I miss the point-and-shoot cameras of days gone by. They offered a level of convenience that smartphones have hogged over the past two decades. Yet many designers and creators believe those cameras had something in their design that can still influence modern devices and their form. Case in point: the D90 Block Power Bank by D MOOSTER. It resembles a digicam without the lens, but with the same comfortable, convenient handling.
D MOOSTER, established in 2020, is a design agency born during the pandemic. Since then, it has been moving forward with concepts that have the power to mesmerize, and this new power bank with its timeless appearance and state-of-the-art features embodies that spirit, and is a compelling device to behold. If you’re not convinced, we’ll walk you through its aesthetic and functional features below to show why it truly lives up to the hype.
You cannot afford to have your phone run out of power in the middle of doomscrolling or when you’re in no man’s land without a power connection in the vicinity. And it goes without saying that the case is similar when you are working remotely and are involved in back-to-back meetings. A reliable power bank can be the much-needed lifeline when such a situation strikes and you should be ready with a contemporary device, which can offer more power, with maximum convenience and still have a showstopping design to flaunt.
The D90 Block Power is all of the above. A device with the primary idea of keeping your portable devices going through the day. It can work hard and last long with up to 20W fast charging support and a capable 10,000 mAh battery, which can juice up your iPhone fully at least twice before requiring a charge. When it comes to devices like a power bank, we rely on reputable brands for their capacity, power output, and durability.
With its new power bank concept, D MOOSTER ensures each of these parameters is checked and consumers have no reason to shy away from its appeal. And when that’s ensured, the convenience of the pull-out cable kicks in. The device flaunts a one-meter-long cable, which pulls out of its housing within the power bank, when you need it. With a USB Type-C on its connecting end, the power bank is made compatible with almost all the new iPhones and an entire collection of smartphones under the Android umbrella.
Featuring an enticing three-module design, one each for branding, specifications, and information (inspired by the Fibonacci golden ratio) the D90 Block Power has a power button and an USB A port alongside on one side. Designed in three colors: orange, gray, and blue, the power bank from D MOOSTER is conceptualized with natural materials and a size that is handy to carry and use.
Many people feel overwhelmed by gadgets and cords cluttering their beautifully designed spaces. The growing desire for simplicity and intentional living, once centered on interiors, now extends to technology. Gen Z is not just choosing smaller devices, but they are redefining what it means to own and use technology with purpose and balance.
This generation is driving a new wave of tech minimalism that blends power, portability, and sustainability with a hint of nostalgia. They curate their digital tools like design pieces that are useful, stylish, and clutter-free. For them, technology quietly enhances life rather than overpowering it, reshaping the modern minimalist movement.
1. Tiny Projectors and the Invisible Tech Trend
The large television dominating living rooms is fast becoming outdated for Gen Z, who value flexibility and open spaces. A growing number are turning to compact projectors that can be tucked away when not in use, transforming any wall into a viewing screen. It’s a clever solution for anyone wanting to reclaim visual balance and wall space without sacrificing entertainment.
This shift toward “invisible tech” perfectly complements the trend of minimal, intentional interiors. Without a bulky black rectangle commanding attention, rooms feel calmer and more refined. These pocket-sized projectors offer spontaneous experiences like movie nights, art displays, or gaming, anywhere, anytime.
The JMGO PicoPlay+ is a compact, all-in-one portable projector designed to elevate everyday entertainment with minimal effort. Weighing roughly the same as a laptop and fitting easily into a backpack, it delivers Full HD 1080P projection at 460 ISO lumens and includes a vertical projection mode optimised for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Beyond projection, the device doubles as a 360-degree Bluetooth speaker with rich 8-watt audio, and integrates Google TV with access to over 10,000 apps, including Netflix, without the need for additional streaming hardware.
