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YouTube is just as wary of the rise of AI slop as you, and thats why more AI-generated content is coming to the platform in the near future. In a lengthy blog post outlining YouTubes 2026 plans, CEO Neal Mohan said the company will continue to embrace this new "creative frontier" by soon allowing its creators to throw together Shorts using their AI-generated likeness. Mohan didnt elaborate further about how this feature will work when it launches, but acknowledged the "critical" issue of deepfakes currently polluting the web, and reaffirmed his companys support for new legislation such as the NO FAKES Act. YouTube also allows its own creators to protect themselves against unauthorized use of their likeness using a detection feature that scans newly uploaded videos for matches. Other fresh AI (note: in no way slop) features referenced in the post include the currently-in-beta no-code Playables platform, which lets you make games using Gemini 3 with a single text prompt, as well as new music creation tools. At the same time, Mohan said YouTube is building on its existing systems designed to combat spam, clickbait and "low quality AI content." He added that an average of six million daily viewers watched more than 10 minutes of AI autodubbed content in December, despite the issues that rival platforms have had with similar features. Mohan didnt say when we can expect the new AI likeness generation feature for Shorts, but if that sounds like the sort of content youd rather not encounter on your lunch break, heres a little PSA: the company now allows you to omit its short-form videos from your YouTube search results altogether.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/youtube/youtube-ceo-promises-more-ai-features-in-2026-162409452.html?src=rss
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I vividly remember when Bose announced the Ultra Open Earbuds. While I applauded the company for trying something different, I wasnt sure if the clip-on design would take hold. Well, here we are almost two years later and most earbud makers now have something akin to Boses fashion experiment. You can now count Sony among those as the company revealed its LinkBuds Clip ($230) open-fit earbuds today. These arent the first open-wear earbuds in Sonys LinkBuds lineup. The company has two generations of the LinkBuds Open (originally called just LinkBuds) under its belt, giving users a more traditional earbud fit with donut-shaped drivers that let ambient sounds in. Now Sony is taking a cue from Bose and others with a clip-on design that attaches securely and comfortably to the ear while leaving the ear canal unobstructed. Its clear companies believe customers like this type of earbuds, but Sonys challenge is to make the LinkBuds Clip unique among the growing list of alternatives. Design and fit Sony isnt offering anything distinctive in terms of design here, but thats okay. To be fair, I havent seen too much innovation in terms of aesthetics in these clip-on-style earbuds. For the most part, they all have similar shapes: two cylindrical cases connected by short, flexible cable. True to its predecessors, Sony put the drivers in a squatty housing while the bulk of the components are in a larger one that sits behind your ear lobe. Sony kept the weight of the LinkBuds Clip low, and it avoided the bulk of the Ultra Open Earbuds. Both of these factors contribute to a very comfortable fit, so the IPX4-rated earbuds can be easily worn all day without becoming a burden. And while I didnt need them, Sony includes a pair of flexible silicone fitting cushions in the box. These clip on to the short, flat cable of the newest LinkBuds for a more secure fit. During my tests, the LinkBuds Clip stayed in place just fine without them, but there also wasnt any decreased comfort when I did install them. The last design-related item Ill mention is the touch controls. On the LinkBuds Clip, the flat connector between the two housings accepts taps for playback controls, volume changes, cycling through sound modes and more. You can tap along this area to make an adjustment, and you dont have to do so right in the center. The LinkBuds Clip were pleasantly responsive during this review, quickly completing the task without delay or repeated taps. That is, except for volume, because you have to keep tapping for that change to happen. LinkBuds Clip features Controls are situated along the connector between the two cylindrical housings Billy Steele for Engadget Sony typically throws a whole host of features at its earbuds. Even though theyre technically the companys midrange line, the LinkBuds family has a robust set of conveniences that make them well suited for both productivity and leisure. Unfortunately, the LinkBuds Clip doesnt have as much to offer here. The company gives you the basics, like the ability to fine-tune the tap controls or customize the EQ, and theres even the Adaptive Audio tool that lets you customize settings based on activity or location (Sony calls them scenes). But there are some handy features Ive come to expect from Sony that are notably absent. The LinkBuds Clip doesnt support speak-to-chat, Sonys voice recognition feature that pauses audio and activates ambient sound when you start talking. Quick attention mode, the tool that lowers the volume and lets in ambient sound for brief chats, isnt here either. These earbuds dont even have wear detection, and you have to settle for regular ol DSEE audio upscaling instead of an enhanced version of that tech. Sony did equip the LinkBuds Clip with unique listening modes meant to enhance the audio performance in two scenarios. First, Voice Boost increases the volume of voices when youre on a call or listening to podcasts or audiobooks. The company says