• Memorial Day headphones deals: Grab Nothing Ear buds for $79, Sony headphones for $99

    Best Memorial Day headphones and earbuds deals:

    Best Bose deal

    Bose QuietComfortBest budget earbuds deal

    Soundcore by Anker P20i Wireless EarbudsBest AirPods deal

    Apple AirPods 4 with ANCBest Sony deal

    Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphonesBest mid-range earbuds

    Nothing EarearbudsHeadphones have become an essential part of life these days. We're tuned into our favorite playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks, and that's thanks to our favorite pair of headphones or earbuds. If you're in need of an upgraded pair, Memorial Day sales are coming in hot with the deals. You'll be able to save up to 50% on a new pair that'll be great for upcoming travel or lounging at the park this summer.
    SEE ALSO:

    Sony's new flagship XM6 headphones are here — but there's a catch

    We've been closely tracking all of the long weekend's headphones deals , Best Buy, Walmart, and beyond, and we've picked out the top savings for music lovers. Here are some of our favorite deals to shop today.Best Memorial Day headphone deal

    Opens in a new window

    Credit: Bose

    Bose QuietComfort headphones

    Why we like itLike the name suggests, the Bose QuietComfort headphones bring ultimate comfort for all-day wear. The headphones usually sell for but thanks to Amazon's Memorial Day sale, you can snag a pair for Plus, this sale extends to the brand new Twilight Blue colorway. Getting up to 24 hours of battery life, the Bose QuietComfort impress when it comes to sound and noise-cancellation. That'll come in handy during your upcoming summer travel plans. But you can also toggle them to Aware Mode should you wish to hear your surroundings.More Memorial Day headphones dealsSoundcore V20i by Anker Open-Ear Headphones —Soundcore Anker Life Q20 Headphones —Sony WHCH720N Wireless Headphones —Skullcandy Crusher Evo Headphones —Sony ULT Wear Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones —Beats Studio Pro Headphones —Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones —Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones —Apple AirPods Max —Best Memorial Day earbuds deal

    Opens in a new window

    Credit: Anker

    Soundcore by Anker P20i Wireless Earbuds

    Why we like itIf you keep misplacing your earbuds, snag a fresh pair of Soundcore by Anker P20i earbuds for just during Amazon's Memorial Day sale. At this price, you might as well grab a few pairs. Keep one in your work bag, one on your nightstand, and one in your travel bag, eliminating that heart-sinking feel of forgetting your earbuds at home.On the Mashable list of the best earbuds, the Soundcore by Anker P20i are the top pick if you're shopping for a budget-friendly option. Getting an impressive 30 hours of battery life before they'll need a recharge, this pair is perfect for travel.More Memorial Day earbuds dealsSoundcore C30i by Anker Open-Ear Earbuds —JBL Endurance Race TWS sport earbuds —Nothing Earearbuds — Beats Studio Buds Noise-Cancelling Earbuds —Bose QuietComfort Earbuds —Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro —Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds —Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case —Sennheiser Momentum Earbuds —The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

    Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Earbuds

    —Fire TV Stick 4K Streaming Device With Remote—
    With Code "4KNEWFTV"

    Blink Mini 2 Indoor Wireless 1080p Camera—Apple Watch Series 10—Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 256GB Phone With Amazon Gift Card—
    Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus—Aiper Scuba S1 Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner—
    #memorial #day #headphones #deals #grab
    Memorial Day headphones deals: Grab Nothing Ear buds for $79, Sony headphones for $99
    Best Memorial Day headphones and earbuds deals: Best Bose deal Bose QuietComfortBest budget earbuds deal Soundcore by Anker P20i Wireless EarbudsBest AirPods deal Apple AirPods 4 with ANCBest Sony deal Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphonesBest mid-range earbuds Nothing EarearbudsHeadphones have become an essential part of life these days. We're tuned into our favorite playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks, and that's thanks to our favorite pair of headphones or earbuds. If you're in need of an upgraded pair, Memorial Day sales are coming in hot with the deals. You'll be able to save up to 50% on a new pair that'll be great for upcoming travel or lounging at the park this summer. SEE ALSO: Sony's new flagship XM6 headphones are here — but there's a catch We've been closely tracking all of the long weekend's headphones deals , Best Buy, Walmart, and beyond, and we've picked out the top savings for music lovers. Here are some of our favorite deals to shop today.Best Memorial Day headphone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort headphones Why we like itLike the name suggests, the Bose QuietComfort headphones bring ultimate comfort for all-day wear. The headphones usually sell for but thanks to Amazon's Memorial Day sale, you can snag a pair for Plus, this sale extends to the brand new Twilight Blue colorway. Getting up to 24 hours of battery life, the Bose QuietComfort impress when it comes to sound and noise-cancellation. That'll come in handy during your upcoming summer travel plans. But you can also toggle them to Aware Mode should you wish to hear your surroundings.More Memorial Day headphones dealsSoundcore V20i by Anker Open-Ear Headphones —Soundcore Anker Life Q20 Headphones —Sony WHCH720N Wireless Headphones —Skullcandy Crusher Evo Headphones —Sony ULT Wear Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones —Beats Studio Pro Headphones —Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones —Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones —Apple AirPods Max —Best Memorial Day earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Soundcore by Anker P20i Wireless Earbuds Why we like itIf you keep misplacing your earbuds, snag a fresh pair of Soundcore by Anker P20i earbuds for just during Amazon's Memorial Day sale. At this price, you might as well grab a few pairs. Keep one in your work bag, one on your nightstand, and one in your travel bag, eliminating that heart-sinking feel of forgetting your earbuds at home.On the Mashable list of the best earbuds, the Soundcore by Anker P20i are the top pick if you're shopping for a budget-friendly option. Getting an impressive 30 hours of battery life before they'll need a recharge, this pair is perfect for travel.More Memorial Day earbuds dealsSoundcore C30i by Anker Open-Ear Earbuds —JBL Endurance Race TWS sport earbuds —Nothing Earearbuds — Beats Studio Buds Noise-Cancelling Earbuds —Bose QuietComfort Earbuds —Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro —Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds —Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case —Sennheiser Momentum Earbuds —The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Earbuds —Fire TV Stick 4K Streaming Device With Remote— With Code "4KNEWFTV" Blink Mini 2 Indoor Wireless 1080p Camera—Apple Watch Series 10—Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 256GB Phone With Amazon Gift Card— Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus—Aiper Scuba S1 Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner— #memorial #day #headphones #deals #grab
    MASHABLE.COM
    Memorial Day headphones deals: Grab Nothing Ear buds for $79, Sony headphones for $99
    Best Memorial Day headphones and earbuds deals: Best Bose deal Bose QuietComfort $229 at Amazon (save $120) Get Deal Best budget earbuds deal Soundcore by Anker P20i Wireless Earbuds $19.98 at Amazon (save $20.01) Get Deal Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods 4 with ANC $148.99 at Amazon (save $30.01) Get Deal Best Sony deal Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphones $298 at Amazon (save $101.99) Get Deal Best mid-range earbuds Nothing Ear (a) earbuds $79 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal Headphones have become an essential part of life these days. We're tuned into our favorite playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks, and that's thanks to our favorite pair of headphones or earbuds. If you're in need of an upgraded pair, Memorial Day sales are coming in hot with the deals. You'll be able to save up to 50% on a new pair that'll be great for upcoming travel or lounging at the park this summer. SEE ALSO: Sony's new flagship XM6 headphones are here — but there's a catch We've been closely tracking all of the long weekend's headphones deals at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and beyond, and we've picked out the top savings for music lovers. Here are some of our favorite deals to shop today.Best Memorial Day headphone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort headphones $229 at Amazon $349 Save $120 Get Deal Why we like itLike the name suggests, the Bose QuietComfort headphones bring ultimate comfort for all-day wear. The headphones usually sell for $349, but thanks to Amazon's Memorial Day sale, you can snag a pair for $229. Plus, this sale extends to the brand new Twilight Blue colorway. Getting up to 24 hours of battery life, the Bose QuietComfort impress when it comes to sound and noise-cancellation. That'll come in handy during your upcoming summer travel plans. But you can also toggle them to Aware Mode should you wish to hear your surroundings.More Memorial Day headphones dealsSoundcore V20i by Anker Open-Ear Headphones — $28.48 $49.99 (Save $21.51)Soundcore Anker Life Q20 Headphones — $39.98 $59.99 (Save $20.01)Sony WHCH720N Wireless Headphones — $99.99 $149.99 (Save $50)Skullcandy Crusher Evo Headphones — $103.99 $199.99 (Save $96)Sony ULT Wear Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones — $149.99 $199.99 (Save $50)Beats Studio Pro Headphones — $199.95 $349.99 (Save $150.04)Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones — $228 $348 (Save $120)Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones — $298 $399.99 (Save $101.99)Apple AirPods Max — $479.99 $549 (Save $69.01)Best Memorial Day earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Soundcore by Anker P20i Wireless Earbuds $19.99 at Amazon $39.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like itIf you keep misplacing your earbuds, snag a fresh pair of Soundcore by Anker P20i earbuds for just $19.98 during Amazon's Memorial Day sale. At this price, you might as well grab a few pairs. Keep one in your work bag, one on your nightstand, and one in your travel bag, eliminating that heart-sinking feel of forgetting your earbuds at home.On the Mashable list of the best earbuds, the Soundcore by Anker P20i are the top pick if you're shopping for a budget-friendly option. Getting an impressive 30 hours of battery life before they'll need a recharge, this pair is perfect for travel.More Memorial Day earbuds dealsSoundcore C30i by Anker Open-Ear Earbuds — $48.99 $69.99 (Save $21)JBL Endurance Race TWS sport earbuds — $49.95 $79.95 (Save $30Samsung Galaxy Buds FE — $64.99 $99.99 (Save $35)Nothing Ear (a) earbuds — $79 $109 (Save $30)Beats Studio Buds Noise-Cancelling Earbuds — $99.99 $149.99 (Save $50)Bose QuietComfort Earbuds — $149 $179 (Save $30)Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro — $189.99 $249.99 (Save $60)Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds — $198 $299.99 (Save $101.99)Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case — $199 $249 (Save $50)Sennheiser Momentum Earbuds — $249.95 $299.95 (Save $50) The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Earbuds — $198.00 (List Price $299.99) Fire TV Stick 4K Streaming Device With Remote (2023 Model) — $24.99 With Code "4KNEWFTV" Blink Mini 2 Indoor Wireless 1080p Camera (2-Pack) — $37.99 (List Price $69.99) Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm, Sports Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00) Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 256GB Phone With $50 Amazon Gift Card (Pre-Order) — $1,099.99 Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus (2021 Release) — $119.99 (List Price $179.99) Aiper Scuba S1 Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner (2024 Model) — $529.99 (List Price $699.95)
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  • Skullcandy Method 360 ANC review: A cheaper version of Bose’s best earbuds, with a few key sacrifices

    Skullcandy isn’t a name that usually comes to mind when you think of premium headphones. The Utah-based company has primarily made its name in the budget space, selling more on low prices and loud, sports-heavy marketing than the promise of excellent sound quality.
    With the new Method 360 ANC, the audio maker is trying to change that by latching onto another brand entirely. Skullcandy proudly boasts that its latest wireless earbuds feature “sound by Bose,” which is to say that Bose has supplied the acoustic tuning, ear tips and overall shape of the device. In fact, the new buds look quite similar to Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds from afar. But that upscale pair retails for and the Method 360 ANC only costs. So has Skullcandy managed to capture the best of Bose at a more affordable price? Kind of.

    Design and features
    The Method 360 ANC is indeed roughly as comfortable as the QuietComfort Ultra. Each earpiece is slightly heavier and more plastic-y — and Bose’s pair was already on the bulky side — but the soft ear gels and stability fins help them fit snug without creating too much pressure. I had no issues with them coming loose over several weeks of testing. The earbuds have an IPX4 water-resistance rating — not the best, but enough to survive most people’s workouts. The larger frame creates more space for the side touch panels, and all the controls do work reliably, which isn’t a given in the range.
    These earbuds also come with most of the features you’d want from a modern pair. There are active noise cancellationand ambient sound modes. Battery life is fine at eight to 11-ish hours, depending on ANC usage. They can dependably connect to two devices simultaneously, and they work with Google’s Fast Pair tech on Android devices. They support wear detection, too, and there are three different sets of ear gels and fins in the box. Any settings tweaks I’ve made in Skullcandy’s Skull-iQ app have taken effect quickly, and in general the software is easy to navigate. The only major omissions here are the lack of wireless charging and a short one-year warranty.

    The Method 360 ANC is almost identical to Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds in terms of design. For this review, we mainly compared the new Skullcandy buds against the QC Ultras and Anker's Soundcore Space A40, the top pick in our budget earbuds buying guide.

    Jeff Dunn for Engadget

    Sound quality
    Once you start listening to the Method 360 ANC, though, you start to see why it’s priced under The default sound signature is extremely V-shaped: The bass is massive, the treble is bright and everything in between is recessed. Bass lovers should appreciate this with hip-hop, dance music and many pop songs. A track like Kendrick Lamar’s “DNA” becomes particularly easy to rock to: The low-end is deep and impactful, while a giant spike around the upper midrange keeps the vocals clear throughout. In general, the Method 360 ANC is a step up from the Anker Soundcore Space A40, the longtime top pick in our guide to the best earbuds under That pair is far more muffled in the treble, whereas the Skullcandy pair’s crisper, more extended highs tend to make songs feel less closed-off.
    That said, it’s very easy to see how this kind of signature could get fatiguing over time. It’s consistently intense, and the recessed mids cause it to lose details in moderately intricate compositions. An indie rock track like Hop Along’s “The Knock” is a bit of a mess, as the bassline and crunchy rhythm guitar overwhelm the lead guitar riffs and rob the raspy vocals of air. With America’s “Ventura Highway,” the folksy acoustic guitar comes through clearly, but the overemphasized treble makes “ess” sounds a touch too sharp.
    The QuietComfort Ultra doesn’t exactly sound neutral, but it always comes off as more balanced by comparison. Skullcandy has also omitted support for higher-quality Bluetooth codecs, so it only supports the basic SBC and AAC. All of this is still better-than-average for bassheads shopping in this price range — just don’t expect it to compete very far beyond that. Thankfully, you can rein in some of the default profile’s excesses with a custom EQ in Skullcandy’s app.

