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SAVE $300: The DJI Power 1000 V2 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $399 with the on-page coupon, down from the normal price of $699. That's a 43% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 1000 V2 portable power station $399 at AmazonIce storms, wind storms, and epic rain are all weather events that can cause tons of inconvenience. Even if you get to stay home, these events just love to knock out power. That means we have to sit at home the cold while refusing to open the refrigerator and conserving phone battery. If you're not interested in dealing with this situation for another winter, check out this great deal on a portable power station.
As of Jan. 5, the DJI Power 1000 V2 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $399 with the on-page coupon, marked down from the normal price of $699. That's a 43% discount that takes a massive $300 off the usual price.
The DJI Power 1000 V2 is an updated version of the original Power 1000, which offers about half the power of the DJI Power 2000. DJI made upgrades to the recharging time and added more outlets compared to the original version.
The Power 1000 V2 comes with 1,024Wh of battery capacity with a stable power output of 2,600W. It weighs in at about 31 pounds, and it comes with plenty of charging ports. You get four AC ports, two USB-A, two 140W USB-C, and two SDC ports.
SEE ALSO: Get ready for the big chill with the Bluetti Pioneer Na(Sodium) portable power station while it's $500 offIn real-life scenarios, 1,024Wh of battery capacity looks like recharging a phone about 57 times or keeping the WiFi router online for about 77 hours. If you're dealing with a power outage and you just loaded up during a major Costco run, you can keep the refrigerator running about 20 hours with the DJI Power 1000 V2.
DJI upped the recharging power with the second version of the Power 1000 and now you'll be able to get a full charge in about 56 minutes if you plug it into the wall. If you don't have an hour to spare, just 37 minutes will get you up to 80% power.
Before the next power outage hits, equip you home with the DJI Power 1000 V2 while it's on sale for $399. Just be sure to take advantage of the on-page coupon to score this sale price. Not only is it handy for power outages, it's perfect for off-grid jobsites, camping, and content creation journeys.
Gone are the days of buying two separate audio devices to listen to music on the go. New audio brand TDM — short for Tomorrow Doesn’t Matter — just debuted the world's "first and only" headphones that can twist into a portable speaker in a matter of seconds.
Announced at CES 2026 on Monday, the TDM Neo Hybrid headphones feature a modular design that instantly transforms them from personal over-ear headphones into a compact Bluetooth speaker with a twist. No setup or extra parts necessary. So, when you want to share a song with others, you can simply flick your wrist to convert your solo listening experience into a group jam session.
"With Neo, we want to empower people to live for the now, giving traditional headphone users the freedom to take what they’re listening to and share it through speakers at any given moment,” said David Brailsford, co-founder of TDM."
Credit: TDMBeyond the groundbreaking twistability feature, these headphones also include four independently tuned 40mm speaker drivers (two inward and two outward), dual integrated amplifiers for a detailed sound profile, and impressive volume for a speaker that fits in the palm of your hand. As headphones, TDM says they'll last an astounding 200 hours before needing a recharge. As a speaker, you'll need to recharge in about 10 hours. The battery system is also removable, which means you can replace it to extend the life of your Neo headphones and keep listening for years.
Don't care to share your tunes on any given day? You can customize what happens when you twist the TDM Neo. Auto mode will seamlessly switch the audio from the headphone drivers to the speaker drivers when you twist, but you can also set it to pause, power down, or remain inactive on twist.
Tech specs:
Bluetooth 6 multipoint pairing
Built-in microphone
4 independently tuned speaker drivers
Dual integrated amplifiers
200+ hour battery life in headphones mode
10+ hour battery life in speaker mode
USB-C fast charging (get 8 hours in just 5 minutes)
Replaceable battery module
Mode customization on twist
Adjustable headband
Removable ear cushions
Auto power-off
Overcharge and thermal protection
Weighs less than 350g
The Neo Hybrid headphones will be available for pre-order on Kickstarter later this month for $249 in both black and white colorways. If you want to be in the know and get an exclusive discount, head over to the TDM website and sign up for updates with your email address.
Opens in a new window Credit: TDM TDM Neo Hybrid headphones $249Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.
SAVE 50%: As of Jan. 5, you can get the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 for $398.99, down from $799, at Amazon. That's a 50% discount and $400.01 savings.
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 $398.99 at AmazonWhether you’re planning off-grid camping trips or just want to be the only person on the block with a working fridge during a summer blackout, there's no doubt that having a reliable power station is a good investment.
SEE ALSO: The 5 best portable power stations to stay charged up at home and on the goAs of Jan. 5, you can get the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 for $398.99, down from $799, at Amazon. That's a 50% discount and $400.01 savings.
The v2 model features a 1,070Wh LiFePO4 battery, which is rated for 4,000 charge cycles. In plain English, that means you can use it daily for over a decade before the battery even starts to show its age. It’s also 18 percent smaller and lighter than the previous version, weighing in at just 23.8 pounds, so you won't throw out your back lugging it from the car to the campsite.
You'll also get a 1,500W AC output with a 3,000W surge peak (plenty of power to run a full-sized fridge, a coffee maker, or even a portable AC unit). If the battery does run dry, you can juice it back from 0 to 100 percent in just one hour using the "Emergency Super Charge" mode in the Jackery app.
If you identify as straight but are open to queer experiences, you're not alone. You may be called "heteroflexible," a portmanteau that signals being "mostly straight" with a flexibility towards same-sex attraction.
And according to Feeld, "heteroflexible" is the fastest-growing sexuality on the hookup app — 193 percent in 2025. Switching between heteroflexible and straight is one of the most common sexuality shifts, the app stated in its Feeld Raw 2025 report, with millennials making up almost two-thirds of total heteroflexible members (65 percent), and Gen Z at 18 percent.
What does heteroflexibility mean?There's no objective definition of heteroflexibility. In fact, it hasn't yet been used in the scientific study of the psychology of sexual orientation, said Pavel S. Blagov, Ph.D, professor of psychology at Whitman College.
SEE ALSO: What does WLW mean? The term is all over TikTok.One of the earliest cited writings on the term, by then-professor of sociology at Yale University Laurie Essig, was published by Salon in 2000. Essig, now a professor at Middlebury College, defined heteroflexibility as when someone "has or intends to have a primarily heterosexual lifestyle, with a primary sexual and emotional attachment to someone of the opposite sex." But, as Essig continued, "that person remains open to sexual encounters and even relationships with persons of the same sex."
As much as 15 percent of the American population may identify as heteroflexible, according to a 2019 study.
