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Apple TV+ has its hit sci-fi show Silo for two more seasons. However, the show will end at that point after telling the full story of the Hugh Howey novels on which it’s based.
“Excited to share that Silo will return for a third AND fourth season! We’re thrilled to support the imagination and inspiration out of the UK as they continue to create world-class films and series,” Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote on X, perhaps in an attempt to butter up the creative industry in the UK.
Apple doesn’t tend to share viewership data for its shows and movies. However, Nielsen said soon after the show premiered last year that Silo was a breakout hit. The series debuted as the platform’s number-one drama, per Nielsen data. Viewership is said to have grown in the following weeks. ()
The second season of the dystopian drama is streaming on Apple TV+ now with new episodes arriving each Friday until January 17. Silo depicts a future in which there are only 10,000 people left on the planet and they’re housed in a mile-deep bunker to protect them from a seemingly toxic surface. Anyone who tries to find out when or why this silo was constructed tends to meet their demise, so clearly there’s more going on than might first meet the eye.
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If you didn’t get a chance to shop for your favorite gaming devices during Black Friday or Cyber Monday, you still have a chance to lock in serious savings on holiday gifts for gamers. Fans of virtual reality experiences will enjoy this Meta Quest 3S deal that’s chock-full of goodies that no gamer will want to miss. Amazon is currently offering a $30 digital credit when you buy the 256GB version of the headset and redeem the coupon code QUEST30. Need more options? Target is offering a $30 credit, too. In any case, you’ll also get Batman: Arkham Shadow and three months of Meta Quest Plus included with your purchase for a gift that keeps on giving.
Though this discount isn’t the same as Black Friday or Cyber Week, it’s still an excellent chance to score this VR headset without paying full price.
While the standard Meta Quest 3 is undoubtedly the better headset, the Quest 3S isn’t as far behind as you might think. The picture quality isn’t as good, but you can still enjoy all of the same games and experiences. At essentially $370, there’s frankly no competition when it comes to price. The 256GB capacity helps you multitask as you play or take part in Meta experiences.
As well as the free credit, you’ll score Batman: Arkham Shadow and a three-month trial of Meta Quest Plus with its revolving catalog of games, so you’ll have plenty to play right away.
Over at Amazon, you’ll receive a $30 digital credit to Amazon.com, which will be automatically applied to your account.
If you choose to purchase via Target, you can simply add it to your cart. Once you’ve made your purchase, you’ll receive a $30 digital gift card added directly to your Target account. This offer is good both online and in stores.
This deal will only last until the end of the month and makes for a great piece of giftable tech, whether for yourself or someone else. Don’t miss out on it if you’re looking for your first foray into the world of VR headsets.
Will this item arrive in time for Christmas?
If you’re ordering this as a holiday gift, you probably want to know if it’s going to arrive on time. With Christmas and Hanukkah both taking place on Dec. 25 this year and Kwanzaa kicking off the day after, it’s important to note shipping deadlines for USPS, FedEx, UPS, Amazon and others.
Guaranteed shipping deadlines at some of these delivery companies arrived as soon as Dec. 16, with others offering expedited services that may allow you to order as late as Dec. 23 or even Dec. 24. Where delivery is no longer possible, be sure to assess your in-store pickup options or check out these great digital deals for the holidays.
The Meta Quest 3S will arrive before Christmas, according to both Amazon and Target. For Amazon shoppers, it’s best to order soon so the company can start preparing your order. Target shoppers have the option of delivering to a store or coordinating in-store pickup, which could speed up delivery.
CNET is always covering a wide array of deals on tech products and much more. Start with the hottest sales and discounts on the CNET Deals page, and sign up for the CNET Deals Text to get daily deals sent straight to your phone. Add the free CNET Shopping extension to your browser for real-time price comparisons and cash-back offers. And peruse our gift guide, which includes a full range of ideas for birthdays, anniversaries and more.
Our Favorite Tech Gifts Under $100 We’re Giving for the Holidays
Genmoji works offline, requires Apple silicon Macs, and expands emoji use with personalized designs from prompts or photos
Available to developers now, Genmoji will roll out to public beta and future macOS updates soon
Apple has released its first beta for the upcoming macOS Sequoia 15.3 update for developers, and it reportedly brings a feature powered by Apple Intelligence that the company has been hyping up for some time now: Genmoji. This developer beta follows swiftly on the heels of the release of macOS Sequoia 15.2, which came out about a week ago.
Genmoji will allow Mac users to generate their own unique emojis based on a prompt and this is also the first time we’ll see it on a desktop (the feature was already available on iOS 18.2 for iPhones and iPadOS 18.2 for iPads and now Mac users get to join in on the party), as reported by MacRumors.
To access this developer beta version (and future developer beta releases), you have to register with Apple as a developer (which comes with a subscription fee).
