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Cyber Monday deals include Sony’s WH-1000XM5 headphones for an all-time low

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The previous generation of Sony's wireless headphones, the excellent WH-1000XM5, are available for as low as $248 for Cyber Monday. That's nearly equal to the record low the headphones hit on Prime Day, and $152 off their normal $400 price. Sony's flagship noise-canceling headphones are now the WH-1000XM6, but if you're on a budget, you'll still get a fantastic audio experience from the older model, especially at this heavily discounted price.

We awarded the WH-1000XM5 a score of 95 in our 2022 review, praising the supremely comfortable redesign, sound quality and powerful ANC. Battery life is also very respectable at 30 hours. We found the punchy bass an improvement over their predecessors, and the overall sound deeper and more immersive than the M4 headphones. As for noise-canceling, Sony’s decision to double the number of microphones and processors used for ANC means an improvement in blocking higher frequency sounds, such as human voices. They aren’t entirely baby scream-proof, but then few headphones are.

Naturally, the WH-1000XM6 that this year replaced the M5 as Sony’s flagship model offers even better sound quality and noise cancellation, while remaining extremely comfortable throughout long listening sessions. But they’re also a lot more expensive at $450 — they're on sale now for $398 for Cyber Monday, so you have the option to upgrade to the latest flagship if you're willing to spend a bit more. However, we still think the XM5 deal is the best value for most people here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/cyber-monday-deals-include-sonys-wh-1000xm5-headphones-for-an-all-time-low-154524430.html?src=rss

Apple’s Cyber Monday sale includes the MacBook Air M4 for $250 off

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Cyber Monday is here with a special gift: 25 percent off Apple’s latest MacBook Air M4. The 13-inch model is down to $749, from $999 — as low as we've seen it. The MacBook Air M4 garnered a 92 in our review thanks to features like its sharp Liquid Retina display and impressive M4 performance.

The MacBook Air M4 continues Apple’s streak of refining what’s already its most popular laptop. It runs on the new M4 chip with a 10-core GPU, offering fast performance for everyday work, creative apps and light gaming. The upgrade from the M3 model is noticeable in both speed and efficiency, making it ideal for multitasking or editing photos and videos on the go.

Despite the power boost, it keeps the same slim profile that helped define the MacBook Air line. The unibody design is still one of the thinnest and lightest in its class, weighing just under three pounds, with a durable aluminum chassis available in four colors — midnight, starlight, silver and space gray. The fanless build keeps it completely silent during use, even when running intensive tasks.

The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display supports the P3 wide color gamut and reaches up to 500 nits of brightness, making text and images look crisp and vibrant whether you’re working indoors or near a window. You also get a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, a three-mic array for clear video calls and a four-speaker setup with Spatial Audio support.

Connectivity includes two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, a MagSafe 3 charging port and a headphone jack. Battery life remains one of its standout features, with Apple rating it at up to 18 hours on a single charge. That easily covers a full day of work or travel without reaching for the charger.

There are a few small limitations, like the lack of a high refresh rate display and the fact that both USB-C ports sit on the same side. Still, for most users, the MacBook Air M4 strikes the best balance between power, portability and price.

If you want a larger screen, Apple’s 15-inch MacBook Air M4 offers the same specs with more workspace, but the 13-inch remains the best pick for portability. You can read more about how it compares to other Apple laptops in our guide to the best MacBooks. This MacBook Air M4 deal makes one of Apple’s best laptops an even smarter buy.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-cyber-monday-sale-includes-the-macbook-air-m4-for-250-off-152818266.html?src=rss

This Cyber Monday 2025 deal drops the Meta Quest 3S VR headset to a record-low price

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Cyber Monday deals have come for VR headsets, and you can pick up our favorite budget set for less than usual. Meta's entry-level Quest 3S is 17 percent off and down to $250 for the 128GB version right now. Its normal price is $300, and with this version you get the game Gorilla Tag for free.

The Meta Quest 3S is an impressive VR headset for the price, and scored a 90 in Engadget's review, landing it among our picks for the best VR headsets around right now. It's comfortable to wear, gets over two hours of battery life before needing to be recharged and offers a 96-degree field of view. While its 1,830 by 1,920 pixel per eye screen doesn't quite achieve the sharpness of the Quest 3, it does have the same chip — the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 — as the pricier model, making for fast performance. It also comes with 8GB of RAM.

The Quest 3S also comes with the Touch Plus controllers, which have button and joystick controls as well as motion controls. It can also connect to gaming PCs and stream gameplay to Chromecast and AirPlay devices. Despite being relatively inexpensive, the 3S offers a great experience. In his review, Engadget's Devindra Hardawar said the 3S is "the best $300 standalone VR headset we've ever seen."