What's the origin of the term "heteroflexibility"?The exact genesis of the term "heteroflexible" is unknown, but it's been used as early as the 1990s. In the 1997 humor glossary of LGBTQ slang When Drag is Not a Car Race, heteroflexibility is defined as "bisexual, or at least open to sexual experimentation."
Heteroflexible appeared to pick up steam on college campuses in the early 2000s, as displayed in Essig's Salon article. A 2002 dispatch from The Buffalo News declared heteroflexbile the "hot term being bandied about on campus," and defined it as "the condition of being not fully bisexual but open to adventure."
How is heteroflexibility used today?Today, people seem to use the term differently, said Blagov, and its use is being studied by scholars in gender studies, sociology, and public health.
"The concept seems to have different meanings across individuals and in different corners of popular culture," he continued. There are several facets of sexual orientation that one may use heteroflexibility to refer to: someone's identity, their sexual desires, their sexual behavior, or something else, or a combination of these.
Based on various sources online, Blagov senses that someone who describes themselves as heteroflexible may be trying to convey one or more of these concepts: "Some degree of attraction to the same sex; some degree of interest in same-sex sexual behavior; a positive attitude toward diversity in sexual orientation; an open mind about different identities; that they owe some allegiance to a heterosexual or straight identity; and that they do not identify as bisexual or homosexual."
He also cited sociologist Héctor Carrillo and contributor Amanda Hoffman, who researched sexualities of American men in an aptly titled study, Straight with a pinch of bi. On one hand, Carrillo and Hoffman wrote, terms like heteroflexibility and "bi-curious" represent a renewed sense of sexual identity among young straight Americans with same-sex desire — and possibly a search for public recognition and societal acceptance.
At the same time, Carrillo argued, by not adopting a queer identity like bisexual, heteroflexible people seek to remain in the "heterosexual category." They want an indication that same-sex desire and behavior "are not altogether incompatible with heterosexuality."
Blagov reiterated that heteroflexibility isn't currently an established concept in the scientific study of psychology. "It is not referring to how a person's mind works or any objectively defined way in which people differ," he said. At least currently, it doesn't indicate a proven difference among people. Rather, it's a label people have started using to describe themselves and others.
The use of heteroflexible also likely differs across individuals and groups, and — like our definition of so many other words — may change over time.
Is heteroflexibility just bisexuality?Heteroflexibility, Essig wrote, "is a rejection of bisexuality since the inevitable question that comes up in bisexuality is one of preference, and the preference of the heteroflexible is quite clear."
At first, Essig said she was pissed at the term. "I resented the fact that they [young people] would root their marginal sexual practices in the safety of heterosexuality," she said. Then, after reflecting, she embraced it because in her view, it could bring an end to heterosexuality's dominance. In the future, Essig mused, everyone would be flexible.
Other scholars, however, don't have such a rosy view of the term. In a 2009 article about queer representation in the media, media and communications professor Lisa Blackman wrote that "heteroflexible" serves to expand the boundaries of the "heterosexual" label rather than to normalize queer identities. Flexibility is merely a "temporary interruption" of heterosexual desire, a "break from the routine."
Blackman goes on to say that the idea of flexibility serves to support the agency of heterosexual people, but not queer people. Queer attraction, at least in media at the time of Blackman's writing, was seen as something novel for straight people (primarily women) to experience. She cites two examples — Samantha Jones in Sex and the City and Jessica in Kissing Jessica Stein — as characters who flirted with homosexuality, but only temporarily.
Does "heteroflexibility" describe queer desire in terms of...straightness? In Blackman's sense, yes, said Andrew Cheng, assistant professor in the department of linguistics at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (previously a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Linguistics at Simon Fraser University).
While this argument is an academic look into film and television at the time, other queer people have decried the term for similar reasons. Writer Charlie Williams said in Affinity Magazine that the word heteroflexible erases bi identities, saying both heteroflexible and the opposite, homoflexible, are just "fancy words" for bisexual. Another writer, Kravitz M., called for people who feel attraction to multiple genders to question why they don't call themselves bi, and claimed it might be because of internalized biphobia.
For some, any flexibility is a deviation from the heterosexual standard and will be judged negatively, particularly for men who experience bi erasure, according to Dr. Luke Brunning, a lecturer in applied ethics at the University of Leeds and co-director of the Centre for Love, Sex, and Relationships. "For others, perhaps those firmly within the queer community, heteroflexibility might be viewed with suspicion, as indicative of a reticence to be open about someone's 'true' bisexuality, for example, or as evidence of internalized homophobia."
It's important to remember, though, that the meanings and uses of identity labels change quickly — especially in the internet age — and that identities are dependent on local communities, said Cheng.
"The rise in heteroflexibility as an identification among, say, rural men in the Midwest today, might be very different from how it was used by city-dwelling college students in the nineties," he continued.
Further, without much psychological research, it's hard to speculate why someone may identify as heteroflexible (or bi-curious or "mostly straight") instead of a queer identity, said Blagov.
For some people, the term "heteroflexible" accurately describes how they experience attraction or behave, said Brunning, who provided insights for Feeld. (Brunning was also interviewed by Mashable in 2020 for his book on non-monogamy). For others, he continued, it might be a "promise-to-self," something they want to look into further or explore.
All this to say, there's no "correct" use of heteroflexible. It may not be its own sexual orientation — it's been long known that sexual attraction can fall somewhere between hetero and homosexual — but anyone is free to identify as such. Sexuality, like language itself, can be flexible.
This article was originally published in 2022 and republished in 2026 with new information.
SAVE $399.99: The 8TB WD_Black M.2 SSD licensed for PS5 is on sale at Amazon for $630, down from the list price of $1,029.99. That's a 39% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: WD_Black 8TB WD_Black M.2 SSD $630 at AmazonThe holidays are over and now we're in the long stretch of winter. Spring and warmer temps are still a few months away, and if you plan to spend some serious time gaming this winter on a PS5, check out this deal.
As of Jan. 5, the 8TB WD_Black M.2 SSD licensed for PS5 is on sale at Amazon for $630, down from the list price of $1,029.99. That's a 39% discount.
If you find yourself constantly juggling your PS5 downloads to make room for new game titles and updates, you need more storage. Unfortunately, the world is in a storage battle right now and the prices on SSD and RAM have gone a bit bananas. Thankfully, we have this Amazon deal on an 8TB SSD that's certified for PS5.
SEE ALSO: Take on feudal Japan in 'Assassin's Creed Shadows' at the lowest price we've seenWith this upgrade, you won't have to transfer or remove games from your console to make room for extra titles. Plus, it's easy to install into the M.2 slot. WD_Black states this SSD comes with read speeds of up to 7,200 MB/s, so you won't have to worry about load times. Bonus points go to this as the only 8TB NVME SSD that's officially certified for the PS5.