Smart features such as gimbal-based auto-correction, touch controls, HDMI 2.1 ARC compatibility, USB and Type-C support, and a 25,000-hour LED lifespan contribute to a seamless user experience. The cylindrical design incorporates an ambient RGB lighting system that syncs with music to enhance atmospheric settings. Paired with an included power bank stand providing four hours of cordless use, it is ideal for dorms, travel, outdoor events, or multi-purpose living spaces.
2. The Era of Compact and Collapsible Accessories
In Gen Z’s tech world, if it doesn’t fold, it doesn’t fit. A wave of flexible, foldable accessories, including roll-up keyboards, collapsible ring lights, and portable laptop stands, is redefining mobility and workspace design. These tools reflect a work-from-anywhere mindset where setups appear and disappear in seconds.
The philosophy is simple: to function without clutter. Every accessory serves a purpose when in use, then vanishes neatly when not in use. Foldable, compact designs enable spaces to transition effortlessly from a productive office to a calm living area, demonstrating that smart, portable design isn’t just practical but is a quiet act of intentional living.
The KeyGo Ultra-Slim Folding Keyboard is designed to redefine mobile productivity by combining premium construction with intelligent functionality. Crafted from CNC-anodised aluminium, it offers a robust, MacBook-grade tactile experience in a compact form. Its 180-degree foldable mechanism ensures stable deployment while maintaining travel-friendly proportions. Integrated dynamic lighting enhances visual feedback and adds refinement to extended work sessions.
A distinguishing feature of KeyGo is its integrated 12.8-inch laminated touchscreen, providing 1920×720 resolution, ten-point touch support, and 72% NTSC colour performance. It can function as a dedicated secondary display or as a precision touch interface for multitasking, gesture navigation, and creative tasks. Universal compatibility across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, coupled with dual USB-C and USB-A connectivity, enables effortless deployment across devices. Quiet scissor-switch keys ensure a refined typing experience, making KeyGo a sophisticated solution for professionals who do not wish to compromise productivity while working on the move.
3. Retro Gadgets and Simple Tech
Alongside cutting-edge tech, Gen Z is embracing nostalgia-driven gadgets like reissued Polaroid cameras and simple flip phones. This trend isn’t just playful, as it reflects a desire for simplicity and intentional use, favoring devices that perform one task well rather than many poorly.
This focus on purpose-built tools encourages mindfulness. Using an instant camera slows down the process, creating tangible, immediate results instead of endless scrolling. It shows that good design often lies in reducing complexity. Single-purpose devices can enhance well-being, offering freedom from constant digital distractions while making technology feel intentional, satisfying, and thoughtfully integrated into daily life.
The cassette revival is not merely nostalgic sentiment but a renewed appreciation for analogue sound, tactile interaction, and the ritual of rewinding a mixtape. Where enthusiasts once depended on ageing Walkmans with unreliable mechanics, the Retrospekt CP-81 introduces a contemporary alternative engineered for today. Newly built rather than restored, it pairs retro appeal with modern dependability. The transparent housing exposes the internal mechanics, while its compact profile and minimal branding maintain a clean, modern aesthetic. The unit ships with retro-inspired Koss headphones featuring orange foam pads and a stainless-steel headband.
Functionality is intentionally focused, offering play, fast-forward, rewind, and record, along with a microphone jack for line-in capture. It operates via AA batteries or USB-C for flexible use at home or in transit. The tactile pleasure of inserting a cassette and hearing the gentle transport noise is central to its charm, complemented by stable stereo output and themed editions that add collectability.
4. Eco-Friendly and Mindful Tech
For Gen Z, technology is inseparable from sustainability and well-being. They seek brands that prioritize repairability, modular upgrades, and transparent sourcing, rejecting the disposable gadget culture of previous decades. This shift is driving demand for devices designed to last longer, encouraging a more thoughtful approach to tech ownership.
Adopting this mindset benefits everyone. Choosing eco-friendly, durable devices isn’t just about protecting the planet; it also fosters a sense of calm and permanence in daily life. Supporting companies that actively reduce e-waste is a practical step that anyone can take, making technology both sustainable and more mindful in its use.