Elsewhere in Meta Cyber Monady deals, the Meta Ray-Ban Gen 1 smart glasses are 20 percent off and down to $239.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-cyber-monday-2025-deal-drops-the-meta-quest-3s-vr-headset-to-a-record-low-price-151719747.html?src=rss

Three months of Audible for $3 is still available the day after Cyber Monday

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Cyber Monday might be over, but some of our favorite subscription deals haven't gone away just yet. From video streaming services to budgeting apps, many services will have some promotion you may be able to take advantage of. One of the best we're tracking is for Audible. You can sign up and get your first three months for just $3 in total.

That's $1 per month for your first three months of audiobooks. Just make sure you cancel before the 90 days are up, otherwise the subscription will auto-renew for its normal $15 per month price. That's a solid deal if you want to sample Audible before you decide to commit.

Audible has a diverse catalog that goes beyond audiobooks. It also hosts podcasts and Audible Originals. Subscribers get to choose one audiobook each month to keep in their collection for free, including best-sellers or new releases. Users also get unlimited access to the Plus Catalog, which houses thousands of audiobooks. Finally, active members get discounts on many audiobooks when looking to purchase. Winter is coming and this is a good way to make sure you have plenty to listen to throughout the next three months. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/three-months-of-audible-for-3-is-still-available-the-day-after-cyber-monday-151010648.html?src=rss

Cyber Monday Apple deals start now: AirPods Pro 3 are $30 off and down to a record low

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Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 are already shaping up to be one of the most sought-after tech gifts this season, and now you can grab them at a lower price. They’re on sale for $220, down from the regular $249. Previously, the lowest we’ve seen the AirPods Pro 3 discounted to is $239. If you’ve been holding off on upgrading your earbuds, this is the deal worth grabbing.

Apple didn’t reinvent its flagship earbuds with the AirPods Pro 3, but it made smart refinements that elevate nearly every part of the listening experience. We praised these earbuds in our AirPods Pro 3 review for delivering noticeably richer audio and more effective active noise cancellation while keeping the same pocketable form factor that made earlier models so popular.

The standout upgrade here is Apple’s Live Translation feature, which was an unexpected but welcome surprise, announced at the iPhone 17 event. Leveraging Apple’s H2 chip, the AirPods Pro 3 combines Voice Isolation, ANC and beamforming mics to kick Live Translation into action. Siri’s translation filters seamlessly through the earbuds, but if environmental noise gets too intrusive, you can view a real-time transcription in the iOS Translate app, which is a useful feature for international travel and business calls.

Battery life has improved, too. You get up to eight hours on a single charge with ANC on, and the case adds another 24 hours of playback. The MagSafe charging case, with its new U2 chip, now supports an increased distance for Precision Find My, so it’s easier to locate if misplaced.

Since we’re talking about earbuds, audio quality plays a key role in deciding whether to purchase the AirPods Pro 3 or upgrade from a previous model. Although improvements have been made to sound quality through new drivers and transducers, Apple’s decision to increase air flow inside the earbuds has been the most noticeable update. You can expect the AirPods Pro 3 to deliver deeper bass, crisper highs, and an expanded soundstage that makes everything from podcasts to orchestral tracks feel more dynamic.

There’s not much to fault here beyond the familiar Apple premium price, but that’s why this AirPods Pro 3 deal is such good news. The AirPods Pro 3 remain the best wireless earbuds for iPhone users who want seamless connectivity, top-tier ANC and reliable comfort. Elsewhere when it comes to Cyber Monday AirPod deals, the AirPods 4 with ANC are down to $99.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/cyber-monday-apple-deals-start-now-airpods-pro-3-are-30-off-and-down-to-a-record-low-144509574.html?src=rss

There’s a cute voice messaging app for Playdate now

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If your friend group or family happens to include multiple Playdate owners, there's now a cute way to chat amongst yourselves right within the device. Jon Simantov, the developer who gave us Cranky Cove, has released an app called helloyellow where you can send voice messages, create group chats and share achievements with anyone you've added as a friend. It's available to download from itch.io for free, with some limitations, or $5 to get the full version. Now, excuse me while I lament being the only person in my circle with a passion for weird little gadgets. 

A screenshot of a chat in the helloyellow app on a Playdate
A screenshot of a chat in the helloyellow app
Jon Simantov

The app works over Wi-Fi, but you can record messages even when you're offline that will be sent once you reconnect. You can also record voice notes for yourself. The full version of helloyellow allows for messages of up to 10 minutes long, while messages in the free version are capped at two minutes. Friends are added via hellocodes, and there's an emoji library so you can send reactions. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/theres-a-cute-voice-messaging-app-for-playdate-now-223620942.html?src=rss

Netflix’s Assassin’s Creed TV show could kick off in ancient Rome

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Fans of the Assassin's Creed franchise may finally get to visit Ancient Rome, but it could instead be through a Netflix adaptation of Ubisoft's best-selling video game IP. Nexus Point News reported that the live-action adaptation will be set in Ancient Rome and feature historical figures like Nero, the fifth emperor of Rome.

