With better sound, improved noise cancellation, and a standout translucent design, these are everything the original Beats Studio Buds should’ve been. I can’t stop looking at these earbuds. You might’ve already seen leaks about the new Beats Studio Buds Plus, available beginning today for $169.99, but there’s something even more attention-grabbing about their translucent design in person. Maybe it’s because I came of age in the late ’90s, when these semiopaque finishes were a common sight on gamepads, household phones, and other gizmos. (I’m looking at you, iMac G3.) There’s certainly a nostalgia factor. But Beats also really nailed the execution with these. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself closely poring over all the small inner details now visible:…

The Apple Watch Series 8 isn’t a massive step up from the prior model, but it does offer a few new features. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge In September, Apple launched its latest batch of smartwatches, introducing the first-ever Ultra ($799) alongside the Series 8 ($399) and a new Apple Watch SE ($249). Each wearable has its own pros and cons associated with it, but the introduction of the high-end Ultra also means there are now more Apple Watch models on the market before than ever before — and a lot more deals to be had. But with all of those options, which one should you pick? Generally speaking, you want to buy the newest watch…

You can get a great device for less than $500 these days if you know how to pick your priorities. | Image: The Verge You can’t have absolutely everything at this price, but you can get a great smartphone. Whether you want an iPhone, a 120Hz screen, or water resistance, you’ve got options. You can’t set foot in a wireless retail store without being bombarded by “free phone” offers. And while there’s certainly nothing wrong with taking a free phone deal, there are almost always lots of strings attached. Paying out of pocket means you’ll have much more freedom, but the sky-high prices on flagship phones mean that’s not an option for everyone. Budget phones to the rescue. These devices…

The Google Pixel 6A lacks support for wireless charging but is $150 cheaper than the Pixel 7A. | Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge There’s a new midrange Google Pixel phone in town, true, but the Pixel 6A still offers a lot of bang for your buck if you’re trying to save money. That’s especially true today, given that right now, you can buy the phone unlocked for $329.99 to $349 (about $100 off) with 128GB of storage in select colors from Amazon and Best Buy. If you activate it today, you can also save an additional $50 at Best Buy. Like the new Pixel 7A, the phone offers a 6.1-inch OLED panel and long battery life but costs…

Photo illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge Between the Apple Watch Series 8, the Ultra, and the second-gen SE, there are more options than ever. We’ll help you sort through them. It used to be easy to pick an Apple Watch. All you had to do was choose whether you wanted the larger model or the smaller one. Then the Series 3 introduced cellular connectivity, which adds another choice. And then, in 2020, Apple introduced the more affordable Apple Watch SE. Last year, Apple premiered the rugged Apple Watch Ultra alongside the Series 8 and a second-generation SE. So, if you’re looking to buy an Apple Watch right now, what do you do? Not to worry. I’ve tested every…

Macworld Plug your MacBook in and out of a multi-port docking station to swiftly add devices and external displays to your laptop. We tested a bunch to find the best Thunderbolt 3 and 4 and USB-C docks available to owners of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. Thunderbolt 3, 4 or USB-C The connectors all look the same, but there are significant differences, particularly on speed—with USB-C maxing out at 10Gbps (usually 5Gbps) compared to the 40Gbps of Thunderbolt 3 and 4. That extra bandwidth allows not just for faster data transfer but higher frame rates to external displays, plus some other smart benefits. Of Apple’s current laptop range, the M1 and M2 MacBook Air and 13in M1 MacBook Pro…