    The charging case is on the larger side, to put it mildly, and uses a sliding mechanism to open and close.

    Jeff Dunn for Engadget

    ANC, ambient sound, call quality and one funky case
    Skullcandy’s ANC is perfectly respectable for and it’s great you can customize the intensity of the noise-canceling effect via the app. But it’s not on the level of the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or even the step-down QuietComfort Earbuds. It cuts out a fair chunk of the bassy rumble of an NYC subway train, but higher-pitched screeches and stop announcements are very much audible with music playing at moderate volumes.
    The “Stay Aware”mode, meanwhile, is passable but nothing more; it’s one of those deals where you need to keep the volume somewhat low to ensure you can hear yourself clearly. Call quality isn’t great, either: The mic does well to limit background noise, but it struggles with wind and makes your voice sound noticeably thin and processed. My testing partner said it made me sound like I was in an elevator.
    My biggest complaint, however, is with the ginormous tube of a case. It’s comically large next to pairs like the QuietComfort Ultra or Space A40, so much so that I have to question just how spacious Skullcandy thinks most people’s pockets are. There is a built-in clip that lets you hook the case to a bag or belt loop, but as a resident of New York City, I will never be comfortable sauntering around with anything of value dangling on my person. Actually snapping the earbuds back into the case is cumbersome as well: You have to slide the case open, then flip the earpieces upside down and insert them on opposite sides. I can understand wanting to make something unique, but this is an instance where boring would’ve been better.

    The Method 360 ANC's case has a built-in clip for attaching to bags or belt loops.

    Jeff Dunn for Engadget

    Wrap-up
    The Method 360 ANC has its problems, but most of them aren’t too surprising for a relatively affordable pair of wireless earbuds. Don’t be fooled into thinking the Bose branding means you’re getting a Bose-level product — the real-deal QuietComfort Earbuds are better if you’re willing to pay more. But this is still a tier above most budget pairs we’ve tested. It has nearly all the features we’re looking for, it’s comfortable and the sound signature will hit right if you’re hungry for bass. At its normal it’s well worth considering for bassheads who can go one rung above the bargain bin. For or less, it’s a great value. Just make room for that case.This article originally appeared on Engadget at
    #skullcandy #method #anc #review #cheaper
    Skullcandy Method 360 ANC review: A cheaper version of Bose’s best earbuds, with a few key sacrifices
    Skullcandy isn’t a name that usually comes to mind when you think of premium headphones. The Utah-based company has primarily made its name in the budget space, selling more on low prices and loud, sports-heavy marketing than the promise of excellent sound quality. With the new Method 360 ANC, the audio maker is trying to change that by latching onto another brand entirely. Skullcandy proudly boasts that its latest wireless earbuds feature “sound by Bose,” which is to say that Bose has supplied the acoustic tuning, ear tips and overall shape of the device. In fact, the new buds look quite similar to Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds from afar. But that upscale pair retails for and the Method 360 ANC only costs. So has Skullcandy managed to capture the best of Bose at a more affordable price? Kind of. Design and features The Method 360 ANC is indeed roughly as comfortable as the QuietComfort Ultra. Each earpiece is slightly heavier and more plastic-y — and Bose’s pair was already on the bulky side — but the soft ear gels and stability fins help them fit snug without creating too much pressure. I had no issues with them coming loose over several weeks of testing. The earbuds have an IPX4 water-resistance rating — not the best, but enough to survive most people’s workouts. The larger frame creates more space for the side touch panels, and all the controls do work reliably, which isn’t a given in the range. These earbuds also come with most of the features you’d want from a modern pair. There are active noise cancellationand ambient sound modes. Battery life is fine at eight to 11-ish hours, depending on ANC usage. They can dependably connect to two devices simultaneously, and they work with Google’s Fast Pair tech on Android devices. They support wear detection, too, and there are three different sets of ear gels and fins in the box. Any settings tweaks I’ve made in Skullcandy’s Skull-iQ app have taken effect quickly, and in general the software is easy to navigate. The only major omissions here are the lack of wireless charging and a short one-year warranty. The Method 360 ANC is almost identical to Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds in terms of design. For this review, we mainly compared the new Skullcandy buds against the QC Ultras and Anker's Soundcore Space A40, the top pick in our budget earbuds buying guide. Jeff Dunn for Engadget Sound quality Once you start listening to the Method 360 ANC, though, you start to see why it’s priced under The default sound signature is extremely V-shaped: The bass is massive, the treble is bright and everything in between is recessed. Bass lovers should appreciate this with hip-hop, dance music and many pop songs. A track like Kendrick Lamar’s “DNA” becomes particularly easy to rock to: The low-end is deep and impactful, while a giant spike around the upper midrange keeps the vocals clear throughout. In general, the Method 360 ANC is a step up from the Anker Soundcore Space A40, the longtime top pick in our guide to the best earbuds under That pair is far more muffled in the treble, whereas the Skullcandy pair’s crisper, more extended highs tend to make songs feel less closed-off. That said, it’s very easy to see how this kind of signature could get fatiguing over time. It’s consistently intense, and the recessed mids cause it to lose details in moderately intricate compositions. An indie rock track like Hop Along’s “The Knock” is a bit of a mess, as the bassline and crunchy rhythm guitar overwhelm the lead guitar riffs and rob the raspy vocals of air. With America’s “Ventura Highway,” the folksy acoustic guitar comes through clearly, but the overemphasized treble makes “ess” sounds a touch too sharp. The QuietComfort Ultra doesn’t exactly sound neutral, but it always comes off as more balanced by comparison. Skullcandy has also omitted support for higher-quality Bluetooth codecs, so it only supports the basic SBC and AAC. All of this is still better-than-average for bassheads shopping in this price range — just don’t expect it to compete very far beyond that. Thankfully, you can rein in some of the default profile’s excesses with a custom EQ in Skullcandy’s app. The charging case is on the larger side, to put it mildly, and uses a sliding mechanism to open and close. Jeff Dunn for Engadget ANC, ambient sound, call quality and one funky case Skullcandy’s ANC is perfectly respectable for and it’s great you can customize the intensity of the noise-canceling effect via the app. But it’s not on the level of the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or even the step-down QuietComfort Earbuds. It cuts out a fair chunk of the bassy rumble of an NYC subway train, but higher-pitched screeches and stop announcements are very much audible with music playing at moderate volumes. The “Stay Aware”mode, meanwhile, is passable but nothing more; it’s one of those deals where you need to keep the volume somewhat low to ensure you can hear yourself clearly. Call quality isn’t great, either: The mic does well to limit background noise, but it struggles with wind and makes your voice sound noticeably thin and processed. My testing partner said it made me sound like I was in an elevator. My biggest complaint, however, is with the ginormous tube of a case. It’s comically large next to pairs like the QuietComfort Ultra or Space A40, so much so that I have to question just how spacious Skullcandy thinks most people’s pockets are. There is a built-in clip that lets you hook the case to a bag or belt loop, but as a resident of New York City, I will never be comfortable sauntering around with anything of value dangling on my person. Actually snapping the earbuds back into the case is cumbersome as well: You have to slide the case open, then flip the earpieces upside down and insert them on opposite sides. I can understand wanting to make something unique, but this is an instance where boring would’ve been better. The Method 360 ANC's case has a built-in clip for attaching to bags or belt loops. Jeff Dunn for Engadget Wrap-up The Method 360 ANC has its problems, but most of them aren’t too surprising for a relatively affordable pair of wireless earbuds. Don’t be fooled into thinking the Bose branding means you’re getting a Bose-level product — the real-deal QuietComfort Earbuds are better if you’re willing to pay more. But this is still a tier above most budget pairs we’ve tested. It has nearly all the features we’re looking for, it’s comfortable and the sound signature will hit right if you’re hungry for bass. At its normal it’s well worth considering for bassheads who can go one rung above the bargain bin. For or less, it’s a great value. Just make room for that case.This article originally appeared on Engadget at #skullcandy #method #anc #review #cheaper
    WWW.ENGADGET.COM
    Skullcandy Method 360 ANC review: A cheaper version of Bose’s best earbuds, with a few key sacrifices
    Skullcandy isn’t a name that usually comes to mind when you think of premium headphones. The Utah-based company has primarily made its name in the budget space, selling more on low prices and loud, sports-heavy marketing than the promise of excellent sound quality. With the new Method 360 ANC, the audio maker is trying to change that by latching onto another brand entirely. Skullcandy proudly boasts that its latest wireless earbuds feature “sound by Bose,” which is to say that Bose has supplied the acoustic tuning, ear tips and overall shape of the device. In fact, the new buds look quite similar to Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds from afar. But that upscale pair retails for $299 and the Method 360 ANC only costs $130 (or as low as $100 at third-party stores of this writing). So has Skullcandy managed to capture the best of Bose at a more affordable price? Kind of. Design and features The Method 360 ANC is indeed roughly as comfortable as the QuietComfort Ultra. Each earpiece is slightly heavier and more plastic-y — and Bose’s pair was already on the bulky side — but the soft ear gels and stability fins help them fit snug without creating too much pressure. I had no issues with them coming loose over several weeks of testing. The earbuds have an IPX4 water-resistance rating — not the best, but enough to survive most people’s workouts. The larger frame creates more space for the side touch panels, and all the controls do work reliably, which isn’t a given in the $100 range. These earbuds also come with most of the features you’d want from a modern pair. There are active noise cancellation (ANC) and ambient sound modes. Battery life is fine at eight to 11-ish hours, depending on ANC usage. They can dependably connect to two devices simultaneously, and they work with Google’s Fast Pair tech on Android devices. They support wear detection, too, and there are three different sets of ear gels and fins in the box. Any settings tweaks I’ve made in Skullcandy’s Skull-iQ app have taken effect quickly, and in general the software is easy to navigate. The only major omissions here are the lack of wireless charging and a short one-year warranty. The Method 360 ANC is almost identical to Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds in terms of design. For this review, we mainly compared the new Skullcandy buds against the QC Ultras and Anker's Soundcore Space A40, the top pick in our budget earbuds buying guide. Jeff Dunn for Engadget Sound quality Once you start listening to the Method 360 ANC, though, you start to see why it’s priced under $150. The default sound signature is extremely V-shaped: The bass is massive, the treble is bright and everything in between is recessed. Bass lovers should appreciate this with hip-hop, dance music and many pop songs. A track like Kendrick Lamar’s “DNA” becomes particularly easy to rock to: The low-end is deep and impactful, while a giant spike around the upper midrange keeps the vocals clear throughout. In general, the Method 360 ANC is a step up from the Anker Soundcore Space A40, the longtime top pick in our guide to the best earbuds under $100. That pair is far more muffled in the treble, whereas the Skullcandy pair’s crisper, more extended highs tend to make songs feel less closed-off. That said, it’s very easy to see how this kind of signature could get fatiguing over time. It’s consistently intense, and the recessed mids cause it to lose details in moderately intricate compositions. An indie rock track like Hop Along’s “The Knock” is a bit of a mess, as the bassline and crunchy rhythm guitar overwhelm the lead guitar riffs and rob the raspy vocals of air. With America’s “Ventura Highway,” the folksy acoustic guitar comes through clearly, but the overemphasized treble makes “ess” sounds a touch too sharp. The QuietComfort Ultra doesn’t exactly sound neutral, but it always comes off as more balanced by comparison. Skullcandy has also omitted support for higher-quality Bluetooth codecs, so it only supports the basic SBC and AAC. All of this is still better-than-average for bassheads shopping in this price range — just don’t expect it to compete very far beyond that. Thankfully, you can rein in some of the default profile’s excesses with a custom EQ in Skullcandy’s app. The charging case is on the larger side, to put it mildly, and uses a sliding mechanism to open and close. Jeff Dunn for Engadget ANC, ambient sound, call quality and one funky case Skullcandy’s ANC is perfectly respectable for $130, and it’s great you can customize the intensity of the noise-canceling effect via the app. But it’s not on the level of the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or even the step-down QuietComfort Earbuds. It cuts out a fair chunk of the bassy rumble of an NYC subway train, but higher-pitched screeches and stop announcements are very much audible with music playing at moderate volumes. The “Stay Aware” (ambient sound) mode, meanwhile, is passable but nothing more; it’s one of those deals where you need to keep the volume somewhat low to ensure you can hear yourself clearly. Call quality isn’t great, either: The mic does well to limit background noise, but it struggles with wind and makes your voice sound noticeably thin and processed. My testing partner said it made me sound like I was in an elevator. My biggest complaint, however, is with the ginormous tube of a case. It’s comically large next to pairs like the QuietComfort Ultra or Space A40, so much so that I have to question just how spacious Skullcandy thinks most people’s pockets are. There is a built-in clip that lets you hook the case to a bag or belt loop, but as a resident of New York City, I will never be comfortable sauntering around with anything of value dangling on my person. Actually snapping the earbuds back into the case is cumbersome as well: You have to slide the case open, then flip the earpieces upside down and insert them on opposite sides. I can understand wanting to make something unique, but this is an instance where boring would’ve been better. The Method 360 ANC's case has a built-in clip for attaching to bags or belt loops. Jeff Dunn for Engadget Wrap-up The Method 360 ANC has its problems, but most of them aren’t too surprising for a relatively affordable pair of wireless earbuds (oversized case aside). Don’t be fooled into thinking the Bose branding means you’re getting a Bose-level product — the real-deal QuietComfort Earbuds are better if you’re willing to pay more. But this is still a tier above most budget pairs we’ve tested. It has nearly all the features we’re looking for (unlike, say, the Beats Solo Buds), it’s comfortable and the sound signature will hit right if you’re hungry for bass. At its normal $130, it’s well worth considering for bassheads who can go one rung above the bargain bin. For $100 or less, it’s a great value. Just make room for that case.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/skullcandy-method-360-anc-review-a-cheaper-version-of-boses-best-earbuds-with-a-few-key-sacrifices-130047025.html?src=rss
    0 Yorumlar 0 hisse senetleri 0 önizleme
  • Microsoft Weekly: Build 2025, more Xbox games for PS5, and remastered Windows 95 wallpapers

    This week's news recap is here with a lot of news and announcements from the Build 2025 developer conference, a bunch of new Windows 11 preview builds, fresh features for inbox Windows 11 apps, more Xbox games for PlayStation 5, and other stories.
    Quick links:

    Here, we talk about everything happening around Microsoft's latest operating system in the Stable channel and preview builds: new features, removed features, controversies, bugs, interesting findings, and more. And, of course, you may find a word or two about older versions.
    Build 2025, Microsoft's annual developer conference, took place this week. There, the company announced some interesting stuff for Windows 11. While it was primarily aimed at developers, regular users will also find some of the upcoming changes useful and interesting. The Settings app, for one, is getting the new Advanced page for the Settings app. There is also a new command-like editor called Edit, WinGet Configuration for quick dev environment deployments, and more.

