Best over-ear headphones: AirPods Max vs the competition
Macworld Large over-ear headphones have taken a bit of a backseat in recent years, overshadowed by the success of Apple’s AirPods and other pocket-size earbuds (sometimes referred to as true wireless stereo headphones, or TWS). Larger over-ear headphones do still have some important advantages, though, and they’re starting to make a bit of a comeback. There are a lot of low-cost over-ear headphones that only use Bluetooth to provide wireless audio, but the best over-ear models also tend to provide one or more wired connections via a USB-C interface or a 3.5mm audio connector (or both). Apple has always focused purely on Bluetooth for wireless audio, ignoring the fact that you really need a wired connection to play the high-quality lossless and high-res audio formats that are now available on Apple Music and other streaming services. That is a weakness with the expensive AirPods Max, which rely on Bluetooth alone, and can’t even play the best audio formats provided by Apple’s own streaming service. Apple has plenty of competition in this space, including traditional hi-fi manufacturers, such as Bowers & Wilkins, who have decades of expertise producing over-ear headphones that can meet the demanding standards of audiophiles and hi-fi buffs. Apple also has competition from within its walls in the shape of Beats, an Apple subsidiary, which has been known to produce superior and less expensive headphones than Apple. On that note, compared to the Beats Studio Pro (at just $349.99/£349.99) the AirPods Max is left looking very overpriced at $499/£499. These larger headphones have other advantages too, most obviously starting with the fact that they can use larger drivers–the mechanism inside the earpiece that produces the sound you listen to–providing a more powerful and detailed sound. Larger earpieces can also provide longer battery life, with many of Apple’s rivals providing far more than the 20-24 hours of the Beats and AirPods range. So here’s our guide to some of the best over-ear headphones currently available for use with your Mac, iPhone or iPad. Here we are concerned with over-ear headphones, also known as on-ear, cans or full-sized headphones. We cover the different styles of headphones separately, see: Best earbuds and Best wired and USB-C headphones. Updated May 2024 to add Beats Solo 4 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Best Over-Ear Headphones for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV 1. Beats Studio Pro Pros Lightweight Good compatibility with Apple and other devices 3.5mm and USB-C audio input Excellent battery life Clean and balanced audio Cons Headband is a little stiff No ear detection Price When Reviewed: $349.99 Best Prices Today: $179.95 at Amazon$179.99 at Best Buy$219.95 at B&H While Apple’s AirPods Max are now more than two and a half years old and in need of an update, Apple’s subsidiary, Beats, has launched a set of over-ear headphones that cost less, deliver better sound and offer most of the AirPods features, including one-touch pairing, iCloud pairing (although not instant switching!), Handoff to Apple Watch, hands-free “Hey Siri” support, and Find My support. They even support personalized Spatial Audio and head tracking. You’ll find all the necessary controls built natively into iOS, as you would expect from of a product from an Apple-owned company. There are a few missing Apple features, such as ear detection (which would stop them playing when you took them off) and they don’t feature Apple’s H-series headphone chips (even though some Beats products do). Instead, they offer a proprietary Beats processor which allows them to more easily support Android features. The Beats Studio Pro sound really good. The low end has the clarity and punch of AirPods Max, but the high frequencies are noticeably crisper. The built-in DAC supports hi-res and lossless audio up to 24-bit/48KHz. Adaptive noise canceling quality is excellent, though perhaps not as good as the 2nd-gen AirPods Pro. Noise canceling is not supported in USB-C wired mode. The headphone’s mic can be used as mic input on your Mac or PC (though the quality is not up to the standard of a good dedicated headset). They are less comfortable to wear than the AirPods Max. The ear cushions don’t have the soft velvety feel of AirPods Max, and the headband is much stiffer, but they are lighter (260 grams compared to 384 grams). They fold up to easily fit in a bag and come with a real carrying case. On the left cup, you’ll find integrated controls concealed by the b. These are standard play/pause/advance/back control buttons. You’ll also find a standard headphone jack with audio input fully supported without any dongles or adapters. On the right cup you’ll find the power button which is also used to enter pairing mode, or you can double-click it to change noise canceling modes between Signature, Entertainment and Conversation. There is also a USB-C port for charging that can also be plugged any supported audio source for audio input. We got around 4 hours of playback time from a 10-minute charge. A full charge takes around 2 hours. Beats claims 40 hours of battery life with ANC off and 24 hours with ANC on. That’s about 20 percent better than AirPods Max. Even if they weren’t $200 cheaper, we’d recommend these over the AirPods Max. The lack of ear detection is a bummer, but Beats Studio Pro delivers betters sound, battery life, controls, and compatibility, and they weigh a lot less too.-Jason Cross Read our full Beats Studio Pro review 2. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Pros High-grade audio reproduction Bose’s best-ever active noise cancellation All day wearability Immersive Audio Cons While improved, battery life isn’t state of the art Immersive Audio can be gimmicky Price When Reviewed: $429.00 Best Prices Today: $379 at Lenovo USA$429 at Amazon$429 at B&H The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are pricy, at $429/£449.95 which is more than the $399/£319 Sony WH-1000XM5, but they are still cheaper than the Apple AirPods Max at $499/£499. They do offer excellent sound quality and active noise cancellation, though, which goes a long way to justify the price. They also support aptX streaming, and feature Bose’s CustomTune technology for personalizing the headphones’ audio to your unique ears. There’s also a spatial audio option. Operational controls are minimalist. On the right-hand cup, there are two buttons and a thin thermal volume strip. Sliding a finger up or down the strip adjusts the volume. Tapping and holding the strip activates one of several shortcuts. A second button performs several functions such as play and pause the music, answer or decline a call. A long press lets you cycle through audio listening modes including Quiet, Aware and Immersion. There’s also a Wind Noise Suppression feature. Immersive Audio feature is particularly impressive, but doesn’t suit every music type. On-Head Detection circuitry senses when you put them on and take them off, so there is no need for the power button. The manufacturer says they will auto-shut off after 24 hours of idle time. Run time is quoted as up to 24 hours and they achieve a full charge in less than three hours The headband is soft-touch pleather and the memory foam in the ear cups feels premium grade. It seals and cushions reasonably without being bulky and resided comfortably on my head almost all day long. –Jonathan Takiff 3. Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Pros Hi-fi sound quality Luxurious design Bluetooth with AAC, aptX USB-C and 3.5mm wired connections Cons Expensive A little heavy (320g) Price When Reviewed: $699.00 Best Prices Today: $699 at Amazon$699 at B&H$699 at Best Buy Apple surprised a lot of us when it (finally) added USB-C and 3.5mm wired inputs to the Beats Studio Pro. However, hi-fi specialists Bowers & Wilkins have been using USB-C to provide lossless and high-res audio with their PX range of headphones since 2017. It’s a little pricey – at $699/£599 it’s even more expensive than the AirPods Max – but the design and sound quality are impeccable. Available in black or tan, the padded headband and earpieces feel absolutely luxurious (although the leather covering might not suit everyone). The adjustable cast-aluminum armatures look very smart and are sturdy enough to cope with life on the road when you’re traveling, and there’s a hard-shell carrying case included as well. The 40mm drivers support Bluetooth with support for both Apple’s AAC and aptX Adaptive for Android users. As mentioned, there’s a USB-C interface for wired connections and lossless audio, and a 3.5mm adaptor is included for good old-fashioned analog audio as well. The sound quality is as good as you’d expect from a company with B&W’s hi-fi heritage. There’s an icy clarity to the steel guitar on You Can’t Trust Violence by Low, and the band’s harmonies are smooth as silk, even as they repeat the chilling chorus of “no, you can’t trust violence…”. There’s a nice bass sound too, bouncing along with a firm, infectious rhythm on Bad Guy by Billie Eilish, and contrasting well with the sharp, precise finger snaps that set the pace and drive the track forward. The noise-cancellation features work very well too, and with 30 hours of battery life when using Bluetooth and noise-cancellation the Px8 is a great option for frequent fliers or commuting on a train. The luxurious design and sound quality of the Px8 are worth every penny, but if you’re on a tight budget then you can still find the previous Px7 S2 model available online with a recent price cut to £299, which makes it a real bargain. –Cliff Joseph Read our full Bowers & Wilkins Px8 review 4. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Pros Competitive price Impressive battery life Supports AAC, aptX Adaptive Good carrying case and accessories Cons  2.5mm line-in connector  Some users may require a USB-C adaptor Price When Reviewed: $379.95 Best Prices Today: $292.99 at Amazon$299.95 at Adorama$379.95 at B&H The first set of headphones that I ever bought in my student days was made by Sennheiser, but the company isn’t trading on nostalgia with its Momentum 4 Wireless, which provides excellent sound quality and features at a competitive price. This fourth-generation Momentum is a bit more compact and streamlined than its predecessors, with the weight now reduced to just 293g in order to ensure that it’s light and comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Even so, Sennheiser has still managed to squeeze an impressive range of features into the headphones, starting with 42mm drivers that are larger than those used by most of its rivals. These also provide an impressive frequency response of 6Hz – 22KHz, which again beats most rival headphones in this price range. Unsurprisingly, the Momentum 4 provides excellent sound quality. It digs deep and delivers a taut, menacing bass pulse on You Should See Me In A Crown by Billie Eilish. The higher frequencies work well too, capturing Billie’s whispered vocals with great clarity, and picking out the edgy ticking of percussion that gives the song its manic energy. The digital features are right up to date as well, with Bluetooth 5.2, and support for both AAC for Apple devices and aptX Adaptive for Android. The USB-C port on the right earpiece can be used for charging, but also supports USB audio for wired connections, and there’s a 2.5mm analog line-in connector too (with cable provided). However, the USB cable provided by Sennheiser is USB-A-to-USB-C, so you’ll need to provide your own USB-C adaptor for Macs and iPads that only have USB-C. The noise-cancellation features work very well, and Sennheiser’s Smart Control app lets you adjust the level of noise-cancellation manually, by using a slider control, or you can just select the ‘adaptive’ option which allows the Momentum to monitor background noise and adjust the noise-cancellation automatically. But, even with all those features, the really outstanding feature of the Momentum 4 Wireless is its battery life – lasting for around 60 hours even when using Bluetooth and noise-cancellation together. There’s a good set of accessories too, with a hard-shell carrying case and airline adaptor provided for when you’re traveling. And, with a competitive $379.95/£309.99 price, the Momentum 4 Wireless even manages to undercut the price of the new Beats Studio Pro as well.-Cliff Joseph 5. Beats Solo 4 Pros Excellent Apple & Android support Great battery life USB-C and 3.5mm audio support Cons No ANC Design is dated No on-ear detection Price When Reviewed: $199.99 Best Prices Today: $149.95 at Amazon$199.95 at Adorama$199.99 at Apple It’s been a while since Apple-subsidiary Beats updated its more affordable on-ear Solo headphones. More than seven years, to be exact. As you would expect, a lot has changed. The Apple W1 chip has been replaced with a proprietary technology platform that supports features in both Apple and Android devices. Apple users get personalized spatial audio with head tracking and hands-free “Hey Siri” support in addition to all the older stuff (one-touch pairing, iCloud pairing, and Find My support). For non-Apple users there’s support for Google Fast Pair, cloud pairing with your Google account, Find My Device and multi-point pairing for seamless audio switching. Sound quality is improved compared to the previous generation, as it should be. There is support for USB-C audio output and input, and it is possible to charge and play USB-C audio at the same time. Over USB-C or 3.5mm you can listen to lossless audio (unfortunately the sound reproduction of these headphones is not good enough to notice). Sound is going to be limited by the fact that these are on-ear headphones, lacking the larger diaphragms of over-the-ear models or the tight in-ear fit of earbuds. There’s a power button on the bottom of the right earpiece. You need to use this because there is no on-ear detection to automate things. The left earpiece has a big button for play/pause/forward/reverse and to trigger the voice assistant. Pressing above or below that button changes the volume. Beats claims 50 hours of battery life, likely a result of the lack of active noise cancellation, which is probably the biggest strain on battery life. The lack of ANC, which is expected on all but the cheapest earbuds and headphones, could be seen as a disadvantage. The earpads are soft, but the spring tension makes the pressure a little uncomfortable after long listening periods when I wear my glasses. This is a common problem with on-ear headphones and a reason why over-the-ear cans may be more comfortable. The new models replace the old micro-USB plug with USB-C. – Jason Cross Read our full Beats Solo 4 review 6. Master & Dynamic MW75 Price When Reviewed: $599 Best Prices Today: $599 at Master & Dynamic Master & Dynamic is a relatively young company, having been founded in New York barely a decade ago, but it quickly developed a reputation for the impressive craftsmanship and sound quality of headphones such as the MW75. Priced at $599/£549, and available in a variety of colors, the MW75 oozes quality, constructed out of lightweight aluminum and tempered glass, and with a padded headband and earpieces wrapped in soft leather (although, of course, the choice of leather may not be to everyone’s taste). The earpieces are relatively small for an ‘over-ear’ headphone, though, and some people might find the fit a bit snug. The