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Verdict For the most part, Google didn’t try and reinvent the wheel with the Pixel Tablet. As an Android tablet, it’s pretty much the perfect tablet for almost everything. But it really flexes its muscles when attached to the included Charging Speaker Dock, transforming it into a supercharged smart home display. There are a few quirks here and there, but honestly, it’s nothing that’s earth-shattering.
Pros
+Pixel experience comes back to tablets
+Includes Charging Speaker Dock
+USI 2.0 support
+Could be a look at the future of Google’s Nest products
+Design is reminiscent of the Pixel 5
Cons
-Not ideal for serious gaming
-No first-party stylus or keyboard options
-Removing the tablet off of the dock takes a bit of practice
I’ve used my fair share of tablets over the years. Predominantly, my time has been spent with an iPad Pro of some sort, but I do enjoy a good Android tablet whenever one is actually released. Like many of us Android nerds, we’ve been longing for Google to get back into the tablet game, and our prayers were finally answered with the Pixel Tablet.
I’ve been longing for a Google tablet that can capture my interest in the same way that theNexus 7did. And after a couple of weeks with the Pixel Tablet, Google is definitely onto something here.
Google Pixel Tablet: Price and availability
The Google Pixel Tablet was first introduced atGoogle I/O 2022, before making it was officially released in June 2023. There are three different colors available, as Google is offering it in Porcelain, Hazel, or Rose, complete with matching a Charging Speaker Dock in the box. Pricing starts at $499 for the 128GB model and goes up to $599 for the version with 256GB of storage.
Google Pixel Tablet: Brand new, yet familiar design
The first thing that I noticed when I took the Pixel Tablet out of the box is the feel of the back cover. It reminds me of the finish found on older Pixel phones like thePixel 4 XLandPixel 5. It’s soft to the touch, yet comfortable to hold and there aren’t any worries about fingerprints turning this into a smudgy mess, at least on the back.
This isn’t the same sentiment when it comes to the display, thanks to the glossy finish, which will likely show fingerprints as soon as you unwrap it. But something else I noticed is that Google didn’t want to go down the same path as theGalaxy Tab S8or iPad Air here. Instead, the bezels are large enough so you don’t have to worry about accidentally touching the screen. It’s likely the same approach Google made with the bezels on the Pixel Fold, and it’s actually been a bit refreshing.
Admittedly, the larger bezels do make the Pixel Tabletlooklike a device that was released a few years ago. Well really, thePixel Tabletlookslike the Nest Hubwith a better screen, but more on that in a bit.
That being said, I’m also a big fan of both the selfie camera and fingerprint scanner being placed in the correct positions. It seems that every other company, besides Apple, has learned that the camera should be orientated for landscape use, not at the top of the screen. And the fingerprint scanner, even with a case on, is still accessible and has been more reliable than the in-display one in my Pixel 7 Pro.
Google Pixel Tablet: Performance is what you’d expect
I won’t bore you with benchmarking scores and a spec breakdown because basically, the Pixel Tablet is aPixel 7wrapped in a larger screen. Google’s getting the most out of theTensor G2chip, which debuted along with the Pixel 7 and is now powering a total of five devices in Google’s lineup (including thePixel Fold.)
What that means is that it’ll handle pretty much all of the best Android games, while the 8GB of RAM is enough to take advantage of the changes to multitasking inAndroid 13. In fact, I’m sitting here writing this review with the Pixel Tablet propped up on my desk connected to a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard.
The new taskbar is similar to what you’ll find on theGalaxy Z Fold 4and other large-screen devices. With just a swipe up from the bottom, the taskbar appears, revealing your most recently-used apps, along with an app drawer button. Touch and hold on an app icon and you’re able to drag it into split-screen mode, but it’s not all sunshine and roses.
For example, you can’t have more than two apps open at a time when working on a split-screen. And this decision honestly has me scratching my head a bit. I haven’t even been able to get a third app to open as a floating window, which is pretty disappointing if I’m being honest.
Then again, Google isn’t positioning the Pixel Tablet as a productivity device, at least not yet. The software changes for Android tablets are more than welcome, especially on a large-screen device from Google. And you can still adjust the size of the app windows by dragging the line in the middle of the screen left or right.
If there was one thing that surprised me about the Pixel Tablet announcement, besides the obvious stuff, is the included support for USI 2.0. This means you can use the same USI pen from your Chromebook with your Pixel Tablet. My go-to USI pen has been thePenoval USI 2.0 stylus, and it’s worked pretty darn well, whether I’m trying to find a song to play or jot down some quick notes. You can even install the Google Canvas web app, along with any of the other best note-taking apps for Android, and don’t have to worry about dealing with a pairing process just to use a stylus.
Keeping with the stylus for a moment, I’m not someone who takes a bunch of hand-written notes on tablets orfoldable phones, but there are times when being able to do so just comes in handy. But I can’t help but feel like there’s just a little bit too much lag between what I write on the screen and when it actually shows up.
At first, I thought maybe something was up with the Penoval pen I was using, but it also happened with my otherUSI pens. Perhaps there’s a setting in Developer Options that will let me tweak things, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if improvements are made with future software updates.
Google Pixel Tablet: My new smart home hub
I have more smart displays and speakers in my house than I can count, but none of them are being actively used in my office. Until I/O 2023, there was aNest Hubon a shelf, accompanied by a Nest Hub Max in the kitchen and another Nest Hub in my living room. But even before I was offered to write this review, I knew that I would end up with a Pixel Tablet.
And instead of throwing it in a corner of the room, I’ve placed it on my desk, just to the right of my monitors. Google keeps trying to tell everyone that the Pixel Tablet is not a Nest Hub replacement, but after spending some time with it, I’m still of the mindset that Google’s just playing coy.
When docked, the Pixel Tablet’s Hub Mode can be customized with many of the same options that you’ll find on the Nest Hub Max. But the biggest benefit is the redesignedGoogle Homeapp which continues to come in handy when I want to turn on the lights or check my cameras.
As for the speaker itself, it’s quite a bit louder than I expected, despite the difference in speakers compared to theNest Hub Max. But what has come in really handy is the built-in Chromecast, as I have a tendency of starting videos when I take out my dog and want to continue watching them when I come inside. As you can see in the pictures, there is no shortage of screens in my office, but casting from my phone to the Pixel Tablet is much faster compared to anything else.
Instead of trying to find reasons to use the Pixel Tablet, it’s just become second nature to rely on it for things like music playback or video watching when I want something off to the side. Google really nailed it here, and while you won’t enjoy the best audio quality, it’s still quite a bit better than what I was expecting.
Google Pixel Tablet: There are trade-offs, for now at least
As much as I want to sit here and tell everyone to go buy the Pixel Tablet right now, I can’t exactly do that. It’s not the “end-all-be-all” device, let alone thebest Android tabletout there. Google did have to make a few compromises, some of which have shown up in my time with it so far, while others might just be a non-factor.
My biggest disappointment, so far at least, shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, but Ireallywanted Google to release a first-party stylus and keyboard cover for the Pixel Tablet. As someone who likes being able to work from pretty much anywhere, at any time, I don’t always want to throw in aBluetooth keyboardjust to get some work done on my tablet. There are some rumors that this could be rectified in the coming months, but I’m of the mindset of “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
That’s not to say that Google’s first-party Pixel Tablet case is bad, as the built-in adjustable kickstand has been quite nice to use. Plus, it still works with the Charging Speaker Dock, so I don’t need to worry about taking off the case whenever I want to throw my tablet on the dock. And as I mentioned earlier, the case doesn’t get in the way of my trying to unlock the tablet with my fingerprint, which is a nice touch.