Genmoji is meant to expand the way people can express themselves via custom emojis. On the support page for the feature on iPhone, Apple claims that you can give Genmoji a simple description of what you want your custom Genmoji to look like or create one based on a photo of a person, such as a friend or family member.
Once you generate a custom emoji, you’ll be able to use it like other emojis that are included in Apple software by default. These emojis will then work across devices running iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 or later. For those using older versions or an Android device, custom-generated emojis will still show up, but as an image rather than an emoji (which are distinct as far as Apple OSs are concerned).
You can create a Genmoji and use it via the emoji palette on Mac. Here are some ways you can access Genmoji on Mac:
Use a keyboard shortcut: Press Control + Command + Space in any app that supports text input, like Notes or Messages
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Click the emoji icon: If you’re using an app like Messages, look for the smiley face emoji button in the text bar
When the emoji palette is opened, you’ll apparently be able to see options to create and use Genmoji alongside your standard emoji.
Keep in mind that Genmoji is part of Apple’s shiny new Apple Intelligence suite of AI-powered features, which means it will require your Mac being fitted with an Apple silicon chip (like the M1, M2, or newer).
All Genmoji generation happens on whatever device you’re using without needing an internet connection so you can use it offline.
If you are particularly expressive when it comes to using emojis, I can see this being fun to try, even just to see what Genmoji spits out and how fitting it is to your prompt. It can make messaging and note-taking more personal and expand the possibilities of how people can express themselves. I don’t know if I would use this every time I wanted to send a message or even use an emoji, so it’ll be interesting to watch if it catches on with users.
As Genmoji is currently in the macOS Sequoia developer beta, it has a little way to go before rolling out to the public. It’ll have to go through a public beta, which you can enroll in for free, and then if Apple thinks it’s ready to go, it’ll be added to a future macOS Sequoia update in the next couple months.
This week, a Senate committee helmed by noted populist firebrand Bernie Sanders published a report accusing e-commerce giant Amazon of having fostered a working environment that is dangerous to its workers’ health. Worse, the report claims that the company has been aware that its internal policies are harming its workers but that it has repeatedly chosen to ignore those harms for the sake of corporate profit. Amazon has roundly rejected the report’s conclusions.
The report, which was produced by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, reveals that Amazon has conducted a number of internal studies designed to assess risks to worker health and safety. Those reports, variously dubbed “Project Elderwand” and “Project Soteria,” ultimately found that the company’s quota system (in which workers are required to meet certain productivity thresholds) and its focus on speed (workers are pressured to complete tasks quickly, the report claims) was driving workers to injure themselves. The reports suggested that Amazon relax its quota requirements so as to refrain from harming its workers. However, the New York Times writes that the company’s top executives ultimately “rejected the recommendations” from its internally commissioned reports.
Indeed, the committee said that it had found that “Amazon is not only aware of the connection between speed and injuries, but also that the company specifically rejected potential safety improvements, accepting injuries to its workers as the cost of doing business.” The report further notes, “Incredibly, while the company refuses to adopt” its own “recommended safety improvements, it also presents a misleading narrative about its injury rates and claims its warehouses are far safer than they truly are.”
The injuries in question seem to stem from workers having to replicate repetitive physical movements throughout the workday, the report states. “Amazon forces workers to move in unsafe ways and to repeat the same movements hundreds and thousands of times each shift, resulting in extremely high rates of musculoskeletal disorders,” the report states, noting that while the company is “aware that these repetitive movements—made over 10- to 12-hour shifts—cause musculoskeletal disorders, the company refuses to take action to protect workers.”
“Amazon’s refusal to protect workers is particularly egregious given its incredible financial resources,” the report notes, reminding readers that Amazon is the “sixth largest company in the world and the second-largest private employer in the United States” and that Jeff Bezos, the company’s founder, is the third richest man in the world.
When reached for comment by Gizmodo, an Amazon spokesperson claimed that the report was based on outdated information that Amazon had since discredited. “Senator Sanders’s report is wrong on the facts and weaves together out-of-date documents and unverifiable anecdotes to create a preconceived narrative,” a statement provided by Amazon spokesman Steve Kelly reads. “The facts are, our expectations for our employees are safe and reasonable.”
“Despite that, and the fact that Sen. Sanders approached this process with a pre-conceived narrative, we’ve cooperated with Sen. Sanders and his staff throughout this investigation, providing thousands of pages of documents and other information,” the statement continues. “We’ve also repeatedly asked Sen. Sanders to visit one of our facilities so he can see our working conditions firsthand. Unfortunately, these invitations have gone unanswered.”
Despite the company’s rebuttal to the report’s findings, the Times notes that the “findings in the Senate report are consistent with investigations conducted by state and federal regulators in recent years.”
