Sony’s new budget-friendly earbuds have a transparency mode and longer battery life

Sony refreshed its affordable earbud offering in 2021 when it debuted the $100 WF-C500. While that model delivered a refreshed design with 10 hours of battery life, support for 360 Reality Audio and more, budget-friendly sets have dropped well below the initial price of the C500. Now Sony is back with an even cheaper option, the WF-C510, that will be available for $60. 

The company tweaked the design once more for this budget-friendly pair, engineering earbuds that are 20 percent smaller and 15 percent lighter than the C500. In fact, Sony says this new model is its smallest design ever for closed-type buds. The C510 maintains its predecessor's IPX4 rating, so they should still be okay to use during workouts, and the earbud housing and case are made with recycled plastic. Thankfully, Sony added ambient sound (transparency) mode even though the earbuds don't have active noise cancellation (ANC). Ambient sound typically only comes on ANC sets, so the added convenience is notable here. The company also tacked on multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, which will bring another handy feature to the C510. 

Sony extended the battery life by an hour up to 11 on the earbuds themselves. Just like the previous model, the charging case provides enough juice for one additional full charge. What's more, a quick-charge feature will give you up to one hour of use in just five minutes. The C510 will work with Sony's headphones app to allow you to tweak settings, and both 360 Reality Audio and DSEE upscaling, a tool that recovers detail lost to compression, are on the spec sheet.

The WF-C510 are available for pre-order now in black, blue, white and yellow colors for $60, and are scheduled to ship in early September. 

Update, August 26 2024, 2:57PM ET: After this story was published, Sony clarified that the price of the WF-C510 is $60. We have updated the story where appropriate. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/sonys-new-budget-friendly-earbuds-have-a-transparency-mode-and-longer-battery-life-160018370.html?src=rss

This Lego Labor Day sale discounts Star Wars and Mario sets by 25 percent

It’s almost Labor Day so the sales have started to trickle in. Here’s a cool one. A whole bunch of Lego sets are on sale for 25 percent off from, uh, Barnes & Noble. That may not make sense on paper, but we assure you that these discounts are very real.

It’s tough to pick the “best” deal here, but the fantastic Death Star Trench Run kit is on sale for $52 instead of $70. This is a diorama of Luke Skywalker’s famous journey toward blowing up the Death Star, so it includes a detailed section of the murderous satellite, his X-wing, two TIE fighters and, of course, Darth Vader’s TIE Advanced fighter. All told, it includes 665 pieces.

A set based on Boba Fett’s throne room, pulled from the end credits sequence of the season two finale of The Mandalorian, is available for $75 instead of $100. This one features side characters like Fennec Shand, Bib Fortuna and more.

There are also plenty of Mario sets here, including the Super Mario Adventures Starter Kit. This set comes with a battery-powered Mario with LCD screens in his eyes, mouth and stomach to display “over 100 different instant reactions.” The iconic plumber also has a built-in speaker that emits sounds and music from the games. Other related sets include a gigantic Conkdor from Super Mario 3D World and a Luigi-centric kit.

However, the sale isn’t just for Mario and Star Wars. There’s a nifty Lego recreation of the Atari 2600 console, a rabbit ranch from Minecraft and the Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter series.

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-lego-labor-day-sale-discounts-star-wars-and-mario-sets-by-25-percent-152319122.html?src=rss

Artistic unibody chair concept is simple, stackable, and stunning

All chairs have a common, standard purpose, but there is no hard rule to follow when it comes to their design. As long as they offer a stable seating surface, and in most cases, some form of back support, they qualify as an acceptable piece of furniture, even if the actual experience can be a bit uncomfortable at times. It’s only by convention, for example, that most chairs have four legs or are made of different pieces, and some designs try to push the boundaries of what’s physically possible when it comes to the composition and form of chairs. This concept, for example, does away with the standard makeup of this kind of furniture and instead embraces a single flowing form that, surprisingly enough, works just as well in terms of practical use.

Designer: Deniz Aktay

Bending a single sheet of material, be it metal or plastic, into a less trivial form isn’t exactly easy, especially when you have to make sure that it is stable enough to sit on. You need not only balance but structural integrity as well since it will be something that humans expect to be safe to use. Some designs tend to overcomplicate things to meet those goals, but this chair concept goes in the completely opposite direction with its extreme simplicity.

Named after the last Greek alphabet, the Omega design concept simply takes a single folded sheet of material and bends it at the sides and back to create the two wide legs and backrest of the chair. There are no sharp angles in this design, giving the seamless form a smoother and more organic appearance. While it is aesthetically pleasing, it isn’t just an art piece, and at least based on the concept, it is just as functional as your stereotypical four-legged plastic chair.

In particular, the design of the Omega chair allows it to be stacked together, rather unexpected given its nontrivial shape. It doesn’t even take up more space than most stackable chairs, which makes the design practical for widespread production and use. It definitely offers an interesting alternative to common mass-produced designs as it offers both a compact shape as well as an attractive appearance.