Instead, my biggest problem with the case is that I feel like I’m either destined to live with scratches, or I’ll need to buy a screen protector if I ever want to take the tablet with me. The case does have a bit of a lip around the edges, which will definitely help if I place the tablet screen down. But that will do practically nothing if I throw the Pixel Tablet in my bag and then accidentally put something else in the same sleeve.
Another disappointment that I’ve had, was one that I didn’t expect, and that’s the Charging Speaker Dock becoming a large paperweight whenever the tablet is detached. After this was revealed by Google, I really didn’t think it would both me all that much, and honestly, it hasn’t. But there have been times when I was listening to music, then wanted to pick up the tablet to look at something, only to have the music switch.
Google Pixel Tablet: The competition
As is the case with most tablets, the most obvious competition to the Pixel Tablet is an iPad, and in this case, it’s theiPad (10th Generation). This is priced at $50 less than the Pixel Tablet but adopts the modern design found with almost every other option in Apple’s lineup. But for $449, you’ll only get the iPad and charging cable in the box and will need to spring for any other accessories that you might want.
In hishands-on, my colleague callie noted that theLenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2is also a formidable competitor. However, Google gains an edge in the software update department, while Lenovo’s tablet “costs slightly less with a better display.”
Google Pixel Tablet: Should you buy it?
You should buy this if:
You want an Android tablet with Google’s Pixel software interface.
You want an Android tablet that doubles as a smart home hub.
You want software updates as soon as Google makes them available.
You want a solid overall tablet and are okay with a few compromises.
You shouldn’t buy this if:
You’re looking for a productivity-focused tablet.
You’re on a budget.
While I’ve come around to One UI and am okay with software interfaces from other OEMs, there’s just something about Pixel UI that brings me back. It’s part of the reason why I wanted to see aGoogle Play Edition of the Galaxy Z Fold 3or 4 until Google announced the Pixel Fold.
The Pixel Tablet is not the best at any one thing but still manages to stand out from the pack with Material You and the Charging Speaker Dock. I’m still holding out hope that Google will release a keyboard case and its own USI stylus, but there are some pretty great options already available.
It’s also not often that I actually want to pick up and use a tablet while sitting on the couch, as opposed to just using my phone. To answer the question of what is “the one” from the title, the Pixel Tablet is the master of doing everything you want. Including things, you wouldn’t have expected.
Here’s a rundown of what’s new on your iPhone with iOS 18.2
Apple Intelligence is definitely the headliner when it comes toiOS 18.2, the most recent update to Apple’s iPhone software. But the list of new features doesn’t end with Image Playground, Genmoji and any of the other AI-powered tools that iOS 18.2 brings to the table.
And that’s good news for most iPhone owners who either haven’t upgraded to the latestiPhone 16 modelsor own aniPhone 15 ProoriPhone 15 Pro Max. Those are the only iPhones that can run Apple Intelligence, making additional AI capabilities irrelevant to other iPhone owners. In contrast, nearly all of the remaining iOS 18.2 improvements benefit any iPhone that supports theiOS 18update — which includes devices dating back to the iPhone XR and XS models released in 2018. (For the record, there are a few iPhone 16-specific features in iOS 18.2, which we talk about later.)
We’ve detailedall the currently available Apple Intelligence featuresbrought about the iOS 18.2 update this month as well as theiOS 18.1 releaseat the end of October. Here’s a look at the rest of the iOS 18.2 improvements and additions aimed at your iPhone.
Video playback in Photos in iOS 18.2 (left) vs. video playback in Photos in iOS 18.1 (right)
Outside of Apple Intelligence, Photos probably sees the biggest batch of changes in iOS 18.2, with the most significant ones giving you expanded control over how to customize the redesigned photos app. I’ve shown youhow to use many of the new iOS 18.2 features in Photos, including deleting images from the Recently Viewed and Recently Shared folders, turning off auto-looping on video playback and re-ordering your albums so that they’re listed in alphabetical order.
But there are some other changes to be aware of, too, starting with video playback. It’s now full-screen in iOS 18.2 — previously, you had to tap on the video as it played to switch to full screen mode. You can also now scrub frame-by-frame when watching videos by pressing and holding on the slider, before dragging it back and forth.
There are a few other cosmetic changes to Photos in iOS 18.2. An album of Favorites now appears in the Utilities section. When looking at Collections, swiping right now takes you back to the previous view.
We’ve covered the changes to Mail in iOS 18.2, but just to be thorough, iOS 18.2 introduces a new organizational layout, where your inbox is split into different categories. Besides Primary, you get a Transactions inbox that houses receipts; Updates, which features newsletters and other notifications; and Promotions, which is where various e-commerce and sales promos will appear.
I’m not necessarily a fan of the new look in iOS 18.2 Mail, primarily because it’s hard to tell when new mail has arrived in the different folders. Managing older emails from the same sender is also more difficult than it needs to be. If you feel the same way — or if you don’t like the look of iOS 18.2 Mail for any other reason, just tap the More button in the upper right corner. (It’s the one with three dots.) That summons up the option of reverting to the familiar list view featuring a single inbox.
Here’s another reason to explore the More pop-up menu: in the shipping version of iOS 18.2, it’s added an option to disable Group by Sender. Tap that option and emails from the same source are no longer bunched together, addressing my complaint that it’s too difficult to delete individual messages while keeping the ones that are still relevant to you.
iOS 18.2 Safari
Besides some security improvements — URLs are now upgraded to HTTPS wherever possible, and Apple’s browser now warns you when a website doesn’t have a valid SSL certificate for an encrypted connection —Safarimakes a few house-cleaning changes. You’ll see new options for your start page background images. (Hit Edit at the bottom of the start page to find them.) Import and Export controls let you move browsing data between Safari and other browsers.
Download a file in Safari, and you can now chart the progress of the download in the Dynamic Island area of your iPhone if your handset offers that feature. The feature appears as a circle that fills in, much like an AirDrop transfer, but if your Safari downloads are as speedy as mine, the download indicator will likely appear and disappear before you even notice it.
TV app searches (left) and favorite genres in Podcasts (right) in iOS 18.2
As part of Apple Intelligence,the Photos app supports natural language searches— a capability that’s even supported by older iPhones based on my iOS 18 testing. The same thing now goes for searches in the Music and TV apps. You can type things like “Coen Brothers movies from the 1990s” and the TV app will bring “Fargo” and “Barton Fink” to the top of your results list.
As for Apple’s Podcasts app, it now invites you to designate your favorite genres — doing so will apparently influence recommendations the app makes on podcasts you should listen to. I’m guessing it also has an impact on another change from iOS 18.2 that promises a “personalized serach page,” where Podcasts will highlight the most relevant categories and collections based on your interests.
iOS 18.2 Voice Memos
I’m told musicians like to use the Voice Memos apps as way to try out music and lyrics they might be working on, and it sounds like there’s a change in the Voice Memos app that will appeal directly to that use case. As of iOS 18.2, the app supports layered recordings, where you can add a vocal track over an existing song.iPhone 16 ProandiPhone 16 Pro Maxusers can also import any two-track projects into Logic Pro.
iOS 18.2 Apple News Plus
The array of puzzles available to Apple News Plus subscribers continues to grow. AfteriOS 17.5 brought the Quartiles word puzzleto the subscription news service earlier this year, Sudoku now joins the ranks of games.