With an 8TB upgrade, WD_Black says you'll have the space for up to 200 games. The built-in heat sink is also beneficial for helping keep things cool.
Since we have no idea what the price of storage will do in 2026, ensure you have plenty of space by scoring this deal on the 8TB WD_Black M.2 SSD licensed for PS5 for $630 at Amazon. Your winter gaming will appreciate the extra space.
SAVE 43%: As of Jan. 5, you can get the Renpho Smart Scale for $19.99, down from $34.99, at Amazon. That's a 43% discount or $15 in savings.
Opens in a new window Credit: Renpho Renpho Smart Scale $19.99 at AmazonGetting a better handle on your health doesn't necessarily mean hitting a specific number on the scale. If you’re trying to actually feel better this year, it’s worth looking at the full picture, including your sleep, hydration, and body composition.
SEE ALSO: 5 fitness apps to help with your 2026 New Year’s resolutionsAs of Jan. 5, you can get the Renpho Smart Scale for $19.99, down from $34.99, at Amazon. That's a 43% discount or $15 in savings. This is a solid, entry-level price for a tool that gives you a much broader picture of your health than a traditional "dumb" scale ever could.
This scale uses four high-sensitivity electrodes to track 13 different body metrics, including BMI, bone mass, and muscle mass. That data then syncs directly to the Renpho Health app, which is compatible with Fitbit, Apple Health, and Samsung Health. The app is great for spotting long-term trends rather than obsessing over daily fluctuations. It also features a baby and pet weighing mode, so everyone in your household can use it.
Bonus: If you have an FSA or HSA account, this scale is also eligible for reimbursement, which is a nice way to use up those funds on something that'll help you stay on top of your wellness goals.
Teens spend an average of 70 minutes on their smartphones during school hours, according to new research published Monday in JAMA.
The study found that students aren't using their devices for educational purposes, either. Instead, they're mostly scrolling social media, racking up roughly 30 minutes per day on apps like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. They also game on Roblox and Pokemon GO, as well as watch videos on Netflix and YouTube. By comparison, they spend an average of a minute-and-a-half on productivity- and education-related uses, like Google Docs, the tutoring app Khan Academy, and the homework help app Chegg.
"Phones can support learning, but that’s not how they were mostly used during the school day," Dr. Jason Nagata, the study's lead author, told Mashable.
SEE ALSO: Make 2026 the year your kid gets off their deviceThe data were collected from 640 teens ages 13 to 18 participating in a massive longitudinal research effort known as the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. The teens shared their school's start time with researchers, who then used a reasonable estimate for the end of the students' school day.
Instead of surveying the teens, who might not accurately remember their phone habits, the researchers relied on an app installed on each participant's phone to passively measure uses like social media and gaming apps, internet browsing, and video viewing. A previous smaller study that also measured smartphone activity estimated that students used their phones for an hour-and-a-half during school hours.
Nagata believes the hour-plus that teens spend on their phones at school "inevitably competes with attention to learning." He also noted that while some phone use may happen during breaks or lunch, that activity could interfere with face-to-face socializing, physical activity, and mental rest.
"Heavy phone use can displace those benefits and reduce opportunities for real-world connection," Nagata said.
Parents, educators, policymakers, and students themselves have long been concerned about the disruptive role of phones at school, which can exacerbate bullying, burn teachers out, and distract teens from academics.
Nagata said the study provided objective data demonstrating that smartphones remain a significant part of students' school-day experience.
Since the researchers collected data between 2022 and 2024, they acknowledge that the findings may not reflect more recent phone-free school policies that resulted from increasing political and public momentum for bans and solutions like Yondr pouches. The participants all used Android devices, so the findings may not apply to those with Apple smartphones.
SEE ALSO: Kids aren't learning to spell anymoreImportantly, the researchers identified risk factors and disparities associated with higher rates of school-time phone use. Students with problematic social media and phone use appeared to spend several more minutes each day on social media and their devices during school hours.
Black students spent 12 to 20 minutes more on their phones daily during school time compared to white participants. Low-income students generally used their phones more during the school day than high-income students.
The researchers didn't evaluate the reasons for these disparities but suggested they might stem from differences in school environments, which could include class size and school resources.
Dr. Jean Twenge, a psychologist who's conducted extensive academic research on screen time but was not involved in this study, found the results compelling.
"Some argue that students are using their phones during the school day mostly for educational purposes," said Twenge, author of 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World: How Parents Can Stop Smartphones, Social Media, and Gaming from Taking Over Their Children's Lives. "This study provides strong evidence that's not the case: Adolescents are instead using their phones for entertainment and social media."
In The Pitt, change is constant.
The Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center's nonstop stream of patients leaves its staff in eternal flux. Anything can roll through the doors and alter the course of an shift. Conditions can jump from stable to life-threatening faster than you can say "yinz." Because of this, Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch (Noah Wyle, fresh off an Emmy win) and his team have to be ready to switch up their care plans at a moment's notice.
SEE ALSO: 2026 TV preview: All the TV shows you need to know, and where to stream themThat sense of oscillation is a huge reason why The Pitt’s ER-meets-24 formula is so intoxicating. Thankfully, the HBO series only doubles down on it in Season 2, forcing its characters to confront change not just where their patients are concerned, but also in the Emergency Department itself. New faces, new rules...all these additions risk destabilizing the Pitt’s already shaky equilibrium, creating another captivating high-wire act of TV.
There’s a new sheriff in town in The Pitt Season 2 Sepideh Moafi in "The Pitt." Credit: Warrick Page / HBO MaxA new season of The Pitt means a new shift. This time around, it’s the Fourth of July, meaning several months have passed since Season 1’s PittFest tragedy.
Since then, the unthinkable has happened: Dr. Robby has decided to take a vacation. A three-month sabbatical, no less! His plan to take a motorcycle trip has his coworkers worried — especially since he’s not wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle in the season’s opening scene — but Robby is just focused on getting through one last shift before he departs.
SEE ALSO: 'The Pitt' Season 2's first scene is out, and I'm already concerned for Dr. RobbyHis last day overlaps with the first of his replacement attending, Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi (Sepideh Moafi). Right off the bat, their dynamic crackles with barely-disguised annoyance. Robby bristles at Al-Hashimi's arrival, and instantly decides she's stepping on his toes. Al-Hashimi, meanwhile, takes offense at Robby’s prickly attitude — towards her, towards her relationship with the student doctors, and especially towards the changes she wants to implement in the ED.