It’s an expensive day for Meta. First, Australia announced a $50 million AUD ($31.7 million USD) settlement with the company over the Cambridge Analytica scandal and now the Irish Data Protection Committee (IDPC) has issued Meta a €251 million ($263 million) fine. The IRDC’s fine stems from a personal data breach on Facebook in 2018.
Hackers had exploited a « vulnerability in Facebook’s code, » related to the View As feature, the company said at the time. It allowed them to get hold of users’ access tokens and take over those accounts. The bad actors were able to log on to about 29 million global users’ Facebook accounts, including three million users in the European Union and European Economic Area. They gained access to information such as a user’s full name, email address, phone number, location, date of birth, religion and children’s personal data.
The IDPC holds Meta responsible for not having proper data protection when designing its processing systems, not processing personal data only when specifically necessary and not disclosing all the information about the breach.
« This enforcement action highlights how the failure to build in data protection requirements throughout the design and development cycle can expose individuals to very serious risks and harms, including a risk to the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals, » DPC Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle stated. « By allowing unauthorised exposure of profile information, the vulnerabilities behind this breach caused a grave risk of misuse of these types of data. »
Down under, the Cambridge Analytica scandal settlement stems from a whistleblower who revealed in 2018 that the company had « exploited Facebook to harvest millions of people’s profiles. » Facebook had found out about it three years earlier. Cambridge Analytica took this information to influence US voters for Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and the Pro-Brexit campaign. The company was previously led by Steve Bannon, who recently served time in jail for his refusal to cooperate in the January 6 investigation.
The settlement should provide payment to an estimated 311,127 people. Eligible parties must have had a Facebook account from November 2015 to December 2015, spent more than 30 days in Australia during that period and personally or had a Facebook friend who installed the This is Your Digital Life app. Meta previously agreed to pay $725 million to users in the US.
What is the best internet provider in Kent, Washington?
CNET recommends Xfinity as the best internet service provider in Kent. Xfinity offers the fastest and most affordable plans in the city, starting at just $20, and it’s available in nearly all areas. However, there are a few major cons, with the most notable issues being data caps and significant price increases after the first year or two.
For those looking for the best fiber internet in Kent, look no further than Quantum Fiber. It offers four plans ranging from $45 to $95 a month, but it’s not widely available. You get upload speeds as fast as download speeds, and equipment is included in every plan. For smaller households, wireless internet from Verizon or T-Mobile is another decent option, and you can save by bundling with an eligible cellphone plan.
The best internet deals and top promotions in Kent depend on what discounts are available during a given time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Kent internet providers, such as Xfinity and Verizon 5G Home Internet, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, including Quantum Fiber, run the same standard pricing year-round.
How many members of your household use the internet?
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics: browsing the internet, sending and receiving email and streaming low-quality video.
5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Kent, Washington
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. What’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
It doesn’t end there: We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
Are customers happy with their service?
While the answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers that come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
Internet providers in Kent FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Kent?
Xfinity is the best internet service provider in Kent, offering the city’s cheapest and fastest plans.
Is fiber internet available in Kent?
Yes, fiber internet is available to 5% of Kent households, according to FCC data. Quantum Fiber is the only fiber provider in the city.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Kent?
Xfinity is Kent’s cheapest internet provider, offering plans starting at just $20 per month.
Which internet provider in Kent offers the fastest plan?
Quantum Fiber offers the fastest internet plan in Kent, with upload and download speeds up to 2,000Mbps. Some areas might also be eligible for the 2 gig plan by Quantum Fiber.
The iPad mini is rumored to get an OLED upgrade in 2026
This would make it the second Apple tablet to get this screen tech
OLED would bring major benefits over the tablet’s current display
There was a time when the iPad mini was Apple’s forgotten tablet, but those days seem to be long behind us. With a powerful A17 Pro chip and a pocketable design, the iPad mini is returning to glory. Now, it looks like that trajectory could continue with a major upgrade that’s due to arrive in the next couple of years.
According to a report published by industry analysts Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), the iPad mini will get an 8.5-inch OLED display in 2026. Not only would that be a slight size increase on the current model’s 8.3-inch screen, but it’d incorporate OLED technology for the first time in Apple’s miniature tablet.
That would be a significant step up over the current LED screen that the iPad mini uses and would bring better contrast, deeper blacks and wider viewing angles, among other benefits.
An update like that could help to make the iPad mini the dark horse of Apple’s tablet range. Not only would it be more affordable than something like the iPad Pro or iPad Air, but its improved screen could make it the ideal device for watching content on the go, giving you a beautiful display on your travels without weighing you down. When you look at it like that, 2026’s iPad mini looks like a very attractive prospect, on paper.
OLED on the way
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
The iPad mini wasn’t the only device mentioned in DSCC’s report. The company also touched on the iPad Air, where both the 11-inch and 13-inch models are mooted to get an OLED upgrade in 2027 – an idea backed up by an earlier leaked roadmap from analysts Omdia. If correct, it means only the entry-level 10.9-inch iPad will be without an OLED display by 2027.
