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For the last month, I’ve had the not-so-arduous task of comparing the shiny new Sony WH-1000XM6 against their biggest rivals. Yep, I’ve tried wireless headphones from everyone, including all the big hitters like Apple, Bose Sonos…you name it! But as the headline has already spilled, there’s only one pair of headphones I’d recommend to all – and that’s Sony’s latest flagship cans.In my Sony WH-1000XM6 review I made it clear – these are an exceptional pair of headphones that serve up a delicious cocktail of spectacular sound quality, a delightful design and, most importantly, class-leading noise cancellation. And so, it will be of little surprise that the XM6 swiftly pushed their way into our list of the best headphones.Still, some of the competition is incredibly fierce. Models such as the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 earned a glowing five-star review from us – and believe me, they’re the real deal. But I can’t help but feel that the Sony WH-1000XM6 are the better pick for most people. Why? I’ll break it down into three key reasons.1. Shutting off the outside worldIf we’re talking ANC, there’s simply no one out there that can top Sony right now. That's right, the WH-1000XM6 offer the best noise cancelling I’ve ever tested on a pair of over-ear headphones. Yes, even better than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. And substantially superior to Sony’s previous effort, the Sony WH-1000XM5.That’s because Sony’s latest cans harness the power of a new and improved QN3 HD noise cancelling processor, which fine tunes 12 microphones in real time to shut off the outside world. Oh, there’s also AI onboard, which does a bit of extra legwork to keep pesky external sounds from creeping in.Whether I was walking near a traffic-heavy road, working in a chatter-filled room or vacuuming my apartment, the XM6 induced silence – or at least, near-silence. So, whether you’re looking to make those morning commutes a bit more bearable or perhaps just feeling a little anti-social, you can trust the XM6 to keep you locked into your favorite tracks and movies.Oh, one more thing about that phenomenal mic system. It also helps to offer crystal-clear calling, with six beamforming mics helping to bring the focus to your mouth. Again, AI is at hand to carve out clamors from your surroundings, and this works incredibly well.I attended a demo at Sony’s 5020 Studio in Madrid, where someone walked into an artificially noisy environment, but after placing the XM6 on and making a call, the only thing I could hear was their voice. You really are getting next-level clarity with these headphones – and yes, they’re considerably better in this area than previous models like the Sony WH-1000XM4.The Sony WH-1000XM6 beside their ancestor, the WH-1000XM4 (Image credit: Future)2. Fluid, fool-proof controlsSo, Sony’s come on significantly in the realms of ANC and call quality. But something else that’s been refined is the touch controls. On the XM6, swiping forwards and back to skip or return to a track, flicking and holding to adjust volume, and double tapping to pause or play music feels so incredibly smooth.In fact, the XM6 supply the most intuitive, fluid touch controls I’ve ever seen on a pair of headphones. You can even cover the right earcup to enable passthrough mode – how cool is that?!And after testing some rival models, I came to appreciate those touch controls even more. I absolutely adore the open, expansive, yet coherent sound of the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 – I think for the money, they arguably offer the best sound quality on the market right now. Yep, maybe even a bit better than the XM6 which, by the way, sound absolutely fantastic! But unfortunately for the Px7 S3, they’re limited to basic button controls which felt like such a downgrade to me after extensively using the XM6. This alone kept me going back to the Sony contender.For reference, if you want to skip tracks on the Bowers headphones, you’ve got to double press the play button – and it’s three presses to go back. That, to me, feels a little rigid…and behind the times. Similarly, the Apple AirPods Max, which offer enticingly expansive audio, a beautiful design and excellent usability for iPhone users, are held back by physical controls (among other things).I appreciate that some may find touch controls a little irritating. Perhaps you’ll accidentally skip a track when taking the headphones off. Maybe you’ll pause your music when adjusting your luscious locks. But the XM6 handle touch beautifully. I’m yet to experience any accidental playback alterations or the like. Touch controls – when done right like this – are so much more than a nice-to-have now.(Image credit: Future)3. All the features you could ever want…and then someI could cap this off by talking about the beautifully balanced, dynamic sound of the XM6. I could even talk about their slim, comfortable design which brings foldability back to the fore. But instead, I want to talk about the insanely broad, yet detailed feature-list you get on these Sony headphones.Yes, of course you get that phenomenal ANC and calling. But with the Sound Connect app, you unlock so much more. There’s scene-based listening and adaptive audio, which adjusts depending on your environment. There’s LDAC and DSEE for accessing higher-resolution audio over Bluetooth. And now, there’s a 10-band EQ tab, which comes with a Find Your Equalizer listening test too.But I’m only scratching the surface! There’s even more, from Auracast through to a Cinema listening mode that really help to set the XM6 apart from their rivals. They truly have everything you could want from a pair of the best noise cancelling headphones and more.Combine that with the above reasons and you’re looking at a pair of true all-rounders. The Sony WH-1000XM6 have every base covered, and nail all the fundamentals like sound quality and noise cancellation. So, if there’s one pair of the best over-ear headphones I recommend to everyone…it has to be these.But wait – this is an open discussion rather than a final decision! Do you agree? If you already have the Sony WH-1000XM6, what are your impressions thus far? I’d be interested to hear from you, so feel free let me know your thoughts in the comments. Most of all, enjoy the music.You might also likeSony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort UltraSony WH-1000XM6 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sony WH-1000XM4