The Pitt’s new characters may aggravate you at first — but that’s the point Gerran Howell, Amielynn Abellera, Noah Wyle, Sepideh Moafi, and Supriya Ganesh in "The Pitt." Credit: Warrick Page / HBO MaxAnd what changes Al-Hashimi has in store! On top of wanting to do away with the ED's nickname of "the Pitt" — the horror! — she's also hellbent on bolstering departmental efficiency. Tactics include the implementation of "patient passports" and the use of AI apps in patient charting. Everything she says sets a vein popping on Robby's forehead. How dare she try to shake up the system the ED's staff has used for years?
Given that audiences are more familiar with Robby, chances are they'll side with him at first. His own disgruntled reaction feels like a meta parallel to TV audiences' irritations at new characters shaking up the casts of their comfort shows. Like Robby, these audiences wonder, why disrupt a well-oiled machine with a new part?
Of course, it's these disruptions that make things interesting from season to season, and Al-Hashimi is an immediately interesting addition to The Pitt. Moafi's calm, pointed delivery makes Al-Hashimi a clear counterpoint to the controlled chaos of the ED, positioning her as an outside authority figure. Seeing which staff members embrace her versus which stand by Robby weaves an engrossing, yet subtle, web of tension throughout the season.
Featured Video For You Gaten Matarazzo on 'Stranger Things' 'SNL' shoutout, Dustin and Steve's big fight, and why AI is 'lame'But Al-Hashimi is more than just a thorn in Robby's side on his last day. Over the course of the first nine episodes sent to critics, The Pitt also shines a spotlight on her point of view, especially when it comes to her well-intentioned, if flawed, proposals. That much-needed depth turns Al-Hashimi from antagonistic force to a new cog in The Pitt’s medical machine.
The same is almost true of The Pitt's new student doctors, Joy Kwon (Irene Choi) and James Ogilvie (Lucas Iverson). At first, the former seems almost apathetic towards her work, while the latter is a textbook jerk genius with little social awareness. As the shift's hours tick by, The Pitt does its best to bring Kwon out of her shell and humble Ogilvie, but for the most part, they feel more like mentee accessories to Dr. Dennis Whitaker (Gerran Howell). That could change in the season's final episodes, though. After all, The Pitt's first season proved adept at altering our perceptions of its cast over the course of a day. Dr. Trinity Santos (Isa Briones) first struck me as a one-dimensional portrait of overconfident condescension, but I soon came to admire her quick wits and conviction in calling out Dr. Frank Langdon's (Patrick Ball) medication theft. Perhaps Kwon and Ogilvie are on a similar, Santos-esque path.
The Pitt remains timelier than ever Sepideh Moafi, Taylor Dearden, Katherine LaNasa, Gerran Howell, and Supriya Ganesh in "The Pitt." Credit: Warrick Page / HBO MaxIn addition to all of its new characters — plus developments like Robby’s sabbatical or Langdon’s return — The Pitt continues its track record of providing unflinching looks at the modern medical landscape. You can still expect hyperrealistic medical procedures, with the Fourth of July setting adding extra specificity to the season's injuries. Grills? Firecrackers? Festive pub crawls? All end with new patients getting wheeled into the ED.
Plus, just as Season 1 tackled tough issues like abortion and gun violence, Season 2 treads new ground with its discussions of current hot-button issues. At the forefront, the incorporation of artificial intelligence into the ED, which turns The Pitt into a microcosm of the wider debate behind AI technology. Is it a useful tool? Or do its frequent errors outweighs the benefits? Will it streamline humans' work days, or reduce healthcare jobs for humans? These are the questions The Pitt ponders — and loudly — throughout the season.
Elsewhere, in a more quiet fashion, The Pitt examines the impacts of the Trump administration on healthcare. Donald Trump's name is never stated outright, but mentions of the White House cutting funding to research — such as a study about racial disparities in healthcare that Dr. Samira Mohan (Supriya Ganesh) was involved in — make it crystal clear who The Pitt is calling out.
The standout, though, when it comes to Season 2’s look into key social issues, is its portrayal of the procedure of gathering evidence for a sexual assault forensic exam, including a rape kit. Over the course of several episodes, charge nurse Dana Evans (Katherine LaNasa) walks sexual assault victim Ilana (Tina Ivlev) through the process, giving her support, resources, and space when the situation becomes too much. The examination room becomes a quiet bubble in the midst of the ED's pandemonium, one where The Pitt is able to offer the deliberate care such a storyline (and a survivor) deserves. LaNasa, fresh off an Emmy win, remains extraordinary here. Dana sheds the tough demeanor she exhibits around the ED and its more unruly patients, instead becoming the quiet, supportive figure Ilana needs.
This storyline, among the many other highlights from Season 2, remains proof of The Pitt’s staying power. As Dr. Robby and his staff weather change after change, the show itself remains empathetic, educational, and totally unforgettable.
The Pitt Season 2 premieres Jan. 8 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO Max.
If you have experienced sexual abuse, call the free, confidential National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or access the 24-7 help online by visiting online.rainn.org.
Anker Soundcore is upgrading its earbuds lineup for the new year with the launch of the Soundcore Sleep A30 Special sleep earbuds and the AeroFit 2 Pro open earbuds at CES 2026 on Monday.
Notably, the new AeroFit 2 Pro earbuds offer both an open design and active noise cancellation, a combination we've never seen before.
Now that CES 2026 has kicked off, brands like Anker are unveiling a ton of new products, so head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news.
Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro launchFor CES, Anker announced the launch of the Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro earbuds, which are designed to give users the choice between open earbuds and active noise-cancellation within one product — a choice not usually found with traditional open earbud designs.
SEE ALSO: The 5 best noise-cancelling earbuds include the most comfortable buds we've ever testedThis is the first dual-form design from the brand, and a unique design in the market at large. Typically, investing in open earbuds means foregoing any form of ANC, as open earbuds are designed to sit outside the ear canal. However, the AeroFit 2 Pro earbuds have an adjustable ear hook — worn one way, the earbuds sit outside the ear for an open listening experience. Adjust the hook, and the earbuds then go into the ear canal like traditional noise-cancelling buds.
The earbud itself has five adjustment levels on the ear hook, with the intent that even within the open and noise-cancelling wear positions, users can find their most comfortable fit. Each earbud houses two sensors, which detect the type of wear and adjust the equalizer to provide the best sound possible.