On the surface, the Omega design also looks sturdy, with the legs angled inward to cover a bigger surface area than a normal straight edge. There might, however, be some concerns with the comfort of the seat itself, as the curved sides could make some slide off too easily. The backrest might also be too short for comfort, with the top edge digging into people’s backs when they lean backward. Nonetheless, it’s a beautiful and simple design that could be improved on for an even more comfortable and ergonomic experience.

The post Artistic unibody chair concept is simple, stackable, and stunning first appeared on Yanko Design.

The biggest announcements from the August 2024 Nintendo Direct

Nintendo fans have a lot to look forward to, including the company's new museum, a Donkey Kong theme park expansion coming to the US and, of course, the follow up to the Switch. But everything all boils back down to the games, and we now have a clearer idea of what's coming to the Switch thanks to a double Nintendo Direct that the company streamed this morning at 10AM ET.

The two-for-one stream ran for around 40 minutes, and was entirely focused on games — the company mentioned before the stream not to expect any news about its next console.

There were several announcements that could change your game plans today: A free update to Balatro brings custom decks to the smash-hit card game. The first decks are crossovers with The Witcher 3, Among Us, Dave the Diver and Vampire Survivors. There was also a surprise Switch release for Pizza Tower, a breakout platformer from last year which is one of the highest-rated games on Steam. Another same-day drop is Castlevania Dominus Collection, which brings together three DS titles — Dawn of Sorrow, Order of Ecclesia and Portrait of Ruin — into one title.

Further down the line, Sega will bring Yakuza Kiwami, a remake of the first Yakuza game released in 2016, to Nintendo Switch on October 24 — the same day as the quirky dating sim Date Everything. Neva, a platformer we adored at Summer Game Fest, will arrive the week before on October 15. Konami’s delayed Suikoden remaster will now launch on March 6, 2025. Capcom announced another fighting game collection, this one including the Dreamcast classics Power Stone and Power Stone 2 along with some solid 2D fighters including Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 Pro.

There are dozens more announcements to enjoy in the full stream, which is still available on Nintendo’s YouTube channel.

Update, 8/27/24, 1:05PM ET: This story was updated after publishing with details on the games announced at today's Nintendo Direct.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/the-biggest-announcements-from-the-august-2024-nintendo-direct-150333340.html?src=rss

Samsung expands its UST projector lineup with the Premiere 7 and Premiere 9

After teasing them at CES 2024 earlier this year, Samsung has officially launched the Premiere 7 and Premiere 9 ultra short throw (UST) 4K projectors. They offer enhanced picture quality compared to the previous Premiere LSP9T and LSP7T models, particularly in the areas of brightness and color accuracy. Samsung's main goal with the new products, it said, was to give buyers a "cinematic experience."

Smart TV features are available via Samsung's Tizen OS, offering access to Samsung TV Plus, Netflix, YouTube and other streaming services. The newly integrated Samsung Gaming Hub also comes with more than 3,000 titles from Xbox and others, with no console needed. Both models include 4K AI upscaling and Vision Booster, which automatically adjusts color and contrast for different lighting conditions.

The Premiere 7 looks like a solid mid-range contender in the UST category with 2,500 ISO lumens of brightness and 100 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 HDR standard. That should allow for accurate colors and expanded dynamic range, though most projectors fall well short of required HDR specs in terms of brightness. 

Speaking of HDR, the Premiere 7 only offers HDR10, while others like the Formovie Theater can handle Dolby Vision content. As for sound, it comes with Dolby Atmos tech and 30W 2.2ch speakers.

Samsung expands its UST projector lineup with the Premiere 7 and Premiere 9 4K models
Samsung

Meanwhile, the Premiere 9 sits a notch below the Premiere 8K UST projector also announced at CES. With the triple laser engine, it ups the brightness to 3,450 ISO lumens, below the Premiere 8K's 4,000 lumens but higher than most 4K UST projectors (Epson's EpiqVision Ultra LS800W 4K 3LCD projector is a notable exception with 4,000 ISO lumens). 

It also comes with Samsung's answer to Dolby Vision, HDR10+. Considering the brightness and 154 percent DCI-P3 color accuracy, the picture should be impressive. It also features 40W speakers with Dolby Atmos in a 2.2.2 channel up-firing configuration. 

Samsung projectors can be expensive compared to others and the new models are no exception. The Premiere 7 retails for $2,999, while the Premiere 9 doubles that to an eye-watering $5,999. Both models are now available at samsung.com and across select retailers. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/samsung-expands-its-ust-projector-lineup-with-the-premiere-7-and-premiere-9-150002515.html?src=rss

Apple’s Mac Mini with the M2 Pro chipset is $150 off right now

Are you looking to boost your iMac's capabilities without having to do a complete overhaul? The Mac Mini with an M2 Pro chip is quite a force to be reckoned with and it's available for a record-low price of $1,150, down from $1,299, thanks to an eight percent discount and a $49 coupon you can click right on the product's page. This model has 512GB and 8TB of storage but no AppleCare+. 

Apple released the Mac Mini with an M2 Pro chip in early 2023. We gave it an 86 in our review thanks to its excellent performance (it has up to 12-core CPU and up to 19-core GPU). It also offers two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, four Thunderbolt 4 ports, a headphone jack and gigabit Ethernet.