    Developers and users will also be glad to learn about the Microsoft Store improvements, which include the "last updated" date for apps, free registration for individual developers, better Health Reports in the Partner Center, direct Win32 updates, and more.
    Microsoft is also improving Administrator protection in Windows 11, adding quantum encryption to Windows builds, and bringing Model Context Protocol support to its operating system.

    Moving from announcements to releases, Microsoft pushed KB5061768 to Windows 10 users to address BitLocker recovery loops on certain Intel-based systems. The update is available in the Microsoft Update Catalog only.

    Now, here is some interesting Windows trivia. A Microsoft engineer published a blog post explaining how Windows cleverly guesses it despitenot knowing how fast your processor actually is. Another engineer showed how bad code in apps can lead to Windows system slowdown.
    Also, here is a remastered version of the original Windows 95 wallpaper, in case you want some high-resolution nostalgia on your 4K monitor, and an interesting discussion about which Windows version is the best for old PCs.
    Here is what Microsoft released for Windows Insiders this week:

    Builds

    Canary Channel

    Build 27863
    The Canary Channel received a relatively small build with post-quantum cryptography support and a few bug fixes.

    Dev Channel

    Build 26200.5603A pretty big release with new stuff like the announced AI actions in File Explorer, the Advanced Settings page, redesigned Windows Widgets, an improved energy saver, the ability to compress images before sharing them, and plenty more.

    Beta Channel

    Build 26120.4151This build is identical to 26200.5603 from the Dev Channel.
    Build 26120.4151In this build, Microsoft introduced new capabilities for Click to Do, some widget improvements, lock screen widget customization, more app recommendations across the operating system, and various fixes.

    Release Preview Channel

    Build 26100.4188This preview of the upcoming non-security update delivers more AI-powered capabilities to compatible Copilot+ PCs, HDR improvements, new Copilot features, and various fixes for audio, USB, MMC, input, and more.

    Plenty of new features in this week's builds are rolling out gradually, including AI Actions for File Explorer. However, as usual, you can enable them with a simple third-party tool. Check out this article to learn how to force-enable AI Actions in File Explorer.
    Some hidden stuff for Windows 11 was also discovered this week. For one, it looks like Windows 11 will soon have its own variant of Handoff from macOS. During a Build session, Microsoft showcased how users can transfer their workflow from a mobile device and continue where they left off on Windows 11. Nothing has been publicly announced, though. Second, Microsoft is working on the ability to save screen recordings as GIFs in Snipping Tool.

    What is not hidden are the new features for Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad, which Microsoft announced earlier this month at its Surface event. Those features are now rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Dev and Canary Channels.
    This section covers software, firmware, and other notable updatesdelivering new features, security fixes, improvements, patches, and more from Microsoft and third parties.
    At Build 2025, Microsoft announced many updates. Starting with open-source, GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code and Windows Subsystem for Linux are now open-source, which means everyone can build their own projects based on them and contribute to the development.
    Recently, Microsoft sent an email asking for feedback on a new set of Office icons. While a public announcement has not been made yet, someone on Reddit took the matter into their own hands and made the icon pack themselves. Behold, a pack of high-quality Office icons that you can download right now.

    Speaking of Office, Microsoft introduced its presentation customization tool for PowerPoint to Mac users. This accessibility feature helps create a logical reading flow for elements in your slide and improves other aspects that make it easier for viewers to make sense when viewing and reading your slides.
    This week brought plenty of browser updates. Microsoft, for one, is making Google Chrome a bit safer by bringing Edge's automatic privilege de-elevation mechanism to the most popular browser in the world. Microsoft Edge received this feature six years ago, and now, it is finally making it to Chrome. Microsoft also released two updates: one for Edge Stable and one for Edge Beta. These updates introduced more Copilot for the new tab page and fixed a bunch of bugs.
    At Build 2025, Microsoft announced several updates to its browser, including free content filtering on Edge for Business, PDF translation, summaries, and take automation. The company also proposed a new AI API web standard to help developers integrate AI functionality into their web apps.

    Vivaldi received a new feature update under version 7.4. While it is not the biggest release, it introduced some neat improvements, such as better keyboard shortcut controls and enhancements to the address bar.
    Here are other updates and releases you may find interesting:
    Here are the latest drivers and firmware updates released this week:

    Nvidia 576.52 WHQL with the RTX 5060 support and bug fixes. Also, Nvidia released a firmware update for the RTX 5060 and 5060 Ti to fix black screens during reboots on systems with old motherboards.

    Here is the hardware and software we reviewed this week
    This week, Robbie Khan reviewed the Sharge ICEMAG 2, an interesting Qi2 wireless power bank with active cooling to keep temperatures low when charging your device wirelessly. It has a unique design and solid build quality, but some of its quirks lowered the final score.
    Learn about upcoming game releases, Xbox rumors, new hardware, software updates, freebies, deals, discounts, and more.
    PlayStation is getting another slice of the Xbox pie. Ninja Theory announced that Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is coming to PlayStation 5 later this year. No exact dates have been shared yet, though.
    Valve released an update for SteamOS. Version 3.7.8 arrived in the Stable Channel with a few important changes, such as support for other AMD-based handhelds, a battery limiter for the Steam Deck, and multiple bug fixes.
    Nvidia is running a Summer Sale, during which you can purchase six months of the GeForce NOW Performance plan with a 40% discount for just In addition, the company added support for more games, including the enhanced edition of the STALKER trilogy, Survive the Fall, Blades of Fire, Monster Train 2, and more.
    Speaking of GeForce NOW, it is now available in the updated Xbox app on PC. The app can now prompt you to select the preferred streaming service: Xbox Cloud Gaming or GeForce NOW. Other changes in the May 2025 update include improved widgets for the GameBar and more.
    Xbox Game Pass now has more games. Microsoft announced the latest additions to the catalog, which include Moster Train 2, Creatures of Ava, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, Symphonia, Spray Paint Simulator, and more.

    Deals and freebies
    This week's Weekend PC Game Deals is full of Warhammer specials, Witcher anniversary discounts, and three freebies from the Epic Games Store, which include the just-released Deliver At All Costs.

    Other gaming news includes the following:
    Every week, we cover many deals on different hardware and software. The following discounts are still available, so check them out. You might find something you want or need.