The AeroFit 2 Pro will be available in four colorways, but only one upon launch. Credit: SoundcoreIn the open earbud mode, the earbuds will hold seven hours per charge with 34 hours in the case, while the ANC wear mode holds five hours per charge and 24 hours with the case.
The original AeroFit 2 earbuds are one of Mashable's top picks for open earbuds overall, thanks to their comfortable fit, sound quality, impressive translation features, and price point.
Like the original AeroFit 2, the Pro earbuds will have an IP55 water- and dust-proof rating. They'll eventually be available in four colorways: matte black, gloss white, gloss blue, and matte purple. The matte black will be available starting on January 6, for $179.99.
Soundcore Sleep A30 Special earbuds launchThe Soundcore Sleep A30 Special is the less innovative but more surprising upgrade. Soundcore just released the Sleep A30 earbuds this past August as the first sleep earbuds with true active noise cancellation — a feature not previously found on sleep earbuds (even on premium options costing hundreds of dollars).
After testing them out, Mashable named the new Sleep A30 buds the gold standard for premium sleep earbuds. They did have a shortcoming, however, in their nine-hour battery life (which drops down to six and a half hours with Bluetooth streaming on). For reference, the previous gen Sleep A20 buds had 14 hours of battery life per charge.
The side-sleeper friendly earbuds from Soundcore now come with better battery life and a lower price point. Credit: SoundcoreWith the Sleep A30 Special earbuds, Soundcore is adding an additional hour of battery life for late sleepers. And rather than charging extra for this update, Soundcore is instead lowering the price on the new earbuds to $199.99 (down from the Sleep A30's $229.99). The Special buds will also feature a new integration with the Calm app, which will also be available with the regular Sleep A30 buds.
The Sleep A30 Special earbuds will be available starting Jan. 6 in lavender and cream colorways.
Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.
Govee is known for stretching our perception of lamps and lighting. And the brand's CES 2026 showcase, with a vision of "lighting the future," is here to wow us once more.
With three new flagship products unveiled at CES 2026, as well as advancements across the brand's core technologies — LuminBlend+ color system, AI Lighting Bot 2.0, and the new DaySync adaptive lighting system — plus a new partnership with Samsung SmartThings, Govee is carrying us into a new era of immersive lighting. The enhanced LuminBlend+ color management system features a new 16-bit precision chip for smoother, more precise color transitions, and an industry-leading 1000K–10000K color-temperature range. The upgraded AI Lighting Bot 2.0 is more emotionally responsive and intuitive than ever, enabling real-time reactions to mood and context and learning behaviors over time. And finally, the brand's redesigned DaySync adaptive lighting system (rolling out in April 2026) simplifies matching indoor lighting to the time of day, automatically adjusting brightness, color, and temperature for a natural home lighting rhythm.
With its new partnership with Samsung SmartThings, Govee lighting products can be managed alongside other smart home devices in one place. It incorporates the brand seamlessly into your smart home ecosystem for even more effortless automation.
Govee CES 2026 product announcementsGovee Floor Lamp 3 Govee's flagship Floor Lamp is more powerful and precise than ever. Credit: GoveeThe first of the three flagship products announced is the Govee Floor Lamp 3, what the brand calls its "most advanced floor lamp yet." It's supported by LuminBlend+ for ultra-precise color and a massive color-temperature range, as well as the upgraded AI Lighting Bot 2.0 and new DaySync system. These technologies come together to deliver a personalized, adaptive, and time-aware ambient experience. It still features the same sculptural design of the previous generations of floor lamps, which slips seamlessly into any corner of any room.
Govee Ceiling Light Ultra Personalize your living space with overhead lighting effects. Credit: GoveeEquipped with an industry-leading 616-pixel LED matrix and AI Lighting Bot 2.0, the Ceiling Light Ultra allows for DIY overhead lighting effects, patterns, and animations. From everyday comfort to visual clarity to creative expression, the enhanced DIY tools let you illuminate your space in any way you desire while maintaining "a natural, true-to-life appearance across objects and skin tones."
Govee Sky Ceiling Light Simulate daylight inside your home with the Govee Sky Ceiling Light. Credit: GoveeFinally, the Sky Ceiling Light is built to simulate daylight through custom-engineered LED and architectural gradient illumination. It's ideal for enclosed, dim, or windowless spaces that need a boost of atmosphere. The refined white-light performance recreates the soft, comfortable tones of skylight transitions with an edge-lighting halo effect.
CES attendees can experience the latest Govee products in person at CES 2026 from Jan. 6 to 9. While there's no official release date yet, you can head over to the Govee CES 2026 webpage for updates.
Motorola's next big mobile device might have serious specs to offer.
Prominent leaker Evan Blass (via TechRadar) posted what looks like official marketing materials for something called the Motorola Razr Fold. As far as anyone knows, this is a new book-style foldable from Motorola, which has previously only released clamshell-style Razr devices. Previous reporting indicated Motorola would announce the device at or around CES 2026, which is happening right now, so the announcement could come at any moment.
SEE ALSO: Apple AirTag rivals from Motorola, Xiaomi expected soonAnyway, the most juicy part of the news here is what the marketing slide Blass shared says. It confirms that the phone is Motorola's first in this form factor, while claiming it will have “brilliant displays, intelligent AI, and an advanced, boundary-breaking camera system."
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.No hard specs were given, but if any of that is actually true, this could be an interesting new point of competition for Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold lineup. Those are currently the best book-style foldables on the market, but there's always room for improvement, especially in the camera department. If Motorola can offer a real upgrade in that regard, the company could be onto something.
At any rate, we'll probably find out more this week. Stay tuned.
Stranger Things may be finished, but we're still not quite done with the residents of Hawkins.
Netflix just dropped a trailer for One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, a documentary focussing on the making of the final season featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage with the cast and crew.
Brace yourself for some serious emotion.
One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 is streaming on Netflix from Jan. 12.
SAVE 18%: As of Jan. 5, you can get Amazon's 2024 Kindle (16GB RAM) in Matcha or Black for just $89.99, down from $109.99, at Amazon. That's an 18% discount or $20 in savings.
2024 Kindle (16GB RAM) $89.99 at AmazonIf you’re starting the year with a resolution to finally read those thousands of books you’ve been "collecting" digitally, Amazon is making it a little cheaper to get started.
SEE ALSO: The 7 best e-readers to buy: Testing Kindles, Kobos, iPads, and moreAs of today, the Amazon Kindle (2024 model) is on sale for $89.99, down from $109.99. This matches the post-Christmas price we’ve seen recently, and while it's about $10 shy of its absolute Black Friday record low of $79.99, it's still the best price you'll find for a brand-new unit right now.
