ear Wireless HeadphonesWater-Resistant NoPrice $$$ Full Review Read full review 9.2 $398 at Amazon $400 at Best Buy When you have a product that a lot of people love, change can be risky. Such is the case for Sony's WH-1000XM5, the fifth generation of the 1000X series headphones, which were first released in 2016 as the MDR-1000X Wireless and have become increasingly popular as they've improved with each generation. Over the years, Sony has made some tweaks to the design but nothing as dramatic as what it's done with the WH-1000XM5. Other than the higher price tag, most of those changes are good, and these Sony headphones have seen some dramatic improvements with voice-calling performance, as well as even better noise canceling and more refined sound. They also use the Sony Headphones Connect app which is an excellent companion app.Because of all that, the WH-1000XM5 have earned a CNET Editors' Choice Award. CNET Score Breakdown 9.2 /10 SCORE 9.2 Compare 8.4 Sennheiser's previous-generation Momentum Wireless headphones have always had a pretty distinct look that was part retro/part modern and stood out for the exposed metal on the headband. For better or worse, that's all gone now, and the new Momentum 4 Wireless, Sennheiser's flagship noise-canceling headphones, look a bit more subdued and also a bit more like some competitors.The Momentum 4 Wireless offers superior performance over the Momentum 3 Wireless in every regard, though the biggest gains are with noise canceling and voice-calling performance as well as battery life, which is outstanding. It's up to 60 hours at moderate volume levels. There's also a transparency mode that allows ambient sound in and the ability to create a custom sound profile in the Smart Control app for iOS and Android using the built-in EQ. Other features include sound modes and a new Sound Personalization feature that "assesses the user's listening preferences and adjusts the listening experience according to their taste."Equipped with 42mm drivers, Sennheiser says the Momentum 4 Wireless offers "best-in-class" sound, which is debatable. I'd say the Momentum 4's sound quality is right there with other models in this price range -- they sound excellent, with the requisite well-defined, punchy bass, relatively wide soundstage (they sound pretty open) and smooth treble that brings out some of the finer details in well-recorded tracks. They're a pleasure to listen to. CNET Score Breakdown 8.4 /10 SCORE 8.4 Compare

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereThe First Descendant is about to become even more charming with the arrival of new canine companions in the games future update, which will be released on March 13. Following the popularity of Fellow, the beloved German Shepherd-inspired companion introduced in Season 2, developer Nexon is making good on its promise to add more four-legged buddies to the sci-fi looter shooter.The upcoming addition, a rumored Retriever companion, has fans buzzing with anticipation as they prepare to team up with a new buddy in the games vast worlds. The new companion has finally been revealed by Nexon and hes called Vespers Hunting Dog who is arriving with the update.The First Descendant is adding new Vespers Hunting Retriever Dog in mid-season updateThe official First Descendant X account posted the image of the upcoming companion called Vespers Hunting Dog who has been revealed as a male Golden Retriever dog. The image featured a portrait of the dog with his tongue out and the word Heh written next to the good boy to resemble a meme.A Golden Retriever fellow will be added with the mid-season update. Image by VideoGamer.According to leaks, the dog is described as a loyal and fierce companion, is supposed to help players scavenge loot and provide tactical support during battle, especially in the Vespers region of the game, similar to Fellows popular auto-dismantle and item-pickup abilities. Nexon has teased that Vespers The Hunting Dog will include unique customization choices such as fur colors and accessories, allowing players to tailor their trusty buddy.As The First Descendant progresses, these canine friends are proving to be more than simply cosmetics as theyre changing the way players approach objectives and manage resources. With the March 13 update quickly approaching, a bunch of stuff has already been revealed to be added in the Season 2 Episode 2 patch. Catch up on everything coming to the game right here in our detailed roadmap hub. The First DescendantPlatform(s):PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series XGenre(s):Action, Adventure, RPG5VideoGamerRelated TopicsThe First Descendant Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

Make Soft Cushion Foam with Blender & Octane Render By FinalResult3d on March 2, 2025 Videotutorials dparish2 writes:I could never find a good tutorial for soft foam. I would always see ocean foam, beer foam, or Styrofoam. I found what I think is a quick and easy way to make a nice soft dense foam material. I hope it can help you.