Prime Video's newest most-watched show We Were Liars has received a mixed response from the critics, so it's had audiences talking for better or worse.The new addition to one of the best streaming services is currently the number one most-watched show on Prime Video. It's closely followed behind by another thriller called The Better Sister, which I also recommend you watch.Despite both TV shows being popular, neither will make the cut for our best Prime Video shows list unfortunately, and that's because of the mixed reviews. However, while We Were Liars currently has a 67% Rotten Tomatoes score from the critics, I still think you should watch it.Its score isn't too low, but it does deserve better, in my opinion, which is why I'm recommending it today. Read on to find out why.Why I recommend We Were Liars on Prime VideoI was immediately hooked by the plot of this series, as it follows a young woman named Cadence who experiences a head injury during her fifteenth summer on her family's private island, leaving her with amnesia.At first, she seems to have it all. She lives a privileged life and an enviable one, but she soon finds herself in the dark as she has to piece together all the memories she's lost, which leads her down a shocking path.It's based on the young adult novel of the same name, which is billed as a psychological horror. While the TV adaptation takes a more thriller route and feels more widely accessible, I think it's a very strong retelling of the novel.If you're in the mood to unravel a mystery and get to the bottom of what happened during "summer fifteen", as it's referred to, you'll likely find yourself glued to the screen. It's only eight episodes, so it's very easy to get lost in the story.I loved the performances here too. I've been a fan of Emily Alyn Lind's work since she starred in the Netflix slasher The Babysitter, and she's very good at bringing complex characters to life. Cadence is going through a lot, and Lind's performance as her is very layered and compelling.This might not be everyone's cup of tea, admittedly, especially if you're not really into young adult dramas. But I was pleasantly surprised by just how engaging this one is, and I feel it does enough to stand out among other thriller titles.If you need more Prime Video recommendations, why not check out these six most-watched TV shows that you absolutely have to stream.You might also likeApple TV+ had multiple new streaming hits in 2025, but these 4 are actually worth watchingCan't decide between Netflix and Prime Video? Here's which streaming service I'm keeping in June 2025Prime Video added 50 new movies in June including three of my all-time favorites

M3GAN was an unexpected hit, and for good reason: It was the best killer toy horror film since Child's Play, combining comedy and camp with a meme-worthy android lead. For the sequel, writer/director Gerard Johnstone (working off a story from him and the first film's writer Akela Cooper), have taken a few notes from Terminator 2. This time around, there's an even more evil android on the scene (Amelia, played by Ivanna Sakhno) who wants AI to rule the world. And there's only one somewhat less evil android that can stop her: M3GAN.

If that setup sounds silly and campy to you, well... it is. That's the point. More so than the first film, M3GAN 2.0 leans into the sheer silliness of its premise and is all the more fun for it. It's also not really a horror movie this time, it's a full-on action film with tons of gunplay, hand-to-hand combat and one wingsuit infiltration sequence that would be right at home in a Mission: Impossible film.