This newest model, which comes in a very "main character" Matcha green, is the lightest and most compact e-reader Amazon makes. It finally caught up to the pricier models with a six-inch, 300 ppi glare-free display, faster page turns, and a front light that's 25% brighter (than previous versions) at its max setting.
You can get up to six weeks of reading on a single charge, which is plenty of time to get through a few New Year's resolutions. It also offers 16GB of storage, so you can carry thousands of books in a device that fits in your back pocket.
The holidays are a time of caring, giving, and huge amounts of stress. Pluto TV gets it. So they created their Holidays Are Brutal collection, a list of action-packed movies to help you work out some of that tension, including Charlie’s Angels, Rush Hour, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Gladiator, Blade 1-3, The Mummy, and The Mummy Returns. But that's not all.
To celebrate the holidays with some chaotic fun, Pluto TV offered fans a free and festive rage-room experience. Visitors were welcomed to pick up a bat, a crowbar, or a hammer and have at Christmas tree ornaments, pretty plates and glasses adorned with reindeer and Santa Claus imagery, and some movie-themed props like a potted Love Fern (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days) and at a set of drums (Stepbrothers).
Mashable didn't just announce these rage-room festivities. We joined in, going wild like a Grinch come Christmas. And it was an absolute blast.
Enjoy the video, where Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko goes Harley Quinn, slinging a bat at all manner of yuletide trimmings, while Executive Producer Mark Stetson captures the mayhem — sometimes in slo-mo!
And here's wishing you a smashing good holiday season.
The Holidays are Brutal collection is now streaming on Pluto TV for free.
SAVE $120: The NordicTrack T Series 5 treadmill is on sale for $479 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $599. That's a 20% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: NordicTrack NordicTrack T Series 5 treadmill $479 at AmazonMost of us are back to reality today. After time off of work for the holidays, we're experiencing a return to normal life today. If you pondered the thought of fitness goals for a 2026 resolution but haven't made any solid commitments because of holiday relaxing, this deal could be your best option.
As of Jan. 5, the NordicTrack T Series 5 treadmill is on sale for $479 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $599. That's a 20% discount that shaves a solid $120 off the normal price.
If you're not one to head to the gym, getting a treadmill for your home or apartment could be a great option. This also applies if you live in an area with weather that's not ideal for an outdoor walk in the winter. For decades, NordicTrack has been a leader in the treadmill industry and the T Series 5 is an ideal model.
In a world where things are becoming more and more complicated, the NordicTrack T Series 5 keeps it simple while offering everything we'd want in a treadmill. You'll get a stable device shelf for your phone or tablet, a cup holder for water or electrolytes, and full control of speed and incline.
SEE ALSO: Best fitness tech of 2025Simple controls take care of the speed and include on this treadmill, and you'll also have access to setting speed and include shortcuts, making it simple to get on and decide on your workout. There's also a 5-inch LED display that'll give you all the stats.
You can synch up your fitness tracker to the NordicTrack to track stats like heart rate, distance, and calories burned. If you're concerned about space and the treadmill's footprint, you might be pleasantly surprised. The treadmill measures 30.5 inches wide, about 69 inches long, and approximately 49 inches in height. NordicTrack says this model comes is suitable for folks who weigh up to 300 pounds.
If you're hoping to increase daily step count in 2026, the NordicTrack T Series 5 gives you the opportunity to get those in at home. Tune into a show on your phone, set it on the device shelf, and get some miles in. Snagging today's deal means you can save $120 on the NordicTrack T Series 5 treadmill.
TCL's TV announcement at CES 2026 doesn't follow the RGB trend that was expected from the big TV brands. Still, the new flagship TCL X11L SQD-Mini LED TV could wind up being one of the brightest and most impressive TVs of the year.
This version of mini-LED isn't the same mini-LED setup that we've been seeing from the best TVs in recent years. First announced in China in Sept. 2025, TCL's SQD technology stands for Super Quantum Dot. Gizmochina explains that SQD utilizes a single-chip pure white light source instead of the true red, green, and blue light sources seen in the Micro RGB TVs debuted by Samsung and LG this CES season.
Credit: TCL SEE ALSO: What to look for when buying a TV, as told through this easy TV specs guideBut the goal is the same: to produce ultra-high peak brightness, typically only possible with QLED and mini-LED panels, and pristine black levels and contrast, typically only possible with OLED panels — simultaneously.
Mashable got the chance to preview the new flagship TCL TV ahead of CES 2026, and it's intensely bright. On top of that, a TCL representative told Mashable they believe this TV will be able to compete head-to-head with the new flagship Micro RGB TVs recently announced by Samsung and LG. The TCL X11L also features a unique speaker strip along the bottom bevel, with Bang & Olufsen audio.
The TCL X11L SQD-Mini LED TV: The specsThe X11L achieves what TCL calls "100 percent BT2020 color" through 20,000 discrete dimming zones (three times more than the premium TCL QM9K). Past the 10,000 peak nits of brightness, that should provide a ton of opportunity for precise tweaks to lighting during dark scenes that are often a problem area for non-OLED TVs.
The X11L SQD-Mini LED TV is TCL's new flagship TV. Credit: TCL The Bang & Olufsen speaker system. Credit: TCLThe X11L is also armed with TCL's enhanced Halo Control System and an anti-reflective layer to mitigate blooming in dark rooms and glare in bright rooms. That boosted glare reduction, in tandem with the "ZeroBorder" bezels and 0.8-inch cabinet, aligns the X11L quite closely with the design of an art TV.
Enhanced Halo Control System with Minimized Micro OD, Shadowless Uniform Light Supports, Shadow Detail Optimization & New 26-bit Backlight Controller
Up to 20,000 Discrete Dimming Zones
Up to 10,000 Peak Nits Brightness (HDR rendering maximum)
New TSR AI Processor
Dolby Vision 2.0 Max (OTA)
Audio by Bang & Olufsen
Expandable Home Theater Audio System with Optional Wireless Subwoofer & Dolby FlexConnect 4.1.4 Capability
Backlit Voice Remote & Hands-Free Voice Control
Gemini for Google TV
Sleep Sounds Mode
HDMI 2.1 Ports
Elegant Cabinet with SuperThin Depth — just 0.8 inches
CSOT WHVA 2.0 Ultra Panel with Wide Color Viewing Angle, Unique ZeroBorder, & Anti-Reflection Layer
TCL Deep Color System with Super Quantum Dots, CSOT UltraColor Filter, & Advanced Color Purity Algorithm
Three sizes are available to pre-order now, though it's not clear whether smaller models will be available down the line:
75-inch TCL X11L: $6,999.99
75-inch TCL X11L: $7,999.99
98-inch TCL X11L: $9,999.99
Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.