Polestar wants to snag Tesla defectors.The EV maker launched a $5,000 discount for Tesla owners who lease a Polestar 3.The brand's head of U.S. sales said Polestar 3 orders jumped the week that deal ran.Electric-vehicle maker Polestar wants to capitalize on growing discontent around Tesla. Apparently, it's working.Last week, Polestar announced a special $5,000 discount for Tesla drivers looking to lease the company's new Polestar 3 crossover. With that deal and another $15,000 of incentives to lessees, Tesla owners could get a $20,000 lease discount to become ex-Tesla owners.On Friday, the brand's U.S. head of sales said in a LinkedIn post: "This week saw some of the highest order days for Polestar 3, and the response to our Tesla Conquest Offer has been incredible."We've reached out to Polestar for specifics around the numbers and the Tesla deal, which ran from Feb. 21 to Feb. 28, and we'll update this story if we hear back. To be clear, not everybody who took the deal necessarily traded intheir Tesla. They merely had to prove their household currently owned or leased a Tesla.Regardless, it's not hard to believe that more than a few Tesla owners took Polestar up on the offer.First off, who doesn't want an extra $5,000 off of a lease for a cool EV that's already discounted by $15,000? Moreover, the bad vibes emanating from the Tesla brand are more palpable than ever.Did you know InsideEVs has an awesome daily newsletter?The Update delivers all of the day's can't miss EV news straight to your inbox.Tesla CEO Elon Musk's brutal cost-cutting efforts in Washington have sparked protests at Tesla stores and, in many circles, have made owning or buying a Tesla simply a bad look.Tesla was always bound to lose market share in the EV space as an increasing variety of strong competitors ramped up production. Musk's quarter-billion-dollar bet to get President Donald Trump elected and controversial role in government may just accelerate that trend.The Polestar 3 may be shaping up to be a strong alternative. It's more upscale than a Model Y, but cheaper than the aging Model X. Its 111 kWh battery delivers 279 miles of range in Dual-Motor Performance Pack spec, 315 miles of range in Long-Range Dual-Motor spec, and a very impressive 350 miles of range in the new Long Range Single-Motor trim. As Polestar's CEO recently told us, it could be one of the few truly software-defined vehicles in the U.S.along with Tesla and Rivianthanks to its smartphone app integration and over-the-air updates.And now that Tesla is far from the only game in town, rivals like Polestar will be there to pick up the pieces.Contact the author: Tim.Levin@InsideEVs.com

Billionaire investor Mark Cuban waded into the latest government tech shake-up on Saturday, posting an unexpected offer of support for newly laid-off federal workers on the social network Bluesky.His message, which quickly gained traction, urged the displaced engineers and designers to turn the upheaval to their advantage.If you worked for 18F and got fired, Group together to start a consulting company, wrote Cuban. Its just a matter of time before DOGE needs you to fix the mess they inevitably created. They will have to hire your company as a contractor to fix it. But on your terms. Im happy to invest and/or help.Cubans offer came after the governments General Services Administration (GSA) abruptly gutted its 18F technology unit, which helps other government agencies build, buy, and share tech products. Per Politico, the layoffs affected roughly 70 individuals who learned the news around 1 a.m. Eastern time on Saturday. Among other things, the unit had reportedly built Login.gov, a secure and private way for the public to access services at government agencies, including Social Security and the Department of Veterans Affairs.The early-morning layoffs tie to a Trump administration directive to shrink the federal workforce and slash spending at the behest of Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The cuts werent a first for 18F; according to Politico, two dozen more 18F employees were laid off in February when GSA cut probationary staffers.Those impacted in the wee hours of Saturday morning also received emails late Friday from DOGE with the subject line, What did you do last week? Part II.According to Politico, the emails prompting employees to list their weekly accomplishments by Monday were widely distributed across multiple agencies, including the State Department, the IRS, and the NIH.In the wake of these new layoffs, Cubans proposal presents an intriguing possibility: could the very workers pushed out of government help reshape the future of civic tech on their own terms? As DOGE moves to dismantle agencies, even Musk has acknowledged fallout tied to the speed with which his team is moving. On Wednesday, Musk shared that, For example, with USAID, one of the things we accidentally canceled very briefly was Ebola prevention. (Public health experts have since said the governments support has not been fully restored.)The question now is whether some percentage of the governments growing number of displaced former employees will seize the moment, banding together to build the startups that could one day sell their expertise back to the government. If so, it would represent a striking twist in the administrations efforts to shrink the public workforce.If Cuban has his way, at least one such unit may find itself inside a private company the government has no choice but to rely on. Another Bluesky user even had a branding idea for the startup, telling Cuban, Name the new company 18FU.