Universal Pictures

Speaking of Mission: Impossible, it's hard not to notice that M3GAN 2.0 features practically the same AI takeover plotline that bogged down The Final Reckoning. The difference here is that it's actually somewhat well-informed — M3GAN 2.0 isn't just about "evil AI," it also explores (however briefly) the notion of AI autonomy, technology regulation and ethics. (For God sakes, there's a killer Section 230 joke that only tech-savvy readers would understand.)

M3GAN 2.0 once again centers on Gemma (Allison Williams), the engineer who originally created M3GAN, and her niece Cady (Violet McGraw). Following the events of the first film, Gemma was briefly sent to jail but reemerges as a technology critic. (Isn't it funny how many "tech critics" pop up after making bank from Big Tech?) She then teams up with a tech ethicist (Aristotle Athari) to push governments for stronger technology regulation, especially when it comes to AI.

The existence of Amelia seems to prove her point. In the opening of M3GAN 2.0, we watch as she goes on a covert mission to rescue a military scientist, only to disobey her programming and kill him instead. It turns out Amelia was built on the bones of M3GAN's design, and for some reason she's aiming to kill everyone involved with her creation. That mission inevitably leads back to Gemma and Cady, of course.

Universal Pictures

It's not a spoiler to say that M3GAN didn't really die at the end of the first movie. Turns out, she backed herself up to the cloud and has been watching Gemma and Cady via their smart home devices. After a set piece involving inept FBI agents, M3GAN convinces Gemma that she needs some sort of physical body to stop Amelia. Funnily enough, her first new outfit is the not at all fictional Moxie child companion robot I tested a few years ago. (Embodied, the startup behind Moxie, folded last year, leaving its handful of customers with a dead robot. That may be why Moxie M3GAN is allowed to swear.)

M3GAN gets her wish and, like the Six Million Dollar Man, receives a fully upgraded body, one that's better, faster and stronger. (And also one that's more befitting of Amie Donald, the talented young actress who plays her.) And at that point, the movie turns into a full-on action fest as M3GAN infiltrates a tech lab to save Cady. Thankfully, MEGAN 2.0 understands the assignment: Fight scenes are energetic and well-choreographed, and Johnstone makes sure that everything is easily legible. The multitude of Steven Seagal references also makes it clear he's a fan of schlocky action cinema.

Universal Pictures

Johnstone is also clearly a tech nerd: the film is filled with references to places like Xerox PARC, one of the early R&D labs that developed concepts like the GUI (graphical user interface) and mouse. There’s an Elon Musk analog, played by the great Jemaine Clement, who has an over-inflated ego and an obsession with brain interface devices. And the film pokes fun at anti-tech crusaders, who sometimes push back against any sort of technological advancement as inherently evil.

M3GAN 2.0 balances a smart view of tech alongside sheer summer movie fun. And while it runs close to two hours, it never feels like a slog like the nearly three-hour long The Final Reckoning. Both movies are about the impending doom of an AI apocalypse, but M3GAN 2.0 manages to do it without being too self-serious and far more well-informed. Now that it seems like we’re just a few clicks away from some sort of tech apocalypse, poking fun at it just seems like a better way to cope.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/m3gan-20-review-the-ai-camp-queen-pulls-a-terminator-2-160049818.html?src=rss