After almost a decade, Stranger Things has come to an end — and even though some fans aren't happy with how things left off, the finale still has plenty of people talking.
SEE ALSO: 'Stranger Things' fans are furious about the finale. Here's why.One topic that's dominated social media is the ultimate fate of Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). Towards the end of the finale the series protagonist appears to sacrifice herself by staying in the Upside-Down while the dimensional bridge to the Abyss is blown to smithereens, eliminating any possibility of the military breeding more children with her telepathic powers and continuing their cruel experiments.
Featured Video For You Gaten Matarazzo on 'Stranger Things' 'SNL' shoutout, Dustin and Steve's big fight, and why AI is 'lame'But then, during a final D&D campaign in the very last scene, Mike (Finn Wolfhard) puts forward an alternative theory. What if the image they all saw of El standing in the doorway to the Upside-Down was really just a projection made by Eight/Kali (Linnea Berthelsen)? Could it be that the real El actually made a pact with her fellow Hawkins Lab survivor, managed to slip back into the real world while everyone was distracted, and is now living out her days in another part of the world under a new identity as Mike's story suggests?
The Duffer Brothers' show refuses to confirm what really happens — but some fans are speculating that the clues point to El being alive.
What's the clue on the bookshelf?One of these clues is on the bookshelf in the Wheeler's basement at the very end of the episode, where the main gang go and return their D&D campaign binders once and for all. In the episode itself it's hard to read the titles of the books surrounding the binders — but in one of the behind-the-scenes images posted on Instagram by Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp, we can get a clearer look (swipe through to the final image).
View this post on InstagramAs fans have already pointed out on Reddit, one of the books is The Empty Copper Sea by John D. MacDonald — a 1978 novel about a detective investigating a possible faked death.
It seems highly unlikely this choice by the Stranger Things production team is a coincidence, so could it be another hint that Mike's theory about El is correct? Maybe. Although if you were being cynical, you could also argue that a grieving Mike may just have spent the past 18 months reading stories about fake deaths while he was working on his own theory about El.
Ultimately, the fate of Eleven is hidden in the minds of the Duffer Brothers, and they're not giving anything away. Still, we're choosing to believe.
Stranger Things' final season is available to stream now on Netflix.
BELOW MARKET VALUE: The Pokémon TCG's Destined Rivals Three Booster Blister is currently $33.03 on Amazon, which is down to market value when compared to TCGplayer listings starting at $37.98.
Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokemon Company Destined Rivals Three Booster Blister $33.03 at AmazonIf you’re as ancient as I am, you’ll remember the magic of the first Pokémania wave hitting the West in the late ’90s. Destined Rivals brings back the nostalgic feel of Pokémon Gold and Silver on the Game Boy Color, alongside the epic Wizards of the Coast era of the Pokémon TCG, specifically Gym Heroes.
Serving as the sixth set in the Pokémon TCG, Gym Heroes introduced Trainer’s Pokémon and breathed new life into the game. Now imagine mixing that with the darker artwork of the fifth Pokémon TCG set, Team Rocket, and reworking it into a modern-era release. Enter Destined Rivals.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!Instead of Dark Pokémon this time around, we’re getting Team Rocket Trainer Pokémon (that Team Rocket’s Mewtwo SIR though), alongside appearances from Gold and Silver protagonist Ethan and Diamond and Pearl’s Pokémon League Champion, Cynthia.
Although it’s not the most valuable card in the set, Ethan’s Typhlosion – 190/182 Illustration Rare is a massive highlight for me. Artist GIDORA perfectly captured what was going on in my imagination while playing Pokémon Gold and Silver. It’s such a great feeling when you connect with a piece of art like this, and it’s a central part of my personal collection.
The best chase cards you can pull from Destined Rivals Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon CompanyRipping booster packs is awesome, but if you’re chasing the higher-end cards, it’s going to cost you. You might get lucky and pull an SIR from a three-pack blister like this one, but the odds are incredibly low. Once I’m done opening a booster box for a set, if I haven’t pulled the card I’m after, I’ll take a look on TCGplayer and see what it’s going for. More often than not, the card you want will be cheaper than buying a couple of booster boxes or a boatload of booster bundles.
Here are the top five Destined Rivals chase cards, including where to buy them and up-to-date market value information so you can make an informed buying decision:
Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex - 231/182
Near Mint Holofoil: $401.31
Market price: $413.26
Most recent sale: $321.75
Cynthia's Garchomp ex - 232/182
Near Mint Holofoil: $188
Market price: $193.28
Most recent sale: $192
Ethan's Ho-Oh ex - 230/182
Near Mint Holofoil: $136
Market price: $144.22
Most recent sale: $140.76
Team Rocket's Moltres ex - 229/182
Near Mint Holofoil: $109.32
Market price: $116.81
Most recent sale: $114.31
Team Rocket's Crobat ex - 234/182
Near Mint Holofoil: $62.99
Market price: $66.78
Most recent sale: $62.99
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunite as Miami cops for Netflix crime thriller The Rip, joined by a stellar cast including Steven Yeun and Teyana Taylor.
Written and directed by The Grey's Joe Carnahan, the film sees the longtime Good Will Hunting pals as part of a drug busting unit who make one hell of a discovery during a raid: a casual $20 million cash stash. Thing is, some of them kind of knew about the treasure thanks to a cheeky tip, which means someone knows they knew. And now someone's made a direct call to the police threatening the lives of everyone in the stash house. Now, it's a wild trust exercise between getting out of there alive (and rich) or not.
The Rip cast also includes Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Scott Adkins, and Kyle Chandler, so expect this one to be one of Netflix's early 2026 buzz-prompters.
The open earbuds market is about to be a lot more crowded.
It wouldn't be CES without an audio announcement from premium headphones and speakers brand JBL — and this year's show is no exception. Announced at CES 2026 on Monday, JBL is diving deep into the open-ear headphones market with five new pairs of earbuds across three different lines.
Open earbuds are one of the most popular earbuds trends from the past few years. They use air conduction to transmit sound to your ears and don't sit directly in your ear canal, allowing you to stay in tune with your environment. The market isn't nearly as saturated as noise-cancelling earbuds, making it a particularly good time for JBL to really throw its hat in the ring. The brand currently has just one pair of open earbuds available for purchase, so this announcement broadens the options for fans of JBL's audio technology.