You can try out a sample Sudoku game in the Puzzles section of the News app. But if you find yourself hooked, you’ll need to pay $12.99/month for an Apple News Plus subscription.
iOS 18.2 Find My
You have a new option aimed at giving strangers a better opportunity of finding any lost items you’ve equipped with anAirTag. Enabled the new Share Item Location feature, and you can get a link showing the last known location of the item, that you can then handle over to a trusted third party — Apple specifically mentions airlines in its iOS 18.2 documentation.
The link is live for a limited time and doesn’t recall an Apple device, widening the pool of people who can track down anything you’ve left behind.
iOS 18.2 Camera Control
Here’s an iPhone 16-specific addition to iOS 18.2 that brings three new control options to the button Apple added to this year’s models. You now have the option to lock the autofocus and auto exposure settings when you apply light pressure to theCamera Control button, releasing that lock when you lift your finger. That option can be setting in the Camera section of the Settings app: just select Camera Control and toggle on the AE/AF Lock option.
Additionally, heading to the Accessibility section in Settings will let you adjust the double-click speed of the Camera Control button. Besides the default speed, your options are Slow and Slower.
In a settings change that’s sure to ease the worries of anyone who frets about inadvertently pressing the Camera Control button when reaching for their phone, you can now set the button to only work when your iPhone’s screen is active. Go to the Display & Brightness section of Settings and select Require Screen On for the Camera Control.
iOS 18.2 Audio controls
If you’d like the ability to adjust playback volume from your lock screen, you can add a volume slider in iOS 18.2. In the Settings app, select Accessibility, followed by Audio & Visual. On the ensuing screen, there’s a Always Show Volume Control button that restores a slider to the lock screen just under the playback controls. This setting works whether you’re listening via headphones or the built-in speaker on your iPhone.
Another new audio setting lets you adjust the limit of the iPhone speaker volume — helpful if you don’t want to damage the built-in speaker or annoy other people with the audio from whatever you’re listening to. That setting can be found in the Sound & Haptics section of Settings, where you tap Volume Limit to toggle on the control and adjust the volume with a slider. Note that changes you make only seem to affect playback and not things like phone call and FaceTime volume, alerts, alarms, ringtones or system sounds.
Change the default apps
iOS 18.2 expands the number of default apps you can change to include apps for phone calls and messaging.
Apple finallybrought Apple Maps to web browsersback in June, allowing people without iPhones or Macs to access its navigation system for the very first time. That version ofApple Mapswas a bit limited since it was still in beta, but now it’s received a usefulGoogle Maps-inspired upgrade.
Apple has added the Look Around feature to Apple Maps on the web. For those that aren’t familiar with Apple Maps, it’s basically Apple’s take onGoogle Street View— letting you view different locations from street level. Of course, it’s not available in every location, and the system isn’t quite as intuitive as what Street View has to offer.
While Google Maps lets you click specific areas, or drag the yellow Pin man onto the map to load up Street View, Apple’s system is different. So long as you’re looking at a city with Look Around support, you have to keep an eye out for a set of binoculars in the bottom left. Clicking that starts Look Around’s pop-up window that superimposes the street view onto the map.
It works much the same way as Google’s Street View, letting you spin around 360 degrees and click locations in the distance to travel there. Alternatively, you can move the large map around if you want a little more control over where you end up.
I managed to get Look Around up and running in GoogleChromeon Windows, and it seems to be working pretty well. However, it did take me a hot minute to figure out how I was supposed to get started since Apple just expects you to know what to do. The only real downside is that Look Around is a lot more limited than Street View, which has almost the entire world covered in some shape or form.
Only select cities in the U.S., Canada, EU, U.K. and New Zealand are supported, and Apple has afull liston its website. But this won’t stop you from wandering those virtual streets in Look Around when you live elsewhere.
Whether Apple will expand Look Around in the future isn’t clear, but it has promised to improve the beta version of Apple Maps Web. Support for more features, platforms and languages will apparently happen, which hopefully means that Apple Maps will finally come to Android in some form in the near future. While loyal Android users may be appalled at the idea, it’s always better to have options beyond thetwo big Google-owned navigation apps.
If you’ve been following Apple Intelligence closely, you probably got excited when Genmoji arrived with iOS 18.2. In typical Apple fashion, Mac users were left wondering, “When’s our turn?” Well, surprise—Genmoji is officially coming to macOS 15.3, so you won’t have to sit around guessing if it’ll arrive in time for the holidays.
The downside is that it’s currently limited to Developer Beta, which isn’t exactly everyone’s first choice.
Understandably, you might not want to download an unstable version for just one new feature.
To satisfy your curiosity, I’ll walk you through what Genmoji has in store.
That way, you’re ready to hit the ground running when it rolls out to Public Beta or a stable release.
Unlike standard emojis, Genmoji generates custom images from text-based prompts. Just type in your instructions and Apple Intelligence will respond with an appropriate output. You’ll find it in the ever-familiar emoji picker. It’s a simple, intuitive setup that makes it super easy to incorporate AI image generators into your daily conversations. Check it out here:
Update tomacOS 15.3. Click on theApple menu>System Settings>General>Software Update
Unless a stable or Public Beta version has launched, set Beta Updates to macOS Sequoia Developer Beta.
Click Update Now and wait for the installation to finish.
Next, open any app that supports text input. At the moment, Messages, Notes, and Mail support Genmoji.
Press Control + Command + Space to bring up the emoji picker, then select the Genmoji tab.
Type a description of the emoji you want (e.g. winking cat with a party hat)
Press Return and Apple Intelligence will generate a unique emoji based on your prompt.
Once the Genmoji is generated, click on it to insert it into your text.
The Genmoji will appear alongside regular text or emojis, ready to share in conversations or documents.
For Genmoji to appear, you’ll need an Apple Silicon Mac M1 model or above that’s runningmacOS 15.3(Public Beta, Developer Beta, or stable). You should also enable Apple Intelligence on your device.
If you still can’t access it, reach out toApple Supportbecause some features might still be unavailable in your country or region.
Genmoji is a pretty nifty AI feature, and I’m glad that it’s coming to macOS sooner that people thought. However, I don’t think it’s worth the risk of running Developer Beta. Unless you have experience testing beta OS versions, I suggest waiting for the feature to arrive in a Public Beta release first.
An image of what looks like the Chinese version of the Galaxy S25 Plus has leaked online. It shows off a redesigned camera module and what looks like a capacitive camera button, but in reality is a mm Wave 5G radio.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus is tipped to arrive with minor design tweaks (image source: @Jukanlosreve on X)
Hands-on images of theSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultrahave shown up more than once, and they even gave us a glimpse at Samsung’s next major OS upgrade:One UI 7.0. As anticipated, the phone’s camera module gets a minor redesign. A new leak says that will trickle down to the Galaxy S25 Plus. It isn’t exactly a secret, as it was revealed byCAD rendersfrom earlier this year.
X leaker@Jukanlosrevehas shown off Samsung’s middle-of-the-pack offering via some real-world images. Here, we can see the vertically aligned (and slightly thicker) camera modules covered with masking tape. At the front, there appears to be a notch-like structure, which is, once again, likely masking tape. An image of the phone’s Settings app confirms it is indeed a Galaxy S25 Plus (SM-S936U).The ‘U’ in its name confirms the Galaxy S25 Plus will be powered by aSnapdragon 8 Elite, and not anExynos 2500as previously suggested by multipleGeekbench listings.