little control buttons on the earpieces are also rather small as well. It’s got a classy design on the inside too, with 40mm drivers that are constructed out of Beryllium – a very rigid material used in many high-end hi-fi systems in order to reduce vibration and distortion that might affect the sound quality. The MW75 supports Bluetooth with both AAC for Apple devices and aptX Adaptive for Android, and there’s a USB-C port for wired connections with support for lossless and high-res audio formats up to 24-bit/96KHz. There’s also a USB-A adaptor included for older computers, a 3.5mm adaptor for analog input, and a 6.3mm adaptor for use with high-end hi-fi equipment. Travelers will also appreciate the smart, fabric-covered hard-shell carrying case and airline adaptor, as well as healthy battery life that lasts for 28 hours when using Bluetooth and noise-cancellation together (or 32 hours without noise-cancellation). The noise-cancellation features are very effective and, like most headphones these days, the MW75 includes an ambient mode that lets in some of the background noise when required. However, there’s also an additional ‘voice’ mode that helps to pick out people’s voices if you’re in an office or perhaps waiting for a flight announcement in an airport. But, as always, the sound quality is key, and the MW75 provides excellent clarity and detail right across the spectrum. It provides a deep, ominous rumble for the electronic bass on Max Richter’s Shadow Journal, but it doesn’t allow the bass to overwhelm the piercing clarity of the violin, or the gentle ambient sound-cloud of electronic loops that swirl lightly through the air.-Cliff Joseph 7. Yamaha YH-E700B Pros Strong sound quality Bluetooth with AAC and aptX Adaptive 3.5mm audio connector Good app for customizing sound Cons No USB audio A little heavy (335g) Price When Reviewed: $350 Best Prices Today: $219.87 at Amazon$349.95 at B&H$350 at Yamaha Yamaha has decades of experience producing musical instruments and audio equipment for professional musicians, and it brings that audio expertise to its YH-E700B headphone. Yamaha gets all the basics right, with large 40mm drivers that are designed to reduce distortion and provide an impressive 8Hz – 20KHz frequency response. The YH-E700B uses Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless audio, with support for both AAC for Apple devices and the latest aptX Adaptive for our Android-toting friends. There’s also a 3.5mm connector to provide a wired connection, although it’s disappointing that the USB-C connector on the headphone is only used for charging, and doesn’t provide USB audio input too. And, since the YH-E700B is an update for Yamaha’s older YH-E700A headphone, it also provides improved noise-cancellation features – which are very effective – and an ambient mode that lets you listen out for background sounds when you need to (but watch out, as the original YH-E700A is still on sale online, so make sure you buy the correct model). The internal mics used for noise-cancellation also work with Yamaha’s Listening Optimiser technology to scan the inside of your ear canal to create a personalized sound ‘profile’. And, if you want to fine-tune the sound even further, then Yamaha’s Headphone app includes a five-band equalizer with a variety of presets and the ability to create two custom presets as well. That set of features ensures that the YH-E700B provides excellent sound quality. The headphone’s 8Hz low-end digs really deep for the slinky bass guitar riff on Leonard Cohen’s You Want It Darker, and Cohen’s own voice has a terrifically deep and world-weary tone. But the YH-E700B handles higher frequencies well too, with a crisp, sharp stab on the percussion that sets the pace, and a smooth velvet tone on the choir that joins in on the chorus. And, with an impressive battery life of 30 hours when using noise-cancellation – or 32 hours if you switch it off – you can enjoy that high-quality music even on the longest journeys.-Cliff Joseph 8. Logitech Zone Vibe Pros Affordable Bluetooth headset Adjustable boom mic with mute Supports AAC for Apple devices Cons No noise-cancellation for music No spatial audio No wired inputs Price When Reviewed: $109.99 Best Prices Today: $91.03 at Amazon$96.99 at Best Buy$99.99 at B&H Most headphones just focus on the music side of things, with features such as spatial audio or noise-cancellation to enhance the listening experience, but Logitech takes a different approach with its Zone Vibe range of headphones. It’s more affordable than many of its rivals and focuses mainly on office use, for people who may work in call centers or customer support, or perhaps need a headset for video calls when working from home. There are currently two versions of the Zone Vibe available from Logitech, with the Vibe 100 being a basic Bluetooth headset that costs $99.99/£109.99. There’s also the Vibe 125, priced at $129.99/£129.99, which uses the same headset but also includes a USB wireless adaptor for use in busy offices that may have a lot of Bluetooth devices that could potentially cause interference and affect call quality (there’s a third model as well, although this is designed for large corporate users and is only available from specialist business suppliers). The headset weighs just 185g, which is very light for a large over-ear headset such as this, as it’s designed for people who may have to wear it all day long while they’re at work. It also has a boom mic for voice calls, which can be folded up out of the way in order to quickly mute the mic as well. There are no fancy audio features – there’s a noise-canceling filter on the microphone to keep your voice clear for calls, but the earpieces don’t provide active noise-cancellation (ANC) for listening to music. However, the headset supports Apple’s AAC codec for Bluetooth audio and provides good sound quality for both calls and music. It delivers a clear, detailed sound for the dense production on Kate Bush’s The Big Sky, and manages to balance the song’s huge avalanche of drums and percussion very well, without overlooking more delicate details such as the gentle tambourine that shimmers away in the background. Battery life is good too, with 20 hours of listening time, or 18 hours of talk time for voice calls. And, paying good attention to detail, Logitech’s Tune app is available for Macs and Windows, as well as Android and iOS mobile devices, so you can easily get the Zone Vibe set up when you’re preparing to take voice or video calls at work.-Cliff Joseph 9. Austrian Audio Hi-X25BT Price When Reviewed: $179 Best Prices Today: $179 at AmazonNot Available at Adorama Austrian Audio makes high-end headphones and microphones for musicians and audiophiles, and they also make more affordable headphones, such as the Hi-X25BT, which provides impressive sound quality for a very affordable $179/£135. As the name suggests, the Hi-X25BT does include Bluetooth to provide a wireless option when required, with an impressive 30 hours of battery life in Bluetooth mode. It’s not at its best with Bluetooth, though, as it doesn’t support either Apple’s AAC or AptX for Android, relying on the more basic SBC codec for wireless audio.  