The EcoFlow Power Hat is a wearable solar-charging accessory designed to extend device battery life during outdoor activities. Styled as a wide-brimmed sun hat, it integrates a flexible solar panel seamlessly into the brim, enabling continuous energy capture under direct sunlight. A concealed USB-C port positioned within the inner band allows users to connect and charge small electronic devices such as smartphones, GPS units, or wireless earbuds without additional equipment. The concept aligns with EcoFlow’s commitment to accessible, clean energy, translating the brand’s expertise in portable power into a practical, hands-free format.
Engineered for comfort and longevity, the Power Hat maintains the look and feel of a conventional outdoor hat, ensuring extended wear without visual or physical bulk. Its minimalist aesthetic prevents it from appearing overtly technical, making it suitable for hiking, camping, festivals, and other off-grid environments. It offers a discreet, sustainable charging alternative for users who prioritise functionality without compromising mobility.
5. Minimalist Tech Practices
The final, and perhaps most defining, aspect of Gen Z’s tech minimalism is digital decluttering. They deliberately remove unnecessary apps, control notifications, and maintain highly organised digital spaces. Their belief is straightforward: a cluttered digital life creates a cluttered mind, compromising comfort and well-being. This mindset also influences their hardware choices — favouring sleek, minimal gadgets that deliver function without visual or physical excess.
This is an approach anyone can adopt. Spend an hour deleting old files, unsubscribing from email clutter, and limiting push notifications to essentials. By applying minimalist principles to screens and devices the way we do to physical spaces, we create mental clarity, reduce stress, and cultivate a calmer, more intentional relationship with technology.
The Greyshork X3 is a pioneering multi-screen laptop designed to redefine portable productivity. Featuring a 16-inch main display flanked by two 10.5-inch fold-out auxiliary screens, it creates an expansive workspace ideal for multitasking. The displays deliver vivid visuals with resolutions of 1920×1200 on the central screen and 1920×1280 on the sides, ensuring clarity and precision for professional workflows. When not in use, the auxiliary screens fold neatly into the chassis, maintaining a sleek, portable form factor. Its thoughtful design balances expansive functionality with mobility, making it suitable for nomadic professionals, designers, and creators who demand flexibility without sacrificing space or efficiency.
Under the hood, the X3 is powered by an Intel i7-12650H processor, supports up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM, and accommodates up to 2TB of M.2 SSD storage, with optional external GPU support via Oculink. A fingerprint reader integrated into the trackpad adds convenient security. The laptop’s multi-screen setup enables effortless window management, immersive gaming, and enhanced workflow efficiency, all within a robust, premium build.
Gen Z shows that tech minimalism isn’t about losing functionality but embracing intention and flexibility. Through compact, foldable gadgets and digital decluttering, they balance technology with well-being and space. This mindful approach offers practical lessons for all, creating calmer, organized, and beautiful environments while enhancing daily life and fostering peace of mind.
At the end of last month, Ubisoft workers in the publisher’s native France threatened to strike in the wake of sweeping layoffs and cost-cutting measures. This week, they made good on those threats. According to GamesIndustry.biz, union members confirmed that at least 1,200 staff participated in the three-day strike, which was due to run from February 10 to February 12.
While the strike action primarily took place in France, GamesIndustry.biz was told that Ubisoft’s Milan office also took part. The union Solidaires Informatique, which represents French workers from a number of companies in the video game sector, including Blizzard and Ubisoft, had previously called for strikes to take place on January 27. Their demands included a 10 percent increase on all salaries and the implementation of a 4-day work week.
Some striking employees held up signs outside Ubisoft’s Paris headquarters, with one (pictured) wearing a Rabbids mask to hide their face. Their grievances are wide-ranging. As well as reportedly laying off hundreds of employees already in 2026, Ubisoft also introduced a mandate for its staff to return to work on site for five days a week. One employee who publicly voiced their disapproval of the new policy was reportedly fired for doing so.