SEE ALSO: Open earbuds guide: What they are, who should buy them, and why they're popping up everywhereFirst up are two open-ear sports headphones in JBL's iconic Endurance line, dubbed the Endurance Zone and the Endurance Pace. These models are designed specifically for sports, giving users ways to train in comfort with uncompromising performance while staying aware. Next, the brand is introducing an OpenSound lineup featuring the JBL Sense Pro and JBL Sense Lite, two ear hook-style open earbuds with premium sound and comfort. And finally, the existing Soundgear lineup (which currently only features the Soundgear Sense earbuds) will double with the addition of the Soundgear CLIPS, ear clip-style earbuds that double as a fashion accessory.
JBL Endurance Series The Endurance Zone earbuds come in white or black with gray. Credit: JBL The Endurance Pace earbuds come in just one color: black with gray (pictured). Credit: JBLJBL announced four new additions to its sporty Endurance Series at CES on Monday, including two distinct pairs of open-ear earbuds.
"The Endurance line has always been about performance without limits," said Carsten Olesen, President, Consumer Audio at HARMAN. "With this next generation, including JBL’s first open-ear sports headphone, we set out to give active listeners the freedom to train, move, and recover with greater awareness and comfort."
Endurance ZoneThe Endurance Zone earbuds utilize JBL OpenSound technology and a secure ear hook design (similar to the brand's popular Peak earbuds) with adaptable memory wire for a secure, flexible fit. They're built to power through any weather or workout, with IP68 certification, a rugged design, and 32 hours of battery life. Using the JBL Headphones app, you can even customize the touch controls to suit your needs. The Zones come in white or black with gray and will be available this month on JBL.com for $179.95.
Endurance Zone specs:
Ear hook design
Dual beamforming mics on each bud for four total mics
Bluetooth 5.3
IP68 Certified
Multipoint Connection + Fast Pair enabled by Google
Battery life up to 32 hours of playtime (eight hours in the earbuds and another 24 hours in the case)
Speed charge provides three hours in 10 minutes
Google Finder and Google Audio Switch
Lanyard hole on the case for convenient carry
Personalization via the JBL Headphones app
The Pace open earbuds feature an even more secure fit for vigorous workouts, thanks to a titanium memory wire neckband that can bend and flex without ever losing its shape. Like the Zone earbuds, they're also IP68-rated for waterproof and sweatproof protection. The OpenSound technology ensures your music hits hard with directional audio and powerful bass, while still keeping you in touch with your surroundings. The battery life is pretty solid at 10 hours, but a 10-minute Speed Charge gives you an extra four hours should you need it. The Endurance Pace open earbuds come in just one color (black) and will be available on JBL.com this month for $89.95.
Endurance Pace specs:
JBL OpenSound technology
Neckband design
Two mics with beamforming algorithm for crystal clear calls
Bluetooth 5.4
IP68 Certified
Multipoint Connection + Fast Pair enabled by Google
Battery life up to 10 hours for music and eight hours for calls
Speed charge provides four hours in 10 minutes
Google Finder and Google Audio Switch
Personalization via the JBL Headphones app
The new OpenSound Series is JBL's audio-first open earbuds line, featuring the Sense Pro and Sense Lite. Both pairs focus on maintaining high-quality audio that doesn't obstruct the ear canal.
"We’ve harnessed our deep audio expertise to deliver a full, bass-rich sound through air conduction, something previously unheard of in open-ear designs," Olesen said of the new Sense Pro and Sense Lite earbuds.
Sense ProThe top-of-the-line open-ear headphones in JBL's lineup, the Sense Pros are built for audiophiles who still want to remain in tune with the outside world. They utilize advanced air conduction technology and an Adaptive Bass Boost Algorithm for premium sound quality through 16.2mm drivers. They're also built for busy lifestyles and incorporate four microphones as well as JBL Voice Pickup Sensor technology for clear calls in noisy places. Other perks include spatial sound, wireless charging, and up to 38 hours of battery life. The JBL Sense Pro will be available in black or white for $199.95 in March 2026.
Sense Pro specs:
JBL Open Sound Technology and Spatial Sound
Hi-Res Audio Wireless with Adaptive Bass Boost
Four mics for crisp, clear calls
JBL Voice Pickup Sensor Technology
Adjustable ear hook for all-day comfort
Bluetooth 6.0
Dual Connect + Fast Pair enabled by Google
Up to 38 hours of playtime (Earbuds: eight hours; Case: 30 hours) with Speed Charge (10 minutes equals four hours)
Wireless charging
Personi-Fi 3.0
Touch control with customization via the JBL app
Essentially a pared-down version of the Sense Pros, the Sense Lites offer simplified aesthetics and features. You'll still get Adaptive Bass Boost for powerful sound in a sleek, comfortable design that won't obstruct your ear canals, as well as four mics for crisp calls and customizable touch controls. The battery life is about the same, but the case holds just slightly less of a charge at 24 hours versus 30. With the pared-down features, you'll also pay $50 less. The JBL Sense Lite will be available in black, white, or purple for $149.95 in March 2026.
Sense Lite specs:
JBL Open Sound Technology
Four mics for crisp, clear calls
IP54 water and dust resistant
Adjustable ear hook featuring a lightweight silicone design with memory wire
Bluetooth 5.4
Dual Connect + Fast Pair enabled by Google
Up to 32 hours of playtime (Earbuds: eight hours; Case: 24 hours) with Speed Charge (10 minutes equals three hours)
Touch control with customization via the JBL app
Last, but not least — my personal favorite in the new lineup — are the Soundgear CLIPS, which join the existing Sense earbuds in the Soundgear series. The most fashion-forward of the bunch, the CLIPS feature a lightweight design that clips to your ear like an earring cuff (similar to the Shokz OpenDots One). Plus, they come in four translucent colors. Their SonicArc shape positions the speaker for enhanced bass performance with less sound leakage, meaning your calls and tunes will remain private. Paired with the Adaptive Bass Boost algorithm and four AI-enhanced mics, you'll forget the Soundgear CLIPS aren't actually in your ear canals. JBL Soundgear CLIPS will be available in metallic copper, blue, purple, and white colorways for $149.95 in March 2026.
Soundgear CLIPS specs:
Air conduction powered by JBL OpenSound with enhanced bass and listening privacy
Bass Boost algorithm for enhanced dynamic sound
Soft TPU with flexible arc shape that clips onto the ear
Four mics with AI algorithm for crisp, clear calls
Up to 32 hours of playtime (Earbuds: eight hours; Case: 24 hours) with Speed Charge (10 minutes equals three hours)
IP54 water and dust resistant
Touch control with customization via JBL app
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