    Samsung Q-Series Soundbar HW-Q900F - |

    Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 Wireless - | 44% off

    Sonos Move 2 - | 25% off

    Samsung Q990F Soundbar - | 20% off

    This link will take you to other issues of the Microsoft Weekly series. You can also support Neowin by registering a free member account or subscribing for extra member benefits, along with an ad-free tier option.
    Microsoft Weekly image background by Engin_Akyurt on Pixabay
    #microsoft #weekly #build #more #xbox
    Microsoft Weekly: Build 2025, more Xbox games for PS5, and remastered Windows 95 wallpapers
    This week's news recap is here with a lot of news and announcements from the Build 2025 developer conference, a bunch of new Windows 11 preview builds, fresh features for inbox Windows 11 apps, more Xbox games for PlayStation 5, and other stories. Quick links: Here, we talk about everything happening around Microsoft's latest operating system in the Stable channel and preview builds: new features, removed features, controversies, bugs, interesting findings, and more. And, of course, you may find a word or two about older versions. Build 2025, Microsoft's annual developer conference, took place this week. There, the company announced some interesting stuff for Windows 11. While it was primarily aimed at developers, regular users will also find some of the upcoming changes useful and interesting. The Settings app, for one, is getting the new Advanced page for the Settings app. There is also a new command-like editor called Edit, WinGet Configuration for quick dev environment deployments, and more. Developers and users will also be glad to learn about the Microsoft Store improvements, which include the "last updated" date for apps, free registration for individual developers, better Health Reports in the Partner Center, direct Win32 updates, and more. Microsoft is also improving Administrator protection in Windows 11, adding quantum encryption to Windows builds, and bringing Model Context Protocol support to its operating system. Moving from announcements to releases, Microsoft pushed KB5061768 to Windows 10 users to address BitLocker recovery loops on certain Intel-based systems. The update is available in the Microsoft Update Catalog only. Now, here is some interesting Windows trivia. A Microsoft engineer published a blog post explaining how Windows cleverly guesses it despitenot knowing how fast your processor actually is. Another engineer showed how bad code in apps can lead to Windows system slowdown. Also, here is a remastered version of the original Windows 95 wallpaper, in case you want some high-resolution nostalgia on your 4K monitor, and an interesting discussion about which Windows version is the best for old PCs. Here is what Microsoft released for Windows Insiders this week: Builds Canary Channel Build 27863 The Canary Channel received a relatively small build with post-quantum cryptography support and a few bug fixes. Dev Channel Build 26200.5603A pretty big release with new stuff like the announced AI actions in File Explorer, the Advanced Settings page, redesigned Windows Widgets, an improved energy saver, the ability to compress images before sharing them, and plenty more. Beta Channel Build 26120.4151This build is identical to 26200.5603 from the Dev Channel. Build 26120.4151In this build, Microsoft introduced new capabilities for Click to Do, some widget improvements, lock screen widget customization, more app recommendations across the operating system, and various fixes. Release Preview Channel Build 26100.4188This preview of the upcoming non-security update delivers more AI-powered capabilities to compatible Copilot+ PCs, HDR improvements, new Copilot features, and various fixes for audio, USB, MMC, input, and more. Plenty of new features in this week's builds are rolling out gradually, including AI Actions for File Explorer. However, as usual, you can enable them with a simple third-party tool. Check out this article to learn how to force-enable AI Actions in File Explorer. Some hidden stuff for Windows 11 was also discovered this week. For one, it looks like Windows 11 will soon have its own variant of Handoff from macOS. During a Build session, Microsoft showcased how users can transfer their workflow from a mobile device and continue where they left off on Windows 11. Nothing has been publicly announced, though. Second, Microsoft is working on the ability to save screen recordings as GIFs in Snipping Tool. What is not hidden are the new features for Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad, which Microsoft announced earlier this month at its Surface event. Those features are now rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Dev and Canary Channels. This section covers software, firmware, and other notable updatesdelivering new features, security fixes, improvements, patches, and more from Microsoft and third parties. At Build 2025, Microsoft announced many updates. Starting with open-source, GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code and Windows Subsystem for Linux are now open-source, which means everyone can build their own projects based on them and contribute to the development. Recently, Microsoft sent an email asking for feedback on a new set of Office icons. While a public announcement has not been made yet, someone on Reddit took the matter into their own hands and made the icon pack themselves. Behold, a pack of high-quality Office icons that you can download right now. Speaking of Office, Microsoft introduced its presentation customization tool for PowerPoint to Mac users. This accessibility feature helps create a logical reading flow for elements in your slide and improves other aspects that make it easier for viewers to make sense when viewing and reading your slides. This week brought plenty of browser updates. Microsoft, for one, is making Google Chrome a bit safer by bringing Edge's automatic privilege de-elevation mechanism to the most popular browser in the world. Microsoft Edge received this feature six years ago, and now, it is finally making it to Chrome. Microsoft also released two updates: one for Edge Stable and one for Edge Beta. These updates introduced more Copilot for the new tab page and fixed a bunch of bugs. At Build 2025, Microsoft announced several updates to its browser, including free content filtering on Edge for Business, PDF translation, summaries, and take automation. The company also proposed a new AI API web standard to help developers integrate AI functionality into their web apps. Vivaldi received a new feature update under version 7.4. While it is not the biggest release, it introduced some neat improvements, such as better keyboard shortcut controls and enhancements to the address bar. Here are other updates and releases you may find interesting: Here are the latest drivers and firmware updates released this week: Nvidia 576.52 WHQL with the RTX 5060 support and bug fixes. Also, Nvidia released a firmware update for the RTX 5060 and 5060 Ti to fix black screens during reboots on systems with old motherboards. Here is the hardware and software we reviewed this week This week, Robbie Khan reviewed the Sharge ICEMAG 2, an interesting Qi2 wireless power bank with active cooling to keep temperatures low when charging your device wirelessly. It has a unique design and solid build quality, but some of its quirks lowered the final score. Learn about upcoming game releases, Xbox rumors, new hardware, software updates, freebies, deals, discounts, and more. PlayStation is getting another slice of the Xbox pie. Ninja Theory announced that Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is coming to PlayStation 5 later this year. No exact dates have been shared yet, though. Valve released an update for SteamOS. Version 3.7.8 arrived in the Stable Channel with a few important changes, such as support for other AMD-based handhelds, a battery limiter for the Steam Deck, and multiple bug fixes. Nvidia is running a Summer Sale, during which you can purchase six months of the GeForce NOW Performance plan with a 40% discount for just In addition, the company added support for more games, including the enhanced edition of the STALKER trilogy, Survive the Fall, Blades of Fire, Monster Train 2, and more. Speaking of GeForce NOW, it is now available in the updated Xbox app on PC. The app can now prompt you to select the preferred streaming service: Xbox Cloud Gaming or GeForce NOW. Other changes in the May 2025 update include improved widgets for the GameBar and more. Xbox Game Pass now has more games. Microsoft announced the latest additions to the catalog, which include Moster Train 2, Creatures of Ava, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, Symphonia, Spray Paint Simulator, and more. Deals and freebies This week's Weekend PC Game Deals is full of Warhammer specials, Witcher anniversary discounts, and three freebies from the Epic Games Store, which include the just-released Deliver At All Costs. Other gaming news includes the following: Every week, we cover many deals on different hardware and software. The following discounts are still available, so check them out. You might find something you want or need. Samsung Q-Series Soundbar HW-Q900F - | Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 Wireless - | 44% off Sonos Move 2 - | 25% off Samsung Q990F Soundbar - | 20% off This link will take you to other issues of the Microsoft Weekly series. You can also support Neowin by registering a free member account or subscribing for extra member benefits, along with an ad-free tier option. Microsoft Weekly image background by Engin_Akyurt on Pixabay #microsoft #weekly #build #more #xbox
    WWW.NEOWIN.NET
    Microsoft Weekly: Build 2025, more Xbox games for PS5, and remastered Windows 95 wallpapers
    This week's news recap is here with a lot of news and announcements from the Build 2025 developer conference, a bunch of new Windows 11 preview builds, fresh features for inbox Windows 11 apps, more Xbox games for PlayStation 5, and other stories. Quick links: Here, we talk about everything happening around Microsoft's latest operating system in the Stable channel and preview builds: new features, removed features, controversies, bugs, interesting findings, and more. And, of course, you may find a word or two about older versions. Build 2025, Microsoft's annual developer conference, took place this week. There, the company announced some interesting stuff for Windows 11. While it was primarily aimed at developers, regular users will also find some of the upcoming changes useful and interesting. The Settings app, for one, is getting the new Advanced page for the Settings app (now available in the latest preview build). There is also a new command-like editor called Edit, WinGet Configuration for quick dev environment deployments, and more. Developers and users will also be glad to learn about the Microsoft Store improvements, which include the "last updated" date for apps, free registration for individual developers, better Health Reports in the Partner Center, direct Win32 updates, and more. Microsoft is also improving Administrator protection in Windows 11, adding quantum encryption to Windows builds, and bringing Model Context Protocol support to its operating system. Moving from announcements to releases, Microsoft pushed KB5061768 to Windows 10 users to address BitLocker recovery loops on certain Intel-based systems. The update is available in the Microsoft Update Catalog only (not obtainable via Windows Update). Now, here is some interesting Windows trivia. A Microsoft engineer published a blog post explaining how Windows cleverly guesses it despitenot knowing how fast your processor actually is. Another engineer showed how bad code in apps can lead to Windows system slowdown. Also, here is a remastered version of the original Windows 95 wallpaper, in case you want some high-resolution nostalgia on your 4K monitor, and an interesting discussion about which Windows version is the best for old PCs (not Windows 11). Here is what Microsoft released for Windows Insiders this week: Builds Canary Channel Build 27863 The Canary Channel received a relatively small build with post-quantum cryptography support and a few bug fixes. Dev Channel Build 26200.5603 (KB5058488) A pretty big release with new stuff like the announced AI actions in File Explorer, the Advanced Settings page, redesigned Windows Widgets, an improved energy saver, the ability to compress images before sharing them, and plenty more. Beta Channel Build 26120.4151 (KB5058486) This build is identical to 26200.5603 from the Dev Channel. Build 26120.4151 (KB5058515) In this build, Microsoft introduced new capabilities for Click to Do, some widget improvements, lock screen widget customization, more app recommendations across the operating system, and various fixes. Release Preview Channel Build 26100.4188 (KB5058499) This preview of the upcoming non-security update delivers more AI-powered capabilities to compatible Copilot+ PCs, HDR improvements, new Copilot features, and various fixes for audio, USB, MMC, input, and more. Plenty of new features in this week's builds are rolling out gradually, including AI Actions for File Explorer. However, as usual, you can enable them with a simple third-party tool. Check out this article to learn how to force-enable AI Actions in File Explorer. Some hidden stuff for Windows 11 was also discovered this week. For one, it looks like Windows 11 will soon have its own variant of Handoff from macOS. During a Build session, Microsoft showcased how users can transfer their workflow from a mobile device and continue where they left off on Windows 11. Nothing has been publicly announced, though. Second, Microsoft is working on the ability to save screen recordings as GIFs in Snipping Tool. What is not hidden are the new features for Paint, Snipping Tool, and Notepad, which Microsoft announced earlier this month at its Surface event. Those features are now rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Dev and Canary Channels. This section covers software, firmware, and other notable updates (released and coming soon) delivering new features, security fixes, improvements, patches, and more from Microsoft and third parties. At Build 2025, Microsoft announced many updates. Starting with open-source, GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code and Windows Subsystem for Linux are now open-source, which means everyone can build their own projects based on them and contribute to the development. Recently, Microsoft sent an email asking for feedback on a new set of Office icons. While a public announcement has not been made yet, someone on Reddit took the matter into their own hands and made the icon pack themselves. Behold, a pack of high-quality Office icons that you can download right now. Speaking of Office, Microsoft introduced its presentation customization tool for PowerPoint to Mac users. This accessibility feature helps create a logical reading flow for elements in your slide and improves other aspects that make it easier for viewers to make sense when viewing and reading your slides. This week brought plenty of browser updates. Microsoft, for one, is making Google Chrome a bit safer by bringing Edge's automatic privilege de-elevation mechanism to the most popular browser in the world. Microsoft Edge received this feature six years ago, and now, it is finally making it to Chrome. Microsoft also released two updates: one for Edge Stable and one for Edge Beta. These updates introduced more Copilot for the new tab page and fixed a bunch of bugs. At Build 2025, Microsoft announced several updates to its browser, including free content filtering on Edge for Business, PDF translation, summaries, and take automation. The company also proposed a new AI API web standard to help developers integrate AI functionality into their web apps. Vivaldi received a new feature update under version 7.4. While it is not the biggest release, it introduced some neat improvements, such as better keyboard shortcut controls and enhancements to the address bar. Here are other updates and releases you may find interesting: Here are the latest drivers and firmware updates released this week: Nvidia 576.52 WHQL with the RTX 5060 support and bug fixes. Also, Nvidia released a firmware update for the RTX 5060 and 5060 Ti to fix black screens during reboots on systems with old motherboards. Here is the hardware and software we reviewed this week This week, Robbie Khan reviewed the Sharge ICEMAG 2, an interesting Qi2 wireless power bank with active cooling to keep temperatures low when charging your device wirelessly. It has a unique design and solid build quality, but some of its quirks lowered the final score. Learn about upcoming game releases, Xbox rumors, new hardware, software updates, freebies, deals, discounts, and more. PlayStation is getting another slice of the Xbox pie. Ninja Theory announced that Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is coming to PlayStation 5 later this year. No exact dates have been shared yet, though. Valve released an update for SteamOS. Version 3.7.8 arrived in the Stable Channel with a few important changes, such as support for other AMD-based handhelds, a battery limiter for the Steam Deck, and multiple bug fixes. Nvidia is running a Summer Sale, during which you can purchase six months of the GeForce NOW Performance plan with a 40% discount for just $29.99. In addition, the company added support for more games, including the enhanced edition of the STALKER trilogy, Survive the Fall, Blades of Fire, Monster Train 2, and more. Speaking of GeForce NOW, it is now available in the updated Xbox app on PC. The app can now prompt you to select the preferred streaming service: Xbox Cloud Gaming or GeForce NOW. Other changes in the May 2025 update include improved widgets for the GameBar and more. Xbox Game Pass now has more games. Microsoft announced the latest additions to the catalog, which include Moster Train 2, Creatures of Ava, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, Symphonia, Spray Paint Simulator, and more. Deals and freebies This week's Weekend PC Game Deals is full of Warhammer specials, Witcher anniversary discounts, and three freebies from the Epic Games Store, which include the just-released Deliver At All Costs. Other gaming news includes the following: Every week, we cover many deals on different hardware and software. The following discounts are still available, so check them out. You might find something you want or need. Samsung Q-Series Soundbar HW-Q900F - $1,097.99 | Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 Wireless - $128.99 | 44% off Sonos Move 2 - $336 | 25% off Samsung Q990F Soundbar - $1,597.99 | 20% off This link will take you to other issues of the Microsoft Weekly series. You can also support Neowin by registering a free member account or subscribing for extra member benefits, along with an ad-free tier option. Microsoft Weekly image background by Engin_Akyurt on Pixabay
    0 Yorumlar 0 hisse senetleri 0 önizleme
  • The Verge’s 2025 graduation gift guide