The emphasis, therefore, is more on using the Hi-X25BT as a set of wired headphones via its USB-C connector. Austrian includes two cables with the headphones, with a USB-C-to-3.5mm connector that provides standard analog audio, or a straightforward USB-C cable that provides digital audio from an iPad, Mac or other devices that have USB-C. There’s also a USB-A adaptor included too, and I had no trouble using the Hi-X25BT with both USB-A and 3.5mm connections on my aging office iMac. I also found a Lightning audio adaptor from Belkin in my desk draw, which allowed me to use the Hi-X25BT with a Lightning connection on my iPhone as well – although, of course, this isn’t included with the headphones, so you’d need to provide your own adaptor for an iPhone. And, as you’d expect from a company with Austrian’s Hi-Fi background, the sound quality is great, thanks to 40mm drivers with impressive 12Hz – 24KHz frequency response. The cymbal crash that starts Blondie’s Rapture rings out crisp and clear, with a loose relaxed feel on the jangling rhythm guitar. The song’s bouncing bass line works a treat too, and never gets lost in the mix as can sometimes happen with less precise headphones.–Cliff Joseph 10. Apple AirPods Max Price When Reviewed: $549 Best Prices Today: $449.99 at Amazon$477 at Walmart$489 at B&H The AirPods Max are quite comfortable, despite their heavy weight of 384 grams. They also look better than any other headphones you’ve used thanks to their smooth matte finish on the aluminum closed-back earpieces, the stainless steel rods in the band, the fine mesh of the ear pads and canopy headband. The headband and soft, deep, breathable ear pads are comfortable enough to wear that the weight isn’t too much of a bother (although if you run with them on you’ll feel the bulk). The controls are simple, intuitive, and unobtrusive. There’s a digital crown like that on the Apple Watch along and a single button on top of the right earpiece. The crown controls volume and playback (skip forwards and backward, press and hold for Siri, etc). The button toggles between noise-canceling and transparency mode and turns noise-canceling on. Audio reproduction matches other high-end premium wireless Bluetooth headphones. Apple has tuned the AirPods Max to boost bass and mid-high frequencies a bit, which most listeners will probably find quite pleasing. The bass has kick when it’s called for, and it’s clean with no distortion. The active noise canceling is perhaps the best we’ve heard, excelling at clearing away irregular sounds like traffic, general office disturbances, or background talking. Apple’s transparency mode, which allows you to have a conversation while still listening to the music, sounds more clear, natural, and normal than any other noise-canceling headphones. The AirPods Max charge only with a Lightning connector and have no 3.5mm headphone jack input. To listen to lossless audio, or if you’re editing video and want to eliminate the latency of Bluetooth, you’ll need an adapter to plug them into anything other than an iPhone (which itself soon be getting a USB-C port) which seems like a bit of an oversight (especially as the EU has forced Apple to adopt USB-C for the iPhone). Another thing we aren’t keen on is the not-so-smart Smart Case that the AirPods Max ship with. It’s a case that hardly covers the headphones and doesn’t do anything to protect them. The case does evoke a low-power mode to save battery, but that’s about it. As we said in our review, it’s “Really awful. Ill-conceived and poorly executed”. Apple promises a battery life of 20 hours of listening time with noise canceling enabled, which isn’t quite as good as the competition. Charging is fast: just 15 minutes on a basic 5-watt power adapter took us from 20 to 44 percent But, the biggest problem is the price. At $549/£599 it’s difficult to recommend AirPods Max when the competition costs $200/£200 less. You do get what you pay for though: build quality is unmatched and there are some clever design flourishes. But there are all the compromises we’ve mentioned above. The main reason to get AirPods over other headphones is their seamless integration with your Apple ecosystem. They pair just by holding them near your iPhone, switch easily to your Mac or iPad, and you can change settings and get firmware updates within Settings instead of requiring a separate app. One of the coolest features of the AirPods Max (and AirPods Pro) is Spatial Audio, whereby Dolby surround is massaged into a sort of faux-3D sound stage. Initially only available on the iPhone and iPad, Spacial Audio now works on Apple TV and (Apple silicon) Macs too. Apple’s high-end headphones look, sound, and feel great, but two and a half years on from the launch they lack too many key features. They also cost way more than is justified, although we often find them at a discount. See Best AirPods deals.–Jason Cross Read our full Apple AirPods Max review Buying advice Full-size headphones fall into two categories: closed and open. Closed models block out some degree of external noise (and also keep your music from disturbing others), while open models, which some people prefer sonically, let more noise in and out. Note that to reach their potential, many full-size models (open or closed) require more juice than others. For the most part, the main differences between models relate to comfort and sound quality, but not all full-sized headphones are equal and there are some other features that may interest you. To help you find the perfect set of over-ear headphones, here’s what to look (and listen) for. Noise-Canceling: If you’re not a fan of in-ear-canal ‘phones, but you want something that can filter out external noise such as airplane engines, train rumblings, or the hum of a crowd or noisy office, consider investing in a good set of noise-canceling headphones. These headphones sample outside sound and then pipe in an inverse audio signal to “cancel out” a good deal of monotonous noise. (For more on the technology and its limitations, see my review of noise-canceling models from a while back.) Although they don’t usually sound as good as comparably priced in-ear-canal headphones, noise-canceling models are easier to put on and take off, and they let you hear what’s going on around you. Noise-canceling headphones are available in canalbud, lightweight, and full-size models, but full-size models tend to provide the best noise isolation and audio quality. Wireless/Bluetooth: If you think being tethered to your Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod is a drag—or, for the gym rats, an equipment-snagging hazard—consider going wireless. You can stream audio to stereo Bluetooth headphones from Macs; iPad; and iPhones. Most Bluetooth headphones also double as headsets, letting you seamlessly switch between music and voice features. Specs and sound quality: As I noted in our speakers buying guide, you should generally ignore manufacturers’ specifications—especially frequency-response numbers. There’s no standard testing methodology for headphone frequency response, and many vendors exaggerate their specs for marketing reasons. Even if specs were accurate, they wouldn’t tell you much about how a particular set of headphones actually sounds. Instead of reading specs, use your ears. (If you can’t audition a product in person, read reviews from a source you trust.) As with speakers, a quality set of headphones reproduces audio with good balance between the treble (upper), midrange, and bass (lower) frequencies, producing full, rich sound while preserving detail. However, because of their especially small drivers (speakers), headphones present a unique challenge when it comes to bass response: Unlike huge speaker woofers that you can not only hear, but feel, the drivers in most headphones can’t reproduce the visceral impact of low bass—you may be able to hear the lowest frequencies, but you probably won’t be able to feel them. We point out this bass issue because some vendors address it by emphasizing certain bass and upper-bass frequencies to give their headphones more “kick.” This helps the headphones stand out from other headphones in the store, and some people—especially those who use their headphones when exercising or for beat matching—really want that visceral