Ubisoft has had a rocky start to 2026 on the software side too. The long-awaited Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake was among six games canceled by the struggling publisher last month, when it also confirmed several studio closures as part of the company’s organizational restructuring.
Update, Feb. 12 2026, 12:39PM ET: "We understand these changes, particularly those affecting work organization, are generating strong feelings," Ubisoft wrote in a statement shared with Engadget. "Since the announcement, we have held a series of discussions and information sessions at multiple levels to help teams better understand the new organization and to give them the opportunity to share their questions and concerns." The company added that it "remains committed to maintaining an open and constructive dialogue with employees and employee representatives.”
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/1200-ubisoft-workers-went-on-strike-in-response-to-company-restructuring-and-mandatory-return-to-work-policy-163714986.html?src=rss
Robot vacuums quietly patrol floors as anonymous discs, efficient but a little eerie, especially for kids and pets who aren’t quite sure what to make of a machine that roams around on its own. They slide under sofas, bump into chair legs, and dock again without anyone feeling particularly attached to them. It doesn’t take much to turn that same machine into something closer to a small pet that happens to vacuum.
This 3D-printed cat/dog robot vacuum decoration, sold under the Petokka name, is a small kit that gives the robot a face, ears, and movable eyes. Rather than stickers, it’s a set of PLA parts that sit on top of the vacuum and react to how it moves, so the cleaning bot comes back from a run looking like it’s had its own adventure.
A vacuum starts a cycle with wide eyes and perky ears, then bumps into table legs and skirting boards. Each impact nudges the eye assemblies, twisting pupils into crossed or sleepy positions, while crawling under furniture folds the hinged ears back. When the robot docks, its face is slightly scrambled, and you can read its route in the way its expression has shifted, one eye drowsy, one ear still folded down.
The kit works without wiring or electronics. The eyes sit on low-friction pivots, the ears are hinged triangles, and everything is 3D-printed in PLA and resin. There’s no battery, just gravity and inertia doing the work. The seller includes a choking-hazard warning, noting that parts aren’t meant for toddlers or pets that chew, with an option to request only ears or sticker faces if small pieces are a concern.
Petokka is designed for basic IR or bump-type cleaners with flat tops, like many Roomba-style bots. If a vacuum uses a LiDAR turret or top camera, those areas need to stay uncovered, or mapping can suffer, though some tests showed no interference. The kit is an overlay, not a hack, meant to respect the robot’s sensors while giving it a personality that changes with every session.
Each set is printed in a small Japanese atelier, with visible layer lines and tiny imperfections from 3D printing. The maker calls this an early test edition, with certification in progress and materials documented with safety data sheets. It’s a limited-run experiment rather than a mass-market accessory, which makes it feel more like a crafted character than a licensed skin you buy from a retailer.
A handful of plastic parts can change the emotional temperature of a room. The vacuum still cleans the same way, but now it looks back at you with lopsided eyes and folded ears after working its way around furniture. It’s hard not to say “nice job” when it docks looking like it just survived an obstacle course, which is a reminder that sometimes making home tech friendlier isn’t about new sensors or AI, it’s a face that gets a little messed up while it works.
Last year Apple secured the exclusive rights to broadcast Formula 1 racing in the United States from 2026 to 2030. Apple TV subscribers can now watch every practice and qualifying session as well as every sprint and Grand Prix of a race weekend on the F1TV app by linking their Apple account.
Right now, those with an existing F1TV subscription will still see an active status in their "my subscription" page on desktop that shows the plan's renewal date. However, after logging in via Apple with an Apple TV subscription, a second active F1TV subscription appears with an Apple TV logo and the label "Official U.S. broadcaster of Formula 1." Users are advised to cancel the duplicate subscription they had directly with F1TV, which can be done in the F1TV app.