    Nanoleaf Expo Smart LED Display Case Smarter Kit% offA proper collection deserves a proper showcase, which is where Nanoleaf’s smart LED cases come in. Each reactive, stackable box can display tunable white lighting and up to 16 million hues, allowing you to bathe your shoes, figurines, and other items in whatever colors you see fit. And because it’s Nanoleaf, you’ll even be able to access the same smart features as the company’s bulbs.at NanoleafWho needs a Ruggable or a pricey Tibetan rug when you can get one emblazoned with Sora, Sonic, or a dual-wielding Master Chief? RugsRat’s circular rugs are soft, durable, and pay homage to video game series new and old. That includes classics like Halo 2 and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, as well as newer releases such as Elden Ring and Cyberpunk 2077. Hell, you can even design your own.at RugsRatWhether they’re outfitting their dorm room or an apartment, Ikea’s Skådis Pegboard Combination offers grads a sleek, space-saving way to stay organized. The spacious board comes with a set of containers, hooks, clips, and a shelf, all of which are perfect for neatly displaying everything from keys and sticky notes to cables, pens, and other accessories.at IkeaNow that the school year is officially over, your giftee likely has a lot more time to binge. For that, we recommend the Google TV Streamer 4K, which boasts onboard Google Assistant, easy-to-use smart home controls, and the best interface of any streaming device available. The set-top box even features a handy button for pinging the remote, giving it an edge over your couch.Apple iPad% offWith its spacious 11-inch display, Apple’s latest iPad makes it easy to dive into studying or unwind with your favorite TV shows. It delivers snappy performance courtesy of Apple’s A16 chip, letting you off emails, take notes, or binge-watch to your heart’s content. Plus, it has a solid front-facing camera this time, ensuring you can video call and stay in touch with loved ones back home with ease.Beats Pill speaker% offPortable and powerful, the latest Beats Pill offers good sound and IP67 dust and water resistance, making it ideal for beach days or study sessions. It’s also packed with features geared toward grads on the go, including a speakerphone for hands-free calls and a USB-C port for charging other devices. It even supports Find My / Find My Device support on both iOS and Android, so they won’t have to worry about losing it.Looking Glass GoIf they’re feeling homesick, the 6-inch Looking Glass Go can bring photos of family and friends to life like no ordinary picture frame can. Just upload an image from any iOS or Android device, and the app will transform it into a high-resolution hologram with the help of AI. You can even share your 3D pictures with loved ones, making it a meaningful way to stay connected from afar.at Looking GlassA personalized hometown puzzle is the kind of gift that hits the sweet spot in terms of nostalgia. The 400-piece jigsaw puzzles encapsulate a 6 x 4-mile coverage area with a given address at the center, and because they’re based on USGS mapping, each shows roads, waterways, vegetation, transit, and other geographical tidbits your giftee should be all too familiar with.at AmazonAway The Carry-On% offWhether you intend to use it for work trips or weekend getaways with friends, the Carry-On is a sleek, durable suitcase that makes travel easier. It’s packed with thoughtful touches — including a TSA-approved lock, 360-degree wheels, and a separate laundry bag — and it’s small enough to fit in most overhead bins yet spacious enough that you should have no trouble stowing everything you need for a three-day jaunt.at Awayat AmazonAnker Charging Station% offA cluttered desk can make it hard to concentrate, which is why Anker’s 7-in-1 charging station is a great gift for grads. The 100W hub features a pair of USB-C and USB-A ports on the front and three AC outlets on the back, making it easy to power a 16-inch MacBook Pro, table lamp, phone, and other gadgets while keeping a tidy workspace.at AnkerHoto Hand Tool Set% offHoto’s electric screwdrivers are a mainstay at The Verge, and the company’s Hand Tool Set is just as eye-catching. All of the included components, from the needlenose pliers and claw hammer to the textured carrying case, showcase a handsome minimalist design that’s far more attractive than the usual white-label fare. It makes for an attractive starter kit, if nothing else.Classic team-based games like Codenames offer a good opportunity to break the ice with new schoolmates, whether you’re living with them or just linking up on the quad. The collaborative game charges two so-called “spymasters” with connecting a series of seemingly unrelated cards via a one-word clue, which their teammates must then uncover before the opposing team. It’s simple to learn but tough to master.13-inch MacBook Air% offMany high school grads don’t have the budget for a new laptop, which is why gifting them one of the best is something they’ll appreciate. Apple’s M4 MacBook Air deftly balances performance and battery life, culminating in a 13-inch machine that’s as suitable for streaming as it is banging out that first-year composition paper.Cuisinart PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle% offCuisinart’s cordless, 1,500W electric kettle lets you dial in the right temperature for whatever you’re drinking, be it coffee, a nice oolong, or a dorm room staple like instant ramen. The speedy stainless-steel kettle is loaded with six preset temps and an auto-shutoff timer, too, rendering it ideal for busy grads who always have to jet.The Last LectureThe Last Lecture captures the moving wisdom that Randy Pausch, a professor and former computer scientist, shared with his students following his cancer diagnosis cancer in ’06. His inspiring words encourage readers to reflect on what truly matters and the kind of legacy they hope to leave behind, making it a thoughtful guide for any graduate trying to figure out their next steps in life.Anker Laptop Power Bank% offThe Anker Laptop Power Bank is a lifesaver for anyone who works or studies on the go. With an impressive 25,000mAh capacity and 165W total output, it can quickly charge a beefy MacBook Pro to 50 percent capacity in just 30 minutes. Plus, with three USB-C ports and a USB-A port, you can power multiple devices at once, including phones, tablets, and handheld consoles.Apple AirTag% offWhether they’re planning to take a well-earned vacation or just prone to losing things, an AirTag is a smart, stress-saving gift for any grad. The UWB Bluetooth trackers tap into Apple’s vast Find My network, letting you keep an eye out and quickly recover lost luggage, keys, passports, and other items using little more than a quick glance at your iPhone.Pantone Ceramic Bowls% offPantone’s vibrant, color-coded ceramic bowls provide a simple way to brighten up any kitchen cabinet… or bowl of Cap’n Crunch. The six sturdy, 5.75-inch bowls are also dishwasher-safe, making them suitable for everything from soup to messy study snacks.at MoMA Design Storeat MoMA Design StoreKalita Wave 185 Dripper% offThe Kalita Wave 185 Dripper might be the only thing that gets your college-bound grad through linguistics or ochem. It brews a rich, full cup of pour-over coffee using wave filters and a flat-bottom, three-hold design, which makes it the perfect companion for pulling all-nighters when the nearest cafe is closed.Kobo Elipsa 2E% offThe Kobo Elipsa 2E isn’t just an e-reader — it’s the ideal study companion for grads heading to college or grad school. Its sizable 10.3-inch screen and included stylus makes annotating a breeze, while its ability to convert handwritten notes into typed text and solve math equations renders it an even more valuable tool for studying.at Rakuten KoboNintendo Switch 2The Switch 2 could make for a stellar gift for any grad — that is, if you can manage to preorder one ahead of the console’s arrival on June 5th. Nintendo’s latest hybrid console packs a larger 7.9-inch 1080p display, magnetic Joy-Con controllers, and a host of other minor but welcome improvements that build upon what was already a winning formula.If you want to gift your grad a less traditional bouquet, Lovepop’s latest Black-Eyed Susan Bouquet could be a great alternative. The vibrant laser-cut flowers can add a pop of color to any new space and come packaged with a tuck-away card, which you can either fill out at home or personalize at checkout.at LovepopSkullcandy Method 360 ANC% offThe Skullcandy Method 360 ANC are basically a pair of Bose earbuds in disguise, which isn’t a bad thing. They offer well-balanced sound, great features, and a comfortable fit that effectively blocks out unwanted noise, much more so than previous Skullcandy offerings. I guess that’s what you get when you license technology and audio tuning from Bose.Lodge Cast Iron Skillet% offEveryone could use a good pan to cook their meals. With a Lodge skillet, your graduate can sear, sauté, bake, broil, braise, and fry all kinds of foods for years to come. Not only does the hardy 12-inch pan offer terrific heat distribution and retention, but it’s also safe to use in the oven or over an open fire. The included silicone handle is just an added plus that lets you ditch the oven mitts.Cotopaxi Nido Accessory Bag% offCotopaxi’s Nido Accessory Bag pairs wonderfully with work trips, road trips, and trips to a shared bathroom. The durable Dopp kit is great for holding both toiletries and tech accessories thanks to its zippered pocket and a bevy of small storage compartments, all of which let you store your essentials neatly in place.Circa Leather Discbound Notebook% offCirca’s leather notebook offers a level of customization few journals can match. Given the pages are secured via a series of discs along the spine, your grad can easily add or remove sheets and organize sections in a way that fits their unique lifestyle and needs. That means they can reorient their thoughts for class, their next job interview, and a variety of other situations.at LevengerF*cking Planner StickersF*cking Planner Stickers can provide any grad who is trying to keep their life togetherwith a much-needed dose of humor. Bold, irreverent, and hilariously honest, they turn even the most mundane adulting tasks — from scheduling meetings to paying bills — into something a little less boring and a lot more fun.Black & Decker Furbuster% offHigh-end robovacs with auto-empty docks and AI obstacle avoidance are great and all, but sometimes a classic handheld is all you need. Black & Decker’s rechargeable Furbuster is a great option for picking up fur, dirt, and other debris, especially since it offers a surprising amount of suction and an extra-long crevice tool for hitting those hard-to-reach areas.Songmics Bamboo Bed Desk with Tilting Top% offThe Songmics Bamboo Bed Desk is great for sick days, late-night study sessions, and a formidable breakfast in bed. It’s equipped with an adjustable top and legs, along with a small side drawer for storing pens, snacks, and everything needed to stay productive — or unwind — without leaving bed.at SongmicsFujifilm Instax Mini 99% offThe Instax Mini 99 is the perfect instant camera for budding photogs who crave a little more control over their shots. It quickly prints credit card-sized photos and features dual shutter buttons, along with a multitude of brightness settings and color effects. It even offers a Sports Mode, allowing you to effortlessly capture shots of subjects who refuse to sit still.RTIC Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler% offIf they plan on celebrating graduation on the road, RTIC’s rugged cooler can keep the La Croix flowing. The cooler’s insulated, waterproof design can keep drinks and other contents cold for up to two days, while a comfortable shoulder strap and end handles help ensure it’s never too difficult to lug from one hang to the next.Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light% offIf your grad is about to move in with a roommate or partner, Glocusent’s LED Neck Reading Light is a particularly useful gift. With adjustable brightness and warmth settings, the wearable neck lamp can help them comfortably pore over textbooks late into the night. It’s also not insanely bright, or at least not enough that it’ll keep their roommate awake.
    #vergeampamp8217s #graduation #gift #guide
    The Verge’s 2025 graduation gift guide
    Nanoleaf Expo Smart LED Display Case Smarter Kit% offA proper collection deserves a proper showcase, which is where Nanoleaf’s smart LED cases come in. Each reactive, stackable box can display tunable white lighting and up to 16 million hues, allowing you to bathe your shoes, figurines, and other items in whatever colors you see fit. And because it’s Nanoleaf, you’ll even be able to access the same smart features as the company’s bulbs.at NanoleafWho needs a Ruggable or a pricey Tibetan rug when you can get one emblazoned with Sora, Sonic, or a dual-wielding Master Chief? RugsRat’s circular rugs are soft, durable, and pay homage to video game series new and old. That includes classics like Halo 2 and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, as well as newer releases such as Elden Ring and Cyberpunk 2077. Hell, you can even design your own.at RugsRatWhether they’re outfitting their dorm room or an apartment, Ikea’s Skådis Pegboard Combination offers grads a sleek, space-saving way to stay organized. The spacious board comes with a set of containers, hooks, clips, and a shelf, all of which are perfect for neatly displaying everything from keys and sticky notes to cables, pens, and other accessories.at IkeaNow that the school year is officially over, your giftee likely has a lot more time to binge. For that, we recommend the Google TV Streamer 4K, which boasts onboard Google Assistant, easy-to-use smart home controls, and the best interface of any streaming device available. The set-top box even features a handy button for pinging the remote, giving it an edge over your couch.Apple iPad% offWith its spacious 11-inch display, Apple’s latest iPad makes it easy to dive into studying or unwind with your favorite TV shows. It delivers snappy performance courtesy of Apple’s A16 chip, letting you off emails, take notes, or binge-watch to your heart’s content. Plus, it has a solid front-facing camera this time, ensuring you can video call and stay in touch with loved ones back home with ease.Beats Pill speaker% offPortable and powerful, the latest Beats Pill offers good sound and IP67 dust and water resistance, making it ideal for beach days or study sessions. It’s also packed with features geared toward grads on the go, including a speakerphone for hands-free calls and a USB-C port for charging other devices. It even supports Find My / Find My Device support on both iOS and Android, so they won’t have to worry about losing it.Looking Glass GoIf they’re feeling homesick, the 6-inch Looking Glass Go can bring photos of family and friends to life like no ordinary picture frame can. Just upload an image from any iOS or Android device, and the app will transform it into a high-resolution hologram with the help of AI. You can even share your 3D pictures with loved ones, making it a meaningful way to stay connected from afar.at Looking GlassA personalized hometown puzzle is the kind of gift that hits the sweet spot in terms of nostalgia. The 400-piece jigsaw puzzles encapsulate a 6 x 4-mile coverage area with a given address at the center, and because they’re based on USGS mapping, each shows roads, waterways, vegetation, transit, and other geographical tidbits your giftee should be all too familiar with.at AmazonAway The Carry-On% offWhether you intend to use it for work trips or weekend getaways with friends, the Carry-On is a sleek, durable suitcase that makes travel easier. It’s packed with thoughtful touches — including a TSA-approved lock, 360-degree wheels, and a separate laundry bag — and it’s small enough to fit in most overhead bins yet spacious enough that you should have no trouble stowing everything you need for a three-day jaunt.at Awayat AmazonAnker Charging Station% offA cluttered desk can make it hard to concentrate, which is why Anker’s 7-in-1 charging station is a great gift for grads. The 100W hub features a pair of USB-C and USB-A ports on the front and three AC outlets on the back, making it easy to power a 16-inch MacBook Pro, table lamp, phone, and other gadgets while keeping a tidy workspace.at AnkerHoto Hand Tool Set% offHoto’s electric screwdrivers are a mainstay at The Verge, and the company’s Hand Tool Set is just as eye-catching. All of the included components, from the needlenose pliers and claw hammer to the textured carrying case, showcase a handsome minimalist design that’s far more attractive than the usual white-label fare. It makes for an attractive starter kit, if nothing else.Classic team-based games like Codenames offer a good opportunity to break the ice with new schoolmates, whether you’re living with them or just linking up on the quad. The collaborative game charges two so-called “spymasters” with connecting a series of seemingly unrelated cards via a one-word clue, which their teammates must then uncover before the opposing team. It’s simple to learn but tough to master.13-inch MacBook Air% offMany high school grads don’t have the budget for a new laptop, which is why gifting them one of the best is something they’ll appreciate. Apple’s M4 MacBook Air deftly balances performance and battery life, culminating in a 13-inch machine that’s as suitable for streaming as it is banging out that first-year composition paper.Cuisinart PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle% offCuisinart’s cordless, 1,500W electric kettle lets you dial in the right temperature for whatever you’re drinking, be it coffee, a nice oolong, or a dorm room staple like instant ramen. The speedy stainless-steel kettle is loaded with six preset temps and an auto-shutoff timer, too, rendering it ideal for busy grads who always have to jet.The Last LectureThe Last Lecture captures the moving wisdom that Randy Pausch, a professor and former computer scientist, shared with his students following his cancer diagnosis cancer in ’06. His inspiring words encourage readers to reflect on what truly matters and the kind of legacy they hope to leave behind, making it a thoughtful guide for any graduate trying to figure out their next steps in life.Anker Laptop Power Bank% offThe Anker Laptop Power Bank is a lifesaver for anyone who works or studies on the go. With an impressive 25,000mAh capacity and 165W total output, it can quickly charge a beefy MacBook Pro to 50 percent capacity in just 30 minutes. Plus, with three USB-C ports and a USB-A port, you can power multiple devices at once, including phones, tablets, and handheld consoles.Apple AirTag% offWhether they’re planning to take a well-earned vacation or just prone to losing things, an AirTag is a smart, stress-saving gift for any