Also in 2027, DSCC believes that Apple will launch a new iPad Pro with an 18.8-inch foldable display. This would be Apple’s first foldable device (ahead of the folding iPhone) and could take the high-end tablet into new territory.
While many recent rumors have focused on this large foldable iPad Pro, including those from Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, the Wall Street Journal, and Omdia, little attention has been paid recently to the iPad mini.
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But with an OLED display apparently on the way, it’s likely that a lot more people will sit up and take notice of Apple’s tiniest tablet over the coming years.
Nvidia’s next-gen series of GPUs is an open secret, and just a month out from CES 2025, the names and specs for these potentially massive graphics cards are out in the open. In the latest leak, a graphics OEM spoiled the names of the top five Nvidia cards, including the monstrous RTX 5090. The top-end card in the codenamed Blackwell series could take up a ton of space inside your PC. At the same time, it demands enough juice to make your next itemized electrical bill as big as the card itself.
Card manufacturer Zotac leaked the SKUs for Nvidia’s next slate of cards. VideoCardz picked up on the Google Search listings CSI tools before Zotac could pull the results. The screenshotted listings mention the 5090 with 32GB of GDDR7 memory at the top end, which confirms an 8GB increase from the RTX 4090’s 24 GB.
These cards are big suckers. The RTX 5090 will supposedly take up three to four slots on your motherboard. The current RTX 4090 takes up three slots on most boards. That doesn’t account for length, however. Nvidia’s cards are also a massive power hog. The card manufacturer recommends having a PSU between 650W and 750W. Past rumors hinted the card itself could have a 600W TGP. Rumormonger Kotike7kimi, who normally has a good track record for GPU leaks, wrote on Twitter that the card may demand slightly less than the total 600W. Either way, the 5080 is somewhat more manageable, supposedly demanding 400W. The current RTX 4090 has a 450W total graphics power.
The Zotac leak showed five cards, including the GeForce RTX 5090, the RTX 5090D (a model made for Chinese markets), the RTX 5080, the RTX 5070 Ti, and the RTX 5070. If you’re wondering where the 5060 or 5050 are, it’s safe to assume they may not arrive at the same time as these higher-end cards. It’s another matter whether Nvidia announces them at CES 2025 but later releases them.
Beyond the need for a separate baby carriage inside your PC case to keep it cradled without toppling your tower, the confirmed VRAM gives more credence to past rumors that the 5090 will have 21,760 FP32 CUDA cores, more than double the number of the RTX 4090.
We’d also like to hear from Nvidia itself why it decided to release the 5070 Ti “Titanium” edition simultaneously with its other cards. Nvidia normally drops these versions later as a sidegrade to existing GPUs, as with the 4070 Ti. Nvidia seems to be focusing on the high-end GPUs, while leaving the lower-end cards for later.
For the budget builders, it doesn’t leave much room to hope the lower-end 50-series will be inexpensive. There’s been much less to go on with the 5060 or supposed 5060 Ti. There have been even fewer hints about any kind of RTX 5050. Intel just released its budget cards like the B580, with claims it can top the RTX 4060 in most games, plus it comes with 12GB of VRAM. So far, rumors hint the non-Ti 5060 may have 8GB.
Whether you’re already an avid runner or hope to be one as you start a new training regimen, you’ll get more out of your exercise routine if you have some good music to accompany you. Getting into the zone during a long run with your preferred music, be it rap, classic rock or today’s pop hits, can totally change your experience for the better. To do that, you have to start with a good pair of running headphones.
But not all wireless workout headphones are created equally, and runners need to consider specific factors before investing in a pair like how long your runs are, what type of music or other audio you prefer listening to and how much you want to block out the world during a session. I’ve tested out more than a dozen pairs of headphones for running to find which are worth your money and which are the best for runners of all stripes.
What to look for in running headphones
Design
Before diving in, it’s worth mentioning that this guide focuses on wireless earbuds. While you could wear over-ear or on-ear Bluetooth headphones during a run, most of the best headphones available now do not have the same level of durability. Water and dust resistance, particularly the former, is important for any audio gear you plan on sweating with or taking outdoors, and that’s more prevalent in the wireless earbuds world.
Most earbuds have one of three designs: in-ear, in-ear with hook or open-ear. The first two are the most popular. In-ears are arguably the most common, while those with hooks promise better security and fit since they have an appendage that curls around the top of your ear. Open-ear designs don’t stick into your ear canal, but rather sit just outside of it. This makes it easier to hear the world around you while also listening to audio, and could be more comfortable for those who don’t like the intrusiveness of in-ear buds.
