Suzanne Kantra/Techlicious generated by ChatGPT

Security researchers just uncovered a phishing operation that has run for five months, dangling fake job offers at well-known brands to steal people's Google passwords. If you're job hunting, or even just the kind of person who keeps half an eye on LinkedIn, this is one to be on guard against.

BleepingComputer broke the story yesterday, based on research by threat intelligence firm Team Cymru. The scale here is broader than most phishing campaigns that cross my desk. Attackers are impersonating recruiters at more than 30 real companies, including Adidas, Netflix, Adobe, Coca-Cola, OpenAI, Marriott, FIFA, and McKinsey, all to target marketing professionals with fake job offers.

In one documented case, the phishing email arrived under the name of a real Adidas recruiter, complete with her actual photo, lifted from LinkedIn. The email asks you to schedule a call about a marketing role. Click the link, and you land on a domain built to look official, something like adidas-hiring[.]com, where you're asked to sign in with your Google account before you can book the meeting.

The "Sign in with Google" pop-up that appears isn't a real browser pop-up. It's HTML and CSS built directly into the phishing page, designed to look exactly like the separate authentication window Google normally shows you. Security researchers call this a browser-in-the-browser attack, or BitB. There's no second window and no real address bar, just a convincing illustration of one, sitting on top of the fake job page.

The usual advice, verify the URL in the address bar before you enter your information, gets thrown for a loop here. The fake popup is drawn to include what looks like one, showing "accounts.google.com" even though the real address bar behind it still says adidas-hiring[.]com or whatever domain the attacker is using that week.

Since checking the address bar won't help, try a different test: drag the pop-up. A genuine browser window will move independently if you click and drag its title bar outside the edge of the browser. A fake one, because it's just an image rendered inside the page, stays locked in place or gets cut off at the browser's edge. It's a physical test that works even when you're too rushed or too excited about a job lead to scrutinize a URL.

The redirect chain that leads you to the fake login page also explains how the campaign went unnoticed for so long. It bounces through PeopleForce, a legitimate cloud-based HR platform, then through a domain tied to Salesforce's Marketing Cloud service, then through Wise Agent, a real estate CRM tool. None of those services did anything wrong. Attackers are simply routing traffic through trusted platforms so that nothing in the chain looks suspicious to email filters or a wary recipient glancing at a link.

The same instincts that have always applied to recruiter outreach still hold here. A real recruiter from Adidas or Netflix isn't going to interview you cold over email with no prior contact, and they're certainly not going to require you to sign into your Google account just to schedule a phone call.

If you use a password manager, this campaign is a good reminder of why that policy pays off. Password managers only autofill credentials on the real saved URL for the site. On a lookalike domain like adidas-hiring[.]com, your password manager won't offer to fill anything in, which is an immediate warning that something is wrong.

If you've received one of these emails and already entered credentials on one of these pages, change your Google password immediately on your Google Account security page and set up two-factor authentication (2FA) if you haven't done so already. An account protected by 2FA keeps attackers out even if your password is stolen. Then, in the “Your devices” section, check the list of connected devices for anything unfamiliar. Click any unfamiliar device to see when and where it last connected, then click “Sign out on device.” If you’re at all unsure, sign out of the device. If you own it, you can always sign in again.

Read next: The best password managers to protect your accounts

You probably already know what it feels like to get stuck in a customer service loop, explaining the same problem to a new chat agent who has no record of the last conversation. Now imagine going through that same runaround while someone else is actively using your stolen identity to make purchases in your name. That's what the Federal Trade Commission says happened to identity theft victims who turned to Amazon for help, and the company is now paying $2.25 million in civil penalties to settle the resulting complaint.

The Department of Justice filed the case on the FTC's referral, alleging Amazon knowingly violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The specific provision at issue, Section 609(e), requires companies to hand identity theft victims copies of the transaction records tied to fraud committed in their name within 30 days of a request. Those records are often the only proof a victim has to clear their credit, file a police report, or convince a bank that a charge wasn't theirs.

The FTC alleged that Amazon had no written policy for handling these requests for years, even after FTC staff specifically told the company to review its compliance with Section 609(e). Amazon didn't put a policy in place until early 2025, once it learned the FTC was investigating.

Christopher Mufarrige, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said Amazon "often put identity theft victims through a Kafkaesque ordeal by demanding they identify the thief who stole their information before Amazon would release the records the law entitles them to."

One victim reported being told by an Amazon representative that the company couldn't release records related to a fraudulent account for "security reasons" unless they could name the person who had stolen their identity, according to the FTC. That person made 30 guesses and never got it right. In other cases, Amazon agents told victims outright that they couldn't access the records, and the company refused requests from law enforcement agencies submitted on victims' behalf, something the law explicitly permits.

The $2.25 million penalty is the largest the FTC has secured for a Section 609(e) violation, but it barely registers against Amazon's revenue. More importantly, the proposed order mandates that Amazon comply with Section 609(e) going forward, notify victims of their right to request these records, and reach back out to anyone who asked for records since April 2024 and didn't receive them. That’s good news for the people affected, and hopefully Amazon will make it easier for ID-theft victims going forward.

If you're ever the victim of identity theft and a retailer used in the fraud refuses to hand over transaction records, federal law already gives you the right to them under Section 609(e), and you don't need to identify the thief to get them. Put the request in writing, keep a record of the date, and treat a non-response after 30 days as a violation worth forwarding to the FTC. Given that this is only the second case the agency has brought under this provision in the last six years, knowing it exists is currently doing more for consumers than the FTC's enforcement record is.

Read next: Cheap Amazon TV boxes and photo frames are secretly committing crimes

[Image credit: Suzanne Kantra/Techlicious generated by ChatGPT]

A heat wave is rolling across the United States this week, and if your home doesn’t have air conditioning or your current setup isn’t cutting it, now is the time to act. I picked the best options based on products we’ve tested, brands we trust, and top consumer ratings on Amazon. All are available for fast shipping, so you can get set up before the brunt of the heat hits and in time for July 4th celebrations.

Read on for my tips on buying a window or portable room air conditions. Or, if you’re ready to check out my product picks, you can jump down to the sections on window AC units, portable AC units, and misting fans.

Buying the right size and type of air conditioner

Bigger is not better when it comes to air conditioners. An oversized unit cools a room quickly but cycles off before it can pull humidity out of the air, leaving you with a space that feels cold and clammy. A properly sized unit runs long enough to do both jobs.

Air conditioners are rated in BTUs, or British Thermal Units, which measure how much heat a unit can remove from a room per hour. The more BTUs, the larger the space it can cool. According to Energy Star, 100 to 150 square feet need 5,000 BTUs; 300 to 350 square feet need 8,000 BTUs; 450 to 550 square feet need 12,000 BTUs. If your room gets a lot of direct sun, bump up capacity by 10 percent. If more than two people regularly use the room, add 600 BTUs per additional person.

But not all BTU numbers are measured the same way. Air conditioners are rated using two different testing standards, and the numbers aren’t interchangeable. ASHRAE is the older standard and tends to produce a higher BTU figure for the same physical unit. DOE/SACC (Seasonally Adjusted Cooling Capacity) is the newer, stricter Department of Energy standard that accounts for real-world conditions rather than ideal lab conditions, so it produces a lower, more accurate number. A unit advertised at 8,000 BTU ASHRAE might only be rated 6,000 BTU DOE/SACC.

When you’re comparing air conditioners or sizing one for your room, always look for the DOE/SACC number. That’s the figure that actually reflects how the unit will perform in your home, and it’s the number I’ve used for the products below.

Once you know the right BTU count, the next thing to look at is how the unit actually delivers that cooling. A standard compressor AC runs at full power until the room hits your set temperature, then shuts off completely. Once the room warms up again, it kicks back on at full power. That start-stop cycle is what causes the noise, the temperature swings, and the higher energy use you get with older or cheaper units.

An inverter AC uses a variable-speed compressor that adjusts its output up or down to match what the room actually needs, rather than switching fully on and off. The result is steadier temperatures, quieter operation, and meaningfully lower energy bills, since the compressor isn’t repeatedly drawing a big surge of power to restart. Inverter models cost more upfront, but the efficiency and noise difference are worth paying for if it fits your budget.

Window air conditioners

Window units are the most efficient cooling option and the easiest to live with long-term. Installation takes about 30 minutes, and they stay off your floor space. The tradeoff is that they require a double-hung window and aren’t an option if you rent and your lease prohibits them.

Windmill Window AC

The Windmill Window AC is a 6,000 BTU unit that cools spaces up to 250 square feet, and it looks considerably better after installation than most window units. Instead of the plastic accordion flaps that most ACs use to fill the gap on either side, Windmill uses rigid foam panels that also do a better job of blocking outdoor noise and drafts. The install kit comes pre-assembled in the box, and the unit gets high marks from consumers for being quiet and easy to set up. It also supports app and voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant, and the LED display dims automatically after 60 seconds so it won’t light up your bedroom at night.

Price: $299 (usually $339). Also available in 8,000 BTU ($429.00), 10,000 BTU ($499.00, usually $549.00), and 12,000 BTU ($549.00, usually $599.99).

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

Midea U Shaped Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner

The Midea 6,000 BTU U-Shaped Smart Inverter uses a U-shaped design that lets you keep your window partially open after installation, so you’re not locked out of fresh air on milder days. The inverter compressor runs as low as 32 dBA, making it one of the quietest window ACs available, roughly equivalent to a whisper. We’ve tested an earlier Midea model and found it easy to install and quiet enough to sleep through. The U-shaped design is now a growing category worth seeking out if airflow matters to you; at 6,000 BTUs, it’s sized for rooms up to 250 square feet and uses 37 percent less energy than conventional units.

Price: $349.99. Also available in 8,000 BTU ($379.99, usually $399), 10,000 BTU ($409.99, usually $449.99), and 12,000 BTU ($449.99, usually $509.99).

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

Frigidaire Gallery Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner

The Frigidaire Gallery 8,000 BTU Smart Inverter covers rooms up to 350 square feet and runs as quietly as 41 dBA thanks to its variable-speed inverter compressor. A built-in indoor air quality sensor monitors the air continuously as it cools, displaying air quality status through the app. The washable filter means you’re not buying replacements every season, and Frigidaire’s track record for reliability is well established. It earned Energy Star’s Most Efficient certification and works with Alexa and Google Assistant.

Price: $429.00. (usually $499.00) Also available in 10,000 BTU ($449.00, usually $529.00)

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

Portable air conditioners

Portable ACs are the right call for renters or anyone who can’t install a window unit. They sit on the floor and vent through a hose routed out a window or sliding door, which means some setup time and a permanent footprint in the room. They work well, but they’re louder and less efficient than window units.

Midea Duo Inverter Portable AC

The Midea Duo 2026 puts out 10,000 BTUs and covers up to 450 square feet, making it a strong choice for larger rooms. Its inverter compressor runs continuously at whatever level the room needs rather than cycling on and off, delivering more than 40 percent energy savings compared to the federal standard. A dual hose-in-hose design locks cool air in and pushes hot air out, projecting cooled air up to 26 feet across the room. At 42 dBA, it’s also unusually quiet for a portable unit. It’s available in black and white.