impact. But such headphones often become fatiguing to listen to over time. If you’re interested in accurate audio reproduction, be careful not to be wowed by emphasized bass. (The same goes for exaggerated treble detail.) The best approach is to audition a set of headphones for several hours—or, even better, several days—with a variety of music. If the headphones still sound great at the end, there’s a good chance they’ll satisfy you over the long run. Headset functionality and inline control modules: Many current headphone models include, right on the cable, an inline module with a microphone and one or more remote-control buttons. At the minimum, the remote features a single multi-function button for controlling media playback; making, taking, and ending phone calls; and taking advantage of iOS’s Siri and Voice Control features. You may also find dedicated volume-up and -down buttons, as well. The module’s microphone can be used to talk on the phone, make voice recordings, and give Siri and Voice Control commands. Fit/comfort: Unlike most consumer-electronics devices, you actually wear headphones. So how well a set of over-ear headphones fits your head plays a significant role in your long-term satisfaction (or lack thereof). We include a few comfort-related tips below when describing the different headphones, but reading about a particular style is no substitute for actually giving a product a test drive (or a test run, as the case may be). Audio, Headphones

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AI, game emulators on iPhone, and iPad Pro impressions, on the AppleInsider podcast
In this week's episode of the AppleInsider Podcast, your hosts are looking to the future of AI, delving into the past with emulators on the App Store, and diving into the present with the new iPad Pro now that it and the iPad Air are in users' hands.Mockup of an iPad Pro user working on the "Crush" ad (iPad image source: Apple)After two years waiting, the iPad Pro and iPad Air have been updated — and buyers are getting them. Wes Hilliard went almost, but not quite, maxed-out on an iPad Pro and he's had just enough time to know he's pleased with it, and to settle a debate about the nanotexture option. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Merchants in Japan can finally use Tap to Pay for iPhone
Apple Tap to Pay has rolled out in another country, with Japanese users now able to take card payments directly from their iPhone.Tap to Pay is now available to merchants in JapanTap to Pay is Apple's system to allow iPhone users to take contactless payments from phones and contactless credit and debit cards, without requiring a separate physical card reader. After a lull of a few months, the expansions have continued, with Japan the latest country to receive the feature.Announced late on Thusday, Apple writes that merchants can start using the feature with a number of payment platforms. Initial launch partners include GMO Financial Gate, Recruit Co's Air Pay Touch, and Square, with Adyen arriving within a few months. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iPad Pro hands on: Luxury technology in an impossibly-thin package
There is a lot that seems impossible about the new iPad Pro, but above all, it's the pinnacle of what Apple's vertical integration can achieve — with a high price to match.13-inch iPad ProThere was a point where "pro" on an Apple product meant "best, but still for everyone," and that time may have come to pass. It now translates to something closer to "overkill for your needs, but it looks nice doing it."As my editor Mike Wuerthele pointed out in his hands on, the iPad Air has created a happy middle ground of compromises with feature sets and price. The iPad Pro has become the luxury edition that serves as a preview of what iPad Air will become in a few years, but pay more, and you'll get it now. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iPhone 16 battery density increased; new stainless steel housing – Kuo
A new supply-chain report says that the iPhone 16 battery will have greater energy density than that of current iPhones. This could potentially give the device a longer battery-life, though Apple may instead opt to use a smaller battery. Additionally, the report says that Apple plans to swap out the aluminum battery housing for stainless steel, which has both pros and cons … more…

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These YouTubers bend-tested the M4 iPad Pro–here’s what happened
Macworld The new 11- and 13-inch iPad Pros are among Apple’s thinnest products ever. Which, of course, means that everyone’s wondering if they’re fragile. Fortunately, there are plenty of YouTubers around who are more than happy to put the new 13-inch iPad Pro (at 5.1mm thick) to the bend test. Let’s start with Zack Nelson at JerryRigEverything, who got a lot of attention when he did a bend test of the 2018 iPad Pro. Nelson spends most of the video performing other durability tests, including holding a flame to the glass and using a razor to scratch the glass and aluminum enclosure. (If the sound of a blade scraping against metal makes you cringe, be prepared. I wasn’t. Ack!) You need to get to the 8:30 mark of the 11-minute video for the bend test, where Nelson finds “suspicious black magic-levels of integrity going on” when bending it horizontally with his hands. He was able to crack the glass after putting more pressure than anormal situation ever would, but says, “That central spine is definitely providing enough structure for horizontal bends.” However, the iPad Pro didn’t hold up as well when Nelson switched to bending the iPad Pro vertically. It suffered a “catastrophic failure” at the USB-C port. With the glass removed, you can see the cowling that is used to dissipate heat and reinforce the iPad Pro. It runs through the center with the ends at the short sides of the iPad Pro–this layout is why the iPad Pro was able to withstand the horizontal bend better than the vertical. The next bend test video comes from Sam Kohl at AppleTrack. He spends most of his 13-minute video bending the 11- and 13-inch iPad Pro with his hands and found similar results as JerryRigEverything: The iPads hold up relatively fine during horizontal bends, but vertical bends lead to dramatic damage. After a horizontal bend, Kohl compares the 13-inch iPad Pro to the previous 12.9-inch iPad Pro and notices that the damage is very similar. Kohl was also impressed that the displays of the tested iPads still worked. Finally, we have a six-minute bend test video from MobileReviewsEh and Aaron Ho, who took a different approach to the bend tests. Instead of bending with his hands, he placed the iPad Pro on a platform and applied pressure to a central point, with the pressure increasing by adding weights. After 70 pounds, the iPad Pro showed some severe warpedness, but it still worked. it took 95 pounds of weight for the iPad to completely fail. In all, what does the 30 minutes worth of videos tell us about the iPad Pro? Well, it takes an extraordinary amount of pressure and effort to bend it. Chances are, if you’re stashing it in a bag or backpack, the iPad Pro is probably going to be alright. It’s still a good idea to get Apple Care+ for it, but unless it gets caught in an unusual situation, the iPad Pro is going to hold up. Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4, 2024) Price When Reviewed: $999 (Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: $949.99 at Amazon$999 at Apple$999 at B&H Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4, 2024) Price When Reviewed: $1,299 (Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: $1199 at Best Buy$1,290.45 at Amazon$1299 at Apple iPad