For those that don't have an existing F1TV account, simply create one and activate it using your Apple account. Users who don't pay for Apple TV can still view "select races" and practice sessions throughout the season.
Apple has yet to release precise details on what content will be viewable from within the Apple TV app compared to the F1TV app, where users are accustomed to features like multi-view, onboard cameras, live team radios and live timing and telemetry. With the first race of the F1 season kicking off March 7 in Australia, we should have these answers soon.
Fans can currently check out preseason testing taking place in Bahrain this week and next through the F1TV app.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/how-to-get-f1tv-with-your-apple-tv-subscription-171534300.html?src=rss
Apple’s Vision Pro is a curious product — it initially wowed me two years ago, but it was hard to ignore that the visionOS platform felt incomplete without dedicated apps for YouTube and Netflix. Well, it seems that Google has finally decided to take the Vision Pro seriously, as it’s launching a YouTube app on the platform today. Previously, you could only view YouTube videos via Safari, or through third-party apps like Tubular Pro.
According to an Apple representative, the YouTube Vision Pro app features every video on on the service, including shorts, 360, 3D and VR 180 content. I haven’t tried it myself yet, but it certainly couldn’t be worse than trying to navigate through YouTube’s desktop app via finger gestures. Now that Google is spinning up its Android XR ecosystem, the company probably couldn’t avoid the Vision Pro for long. And don’t forget, we may also see a cheaper Vision Air next year.
Your move, Netflix.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/apple-vision-pro-finally-gets-a-youtube-app-today-170000886.html?src=rss
Wildlight Entertainment, the studio behind Highguard, has laid off many staffers. Level designer Alex Graner wrote in a LinkedIn post that the layoffs impacted "most of the team." The company says it's keeping a "core group of developers to continue innovating on and supporting the game." That sounds like a skeleton crew.
Today we made an incredibly difficult decision to part ways with a number of our team members while keeping a core group of developers to continue innovating on and supporting the game.
We're proud of the team, talent, and the product we've created together. We're also grateful…
Despite the company's efforts, the concurrent player count on Steam quickly dropped from around 100,000 to under 3,000 (where it sits right now.) It looks like that dwindling player count has now translated to massive layoffs just weeks after the initial release. Wildlight says it's "grateful for players who gave the game a shot, and those who continue to be a part of our community."
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/highguard-studio-lays-off-most-of-its-team-just-weeks-after-the-game-went-live-165919815.html?src=rss
PlayStation’s first State of Play of the year is shaping up to be quite newsworthy. While Sony hasn’t revealed too much about what it will show off (with one notable exception), the stream is slated to last for over an hour, so there should be at least some interesting stuff. The showcase will get underway at 5PM ET on February 12. You can click the play button on the YouTube video above to watch the State of Play in English when the time is right.
The PlayStation YouTube channel is hosting alternative versions of the stream. One has English subtitles and the other is in Japanese. Otherwise, you can react to all the reveals live in Twitch chat.
The showcase will include “news, gameplay updates and announcements from game studios across the globe,” Sony said. It will “spotlight eye-catching third-party and indie games headed to PS5, along with the latest from teams at PlayStation Studios.”
Sony’s slate of first-party games has been relatively slim over the last few years, but the company is preparing to release a trio of them over the next couple of months. It’s likely that all three of those (Saros, Marathonand MLB The Show 26) will make appearances during the State of Play. Bungie has confirmed that Marathon will definitely be in the mix, though it dispelled rumors that another playtest for the extraction shooter will take place this weekend.
There are positive signs for news on the Silent Hill front as well. Konami has scheduled a Silent Hill Transmission presentation for 7PM on Thursday, which is soon after the State of Play wraps up. That stream will include new information about Silent Hill: Townfall, which was announced all the way back in 2022, but we could get a peek at that game during the State of Play too.