Price: $349.99. Also available in 12,000 BTU ($559.99, usually $609.99).

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

DREO Portable Air Conditioner 318S

The DREO Portable Smart AC 318S is a 5,000 BTU unit that pulls triple duty as an air conditioner, dehumidifier, and fan, covering spaces up to 150 square feet. It uses standard compressor technology rather than an inverter, which keeps the price down but means it cycles on and off rather than running continuously. It’s drainage-free in most environments, runs as quietly as 45 dB, and can be controlled via the DREO app, remote, or voice. It’s rated between 4 and 5 stars on Amazon and is currently on sale.

Price: $389.99 (usually $439.99). Also available in 6,000 BTU ($469.99) and 7200 BTU ($499.99).

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

Misting fans

Misting fans lower the actual temperature around you rather than just moving hot air. They’re not a substitute for air conditioning in extreme heat, but as a supplement, or if you need something with no installation and fast relief, they make a real difference.

DREO TurboCool 765S

The DREO TurboCool line produces an ultrafine mist that evaporates before it reaches your skin, so you feel the cooling effect without feeling wet, and surfaces stay dry. I’ve tested the TurboCool line and we gave it our CES 2026 Editor’s Choice award. The DREO TurboCool 765S ($199.99) is a 3-in-1 oscillating tower fan that works as a fan, misting cooler, and humidifier. The fan offers 12 speeds, the 6-liter tank runs for up to 30 hours on low, and DREO claims a temperature drop of up to 10°F. The TurboCool 516S ($99.99) is a more compact desktop version with a 1.3-liter tank, up to 12 hours of runtime, a 5°F temperature drop, and a 150° oscillating base. Both run as quietly as 20 dB at their lowest settings and can be controlled via app or voice. If you don’t need voice and app control, the TurboCool 516 is on sale for $69.99 (usually $89.99).

Price: $199.99

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Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Pro Fan

The Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Pro Fan weighs 5 pounds and runs on battery for up to 29 hours on low without misting, 8 hours on medium, and 3.75 hours at maximum speed. It can also run corded if you’re near an outlet. The mist is fine enough that you won’t feel wet, but you need to sit close to feel the cooling effect, and the integrated tank needs refilling roughly every 25 to 30 minutes with heavy misting use. It’s rated between 4 and 5 stars on Amazon.

Price: $127.99 (usually $149.99)

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

Lasko Misto Outdoor Misting Blower Fan

The Lasko Misto Outdoor Misting Blower Fan is a 15-inch pivoting blower that connects directly to a standard garden hose via a 9-foot supply hose, so there’s no tank to fill or run dry. Three speeds and a 90-degree pivot let you direct the mist flow where you need it, and automatic louvers sweep the air across a wide area. The mist is coarser than the DREO and Shark options, and reviewers report getting wet if they sit too close, but moving back to around 15 to 20 feet delivers a cooling breeze without the dampness. Lasko claims up to a 25°F temperature drop, which is plausible in dry conditions. The fan is built to stay outdoors, with weather, UV, and rust-resistant construction and an in-line GFCI plug rated for outdoor use. It’s the right choice for a patio, deck, or backyard setup where a little water isn’t a concern.

Price: $119.99 (usually $178.99)

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

3 tips for getting the most out of your AC unit

Set your thermostat as high as you can comfortably tolerate. The smaller the gap between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the less your unit has to work and the lower your electricity bill.

On dry days, keep the fan speed high. On humid days, drop it to low: slower air movement gives the unit more time to pull moisture out of the air, which is where a lot of the discomfort comes from.

Use an interior fan alongside your window AC to spread cooled air through more of your home without meaningfully increasing electricity use.

Read next:Our favorite portable handheld fans

[Image credit: DREO, Windmill, Frigidaire, Midea, Shark, and Lasko.]

Over the course of my almost 20-year career, I’ve reviewed more than my fair share of laptops. And without a doubt, my favorite class of notebook is a gaming rig. They’re powerful, flashy, and let me game without hogging the TV for hours on end. But these days, a gaming laptop has to do more than let you run marathon sessions. It should also handle productivity, content creation, local AI, and more. And it doesn’t hurt if it looks good while doing it.

Enter the MSI Raider 16 Max, a gaming laptop that’s chock full with power by way of the top-of-the line Intel Core Ultra 200HX Plus processors and up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 graphics. A captivating 16-inch OLED display, great battery life, comfortable keyboard, and strong speakers only sweeten the pot. The result is a mobile gaming rig that can do it all with minimal sacrifice. It’s a perfect option for gamers, content creators, mobile professionals and people running local LLMs and AI agents.

Key Specs

The Raider 16 Max has several different configurations and price ranges to choose from. My review unit costs $2,099.99 ($2,999.99 MSRP) at Micro Center and has a 2.7-GHz Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor with 32GB GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, a Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU with 12GB of VRAM, integrated Intel Graphics, and a 16-inch, 2560 x 1600 non-touch OLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate.

If you want even more graphical oomph Micro Center has the Max configured with 5080 and 5090 cards, but it will cost your $2,499.99 ($3,299.99) and $3,099.99 ($4.299.99), respectively.

Design

Gone are the days of aggressive angles with black and red coloring that screams “I’M A GAMER.” With its lighting disabled the Raider 16 Max could pass as your run-of-the-mill workstation. It can’t completely hide that gaming pedigree. Lucky, MSI’s dragon mascot, cuts a majestic profile on the right side of the lid. Created with a series of strategically placed embossed strips, it’s a stylish, eye-catching interpretation of the mascot. To the immediate left is the backlit MSI logo with the words Raider Max engraved closer to the bottom.

Depending on whether you’re in full gamer mode or incognito, opening the notebook will reveal a captivating light show by way of the light bar that extends the length of the keyboard deck. The RGB lighting doesn’t stop there, radiating outward from the center of the island-style keyboard in the default lighting mode. A large trackpad sits below in the palm rests which is adorned with several striped patterns. And directly below that sits a glowing customizable RGB light bar that flashes so prettily it’d put K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider to shame.

Held in place by a sturdy hinge, the display sits ensconced in some relatively slim bezels. A 1080p web webcam resides in the lip of the laptop lid ready for face recognition logins, video calls or some good old-fashioned streaming. Flip the laptop over and you’ll find the quick access maintenance panel held in place by two screws. It gives easy access to the RAM and SSD in case you want to upgrade either.

At 5.73 pounds, I’d primarily use the Raider as a desktop replacement system, especially as a New Yorker who has to seriously consider space in my apartment. But I also had no problem slipping the laptop’s 14.3 x 10.6 x 0.86~1.14-inch frame into my backpack and schlepping around the city.

Display and Audio

To date, there’s never been a time when I’ve poopooed an OLED display. And today is definitely not going to be the day. How can it be when the Raider 16 Max’s massive display produces stunning colors with deep contrast and sharp detail. Whether I was making my way through the neon-saturated streets of Cyberpunk 2077 or battling my way through verdant green forests and snowy fields in Black Myth Wukong, the 16-inch panel served up gorgeous vistas. Zooming in on the text of this review in Google Docs revealed smooth lines, which is always nice.

When I watched the trailer for the movie “Is God Is”, I couldn’t help but focus on actor Kara Young’s deep cerulean blue jacket against her warm bronze skin as her near platinum blonde braids swung wildly with frenetic energy. The views were just as good when I started gaming. The streets of Night City were a neo-Noir paradise awash in various shades of neon in Cyberpunk 2077. And after I managed to clear out a rather pesky nest of enemies in Black Myth: Wukong, I took some time to enjoy the verdant hills and snowy mountains.

The Raider has a side-mounted speaker on both sides with a 2-watt speaker and woofer. Paired with the preinstalled Nahimic produces clear, balanced audio that’s loud enough to fill a small room in case you want to forgo headphones. I discovered that firing guns and explosives in Cyberpunk 2077 had a surprising amount of weight to them. Dialogue was clear, even amidst chaotic action scenes filled with the fast-paced soundtrack. I got similar results playing through Black Myth: Wukong, especially during the Headless Monk scenes where I heard the clear twang of the sanxian as his haunting melody healed The Destined One after a long, grueling battle.

In addition to its five audio presets (Music, Gaming, Movie, Communication, and Smart) the preinstalled utility also has surround sound, sound sharing – where you can connect two headphones, and sound tracker, which enhances softer audio like enemy footprints so you’re never taken by surprise. I found myself using the Gaming preset the most, but for those who want to take the guesswork out of their listening experience I suggest Smart as it automatically cycles between presets depending on the current content.

Ports and Connectivity

MSI outfitted the Max with just enough ports to function as both a gaming battlestation and a traditional work station. There’s three USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports with a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI 2.1, an SD card reader, a Gigabit Ethernet jack, and a headset jack. A Kensington lock slot is there as an anti-theft measure.

For Wi-Fi, you have an Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 chip with support for Bluetooth 5.4.

Keyboard and Usability

I really enjoyed typing on the Raider. Whether I was writing this review or playing Hades II, the keys were springy with a solid click when pressed. I easily hit my 70 word-per-minute average on the MonkeyType test. The keys are nice and big with generous spacing. The backlighting was bright enough to see in my darkened bedroom, especially with the RGB backlighting.

You can create your own custom backlighting on the per-key keyboard via the SteelSeries GG app. Or if you’re not feeling particularly creative, you can choose from one of the 22 presets or six effects. The app also offers 3D Aim Trainer which can help hone those twitch reflexes that are crucial for FPS games. There’s also Moments, which lets you quickly capture video for your greatest hits.

The trackpad is massive with good palm rejection and agile response for regular navigation and multitouch gestures. The bottom corners of the pad deploy with a firm, meaty click.

Webcam

I took some test shots with the Max’s 1080p webcam as well as took a few video conference calls. The stills were pretty accurate, capturing the red undertones in my skin along with the different colors in my locs. Details were sharp enough to catch some of the fine folds in the ruffles along the straps and neckline of my dress.

During the video calls, other participants reported clear, vivid images and loud clear audio thanks to the Hi-Res Dynaudio Array Microphone. Both the webcam and mic can definitely be used in a high-quality livestream setup.

Gaming

I threw a lot at the Max and its Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, a GPU that sits firmly in the middle of Nvidia’s Blackwell lineup of chips. That means even if you’re gaming at native resolution with full ray tracing and Nvidia’s DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), squeezing out every bit of graphical performance, you can expect high frame rates on the most demanding games. When I wasn’t working my way through Pragmata, I was putting the notebook through the wringer with some of my more heavy duty gaming benchmarks on my roster. But, try as I may, I couldn’t trip the Raider up. Instead, I didn’t see a frame rate result under 60 frames per second.

The Raider 16 Max was off to the races during the Cyberpunk 2077 benchmarking delivering 60 fps at 2560 x 1600 at Ultra. The frame rate jumped slightly to 62 fps with ray tracing and DLSS enabled. Dropping the resolution to 1920 x 1080 yielded more dramatic results at 142 fps and 80 fps (ray tracing and DLSS), respectively.