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Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag review: Stylish update to an urban icon
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsGreat design and styleTop-notch qualityQuick and easy access to what’s insideCustomizableConsSingle strap carrying may not be comfortableLarge size doesn’t hold a 16-inch laptop snuglyOur VerdictThe Classic Messenger Bag is a top-quality, stylish bag, designed with plenty of pockets and compartments for different types of stuff. While the bag is a great general carry-all, it’s ideal for someone who needs quick access to what’s inside. Price When Reviewed$99 (XS), $119 (S), $129 (M) $139 (L); custom bags start at $109 Best Prices Today: Classic Messenger Bag Retailer Price $99 View Deal Timbuk2 $99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket There was a time when a trip downtown was filled with the hustle and bustle of people. And a lot of those people sported Timbuk2’s Classic Messenger Bag–not just bicycle messengers, but also commuters going to work, tourists sightseeing, and anyone else trying to get where they need to go. The Classic Messenger Bag became more than just a bag. It became an urban icon. Times change, though. Downtown isn’t what it used to be–there are fewer people going to the office, delivery from Uber and DoorDash has replaced bike messengers, and tourists aren’t packing the street like they once were. Timbuktu’s Classic Messenger Bag has changed, too, and while it was always a great bag, it’s become even more versatile for the times when you go out–downtown, the suburbs, the park, the beach, on campus, wherever. Classic Messenger Bag design What makes the Classic Messenger Bag so appealing is that it’s designed for quick and easy access. Just flip open the front flap and your stuff is within easy reach. Close the front flap and it’s secured with Velcro and a couple of adjustable latches. I tested the large Classic Messenger Bag, which has plenty of room inside for a 16-inch MacBook Pro and other gear, so much room that it can slide back and forth in the bag. You might find that unsettling, though, so for a snug laptop fit, consider the medium or small sizes. The large size of the Classic Messenger Bag doesn’t hold a 14-inch MacBook Pro (pictured) or 16-inch laptop snugly. If a snug fit is what you prefer, look at the small or medium sizes. The large size of the Classic Messenger Bag doesn’t hold a 14-inch MacBook Pro (pictured) or 16-inch laptop snugly. If a snug fit is what you prefer, look at the small or medium sizes.Foundry The large size of the Classic Messenger Bag doesn’t hold a 14-inch MacBook Pro (pictured) or 16-inch laptop snugly. If a snug fit is what you prefer, look at the small or medium sizes.Foundry Foundry The inside has three large compartments, with the middle section ideal for a laptop, tablet, or documentation. The front compartment is a better fit for bulky items, like shoes, a water bottle, or boxes. The back compartment is where everything in-between can go. There’s also a four-pocket section for items like pens, USB drives, etc. and a zippered pocket. It’s not full of holders like some backpacks or other bags, which may or may not be to your liking. Underneath the front flap is what Timbuk2 calls a Napoleon pocket. On the large and medium bags, it has zippers on each side, and you can reach this pocket through the side openings when the front flap is latched. It’s a great place to put keys, a phone, or an earphone charging case, anything you need on hand but don’t want to have to go inside the main part of the bag. Again, it’s all about quick access. The Napoleon Pocket can be accessed while the front flap is closed. The Napoleon Pocket can be accessed while the front flap is closed.Foundry The Napoleon Pocket can be accessed while the front flap is closed.Foundry Foundry The Classic Messenger Bag is made of Eco Cordura, a synthetic material made using recycled materials. It’s durable and weatherproof, and the interior has been upgraded with a Thermoplastic Polyurethane waterproof liner. The bag is available in a wide variety of colors, and customers can personalize their bag by picking different color panels. Carrying the Classic Messenger Bag The Classic Messenger Bag has always had a single strap, but Tikbuk2 redesigned it with sateen webbing that’s soft and durable, and it can be removed and switched for left- or right-handed wearing. The adjustment buckle has also been redesigned; in the prior version, it was plastic, but now it’s aluminum, which makes it feel sturdier as you adjust it. The adjustment buckle works effortlessly for tightening or loosening the carrying strap. The adjustment buckle works effortlessly for tightening or loosening the carrying strap.Foundry The adjustment buckle works effortlessly for tightening or loosening the carrying strap.Foundry Foundry The main issue some people have with messenger bags in general is that a single strap means there’s a single pressure point on one shoulder. Timbuk2 includes an Ortholite shoulder strap to alleviate the pressure a bit, but there’s no way of getting around the fact that it fits differently from a backpack. Depending on what you carry, it may not be comfortable, so if you’ve never used a messenger bag before, it’s a good idea to see how it fits before buying. The straps for the flap latches have reflective tabs to make you more visible in the dark. When customizing a bag, Timbuk2 offers three reflective fabrics for the body panels of the bag to make yourself even more visible if you’d like.  Should you buy the Classic Messenger Bag? Even though the urban landscape has changed, the Classic Messenger Bag endures. It’s a top-quality, stylish bag, designed with plenty of pockets and compartments for different types of stuff. While the bag is a great general carry-all, it’s ideal for someone who needs quick access to what’s inside. But if your primary item is a laptop, look at the medium or small sizes. Accessories, Laptop Accessories

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The M3 13-inch MacBook Air is $149 Off
Enjoy the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M3 chip at a $149 discount. Today, the 2024 MacBook Air with 8GB memory and 256GB SSD storage is down to just $949.99 from its original price of $1,100 on Amazon. Remember to clip the on-page coupon and get the instant rebate to get the new price. The […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Netflix boasts 40 million ad-supported subscribers
Streaming service Netflix recently reported that its ad-supported tier now has 40 million global monthly subscribers, up from 35 million on the previous year. The company held off on an ad-supported plan, but in 2022 had a lower-priced option to gain revenue. During its advertising presentation, Netflix says that there are 270 million subscribers around […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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RetroArch game emulator arrives on Apple TV and iPhone
Popular retro game emulator RetroArch is set to arrive on Apple TV and iPhone. A bunch of emulators have sprung up on the App Store since Apple’s decision to allow them. RetroArch is the latest app to come to the platform- it’s a multi-support emulator software that allows Commodore, Atari, Neo Geo Pocket, NEC PC […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Best iPad Air deals this month