SonicWall is warning hackers are distributing malicious VPN softwareNetExtender is being modified and distributed through fake websitesThe malicious software steals credentials and VPN configurationsHackers have been spotted spoofing the SonicWall NetExtender SSL VPN client and distributing it through bogus webpages which mimic the official SonicWall site.SonicWall and Microsoft Threat Intelligence (MSTIC) spotted the trojanized application and issued an advisory to warn users against downloading the fake software.As NetExtender is used as a remote access VPN client, stolen VPN configuration data and VPN credentials can put both employees and businesses at risk of compromise.Spoofed VPN client distributed through fake websiteThe fake VPN client is signed by "CITYLIGHT MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED," giving it a limited level of authenticity which can fool some low level cyber protections.The file was distributed using SEO poisoning and malvertising techniques which can make the fake website appear above the authentic site, especially in sponsored results.(Image credit: SonicWall)Therefore, SonicWall has reminded users to only download software from legitimate sources, in this case, sonicwall.com and mysonicwall.com.In the research conducted by SonicWall and MSTIC, they found two modified binaries of their product being distributed by the fake website; NEService.exe which was modified to bypass digital certificate checks; and NetExtender.exe was modified to steal the configuration data and credentials.(Image credit: SonicWall)When all the necessary details are entered and the user clicks connect, the data which includes username, password, domain, and more, is extracted and sent to a remote server controlled by the hackers.Both SonicWall’s and Microsoft’s cybersecurity tools can now detect the malicious software, but other third party software may not yet be configured to detect the files. It’s always a good idea to consult the best antivirus software to protect your devices from modified software and malicious files.You might also likeThe best malware removal can dislodge dodgy filesProtect your credentials with the best password manager2024 saw a surge in malicious free VPN apps

Surfshark has had its no-logs policy verified by Deloitte for the second timeThe independent verification, from a Big Four auditing firm, corroborates Surfshark’s no-logging claimsExisting Surfshark subscribers can access the full report via their Surfshark accountsSurfshark has reaffirmed its commitment to privacy and transparency with the release of its second no-logs assurance report on June 16, 2025.Already rated as one of the best VPNs by TechRadar, this is the second time Surfshark has worked with Deloitte to verify its commitment to user privacy by auditing its no-logs policy.(Image credit: Surfshark )Why Surfshark’s no-logs policy verification mattersSurfshark invited Deloitte to audit its no-logs statement for the first time back in 2023, illustrating the seriousness with which it takes user privacy.However, a second no-logs assurance report in 2025 “demonstrates Surfshark’s proactive approach to privacy,” said Donatas Budvytis, Surfshark’s Chief Technology Officer.It's a welcome update in an industry where plenty of VPN providers have yet to prove their own no-logs claims. Some VPNs, particularly free VPN services, do keep logs. In some cases, these can contain personally identifying information, putting user data and privacy at risk.Only recently, TechRadar’s Chiara Castro reported that some 17 free VPN apps found in Google and Apple app stores have ties with China. VPNs operating in China are subject to strict data retention laws and may be forced to share data with the Chinese government upon request.Surfshark’s decision to have Deloitte, one of the Big Four auditing firms, take a second look at its no-logs policy provides substantial credibility and, as Budvytis explains, “a big confirmation of privacy and transparency to our current and future users.”It also proves Surfshark’s claims that it doesn’t monitor user activity or keep logs of their activities. That this is a second independent verification shows that this is an ongoing commitment on the part of Surfshark, and not simply a one-off.Here’s what Deloitte was looking atDeloitte’s independent audit provides assurance that Surfshark’s no-logs policy has been properly implemented.As part of its evaluation, Deloitte examined internal systems and processes, conducted interviews with Surfshark staff, and reviewed supporting evidence.Deloitte looked at Surfshark’s standard, static, and multiport servers while also analyzing how these servers are configured and deployed. Privacy settings and operational procedures were closely inspected to ensure they align with Surfshark’s privacy commitments.Ultimately, Deloitte confirmed that the no-logs policy is consistently applied across all relevant Surfshark infrastructure.If you’re already a Surfshark user, you can read the detailed report, ISAE 3000, which is accessible via your account.Which VPN providers have had their no-logs policies independently audited? Surfshark isn’t the only VPN provider to have subjected its no-logs policy to an independent audit.NordVPN had its no-logs claims verified by PwC in 2018 and 2020 before having Deloitte conduct independent reviews in 2022, 2023, and 2025.The VPN that has undergone more audits than most is ExpressVPN, having published 19 third-party audit reports to date.You might also likeIran is discouraging its people from using free VPNsVPNs cannot protect against browser fingerprinting – but this new web browser could be the fixA US law firm is taking NordVPN to Court over "deceptive" auto-renewal pricing – here's what we know

YouTube is increasing the minimum age required for its users to live stream to 16. In a message uploaded to the YouTube Help support page, it was confirmed that as of July 22, creators will need to be 16 or older to stream unaccompanied on the platform. Previously, YouTube stipulated that children under the age of 13 had to be visibly accompanied by an adult if they wanted to post live content, but going forward this rule will extend to anyone between anyone aged 13-15.