Running the benchmarks on Black Myth: Wukong was just as good. I saw frame rates of 104 fps on Cinematic (the highest game setting) at 1600p. Enabling ray tracing and DLSS boosted the result to 162 fps. At 1920 x 1200, I saw scores of 95 fps and 157 fps (ray tracing and DLSS).

I also saw great performance on the Hitman with an average 140 fps sans ray tracing and DLSS at 1600p at the highest settings. The frame rate jumped to 185 fps with everything enabled. And as expected, I saw higher results when I switched to 1200p. The regular run produced 159 fps while the DLSS version hit a whopping 262 fps.

And when you’re not working on anything that demands a discrete chip, the laptop can switch over to the integrated Intel graphics chip via a reboot via the MUX switch. Or you can choose MSHybrid Graphics Mode in MSI Center and the computer will switch between the two automatically.

Performance

My workload was not enough for the Core Ultra 9 CPU, and trust me I tried. I started with my usual loadout of 80 open Google Chrome tabs with its mix of G-Suite apps, social media, videos, and news sites. Then I started batch resizing a large cache of photos in Adobe Photoshop and encoding a 4K video from 4K to 1080p. There was a slight stutter when I started video encoding, but the Raider quickly righted the ship and pushed through like a hot knife through butter. And if you’re a heavy duty AI or LLM user, the Max can rise to the occasion with aplomb.

Content Creation

In addition to handling graphically demanding games, the 5070 Ti GPU is also just as capable with content creation tasks such as photo and video editing. While working on the review, I edited several 4K videos, cutting, adding sound tracks and graphics, and finally encoding from 4K to 1080p. The Raider worked nimbly, with the encoding for four 7-minute videos only taking 5 minutes and 28 seconds.

The Raider can also handle workstation applications like Auto CAD as well as music production. But if you need more power than default settings can provide, simply go into the MSI Center and select Extreme Performance in the User Scenario.

It’s been firmly established that the Max is more than capable of handling graphically demanding games. But how does it hold it up against productivity tasks? The answer is pretty well. The laptop’s Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor sits at the top of Intel’s Arrow Lake Refresh mobile chip architecture. It’s designed specifically to handle gaming and workstation as it brings a level of desktop power to mobile systems, bridging the gap between the two.

The laptop took mere minutes to crunch through the SEO/GEO data in my spreadsheets along with calculating current and projected revenue. But something this powerful should be like catnip to accountants, data scientists, or anyone else that deals with large data sets.

AI Usage

AI is everywhere. You can even summon Microsoft's version via the Copilot key on the keyboard. Whenever you decide you're ready to ask Copilot, ChatGPT or Claude a question or run a local LLM, the Raider can provide the muscle. And the notebook can load those heavy LLM model without an internet connection so your data remains secure and private while cutting down on AI token usage.

AI model users can use LM Studio or Ollama for private, local LLMs directly on the Raider 16 Max. While creative professionals can utilize ComfyUI or FLUX.1 to assist with making images and concepts design. Or programs like Stable Diffusion can be used for large batch creative production projects with advanced diffusion workflows, essentially transforming the Raider into a one-stop shop of a creative studio.

But outside of chatbots, AI agents, and creative pursuits, the Raider 16 can also be used with robotics and AI development, placing it firmly into workstation territory. Using Nvidia Isaac Sim or ROS 2, engineers and developers can build and test systems and autonomous workflows on a portable, high-performance system. The Raider’s portability is a bonus as it allows workers to conduct sophisticated simulations and refine robotics code without relying on remote servers. It’s a solid solution for working on complex technical research and development on the go.

Battery Life

Usually most gaming laptops tend to falter at this section. Because let’s face it, all those high-powered specs can be murder on a battery. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the Raider 16 Max. With the brightness set to 50% the notebook lasted 5 hours and 38 minutes on the PCMark Productivity battery test which is a looping script of simulated web browsing, spreadsheets, social media, photo editing, and video conferencing.

The time was noticeably shorter when I ran the gaming iteration of the test with the Max tapping out at 3:48. It’s still a solid time for a gaming laptop.

Verdict

Don’t call it a gaming laptop. Or rather, don’t pigeon hole the MSI Raider 16 Max as just a gaming laptop. Look beyond the glittering light show and dragon motif and you have a powerful notebook capable of heavy multitasking, content creation, running local AI, and so much more. And yes, it can game like nobody’s business. This is the result of the pairing of high-end specs such as the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus CPU and the RTX 5070 Ti which fully earns the Raider the designation desktop replacement.

But let’s not forget the sprinkles on this power sundae. You’ve got a massive 16-inch OLED display that serves up beautiful colors and crisp detail. Next, you’ve got a solid pair of speakers, a great webcam, comfy, colorful keyboard, and a healthy assortment of ports. And then there’s the battery life that places the Raider at the top of the heap for a gaming laptop of this size. And for the specs, it’s one of the most affordable rigs in its class. Ultimately, if you’re looking for desktop power in a mobile chassis that can handle work, play and everything in between, at a reasonable price, the MSI Raider 16 Max is the way to go.

FAQ

Is the MSI Raider 16 Max suitable for professional productivity, content creation, and AI model users or is it strictly for gaming?

Yes. Thanks to its high-end specs, such as the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card, the Raider 16 Max can handle heavy-duty productivity tasks as well as photo and video editing as well as AI agents and local LLMs.

How does the MSI Raider 16 Max perform in battery life for general productivity compared to gaming?

The Raider 16 Max has a longer battery life conducting general productivity tasks such as working on documents and spreadsheets or even running local AI compared to gaming. Most productivity tasks aren’t as demanding on the GPU as playing a game. If the notebook is in its default MSHybrid Graphics Mode in the MSI Center utility, the laptop will automatically switch between discrete or integrated graphics depending on the workload.

Does the MSI Raider 16 Max offer a sufficient variety of ports to function as a professional workstation?

Yes. Boasting three USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI 2.1, and an SD card reader, the Raider 16 Max has more than enough ports to satisfy most workstation users.

Can you upgrade the MSI Raider 16 Max?

Yes. There’s an easy access maintenance hatch located on the bottom of the laptop. Remove the two screws and open the hatch to gain access to the RAM and SSD which can be swapped out.

How does the OLED display benefit creative professionals and gamers?

The 16-inch, QHD OLED display produces stunning, vivid colors with deep contrast and sharp detail. It’s a great choice for content creators searching for a color-accurate display for photo and video editing. For gamers, the screen provides eye-catching views that thanks to the display’s 240Hz refresh rate, image tearing and unsightly jaggies will be practically nonexistent.

Faraday Future (FF) has spent the past year building out one of the more ambitious robotics portfolios in the U.S. market. At the Automate show in Chicago this week, the California-based company pulled it all together, unveiling the final pieces of what it calls its Full-Form EAI Robot World – the full six-series family now includes three humanoids (Futurist, Master, and Nova), two quadruped lines (Aegis and Navi), and the newly launched mobile manipulator series, Faber.

The strategy behind the lineup is what FF calls "one brain, multiple forms." Rather than developing separate AI systems for each robot type, the company built a single AI brain that learns from everything its robots see and do and then adapts it across different hardware configurations. In practice, that means a skill developed for one robot can be transferred to another. As Hong Liu, FF's Manager of Social Media Channel Growth, put it at the show: "It's basically an app store for the robots. Somebody already developed how to fold clothes, you just download that function and your robot has it."

The All-New Futurist

The centerpiece humanoid is the All-New Futurist, a full-size robot standing about 5'8" and weighing roughly 121 pounds – about 14% lighter than the previous generation. The robot can move its joints in 31 distinct ways (not counting the hands), giving it human-like range of motion across its body. A new dual-battery system that delivers around six hours of continuous operation, three times what the previous Futurist version managed. The Ultra version can return to its charging dock autonomously when the battery runs low.

What makes the Futurist useful for robotics researchers is its native compatibility with NVIDIA's SONIC whole-body motion control system – FF says it's the first full-size humanoid in the U.S. to support it natively. That gives academic labs a purpose-built platform for humanoid motion research. Price is $89,900 on the FF website, which includes a $10,000 Skills package. The upgraded Ultra version powered by NVIDIA's Jetson Thor compute platform is planned for later this year, with pricing to be announced.

Faber: the industrial mobile manipulator

The bigger news for commercial buyers may be the Faber series, FF's first industrial-grade mobile manipulator. The name comes from the Latin for "skilled craftsman," and the product sits in the middle ground between fixed robotic arms (precise but stationary) and autonomous mobile robots, or AMRs (which move freely but can't pick things up). Faber does both – it can navigate a factory floor or warehouse independently and then use dual arms to handle loading, unloading, sorting, and material transfer.

A single arm can lift up to 11 pounds; both arms together can tackle heavier or more delicate operations. At the show, FF was demonstrating a supermarket shelf-sorting scenario – showing how the robot handles objects of different shapes, weights, and materials. As Liu explained, teaching robots to handle varied objects is one of the genuinely hard problems: "Every potato looks different. There might be 100 million different kinds. Similarly, the robot needs to learn how much force to apply so it doesn't crush a plastic bottle or dent an aluminum can."

According to the company, FF plans to eventually put Faber to work on its own production line to help manufacture future robots – a "robots building robots" use case that would serve as both a proof of concept and a way to bring down production costs over time.

Robot bodies are available for purchase now via FF's website.

Aegis: the security robot dog

On the quadruped side, the Aegis is positioned as a practical tool for small businesses and property managers. FF says customers in Florida and Las Vegas are already using Aegis robots to patrol Airbnb complexes – communities with 15 or more units where a roving robot with flashing deterrent lights handles overnight security rounds. Car dealerships and shopping malls have also shown interest.

The base Aegis Ultra starts around $4,000 and scales up to roughly $12,000 for a fully configured version on wheels. What makes the platform flexible is its modular upgrade system: LiDAR, a 5G modem, a speaker, and night vision can all be added through a battery port. Battery life runs about two and a half hours per charge, but the batteries are hot-swappable – pull one out, snap in a fresh one, and the robot keeps going without waiting for a charge cycle. The robot can also return to its dock and recharge autonomously if that's your preferred setup.

Navi: the $1,990 robot dog for education

Navi is a simpler robot dog that is a core piece of FF's education strategy. At $1,990, FF says it's the only robot dog in the U.S. under $2,000 that supports secondary development – meaning students and developers can actually program it, not just watch it perform pre-set routines.

FF is already working with after-school programs and school districts through its Brain Blocks platform, a drag-and-drop coding environment aimed at younger students. Kids write code, validate it in simulation first, then deploy it to a physical robot. The platform also surfaces the underlying Python code that the visual blocks generate, giving students a bridge into real programming. For more serious developers, FF offers full SDK access and open APIs for motor control and reinforcement learning.

Brain Blocks isn’t limited to the Navi, however. The same modular programming tool can be used with some of FF’s humanoid robots, as well. Anyone who wants to give Brain Blocks a try can use it for free in a simulation environment at developer.ff.com/block-coding.