grad. The UWB Bluetooth trackers tap into Apple’s vast Find My network, letting you keep an eye out and quickly recover lost luggage, keys, passports, and other items using little more than a quick glance at your iPhone.Pantone Ceramic Bowls% offPantone’s vibrant, color-coded ceramic bowls provide a simple way to brighten up any kitchen cabinet… or bowl of Cap’n Crunch. The six sturdy, 5.75-inch bowls are also dishwasher-safe, making them suitable for everything from soup to messy study snacks.at MoMA Design Storeat MoMA Design StoreKalita Wave 185 Dripper% offThe Kalita Wave 185 Dripper might be the only thing that gets your college-bound grad through linguistics or ochem. It brews a rich, full cup of pour-over coffee using wave filters and a flat-bottom, three-hold design, which makes it the perfect companion for pulling all-nighters when the nearest cafe is closed.Kobo Elipsa 2E% offThe Kobo Elipsa 2E isn’t just an e-reader — it’s the ideal study companion for grads heading to college or grad school. Its sizable 10.3-inch screen and included stylus makes annotating a breeze, while its ability to convert handwritten notes into typed text and solve math equations renders it an even more valuable tool for studying.at Rakuten KoboNintendo Switch 2The Switch 2 could make for a stellar gift for any grad — that is, if you can manage to preorder one ahead of the console’s arrival on June 5th. Nintendo’s latest hybrid console packs a larger 7.9-inch 1080p display, magnetic Joy-Con controllers, and a host of other minor but welcome improvements that build upon what was already a winning formula.If you want to gift your grad a less traditional bouquet, Lovepop’s latest Black-Eyed Susan Bouquet could be a great alternative. The vibrant laser-cut flowers can add a pop of color to any new space and come packaged with a tuck-away card, which you can either fill out at home or personalize at checkout.at LovepopSkullcandy Method 360 ANC% offThe Skullcandy Method 360 ANC are basically a pair of Bose earbuds in disguise, which isn’t a bad thing. They offer well-balanced sound, great features, and a comfortable fit that effectively blocks out unwanted noise, much more so than previous Skullcandy offerings. I guess that’s what you get when you license technology and audio tuning from Bose.Lodge Cast Iron Skillet% offEveryone could use a good pan to cook their meals. With a Lodge skillet, your graduate can sear, sauté, bake, broil, braise, and fry all kinds of foods for years to come. Not only does the hardy 12-inch pan offer terrific heat distribution and retention, but it’s also safe to use in the oven or over an open fire. The included silicone handle is just an added plus that lets you ditch the oven mitts.Cotopaxi Nido Accessory Bag% offCotopaxi’s Nido Accessory Bag pairs wonderfully with work trips, road trips, and trips to a shared bathroom. The durable Dopp kit is great for holding both toiletries and tech accessories thanks to its zippered pocket and a bevy of small storage compartments, all of which let you store your essentials neatly in place.Circa Leather Discbound Notebook% offCirca’s leather notebook offers a level of customization few journals can match. Given the pages are secured via a series of discs along the spine, your grad can easily add or remove sheets and organize sections in a way that fits their unique lifestyle and needs. That means they can reorient their thoughts for class, their next job interview, and a variety of other situations.at LevengerF*cking Planner StickersF*cking Planner Stickers can provide any grad who is trying to keep their life togetherwith a much-needed dose of humor. Bold, irreverent, and hilariously honest, they turn even the most mundane adulting tasks — from scheduling meetings to paying bills — into something a little less boring and a lot more fun.Black & Decker Furbuster% offHigh-end robovacs with auto-empty docks and AI obstacle avoidance are great and all, but sometimes a classic handheld is all you need. Black & Decker’s rechargeable Furbuster is a great option for picking up fur, dirt, and other debris, especially since it offers a surprising amount of suction and an extra-long crevice tool for hitting those hard-to-reach areas.Songmics Bamboo Bed Desk with Tilting Top% offThe Songmics Bamboo Bed Desk is great for sick days, late-night study sessions, and a formidable breakfast in bed. It’s equipped with an adjustable top and legs, along with a small side drawer for storing pens, snacks, and everything needed to stay productive — or unwind — without leaving bed.at SongmicsFujifilm Instax Mini 99% offThe Instax Mini 99 is the perfect instant camera for budding photogs who crave a little more control over their shots. It quickly prints credit card-sized photos and features dual shutter buttons, along with a multitude of brightness settings and color effects. It even offers a Sports Mode, allowing you to effortlessly capture shots of subjects who refuse to sit still.RTIC Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler% offIf they plan on celebrating graduation on the road, RTIC’s rugged cooler can keep the La Croix flowing. The cooler’s insulated, waterproof design can keep drinks and other contents cold for up to two days, while a comfortable shoulder strap and end handles help ensure it’s never too difficult to lug from one hang to the next.Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light% offIf your grad is about to move in with a roommate or partner, Glocusent’s LED Neck Reading Light is a particularly useful gift. With adjustable brightness and warmth settings, the wearable neck lamp can help them comfortably pore over textbooks late into the night. It’s also not insanely bright, or at least not enough that it’ll keep their roommate awake. #vergeampamp8217s #graduation #gift #guide
    WWW.THEVERGE.COM
    The Verge’s 2025 graduation gift guide
    Nanoleaf Expo Smart LED Display Case Smarter Kit$270$30010% off$270A proper collection deserves a proper showcase, which is where Nanoleaf’s smart LED cases come in. Each reactive, stackable box can display tunable white lighting and up to 16 million hues, allowing you to bathe your shoes, figurines, and other items in whatever colors you see fit. And because it’s Nanoleaf, you’ll even be able to access the same smart features as the company’s bulbs.$270 at Amazon$270 at Nanoleaf$35Who needs a Ruggable or a pricey Tibetan rug when you can get one emblazoned with Sora, Sonic, or a dual-wielding Master Chief? RugsRat’s circular rugs are soft, durable, and pay homage to video game series new and old. That includes classics like Halo 2 and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, as well as newer releases such as Elden Ring and Cyberpunk 2077. Hell, you can even design your own.$35 at RugsRat$60Whether they’re outfitting their dorm room or an apartment, Ikea’s Skådis Pegboard Combination offers grads a sleek, space-saving way to stay organized. The spacious board comes with a set of containers, hooks, clips, and a shelf, all of which are perfect for neatly displaying everything from keys and sticky notes to cables, pens, and other accessories.$60 at Ikea$100Now that the school year is officially over, your giftee likely has a lot more time to binge. For that, we recommend the Google TV Streamer 4K, which boasts onboard Google Assistant, easy-to-use smart home controls, and the best interface of any streaming device available. The set-top box even features a handy button for pinging the remote, giving it an edge over your couch.Apple iPad (11th-gen)$299$34914% off$299With its spacious 11-inch display, Apple’s latest iPad makes it easy to dive into studying or unwind with your favorite TV shows. It delivers snappy performance courtesy of Apple’s A16 chip, letting you off emails, take notes, or binge-watch to your heart’s content. Plus, it has a solid front-facing camera this time, ensuring you can video call and stay in touch with loved ones back home with ease.Beats Pill speaker$100$15033% off$100Portable and powerful, the latest Beats Pill offers good sound and IP67 dust and water resistance, making it ideal for beach days or study sessions. It’s also packed with features geared toward grads on the go, including a speakerphone for hands-free calls and a USB-C port for charging other devices. It even supports Find My / Find My Device support on both iOS and Android, so they won’t have to worry about losing it.Looking Glass Go$299$299If they’re feeling homesick, the 6-inch Looking Glass Go can bring photos of family and friends to life like no ordinary picture frame can. Just upload an image from any iOS or Android device, and the app will transform it into a high-resolution hologram with the help of AI. You can even share your 3D pictures with loved ones, making it a meaningful way to stay connected from afar.$299 at Looking Glass$46A personalized hometown puzzle is the kind of gift that hits the sweet spot in terms of nostalgia. The 400-piece jigsaw puzzles encapsulate a 6 x 4-mile coverage area with a given address at the center, and because they’re based on USGS mapping, each shows roads, waterways, vegetation, transit, and other geographical tidbits your giftee should be all too familiar with.$46 at AmazonAway The Carry-On$234$27515% off$234Whether you intend to use it for work trips or weekend getaways with friends, the Carry-On is a sleek, durable suitcase that makes travel easier. It’s packed with thoughtful touches — including a TSA-approved lock, 360-degree wheels, and a separate laundry bag — and it’s small enough to fit in most overhead bins yet spacious enough that you should have no trouble stowing everything you need for a three-day jaunt.$234 at Away$275 at AmazonAnker Charging Station (7-in-1, 100W)$40$5020% off$40A cluttered desk can make it hard to concentrate, which is why Anker’s 7-in-1 charging station is a great gift for grads. The 100W hub features a pair of USB-C and USB-A ports on the front and three AC outlets on the back, making it easy to power a 16-inch MacBook Pro, table lamp, phone, and other gadgets while keeping a tidy workspace.$40 at Amazon$40 at Anker (with code WS7DV2FFTMLH)Hoto Hand Tool Set$50$6017% off$50Hoto’s electric screwdrivers are a mainstay at The Verge, and the company’s Hand Tool Set is just as eye-catching. All of the included components, from the needlenose pliers and claw hammer to the textured carrying case, showcase a handsome minimalist design that’s far more attractive than the usual white-label fare. It makes for an attractive starter kit, if nothing else.$20Classic team-based games like Codenames offer a good opportunity to break the ice with new schoolmates, whether you’re living with them or just linking up on the quad. The collaborative game charges two so-called “spymasters” with connecting a series of seemingly unrelated cards via a one-word clue, which their teammates must then uncover before the opposing team. It’s simple to learn but tough to master.13-inch MacBook Air (2025)$892$99911% off$892Many high school grads don’t have the budget for a new laptop, which is why gifting them one of the best is something they’ll appreciate. Apple’s M4 MacBook Air deftly balances performance and battery life, culminating in a 13-inch machine that’s as suitable for streaming as it is banging out that first-year composition paper.Cuisinart PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle$100$13023% off$100Cuisinart’s cordless, 1,500W electric kettle lets you dial in the right temperature for whatever you’re drinking, be it coffee, a nice oolong, or a dorm room staple like instant ramen (no judgment here). The speedy stainless-steel kettle is loaded with six preset temps and an auto-shutoff timer, too, rendering it ideal for busy grads who always have to jet.The Last Lecture$11$11The Last Lecture captures the moving wisdom that Randy Pausch, a professor and former computer scientist, shared with his students following his cancer diagnosis cancer in ’06. His inspiring words encourage readers to reflect on what truly matters and the kind of legacy they hope to leave behind, making it a thoughtful guide for any graduate trying to figure out their next steps in life.Anker Laptop Power Bank$115$13515% off$115The Anker Laptop Power Bank is a lifesaver for anyone who works or studies on the go. With an impressive 25,000mAh capacity and 165W total output, it can quickly charge a beefy MacBook Pro to 50 percent capacity in just 30 minutes. Plus, with three USB-C ports and a USB-A port, you can power multiple devices at once, including phones, tablets, and handheld consoles.Apple AirTag$25$2914% off$25Whether they’re planning to take a well-earned vacation or just prone to losing things, an AirTag is a smart, stress-saving gift for any grad. The UWB Bluetooth trackers tap into Apple’s vast Find My network, letting you keep an eye out and quickly recover lost luggage, keys, passports, and other items using little more than a quick glance at your iPhone.Pantone Ceramic Bowls$116$12910% off$116Pantone’s vibrant, color-coded ceramic bowls provide a simple way to brighten up any kitchen cabinet… or bowl of Cap’n Crunch. The six sturdy, 5.75-inch bowls are also dishwasher-safe, making them suitable for everything from soup to messy study snacks.$116 at MoMA Design Store (members)$129 at MoMA Design Store (non-members)Kalita Wave 185 Dripper$21$3946% off$21The Kalita Wave 185 Dripper might be the only thing that gets your college-bound grad through linguistics or ochem. It brews a rich, full cup of pour-over coffee using wave filters and a flat-bottom, three-hold design, which makes it the perfect companion for pulling all-nighters when the nearest cafe is closed.Kobo Elipsa 2E$389$4003% off$389The Kobo Elipsa 2E isn’t just an e-reader — it’s the ideal study companion for grads heading to college or grad school. Its sizable 10.3-inch screen and included stylus makes annotating a breeze, while its ability to convert handwritten notes into typed text and solve math equations renders it an even more valuable tool for studying.$389 at Amazon$400 at Rakuten KoboNintendo Switch 2$449$449The Switch 2 could make for a stellar gift for any grad — that is, if you can manage to preorder one ahead of the console’s arrival on June 5th. Nintendo’s latest hybrid console packs a larger 7.9-inch 1080p display, magnetic Joy-Con controllers, and a host of other minor but welcome improvements that build upon what was already a winning formula.$15If you want to gift your grad a less traditional bouquet, Lovepop’s latest Black-Eyed Susan Bouquet could be a great alternative. The vibrant laser-cut flowers can add a pop of color to any new space and come packaged with a tuck-away card, which you can either fill out at home or personalize at checkout.$15 at Amazon$15 at LovepopSkullcandy Method 360 ANC$100$13023% off$100The Skullcandy Method 360 ANC are basically a pair of Bose earbuds in disguise, which isn’t a bad thing. They offer well-balanced sound, great features, and a comfortable fit that effectively blocks out unwanted noise, much more so than previous Skullcandy offerings. I guess that’s what you get when you license technology and audio tuning from Bose.Lodge Cast Iron Skillet (12-inch)$25$3017% off$25Everyone could use a good pan to cook their meals. With a Lodge skillet, your graduate can sear, sauté, bake, broil, braise, and fry all kinds of foods for years to come. Not only does the hardy 12-inch pan offer terrific heat distribution and retention, but it’s also safe to use in the oven or over an open fire. The included silicone handle is just an added plus that lets you ditch the oven mitts.Cotopaxi Nido Accessory Bag$34$4524% off$34Cotopaxi’s Nido Accessory Bag pairs wonderfully with work trips, road trips, and trips to a shared bathroom (hello, dorm life). The durable Dopp kit is great for holding both toiletries and tech accessories thanks to its zippered pocket and a bevy of small storage compartments, all of which let you store your essentials neatly in place.Circa Leather Discbound Notebook$99$13024% off$99Circa’s leather notebook offers a level of customization few journals can match. Given the pages are secured via a series of discs along the spine, your grad can easily add or remove sheets and organize sections in a way that fits their unique lifestyle and needs. That means they can reorient their thoughts for class, their next job interview, and a variety of other situations.$99 at LevengerF*cking Planner Stickers$6$6F*cking Planner Stickers can provide any grad who is trying to keep their life together (or at least look like they are) with a much-needed dose of humor. Bold, irreverent, and hilariously honest, they turn even the most mundane adulting tasks — from scheduling meetings to paying bills — into something a little less boring and a lot more fun.Black & Decker Furbuster$93$1007% off$93High-end robovacs with auto-empty docks and AI obstacle avoidance are great and all, but sometimes a classic handheld is all you need. Black & Decker’s rechargeable Furbuster is a great option for picking up fur, dirt, and other debris, especially since it offers a surprising amount of suction and an extra-long crevice tool for hitting those hard-to-reach areas.Songmics Bamboo Bed Desk with Tilting Top$36$5028% off$36The Songmics Bamboo Bed Desk is great for sick days, late-night study sessions, and a formidable breakfast in bed. It’s equipped with an adjustable top and legs, along with a small side drawer for storing pens, snacks, and everything needed to stay productive — or unwind — without leaving bed.$36 at Amazon (with on-page coupon)$46 at SongmicsFujifilm Instax Mini 99$180$19910% off$180The Instax Mini 99 is the perfect instant camera for budding photogs who crave a little more control over their shots. It quickly prints credit card-sized photos and features dual shutter buttons, along with a multitude of brightness settings and color effects. It even offers a Sports Mode, allowing you to effortlessly capture shots of subjects who refuse to sit still.RTIC Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler$76$8915% off$76If they plan on celebrating graduation on the road, RTIC’s rugged cooler can keep the La Croix flowing. The cooler’s insulated, waterproof design can keep drinks and other contents cold for up to two days, while a comfortable shoulder strap and end handles help ensure it’s never too difficult to lug from one hang to the next.Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light$20$2931% off$20If your grad is about to move in with a roommate or partner, Glocusent’s LED Neck Reading Light is a particularly useful gift. With adjustable brightness and warmth settings, the wearable neck lamp can help them comfortably pore over textbooks late into the night. It’s also not insanely bright, or at least not enough that it’ll keep their roommate awake.$20 at Amazon (with on-page coupon)
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  • Skullcandy Method 360 ANC vs. Bose QuietComfort: Comparing Bose-powered earbuds