While Samsung still hasn’t abandoned its next-gen Exynos chip, it will only debut in thelatter half of 2025alongside the Galaxy Z Flip 7. Beneath the power button and volume rocker, we see an intriguing patch of metal that, at first glance, resembles a capacitive camera slider like the one found on Apple’siPhone 16series. However, the leaker says the Galaxy S25 Plus will sport no such feature, and that is instead a mm Wave radio.
As far as its internals are concerned, the Galaxy S25 Plus will offer largely incremental upgrades over theGalaxy S24 Plus. The 120 Hz 1440p screen is tipped to remain the same,maximum RAMstill caps out at 12 GB, and the battery capacityremains stagnant. Thankfully, a corresponding price increase isnot on the cards, at least in one market.
Google unveiled two new AI models today: Veo 2 for video generation and Imagen 3 for images. According to human evaluators, both models set new benchmarks in their respective fields.
The new Veo 2 model can generate 4K videos and responds to specific filmmaking instructions, including different types of lenses and camera effects. Unlike previous models limited to short clips, Veo 2 videos can be “extended to minutes in length.”
One improvement in Veo 2, Google says, is how it handles common AI generation problems. The model produces fewer “hallucinations” – weird artifacts like extra fingers or random objects that often pop up in AI-generated content. Google also says the model has gotten better at representing realistic physics.
The company conducted direct comparison tests using 1,003 prompts from Meta’s MovieGenBench dataset, with human raters evaluating 720p resolution, eight-second video clips. In these head-to-head comparisons, Veo 2 came out ahead of its competitors, including OpenAI’s Sora Turbo, both in overall video quality and in how well it followed the given instructions.
In the comparison charts, green bars indicate the percentage of times evaluators preferred Veo 2’s output over its competitors.| Image: Google Deepmind
Despite these improvements, Google is upfront about Veo 2’s limitations. The company admits that creating consistently realistic and dynamic videos remains a significant challenge. In particular, the model still struggles with complex scenes and motion sequences – suggesting there’s still plenty of room for improvement in future versions.
For now, Google is taking a cautious approach with Veo 2’s rollout.Veo 2 will be limited to select products including VideoFX, YouTube, and the Vertex AI platform. The system will expand to YouTube Shorts and other products in 2025. All videos generated by the system will include an invisibleSynthID watermarkidentifying them as AI-generated.
Imagen 3 update from Google brings more vibrant AI images with better color balance and detail
(Image credit:Imagen 3 – Google DeepMind)
Along with Veo 2, Google announced a major update to its image generation AI. The newImagen3 model produces more vibrant images with better color balance, thanks to several under-the-hood improvements.
Google says Imagen 3 can now handle a broader range of artistic styles. Whether you’re looking for photorealistic images, impressionist paintings, abstract art, or anime-style illustrations, the model can adapt accordingly. The company also highlights Imagen 3’s ability to create more detailed images with improved textures and finer elements.
Google is makingImagen 3 widely available through its ImageFX tool, launching in more than 100 countries. While users can already access Imagen through Google’s Gemini Chat, the company hasn’t announced when this platform will get the upgraded Imagen 3 model.
Google introduces Veo 2 and Imagen 3, two AI models designed to deliver top-tier performance in video and image generation based on human evaluation.
Veo 2 generates 4K resolution videos, comprehends cinematographic instructions, and minimizes unwanted details. In direct comparison tests, Veo 2 outperforms competitors, particularly OpenAI’s Sora Turbo.
Imagen 3 offers enhanced color balance, more vibrant images, and improved detail through various technical advancements. The model has also been optimized to showcase different art styles.
One UI 7 is a shiny new update making Samsung phones feel fresh and new again.
The Samsung One UI 7 beta program is fully underway, having justreleased its second betathat’s filled with bug fixes for all eligible Samsung Galaxy phones. I’ve been using it on my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and am already convinced this is the best version of One UI Samsung has made in a very long time.
The latest beta is all about fixing bugs, but there are so many new features in One UI 7 that it’s hard not to sift through them all to find my new favorites. Samsung is doing a lot to cater to long-time fans and folks who dislike One UI by doing what it does best: offering options for every imaginable preference.
So, what’s it like to use One UI 7? Exceptional in most ways, thankfully.
Right off the bat, seasoned Samsung users — and there are a lot of you out there — will immediately notice that Samsung has split the notification shade by default. This means that pulling down on the right side of the status bar brings up a full screen of quick toggle buttons and sliders while swiping down on the left side of the status bar brings up notifications. It’s exactly like an iPhone.
I can see a lot of people getting really frustrated with this new default behavior, and I’m not sure it’s my favorite decision ever. On the bright side, you can quickly move between the two panels with a horizontal swipe, so it doesn’t take much effort if muscle memory kicks in and you need to get to the other panel.
Thankfully, you can change it back to the original single-panel behavior, but you’ll need to hit the pencil button in the quick toggles pane and swap back over. It’s a little bit hidden, and I think Samsung needs to surface it a bit more. I tried the new split pane for a while, but I really don’t like it, so I made the switch back to the Android-style behavior.
Finally! A vertical app drawer by default!
The next thing you’ll likely notice is the vertical app drawer. Ironically, while Samsung is copying Apple with the default split notification pane, it’s going with a more Android-like experience with the default app drawer layout. If you don’t like this, you can switch back by choosing the “custom” sort order. It’s a weird wording choice and I think Samsung needs to just change it to “vertical” or “horizontal” to avoid confusion.
The new vertical drawer is wonderful, though, and even has a scroll bar on the right for quickly moving between apps, all sorted alphabetically by default. The vertical app drawer is a massive improvement that makes One UI instantly feel like it was developed in the 2020s rather than the 2000s.
The new multitasking UI is SO MUCH BETTER than Google’s awful default design in Android.
The third huge thing you’ll notice is the new multitasking UI, which finally lets you see more than one app tile at a time. Instead of spacing tiles out horizontally and making the middle one take up most space, Samsung now arranges tiles in a 3D carousel so you can peek behind and easily see apps ahead as you scroll through the list.
The active app immediately moves to the right of the screen so you can quickly juggle between multiple apps. Of course, this design is nearly identical to the iOS style of multitasking that has existed on iPhones for over a decade, and it’s about time, too.
Google launched the old horrendous layout with Android 9, and I never understood why the company kept it for as long as it did. It’s not a multitasking UI if you can only see one app at a time. This at least does a lot to fix that, even if it’s a blatant iOS ripoff.
Good Lock isn’t ready yet, so what you see is what you get until then.
If you want any of the other multitasking styles, you’ll have to wait until Good Lock’s Home Up module gets updated for One UI 7 compatibility, likely after the final OS launch, which is expected in January.
Other refreshes around the OS include new icons, updated fonts, a new battery indicator that looks super swanky, and plenty of new widgets you’ll definitely want to play around with. I particularly love the countdown widget, which lets you pick a specific date on the calendar and drop it on your home screen to build anticipation.
While the new UI changes are mostly positive with a few controversial decisions, the “feeling” you get is something of a non-measurable category. If I compare One UI to something likeOxygenOS 15, for instance, Samsung’s user experience still doesn’t feel like the best of the best.
Haptics, for instance, still feel weak and are often missing in important places and it makes the experience feel so vacant compared to my OnePlus 12. Moving the brightness slider or clearing notifications on a OnePlus phone delivers satisfying haptics that make them feel like physical buttons or sliders, while Samsung’s UI doesn’t vibrate or feel responsive at all.
Animations in One UI 7 aren’t anywhere near the caliber of OxygenOS 15 on the OnePlus 12. For instance, when you set a timer and swipe home on OnePlus’s OxygenOS 15, the app will “minimize” to the status bar in a super slick way. When you click the timer, it then warps and enlarges into the app when you click it. This is better shown in motion, which you can see below.
