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Headphones

Headphones were the original piece of wearable technology and they remain as essential today as ever. But they are starting to change rapidly now, as things like noise cancelling and Bluetooth wireless technology enable the dream of completely cable-free living. What will the best headphones of the future look like?

Stevie Bonifield
Stevie Bonifield
The Pixel Buds app is getting in on Google’s icon redesign.

As spotted by Android Authority, the Pixel Buds app is getting updated with a new icon in the same style as the recently-updated Google Workspace icons. Google is also tweaking the app’s landing page, which will now show all the Pixel Buds headphones paired with your phone on one screen.

The redesigned Pixel Buds app icon
Image: Google
Dominic Preston
Dominic Preston
A strong brand identity.

Look, I’m not saying Sony’s audio naming scheme is good, per se, but you can’t deny it’s distinct. Is it really willing to throw that away?

Hoto:

Are we sure the initial reporting is correct? Isn’t a Sony product more likely to be named the WH-C0113-X10N?

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Robert Hart
Robert Hart
Nothing IS brat. 

Charli xcx just invested in Nothing and was announced as the company’s first global brand ambassador. For their first promotion together the startup claims it had the singer wear the Nothing Headphone A for five days straight to test their 135-hour battery life.

John Higgins
John Higgins
The Buds 2 Plus Motorola showed at MWC are available tomorrow.

The Moto Buds 2 Plus will cost $149 — $20 more than the Moto Buds Plus released in 2024. The new buds will have Sound by Bose, two 11mm dynamic drivers with a Knowles balanced armature, support the LHDC5 low-latency audio codec, as well as Moto AI with compatible Motorola phones.

Andrew Liszewski
Andrew Liszewski
Sony’s new covers wrap your WF-1000XM6 earbuds in vegan leather.

The best (currently) noise-canceling earbuds will feel even more premium with Sony’s new $39.99 case covers that wrap the WF-1000XM6’s charging case in a smooth vegan leather finish. The cover is available in black and light gray, and while it makes the case slightly larger, it doesn’t inhibit wireless charging.

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Multiple photos of Sony’s WF-1000MX6 earbuds vegan leather case covers.
The new vegan leather WF-1000XM6 charging case covers match the colors of Sony’s flagship wireless earbuds.
Image: Sony
The best AirPods deals you can get right nowThe best AirPods deals you can get right now
Sheena Vasani and Brandon Widder
Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
Beats and Nike team up for a pair of Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds.

When Victoria Song reviewed the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, she found a lot to like about their slimmer ear hook and wireless charging, even before their iOS 26 upgrade. Now, Beats is launching this color-splashed collaboration, which is at least bright, even if it lacks the internal hardware updates of Apple’s new AirPods Max headphones.

They’ll go on sale on Nike.com, Apple.com, and other stores on Friday, March 20th, for $249.99.

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Promotional image of the Nike Powerbeats Pro 2
Image: Beats
Dominic Preston
Dominic Preston
Taking on your feedback.

Apple’s original AirPods Max are pretty extraordinary headphones with some very obvious flaws. More than five years on, we’re finally getting a sequel — which fixes absolutely none of them. Make it make sense, Apple.

sam flynn:

Customers: these are too heavy, too expensive for what they are, and have a dumb case

Apple: H2 chip :)

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