    Table of Contents

    Table of Contents

    Table of Contents
    Skullcandy vs. Bose: Sound quality
    Skullcandy vs. Bose: Noise cancellation
    Skullcandy vs. Bose: Comfort and design
    Skullcandy vs. Bose: Battery life
    Skullcandy vs. Bose: Companion apps and extra features
    Our winner: Get the Bose earbuds on sale
    How We Tested
    Frequently Asked Questions

    The noise-cancelling earbuds market is not just crowded — it's packed. If a brand wants to stand out with a new release, it faces the difficult task of bringing something new to the table that can outshine the products of the major brands like Sony, Apple, and, of course, Bose. Skullcandy's new earbuds, the Method 360 ANC earbuds, are attempting to do just that by partnering with one of those major brands — Bose. The earbuds come with Bose-powered sound at the very impressive introductory price of. The cheapest Bose earbuds, on the other hand, are the QuietComfort earbuds, which retail for Though they are considerably more expensive, they do often go on sale for and have reached the record-low price of which made us especially curious to put them head to head with the Skullcandy earbuds.Below, you'll find our breakdown of how the Bose QuietComfort earbuds compare to the Skullcandy Method 360 ANCs.

    Skullcandy vs. Bose: Sound qualityIn the press release for the Method 360 earbuds, Skullcandy called them its "most advanced audio experience to date." In listening to everything from indie rock, video game soundtracks, and podcasts, I can see why. The Skullcandy earbuds had a balance that matched up easily to other impressive budget earbuds I've tested. Whether I was listening to the Final Fantasy VII soundtrack or a live Daft Punk performance, these earbuds punched above a price point.

    How does Bose-powered sound compare to the real deal?
    Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

    However, when listening to them side by side with the Bose earbuds, the Skullcandy earbuds felt muffled and muddier.When listening to Japanese Breakfast's "Savage Good Boy," I could still pick out different parts of the song's instrumentation, but I had to listen harder to pick up the piano past the guitar and vocals than I did with the Bose earbuds. While listening to the "Hush" by The Marías, the layers of the song were present with the Skullcandy earbuds, but shined with the Boses. Ultimately, the Skullcandys provided a solid listening experience, but the one the Bose earbuds provided was undeniably better. At the same volume, the QuietComfort earbuds sounded warmer, fuller, and generally more powerful.Bose offers five total EQ presets, plus a custom setting.
    Credit: Screenshot: Bose

    Compared to Skullcandy's three presets and custom equalizer.
    Credit: Screenshot: Skullcandy

    For both, I found their standard mix to be on the bass-heavy side. However, Bose offers five EQ presets and a custom equalizer, compared to Skullcandy's three presets with a custom equalizer.Winner: Bose QuietComfortSkullcandy vs. Bose: Noise cancellationSkullcandy uses four mics to help block out sound, compared to the QuietComforts' three mics.That said, Bose's earbuds literally have the words quiet and comfort in their name. Not to mention, the brand's been a leader in the noise-cancelling space for quite some time. Whether I was working at home with my partner on the other side of the wall, in a cafe, library, or taking a walk, I generally found the Bose earbuds more adept at muting and outright blocking out sounds. That especially came through when I used just the noise cancellation without music to help it.However, the Skullcandy earbuds do offer adjustable ANC via the companion app, which isn't currently available on any pair of Bose earbuds. For their price point, it's not a feature I expected, but one I was pleasantly surprised to encounter. At its highest setting, the noise cancellation only had the slightest hiss. While Bose essentially had none at all in my experience, I was still surprised that the Skullcandy's noise cancellation was comparable at all, considering the price discrepancy.

    The Skullcandy companion app allows you to adjust the ANC on a sliding scale.
    Credit: Screenshot: Skullcandy

    And still, it's worth saying: the Skullcandy earbuds' ANC is very impressive for the price point. While working at the library, I could barely hear the murmurs of a conversation across the room that I could make out word for word without wearing the earbuds. On the Bose buds, the conversation disappeared altogether, giving them the slightest edge. Both earbuds allow you to toggle the ANC on and off and activate a transparency mode. With this last setting, the Bose stood out more effortlessly, amplifying the world around me just enough without overly emphasizing sounds or the room tone. The Skullcandy earbuds, on the other hand, exhibited a stronger background hiss in this mode. It didn't make it unusable by any means, but definitely less pleasant than that of the Bose earbuds.Winner: Bose QuietComfort, by a hair Skullcandy vs. Bose: Comfort and designFor how they fit into the ear, the designs are quite similar on these earbuds, which makes them wear very similarly. In my ears, I found the Bose earbuds to be slightly more comfortable, but both pairs come with three sizes of stability bands and three sizes of ear tips. At the end of the day, fit can be very personal, especially with earbuds.

    The earbuds have a similar shape, and both come equipped with a similar type of ear tip and stability band.
    Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

    As for the earbuds themselves, the Skullcandy earbuds actually resembled the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds more, with a slightly elongated stem and exterior touch controls with the perfect level of sensitivity. As someone who far prefers tactile on-ear controls, I was surprised by how well these earbuds distinguished the different types of presses. I think because the earbud has a slight groove where the touch controls are, it's easy to identify where to touch, and to not brush against the surface and activate the controls accidentally.On the other hand, the regular QC earbuds have a flatter, more rounded touch control surface, which, in my testing of these earbuds last fall, I found to err on the side of oversensitivity. While I didn't experience that issue much this time around, it's worth noting that I tested them initially during a time of year I was wearing more hats and hoods.

    The Skullcandy earbuds perform like the Bose QuietComfort earbudsbut look more like the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds.
    Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

    The Skullcandy earbuds might've taken the win in this section, if not for one glaring feature — their case. Unlike most other earbuds cases that merely snap open and closed, this one has a sliding mechanism with an O-ring and a slot for one earbud on either side of the interior case. If the intention was to create something outside of the box, Skullcandy did a great job, but it sacrificed some functionality in the process.

    This case is super bulky.
    Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

    As you can see, the case is huge compared to the earbuds, meaning if you're not using the O-ring, it is one of the least travel-friendly pairs of earbuds out there. In their design, Skullcandy seemed to assume that's how most people would use the case, as they placed the earbuds on the opposite side of the case. In other words, when looking at it head-on, the right earbud goes on the left side, and the left earbud goes on the right side. If you have the case clipped onto your belt with the front facing outward, this configuration makes perfect sense. In pretty much every other use case, it makes none.The Bose case, on the other hand, is relatively compact and has a clear spot for each earbud.

    The Bose earbuds don't have a clip-on ring, but feel marginally more portable.
    Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

    Both earbuds are IPX4 water-resistant, so they should withstand sweating during workouts just fine.Our winner: TieSkullcandy vs. Bose: Battery lifeThere's not much to say here other than both of these earbuds have excellent battery life. With ANC on, Skullcandy estimates you can get roughly nine hours per charge, with 23 hours of battery life in the case. Bose estimates 8.5 hours, with 31.5 hours in the case. Numbers-wise, Bose is the winner here, but in two work weeks of testing, I only needed to charge up the Skullcandy earbuds once. The Bose app has a feature that lets you easily see the hours breakdown of your remaining battery life, but it's not something I checked on super regularly during testing.

    Related Stories

    The Bose app makes it easy to tell how much playtime you have left.
    Credit: Screenshot: Bose

    For day-to-day use, I found these earbuds performed very similar in the battery life department.Our winner: TieSkullcandy vs. Bose: Companion apps and extra featuresWhen testing these earbuds side by side, I noticed right away that the Bose-powered element doesn't make itself hidden. Skullcandy adopted the Bose QuietComfort's power-on sound, voice assistant, and tiled app interface.

    The Skullcandy app.
    Credit: Screenshot: Skullcandy

    Versus the Bose app.
    Credit: Screenshot: Bose

    While the Bose app has a few more features, including a battery prediction, smart calls, and a voice assistant section, there's also quite a bit of overlap. Both have equalizer settings, touch control customization, low latency modes, and even a remote selfie section.Numbers-wise, Bose simply has more features you can mess around with to truly tailor your earbud experience to what suits you best. Features-wise, Skullcandy has a slight edge with adjustable ANC, but Bose's better ANC overall, alongside the greater customization, its battery prediction screen, and more varied EQ presets help it stand out ahead of the cheaper earbuds.Our winner: Bose QuietComfortOur winner: Get the Bose earbuds on saleThe fact that a pair of Skullcandy earbuds can stand up to Bose earbuds at all is a testament to what the brand has done with the Method 360 ANCs. While overall, I wouldn't call them exactly the same, I would say they're similar enough that you won't be upset to grab them at If they stayed at their introductory price forever, they'd be easy to recommend as the winner of this matchup.However, they will be jumping up to Combined with the fact that the Bose earbuds get marked down to frequently enough that these earbuds will sit just apart with some regularity, it's hard not to suggest just springing the extra to get slightly better earbuds with slightly more features.