Samsung’s new animations still aren’t the same caliber that can be found in OxygenOS 15, and haptics in One UI 7 still feel vacant and hollow.
However, in One UI 7, the app just slides down and away without any pomp. Clicking the live notification timer in the status bar just opens the app in the standard way. No pizazz. Nothing fun is happening at all.
What I will say is that Samsung’s new Live Notifications are a great riff off of the iPhone’s Dynamic Islandthat I’ve been craving. But instead of just copying Apple, Samsung improved on the concept by making the notification “pill” appear at the bottom of the display where it’s most clickable.
You’ll see this new pill on the always-on display or the lock screen, making it easy to quickly pause that timer or take actionable information for a supported app. Otherwise, the little pill lives in the status bar on top, so you can see it at all times without it taking up any more room than the status bar ever does. Bravo, Samsung.
Ten thousand features
As you might expect from Samsung, the new features list for One UI 7 is a mile long. While some belovedfeatures were removed, the new OS version is packed full of things you might only use a handful of times but, ultimately, will find useful when you get the chance to use them.
There’s something here for everyone, even if you only find yourself using it once in a blue moon.
One example is moving all calendar entries to a new calendar instead of having to do it one by one. If you’re sharing a file over Quick Share and it fails, you’ll now be offered the option to transfer it using an internet connection instead of having to redo the transfer.
Notifications will also stack when an app gives you a bunch at a time. This is handy for when you have multiple Gmail accounts, for instance, as you’ll get one instance of Gmail in the notification shade but can easily swipe down on it to see everything.
Even the camera got some love, although I’m not super crazy about everything. The camera has a 2x zoom button right on the viewfinder, adding to the list of .6, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10x zoom options to instantly get where you want without having to scroll. Samsung even added fun new effects for live photos so you can quickly turn them into a Boomerang or slow-motion preview of your photo.
Still a work in progress
One UI 7 isn’t perfect, but I think it’s a huge step in the right direction for Samsung. One UI has felt a bit dated for a while now and needed some updating to feel modern again. I’m glad to see Samsung not only taking feedback but also being willing to make much-needed changes for UI elements that have been around for way too long, like that terrible horizontal app drawer.
This is only the second beta release for One UI 7, and the next release of the beta is expected to fix more bugs that’ll likely crop up; plus, it could make a few tweaks based on user feedback in the beta program. Most likely, we’ll see the next beta update pop up before the year ends.
Anyone looking for the best earbuds for small ears knows that it isn’t as simple as switching to the smaller ear tips supplied in the box. We, the small-eared music lovers, know that the narrowness of our ear canals is just one issue at play here. Actually, the size of our concha (that recess in the middle of our outer ear) and tragus (the pointy bit above it, at the opening of the ear canal) and what they can accommodate are far more pressing issues when it comes to finding non-painful earbuds for smaller ears.
Pocketable ‘buds that won’t stay in without excessive force are no fun. I know this because I’ve been testing thebest earbudsacross all prices – including thebest budget wireless earbuds– for years now, often having to wedge, twist and adjust earpieces to try to get bigger units just to stay put. It’s no good stuffing extra mics into each headshell to support ANC and juicier batteries if the wearer cannot tru;y glean the benefit.
The good news is, it can be done. What follows is is my pick of the best earbuds for smaller ears, for every budget and whatever your priority, based on that experience. I can sport these earbuds without issue for long listening sessions, so I’m confident you can too.
The best earbuds for small ears overall
(Image credit: Sony)
1. Sony LinkBuds S
Big features and specs even in smaller Sony earbuds
Specifications
Weight:4.8g per bud
Frequency response:20Hz-20kHz
Drivers:5mm
Battery life :6hrs ANC on, 9hrs ANC off, 2x charges in the case
Reasons to buy
+Compact, light and comfortable +Enjoyable and unthreatening sound +Great control app
Reasons to avoid
-Could sound more assertive -Don’t look or feel anything special
I know, I know: Sony’s earbuds didn’t start out small – some of us struggled to achieve a secure fit and seal with early WF-1000XM iterations, didn’t we? But Sony listened to our feedback, and things have changed. The LinkBuds S are small and beautifully designed, to the point that they sit practically flush with my tragus when worn, so no gust of wind can dislodge them.
Leaving their tiny size to one side for a moment, the May 2022-issue LinkBuds S use the same V1 processor to combine noise cancellation and audio processing as the one in the (more expensive, and bigger) former flagshipSony WF-1000XM4, but here it’s working with a new 5mm full-range dynamic driver – which is also smaller than the XM4.
What makes them my top choice for most people with small ears? While the LinkBuds S may be small, their spec-sheet is pretty big. With the exception of multipoint pairing, it’s basically a full house as far as perks go. Noise cancellation can be turned on or off using the capacitive touch surface on each earpiece (which works well, despite their diminutive size) and an Ambient sound option offers 20 different increments, handled by Sony’s Headphone Connect app – again, the same one as used by Sony’s flagship earbuds.
Why the less-than perfect review score? Sonically, they could benefit from an extra ounce of zeal, verve and punch. That said, they’re perfectly musical and enjoyable thanks to the relatively detailed sound, openness across the frequencies, and reassuringly chunky performance through the low-end – I’d just like more dynamic potency through the leading edges of notes). Yes, it’s splitting hairs, but that’s my job…
Oh, and the keen-eyed will note thenew LinkBuds Fitare now in town, having launched in early October 2024 – and with cute squishy ‘supporters’ (read: fins) to slip into more bijou ears and supersede the original LinkBuds S. Will they take this spot in the guide? We’re working on that…
The best budget earbuds for people with small ears
2. JLab JBuds Mini
Inexpensive, tiny, light and still quite capable
Specifications
Weight:3.3g per bud
Frequency response:Not stated
Drivers:6mm
Battery life :5.5hrs per bud, up to 20hrs via the charging case
Reasons to buy
+Incredibly small +Useful features such as multipoint +Customizable sound
Reasons to avoid
-Basic codec support -Quick charge isn’t great
Just quickly glance at the stat above, the one that says 3.3g. Isn’t that incredible for the weight of a driver-housing, battery toting true wireless earbud? It’s not only 1.5g lighter than the Sony LinkBuds S’ weight per bud (listed above as our top choice for smaller ears), but the lightest we’ve ever heard of.
For reference, the Sony WF-1000XM4 weigh 7.3g each, more than twice as heavy. At the other end of the scale, the January 2022-issue1More ComfoBuds Minipreviously got the nod for the lightest earbuds we’ve ever tested, at just 3.7g per earpiece, but each JLab JBuds Mini earpiece comes in at almost half a gram lighter – and when it comes to something that sits inside the delicate creases and wells of your smallish ear for many hours, it actually counts.
These September 2023-launch earbuds are enough to bring on an attack of cute aggression they’re so tiny; put the case on your keyring (JLab has thoughtfully supplied one, in the box) and you’ll barely notice your listening gear is there.
And if they’re going to live next to your keys, it helps to know you’re getting an IP55 rating for rain and dust ingress. You also get multipoint (something much pricier flagship earbuds still lack – Bose, we’re looking at you) and a very good companion app. What don’t you get? Active noise cancellation, which will be a deal-breaker for many – although the passive isolation is better than you’d expect. And for such a low price, we wouldn’t really expect it anyway.
