4 – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Audio

From streaming music and audiobooks to live audio rooms and podcasts, every major player in tech is trying to own a chunk of the listening experience. Spotify is expanding beyond music streaming, YouTube is becoming an audio-only destination, and Apple Music is hoping to stand out with spatial audio while Tidal, Pandora, SoundCloud, and so many more scramble to set themselves apart.

If you can get past the terrible logo, Audacity 4 looks pretty greatIf you can get past the terrible logo, Audacity 4 looks pretty great
Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
Pocket Casts turns off the ads for people who paid for old versions.

Last week, we noted that the popular multiplatform podcast app was showing ads to people who’d paid for the mobile version years ago, before subscriptions. Now, a post in its forum says, “We have removed the banner ads, and they will not be displayed to app purchasers in the future.”

From the app store notes:

Banner ads won’t be shown to Plus/Patron subscribers or users with accounts created prior to Sept 2019 – thanks for your support.

Sony brings audio sharing to its flagship noise-canceling headphonesSony brings audio sharing to its flagship noise-canceling headphones
Dominic Preston
Dominic Preston
Did someone say ‘inflation’?

You might have noticed tech is getting just a little more expensive these days. SteelSeries’ new $599.99 Arctis Nova Elite headset is only the latest example, but at least it means fans of spending money can complete the set.

Holmeser:

Pairs perfectly with my $999 Xbox Ally X and $750 PS5 Pro

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Beats redesigned its new Powerbeats Fit’s wing tip to be more comfortable and secureBeats redesigned its new Powerbeats Fit’s wing tip to be more comfortable and secure
CMF’s first over-ear headphones have a slider for boosting bass and trebleCMF’s first over-ear headphones have a slider for boosting bass and treble
Dominic Preston
Dominic Preston
Pixel Buds Pro 2 are getting Adaptive Audio now.

The update to firmware version 4.467 is rolling out, letting the buds adjust ANC on the fly to keep you aware of your surroundings. Announced in August, the update also brings loud noise protection, clearer mic audio for Gemini Live, and head gesture controls to take or decline calls.

Pixel Buds Pro 2: What's Included in the Latest Rollout - Google Pixel Buds Community

[support.google.com]

Nothing spins off its budget brand CMFNothing spins off its budget brand CMF
Dominic Preston
These earbuds include a tiny wired microphone you can holdThese earbuds include a tiny wired microphone you can hold
Bowers & Wilkins says the Px8 S2 are the best headphones it’s ever madeBowers & Wilkins says the Px8 S2 are the best headphones it’s ever made
Pocket Casts is showing ads to people who paid for an ad-free appPocket Casts is showing ads to people who paid for an ad-free app
Samsung now owns Denon, Bowers & Wilkins, Marantz, Polk, and more audio brandsSamsung now owns Denon, Bowers & Wilkins, Marantz, Polk, and more audio brands
Andrew Liszewski
Andrew Liszewski
Shokz’s open-ear wireless earbuds gain wireless charging for an extra $20.

The OpenFit 2 debuted at CES 2025 earlier this year, but Shokz is already rolling out an updated version called the OpenFit 2 Plus. Their functionality is nearly identical to the $179.95 Open Fit 2, but the Plus adds the convenience of wireless charging, support for Dolby Audio, and a price bump to $199.95.

The Shokz OpenFit 2 Plus open-ear wireless earbuds floating above and inserted into their charging case.
The Shokz OpenFit 2 Plus open-ear wireless earbuds are Qi-compatible.
Image: Shokz
Anker’s latest sleepbuds can silence snoring

7

Verge Score

Good for side-sleepers but ANC kills battery life.

