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As I write this, Im listening to tunes on my 2020-vintage AirPods Max. Yes, that makes me a bit of an Apple fanboy, and we currently recommend at least six pairs of headphones over them. But for me, they still sound outstanding, have great active noise cancellation and work well with my most-used devices. They also are missing a few features compared to the second-generation AirPods Pro that came out in 2022. That doesnt bother me, given that theyre almost four years old but the idea of spending the $550 that Apple is asking for the refreshed version of these headphones announced yesterday is ridiculous, even if it is a relief that they finally have USB-C. For context, Apple wasnt even expected to introduce an AirPods Max update at the iPhone 16 event but the day before, Apple prognosticator Mark Gurman at Bloomberg surprisingly said that the headphones would receive their first significant update. However, the update involved replacing the Lightning charging port with USB-C and some new colors. Thats it. Nothing to inspire an upgrade from Apple nutjobs like me (though I sorely wish my headphones did in fact have USB-C, now that Ive mostly moved away from Lightning devices). Im a fan of the new colors and would love to switch to USB-C, but not enough to spend $550 or even half that to be honest. On the other hand, Sony has updated its flagship headphones regularly, with the WH-1000XM3 arriving in 2018, the XM4 in 2020, the XM5 in 2022 and the XM6 expected in 2025. Most Sony users aren't going to upgrade from the XM4 to the XM5, or even a future XM6, as high-end headphones should last for years. But when you're buying a company's flagship headphones, you're getting the best product they could possibly make. Sony has made sure thats the case by refining the design, offering better battery life or improving ANC. Whats most frustrating about the AirPods Max update is that they had to do at least a modicum of internal redesign to drop in USB-C, so why not upgrade the chips to the H2 processors? The H1 varient inside the AirPods Max was first released in early 2019, as part of the second-generation AirPods. And now, all AirPods, including the just-announced $129 fourth-generation model, use that H2 processor. It enables useful improvements like adaptive audio, which essentially blurs the lines between traditional transparency and noise-canceling modes depending on the ambient sound around you. It also lets you nod or shake your head to respond to Siri rather than having to speak out loud. These features would certainly be welcome by potential AirPods Max buyers, but instead the incredibly expensive headphones are stuck with a five-year-old chip for the foreseeable future. I cant get over how silly that is considering the fact that entry-level AirPods are getting some of the benefits of the H2 processor. Of course, the AirPods Max have speaker quality and tuning that far exceeds what youll get from a $129 pair of earbuds. But as Apples top-tier headphone (in cost, if not features), theyre a tough sell given theyre missing features you can get on the AirPods 4 with ANC for a third of the price. Catch up on all the news from Apples iPhone 16 event! This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/why-are-apples-airpods-max-still-saddled-with-2020-hardware-200506426.html?src=rss
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If you grew up in the 1980s, then you probably remember the Carmen Sandiego games and how they turned learning boring old geography into a fun, criminal-catching adventure. Netflix, Gameloft and HarperCollins Productions are bringing the Carmen Sandiego franchise back with a brand new game that lets you play as the famous, fedora festooned felon. Netflix Games announced today that Carmen Sandiego will be released sometime in the first quarter of 2025 starting on the Netflix mobile streaming app for iOS and Android. The game will also be released on the Nintendo Switch, the PlayStation and Xbox consoles and for PC on Steam sometime later. Carmen Sandiego will be free for Netflix subscribers to play without any in-game purchases or online play. The new Carmen Sandiego puzzle-adventure game is based on the 2019 interactive Netflix cartoon series with Jane The Virgin star Gina Rodriguez voicing the titular thief. The new game picks up where the series left off but its more than just an interactive TV show. Netflix, GameLoft and HarperCollins will send players on an adventure across the world as Carmen Sandiego through a series of puzzle, clue gathering, flying and stealth missions. They'll track down members of the evil organization VILE based on clues that reveal each villains identity in various cities to obtain warrants and arrest them. Of course, prior to being rebooted on Netflix, Carmen Sandiego was a classic educational game series that started on computers in 1985 with Where In The World is Carmen Sandiego? The geography puzzle games asked players to track down Carmen and her den of appropriately named thieves who stole some of the worlds rarest cultural artifacts. The Carmen Sandiego games went through several variations and inspired the iconic kids game show on PBS in 1991 that ran for five seasons. The series also spawned a Saturday morning cartoon on FOX and a Netflix animated series. Netflix is also producing a live-action Carmen Sandiego film starring Rodriguez in the lead role, according to Entertainment Tonight.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-new-carmen-sandiego-game-will-let-you-play-as-carmen-sandiego-194540530.html?src=rss
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Every year, the calculus of choosing which iPhone to get feels increasingly frustrating. Do you opt for the standard iPhone? Do you splurge for the latest and greatest Pro model, something that might take two years to pay off completely? Or should you just buy a slightly older used or refurbished model to get the best deal possible? And of course, there's always the safest bet: Save your money and keep your current phone for as long as possible. After sitting with Apple's announcements for a day, one thing has become clear: The plain $799 iPhone 16 is a pretty solid deal, at least compared to basic iPhones from the last few years. It actually has a new processor, Apple's A18, instead of reusing an older chip. It brings over the Action button from the iPhone 15 Pro and it also has Apple's new camera button. The iPhone 16 is also relatively future-proof since it supports Apple Intelligence, something that doesn't work on the non-Pro iPhone 15 and older models. Apple While the $999 iPhone 16 Pro has an additional camera and supports more powerful photography and filmmaking features, the line between that device and the standard iPhone 16 is blurrier than ever before. It certainly makes more sense to invest in the iPhone 16 today, instead of the poor, beleaguered iPhone SE. That device sports an aging A15 chip, the tiny 4.7-inch screen of yore and it still costs $429 like it did in 2022. It's rumored that we'll see a new iPhone SE sometime next year, but the current model is simply a terrible option in Apple's current lineup. If you don't care about Apple Intelligence and you'd like to replace an older device, you can currently find a refurbished iPhone 15 on Amazon and elsewhere between $500 and $600. But really, if you're willing to shell out that much money for a used device with a limited warranty, it might make more sense to grab an iPhone 16 and pay it off over time via your carrier. Trade-in deals can also shave off a significant chunk of a new phone's price. Verizon, for example, is currently offering $800 off a Pixel 9 or iPhone 15 when you swap out an older device. To be clear, all of the preceding advice only applies if you need to replace a trashed iPhone, or youre excited to play with Apple Intelligence. Judging from the latest rumors, well likely see an ultra-thin iPhone model next year (similar to the latest iPad Pro), so it might just make sense to hold onto your existing device. And dont forget, Apples AI features wont be immediately available at launch youll have to wait until an October update for the first batch of features, and Siri wont get all of its new smarts until the first half of 2025. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/its-a-good-year-to-buy-the-vanilla-iphone-16-and-avoid-the-se-at-all-costs-192919611.html?src=rss
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