    Get the Skullcandy and Bose earbuds

    Bose QuietComfort earbuds

    Skullcandy Method 360 ANC

    Still can't decide? Check out our full reviews of the Bose QuietComfort earbuds and the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds. If you have a bigger budget, we recommend checking out our review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds.
    #skullcandy #method #anc #bose #quietcomfort
    Skullcandy Method 360 ANC vs. Bose QuietComfort: Comparing Bose-powered earbuds
    Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents Skullcandy vs. Bose: Sound quality Skullcandy vs. Bose: Noise cancellation Skullcandy vs. Bose: Comfort and design Skullcandy vs. Bose: Battery life Skullcandy vs. Bose: Companion apps and extra features Our winner: Get the Bose earbuds on sale How We Tested Frequently Asked Questions The noise-cancelling earbuds market is not just crowded — it's packed. If a brand wants to stand out with a new release, it faces the difficult task of bringing something new to the table that can outshine the products of the major brands like Sony, Apple, and, of course, Bose. Skullcandy's new earbuds, the Method 360 ANC earbuds, are attempting to do just that by partnering with one of those major brands — Bose. The earbuds come with Bose-powered sound at the very impressive introductory price of. The cheapest Bose earbuds, on the other hand, are the QuietComfort earbuds, which retail for Though they are considerably more expensive, they do often go on sale for and have reached the record-low price of which made us especially curious to put them head to head with the Skullcandy earbuds.Below, you'll find our breakdown of how the Bose QuietComfort earbuds compare to the Skullcandy Method 360 ANCs. Skullcandy vs. Bose: Sound qualityIn the press release for the Method 360 earbuds, Skullcandy called them its "most advanced audio experience to date." In listening to everything from indie rock, video game soundtracks, and podcasts, I can see why. The Skullcandy earbuds had a balance that matched up easily to other impressive budget earbuds I've tested. Whether I was listening to the Final Fantasy VII soundtrack or a live Daft Punk performance, these earbuds punched above a price point. How does Bose-powered sound compare to the real deal? Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable However, when listening to them side by side with the Bose earbuds, the Skullcandy earbuds felt muffled and muddier.When listening to Japanese Breakfast's "Savage Good Boy," I could still pick out different parts of the song's instrumentation, but I had to listen harder to pick up the piano past the guitar and vocals than I did with the Bose earbuds. While listening to the "Hush" by The Marías, the layers of the song were present with the Skullcandy earbuds, but shined with the Boses. Ultimately, the Skullcandys provided a solid listening experience, but the one the Bose earbuds provided was undeniably better. At the same volume, the QuietComfort earbuds sounded warmer, fuller, and generally more powerful.Bose offers five total EQ presets, plus a custom setting. Credit: Screenshot: Bose Compared to Skullcandy's three presets and custom equalizer. Credit: Screenshot: Skullcandy For both, I found their standard mix to be on the bass-heavy side. However, Bose offers five EQ presets and a custom equalizer, compared to Skullcandy's three presets with a custom equalizer.Winner: Bose QuietComfortSkullcandy vs. Bose: Noise cancellationSkullcandy uses four mics to help block out sound, compared to the QuietComforts' three mics.That said, Bose's earbuds literally have the words quiet and comfort in their name. Not to mention, the brand's been a leader in the noise-cancelling space for quite some time. Whether I was working at home with my partner on the other side of the wall, in a cafe, library, or taking a walk, I generally found the Bose earbuds more adept at muting and outright blocking out sounds. That especially came through when I used just the noise cancellation without music to help it.However, the Skullcandy earbuds do offer adjustable ANC via the companion app, which isn't currently available on any pair of Bose earbuds. For their price point, it's not a feature I expected, but one I was pleasantly surprised to encounter. At its highest setting, the noise cancellation only had the slightest hiss. While Bose essentially had none at all in my experience, I was still surprised that the Skullcandy's noise cancellation was comparable at all, considering the price discrepancy. The Skullcandy companion app allows you to adjust the ANC on a sliding scale. Credit: Screenshot: Skullcandy And still, it's worth saying: the Skullcandy earbuds' ANC is very impressive for the price point. While working at the library, I could barely hear the murmurs of a conversation across the room that I could make out word for word without wearing the earbuds. On the Bose buds, the conversation disappeared altogether, giving them the slightest edge. Both earbuds allow you to toggle the ANC on and off and activate a transparency mode. With this last setting, the Bose stood out more effortlessly, amplifying the world around me just enough without overly emphasizing sounds or the room tone. The Skullcandy earbuds, on the other hand, exhibited a stronger background hiss in this mode. It didn't make it unusable by any means, but definitely less pleasant than that of the Bose earbuds.Winner: Bose QuietComfort, by a hair Skullcandy vs. Bose: Comfort and designFor how they fit into the ear, the designs are quite similar on these earbuds, which makes them wear very similarly. In my ears, I found the Bose earbuds to be slightly more comfortable, but both pairs come with three sizes of stability bands and three sizes of ear tips. At the end of the day, fit can be very personal, especially with earbuds. The earbuds have a similar shape, and both come equipped with a similar type of ear tip and stability band. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable As for the earbuds themselves, the Skullcandy earbuds actually resembled the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds more, with a slightly elongated stem and exterior touch controls with the perfect level of sensitivity. As someone who far prefers tactile on-ear controls, I was surprised by how well these earbuds distinguished the different types of presses. I think because the earbud has a slight groove where the touch controls are, it's easy to identify where to touch, and to not brush against the surface and activate the controls accidentally.On the other hand, the regular QC earbuds have a flatter, more rounded touch control surface, which, in my testing of these earbuds last fall, I found to err on the side of oversensitivity. While I didn't experience that issue much this time around, it's worth noting that I tested them initially during a time of year I was wearing more hats and hoods. The Skullcandy earbuds perform like the Bose QuietComfort earbudsbut look more like the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable The Skullcandy earbuds might've taken the win in this section, if not for one glaring feature — their case. Unlike most other earbuds cases that merely snap open and closed, this one has a sliding mechanism with an O-ring and a slot for one earbud on either side of the interior case. If the intention was to create something outside of the box, Skullcandy did a great job, but it sacrificed some functionality in the process. This case is super bulky. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable As you can see, the case is huge compared to the earbuds, meaning if you're not using the O-ring, it is one of the least travel-friendly pairs of earbuds out there. In their design, Skullcandy seemed to assume that's how most people would use the case, as they placed the earbuds on the opposite side of the case. In other words, when looking at it head-on, the right earbud goes on the left side, and the left earbud goes on the right side. If you have the case clipped onto your belt with the front facing outward, this configuration makes perfect sense. In pretty much every other use case, it makes none.The Bose case, on the other hand, is relatively compact and has a clear spot for each earbud. The Bose earbuds don't have a clip-on ring, but feel marginally more portable. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable Both earbuds are IPX4 water-resistant, so they should withstand sweating during workouts just fine.Our winner: TieSkullcandy vs. Bose: Battery lifeThere's not much to say here other than both of these earbuds have excellent battery life. With ANC on, Skullcandy estimates you can get roughly nine hours per charge, with 23 hours of battery life in the case. Bose estimates 8.5 hours, with 31.5 hours in the case. Numbers-wise, Bose is the winner here, but in two work weeks of testing, I only needed to charge up the Skullcandy earbuds once. The Bose app has a feature that lets you easily see the hours breakdown of your remaining battery life, but it's not something I checked on super regularly during testing. Related Stories The Bose app makes it easy to tell how much playtime you have left. Credit: Screenshot: Bose For day-to-day use, I found these earbuds performed very similar in the battery life department.Our winner: TieSkullcandy vs. Bose: Companion apps and extra featuresWhen testing these earbuds side by side, I noticed right away that the Bose-powered element doesn't make itself hidden. Skullcandy adopted the Bose QuietComfort's power-on sound, voice assistant, and tiled app interface. The Skullcandy app. Credit: Screenshot: Skullcandy Versus the Bose app. Credit: Screenshot: Bose While the Bose app has a few more features, including a battery prediction, smart calls, and a voice assistant section, there's also quite a bit of overlap. Both have equalizer settings, touch control customization, low latency modes, and even a remote selfie section.Numbers-wise, Bose simply has more features you can mess around with to truly tailor your earbud experience to what suits you best. Features-wise, Skullcandy has a slight edge with adjustable ANC, but Bose's better ANC overall, alongside the greater customization, its battery prediction screen, and more varied EQ presets help it stand out ahead of the cheaper earbuds.Our winner: Bose QuietComfortOur winner: Get the Bose earbuds on saleThe fact that a pair of Skullcandy earbuds can stand up to Bose earbuds at all is a testament to what the brand has done with the Method 360 ANCs. While overall, I wouldn't call them exactly the same, I would say they're similar enough that you won't be upset to grab them at If they stayed at their introductory price forever, they'd be easy to recommend as the winner of this matchup.However, they will be jumping up to Combined with the fact that the Bose earbuds get marked down to frequently enough that these earbuds will sit just apart with some regularity, it's hard not to suggest just springing the extra to get slightly better earbuds with slightly more features. Get the Skullcandy and Bose earbuds Bose QuietComfort earbuds Skullcandy Method 360 ANC Still can't decide? Check out our full reviews of the Bose QuietComfort earbuds and the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds. If you have a bigger budget, we recommend checking out our review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds. #skullcandy #method #anc #bose #quietcomfort
    MASHABLE.COM
    Skullcandy Method 360 ANC vs. Bose QuietComfort: Comparing Bose-powered earbuds
    Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents Skullcandy vs. Bose: Sound quality Skullcandy vs. Bose: Noise cancellation Skullcandy vs. Bose: Comfort and design Skullcandy vs. Bose: Battery life Skullcandy vs. Bose: Companion apps and extra features Our winner: Get the Bose earbuds on sale How We Tested Frequently Asked Questions The noise-cancelling earbuds market is not just crowded — it's packed. If a brand wants to stand out with a new release, it faces the difficult task of bringing something new to the table that can outshine the products of the major brands like Sony, Apple, and, of course, Bose. Skullcandy's new earbuds, the Method 360 ANC earbuds, are attempting to do just that by partnering with one of those major brands — Bose. The earbuds come with Bose-powered sound at the very impressive introductory price of $99.99 (Skullcandy will be raising the price to $129.99 at an unspecified date in the future). The cheapest Bose earbuds, on the other hand, are the QuietComfort earbuds, which retail for $179. Though they are considerably more expensive, they do often go on sale for $149 and have reached the record-low price of $129, which made us especially curious to put them head to head with the Skullcandy earbuds.Below, you'll find our breakdown of how the Bose QuietComfort earbuds compare to the Skullcandy Method 360 ANCs. Skullcandy vs. Bose: Sound qualityIn the press release for the Method 360 earbuds, Skullcandy called them its "most advanced audio experience to date." In listening to everything from indie rock, video game soundtracks, and podcasts, I can see why. The Skullcandy earbuds had a balance that matched up easily to other impressive budget earbuds I've tested. Whether I was listening to the Final Fantasy VII soundtrack or a live Daft Punk performance, these earbuds punched above a $100 price point. How does Bose-powered sound compare to the real deal? Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable However, when listening to them side by side with the Bose earbuds, the Skullcandy earbuds felt muffled and muddier (though I wouldn't describe them as muddy on their own).When listening to Japanese Breakfast's "Savage Good Boy," I could still pick out different parts of the song's instrumentation, but I had to listen harder to pick up the piano past the guitar and vocals than I did with the Bose earbuds. While listening to the "Hush (Still Woozy remix)" by The Marías, the layers of the song were present with the Skullcandy earbuds, but shined with the Boses. Ultimately, the Skullcandys provided a solid listening experience, but the one the Bose earbuds provided was undeniably better. At the same volume, the QuietComfort earbuds sounded warmer, fuller, and generally more powerful. (I say this as someone who doesn't necessarily love bumping the volume super high.) Bose offers five total EQ presets, plus a custom setting. Credit: Screenshot: Bose Compared to Skullcandy's three presets and custom equalizer. Credit: Screenshot: Skullcandy For both, I found their standard mix to be on the bass-heavy side. However, Bose offers five EQ presets and a custom equalizer, compared to Skullcandy's three presets with a custom equalizer.Winner: Bose QuietComfortSkullcandy vs. Bose: Noise cancellationSkullcandy uses four mics to help block out sound, compared to the QuietComforts' three mics.That said, Bose's earbuds literally have the words quiet and comfort in their name. Not to mention, the brand's been a leader in the noise-cancelling space for quite some time. Whether I was working at home with my partner on the other side of the wall, in a cafe, library, or taking a walk, I generally found the Bose earbuds more adept at muting and outright blocking out sounds. That especially came through when I used just the noise cancellation without music to help it.However, the Skullcandy earbuds do offer adjustable ANC via the companion app, which isn't currently available on any pair of Bose earbuds. For their price point, it's not a feature I expected, but one I was pleasantly surprised to encounter. At its highest setting, the noise cancellation only had the slightest hiss. While Bose essentially had none at all in my experience, I was still surprised that the Skullcandy's noise cancellation was comparable at all, considering the price discrepancy. The Skullcandy companion app allows you to adjust the ANC on a sliding scale. Credit: Screenshot: Skullcandy And still, it's worth saying: the Skullcandy earbuds' ANC is very impressive for the price point. While working at the library, I could barely hear the murmurs of a conversation across the room that I could make out word for word without wearing the earbuds. On the Bose buds, the conversation disappeared altogether, giving them the slightest edge. Both earbuds allow you to toggle the ANC on and off and activate a transparency mode. With this last setting, the Bose stood out more effortlessly, amplifying the world around me just enough without overly emphasizing sounds or the room tone. The Skullcandy earbuds, on the other hand, exhibited a stronger background hiss in this mode. It didn't make it unusable by any means, but definitely less pleasant than that of the Bose earbuds.Winner: Bose QuietComfort, by a hair Skullcandy vs. Bose: Comfort and designFor how they fit into the ear, the designs are quite similar on these earbuds, which makes them wear very similarly. In my ears, I found the Bose earbuds to be slightly more comfortable, but both pairs come with three sizes of stability bands and three sizes of ear tips. At the end of the day, fit can be very personal, especially with earbuds. The earbuds have a similar shape, and both come equipped with a similar type of ear tip and stability band. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable As for the earbuds themselves, the Skullcandy earbuds actually resembled the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds more, with a slightly elongated stem and exterior touch controls with the perfect level of sensitivity. As someone who far prefers tactile on-ear controls, I was surprised by how well these earbuds distinguished the different types of presses. I think because the earbud has a slight groove where the touch controls are, it's easy to identify where to touch, and to not brush against the surface and activate the controls accidentally.On the other hand, the regular QC earbuds have a flatter, more rounded touch control surface, which, in my testing of these earbuds last fall, I found to err on the side of oversensitivity. While I didn't experience that issue much this time around, it's worth noting that I tested them initially during a time of year I was wearing more hats and hoods. The Skullcandy earbuds perform like the Bose QuietComfort earbuds (pictured left) but look more like the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (pictured right). Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable The Skullcandy earbuds might've taken the win in this section, if not for one glaring feature — their case. Unlike most other earbuds cases that merely snap open and closed, this one has a sliding mechanism with an O-ring and a slot for one earbud on either side of the interior case. If the intention was to create something outside of the box, Skullcandy did a great job, but it sacrificed some functionality in the process. This case is super bulky. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable As you can see, the case is huge compared to the earbuds, meaning if you're not using the O-ring, it is one of the least travel-friendly pairs of earbuds out there. In their design, Skullcandy seemed to assume that's how most people would use the case, as they placed the earbuds on the opposite side of the case. In other words, when looking at it head-on, the right earbud goes on the left side, and the left earbud goes on the right side. If you have the case clipped onto your belt with the front facing outward, this configuration makes perfect sense. In pretty much every other use case, it makes none.The Bose case, on the other hand, is relatively compact and has a clear spot for each earbud. The Bose earbuds don't have a clip-on ring, but feel marginally more portable. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable Both earbuds are IPX4 water-resistant, so they should withstand sweating during workouts just fine.Our winner: TieSkullcandy vs. Bose: Battery lifeThere's not much to say here other than both of these earbuds have excellent battery life. With ANC on, Skullcandy estimates you can get roughly nine hours per charge, with 23 hours of battery life in the case. Bose estimates 8.5 hours, with 31.5 hours in the case. Numbers-wise, Bose is the winner here, but in two work weeks of testing, I only needed to charge up the Skullcandy earbuds once. The Bose app has a feature that lets you easily see the hours breakdown of your remaining battery life, but it's not something I checked on super regularly during testing. Related Stories The Bose app makes it easy to tell how much playtime you have left. Credit: Screenshot: Bose For day-to-day use, I found these earbuds performed very similar in the battery life department.Our winner: TieSkullcandy vs. Bose: Companion apps and extra featuresWhen testing these earbuds side by side, I noticed right away that the Bose-powered element doesn't make itself hidden. Skullcandy adopted the Bose QuietComfort's power-on sound, voice assistant, and tiled app interface. The Skullcandy app. Credit: Screenshot: Skullcandy Versus the Bose app. Credit: Screenshot: Bose While the Bose app has a few more features, including a battery prediction, smart calls, and a voice assistant section, there's also quite a bit of overlap. Both have equalizer settings, touch control customization, low latency modes, and even a remote selfie section.Numbers-wise, Bose simply has more features you can mess around with to truly tailor your earbud experience to what suits you best. Features-wise, Skullcandy has a slight edge with adjustable ANC, but Bose's better ANC overall, alongside the greater customization, its battery prediction screen, and more varied EQ presets help it stand out ahead of the cheaper earbuds.Our winner: Bose QuietComfortOur winner: Get the Bose earbuds on saleThe fact that a pair of Skullcandy earbuds can stand up to Bose earbuds at all is a testament to what the brand has done with the Method 360 ANCs. While overall, I wouldn't call them exactly the same, I would say they're similar enough that you won't be upset to grab them at $100. If they stayed at their introductory price forever, they'd be easy to recommend as the winner of this matchup.However, they will be jumping up to $129.99. Combined with the fact that the Bose earbuds get marked down to $149 frequently enough that these earbuds will sit just $20 apart with some regularity, it's hard not to suggest just springing the extra $20 to get slightly better earbuds with slightly more features. Get the Skullcandy and Bose earbuds Bose QuietComfort earbuds $179.00 at Amazon Skullcandy Method 360 ANC $99.99 at Amazon Still can't decide? Check out our full reviews of the Bose QuietComfort earbuds and the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds. If you have a bigger budget, we recommend checking out our review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds.
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