The look and experience of the Mac Mini with an M2 Pro chip are solid. By the latter, we mean that it doesn't really make any sound. Meanwhile, its sleek, compact design ensures you have room on your desk.

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-mac-mini-with-the-m2-pro-chipset-is-150-off-right-now-144724475.html?src=rss

Canada follows the US by slapping a 100 percent tariff on Chinese EVs

Canadians who have been mulling whether to snap up a Chinese EV may want to make a firm decision on that quickly. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that, starting on October 1, the country will impose a 100 percent tariff on electric vehicles built in China. The White House established an identical levy in the US earlier this year.

The surtax will apply to electric cars, trucks, buses and delivery vans, as well as some hybrid models. Canada will also charge a 25 percent tariff on Chinese steel and aluminum starting on October 15.

According to the CBC, industry players had been pressuring the Canadian government to match the US tariff on Chinese EVs. Trudeau said that Canada is following suit to "level the playing field for Canadian workers" and help the domestic EV industry be more competitive.

"Because of our government's choices and the hard work of hundreds of thousands of Canadian auto workers, we are transforming Canada's automotive sector to be a global leader in building the vehicles of tomorrow," Trudeau said at a press conference. "But actors like China have chosen to give themselves an unfair advantage in the global marketplace, compromising the security of our critical industries and displacing dedicated Canadian auto and metal workers. So, we're taking action to address that."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/canada-follows-the-us-by-slapping-a-100-percent-tariff-on-chinese-evs-140158558.html?src=rss

Western Digital’s Pokémon-themed SD cards are adorable options to expand Nintendo Switch memory

Nintendo Switch owners who love playing Pokémon on their portable device and like to keep their gaming library non-exhaustive, have the perfect match to expand the available memory. SanDisk has revealed the officially licensed Pokémon microSD cards.

This is not the first time Western Digital-owned brand has collaborated with big names in the gaming niche. Previously they’ve created Fortnite, Super Mario, Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, Apex Legends and Yoshi-themed microSD cards. These limited edition versions do cost more than the regular SD cards with the same specification, but still, if you like to go with the theme it’s worth spending a few extra dollars.

Designer: Western Digital

The Pokémon-themed SanDisk microSD cards are specifically designed for the Nintendo Switch but you can use them for other compatible gadgets that require the mentioned read/write speeds. There are three different capacity variants, each one having 100MB/s read speed and up to 90MB/s write speed. The options for the 151 Pokémon come in neon yellow colored Pikachu with c capacity, Gengar ghost in a deep purple hue that offers 512GB and the blue-colored 1TB Snorlax card with a smile.

According to Susan Park, Vice President, Consumer Products & Strategic Partnerships, at Western Digital, “For more than 28 years, the Pokémon brand has captured and continues to capture the hearts and minds of gamers and fans globally. Together we are helping fans get the most out of their gaming experience.”

If you want to grab these cute Pokémon themed SanDisk microSD cards you’ll have to purchase them ASAP from the Western Digital website as they’ll be soon out of stock. The 1GB Snorlax memory card is priced at $130, Gengar version comes for 512GB and the 256GB Pikachu microSD card will set you back $33. For now, only the Snorlax variant is available on Amazon. Just for comparison a 1.5TB SanDisk microSD card can be bought for around $110 with a respectable discount. Also, the 1TB SanDisk variant comes for $85.

The post Western Digital’s Pokémon-themed SD cards are adorable options to expand Nintendo Switch memory first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple’s AirPods Max are on sale for $399 for Labor Day

Apple might be best known for its in-ear AirPods when it comes to sound, but headphone lovers also have the AirPods Max to consider. As part of Labor Day sales, these headphones are 27 percent off, dropping to $399 from $549. The $150 discount is only $4 more than their Prime Day all-time low and is available in every color. The AirPods Max provide a solid option for anyone who wants to stay in the Apple family without worrying about losing a tiny earbud. The biggest issue is that they are costly, but this Labor Day sale makes them a better buy.

The Apple AirPods Max came on the scene in 2020 as the company's first foray into headphones and have remained the sole option since. We gave the headphones an 84 in our review thanks to a lot of features we did like and some things we were unimpressed by. We liked the AirPods Max's active noise cancellation abilities and easy-to-use buttons — such as when switching from ANC to transparency mode. The headphones also provide a balanced sound and have 20 hours of charge when ANC and spatial audio are enabled.

As we said, the biggest issue with these headphones is arguably the price, but this sale helps quite a bit. Other aspects we were less than impressed with include their 385-gram weight — though the wider headband balances it out. Plus, the earphones just aren't that comfortable, as the rings are noticeable after only a few minutes of wear. 

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-airpods-max-are-on-sale-for-399-for-labor-day-131059800.html?src=rss

More iPhone 16 Pro Max Specs Revealed

iPhone 16 Pro Max

As anticipation builds for the release of the iPhone 16 series, recent leaks have provided a detailed glimpse into the specifications of the upcoming models. The series includes the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max, each offering notable upgrades in display technology, RAM, storage options, and camera capabilities. […]

The post More iPhone 16 Pro Max Specs Revealed appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.