President Donald Trump is throwing his support behind the idea of creating a federal reserve of cryptocurrency assets he specifically mentioned XRP, Solana, and Cardano, but not Bitcoin or Ethereum.In January, Trump issued an executive order calling for the creation of a working group that would study and make recommendations around crypto policy, including the potential creation and maintenance of a national digital asset stockpile. The working group was supposed to propose criteria for establishing such a stockpile, which could be potentially derived from cryptocurrencies lawfully seized by the Federal Government through its law enforcement efforts.In a post this morning on his social network Truth Social, Trump seemed to go further, making it clear that he wants to see the reserve become a reality.A U.S. Crypto Reserve will elevate this critical industry after years of corrupt attacks by the Biden Administration, which is why my Executive Order on Digital Assets directed the Presidential Working Group to move forward on a Crypto Strategic Reserve that includes XRP, SOL, and ADA, Trump wrote. I will make sure the U.S. is the Crypto Capital of the World.As of publication time Sunday morning, the prices of all three of the cryptocurrencies mentioned in Trumps post have shot up by 15% or more.As Trump acknowledged in his post, his executive order seemed directed at undoing the crypto regulatory framework put in place by former President Joe Biden.Under the Trump administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission seems to be taking a friendlier, deregulatory stance towards the industry, dismissing its lawsuit against Coinbase and declaring that memecoins are not securities. (The value of Trumps own $TRUMP coin has plummeted since his inauguration.)Trump has also signed an executive order calling for the creation of a U.S. sovereign wealth fund that he said could be used to purchase TikTok.

Avirons home fitness equipment operates on a simple principle: People hate working out. But many of those same people love playing video games. Perhaps the only thing standing between them and a more active lifestyle is some health competition and well-timed distraction.Its the same gamification concept that made Nintendos Wii and VR games like Beat Saber hits. Instead of bringing the workout to video games, however, Aviron bring video games to the workout.Founded in 2018, the Toronto-based startup made itself known in 2022 with the release of a gamified rowing machine. The pandemic was a predictably great time to launch a connected fitness startup, as gym closures left many predicting a future centered around home workouts. Gamification works well with rowings speed up/slow down nature. Its clear why Aviron came out of the gate with a rowing machine, rather than the more familiar treadmill or bike. With a platform in place, the company has since diversified into those form factors, as well. Aviron announced a bike in August 2024. Within a few months, it added connected dumbbells and the Victory Treadmill to the lineup.Amid a deluge of Peloton and NordicTrack wannabes, Aviron offers differentiation. Where brands like Peloton dominated the market through an almost cult-like devotion to its instructors and classes, Aviron continues to bank on gaming to set itself apart. The good news for the Victory Treadmill is that Aviron has built a robust software and gaming experience for the rower and bike that can largely be ported over to the new hardware.Most of the titles available here will be familiar if youve spent time with Avirons other machines. Instead of basing your gameplay on how strongly you row or how quickly you pedal, however, the Victory uses elements like walking/running speed and incline to control the titles.Playing a fishing game or Avirons equivalent of the brick and ball game, Breakout, is less natural on a treadmill. The company addresses this to a certain degree with a pair of almost joystick-like controllers. Its a clever solution that makes the process of adjusting speed an incline more dynamic. Most of us are used to typing in a couple of numbers and getting started.The Victory treadmill demands you engage with these things more directly while working out. On the whole, I found it easier to get lost in the competitive aspect of gaming on the rower than the treadmill. It simply feels less intuitive interacting with games when walking or running.The good news, however, is that theres no shortage of distractions to tap into on the 22-inch touchscreen. I found myself watching a lot of YouTube and essentially falling back into familiar gym habits. You can also log into most of the big-name streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Max, as well as Spotify.Beyond these, Aviron offers up scenic virtual routes and a small but growing selection of classes. Its clear the company hasnt made the same sort of massive investment in instructors/classes that weve seen from the likes of Peloton, but that content is more of a supplement to the core gaming offering.The connected fitness market has changed a lot in the three years since Aviron released its rower. Companies like Peloton bought too much into their own hype, suffering extreme financial consequences when excitement slowed. Even so, theres still plenty of competition especially when it comes to well-established categories like the treadmill.Theres a broad range of quality when it comes to home treadmills, from $5,000 NordicTracks to $200 foldable systems. At $2,499, the Victory splits the difference in terms of pricing. Its not as massive or solid as one of the systems youll encounter at the gym, but its solid quality, none the less, and should last a while. The controls are responsive, the belt speed goes up to 12.5 mph, and the systems low-to-the-ground profile lends it stability.The broad content selection, meanwhile, means the system isnt likely to turn a $2,499 clothing rack any time soon.