Sonically speaking, they’re good – and that is nothing short of incredible for this money, aided by the option to tweak the EQ in the app. They suffer justfractionallythrough the low end for clout and impact, but it’s a minor shortfall at this ultra-budget level.
While you’re here, we also love the October 2024-launchJLab Go Pop ANCand they’re just as great for smaller ears, but at the time of writing, they aren’t widely available in a few regions… if you do see them, they’re well worth a look too.
The best high-end earbuds for small ears
3. Montblanc MTB 03
Designer earbuds for the pickiest of petite ears
Specifications
Weight:6g per earbud
Frequency response:20Hz – 20kHz
Drivers:7mm Beryllium
Battery life :6hrs (earbuds) 18hrs (case)
Reasons to buy
+Beautifully compact design; classy finish +Lossless audio codec support
Reasons to avoid
-No multipoint connectivity -Noise cancellation is average
If you like nice things (and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with liking nice things), you’ll like Montblanc’s bijou and beautifully crafted earbuds. There’s hi-res codec support – aptX Adaptive, to be precise – and the sound has been tuned by designer (of legendary headphones, including theSennheiser HD 600) Axel Grell. Yes, it’s high-end stuff.
You also get IPX4 water resistance and an app that offers a five band EQ tab, unusual noise cancellation and ambient features and auto-off wearer detection plus a lovely representation of the remaining battery life in each bud.
If you’re happy to pay a premium for the quality build, finish and iconic snowcap emblem within earbuds that sound good, I support you – yes, sonically they tick all the boxes for depth and neutrality when listening to higher-resolution music files.
The only fly in the ointment is the MTB 03’s noise cancellation, which is good rather than excellent. In lesser-priced earbuds it wouldn’t be a huge issue, but for this money one might hope for the near ‘bubble of silence’ performance you get from the (much bigger)Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Ultra– because the Montblanc buds are priced to compete with the best. And in the battle for quietness, the clear winner is Bose… but as I mentioned above, those earbuds are pretty huge. Montblanc’s will work nicely for small ears without sacrificing audio fidelity.
The best small earbuds for budget noise cancellation
4. Sony WF-C700N
Easily the best budget-friendly smaller Sony earbuds with ANC
Specifications
Weight:4.6g per earbud
Frequency response:20Hz-20kHz
Drivers:5mm
Battery life :7.5hr (buds) 15hr total (with case, ANC on)
Reasons to buy
+Detailed and immersive sound +Solid noise cancellation
Reasons to avoid
-No LDAC hi-res codec support -Only one charge from case
Remember, I have small ears. So believe me when I say that if it’s affordable Sony noise-cancelling earbuds you’re afterandyour ears are on the small side, you won’t be disappointed with the Sony WF-C700N.
They’re not the last word in audiophile-grade sound (you only get standard-quality SBC and AAC codec support rather than anything hi-res, although Sony has included in its entry-level DSEE upscaler to make Spotify tracks sound better) and if you want higher-resolution support in a design that celebrates a smaller ear, you will need to invest more. That said, you do get Sony 360 Reality support here, which is even better if you pay for Tidal – because that music streaming platform has a wealth of content presented inSony’s object-based immersive format.
What you need to know is that they’re lovely and small and they simply shouldn’t be this good for the money – specifically for sound and active noise cancellation. One key omission on the spec-sheet is auto-off feature when you remove them, but for this money it’s a compromise I’m more than happy to make. It’s also a shame that you only get one extra charge of them from the case, compared to two or three with most models here, but that’s balanced out by them offering excellent longevity in the buds from each charge.
Sony’s Headphones Connect app gives you control of the active noise cancellation, including Adaptive Sound Control optimized according to what you’re doing – yes, the C700N essentially learn how you tend to use them, then try to get with the schedule, so you can have lighter noise blocking in the office than when travelling. And even then, you can tweak it all in the app. When ANC is on, all but the loudest noises are softened, leaving me genuinely immersed in my playlists. Given the size of the earpieces, it’s no mean feat.
-Battery life is only average -Coolest features are Samsung only
Until Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, the company’s record with earbuds, er, wasn’t great. But forget shiny kidney bean-shaped buds and other quirky design flourishes, the Pro 2 are compact, comfortable and all business. Also, I don’t recommend the newer, July 2024Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Profor smaller ears – I found the Toblerone-esque stem a little too bulky to make the driver housing feel truly secure.
Back to the second-gen set I do recommend for those with smaller ears and the basics are spot on: excellent active noise cancellation, voice detect, wearer detection and customizable on-ear controls – all of which work very well indeed – plus IPX7 water ingress protection.
But if you own a Samsung Galaxy device (and thus, access to the Samsung Wearable companion app and home-screen widget) you also get easy spatial audio with optional head-tracking, plus end-to-end 24-bit high-res audio, which is quite a rarity.
For the smaller-eared wearer, the improved fit and lightness here is also winning – the Buds Pro 2 are 15% smaller than Samsung’s last effort and 0.8g lighter per earpiece (5.5g vs the 6.3g Buds Pro) – but more importantly, the design fits me simply, without having to repeat that overly-aggressive twist-and-hope-to-lock-em-in technique some of us know only too well.
The only downside here at the time of writing is that an updated iteration on these August 2022-issue earbuds is expected in August 2024 – here’s what we know about theSamsung Galaxy Buds 3 Proso far. Then again, that means we’re seeing some huge discounts on this still-excellent older model…
The best wired earbuds for small ears
6. SoundMagic E11C
SoundMagic’s humble inexpensive earbuds are still in the mix
Specifications
Weight:15g
Frequency response:20Hz-20kHz
Drivers:10mm dynamic
Battery life :n/a
Reasons to buy
+Elegant, small design +Great passive noise isolation
Reasons to avoid
-Bass can be slightly muddy -Not USB-C (but a version is available)
If you’ve ever nosed through an audiophile publication or Reddit thread, you’ll likely know about these wildly successful, multi-award winning entry-level wired earbuds. Despite their 2018 release date, they’re still serving up magical sound for the level. Note that these are 3.5mm terminated (meaning they use a regular headphone jack) but if you want a USB-C version, that’s called the SoundMagic E11D.
For the smaller-eared among us, wires can be attractive for reasons besides their improved sound quality (ditching a Bluetooth connection still means better-quality audio; even an aptX HD connection incurs a degree of ‘loss’ or compression) because wires tether your precious earbuds to each other – and of course to your source device. Anyone who’s ever had to frantically search under their train carriage seat for a popped-out earbudjustas they pull into their stop knows the value of this.
But to call the SoundMagic E11C a safe bet for portable audio is to do these wired earbuds a disservice. Yes, their aluminum dark-metallic design makes them look and feel much more expensive than they are when slipped into your ears – but better than that, they sound move expensive too. They’re not the final word in sonic brilliance, (bass and treble can both be less-than-totally-refined), but they’re impressive for the price, and it’s easy to actually hear what you’re listening to thanks to good passive noise blocking.