Elsewhere, we may get an update on Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, a nifty looking tag-fighting game from Arc System Works that Sony is publishing. That’s slated to arrive this year on PS5 and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store). A recent update to the game’s Steam page — which was quickly reverted — revealed that the game will have 20 fighters at the outset, with more to come. The timing of the leak suggests that Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls may well show up during the State of Play.
However, Marvel’s Wolverine, which is set to arrive this fall, may not be featured during this particular State of Play. Developer Insomniac Games indicated on X that it would reveal more details about the game this spring. However, that doesn’t entirely preclude Sony from featuring the game at Thursday’s showcase. Perhaps we’ll get even a release date, given that GTA VI (a game that most publishers will want to stay very far away from) now actually seems to be on track to arrive in November.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/how-to-watch-playstations-hour-long-state-of-play-and-what-to-expect-162128585.html?src=rss
Like it’s the case with the other parts of the world; in South Africa too, teardrop campers are becoming adventurous but with a very contemporary approach and a high-ticket price. TrailPod, an outdoor adventure brand in Cape Town, is doing things differently to keep their generation of teardrop rigs closer to the good old past, while integrating features that make it completely modern and dependable.
TrailPod shares our love for adventure and is therefore providing bespoke 4×4 teardrop trailers, which are designed for off-roading, but have a very nostalgic appearance to them. These rigs are made from zero-wood composite construction and feature a suspension system ready to deal with all road types.
The TrailPod Cricket series teardrop trailers are therefore cut out for off-roading, but they are subtle, competitively priced, and retro-inspired. Staying true to the teardrop shape and style from the past, these are ideal for adventurers seeking a variety of camping options without breaking the bank. For this, the foam composite body trailers have an aluminum layering underneath, prioritizing durability and retro-aesthetics.
The Cricket series may be new, but the first Pod was made in a garage setting during the Covid-19 pandemic. The idea back then was to build a vintage-style teardrop, close in aesthetics to the ones built in the 1940s with aircraft aluminum and army jeep wheels. “Feeling a bit like Pinocchio’s Geppetto,” this rig was called Tintin. Over the years with tweaks and perfection, the Tintin prototype is now evolved into a fully-fledged TrailPod Cricket teardrop series, which people are loving for obvious reasons, which definitely starts with the woody construction that dates back to the teardrop’s earliest days. It looks woody, but as said, it features a foam-composite body and no wood is involved (so not roting, mold and corrosion at any moment of its lifetime).
Tough laminate finish on the inside of the Cricket and thin aluminum cladding on the outside, which is overlaid with foam composite, make it a completely different teardrop option we have seen in recent memory. The comfortable and spacious interior of this trailer, which measures just 3.5 m long, is provided with a sleeping arrangement for two people, a small side-mounted kitchen, and cupboards for storage. Internal and external lighting are provided with energy by a 100-Ah lithium battery onboard and solar panels. Owing to its size and lightweight build, the TrailPod Cricket can be towed behind almost any vehicle.
Available in wide and extra-wide body options, Cricket can hold up to 200 kg on the roof when camped, so it’s possible to fit a rooftop tent on it. TrailPod has three teardrop variants in the Cricket series: Cricket, Cricket Lite, Cricket Max. While Lite is the smallest and cheekiest of the three, the TrailPod Cricket Max is the flagship model designed to go off-roading and ensure a prolonged off-grid stay. Its extra-wide body makes space for a double bed and a tailgate galley (a teardrop charm). Though TrailPods come in standard color options, they can be customized in a color of your choice, if you want.
Sony’s 1000X earbuds have been at the top of Engadget’s best wireless earbuds list since we first published it. With each new generation, the company managed to retain its crown, primarily thanks to a massive collection of features and an effective mix of sound quality and active noise cancellation (ANC) performance. Today, Sony revealed the latest entry in the series, the WF-1000XM6, delivering yet another redesign both inside and out. The company’s tried and true formula of features and audio performance remains, but it may no longer be enough to elevate the M6 above the competition.