Macworld If you want a new iPad Air at a discounted sale price, you’ve come to the right place. We’re looking at all the best deals and prices for the iPad Air right now–including contract plans. The Air remains incredibly popular and is an excellent halfway house between the entry-level iPad and high-end iPad Pro–ideal for those who need some extra power but don’t want to spend hundreds of pounds on a device that may not replace their laptop.  Apple introduced a new iPad Air with M2 in May 2024 in two sizes: 11-inch and 13-inch. Read about Apple’s iPad Air M2. Have a look at our iPad Buying Guide if you aren’t sure which model you want. You may also like to read: best iPad for kids, best iPad for students and best iPad for seniors. Best iPad Air deals right now In the U.S: Amazon, 11-inch iPad Air, 128GB, WiFi: $559.99 ($12 off, MSRP $599) Amazon, 13-inch iPad Air, 128GB, WiFi: $764.99 ($35 off, RRP £799) In the U.K: KRCS, 11-inch iPad Air, 128GB, WiFi: £587.02 (£12 off, RRP £599) KRCS, 13-inch iPad Air, 128GB, WiFi: £783.02 (£16 off, RRP £799) Best 2024 M2 iPad Air deals The M2 iPad Air models launched in May 2024 and you can already get a deal on one of the new models. Look through the tables below to find the best discounts. These tables will always be up-to-date with the latest prices for each iPad Air. For even bigger savings, the previous generation of iPad Air models can be found in the section below this one. iPad Air 11in (2024, M4, 128GB, WiFi): MSRP $599/£599 Retailer Price $569.99 View Deal $599 View Deal $599 View Deal $599 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket iPad Air 13in (2024, M4, 128GB, WiFi): MSRP $799/£799 Retailer Price $764 View Deal $799 View Deal $799 View Deal $799 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best 2022 M1 iPad Air deals Below are the best iPad Air prices we have seen for the previous generation iPad Air, which will probably remain on sale for some time at resellers, despite being discontinued by Apple. Browse to find the model you want at the best price. Just beware that some prices may be for used iPads, so pay attention to the details. 64GB iPad Air (2022, Wi-Fi) MSRP: $599/£669 (WAS £569) New Refurbished Retailer Price $399 View Deal $539 View Deal $549 View Deal $559 View Deal $599.99 View Deal $599.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price $Not Available View Deal iPad Air (2014) 64GB – Silver – (Wi-Fi) $499 View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB – Starlight – (Wi-Fi) $599 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB – Blue – (Wi-Fi) $599 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB – Space Gray – (Wi-Fi) $599 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB – Purple – (Wi-Fi) $599 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB – Pink – (Wi-Fi) $599 View Deal $Not Available View Deal iPad Air (2020) 256GB – Green – (Wi-Fi) $749 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket View more prices 256GB iPad Air (2022, Wi-Fi) MSRP: $749/£849 (WAS £719) New Refurbished Retailer Price $599 View Deal $679 View Deal $699 View Deal $749.99 View Deal $749.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB – Space Gray – (Wi-Fi) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB – Purple – (Wi-Fi) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB – Starlight – (Wi-Fi) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB – Blue – (Wi-Fi) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB – Pink – (Wi-Fi) $749 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket View more prices 64GB iPad Air (2022, Cellular) MSRP: $749/£849 (WAS £719) New Refurbished Retailer Price $599 View Deal $678.99 View Deal $699 View Deal $749 View Deal $749.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB – Purple – (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB – Blue – (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB – Starlight – (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB – Pink – (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB – Space Gray – (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $749 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket View more prices 256GB iPad Air (2022, Cellular) MSRP: $899/£1,029 (WAS £869) New Refurbished Retailer Price $749 View Deal $799 View Deal $839 View Deal $899.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB – Purple – (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $899 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB – Pink – (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $899 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB – Starlight – (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $899 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB – Blue – (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $899 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB – Space Gray – (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $899 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket View more prices Where to buy the new iPad Air If you want to buy the iPad Air direct from Apple, you can order on the Apple US or Apple UK site. There won’t be any discounts available, though Apple does offer occasional carrier deals and trade-ins. Of course, Apple isn’t the only place you can buy an iPad Air, the usual resellers around the world will also be stocking the new model including the following. You can see the best prices at these resellers in live price comparison boxes below. US retailers Amazon (see deal above) Best Buy Target Walmart Adorama BH Photo Video Looking for other ways to save money. Find out if you can save money buying Apple products from another country. UK retailers Amazon AO Apple Argos – check stock by post code BT Shop Box Currys eBuyer John Lewis Laptops Direct Very Apple has a number of Apple Premium Resellers who stock iPads in the UK, and also offer other services, try the following: KRCS often is the first to discount new products iStore Select Western Computer iPad Air education discounts Apple offers students and staff in higher education discounts on the iPad Air in its Education Store. Apple isn’t the only retailer that offers student discounts, however. In the U.K., KRCS offers up to 10 percent off for qualifying students. University students and teachers can also save on the iPad Air with Apple’s Education pricing. See our full guide on to how to get an education discount. Or head directly to Apple UK or Apple US to get the educational discount. iPad Air carrier deals If you’re after the cellular model and want to buy it on contract, here’s where to look: U.S. carrier deals Verizon: Save $100 with an Unlimited plan and up to $200 when you buy with an iPhone. U.K. carrier deals O2 – Get up to 6 months of Disney Plus (or 12 months of another streaming service); plans start at £28 per month, £20 upfront for 1GB data Vodafone – starting from £38 per month, £100 upfront for 2GB data EE – Get 4GB data for £42.50 per month, £100 upfront – existing customers get 10% off Sky – Currently out of stock, but usually has the best price on the market: 2GB of data for £22 per month and no upfront cost (36 months) iPad Air refurbished deals The deals you will see above are generally from Apple resellers rather than Apple itself – Apple rarely reduces prices. Apple does, however, sell reconditioned iPads in its refurbished store. So you can grab a bargain. The iPads in Apple’s refurbished store may be ex-display stock, or they may have been returned to Apple due to a fault, but they are fully reconditioned now and come with a full year’s warranty. It’s not like buying secondhand. The U.S. refurbished store has a selection that includes: Standard iPad (8th and 9th generation) iPad Air (4th generation) 11-inch iPad Pro (2nd and 3rd generation) 12.9-inch iPad Pro (4th and 5th generation) iPad mini (5th and 6th generation) Compared to the original price, you can save as much as $320 on a 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Get a refurbished iPad at Apple's refurbished store (U.S.) In the U.K. you’ll find a similar selection of iPads available from Apple’s refurbished store. You’ll find the following: Standard iPad (9th generation) iPad Air (4th generation) 11-inch iPad Pro (2nd and 3rd generation) 12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th generation) iPad mini (5th and 6th generation) There are savings of £480 on a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, compared to the original price. There is a large refurbished market for the iPad Air. We’d recommend taking a look at these refurbished resellers for iPad Air offers: Amazon AWD Big Phone Store eBay Envirofone Affordable Mac Tech Trade 4Gadgets Handtec Laptops Direct Music Magpie Preloved Smartfone Store See our full guide to buying a refurbished iPad. If you are interested in one of the other iPads, or just want the best deal, we’re also tracking the best iPad deals if you want to see other top offers. Also, check out our best Apple deals. iPad

