Google has finally put a date on the future of ChromeOS. The company says ChromeOS devices will continue receiving regular updates and security patches through mid-2034. At the same time, Google says many of its newest Chromebook devices will be eligible to transition to its new Googlebook OS. That announcement matters because Googlebook is no longer just a new premium laptop category. It is becoming part of Google’s longer-term strategy for laptop computing. For existing Chromebook owners, however, there is an important distinction: your Chromebook is not suddenly losing support. Google says current devices will continue receiving updates throughout their supported lifetimes under…
Author: Moses
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro already had one of the most unusual smartphone camera upgrades of the year: a mechanical variable aperture on its 48MP Fusion Main camera. Now Apple has given that hardware a much more practical reason to exist. On September 29, Apple released Final Cut Camera 2.4, a major update to its professional iPhone video-recording application. The update adds direct support for the iPhone 18 Pro’s variable aperture, along with aperture-priority and shutter-priority shooting, professional video scopes, cleaner monitoring tools, Genlock offset and clean SDI output. That changes the story. When Apple introduced the iPhone 18 Pro, variable aperture sounded like a significant camera specification. But a camera feature is only…
To effectively reduce listening fatigue when using headphones, prioritize proper fit, manage listening volume, use noise-canceling features, and take regular breaks. The World Health Organization’s safe-listening guidance recommends keeping device volume below 60% of maximum and limiting exposure to loud sounds. Optimizing your audio settings with a custom EQ and choosing the right headphone type for your needs can also improve comfort during extended listening sessions. However, volume level and listening duration remain the most important factors for protecting your hearing. The CDC’s guidance on preventing noise-induced hearing loss similarly recommends turning the volume down and taking breaks from loud sounds. Key Takeaways: Volume…
Bose has started rolling out a firmware update that could change how some people use wireless headphones. Firmware version 10.12.12 adds beta support for Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast to the $449 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Gen 2. The update also improves wired USB audio, gaming voice-chat balance, and compatibility with web-conferencing apps. Auracast is different from ordinary Bluetooth pairing. Instead of sending audio from one phone to one pair of headphones, it can broadcast one stream to many compatible headphones or speakers. That could help in airports, classrooms, theaters, gyms, offices, and homes. A family could listen to the same television without raising the…
Microsoft’s newest Surface laptops meet the company’s previous hardware requirements for Copilot+ PCs. However, Microsoft is not marketing the new Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch systems under that name. The devices use Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Plus processors. Their integrated Hexagon NPUs are reported at 80 TOPS, well above the previous 40-TOPS Copilot+ threshold. The systems are scheduled for October 13, 2026, according to current Microsoft Surface coverage. The decision creates a practical question for shoppers. If a laptop can support the hardware requirements but does not carry the Copilot+ badge, what should buyers look for? The answer is…
Bose is bringing wired earbuds back with a modern twist. The new Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds use USB-C, offer active noise cancellation, and do not contain an internal battery. The earbuds cost $99 in the United States. Bose opened preorders on September 28, 2026, through Bose.com and Best Buy. Shipping is scheduled to begin on October 15. The launch may look unusual in a market dominated by wireless earbuds. Most major audio brands now focus on Bluetooth, charging cases, smartphone apps, and automatic device switching. Bose is taking a different approach. The company is combining wired reliability with ANC,…
Microsoft has refreshed two of its most portable Windows systems with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Plus processor, adding a new layer to the company’s strategy for thin, efficient, AI-capable laptops. The updated Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch were announced on September 23, 2026. Microsoft says the new models deliver up to 18% better battery efficiency, more than 60% faster graphics, and 95% faster on-device AI performance compared with the previous generation. Selected models also support 5G connectivity. Those numbers are attention-grabbing, but they need context. They are Microsoft’s own comparison claims, not independent benchmark results. The real value of the refresh will…
Samsung’s One UI 9 update is beginning to reach Galaxy owners in the United States, bringing Android 17 and a new collection of Galaxy AI, camera, security, and device-management features. The update began its stable rollout on Sept. 16, 2026, starting with the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra. Samsung had already introduced One UI 9 on the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, and Galaxy Z Flip8. For U.S. consumers, however, the important story is not only what Samsung announced. It is how the rollout works in practice. Galaxy updates do not arrive on every model,…
Workout headphones usually follow one design rule: keep them small, light, and secure. That is why sports earbuds and open-ear headphones dominate the category. Beats is challenging that pattern with the new Beats 360, a $349.99 over-ear headphone designed for everyday listening, travel, and active use. According to Beats’ official announcement, it includes interchangeable ear and headband cushions, IPX4 sweat and water resistance, active noise cancellation, Personalized Spatial Audio, Bluetooth 5.3, and up to 32 hours of battery life. The product raises a practical question. Can a large over-ear headphone become comfortable and stable enough for real workouts, or is it mainly…
Qualcomm has introduced Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, a new platform designed to power smarter earbuds, headphones, open-ear devices, audio glasses, and camera-enabled wearables. The announcement is important because it moves the conversation beyond sound quality and Bluetooth range. Qualcomm is positioning future audio devices as personal computers that sit on the ear, process information, connect to services, and respond to voice commands. The platform was announced during Snapdragon Summit 2026, which ran from September 22 to 24, 2026. The platform combines on-device AI, advanced audio processing, micro-power Wi-Fi 6E, adaptive noise cancellation, and support for Qualcomm XPAN. Qualcomm says it can provide…