The ecosystem underneath

The hardware is only part of what FF is selling. The company's longer-term play is a platform where developers build and share robot skills, industrial partners deploy customized solutions, and data collected across all those robots feeds back to improve the underlying AI. FF's subsidiary AIxC is also launching robotshare.com, a robot-sharing platform designed to let businesses rent out idle robots – an Uber-style model that turns a capital purchase into a revenue-generating asset.

On the manufacturing side, FF does final assembly at its U.S. headquarters in California. Core components including chips and batteries are sourced domestically. All data generated by the robots is stored in the U.S. – which Faraday Future sees as a critical distinction for enterprise or government buyers navigating the current tariff and supply chain environment.

[Image credit: Josh Kirschner/Techlicious, Faraday Future]

If you're on an iPhone XR, XS, or 11, your phone has a security flaw that Apple can't patch. Researchers at Paradigm Shift published details of the exploit, called "usbliter8," which lives in read-only memory baked into Apple's A12 and A13 chips. Because it's in the hardware itself, no iOS update can reach it. It also affects several iPad models and the Apple Watch Series 4 and 5. For thieves who get hold of one of these devices, the exploit could be the missing piece that lets them bypass the iCloud lock and make a stolen phone fully usable again.

Read More: How to Tell if Your Phone Has Been Hacked

What the exploit does

The flaw lets an attacker who has physical possession of your phone plug it into a specialized USB device while in DFU mode, a recovery state normally used for restoring iPhones, and take control of the startup process before iOS loads. From there, they can get around the security measures that would normally keep a stolen, locked phone from being accessed. It does require the right equipment and hands-on access to your device, which limits the risk for most people going about their daily lives.

But stolen iPhones don't just disappear. A lot of people have experienced getting a text weeks after their phone was stolen asking them to remove the iCloud lock, with the phone showing up in a completely different country on Find My. Thieves already ship these devices overseas specifically because there's a market for them, even locked. This exploit gives them a more reliable way to unlock these older models and make them fully resalable. I think that changes how seriously you should think about losing one of these phones.

Which devices are affected and what you can do

The exploit affects iPhones built on Apple's A12 and A13 chips. That covers the iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max. Several iPad models using the same chips are also affected, along with the Apple Watch Series 4 and 5 and the second-generation Apple TV 4K. The iPhone 12 and anything newer uses different chip architecture and isn't affected by this.

There's no software fix Apple can push for this one. Upgrading to an iPhone 12 or later is your only option if you want to fully address it. If you've been on the fence about moving on from an older model, this is a pretty concrete reason to do it.

In the meantime, keeping Find My enabled and a strong passcode on your device are still your best tools if your phone gets stolen. I hope this kind of flaw stays limited to older hardware and doesn't find its way into newer chips. But it's a good reminder that when your phone gets stolen, it's not just gone. Thieves now have a better shot at unlocking these older models and putting them back on the market.

[Image credits: Generated with Gemini]

Open-ear (OE) buds, which leave your ear canal open, are more comfortable and kinder to your hearing than conventional buds stuffed tightly into the ears, or large headphone "cans" imposing a tight seal around your ears. And, because you still hear the world around you, you can relish the music and carry on a conversation at the same time.

Start shopping around and you’ll find that OE buds now come in two dominant varieties that both answer to the technical description "Air Conduction."

"Ear-hook" models, a bit more headphone-ish, suspend an oval-shaped combination speaker, microphone and control component so it hovers over the opening to your ear canal. This business end is held in place by a springy, supportive, rubber-coated hook that wraps around the back of the ear, with a weighted stabilizer piece at the end. These suspension rigs have gotten slimmer and more flexible in recent models, so they coexist better with the temples (arms) of your glasses frames.

The "Clip-on" variety of open-ear buds resembles cuff-style earrings. A springy, grippy, semi-circular band (silicone-wrapped) connects front and back components and wraps the package around your ear lobe. Electronics are split between the two sections. The rounded front speaker sits inside the bottom bowl of your ear, millimeters away from the ear canal. Controls and battery are fitted into the back portion tucked behind your ear lobe, which can be a little problematic for long-haired users. But there’s no interference when wearing glasses or most hats.

There’s also a third variety of non-isolating, ears-wide-open headphones: "Bone Conduction." As the name suggests, drivers press against and vibrate soundwaves directly into your cheeks and jaw bones to reach the inner ear (cochlea). Secured with both hooks and a separate band that wraps around the back of your head, bone conduction headphones work well for runners and swimmers. But they’re not as pocketable or sonically pleasing, and quite frankly, this species hasn’t evolved much with new models in the past couple of years. So for this roundup I’m focusing just on the two open-ear types that answer to "Air Conduction." (If you’re hunting for bone conduction models, I recommended the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 ($179.95).

Some audiophiles have complained in the past that all open-ear models sacrifice performance. They cite under-nourished bass, muffled voices, brittle high-end response and poor phone call quality that sparked grumbling: "Are you stuck in a tunnel?"

But in the well-finessed models I’m highlighting here, those limitations are overcome, with larger and better-focused drivers, more microphones and enhanced digital processing. Today, devotees don’t wear OE buds just because they’re "good for you," but also because they’re more comfortable and perform quite well.

Quick Picks

How I tested

In picking "Best of 2026" OE buds faves, accurate, true-to-life sound reproduction remains the highest priority. But novel features and seriously sharp pricing are also worthy of attention and praise.

For comparison’s sake, I repeatedly played well-engineered, high-resolution tracks (sourced mostly from Qobuz) that challenged the earbuds’ ability to reproduce voices and instruments as I’ve heard them sound in person. Comparisons were initially done with all the buds left at their factory default EQ setting, though I’d later revisit and fuss with settings to see if I could correct deficiencies.

For starters, I cycled Icelandic jazz pop darlin’ Laufey’s lyrical waltz Carousel and the Steely Dan classic Doctor Wu. Both are numbers I could tolerate hearing many times over. Then I moved to some heavier tracks, including the fresh and boisterous neo-soul tune She Knows Too Much from Thundercat (with the late Mac Miller) and a 2025 remastered rendering of the orchestral rock classic Kashmir from Led Zeppelin.

And yeah, what proved good for the goose was good for the gander too.

Other factors also were considered in culling the herd (from two dozen to a final nine). My best-of-the-bunch offer extended (multi-hour) wearing comfort, reliable controls, lengthy battery run time and (at least) reasonably clear sound on phone calls.

This year’s top crop also includes more applications of noise cancellation, spatial audio, and the first OE buds I’ve encountered with AI note-taking and translating skills. And even the bargain buds we’re spotlighting offer multi-point connection, useful when bouncing between audio sources on your computer and smartphone.

Top ear hook open-ear buds

Cleer ARC 5: Best all-around performance

With this fifth-generation update, the Cleer ARC 5 earns "primo" status with dramatic, over-sized sonics (from 16.2 mm drivers!), a slimmed-down ear hook design and a host of added features you won’t find elsewhere.

The ARC 5s are the first OEs with two name-brand options for spatial sound processing: all-occasion THX Spatial Audio as well as Dolby Atmos decoding. With the latter engaged, the ARC 5s outdazzled the likewise Atmos-adept Shokz OpenFit Pro 2 buds (see below) on Atmos mixes old (The Who’s Baba O’Riley), blue (Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’s Junkyard Dog) and new (Robyn’s aptly named Blow My Mind). This spatial processing enhances video game and movie soundtracks, too.

Controls on the ARC 5 are super-abundant, a treat for listeners who like to "fuss." A very spiffy AMOLED color touchscreen on the case lid offers a good array of music monitoring and operation options, freeing up your phone for other chores. With some form of motion detection on board, just shaking your head can pick up or reject a phone call. Thermal Touch control pads on the buds are maybe too sensitive (be careful). But I’ve got only good things to say about the uncommon button that reliably triggers power on/off.

For germaphobes, UV-C light sterilization kicks on every time you return the ARC 5 buds to the case. That’s a nice thing to have working after your snot-nosed kid borrowed them.

Phone pals were impressed by the sound of my voice at their end of a Cleer-miked call, thanks to Qualcomm aptX Voice processing.

The Cleers also impress with their unusually long play time per charge, superior water/sweat resistance rating and rare embrace of alternative, high-res codecs. Yeah, the ARC 5s check almost all the right boxes.

Key specs: Playtime: 12 hours/60 hours total with case recharges. Quick charge: 5 min = 2 hours. IPX7 water resistance. Bluetooth 5.4. Driver: 16.2 mm. 2-mic system. Codecs: aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LC3, SBC, AAC, LDAC. Weight: 11.5 g/0.4 oz per earbud; 117 g/4.1 oz total in case.

Price: $219.99

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Shokz OpenFit Pro 2: Best sound reproduction

There’s serious competition going on in the "most accurate sound" category amongst ear hook buds. But the very forward, tightly articulated and sometimes even visceral sound coming out of the Shokz OpenFit Pro 2 won this category by a sliver, besting the also worthy Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 and the aforementioned Cleer ARC 5.

What’s this winner’s ace-in-the-hole? The Shokz OpenFit Pro 2 stands apart with a rare, two-driver configuration in each bud plus an open-backed sound chamber. Both contribute to the extra-impressive musical airiness and clarity. And when the low-frequency EQ boost is activated, these things deliver a bass response so tingly they could pass for bone conduction headphones (Shokz’ original claim to fame).

The well-featured OpenFit Pro 2 also stands out with an Active Noise Reduction option that tamps down persistent sounds (like fan noise). And its licensed Dolby Atmos processing mode does work some cute location-shifting trickery on your senses with spatial mixed content. Wiggling your noggin with "head tracking" engaged likewise enhances the soundfield-expanding sensations.

Key specs: Playtime: 12 hours/50 hours total; 6 hours with Noise Reduction. Quick charge: 10 min = 4 hours. Wireless mag-case charging option. 3-mic call system with AI noise reduction. Superior button controls. IP55 water resistance. Weight: 13 g/0.4 oz each; 99 g/3.4 oz in case.

Price: $249.95

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Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro: Best noise-cancelling open-ear buds

Two-two-two buds in one. That’s the novel "Dual Form" AeroFit 2 Pro from Soundcore, billed by the company as the world’s first earbuds to function differently, in two separate modes, as both open-ear and active noise-cancelling earbuds.

Shift each rotating bud upwards into the first or second "click" position (so they sit north of your ear canal) and you get to enjoy a sedate, laid-back sound, with lots of the outside world filtering in. Deploy this mode for calming companionship as you go about your daily routines.

But then when you rotate the almond-shaped buds downwards to their bottom (4 or 5) click stop position, you get to enjoy a whole ‘nother listening experience. Hovering extra close to the ear canal, the sound is bright, bold, brassy and bassy.

Closer proximity of the bud drivers to your ear canal accounts for part of the change, but Soundcore also actively retunes and re-equalizes the buds when they’re shifted downwards (you can hear it transitioning if listening closely). And now a substantial level of true Active Noise Cancellation kicks in, too. The ANC works especially well at eliminating steady droning sounds like the hum of a vacuum cleaner or bus engine. While they weren’t a match for the 95-percent cabin-shushing Bose QC Ultra Earbuds 2nd gen on an airplane ride, the Soundcores did cut the jet engine roar by about 50 percent.

