Bose QuietComfort Headphones 2nd Gen are “good enough” $359 over-ear noise-canceling headphones, but the review finds no standout reason to buy them over competitors like Sony WH-1000XM6 or Apple AirPods Max 2.
Aug 26, 2026 ·
The Verge
Quick Start transfers contacts, photos, messages, and app settings wirelessly between iPhones by pairing the devices and then choosing either your most recent iCloud backup or a direct transfer of everything from your old iPhone.
Aug 26, 2026 ·
Engadget
Dell XPS 13 review finds the baseline $700 model with 8GB RAM is noticeably slower and can hit near-maximum RAM usage quickly (about 60% at idle, 75–76% with Spotify, 97–98% with ~two dozen Chrome tabs plus Affinity), while the 16GB model boots faster (21s vs 38s) and avoids most stuttering (with memory generally in the mid-70% to upper-80% range under multitasking).
Aug 26, 2026 ·
CNET
CNET’s testing found the $380 Vitamix VX1 to be faster and better at blending than the $500 Vitamix 5200, while sharing the same 64-ounce capacity, 10 speeds, and other core basics.
Aug 26, 2026 ·CNET
CNET found the $380 Vitamix VX1 blended almond butter in 1 minute 13 seconds and hummus in under a minute, outperforming the $500 Vitamix 5200 in multiple tests.
Aug 26, 2026 ·CNET
The Kindle Paperwhite is ZDNET’s top overall reading tablet for 2026, featuring a 7-inch 300 ppi e-ink display, Amazon’s claimed 25% faster page turns, and up to 12 weeks of battery life (tested at 32% remaining after two weeks of daily reading).
Aug 26, 2026 ·
ZDNet
Xtracycle’s Swoop ASM cargo e-bike uses a Shimano Cues Di2 electronic shifting system to handle gear changes automatically, though the article says the shifting is less smooth than it could be when the feature is active and can be shut off for better ride feel.
Aug 26, 2026 ·Ars Technica
Pixel 11’s new custom vibration patterns for different alert types are available only on the Pixel 11 models, but you can recreate the same idea on any Android phone using the BuzzKill app to create rules that assign custom vibration patterns per notification type.
Aug 26, 2026 ·
Computerworld
RingConn Gen 3 smart ring starts at $349, with Lord of the Rings themed freebies for the first 6,500 US orders (25th Anniversary collectible set for the first 3,500 orders and digital Movies Anywhere codes for orders 3,501–6,500).
Aug 26, 2026 ·CNET
Garmin’s Fenix 9 Pro introduces Garmin’s first titanium case on a Fenix model, adds brighter displays up to 3,000 nits, expands off-grid satellite/LTE connectivity to the 43mm size, and is rated up to 31 days in smartwatch mode (or up to 57 days on the solar model with sufficient sun).
Aug 26, 2026 ·CNET
Dark Matter season 2 premieres Aug. 28 on Apple TV with new episodes dropping weekly through a finale scheduled for Oct. 30.
Aug 26, 2026 ·CNET
Ikea’s Yxstaby collection, created with Microsoft to mark the 25th anniversary of Xbox, includes a thumbstick-inspired stool that tilts like a real controller and has a grippy textured surface to prevent slipping.
Aug 26, 2026 ·The Verge
Repurposing an old PC monitor into a streaming screen or over-the-air TV is possible in a few steps if it has at least one HDMI input (and may require checking HDCP compatibility for streaming).
Aug 26, 2026 ·ZDNet
Alienware’s wireless gaming mouse is on sale for $49 (39% off from $80), its lowest price ever, or $50 for the black version, in a limited-time deal.
Aug 26, 2026 ·CNET
Luffu Link is a screenless, 4G LTE health-and-safety wearable for people age 13+ that supports phone-free check-ins, voice logging, and built-in GPS, with US preorder at $250 and expected shipping in early 2027 (then $300).
Aug 25, 2026 ·CNET
WhatsApp added two account-protection features: users can upgrade from six-digit PINs to passwords (at least 8 characters, including at least one number and one letter) and can add more than one passkey across Android and iOS devices.
Aug 25, 2026 ·CNET
A universal travel adapter (like the Ceptics 140W GaN model) lets you plug into outlets from Type A, Type C, Type I, and Type G countries and add USB charging, but it does not convert voltages.
Aug 25, 2026 ·ZDNet
CRKD is launching three Gibson-licensed Stage Tour guitar controllers for pre-order ahead of the Stage Tour release on December 10: a $130 Gibson Les Paul Oxblood Edition (Xbox edition $130; Android/PC/Switch edition $120), a $130 Gibson SG Midnight Blue Edition (PS4/PS5/PC), and an $130 8K Gibson Explorer: 20th Anniversary Edition (shipping mid-January).
Aug 25, 2026 ·Engadget
Garmin’s new Fenix 9 lineup includes a base model OLED display rated up to 3,000 nits—about twice as bright as the predecessor—and adds faster map panning via an upgraded map engine plus 50% more RAM.
Aug 25, 2026 ·The Verge
Sony sent PlayStation users emails restating that digital games are “licensed” (not “sold”), alongside full copies of the updated Terms of Service, Code of Conduct, End User License Agreement, and Privacy Policy.
Aug 25, 2026 ·CNET