Design
For the third time in a row, Sony overhauled the 1000X earbuds’ design. While the WF-1000XM5 was a clear revision of the WF-1000XM4, the M6 is a departure from both of them. The company managed to reduce overall size even further by using a rounder, pill-shaped enclosure for the earbuds’ main housing. I certainly applaud Sony for making these as tiny as possible, but I’m still not a fan of the company’s foam ear tips.
Sony introduced foam ear tips on the 1000XM4 earbuds and that led to an unstable fit during my testing. In fact, I ended up switching to the silicone M3 tips for a better feel. Things were slightly better on the M5, but the company regressed here on the M6. I tried every size of ear tips in the box and the fit test in the Sound Connect app only ever confirmed an air-tight seal in my right ear. This can impact sound quality and ANC performance, and the earbuds don’t feel like they’re sitting far enough inside my ears. I never got used to the fit in my three weeks of testing.
The exterior panel of the WF-1000XM6 is still touch sensitive, accepting a variety of taps for playback controls, calls, noise settings and more. Sony also included a repeated tapping gesture that’s used for volume control. Keep tapping on the right earbud to raise the volume and do so on the left to lower it. My disdain for touch controls is well-documented at this point, but the M6 reliably and quickly responded without me having to repeat a tap sequence.
WF-1000XM6 features
The WF-1000XM6 accepts taps for touch-based controls.
As is typically the case with its 1000X earbuds, Sony has loaded the M6 with features. Nearly all of these are holdovers from previous models, including Adaptive Sound Control that can automatically adjust settings based on your activity or location. Speak-to-Chat still pauses audio and activates ambient sound when you start talking, but it’s also still easily duped by coughs or clearing your throat. A quick access feature can put Amazon Music, Apple Music, Endel, Spotify and YouTube Music two or three taps away, depending on how you configure it.
The M6 earbuds also allow you to accept and reject calls with head gestures and you’ll have the option to pipe in your own voice during a call. Sony retained its existing option of operating the earbuds with voice commands: If you say “Assistant,” you can then ask it to play, pause, skip and replay songs. It will also adjust the volume for you, but that’s the extent of its abilities.
Sony included some handy power management features as well. First, there’s an Auto Power Save mode that will disable any custom EQ settings, DSEE Extreme upscaling, Speak-to-Chat and voice control/voice assistant to reduce power consumption when the M6 hits 20 percent battery remaining. A Battery Care tool will extend the life of the earbuds’ battery by stopping charging before it reaches 100 percent. Lastly, Automatic Power Off will turn the earbuds off when they’re outside of the case and haven’t been worn for some time.
Basic conveniences like multipoint Bluetooth, wireless charging and IPX4 water resistance are also here. Wear detection is onboard and you can use Sony’s EQ presets to alter the sound profile, or make your own and save them for future use. The Sound Connect app puts the battery levels of the individual earbuds and the case front and center, and you can edit the main screen to hide the features displayed there if you don’t need them.
Sound quality and ANC performance
Sound quality is one of Sony's strengths and that continues on the M6.
Billy Steele for Engadget
If Sony’s long list of features is its top advantage over the competition, overall sound quality is number two. For the WF-1000XM6, the company built new drivers with soft edges for deeper bass and a more rigid, lightweight dome for clearer treble. There are also notches around the edges for “clearer and smoother” sound quality overall, according to Sony. And of course, DSEE Extreme upscaling helps to recover details lost to compression while 360 Reality Audio and Spatial Sound Optimization are available for more immersive listening.
I found the M6 earbuds at their best with the stock EQ and DSEE Extreme active, much like I have on previous 1000X models. The sound is deep and warm, with thick bass that’s adequate without ever overpowering the mix. Highs cut through and there’s ample midrange, keeping those finer details from getting lost. Erika de Casier’s atmospheric Lifetime is a great example of what the WF-1000XM6 can do. Vocals seem to float over the top of the bassline and drums, with percussive piano chopping though and subtle synth details popping up throughout. When strings arrive on “Seasons,” the M6 ushers them into a prominent position rather than relegating them behind the beat.