Phone calls also sound terrific with the buds in their down-pointing position. You might think the other party was literally whispering in your ear.

An AeroFit 2 Pro wearer also gets to weigh in on the musical soundscape tuning, more so than with any other OE buds in my testing. There are two dozen EQ preset options, including a hearing-test-generated (then automatically re-tuning) "Preference Mode" and a "Volume Boost" option that makes these entries the loudest of the lot.

While comfort level was consistently good for me, Soundcore knows their hybrid design might not be a good fit for everyone’s ears. So these things come with a 30-day return policy. The maker also is upfront that the 56-degree bud-rotating chassis (and an equally accommodating carry case) do make this package a little larger and heavier than the competition.

Key specs: Playtime: 7 hours/34 hours total with case in open-ear form; 5 hours/24 hours total with ANC on. Fast charging: 10 min = 3.5 hours via USB-C; wireless case charging also available. IP55 water resistance. Bluetooth 6.1. 4-mic AI clear call system. Drivers: 11.8 mm. Codecs: LDAC, SBC, AAC. Weight: 11 g/0.3 oz each; 108 g/3.8 oz total in case.

Price: $179.95

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Viaim OpenNote: Best note-taking open-ear buds

Viaim’s new AI-enhanced OpenNote buds have special skills that could serve you well in the workplace or classroom.

If an important call comes in or a lecturer starts talking while you’re wearing them, a single tap on the buds (or on the companion Viaim app for Android, iPhone and iPad) triggers a recording to start and a text transcription you can then share. What happens if you’re stuck in the back of the room? No problem. Mic sensitivity is rated at 7 meters, or 23 feet.

If multiple people are engaged in your (recording in progress) conversation and refer to each other by name, the buds’ integrated AI assistant differentiates between the voices and tags comments with the speaker’s name. The smart transcriber also summarizes the session with key points (effectively creating a study guide) and strategically suggests next avenues or actions to pursue.

What if the conversation is in another language or bilingual? OpenNote can perform a transcription and translation in both languages (it’s adept in 78!) that you can share on your connected phone’s screen.

Just as with the "real time" translation feature on the Apple AirPod 3, I found the Viaim language conversion is laggy and skips lines when transcribing, if the speakers don’t pause after every sentence. But the Smart Assistant summarization (available shortly thereafter) proves more accurate, thorough and shockingly analytical.

Can’t say I love the Viaim OpenNote buds on all levels. Optimized for voice clarity, music playback is hard-edged and at times scratchy even at the optimized (default) "Master EQ" position.

That said, the Viaim OpenNotes are lightweight, securely snug, and comfortable. The claimed run time is dramatically long, best of the species. Pinch and voice-activated control options work well.

One last thought: the OpenNote buds would benefit from a more reassuring, dedicated recording trigger button on the carry case, as found in the maker’s RecDot in-ear true wireless earbuds.

Key specs: Playtime:19 hours/53 total with charging case. Fast charge: 10 min = 4 hours. 7-meter voice pickup range. Bluetooth 5.3. Weight: 6 g/0.2 oz each; 40 g/1.4 oz total in case. Real-time translation in 78 languages. Transcription time included with purchase: 600 minutes free per month. Works with AI models: GPT-5, Google Gemini-3, Claude Haiku-4.5.

Price: $169.95

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UGREEN FitBuds: Best budget ear hook buds

Still not sure if open-ear buds are worth a serious investment? The UGREEN FitBuds let you wade into the waters at a surprisingly modest (under $40) price, with much better than expected performance. And even when you later work up to a primo "Hi-Res Audio" rated pair, I bet you’ll hold onto these things as backups or kindly give them away to a pal or child.

Yes, there’s a little telltale cost-cutting going on here. Control tapping operations on the bud backs are delicate, take practice to get right. Lacking in-ear sensors, music keeps playing until the FitBuds are back in their case. There’s no fast charge option. Nor support for high-resolution codecs.

Still, these things are plenty pleasing. The case is sturdy, the buds look nice and are feather light. The silicone-wrapped hooks fit around my ears securely and very comfortably.

Best of all? You’ll like what you hear: nicely balanced, uncolored music reproduction, neither burying nor exaggerating any instruments on a track. Vocals have presence, lyrics are cleanly telegraphed, which made for a fine first encounter with the clever Canadian singer-songwriter Boy Golden (aka Liam Duncan) who’s now touring the States.

These OE buds’ 8-hour play time per charge is respectable. And the UGREEN app features most all the essentials: battery gauge, control customization, 8 EQ presets (though not a user tune-up option), Dual Link device switching. There’s even a (modestly effective) Spatial Sound mode and "Find your Earbuds" homing feature.

Key specs: Playtime: 8 hours/28 hours total with case. Charge time: 1.5 hours; 2 hours for case. IPX5 splash/sweat rating. Bluetooth 6.0. 4-mic design with AI noise cancelling for calls and voice activation. Codecs: AAC and SBC. Weight: 5 g/0.1 oz each.

Price: $35.99

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Top clip-on open-ear buds

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: Best clip-on all-around experience

If at first you do things right, why mess with a good thing? That’s the message I’m sensing from Bose with its Ultra Open Earbuds. Apart from some new color options, they’re the same model that jump-started the clip-style open-ear buds revolution in early 2024. And the Bose Ultra OEs are still sitting at the same lofty price point, $299, though sales often knock ‘em down to about $250.

Yeah, others are nipping at their heels, maybe surpassing the originators in one aspect or another. Say, with longer battery run time. Or expanded high-res codec support.

But the Bose Ultra Opens continue to offer, to my mind and ears, the best balance of ingredients.

Start with rich sonic performance, attention-grabbing and super present, best at spreading out (and thus pinpointing) small details, especially with the Immersion mode engaged. With high-impact music (like our Led Zep test track), these dynamos kick major butt, closest to what you’d relish in over-the-ear "cans."

Simultaneously, the Bose Open Ears keep you kindly in touch with the outside world.

What’s the secret to this neat balancing act? I’m thinking it’s the special way the Ultra Opens are angled to cling and exploit the curvature of your ears with (Bose-patented) half-rigid/half-pliant flex arms. These clip-on bud suspenders still make for a pretty comfy fit, easy to shift around until you find your sweet spot. Controls are also a cut above, with physical buttons topping the rear ear barrels that are easy to locate (by "feel") and deploy.

Key specs: Playtime: 7.5 hours/27 hours total with in-case charging; 4.5 hours with Immersive audio on/16.5 hours total. Quick charge: 10 min = 2 hours playback; full charge time 1 hour. Bluetooth 5.3. Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX. IPX4 water and sweat resistance. Weight: 6 g/0.2 oz each; 57 g/2.0 oz in case.

Price: $299

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Sony LinkBuds Clip: Best clip-style for sound accuracy and active use

Sony’s audio team has long been sticklers for sonic accuracy and snazzy, ultra-compact industrial design. Both traits are celebrated in the LinkBuds Clip.

Spinning Laufey’s wistfully waltzing Carousel, the Sonys brought out the intimate, breathy nature of her vocals (both lead and multilayered background) best of any in my test.

Likewise with the track’s atmospheric tinkling bells. When played back on other buds the bells were generic "ringy-dingy." Here I could accurately identify them as the output of a Celeste, a bell tone-emulating keyboard instrument. Not a glockenspiel, nor orchestral bells. If you’re a recording engineer or musician with a perfectionist streak, these might be the check monitors for you.

Not sure if it’s because product designers insisted on a very compact bud and carry cube package, but I also found the LinkBuds Clip have a slightly shorter "wing-span" on the elasticized band connecting front and rear sections. So they squeeze tighter on the ear lobes than most other OEs. That pinching got to me after just a couple hours.

On the bright side, fear of buds flying off is an ongoing concern with active wearers, especially runners, so there is a receptive audience for these extra clingy things. Also playing to the exercise crowd: the Scene Sensing (movement tracking) feature triggers your favorite music service and an appropriate playlist to auto-start when you’re walking, running or commuting. Spooky.

Sony flaunts its audio credentials with special sound-contouring options as well. Their AI noise reduction contributes to excellent-sounding phone calls on both ends of the line. DSEE processing refines the fidelity of compressed tracks. Preset listening modes can boost voices in a music mix (or podcast), reduce the music to "background" level or lower the sound leakage from the buds (essentially by cutting the high-end response). And Sony’s 360 Reality Audio spatial decoding is applicable if you’re a subscriber to Amazon Music Unlimited or the jam bands-lovin’ nugs.net service.

Price: $199.99. Playtime: 9 hours max per charge; 37 hours total. 10 mm drivers. Bluetooth 5.3. IPX4 water resistance. Codecs: SBC, AAC. Weight: 6 g/0.2 oz each; 54 g/1.9 oz in case.

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Soundcore AeroClip: Best mid-tier clip-on buds

Here’s my favorite mid-priced value buy of the OE pack: easy on price, strong on performance. Soundcore AeroClip’s music-purveying charms are substantial. Not quite as nit-picking precise as the Sonys, not as bold and three-dimensional as I hear on the Bose. But natural, balanced, unstressed. Entertaining with whatever you feed them.

Phone call performance proved best of the bunch, well rated by listeners at both ends of the line. AI "Situational Awareness" noise reduction is applied to your outgoing murmurings.

Ergonomics are spot-on as well, making these a fine choice for all-day desk use. Soundcore has downsized the front acoustic chamber to minimize ear contact. The silicone-coated band connecting front and back pieces has just the right curvature and elasticity, at least for my ears. Sliding them on and off is easy. Yet once in place the AeroClips don’t feel loose or (conversely) overly grippy. (User note: while certainly intended to be pulled open, you should never twist the bands of any clip-on buds. That’s a recipe for eventual failure.)

I also was quite pleased by how well Soundcore’s curved connecting bands do double duty as oversized touch controls. Virtually anywhere you tap on the band triggers the appropriate response, reliably. The bands’ brushed metallic look lends a nice touch of "bling," too.

More to know: Attachable ear grips are included in the package (as on the Sony buds) to tighten things up even more for teeny tiny ears.

For the stressed-out, the Soundcore app offers calming, sleep-inducing ambient soundscapes and narrated stories. The buds’ 8-hour run time per charge should also help you through the night.

My only disappointment: Product literature touts language translation skills working through the AeroClips’ microphones with the connected app and smartphone. But the software (still in "Beta" development) failed to emerge on my iPhone 16 Pro.

Price: $109.99 at Amazon ($169.99 list). Battery run time: 8 hours/32 hours total with case. Fast charge: 10 min = 3 hours. 12 mm driver. 4 microphones with AI enhancement on calls. Bluetooth 5.4. IP55 water resistance. Weight: 6 g/0.2 oz each; 54 g/1.9 oz in case.

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Baseus Bowie MC2: Best budget clip-on buds

One of several late entries, the Baseus Bowie MC2 so impressed me I had to call back this review for a rewrite/update. And scrub the previously planned winner in this category.