The silver-plated copper cable is coated in TPE and aside from the environmental benefits of this type of coating (it’s a kind of thermoplastic rubber that SoundMagic says has “a reduced environmental impact compared to other commonly used plastics”) it also means the cable feels durable and doesn’t tangle, which anyone who usesApple’s USB-C EarPodswill soon appreciate…
The best Apple earbuds for smaller ears
(Image credit: Apple)
7. Apple AirPods Pro 2
The best wireless earbuds for smaller-eared iPhone owners
Specifications
Weight:5.3g
Frequency response:Not listed
Drivers:Custom Apple design
Battery life :6 hours (buds) 30 hours (case)
Reasons to buy
+Top-tier noise cancellation +Lots of very smart features for iPhone
Reasons to avoid
-Average battery life -No lossless support
If you’re leaning towards an Apple product, there’s a reason this particular white stemmed design is so popular these days: it fits most people. And that includes those of us with smaller ears. Now, I don’t think AirPods arethe bestdesign for smaller-eared wearers, but if it has to be Apple, this is the set I’d advise. Why? Because I find Apple’s newer ‘open ear’AirPods 4design (which also comes in anoise-canceling variant) a little too wide for comfort in my smaller ears. Yes, the box is tiny; the driver housing of each bud is less so. Of course, fit is a personal thing and the designisemphatically different, so it’s worth trying them, but for me the Pro-suffixed set gets the nod.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 offer a powerful audio performance plus high-end noise cancellation in a build that’s smaller and more lightweight than plenty of the regular competition. OK, they weigh 5.3g, which is a little heavy given the competitionspecificallywithin this bijou budded list, but that includes the well-weighted stem, as well as the driver housing. I’ve called said stem a ‘toothbrush head shape’ in previous iterations (up to and including the second-gen.Apple AirPods 2019), but here the tail is a little shorter and tapers around slightly to hug your cheek, which aids with a secure fit.
Noise cancellation? It’s among the best in the business. Battery life? Not so much; six hours from the buds is distinctly average – although the 30 hours from the charging case is more impressive.
As always with Apple propositions, iPhone owners are the best-served customers here, thanks to unique features such as head-tracked spatial audio, Find My support including ultra-wideband precision location tracking (so your phone will literally point you to your lost buds) and seamless auto-switching between your Apple devices, which is basically the equivalent of multipoint connectivity on more devices than most – but remember, you need an Apple device to enjoy all of this (and ideally all Apple devices).
+Affordable hi-res audio +Impressive noise isolation +Comfortable and lightweight
Reasons to avoid
-Volume levels a bit quiet -Button controls too small -Cable noise impacts your enjoyment
The SoundMagic E80D are excellent value for money, bringing you great sound in a reliable and wired package ready for USB-C phones and laptops. They come with a built-in digital-to-analogue converter (DAC), delivering hi-res audio that’s much more detailed than any other pair of budget buds.
This makes them ideal for anyone who wants hi-res audio but doesn’t have the high-end budget to match. The SoundMagic E80D might not bring you truly premium sound, but you do get impressive hi-res audio that punch above their price, making them a great option if you want an affordable pair of buds that sound great.
Granted, we found that they don’t get very loud in our testing, and you don’t get active noise cancellation to compensate for that, but there’s solid noise isolation. We found that the E80D keep any surrounding noises low enough in general, so you can stay focused when you’re listening to music and podcasts or watching videos.
The SoundMagic E80D have a simple, wired design. During testing, we found that they were comfortable to wear, and the tiny buds size makes them good for the small-eared. We happily kept them in for hours over many times in an office and walking home. They also come with additional ear tips included in small and large sizes, as well as a double-layered option (the default ear tips are standard, medium-sized gels). Whichever ear gels you use, they’re also lightweight at 16g.
The best small buds without ANC
9. Sony WF-C510
The best cheap, smaller wireless earbuds without ANC
Specifications
Acoustic design:Closed
Weight:31g
Frequency response:20Hz – 20,000Hz
Drivers:6mm
Battery life:11 hours (buds) 11 hours (case)
Reasons to buy
+Punchy, energetic audio +Sony 360 Reality Audio support +Great in-bud battery life; bijou case too
Reasons to avoid
-A few features missing -Custom EQ mode is confusing -Limited case battery life
Some people want ANC to block the noise of busy offices, flights, or commutes, but not everyone wants it. And why pay for something you won’t ever use? Sometimes, it’s safer to stay fully aware of your surroundings, and some people even find ANC a little nauseating – no two humans are identical, as we’re all aware.
Anyway, my top pick for budget earbuds without ANC is the Sony WF-C510. The keen-eyed will note that they’re similar to the WF-C700N listed above (Sony is a name that’s featuring a lot in the realm of bijou buds, isn’t it? I don’t make the rules; it’s just how it is), but nearly half the price, so if you’re happy to forego noise-cancellation, there’s a bargain to be had here.
You won’t get audiophile-level sound quality, exactly, but the WF-C510 still offer a highly enjoyable listen. This is thanks in part to Sony’s DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine), which aims to open out and upscale compressed audio from streaming services. An edge over other budget options, I think you’ll agree.
In our review, we noted: “the buds stuck in my ears like the Abba songs they played stayed stuck in my head.” This secure fit is thanks to the “grippy” material on the tips and the lightweight build – just 5g per bud. And the case is another thing about them that’s compact and lightweight, though it only offers one extra charge, which is a tad disappointing. Still, with 11 hours of battery life on a single charge, they’re still competitive for stamina.
How to choose the best smaller earbuds for you
Which earbuds shape is best for small ears?
Short answer: something compact and either teardrop-shaped or pill-shaped, since that’s the most ergonomically accurate design for most ears.
That said, I’ve actually been surprised by the security and fit I’ve experienced wearing some largerlookingearbuds – namely theTechnics EAH-AZ80– which work because attention has been paid to the new ‘concha’ design. The weight these earbuds carry (a not insubstantial 7g) is well distributed across the housing, so they almost feel as if they hug the ear to stay put.
It’s worth noting that some users with smaller ears find an open-ear design is best, since this avoids the issue of achieving a seal – there’s no neck of the bud having to fit in your ear canal. Examples of this might be theAirPods 3(which sit in your ear well or tragus, but don’t need to be pushed further into the ear canal) or a completely open-ear design such as theBose Ultra Open Earbuds, which fit almost like an ear cuff.
As always, all ears are different and while we can point you in the right direction, there’s going to be a degree of trial and error here. What we can tell you is, there’s a set of earbuds out there for you even if you have small ears – and it’s well worth experimenting to find them.
Should I consider over-ears instead?
It’s a very good question, although the answer, as with so many things, will come down to personal preference and how (or when) you like to listen to your music.
Even five years ago, I might have suggested that if you want an excellent fit and you have very small ears, you probably need to be looking at over-ear headphones, but thanks to incredible advancements in onboard mics, batteries, Bluetooth chipsets (with anti-phase tech for ANC) and driver manufacture, ever-smaller earbuds – with ever-improving spec sheets – are arriving daily.
That said, some people still find the nature of an in-ear design hard to get used to. I’ve had emails from readers who find almost all earbuds painful, intrusive or even nauseating, regardless of their ear size. Others don’t experience any issues at all. We are wonderfully unique, you see.
Do you carry a small bag to work? Earbuds, which can be stored easily in their diminutive case and eve thrown in a pocket, are tempting aren’t they? Those big ‘don’t talk to me’ over-ears need a bigger tote bag at the very least.
My advice, as always, is not to rush this purchase. You and your earbuds will be spending a lot of time together, after all. Ask yourself which listening style best suits your lifestyleas well asyour physicality, read our reviews and, if you have the time, visit a bricks-and-mortar store to try your shortlisted options on before you buy.
Are there any earbuds I should avoid if I have smaller ears?
OK, real talk. Leading on from the point above, earbuds are only getting smaller now. Since their arrival not yet a decade ago, manufacturers are seemingly in a race to squirrel drivers, batteries, spatial audio processing and mics into ever decreasing true wireless earpieces. Take the 2015 Onkyo W800BT, the first widely available true wireless earbuds proposition. Each earbud came in at 8.5g – impressive at the time, huge by today’s standards (consider the 3.3g earpiece JLab has offered with the 2023 JBuds Mini for reference).