YouTube warns that anyone who isn’t 16 or older and is continuing to live stream without an adult present beyond July 22 risks having their live chat disabled, along with access to other features temporarily revoked. YouTube adds its eventual intention is to remove live streams found to be breaking the rules, and anyone whose account is hit with restrictions will be forbidden from live streaming using a different channel. Doing so could ultimately lead to a terminated account. The TeamYouTube account said on X that creators impacted by the rule changes will be notified by email if their streams are taken down.

Creators under the age of 16 who want to continue live streaming will be able to grant an adult access to their channel as an editor, manager or owner, which allows them to start a stream from the account linked to their channel. Previously, this had to be done from YouTube’s Live Control room. YouTube said adults co-creating with someone younger than 16 will have to be "visibly present" and clearly just as much a part of the live stream.

We’ve reached out to Youtube for more details, as the post doesn’t offer an explanation for why it has decided to make these changes now. But it will no doubt come as a blow for younger creators with a large existing audience.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/youtube-will-increase-the-minimum-age-for-live-streaming-to-16-163315489.html?src=rss

Apple continues to fill its Sports tracking app with new sportsTennis is the latest entryApple is also adding more customization and granularityApple just hit a smashing overhand, adding Tennis to its iPhone-only Sports app just in time for the sport's biggest competition: Wimbledon.After launching in 2024 with the NBA, NHL, MLS, NCAA basketball, and NCAA football, Apple Sports quickly added the MLB and has since expanded to include the NFL, racing, and other leagues. Tennis, though, was a notable gap.The sport arrives today and is now part of the free app, which is available in the US, UK, and Canada. As with other sports, game coverage will include live point-by-point coverage but not play-by-play. So don't expect line calls in the coverage.One of the reasons people like me like Apple Sports is that it lives up to its real-time promise, offering, in baseball, for instance, almost instant updates about runners and the score. Tennis is, perhaps, an even faster-moving game.In a release about the update, Apple is promising, "live scores delivered incredibly fast." We'll see.(Image credit: Apple)Apple Sports will, though, let fans track all matches that occur after the qualifiers. So it won't be just the top match at any given time, Apple Sports will cover all Wimbledon matches. The Tennis coverage will offer custom Sports Cards backgrounds for each match, featuring the grass or clay used in each tournament's courts (Wimbledon uses grass).Tennis will also benefit from some other app-wide updates, including a refined home screen that now lets you customize the organization by league.That'll come in handy even if you're not a tennis fan, too. Speaking of which, I'm especially excited about the small update coming to MLB coverage in Live Activities, which will now display the active pitcher and batter details below the score.This has been a notable gap in Sports' baseball coverage. It's one of the chief reasons that, while I love Sports Live Activities, which can even appear on your lock screen, I've often had to switch to the MLB.com page for details about who's at bat.Tennis elbowed(Image credit: Apple)With two weeks (June 30 to July 13) and dozens of matches, Wimbledon will provide a rich test for the Sports platform. You can't follow individual players, which may make the whole affair feel a little chaotic. Hopefully, Sports will eventually let you do that so you can quickly switch to a match for your "favorite" player.Sports is still keeping the focus tight on actual league sports events and not yet covering things such as the upcoming MLB All-Star Game (July 15) or the NBA draft (June 25). In a way, this helps keep the app clean and efficient, but it also means that Sports is missing out on key moments in each sports league experience.Additionally, while Apple Sports is available on the iPhone and visible as Live Activities on Apple Watch, there is no word on plans to bring it to the iPad...yet.Are you a sports fan or, more specifically, a Wimbledon fan? Let us know what you think of this latest update and why you do or don't use the app in your comments below.You might also likeFive years ago Apple silicon changed the world of computing forever, and it was the beginning of the end of my days as a Windows userI didn't know how much I loved Apple Sports until the Mets became the best team in baseball"If you’re a sports fan, I think you're going to be very happy with it," Apple's Eddy Cue explains how the tech giant made its new Sports appTight layover? United Airlines wants to take the stress out of catching your next flight with AI and maps