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Assassin’s Creed Shadows launching on m-series Macs
The newest game in the Assassin’s Creed franchise is heading to Apple Silicon Macs on November 15. Ubisoft recently announced the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows for Macs, the Xbox Series X and S, Windows, and the PlayStation 5. The video trailer is around four minutes in length and shows off the protagonist and realistic […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Twitter․com is now officially x․com, though with some glitches
Elon Musk may have rebranded Twitter to X last summer, but one of the more notable contradictions was that URLs remained as twitter.com. That has finally changed today. X users accessing via the web today have seen twitter.com URLs redirect to x.com. Musk announced the migration on Twi– er, X … more…

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The iPad Air only exists to sell other iPads
Macworld Here’s a fun thought experiment: what would Apple’s tablet range look like if you removed the iPad Air? Just the basic iPad at one end (accompanied by the outdated and unappealing iPad mini, which we’ll largely ignore for now) and the iPad Pro at the other. How would you approach that as a retail offering, and how would it affect your buying decision? The answer, for me at least, is that it wouldn’t be a range at all. It would just be two separate and isolated products with little to connect them. It would be like comparing the Mac mini and the Mac Pro. Or the Apple Watch SE and the Vision Pro, for that matter. There would be no point comparing their specs or weighing up their pros and cons, you would simply look at the one which is obviously aimed at you and buy it if the price is right. If you want a sofa computer you buy the standard iPad; if you’re a hardcore creative you buy the iPad Pro. It would make the decision a no-brainer. That feels like a good, thing, right? Surely Apple wants the buying decision to be a no-brainer, so there’s as little friction as possible to slow the process from “want iPad” to “own iPad.” Surely it wants to make things easy for the customer. Or maybe it doesn’t. Because here’s the thing: That isn’t just a thought experiment, it’s reality. For 99 percent of iPad buyers, there may as well just be those two options. For most of the people who ask for my advice, the “correct” choice is the basic iPad, because it’s more than capable enough for their requirements and (following a timely price cut) is great value. Very few iPad owners need a super-fast processor, a high-end screen, or a terabyte of storage. And for the small market of creative professionals who do need those things, the Pro makes a lot more sense than the Air, because it’s more future-proofed, delivers better color reproduction, has Thunderbolt, and so on. If the iPad is your work computer, you don’t skimp on the premium features. In most of Apple’s product categories, the inbetweeners are a canny choice, blending features and value for money. But when it comes to iPads, because of the binary way people use them, you should decide whether features or value are the priority for you and then lean fully into that. Give these people Air If that’s the case–if the iPad Air is irrelevant to most customers–then it raises the question of why Apple bothers to have an Air at all. And here at Macworld we have a theory. I said earlier that an Air-less iPad range just seems like two unrelated products–okay three, but honestly, the iPad mini is not worth your consideration until it gets an update–that have so little in common that no customer would bother to compare them. But what the Air does is bridge the gap between the standard iPad and iPad Pro and bring a sense of coherency to the range. Indeed it makes the range exist as a range, rather than standalone products. The iPad Air has the same sized screen as the 10th-gen iPad and 11-inch iPad Pro. The iPad Air has the same sized screen as the 10th-gen iPad and 11-inch iPad Pro.Petter Ahrnstedt The iPad Air has the same sized screen as the 10th-gen iPad and 11-inch iPad Pro.Petter Ahrnstedt Petter Ahrnstedt With the Air nestled in the middle, it becomes much more tempting to load Apple’s iPad comparison page and start doing head-to-heads on tech specs. And then the intrusive thoughts begin. An anti-reflective coating sounds nice. I like the look of that new Magic Keyboard, maybe I should get an iPad that supports it. What’s Wi-Fi 6E? Do I need 16GB of RAM? How many CPU cores are worth getting? In other words, the existence of the iPad Air introduces a whole lot of indecision that can actually help Apple, because it encourages customers to spend more on things they want but might not need. And for customers who are sensible and stay in their lane, it helps to reinforce the value for money of the standard iPad at the lower end and the capabilities of the iPad Pro at the top. For those who are considering a vanilla iPad, the iPad Air acts as a price anchor, quietly establishing in the customer’s mind the idea that $599 is the sort of price somebody might reasonably pay for a new tablet. In comparison to that, $349 seems like an absolute steal, especially for the same size screen and very similar design. And in comparison to the Air’s M2 processor, 6.1mm chassis, and laminated LED screen (all of which we know are excellent, because this isn’t the budget iPad we’re talking about), the Pro’s M4, 5.3mm chassis, and tandem OLED screen look truly world-beating. Which, let’s be clear, they are… but it’s nice to make sure customers appreciate what they’re getting for their money. I have no doubt that Apple sells plenty of iPad Airs, but the product’s value to Apple isn’t limited to the number of units it shifts. It’s all about the way it makes customers feel about the other iPads. And that sense of confusion you feel when you look at the iPad range might not be an accident after all. iPad

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Buyer taken for $1,000 by fake Apple badge on eBay
A vintage Apple employee badge on eBay was proven to be a brazen forgery — but not in time to prevent it being bought.The fake employee badge as advertised on eBayThis isn't the first time that someone has sold a fake related to Apple, but usually it's hardware. Now an eBay seller auctioned off what he or she described as Steve Jobs's badge, but was for Sherry Livingston, employee #10 — or rather, it wasn't.It was first spotted by Mastodon user Eric Vitiello, who initially believed the eBay listing. However, the details of the badge and of the accompanying hand-drawn map of Apple's office layout were then debunked. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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