On the WF-1000XM6, the chaos of Spiritbox’s “Holy Roller” doesn’t get condensed to a messy heavy metal roar either. And there’s plenty of texture in the synth-driven noise of Nine Inch Nails’ “As Alive As You Need Me To Be.” Even more straightforward rock tracks like Jimmy Eat World’s “Bleed American” have ample punch, with a wide soundstage that never feels claustrophobic or sounds compressed. Overall, the WF-1000XM6 holds its own against the best-sounding earbuds you can buy right now, though some of the competition, like Technics, have an edge in the way they handle the subtlest of nuances in songs.
If you were hoping for knock-out ANC abilities, I must report that the WF-1000XM6 isn’t the noise-canceling powerhouse that is Bose’s QC Ultra Earbuds. The M6 struggles mightily with human voices. While that’s the downfall of many ANC earbuds, you’ll want to keep it in mind if you plan to wear these in the office. I found I could also still hear constant noise sources like fans and white noise machines when wearing the M6 — items that the QC Ultra Earbuds combat effectively.
Using the WF-1000XM6 for calls
The WF-1000XM6 isn't as adept at calls as Sony advertises.
Billy Steele for Engadget
For calls, Sony says the M6 uses AI for both background noise reduction and voice capture with the beamforming microphones. What’s more, the earbuds are equipped with eight total mics for ANC and calls, plus bone conduction tech for improved voice pickup. Unfortunately, all of that doesn’t lead to stellar performance during calls. While the WF-1000XM6 is perfectly usable for voice and video calls, the overall quality is far from pristine. To make matters worse, the earbuds make you sound overly processed when you encounter significant background noise. Since the company prided itself on the upgrades here, the results are disappointing.
Battery life
Sony says the WF-1000XM6 will last up to eight hours on a charge or 24 hours when you factor in the full longevity of the charging case. During a battery test that I mostly ran with ANC active, I had no trouble hitting that single-charge figure. That’s with the volume around 75-80 percent and includes calls and virtual meetings where I switched over to ambient sound mode.
It’s worth noting that I had DSEE Extreme upscaling active the entire time, which can impact battery life. Plus, if you use the aforementioned Auto Power Save mode, you can extend play time when you have about a quarter of a tank left. Going without some of the M6’s best features in the interest of having tunes for a workout or commute is a fair trade in my book.
The competition
The WF-1000XM6 is still a compelling option, but it's not the clear favorite anymore.
Billy Steele for Engadget
When sizing up the competition for the WF-1000XM6, you have to choose your priorities. Simply put, no other company offers the comprehensive suite of features that Sony does. That’s been true for a while now and it continues with this model. If you want the strongest active noise cancellation, that will be Bose’s second-generation QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. If the best sound quality is your goal, the Technics AZ100 is your best bet in this price range. I’ll also mention Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 4 which offers great sound quality, respectable ANC and a comfier fit than the M6, but that set is almost two years old at this point.
Wrap-up
Sony continues its run of great earbuds with the WF-1000XM6, but this model isn’t the polished package that some of its predecessors were. The two most obvious places the company is lagging behind the competition is ANC performance and overall voice quality, not to mention my continued dissatisfaction with the fit that Sony’s foam tips provide. The M6 is also more expensive than the previous version was at launch, which makes it even harder to overlook any flaws. What you will get on the WF-1000XM6 is a ton of features, great sound quality and reliable touch controls in a smaller package. And for some, that might be enough to make you forget about the rest.
The WF-1000XM6 is available today in silver and black for $330.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/sony-wf-1000xm6-review-facing-tougher-competition-160000652.html?src=rss