What I’m saying is, it pays to look for newer products since brands typically seek to better previous offerings with each fresh iteration – and size is a great spec to start with.
Some people findBose’s QuietComfort Earbuds 2and newer Earbuds Ultra (a very similar proposition physically, at least) a little on the bulky side. That said, others think Bose’s unique ear tips, which cover the whole housing rather than just the neck of the bud, particularly secure.
We’ve all been there. That sinking feeling when you can’t find a crucial document, a precious photo, or that video project you’ve been working on for weeks. It can feel overwhelming, especially when deadlines loom, or memories are at stake. But before you panic, take a deep breath! Macs have built-in tools and features to help you recover those lost files. Even easier, there are a few things you can do in your attempt to find missing files that won’t takewon’thing more than your time to search.
Here’s a sHere’s-step guide to finding lost files on your Mac:
1. Retrace Your Steps
Start with the simplest solution. Is the file mistakenly minimized or hidden behind another window? Sometimes, files can end up behind other open applications. By cycling through your open applications, check if your file is minimized in the dock or hidden behind other windows. If you suspect you accidentally renamed it, consider recent changes and try variations of the original name.
Take a moment to browse through your recent applications and documents. Most operating systems have a ‘Recent’ section where you can quickly access open files, which might help you locate the missing file without searching extensively.
Next, use Spotlight, the powerful search feature represented by the magnifying glass icon in your menu bar. By clicking on it or pressing Command + Space, you can begin searching for your file. You can enter the file name directly, but if you’re unsure of the exact name, try searching by content or file type—Spotlight can also display results based on keywords within documents.
In addition, consider narrowing down your search by adding file type keywords, such as “.docx,” “.pdf,” or ” .jpg” to help refine the results. You can also use filters in the Finder application to search for files created or modified within a specific time frame. If your search is still unsuccessful, checking the Trash to see if the file was accidentally deleted might be helpful. Remember to be thorough, as sometimes files can be overlooked.
Don’t forget to check the Trash! Your file might have been accidentally deleted. If you find it there, drag it back to your desktop or another folder to restore it. Remember, files in the Trash can be permanently deleted after a certain period, so it’s best to check regularly if you suspect something is missing.
Many files, especially those downloaded from the internet, automatically land in the Downloads folder. To make it easier to locate these files, you can sort them by date or type within the Downloads folder. This way, you can quickly find what you’re looking for amidst all the other downloads.
Finder is your friend! Use the sidebar to easily navigate different locations like Documents, Pictures, and Applications. The sidebar lets you quickly access external drives or cloud storage if you have those setup. You can also use Finder’s advanced search options to narrow your search. With these tools, you can filter by specific file types (likePDFsor images), set a date range to look for recently modified files, or even search by keywords within the file name. This will significantly streamline your file management process!
If you have Time Machine backups enabled (and you definitely should for data safety!), restoring previous versions of files or entire folders is straightforward. First, open Time Machine by clicking its icon in the menu bar at the top right of your screen. Once it’s open, you’ll see a timeline on the right side of the display, allowing you to browse through your backups. You can use the arrows or the timeline to navigate to the date the file or folder was last present.
When you find the file, you can select it and choose the option to restore. Time Machine will replace the current version of the file with the one from the backup, and you can also choose to restore the file to a different location if you want to keep both versions.
If your file was stored oniCloud Drive, you can access it from anyAppledevice logged into the sameiCloudaccount. Open the Files app on your iPhone or iPad or access iCloud Drive through Finder on your Mac. All your files, including any changes made from other devices, will be synced and available. You can also use the iCloud website to access your files from a non-Apple device, ensuring you never lose important documents. Regularly check your iCloud storage to maintain enough space for backups and files!
4. Go deeper
For tech-savvy users, the Terminal provides a robust set of commands for searching files effectively. A handy command is `mdfind`, which leverages the Spotlight index to search for files not only by their names but also by their content. This allows users to locate specific documents, images, or files quickly. For example, typing `mdfind report` will return all files containing the word “report” in their name or contents. Refining your search using additional parameters, such as limiting it to certain file types or directories is also possible.
However, while Terminal offers powerful capabilities, proceeding with caution is essential. Commands can significantly affect your system, so ensure you know the syntax and potential outcomes before executing any commands.
If traditional search methods or Terminal commands fail to yield results, you might consider using data recovery software as a next step. Several reputable third-party applications can deeply scan your hard drive for deleted files, analyzing existing data structures to find remnants of lost information. Some popular options include Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and Disk Drill. These tools often come with user-friendly interfaces and can guide you through recovery, increasing the chances of retrieving valuable files that may have been accidentally deleted. Select a recovery tool that suits your operating system and meets your specific need.
Tips to prevent future file loss
Here’s a few helpful steps you can take so you have less of a problem finding files in the future.
Organize your files: Create a logical folder structure and stick to it. This makes it easier to find files and reduces the risk of losing them.
Use cloud storage: Services like iCloud Drive,GoogleDrive, and Dropbox provide a backup of your files and allow you to access them from anywhere.
Regularbackupsare essential: Set up Time Machine or another backup solution to regularly back up your entire system. This is your ultimate safety net against data loss.
Following these tips can significantly increase your chances of finding those lost files and prevent future headaches. Happy hunting!
It’s all about a better viewing and sharing experience.
What you need to know
Google is rolling out a new PDF viewer for the Files by Google app, as it shared in a recent update to the app’s Play Store listing.
The old PDF viewer incorporated Google Drive, but now, the new one is specific to Google Files.
It’s easier to share, star, and take actions while viewing a PDF while using the new Files by Google interface.
Files by Google is getting a minor upgrade that could improve your PDF viewing experience. The app is rolling out a new view that leverages a custom PDF viewer, rather than using the integrated one fromGoogle Drive. This will make accessing certain options easier, such as starring a PDF or sharing it with others. Alternatively, you can still use the PDF viewer in the Google Drive app if you prefer the previous user-interface.
Google previewed the change in an update to the “What’s new” section of the Files by Googleapp listing onthe Google Play Store. “Over the next few weeks, we’re rolling out improvements to your experience with PDF files,” the note reads. “Print, find content, or access markup tools whenever you open a PDF in the Files app.”
9to5Googlefirst spotted that the change was rolling out to users of version 1.5687 of the Google Files app after a server-side tweak. Android Central confirmed the new PDF viewer on its devices, but notably, one device had to be updated toAndroid 15before the change took effect.
You can see the new look of the PDF viewer in Files by Google in the screenshots below.
From left to right: Old PDF viewer, new PDF viewer, new PDF viewer + overflow menu.(Image credit: Future)
Now, the overflow menu lets you access key options that weren’t available using the previous UI. With the old version, some menu buttons were only accessible through the list view of documents in theFiles by Google app. They weren’t there after the PDF was opened using the external Drive viewer, but that has been rectified with the new Files by Google custom PDF viewer.
TheFindandSave to Driveicons have been replaced withStarandShareon the new viewer. These can be pressed without opening the overflow menu. The new overflow menu includes more options, includingUse as,Open with,Move to Trash,Move to,Copy to,Move to Safe folder,File info,Find in file, andPrint.
Finally, the markup button (floating action button) has been redesigned, and some files will have aGoogle Lensbutton above it that quickly opensCircle to Search.
Video playback in Photos in iOS 18.2 (left) vs. video playback in Photos in iOS 18.1 (right) 