Water resistance and dust protection
Water resistance and dust protection are crucial for the best running headphones to have since you’ll likely be sweating while wearing them. Also, if you have the unfortunate luck of getting caught in the rain during a run, at least your gear will survive. Here’s a quick rundown of ingress protection (IP) ratings, which you’ll see attached to many earbuds on the market today. The first digit after the abbreviation rates dust protection on a scale from one to six — the higher, the better. The second digit refers to water- resistance, or waterproofing in some cases, ranked on a scale from one to nine. A letter “X” in either position means the device isn’t rated for the corresponding material.
Check out this guide for an even more detailed breakdown. All of the earbuds we tested for this guide have at least an IPX4 rating (most have even more protection), which means they can withstand sweat and splashes but do not have dust protection.
Active noise cancellation and transparency mode
Active noise cancellation (ANC) is becoming a standard feature on wireless earbuds, at least in those above a certain price. If you’re looking for a pair of buds that can be your workout companion and continue to serve you when you’re off the trail, ANC is good to have. It adds versatility by allowing you to block out the hum of your home or office so you can focus, or give you some solitude during a busy commute on public transit.
But an earbud’s ability to block out the world goes hand in hand with its ability to open things back up should you need it. Many earbuds with ANC support some sort of “transparency mode” or various levels of noise reduction. This is important for running headphones because you don’t want to be totally oblivious to what’s going on around you when you’re exercising outside along busy streets. Lowering noise cancelation levels to increase your awareness will help with that.
Battery life
All of the earbuds we tested have a battery life of six to eight hours. In general, that’s what you can expect from this space, with a few outliers that can get up to 15 hours of life on a charge. Even the low end of the spectrum should be good enough for most runners, but it’ll be handy to keep the buds’ charging case on you if you think you’ll get close to using up all their juice during a single session.
Speaking of, you’ll get an average of 20-28 extra hours of battery out of most charging cases and all of the earbuds we tested had holders that provided at least an extra 15 hours. This will dictate how often you actually have to charge the device — as in physically connect the case with earbuds inside to a charging cable, or set it on a wireless charger to power up.
How we test headphones for running
When testing to determine the best running headphones, I wear each contender during as many runs as possible. I typically run three to five days each week, completing at least a 5K (3.01 miles) each time. I’m looking for comfort arguably most of all, because you should never be fussing with your earbuds when you’re on the tread or trail (as a note, I primarily run outside). I’m also paying attention to fit over time, particularly if the earbuds get slippery or loose while I sweat, or if they tend to pop out or feel less stable in my ears as I pick up speed or make quick movements.
I also use the earbuds when not running to take calls and listen to music, podcasts and the like throughout the day. Many people will want just one pair of earbuds that they can use while exercising and just doing everyday things, so I evaluate each pair on their ability to be comfortable and provide a good listening experience in multiple different activities.
While I am also listening for audio quality, I’m admittedly not an expert in this space. My colleague Billy Steele holds that title at Engadget, and you’ll find much more detailed information about sound quality for some of our top picks in his reviews and buying guides. Here, however, I will make note of audio-quality characteristics if they stood out to me (i.e. if a pair of earbuds had noticeably strong bass out of the box, weak highs, etc). Most of the wireless workout headphones we tested work with companion apps that have adjustable EQ settings, so you’re able to tweak sound profiles to your liking in most cases.
A note about Jabra headphones
Jabra announced earlier this year that it will exit the consumer earbuds business, which is disappointing considering the company has made excellent headphones for running (and all other types of exercise). Our top picks include two Jabra models and we feel comfortable recommending them still because Jabra plans to support its current earbuds for « several years. » However, we’re constantly testing new buds and reassessing our top picks, so we’ll update this list accordingly in the future.
Best headphones for running
Photo by Valentina Palladino / Engadget
Connectivity: Wireless | Style: In-ear with wingtip | Assistant support: Google Assistant, Siri | Water resistance: IPX4 | Active noise cancellation: Yes | Battery life: Up to six hours
The Beats Fit Pro came out at the head of the pack thanks to their comfortable, secure design, good sound quality and transparency mode and general ease of use, among other things. As Billy detailed in his review, the Fit Pro’s wingtip design sets them apart from other Beats earbuds and makes them particularly good for running and other workouts. The buds are fairly small and light, and the wingtip on each is flexible enough to hug your ear snugly without too much pressure. This helps them feel more secure when you’re moving around a lot, be it during a morning jog or while taking a HIIT class. The buds are also rated IPX4 — not the highest level of protection out of everything I tested, but enough for even my sweatiest sessions.
As it were, the Beats Fit Pro stayed put during every single run and workout. However, adjusting their position on the fly can lead to one of my few gripes: accidental presses of the onboard controls. There were a number of times when I went to move a bud and I ended up pausing my music in the process because the buttons are so easy to trigger. While I do prefer the tactile feedback of a physical button as opposed to the touch controls on other earbuds, Beats should have changed their position on the buds or made them a bit harder to fully engage.