Tech Extra cash with no catch? Spotting retiree job scams How to protect yourself from scammers and still leverage your work experience Published March 2, 2025 10:00am EST close Elon Musk exposes underground mine processing retirement applications: 'Unbelievable' 'Outnumbered' panelists weigh in after DOGE uncovered the underground mine in Pennsylvania where the government stores and processes federal workers' retirement applications. So youre retired. Whether its been a long-awaited sigh of relief or a much-dreaded stage of your life, its here now. You finally have more time. But maybe theres a way to make some extra cash in retirement?The poverty rate for Americans 65 and older has dropped significantly over the past 50 years, from nearly30% in 1966 to 10% in 2024. That doesnt mean retirees can now afford holidays in Palm Beach or a private painting tutor.In fact,more than 17 million roughly one in three adults aged 65 and older are economically insecure, with a median yearly income below $30,000.A third of them are alsoconsidering going back to work because their savings aren't enough to cover their expenses. If youre also on this journey or know someone who is, then read on.STAY PROTECTED & INFORMED! GET SECURITY ALERTS & EXPERT TECH TIPS SIGN UP FOR KURTS THE CYBERGUY REPORT NOW A woman receiving a scam job text on her cell phone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Task scams: A new trend that could cost you dearlyAccording torecent data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the number of task scam reports has significantly increased in the past four years, rapidly increasing in the first six months of 2024 and resulting in more than $220 million in losses. What exactly are task scams? Theyre a type of job scam where you think you're getting paid to do easy tasks online, like rating products, but end up losing money instead. Task scams made up a staggering 40% of all job scams reported to the FTC in 2024.How to spot a task scam?Task scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but there are clear warning signs you can watch out for. These scams often begin with an unexpected message about an easy online job opportunity. Here are some key red flags to help you identify a task scam:Unsolicited job offers via text or WhatsAppVague job descriptions like "app optimization" or "product boosting"Requests to complete tasks on unfamiliar platformsInitial small payouts to build trustSudden requests for you to invest your own moneyPromises of big returns for small investmentsPressure to use cryptocurrency for payments.Not falling for a job scam is half the win. Preventing scammers from contacting you in the first place is another. A scam job text on WhatsApp (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Your personal information is easy to find onlineYou may wonder, "How did they get my number in the first place? And if they have it, who else has?" Youre right. Anyone can easily find your phone number, name, address or date of birth online. All of this data, and much more, is publicly listed onpeople search sites. People search sites, or public data brokers, display your data to anyone whos interested, including marketing companies and scammers building their next job scam campaign.Cybercriminals can also find this information in the databases of private data brokers. Private data brokers harvest personal information too but dont give access to their databases.However, many will happily sell a list of potential targets to the highest bidder, and your name is likely on this list already. Data brokers aside, a lot of us voluntarily give up personal information on all sorts of forms, forums, blogs andsocial media accounts. Since the U.S. doesnt have a comprehensive federal law protecting personal data, anything that you publish online may eventually be shared and sold without your consent.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)? Person typing on a laptop (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)BEST ANTIVIRUS FOR MAC, PC, IPHONES AND ANDROIDS CYBERGUY PICKSProtecting yourself in retirement when taking on side hustle opportunitiesSo, you're thinking about dipping your toes into the side hustle pool? That's great, but before you dive in, let's make sure you're equipped with the right safety tips to keep those scammers at bay.1. Invest in personal data removal services:Consider using data removal services that help remove your personal information from people search sites and data brokers. These services can reduce your online exposure and minimize the risk of scammers finding your information. While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time.Check out my top picks for data removal services here.2. Be cautious of unsolicited job offers: Ignore unexpected messages about easy online job opportunities. Be wary of vague job descriptions like "app optimization" or "product boosting."3. Verify the legitimacy of online tasks: Research unfamiliar platforms before completing tasks. Be suspicious of requests to use your own money or cryptocurrency. A legitimate potential employer will never ask you to pay for work opportunities.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE4. Protect your personal information: Limit sharing personal data on forms, forums andsocial media.5. Don't click on links, and invest in strong antivirus software: Antivirus software helps protect your devices by monitoring your online activity, blocking access to malicious websites and preventing harmful downloads. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.By following these steps, you can better protect yourself financially and emotionally during retirement, reducing the risk of falling victim to scams and ensuring a more secure and enjoyable retirement experience.Kurt's key takeawaysLegitimate employers dont use WhatsApp or texting for employee sourcing. They also won't ask you to pay for work opportunities. If someone asks you to invest money to earn more, it's likely a scam. Returning to work in retirement can be a fantastic way to boost your income and stay socially connected. Use your years of experience to your advantage, stay safe and best of luck in your job hunt.What side hustles have you explored or are considering in retirement, and what factors influenced your decision? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/ContactCLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading toCyberguy.com/NewsletterAsk Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to coverFollow Kurt on his social channelsAnswers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Honor's MWC 2025 announcements are all about delivering the software experience its hardware deserves.

The Honor Pad V9 is poised to enter the market as the Android tablet to beat, with exceptional media features, battery life, and AI capabilities.