Thomas Ricker
Nothing teases the first headphones from its budget CMF brandNothing teases the first headphones from its budget CMF brand
Nothing’s charging case ‘Super Mic’ is a small upgrade to earbud audioNothing’s charging case ‘Super Mic’ is a small upgrade to earbud audio
Nothing wants you to talk to your earbuds’ charging caseNothing wants you to talk to your earbuds’ charging case
The Powerbeats Pro 2 are getting heart rate monitoring updates with iOS 26The Powerbeats Pro 2 are getting heart rate monitoring updates with iOS 26
Nothing’s Ear 3 earbuds have a microphone and ‘talk’ button on their charging caseNothing’s Ear 3 earbuds have a microphone and ‘talk’ button on their charging case
All the news from Apple’s iPhone 17 eventAll the news from Apple’s iPhone 17 event
New Beats earbuds leak hours before Apple’s big eventNew Beats earbuds leak hours before Apple’s big event
Dominic Preston
Dominic Preston
The mushroom-industrial complex.

The Pocket Scion isn’t just a rad portable synthesizer that creates soundscapes from organic matter (but it is that!) — it’s a vision of a better world, where the tech industry is a little less evil, and a lot more weird.

Sly Mr. Fox:

This is the exact kind of crazy we need more of. Less late-capitalist “AI”, more mushroom synths.

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Bose announces QuietComfort Ultra headphones with support for lossless audio over USB-CBose announces QuietComfort Ultra headphones with support for lossless audio over USB-C
Timekettle’s new translation earbuds are made for sharingTimekettle’s new translation earbuds are made for sharing
Thomas Ricker
Thomas Ricker
Anker’s portable Dolby Atmos audio projector.

Anker calls its Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro the “world’s first mobile theater station with 4K laser projection and 7.1.4 spatial sound.” I call it impressive.

The Dolby Atmos-certified projector on wheels creates a 7.1.4 soundscape with 7 horizontal channels, 1 subwoofer, and 4 overhead height channels with the help of these wireless speakers that detach from the unit. I already loved the mobile projector this is built around, so I can’t wait for Jen and Jess to get a listen from Anker’s booth at IFA.

<em>The four speakers connect over Wi-Fi, not Bluetooth, for lossless transmission.</em>
<em>A 4-mic array in the dock calibrates the sound based upon the speaker placement. You can also manually drag the “sweet spot” to your desired location.</em>
1/2
The four speakers connect over Wi-Fi, not Bluetooth, for lossless transmission.
Image: Anker
Anker stuffed its awesome Nebula X1 projector into a party speakerAnker stuffed its awesome Nebula X1 projector into a party speaker
Belkin’s cheap wired earbuds give you ANC without battery anxietiesBelkin’s cheap wired earbuds give you ANC without battery anxieties
Pixel phones can now stream music for you and a friend at the same timePixel phones can now stream music for you and a friend at the same time
Mophie adds wireless charging to the AirPods Max with a clever new standMophie adds wireless charging to the AirPods Max with a clever new stand
Samsung’s new party speakers are less subtle than everSamsung’s new party speakers are less subtle than ever
The PartyBox 720 is JBL’s largest battery-powered party speakerThe PartyBox 720 is JBL’s largest battery-powered party speaker
DJI’s Mic 3 crams more features into a smaller packageDJI’s Mic 3 crams more features into a smaller package
Made by Google 2025: all the Pixel news and announcementsMade by Google 2025: all the Pixel news and announcements
Made by Google: How to watch the Pixel 10 launchMade by Google: How to watch the Pixel 10 launch
Prices leak for the rest of Google’s new Pixel productsPrices leak for the rest of Google’s new Pixel products
Sony just launched five new PC gaming peripherals, so I tried them all at onceSony just launched five new PC gaming peripherals, so I tried them all at once
Made by Google 2025: what to expect from Google’s new Pixel hardwareMade by Google 2025: what to expect from Google’s new Pixel hardware
Razer’s Gengar Edition headphones are now available in the USRazer’s Gengar Edition headphones are now available in the US
Spotify’s new track mixing tool adds DJ features to your playlistsSpotify’s new track mixing tool adds DJ features to your playlists
Samsung’s budget Galaxy Buds 3 FE are hereSamsung’s budget Galaxy Buds 3 FE are here

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