Sound quality is solid and, thanks to its punchy bass and overall balance, is especially suitable for exercising. Spatial audio support is great to have, and while Adaptive EQ means you can’t tweak the EQ yourself like you can with other buds, it does make for consistently good audio quality. It’s also one less thing to play with out of the box, which I expect many people will appreciate; these earbuds are a true unbox-and-go option.
ANC is also great on the Beats Fit Pro, but transparency mode is what really shines. Like I said, full ANC can be dangerous when you’re running outside, whether you’re in the middle of a city or on a trail. It pays to be able to hear what’s going on around you, at least a little bit, and the Fit Pro’s transparency mode was the best out of the earbuds I tried. Similar to Apple’s AirPods Pro, it sounded more natural than on our runner-up pick, and it’s easy to turn on or off either with onboard buttons or from the control panel on your iOS or Android smartphone.
Speaking of, the Beats Fit Pro works particularly well with iPhones thanks to the built-in H1 chip, but Android users can download the companion app to access things like quick pairing, control customizations and a battery status indicator. I didn’t get into detail about the setup process because, well, there isn’t much of one. As soon as you unbox the Fit Pro and open the case, the H1 chip communicates with iPhones and other iOS devices to almost instantly pair the buds and get them ready for use.
I will say, though, that I was surprised by one thing when I unboxed the Fit Pro: how cheap their charging case feels. While it provides an extra 21 hours on top of the buds’ promised six hours of life, the build quality of the case itself feels like a real step down compared to the buds themselves. Some charging cases on much less expensive alternatives felt more substantial than the Beats Fit Pro’s, but I recognize that it won’t deter most people (including me). Aside from that and the touch controls, the Beats Fit Pro offers a complete package for runners and other athletes alike, one that can be used all day, not just during training sessions. Plus, their standard $200 price isn’t too cost-prohibitive, and they can often be found on sale for less.
Connectivity: Wireless | Style: In-ear| Assistant support: Siri, Google Assistant | Water resistance: IP68 | Active noise cancellation: Yes | Battery life: Up to eight hours
The Jabra Elite 8 Active almost bested the Beats Fit Pro, but ultimately the latter won thanks to their wingtip design and more natural-sounding transparency mode. But aside from those two things, the Elite 8 Active are just as good, if not better than, the Fit Pro.
First and foremost, the Elite 8 Active has one of the highest durability ratings of any earbuds we tested. Rated IP68, it’s protected against all kinds of dust and debris and it’ll survive being submerged in water at high pressure. Jabra also subjected the Elite 8 Active to military-grade testing, protecting them from excessive humidity, high temperature, rain and altitude. This is more protection than most people need, but it will likely give some people peace of mind to know that these buds can take a beating. For runners, you won’t have to worry if you get caught in a sudden downpour during your final mile.
That extra protection doesn’t make the Elite 8 Active bulky or unattractive as one might assume. These buds are some of the most comfortable I tried, with a lightweight design and a secure fit. The soft-touch finish on the buds themselves and their charging case adds a level of luxury that most others I tested did not have, too. There are onboard controls as well, and they’re not as prone to accidental presses as those on the Beats Fit Pro.
As one of Jabra’s more expensive devices, the Elite 8 Active have a great sound profile out of the box but if you prefer, you can use the company’s app to tweak the EQ using a line graph that spans bass, mid and treble. You can also save customized presets. The app offers six preconfigured settings, and I found myself using Bass Boost and Energize most while exercising (they’re pretty similar with strong bass, but Energize emphasizes highs a bit more). These personalization options will give the Elite 8 Active an edge over the Beats Fit Pro for some. On top of all that, Jabra’s buds support spatial sound with Dolby Audio.
The Elite 8 Active offer adaptive noise cancellation, and they do a good job of analyzing your environment and blocking out interferences. “HearThrough” is Jabra’s version of transparency mode, and it’s useful when running outside in a city or an area with lots of traffic even if it’s not as natural-sounding as the same mode on the Beats Fit Pro. Jabra’s is designed to neutralize wind noise while also letting you stay aware of your surroundings, so you can hear your podcasts no matter how gusty the environment. I ran in some particularly windy weather while testing these out, and I had consistently good listening experiences with both HearThrough and ANC activated.
As for battery life, the Elite 8 Active will get eight hours on a charge with ANC on, and an additional 24 hours in the charging case. You can get up to 56 hours of total use if you’re not using ANC, which is remarkable. The case also feels more substantial than that of the Beats Fit Pro, and you can wirelessly charge it (a feature that’s left out on Beats’ buds).
Ultimately, the Beats Fit Pro and the Jabra Elite 8 Active are neck and neck in our top picks list. But while the Jabras offer a bit more customization and more durability, not everyone will need those bonuses. However, if you’re an athlete who likes to play around with sound profiles or you want some of the most durable wireless earbuds available today, the Jabra Elite 8 Active are the ones to get.