The Baseus clip-ons don’t quite pass my Laufey test, but come close. And if you don’t make direct comparisons (or raise the question) you’ll be happy with the playback of almost anything you pump through the Bowie MC2s, from "Aladdin Sane" to "Ziggy Stardust." (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

Smart tuning of the 11 mm tri-magnet drivers is key. Doesn’t matter which pre-set equalization option you select. The EQ always sounds clean and balanced on its own terms, doesn’t crumble into a soggy mess as I’ve often experienced in earbuds and headphone models that strive too hard to cover all bases (and basses) with separate EQ mixes for rock, jazz, acoustic, classical, et al. That even-tempered playback also holds true (most of the time) when activating the buds’ non-branded but reasonably effective Spatial modes for music and movies. (The processing lends an Atmos-like sense that sound is coming from a wider field, outside your head.)

Also on the subject of non-partnerships: I must note that Baseus didn’t license Bose tuning technology for the Bowie MC2s as the maker did on an earlier OE clip bud model (Inspire XC1). Still, I gotta presume that pointers picked up then have helped sharpen the engineers’ aim on these new and better buds. The warmly rounded EQ peaks and valleys of the "Baseus Classic" EQ option comes closest to the Bose sound aesthetic, I think.

The comfort card also is getting played here, big time. Slip on these buds and what you don’t feel is as important as what you do. The speaker side of the bud that rests inside your ear has a soft silicone cover, what Baseus calls an "air cushion," that enhances fit and long-term comfort. (Swappable small, medium and large cushions are included.) If these silicone covers also blunt the high-end clarity just a tad or make these buds slightly less open to outside sounds, I’d argue those are sacrifices worth making for many people.

While not offering the prettiest representation of the clip-on species, the oval-shaped loop bands connecting the front and back portions of these OE buds likewise contribute to the superior comfort level. The Bowie MC2 loops poke out farther than I’ve noticed on competitors’ models. So there’s barely any sense of the bands rubbing or pressing against ear lobes, which can get to be annoying after a while (especially on the Sonys). I kept these things on and humming for 7 hours straight without feeling any need to take a break.

Good thing I didn’t hang in until the battery went dead. With a staggering 13-hour maximum run time per charge, I’d have missed my bedtime.

Key specs: Playtime: 13 hours/60 hours total with charging case. 4 microphone with AI enhancement on calls. Bluetooth 6.0. IP67 water resistance. Weight: 5 g each; 1.8 oz in case.

Price: $79.95 ($59.95 with coupon)

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

[Image credit: Jonathan Takiff/Techlicious]

A backyard pond doesn't need a trench full of electrical conduits to get the sound of moving water. Poposoap's 12-watt solar fountain pump pairs a palm-sized submersible pump with a solar panel about the size of a hardcover book, and together they're enough to keep a small fountain, birdbath, or garden pond bubbling all day without anyone touching an outlet.

The panel and pump connect through a 16.4-foot cable, long enough to tuck the panel somewhere that gets full sun even if the water feature itself sits in partial shade. The pump moves up to 160 gallons an hour through an adjustable flow valve, with a maximum lift of 4.9 feet, so the same unit can run a gentle bubbler or a taller spray depending on how far you open the valve. A half-inch outlet and 6.6 feet of tubing are included for routing the water wherever it needs to land.

Poposoap built in a couple of protections to improve durability. If the water level drops too low, the pump shuts itself off instead of running dry and burning out the motor, which is a common failure point on some cheap solar pumps. A two-way filter blocks debris before it reaches the impeller, and the housing comes apart for cleaning, because algae and pollen can build up fast on anything that sits in standing water all summer.

The tradeoff for skipping the wiring is that this base pump runs on sunlight alone. There's no battery in the box, so it stops once the sun goes down and slows noticeably on heavily overcast days, even though enough light usually filters through thin cloud cover to keep it limping along. If you want nighttime use, Poposoap sells add-on battery backups in varying capacities that store daytime sun to keep it running for roughly four to six hours after sunset. However, with poor reviews for the batteries on Amazon, it's probably best to stick to nighttime use.

Setup is about as close to plug-and-play as solar gets, minus the plug. Submerge the pump, point the panel at the sun, and the water starts moving. There's no permit, no GFCI outlet to install near standing water, and no extension cord crossing the lawn. For ponds, birdbaths, fish tanks, and small hydroponic setups where running electrical service isn't worth the cost or the hassle, it's hard to beat that simplicity.

For a small pond, birdbath, or potted water garden, the solar pump covers most needs. Anyone with an established fish pond will outgrow it fast, since real filtration matters more there than a pretty spray. Poposoap's 40-watt pond filter and fountain kit plugs into household power and pairs a 660-gallon-per-hour pump with a self-contained filter box rated for ponds up to 1,180 gallons. It can run a fountain and a second feature, like a small waterfall, at the same time through a built-in diverter valve, and the filter sponges and bio-ceramic rings inside are sized to keep water clear enough for fish, not just clean enough to look nice from the porch.

For something more dramatic, Poposoap also sells a 304 stainless steel waterfall spillway built around the same 40-watt, 660-gallon-per-hour pump. The stainless construction is meant to survive years outdoors without rusting or warping, and the kit ships with 9.8 feet of pre-assembled tubing, a filter bag, and the hardware needed to tuck a 12-inch spillway box into a corner, against a wall, or as the centerpiece of a larger landscaped pond. A newer version adds LED strip lighting built into the spillway, for anyone who wants a little waterfall bling after dark.

[Image credit: Poposoap]

Instagram runs almost entirely on icons. There are no labels on most of them, the app gets redesigned every year or two, and the symbols that confuse people most, the ones in your DMs and on story rings, are the ones you really want to know. This guide covers all of them, organized by where you encounter them in the app.

What the colored rings on Instagram stories mean

The ring around a profile picture in your story tray tells you whether there's a story to watch and what kind it is, before you tap anything.

A pink and orange gradient ring means there's a new story from that account you haven't watched yet. Once you watch it, the ring turns gray. That's the whole system for regular stories.

The one that surprises people is the green ring. If you see a green circle around someone's profile photo, it means they posted a story specifically to their Close Friends list. And you're on it. Instagram doesn't send a notification when someone adds you as a Close Friend. The green ring on their story is the only indication. Seeing it once means you're in; if you stop seeing green rings from someone you used to see them from, they've quietly removed you. There's no notification either way.

When an account is actively broadcasting live video, their profile photo gets a ring with the word "Live" on it. Tapping it takes you directly into the stream.

A few things story rings won't tell you: they don't indicate who views your story most, they don't reveal whether someone restricted you, and there's no special ring that means someone posted a story but hid it from you. If someone hides their story from you or removes you as a follower, you simply don't see their profile in the story tray at all.

Instagram post icons: heart, comment, share, and save

The heart likes the post. The speech bubble opens the comments. The paper plane shares the post. Tap it and you get options to send it via DM to specific people, share it to your own story, or copy the link. The bookmark in the far right corner saves the post to a private collection that only you can see.

One that people miss: the three-dot icon in the top right corner of any post. That's where you'll find options to hide the post, report it, mute the account, or copy the link, depending on whether it's your own post or someone else's.

Icons inside an Instagram story

The text field at the bottom of a story is for sending a private reply directly to the person's DMs. The heart icon likes the story privately. They'll see it in their viewers list, but it won't show up publicly anywhere. The paper plane shares the story (if the account allows sharing). The three dots give you options to report the story, mute the account, or copy the link.

The icons that appear within the story itself are used by the person who created it (sticker icons, link stickers, question boxes, polls) and tapping them lets you interact with whatever interactive element they've embedded.

Instagram DM inbox icons

When you open DMs, there's a row of profile photos across the top before the conversation list. This is where you'll see the green dot and map icon indicators. The green dot on a profile photo means that person is currently active on Instagram. Instagram calls this Activity Status, and it's only visible if both you and the other person have it enabled. If you can see someone's green dot, they can see yours. You can turn this off in Settings under Messages and story replies.

The map icon on a profile in that bar opens location-based posts from that person.

Below the profiles bar is your conversation list. The pencil icon at the top right starts a new message.

Instagram DM message status: what Sent and Seen mean

A blue dot next to a conversation in your list means you have an unread message from that person.

In the list of DMs, Instagram uses text timestamps rather than icon indicators to show message status. After you send a message, you'll see "Sent just now" beneath the recipient's name, which updates to "Sent 5m ago" and so on as time passes. When they've read it, that changes to "Seen just now" or "Seen 5m ago." There's no guessing – the label tells you exactly what happened and when.

Whether someone is currently online is shown by the green dot on their profile photo in the list of DMs. No green dot means they're offline or have Activity Status turned off.

The camera icon next to the conversation gives you quick access to send a photo DM.

Instagram's new Instants, photos and videos that disappear after they have been viewed, get their own indicator. There is a tab in the lower right of the Messages screen above the navigation bar. You see a + when you don't have any Instants. When someone sends you an Instant, you'll see a thumbnail preview. Once you've opened it, the thumbnail disappears.

Instagram DM conversation icons

To the left of the text input box in a chat, you'll see a camera icon. Tapping it opens your camera so you can take a photo or video and send it directly. This is different from the photo picker (which lets you send from your camera roll).

The microphone icon lets you record and send a voice message. Hold it down to record, release to send.

The photo icon lets you select pictures from your camera roll to share.

The smiley icon lets you add stickers.

The plus icon lets you add your location, add a free-hand drawing, or add an AI-generated image.

The phone icon in the top right corner of a conversation starts an audio call. The video camera icon starts a video call. Both happen inside Instagram rather than through your carrier. Instagram has also rolled out a Blend feature, which lets you collaborate with other accounts to see each others Reels and new Reels based on your chat.

Instagram navigation bar icons

The icons across the bottom of the app include: the house (home feed), a square with a play triangle (Reels), a plus sign (create a post, story, or Reel), a paper plane (DMs), a heart (notifications: likes, comments, follows, mentions), and your profile photo (your profile). If there's a red dot on the heart, you have new activity.

Instagram home feed icons: Following, Favorites, and the red star

A dropdown arrow next to the Instagram logo at the top of your feed lets you switch between your Following feed (only accounts you follow) and your Favorites feed (a curated list of up to 50 accounts whose posts appear in chronological order).

If you see a small red star next to an account name in your regular Home feed, that account is on your Favorites list. Their posts are prioritized higher in the algorithm even when you're not using the Favorites feed view.

To add someone as a Favorite, go to their profile, tap Following, and choose "Add to Favorites." You can also manage the full list through Settings > What you see > Favorites, where you can search for and add anyone you follow.

Instagram profile badges: blue checkmark, gold checkmark, and account labels

The blue checkmark next to an account name means Instagram has verified that account as authentic, typically for public figures, celebrities, and major brands. It's a confirmation of identity, not quality or endorsement.

A gold checkmark marks accounts subscribed to Meta Verified, which is a paid subscription. It means the account owner paid to get a badge, not that they were independently verified by Instagram. It does include some account protection features, but it's a different thing than the original blue checkmark.