With the potential featuring of Nero, the news outlet predicts that the TV series could be set between 54 to 68 AD during the infamous emperor's rule. Details are still sparse about Netflix's latest video game adaptation, but the streaming giant and Ubisoft announced its first series regular of Toby Wallace, earlier this month. In the blog post, the plot was described as a "high-octane thriller centered on the secret war between two shadowy factions."

Before the first casting reveal, Netflix greenlit the Assassin's Creed TV show in July of this year, five years after the announcement that a series was being produced. While the original plan to introduce multiple different series in the franchise's universe may have changed over the five-year gap, fans are still hoping for an anthology-like structure similar to the video games.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflixs-assassins-creed-tv-show-could-kick-off-in-ancient-rome-200238552.html?src=rss

Team Cherry is working on more Silksong content but won’t say when it’ll release

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Only roughly 15 percent of Hollow Knight: Silksong players have earned the 100 percent completion achievement, according to SteamDB. For the remaining percentage, there may still be plenty of time to finish the game before Team Cherry announces new content for the hit side-scrolling game. As first revealed by Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, the development team confirmed that it's working on a content update that could be similar in scale to the Hollow Knight: Godmaster DLC.

According to the report, the new content could feature Steel Assassin Sharpe, a mysterious character that was teased several years ago but never made an official in-game appearance. In the interview, Team Cherry co-founder Ari Gibson said that this character is "waiting in the wings" and added that "we're excited to reintroduce Sharpe." When asked if Steel Assassin Sharpe would appear in an upcoming DLC, Gibson said that it would "be a good opportunity to uncover more about them."

As exciting as more content for Silksong sounds, Team Cherry isn't ready to reveal any release dates yet. The team's other co-founder, William Pellen, told Bloomberg that Team Cherry will "start talking about it more soon, but maybe we won't mention a timeframe right now." As for the development team's plans beyond the Hollow Knight franchise, both co-founders mentioned that Team Cherry wants to make games outside the beloved universe.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/team-cherry-is-working-on-more-silksong-content-but-wont-say-when-itll-release-190606167.html?src=rss

The Ayaneo Next II is a hulking gaming handheld with a 9-inch display

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Ayaneo may be working on more affordable gaming handhelds lately, but it hasn't forgotten how to do the extravagant designs that the handheld maker is known for. One-upping the bulky Legion Go 2, Ayaneo announced its latest Windows handheld called the Next II.

Ayaneo is continuing the theme for its Next lineup of devices, making these handhelds as big and powerful as possible. The Next II packs a 9.06-inch OLED display with a 2,400 x 1,504 resolution and a variable refresh rate that can be adjusted between 60 and 165 Hz. Ayaneo's latest premium handheld should handle any game you throw at it thanks to an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chip and a massive 115 Wh battery. The company didn't reveal any battery life estimates yet, but it's unlikely we'll see all-day usage with these high-end specs.

Ayaneo showing off the Next II during its product showcase video.
Ayaneo

To match the powerful internal components, Ayaneo equipped the Next II with Hall effect joysticks and triggers to prevent deadzones and stick drift. Borrowing from its previous high-end handheld called the Ayaneo Kun, the Next II also features dual smart touchpads that can be customized with gesture controls and key mapping. The back of the handheld is home to four extra buttons, but you can also set specific controls for four other customizable buttons.

Ayaneo hasn't revealed any pricing details yet, but the Next II might be reserved for those willing to spend closer to $2,000. Don't forget that Ayaneo's previous flagship handheld, the Ayaneo Kun, could be fully kitted out for a $1,700 price tag.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-ayaneo-next-ii-is-a-hulking-gaming-handheld-with-a-9-inch-display-175018940.html?src=rss

Passengers face disruption as Airbus updates thousands of planes

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An Airbus directive that ordered the immediate software update for 6,000 A320 planes has lead to flight disruptions around the world. As Reuters notes, that’s more than half of the 11,300 A320 jets in operation. The narrow-body A320 is widely used globally, but its largest operator is American Airlines, which has 480 of the model in its fleet.

American Airlines said 340 planes out of the 480 it has need to be updated, with each plane taking two hours, during one of the busiest weekends for travel in the US. It told CNBC that it expects the “overwhelming majority” of those planes to be completed through the night, with only a handful remaining on November 29. The recall also heavily affects Asian carriers that rely on A320s for short-haul flights. Japan’s ANA had to cancel 95 domestic flights for Saturday, affecting over 13,000 passengers.

In its announcement, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency said it issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive after a problem manifested on a JetBlue flight back on October 30. Airbus said that an analysis of the event revealed “that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls.” Solar flares, or bursts of electromagnetic radiation from the sun, are known to cause radio blackouts and the disruption of satellite and GPS signals,. To prevent future issues, the affected planes would have to revert to an earlier version of their software.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/passengers-face-disruption-as-airbus-updates-thousands-of-planes-065955605.html?src=rss