Pros
Comfortable fit
IP68 water and dust protection
Spatial sound with Dolby Audio
Strong ANC
Multipoint connectivity
Solid battery life
Cons
HearThrough doesn’t sound as natural as other transparency modes
Connectivity: Wireless | Style: In-ear | Assistant support: Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant | Water resistance: IP57 | Active noise cancellation: Yes | Battery life: Up to seven hours
The Jabra Elite 4 Active offer the best value for the money of any pair of earbuds on our list. For $120, you get an IP57-rated design, solid sound quality with adjustable EQ, good ANC, the same HearThrough transparency mode as the Elite 8 Active, app connectivity and a total of 28 hours of battery life. These were some of the easiest buds for me to “pick up and go” with, whether it was for an impromptu walk around the block, a sweaty HIIT session in my basement or an hour of work during which I really needed to block out distractions and get things done.
Like the Elite 8 Active, the Elite 4 Active is super comfortable and Jabra has really gotten the onboard controls right on this series. The buttons are not so easy to press that you accidentally trigger them whenever you adjust the fit, and they provide satisfying feedback when you actually do press them. Sound quality and ANC are impressive, and I basically never had to worry about running out of battery before I thought to myself, hey, you might want to top these up.
The main differences between the Elite 4 Active and the more-expensive Elite 8 Active are that the latter have a higher IP rating, spatial sound support with Dolby Audio, a longer overall battery life (56 hours with the charging case), voice guidance and that satisfying soft-touch finish. The IP rating and extended battery life are the two main features that could compel some to splurge on the Elite 8 Active instead. Also, spatial audio is nice if you have the buds semi-permanently placed in your ears constantly pumping out tunes, regardless of the activity. Otherwise, though, you’re getting a ton of excellent features with these $120 earbuds.
Pros
Great value for the money
Comfortable IP57-rated design
Good sound quality and ANC
Multipoint connectivity
Good battery life
Cons
No spatial sound with Dolby Audio like the Elite 8 Active has
Connectivity: Wireless | Style: In-ear with hook | Assistant support: None | Water resistance: IP55 | Active noise cancellation: No | Battery life: Up to eight hours
If you have less than $50 to spend, you can’t go wrong with the $30 JLab Go Air Sport. I didn’t have high expectations going into testing these, but I was quickly impressed by their fit and sound quality. Lots of devices billed as workout-friendly headphones have this hook that wraps around the top of your ear, and on the Go Air Sport it does help keep things securely attached to your head. The hooks on these buds in particular are quite flexible and have a soft-touch finish, which makes them more comfy (I tried a few similarly designed buds with much stiffer hooks that were a pain in more ways than one.) Admittedly, a hook design will take some getting used to if you’re new to it, but it’s a surefire way to get a little extra stability during intense workouts.
Sound quality is pretty good on these buds as well, although not nearly as balanced as the Jabra Elite 8 Active or the Beats Fit Pro. I also appreciate that you can cycle through three different EQ modes — Signature, Balanced and Bass Boost — using the onboard controls. There’s no app to fuss with, and that was a nice change of pace for me after mostly testing buds with some kind of software controls.
You can expect eight hours of playtime on the Go Air Sport, plus another 24 hours of battery life with its charging case. While the USB-A cable built into the bottom of the case is handy, really should be a USB-C connector instead. The case is also on the bulky side; you can still throw it into a backpack or purse easily, but it’s not as svelte as cases you’ll see with more expensive buds.
Connectivity: Wireless | Style: Open-ear | Assistant support: None | Water resistance: IP54 | Active noise cancellation: No | Battery life: Up to seven hours
I was apprehensive about trying open-ear headphones, especially while running. But the Shokz OpenFit pleasantly surprised me from the first time I put them on. Earbuds with open designs like this allow for more situational awareness, with the goal being to let noise in rather than block it out. The OpenFits do a great job of this without skimping on sound quality or comfort.
The buds themselves almost float over your ear cavern and Shokz’s soft-finish “dolphin arc” hook is flexible enough to securely wrap around the top of your ear without putting too much pressure on it. There’s a bud-like portion at the other end of the hook that acts as counterbalance, resulting in a reliable fit that never faltered during all sorts of activities including running, strength training and indoor cycling. Granted, none of those exercises involve shaking your head too much; maybe don’t wear the OpenFit to listen to head-banging death metal (if you can’t control yourself).
Sound quality is solid considering the design, and the OpenFit gets pretty loud as well. These buds have Shokz’s Direct Pitch technology, which uses reverse sound waves to optimize the distance and angle to your ear canal. The company claims this helps reduce sound leakage. In my testing, I found that true to a certain extent. The OpenFit had the best sound quality and overall volume out of all of the open-ear devices I tried, but if you crank the volume up to the max (or close), the person next to you will definitely hear what you’re listening to.