Category labels under an account name on their profile page – "Media/news company," as you'll see on our @TechliciousMedia account – are self-selected by the account owner. Instagram does not assign them.

Instagram privacy settings: turning off read receipts and activity status

Activity Status (the green dot that shows when you're online) and read receipts can both be disabled. Go to Settings, then Messages and story replies, then Who can see you're online. Turn off Activity Status and your green dot disappears for everyone, but you also lose the ability to see anyone else's. Turn off read receipts and neither side will see when a DM has been read.

Story views (who can see your story viewers list) can be restricted, but you can't hide individual viewer names from yourself if you go looking.

Instagram icons and symbols: common misconceptions

A few things worth clearing up. The order of your story viewers is not a ranking of who views your profile most, despite a persistent belief that it is. Instagram has never confirmed any such ranking, and it changes based on factors like recency and whether someone interacted with your story. Don't read into it.

There is no special symbol that appears on a post or in a DM if someone has restricted you. Restricted accounts can still see your profile and follow you, but they can't see when you're active and their comments show up as hidden to everyone else. The only way to tell if you've been restricted is indirectly: your comments on their posts are only visible to you, not to others viewing the post.

If you try to DM someone who has blocked you, the message simply won't show delivered. Your past messages with them remain visible in your inbox, but sending new ones won't work.

[Image credit: Screenshots via Techlicious]

Americans reported losing $3.5 billion to imposter scams last year, according to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) data released today, June 15, 2026. Imposter scams are schemes where fraudsters pose as someone trustworthy (a government agency, your bank, a well-known company) to steal your money or personal information. Losses have nearly tripled since 2020, and the FTC says the $3.5 billion figure almost certainly understates the true scale of the problem since most victims never file a report.

Imposter scams topped every other fraud category the FTC tracks, accounting for nearly one in three fraud reports in 2025. The playbook varies, but the most expensive version follows the same script: a fake security alert, typically dressed up as a message from your bank, tells you your money is in danger and instructs you to move it somewhere "safe." By the time the victim realizes they've been manipulated, the money is gone.

Bank impersonators drove nearly $1 billion in reported losses alone. Government impersonators weren't far behind, at $920 million, up from $789 million in 2024. These scams arrive through every available channel: text messages, phone calls, email, social media, and, increasingly, search engine results that direct people to fraudulent websites designed to look like the real thing. A good security suite with web protection can flag those sites before you interact with them.

The imposter scam numbers sit inside a broader fraud picture. Total reported fraud losses reached $16 billion in 2025, a 25% jump over 2024 and the highest figure the agency has ever recorded.

To push back, the FTC joined a public-private coalition that includes the American Bankers Association, Google, Microsoft, and USTelecom for a "Never Ever" awareness campaign running through June 26. The message is deliberately blunt: the government will never tell you to move your money to protect it, will never threaten to cut off your benefits unless you pay immediately, and will never demand payment via gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or payment app. Anyone who does any of those things is a scammer.

The campaign alone won't fix this. The FTC finalized its Impersonation Rule in 2024, giving the agency authority to pursue federal court cases and seek direct financial relief for victims. Since then, it has brought a dozen enforcement actions and recovered more than $70 million in consumer redress. Recent targets include an April 2026 complaint against Innovative Partners, which the FTC alleges impersonated government agencies and major insurance carriers to sell consumers fake PPO health plans.

Seventy million dollars recovered against $3.5 billion lost is not a satisfying ratio. The FTC's enforcement tools are stronger than they were two years ago, but scam operations continue to outpace the response. If you've been targeted, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

[Image credit: Suzanne Kantra/Techlicious generated by ChatGPT]

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off yesterday and runs through July 19, with 104 matches across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It’s the largest tournament in the event’s history and the first World Cup held in North America since 1994.

Every match airs in English on either Fox or Fox Sports 1 (FS1). Since Fox is a broadcast network, you can watch those games for free with an antenna. For matches on FS1, you’ll need a paid streaming service. Here are your options.

Watch Fox games free with an over-the-air antenna

Every match airing on Fox is free with a standard over-the-air antenna. There’s no subscription and no account required. If you don’t already own one, a basic indoor antenna costs less than $30 and works well in many markets.

Most TVs have an HD digital TV receiver built in. However, you can pull in a much higher-quality 4K HDR signal using a NextGen TV receiver. NextGen TV is a new broadcast standard (ATSC 3.0) that provides a beautiful picture – better than cable, better than streaming – with less interference from buildings and other obstacles than standard TV signals. NextGen/ATSC 3.0 currently broadcasts in more than 80 markets, covering 75 percent of U.S. households. NextGen receivers offer a variety of options and come in at a range of price points. Consult our guide to the best NextGen TV receivers to find the one that is right for your household.

Watch Fox and FS1 games with a streaming service

YouTube TV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV all carry Fox and FS1, so any of them will cover every match in the tournament. If you don’t already subscribe to one of these live TV streaming services, you have two lower-cost options.

Fox One, Fox’s standalone streaming service, costs $19.99 per month and includes FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network, Fox News, and your local Fox station. The app is available on most smart TVs and streaming devices, as well as iOS and Android.

Sling Select also costs $19.99 per month and includes FS1 nationwide, along with Fox in select major markets. If you’re considering Sling Select, enter your ZIP code on Sling.com first to make sure your local Fox affiliate is included.

Find the World Cup schedule

You can find the complete schedule at FIFA.com and on Fox’s World Cup Hub, including whether each match airs on Fox or FS1. Group-stage play runs through late June, the knockout rounds begin in early July, and the final is at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.

[Image credit: Suzanne Kantra/Techlicious generated by ChatGPT]

Apple officially introduced its rebuilt assistant, now called Siri AI, at the WWDC 2026 keynote, which was also Tim Cook's last before he steps down. It's the biggest change to Siri since it first landed on the iPhone back in 2011. The headline change is that the new Siri runs on AI built using Google's Gemini, after years of Apple struggling to fix Siri on its own.

The new Siri lives in a standalone app, and it pops out of the Dynamic Island when you ask it something. It can hold an actual back-and-forth conversation now, instead of dumping you into a list of web links, and it pulls from your own stuff, like your reminders, emails, and files, to answer you. It works across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and even Vision Pro, and you can start something on one device and finish it on another.

What Siri can do now

The big shift is that Siri can handle longer, multi-step requests and lean on what's already on your devices. Ask it something and the answer pops out of the Dynamic Island, and it might come back as a reminder, a song, or a map with driving directions, not just a wall of text. You can also hand it a photo or a document and have it work from that.

It pulls hard from your personal context. In one demo, the Mac version helped plan out building a shed by drawing from files already on the computer. It can draft an email based on your past messages, and it can read the nutrition info off a food label using the Camera app. Your conversation history also syncs across devices, so you can ask something on your iPhone and pick the thread back up on your Mac.

Siri AI is in beta now, with a broader release expected around September alongside iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27. Apple didn't announce any separate cost for it. Some older phones, like the iPhone 11, drop off the supported list, so you'll want at least an iPhone 15 Pro or an iPhone 16 or newer to actually get Siri AI. 

Read More: Why Apple's Gemini-Powered Siri Could Finally Be Useful

So is Google reading your stuff?

That Google connection is the obvious thing to worry about. The short answer is mostly no. Apple didn't just bolt Google's Gemini chatbot onto Siri. It licensed Gemini's underlying technology and used it to build its own model, which it still calls an Apple Foundation Model.

Most of what you ask stays on your phone, or goes to Apple's own private servers. Only the hardest questions get routed out to Google's cloud, and Apple says those are anonymized, stripped of your Apple ID, and that Google is barred from using them to train its own AI. "We're not changing our privacy rules," Tim Cook said on stage. It's not the same as having a fully Apple Siri, but it's a very different arrangement from simply handing Google your data.

Separately, through a feature called Extensions, you'll also be able to set a third-party assistant like ChatGPT, Claude, or even Gemini itself as the one that answers your questions. I'm particularly excited about this feature because Claude is my go-to AI assistant, and I'm looking forward to seeing how well it can integrate into this new Siri.

Keep in mind Siri itself still runs on Apple's Gemini-based model. Extensions just changes which AI actually answers your hardest questions, which would go to Google by default. I think this is the ideal setup if Apple couldn't go with fully independent models to handle the whole process.

Why I'm more hopeful this time

I've used Gemini extensively on Android, and it already does a lot of what people actually want from a phone assistant. It handles natural conversation and pulls from across your apps, while Siri today tends to hit a wall fast and fall back to web results.

What makes me more hopeful than I was is how this is built. Apple's earlier ChatGPT integration was a bolt-on. It asked permission every single time before sending a query out, and it felt disconnected from the rest of the phone. This time the AI is baked into Siri from the ground up, and the privacy handling is part of how it works rather than something tacked on afterward. I'm still not thrilled about Apple leaning this hard on Google. But if the company can pair Google's AI with its own privacy standards, Siri could finally become something you reach for on purpose, instead of just to set an alarm.

Read More: Google's AI Takeover: Assistant Dies, Gemini Rises

[Image credit: Apple]

Most of us treat Bluetooth as a basic feature that's just supposed to work. So when it doesn't, it's incredibly frustrating. If you've ever wrestled with headphones that refuse to connect or a speaker that keeps dropping out, you're not alone. And as someone who's reviewed hundreds of Bluetooth gadgets over the years, believe me, I've felt your pain.

Why your Bluetooth device isn't showing up when pairing

If you're trying to connect a Bluetooth accessory and it doesn't appear on the list of available devices, the problem is almost always one of three things: the accessory isn't in pairing mode, it's already connected to another device, or your phone or computer has stale pairing data that needs to be cleared before it can see the accessory again. Work through steps 1 through 5 before anything else.

Why you're seeing a "Pairing Unsuccessful" error

If the device shows up on the available list but fails to connect with an error like "pairing unsuccessful," "pairing rejected," or "pairing not accepted," the usual causes are that the accessory isn't in pairing mode or it's already connected elsewhere. A communications glitch can also trigger these errors. Toggling Bluetooth off and back on and restarting one or both devices usually clears it.

Why your Bluetooth device won't connect after pairing

When a Bluetooth device that previously worked stops connecting, the cause is almost always one of two things: Bluetooth is turned off on one of the devices, or the accessory has already connected to a different phone or computer nearby. Check those two things before working through the steps below.

10 ways to fix Bluetooth pairing problems

If the quick checks above didn't solve it, work through these fixes in order. They're organized from most likely cause to least, and from easiest to most involved.

1. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on

If Bluetooth isn't active on both devices, nothing else will work, so confirm this first.

On Android, swipe down to open Quick Settings. If the Bluetooth tile is highlighted, it's on. On iOS and iPadOS, go to Settings to enable or disable it. Windows users will find Bluetooth under Settings > Devices > Bluetooth (or in the taskbar shortcuts). Mac users will see a Bluetooth status icon in the menu bar.

If Bluetooth won't turn on at all, try restarting the device. If that doesn't help, a driver update may be what's needed (step 8 covers that).

2. Turn on pairing mode

Bluetooth devices fall into two categories: accessories (headphones, keyboards, speakers) and main devices (phones, computers, cars, TVs). They work differently when it comes to pairing.

