Microsoft tests Windows Search without all the ads and fluff
Microsoft is testing a cleaner version of the Windows 11 search menu that strips it of recommended content and ads. In a blog post on Monday, Microsoft announced that it's rolling out the decluttered Search Box to Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel as the company looks to regain trust with users and fix Windows.
One of the biggest changes is a revamped search homescreen that displays only your recent searches. Currently, when you open the search menu, it shows your recent searches alongside several distracting tiles on the right pane, containing things like the image of the day, daily quizzes, trending searches, and game recommend …
OnePlus is reportedly bailing on the US
OnePlus and its parent company, Oppo, plan to announce in the coming days that OnePlus brand will be leaving the US and European markets, according to a machine translation of a WinFuture report.
Should the exit actually happen, it will mark a conclusion to months of rumors about the future of OnePlus. Android Headlines said in January that OnePlus was being "dismantled," though OnePlus, in a statement at the time, said that "OnePlus North America continues to operate, with full guarantee of users' after-sales support, software updates, and rights commitments."
In March, 9to5Google reported that OnePlus might cease operations in global ma …
A two-pack of DJI’s most capable wireless mics just got its first price cut
Smartphones these days have incredible cameras that are capable of taking smooth, sharp video, but the microphones are often lacking, to say the least. A wireless lavalier microphone can dramatically improve the audio quality of your videos, whether you’re the only one talking, or if you’re getting audio from multiple people.
The DJI Mic 3 is one of the best options, and it’s currently discounted to $219 (usually $259) at several retailers, including Best Buy, B&H Photo, and Amazon. The bundle includes two microphones, a receiver unit that connects to your phone or camera, a charging case, power and audio cables, and four windscreens to reduce noise while recording outside.
DJI Mic 3
Where to Buy:
DJI made a number of improvements to the Mic 3 over previous generations to flesh out the feature set and improve compatibility. The receiver stores 32GB of audio, up from 8GB, with support for both 24-bit and 32-bit floating points, and has a built-in screen for checking battery levels and connection status. The included magnetic clips let you easily attach the transmitters to clothing or hats.
There are also features that help these microphones work in less-than-ideal recording conditions. They offer two levels of noise reduction, and active gain control to reign in any unexpected loud noises. Each microphone can run for about eight hours on a single charge, with the receiver at a slightly longer ten hours. The charging case provides at least two full charges for the set.
The Shokz OpenRun Pro are the cheapest they’ve been since January
Noise-canceling earbuds are great for flights and focusing, but they're not always ideal for outdoor workouts. The last-gen Shokz OpenRun Pro's open-ear design lets you enjoy music while staying aware of approaching cars, cyclists, and other potential hazards, and right now they're on sale for $109 ($50 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and B&H Photo. That matches their all-time low price, which we haven't seen since January.
Unlike traditional earbuds, the OpenRun Pro rests just outside your ears and uses bone conduction to deliver sound. That means you can listen t …
The Pixel colors might rule this year
This year's Google Pixel 11 lineup might come in a bunch of funky colors. A series of now-deleted Amazon listings spotted by 9to5Google show what appear to be placeholders for Google's upcoming Pixel 11 in hot pink Fuchsia (Hibiscus), vibrant green Moss (Pistachio), and Midnight (Obsidian) black.
We've seen two sets of names for the Pixel 11's rumored colorways so far, and, confusingly, both variations are included in the early Amazon listings, according to 9to5Google. The Pixel 11 Pro listings spotted by 9to5Google reportedly showed the device in a dusky green Pine (Olive), a frosty blue Light Fog (Fog), pastel purple Sterling (Frost), an …
Apple’s public betas for iOS 27 and more are out now
Apple has just released public betas for iOS 27 and other major OS updates that are set to publicly launch this fall. The big new feature this year is Siri AI, the delayed AI-powered revamp to Siri. It actually works - which is big praise! - though it keeps things brief.
Other betas available now include iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, and macOS 27 Golden Gate. If you want to test out Apple's upcoming updates, fair warning that you may run into issues like unexpected glitches or a battery that drains faster than you're used to. Use your best judgment on whether you should actually install the beta or wait to install an update until it's officially r …
Siri AI makes the Apple Watch finally feel like a wrist computer
Siri has been on the Apple Watch since day one, though I'm usually hard-pressed to find people who actually make good use of it. It's kind of just… been there - mostly as a way to set timers when my hands are full. But after playing around with the watchOS 27 developer beta, I get the sense that'll start to change. Not for everyone, and definitely not overnight, but the upgrade from plain ol' Siri to Siri AI feels like a significant shift in how Apple - and other tech companies - think we ought to be using our smartwatches.
To be clear: If all you want Siri on the wrist to do is set an alarm or get the weather forecast, by golly, it's still …
Siri AI is already changing how I use my iPhone
iOS 27 escaped the developer world today with the launch of the first public beta. I've been testing the new operating system since early June, looking for quirks and seeing if it can live up to the hype Apple promised in the keynote.
This year's iOS upgrades are what one might call a Snow Leopard update. That means it's light on new features and instead focused on fixing things that were broken and speeding up processes across the OS. App launches, Photos search results, and AirDrop transfers should all be faster. The Messages app now supports in-line replies and end-to-end encryption for RCS messages. Liquid Glass has gotten more refined, …
The macOS 27 public beta is worth it just for the Liquid Glass tweaks
The macOS 27 Golden Gate public beta is here, and anyone with an M-series Mac now has easier access to test-drive Apple's latest changes - including a more subdued Liquid Glass aesthetic. That's reason enough to be at least a little excited for macOS 27 (particularly if you're on Tahoe and disliking all the transparency). But there are other things that make trying out this beta a little more appealing than usual.
There was a rumor earlier this year that this new macOS would focus on performance optimizations, bug fixes, and a bunch of small quality-of-life improvements, rather than being a major overhaul. And aside from dialing down Liquid …
States make last-ditch effort to stop the Paramount ‘media behemoth’
A dozen state attorneys general are trying to block the $110 billion merger of Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery they warn would raise movie prices and crush cable TV distributors.
The states - California, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Washington - filed suit on Monday, arguing the combination would illegally harm competition and create a "media behemoth." Last month, the Justice Department declined to block the merger in a decision that The Wall Street Journal reported surprised career staff who were leaning toward recommending a lawsuit. In an exit intervi …