As I alluded to previously, these aren’t for anyone who wants to block the world out during exercise (or otherwise). But the OpenFit might be the best option for those who live in cities or anyone who constantly runs outside amongst traffic, pedestrians and other hazards. There’s no question that you’ll hear what’s going on around you and that can be crucial to keeping yourself safe on those streets.
Pros
Comfortable open-ear design
Design allows for more situational awareness
Good sound quality and volume
Cons
No ANC
Not as secure when compared to in-ear or hook-toting buds
The Apple AirPods Pro have an IP54 rating, which protects them from brief encounters with dust and splashes. While that’s more dust protection than many other earbuds we tested, it’s the same level of water-resistance that most exercise-specific competitors have. We generally like the AirPods Pro, but the Beats Fit Pro offer many of the same features and conveniences (namely good transparency mode and the H1 chip), with a design that’s more appropriate for working out.
Beats Powerbeats Pro
The Powerbeats Pro are a good alternative to the Beats Fit Pro if you’re a stickler for a hook design. However, they cost $50 more than the Fit Pro (although they’re often hovering around $180) and don’t offer any significant upgrades or additional features aside from their design. They’re also quite old at this point (having launched in 2019) and it appears Beats is putting more effort into updating its newer models instead.
Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro
The Soundcore AeroFit Pro is Anker’s version of the Shokz OpenFit, but I found the fit to be less secure and not as comfortable. The actual earbuds on the AeroFit Pro are noticeably bulkier than those on the OpenFit and that caused them to shift and move much more during exercise. They never fell off of my ears completely, but I spent more time adjusting them than I did enjoying them.
JBL Endurance Peak 3
The most noteworthy thing about the Endurance Peak 3 is that they have the same IP68 rating as the Jabra Elite 8 Active, except they only cost $100. But, while you get the same protection here, you’ll have to sacrifice in other areas. The Endurance Peak 3 didn’t blow me away when it came to sound quality or comfort (its hook is more rigid than those on my favorite similarly designed buds) and their charging case is massive compared to most competitors.
Tax Day is four months away, falling on April 15, 2025 — at least for most. Depending on location, some tax filers have up to an extra month to get their tax returns sent to the IRS. For instance, those residing in areas affected by natural disasters, such as hurricanes Helene and Milton, may have a deadline extension. So how do you know which date you’re required to have your taxes submitted by? Below, we break it down.
Which states have a federal tax-filing extension because of declared disasters?
For most filers, tax returns are due April 15, 2025. But there are some exceptions.
Due to severe flooding, landslides and other damage caused by natural disasters, including hurricanes Helene and Milton, the IRS has extended the federal tax filing deadline in several states with declared disaster areas by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Tax filers in these states now have until May 1, 2025, to file federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, according to the IRS website.
Alabama: Parts of the state were affected by severe weather and flooding due to Hurricane Helene that began on Sept. 24, 2024.
Alaska: Parts of the Juneau area of Alaska were affected by flooding that began on Aug. 5, 2024.
Florida: Much of the state experienced severe weather, wind and flooding due to both Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton that began on Oct. 5, 2024.
Georgia: Parts of the state were affected by severe storms and flooding brought by Hurricane Helene that began on Sept. 24, 2024.
New Mexico: Parts of Chaves County were affected by severe storms and flooding that began on Oct. 19, 2024.
North Carolina: Parts of the state were affected by severe storms, wind and flooding brought by Hurricane Helene that began on Sept. 24, 2024.
South Carolina: Parts of the state were affected by severe storms, flooding and wind brought by Hurricane Helene that began on Sept. 24, 2024.
Tennessee: Parts of the state were affected by severe storms, flooding and wind brought by Hurricane Helene that began on Sept. 24, 2024.
Virginia: Parts of the state were affected by severe storms, flooding and wind brought by Hurricane Helene that began on Sept. 24, 2024.
If you live in an affected area and can’t file your taxes by the May 1 extension, you can request a tax extension. You still need to pay your estimated taxes by May 1; the extension buys you more time to file your return.
Which states have Tax Day deadlines later than the federal deadline?
CNET
Several states have state tax deadlines that fall on a different date than the federal deadline of April 15, 2025, at midnight local time. Note, if you live in Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington or Wyoming, your state doesn’t collect income taxes.
Here are the state filing deadlines that differ from the federal deadline in 2025:
Delaware: April 30, 2025
Hawaii: April 22, 2025
Iowa: April 30, 2025
Louisiana: May 15, 2025
New Mexico: April 30, 2025, if filing electronically, otherwise April 15
Oklahoma: April 21, 2025, if filing electronically, otherwise April 15. (Note: The e-file due date is usually April 20, but for the 2025 calendar year, April 20 is Easter Sunday, so your return is due the next business day.)