Accessories typically start in pairing mode right out of the box, indicated by a blinking light. Once paired, you'll need to trigger pairing mode again to connect to a new device. Search for "how to put [product name] into pairing mode.

For main devices, activate Bluetooth first, then put the device into pairing mode through its settings menu. When both sides are in pairing mode, they usually find each other and connect. Some devices require an extra step, like entering a PIN or going through a manufacturer's app.

Pairing a phone with a car's infotainment system trips up more people than almost anything else. Start by activating Bluetooth on your phone and making it discoverable. Then put the car into pairing mode. On older models that typically means a specific button sequence; on newer models, it's usually a menu on the in-dash touchscreen. When the car detects your phone, you'll often see a numeric code on one or both screens to confirm. Both devices stay in pairing mode for only a few minutes, so if it times out before the confirmation step, you'll need to start over. Search for "[your car make and model] Bluetooth pairing" if the process isn't obvious from the screen.

3. Power Bluetooth off and back on

A soft reset clears minor communication glitches. On phones and computers, toggle Bluetooth off and on in Settings. On accessories like keyboards, speakers, or headphones, cycle the power off and back on.

4. Make sure you're connected to the correct device

Bluetooth accessories reconnect automatically to the most recently connected device. If your headphones are already connected to your laptop, they won't also connect to your phone without some intervention. Check whether your accessory is paired and active on another device, disconnect it there, then try again on the one you want to use.

Many modern headphones and speakers support multipoint pairing, which lets them stay connected to up to three devices simultaneously, switching between your phone and computer automatically. If you're running into issues specifically with multipoint, skip to the section below.

5. Forget the device and pair it again

Corrupted or outdated pairing data is a common cause of persistent connection failures. Remove the device from your Bluetooth settings entirely and start fresh. On iOS and iPadOS, tap the "i" icon next to the device name and select "Forget This Device." On Android, tap the device name and choose "Unpair" or "Forget." On Windows, click the three-dot menu next to the device and select "Remove." On Mac, hover over the device and click the X button or "Disconnect" to remove it.

If the accessory won't enter pairing mode at all, it may have reached the limit for stored connections. Most accessories cap out at somewhere between three and eight. Your options are to make one of your existing paired devices forget the accessory, freeing up a slot, or to factory reset the accessory to clear all stored pairings at once. The reset procedure is usually in the manual or findable with a quick search for "[device name] factory reset."

6. Make sure both devices are close enough

Most Bluetooth connections drop significantly after about 30 feet, and even sooner with walls or furniture in the way. During initial pairing, keep devices within five feet of each other.

7. Charge up both devices

Some devices power down Bluetooth automatically when the battery runs low. If a phone, tablet, or accessory is running on fumes, plug it in before trying to pair.

8. Check for software and firmware updates

Most headphones, speakers, and accessories run firmware that quietly controls how they connect and perform. A firmware update can solve pairing problems that seemed impossible to fix. Check the manufacturer's app or support site for anything available.

Older car audio systems sometimes fail to pair with newer phones because their Bluetooth profiles predate current standards. A vehicle firmware update, available from the manufacturer, may fix it. If you're not sure how to get firmware for your car, check the manufacturer's support page or contact the dealer.

If Bluetooth started misbehaving after a recent software update to your phone or computer, the update itself may be the culprit. Manufacturers frequently push follow-up patches for compatibility problems that slip through in major releases. Check under "Software Update" in your device settings.

For computers specifically, check for an updated Bluetooth driver on the manufacturer's support page. Installing it fixes a surprising number of persistent pairing failures on Windows machines.

9. Rule out wireless interference

Several household devices share the same 2.4GHz radio spectrum as Bluetooth: Wi-Fi routers, microwave ovens, baby monitors, and cordless phones can all cause interference.

Zigbee, a wireless protocol used in smart home hubs like Amazon's Echo Show and Samsung's SmartThings Hub as well as a wide range of smart locks, light bulbs, and sensors, operates in the same band. If your home is heavily wired with smart home gear, this is worth testing by moving the affected devices away from the hub.

USB 3 and USB-C ports are another overlooked source of interference. The ports themselves can leak 2.4GHz frequencies, and poorly shielded cables make it worse. If you're having trouble pairing Bluetooth devices near a desktop computer, move them away from USB connections. If you're using a Bluetooth dongle, try switching it to a different port.

10. Reset Bluetooth settings on your phone

If none of the above has worked, resetting your phone's network settings will clear any deep-seated Bluetooth glitches. The trade-off is that it also wipes all saved Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth pairings, so you'll need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords and re-pair all your devices afterward.

On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

On most Android phones, go to Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.

After the reset, your phone reconnects to your cellular carrier automatically. If you're on an MVNO (Mint, Visible, Cricket, Metro, or similar), you may need to re-enter APN settings manually. Your carrier can provide those.

Solving problems with Bluetooth multipoint pairing

Multipoint lets a Bluetooth device stay connected to more than one device at the same time, like your headphones paired to both your phone and laptop simultaneously. Before troubleshooting, confirm your accessory actually supports it by searching "[product name] multipoint Bluetooth" or checking the manual.

Once confirmed, the standard setup process for pairing headphones with both a phone and a computer looks like this:

1. Pair the headphones with your phone the way you would with any standard Bluetooth connection.
2. Leave your phone connected, put your headphones back into pairing mode, and pair them with your laptop.
3. Once the laptop connection succeeds, you should be simultaneously connected to both devices.

Some manufacturers, including Sony and Bose, require you to enable multipoint through their app before a second connection will work. Check the app before concluding the hardware doesn't support it.

If your headphones keep reconnecting to the wrong device, the most likely explanation is that more paired devices are in range than the headphones can manage simultaneously. I've run into this myself. I spent too long troubleshooting before realizing my headphones had already grabbed a connection to my husband's phone. If your headphones have a companion app, use it to manage which devices get priority. Without an app, put the headphones into pairing mode and re-pair manually with the device you want.

Why Bluetooth pairing fails in the first place

Bluetooth depends on hardware and software working in sync. From a hardware perspective, both devices need to support the same 2.4GHz frequencies. On the software side, they need matching Bluetooth profiles, the protocols that define specific functions. A mouse can't pair with a car's infotainment system because the car doesn't support the Human Interface Device Profile.

Bluetooth is generally backward compatible. A device running Bluetooth 5 should still connect to one running the ancient Bluetooth 2.1 from 2007. Large version gaps can occasionally produce unexpected pairing issues or limited functionality, but it's rarely the main problem.

The good news is that unless there's a true hardware or software incompatibility, nearly every Bluetooth pairing problem traces back to the same handful of causes: pairing mode, saved connections, interference, outdated software, or the accessory already being connected elsewhere. The fix is almost always simpler than it looks.

Updated June 3, 2026 with new recommendations

[Image credit: Techlicious]

Hair-wrapped brush rolls and constantly full dust bins are probably the two biggest vacuum complaints among pet owners. Dyson says its new V16 Piston Animal cordless stick vacuum is designed to solve those problems. The company's latest flagship combines powerful cordless suction with a redesigned anti-tangle cleaner head, automatic floor sensing, and a new dust-compressing bin designed to reduce maintenance between cleanings.

Available now, the Dyson V16 Piston Animal is priced at $979, while the Dyson V16 Piston Animal Submarine, which adds wet-floor washing capabilities, costs $1,099.

A new cleaner head designed to stop hair tangles

The big upgrade here is Dyson's new All Floor Cones Sense cleaner head. Instead of a traditional cylindrical brush roll, it uses two conical brush bars designed to move hair toward the outer edges, where it can be pulled directly into the dust bin before wrapping around the brush.

For pet owners like me, it addresses one of the most common vacuum frustrations: hair wrapped around the brush roll.

The cleaner head also automatically adjusts both the suction power and the brush bar speed based on the floor surface. Dyson says the vacuum slows the brush roll on hard floors for quieter operation while increasing agitation on carpeting for deeper cleaning. The goal is to eliminate the need to swap between separate carpet and hard-floor heads during routine cleaning. It also means one less cleaner head to keep track of between cleaning sessions.

More power and longer runtime

Powering the V16 Piston Animal is a new 900W Hyperdymium motor that delivers up to 315 air watts of suction, which Dyson says is its most powerful cordless vacuum to date. Dyson also introduced Dynamic Cyclone technology, which activates additional cyclones in Boost mode when extra cleaning power is needed. The V16 claims up to 70 minutes of runtime, a swappable battery and whole-machine HEPA filtration.

Like previous premium Dyson vacuums, the V16 includes LED illumination to reveal hidden dust on hard floors. As someone who uses a Dyson V15 Detect daily, I’m a little obsessed with Dyson's little green laser. It's one of those features that sounds gimmicky until you see just how much dust, cat litter, and pet hair it reveals that looked invisible moments earlier. Once you've vacuumed with it, it's surprisingly hard to go back. 

A bigger bin without a bigger vacuum

With two cats in my house, I empty the dust bin on my Dyson V15 Detect more often than I'd like. That's why Dyson's new CleanCompaktor bin may be one of the most interesting updates. Rather than simply increasing the size of the bin, Dyson compresses the debris inside it, allowing the vacuum to hold what the company says is up to 30 days of dust. The redesigned emptying mechanism also wipes the inside of the bin as it empties, helping prevent dust and hair from sticking to the walls.

Is the V16 Piston Animal worth it?

The V16’s most interesting upgrades focus on convenience and maintenance. The dual-cone cleaner head, the debris compression and the automatically adjusting cleaner head all work toward the same goal: reducing the things that make vacuuming feel like a chore.

The standard V16 Piston Animal is a dry vacuum only. If you want wet cleaning as well, opt for the $1,099 V16 Piston Animal Submarine, which adds Dyson's upgraded Submarine 2.0 roller head for washing hard floors and cleaning spills.

The V16 isn't automatically the right choice for everyone. Shoppers looking for a premium cordless vacuum at a lower price may find the V15 Detect a compelling option, particularly when it's discounted. Those focused on maximum performance over dirt compression should look at Dyson's Gen5detect, while the lighter $599 PencilVac is a great option for apartment dwellers and anyone who prioritizes maneuverability and affordability.

I use a Dyson V15 Detect as my primary vacuum at home, and one thing I've learned is that today's premium cordless vacuums already offer plenty of cleaning power. What stands out on paper about the V16 isn't necessarily the jump in suction. It's Dyson's focus on reducing maintenance through features like the anti-tangle cleaner head and compressed dust bin, two areas that can become daily annoyances in busy households. As someone who empties the bin on my V15 Detect more often than I'd like, the V16's dust-compression system is one of the features I'm most interested in seeing in action.

Dyson's bet with the V16 is that what pet owners actually want is less maintenance between cleanings. At $979, it's a premium ask. But Dyson has a long track record of backing up its prices with performance, and for pet owners tired of maintaining their vacuum as much as using it, that reputation carries weight. I can’t wait to put it to the test.

Read next: Dyson PencilWash is a better stick mopvac for small spaces

[Image credit: Dyson]