this is designed for noisy environments where the ambient sound is overly raucous. During my testing, I found the setting to be an extreme treble boost and volume increase something thats definitely not well-suited for music. Next, Sound Leakage Reduction dials back high-pitched tones to avoid annoying your neighbors in the office or coffee shop. To me, this is the opposite of Voice Boost, removing the highs for a more mid- and bass-heavy tuning, but it doesnt sound very good compared to the default setting. Plus, my family wasnt really able to hear any leakage on the LinkBuds Clip anyway, unless I had the volume cranked uncomfortably high. Ill also note that any EQ customization/presets and DSEE upscaling are only available in Standard (default) listening mode. Sound and call quality The LinkBuds Clip have both noise reduction and bone conduction tech for calls Billy Steele for Engadget Open-fit earbuds typically struggle to muster adequate low-end tone, and the LinkBuds Clip meets the same fate. However, its not all bad in the audio department as these earbuds have great clarity and provide a solid soundstage so overall quality doesnt suffer to the point of being unpleasant. The lack of bass is most apparent in booming genres, like hip-hop and synth-heavy electronic tunes. The LinkBuds Clip doesnt fare much better with more chaotic music styles like rock and metal. Spiritboxs Holy Roller doesnt have the depth that it does on closed-fit earbuds like the AirPods Pro 3 or over-ear headphones like Sonys WH-1000XM6. As such, the bands songs arent nearly as immersive or impactful without adequate amounts of bass. So if pristine, enveloping sound quality is your primary aim, youll want to look elsewhere, and youll want to tread carefully with any other open-type earbuds. The open nature of the LinkBuds Clip makes them well-suited for calls. Since your ears arent plugged, you can clearly hear your own voice so you never feel like you need to shout. Sony says these earbuds have AI noise reduction and a bone conduction sensor for voice pickup, both of which are supposed to keep you sounding good. During the course of this review, I found the background noise reduction worked well without making me sound overly processed. However, the overall voice quality is average at best, which means you can get by with using these for calls, but there are better options if you really value clarity here. Battery life on the LinkBuds Clip When it comes to battery life, Sony says you can expect up to nine hours of use on a charge with up to 37 hours when you factor in the case. That means the LinkBuds Clip alone is enough to get you through a full workday, especially if youre pausing for the occasional office chat or in-person meeting. And youll get more if youre docking the earbuds in their case once or twice a day. If you do find yourself with a depleted battery though, a three-minute charge will give you an hour of play time. Im still conducting battery tests on the LinkBuds Clip. In my first attempt at a full, nine-hour run down, I wasnt able to hit Sonys stated figure, so Im doing more testing before I offer any final observations here. The competition The including "fitting cushion" (left) can help with a secure fit Billy Steele for Engadget Based on my testing, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are still the best in this emerging clip-on category. However, theyre the bulkiest and the most expensive at $299. While they offer all the perks of open wear, sound quality can vary based on how they fit your ears and the lack of multipoint Bluetooth could be a deal breaker for some. If youre hoping to pay less than either Bose or Sony, Ankers Soundcore line offers the AeroClip for $170. Or if youre truly ballin on a budget, JLab has the Flex Open Earbuds that are now just $40. JBL just announced a new $150 set during CES too, but those wont be available until March. Ive only given these two a casual listen without any in-depth testing, so I wont make a definitive call on which one stacks up best against the LinkBuds Clip. But theyre also just three of currently available options, and there are many more if none of these seem compelling. Wrap-up The LinkBuds Clip expands Sonys midrange lineup with a completely different design that comes with inherent perks. Theyre plenty comfortable and exploit the benefits of open-type designs while doing basic earbud functionality well. Subpar bass performance and the omission of some of Sonys more attractive features (and even some basic ones) mean the company hasnt done enough to distinguish the Clip from the competition in an obvious way. Sure, these earbuds work as intended without being flashy or overly complicated, but there are plenty of other options that do that too.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/sony-linkbuds-clip-review-open-fit-benefits-aent-enough-to-stand-out-160000140.html?src=rss
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Marketing and Advertising
Weber has been in the smart grilling game since 2020, dabbling in Wi-Fi connectivity for gas and pellet grills. It has also offered grillers a standalone option for its Weber Connect platform. For 2026, the company is expanding its smart grilling lineup to its original fuel source: charcoal. Today, Weber announced the Performer Smart Charcoal Grill and Kettle Smart Ring, both of which bring Weber Connect control and cooking guidance to charcoal grilling in a more integrated way. The 22-inch Performer Smart Charcoal Grill has a Wi-Fi-enabled LCD controller that regulates grill temperature by adjusting the airflow to lit charcoal. Weber says this grill is well-suited for overnight smoking and longer cooks thanks to this bit of automation. The new Performer also has a so-called Rapidfire Assist mode to get those coals lit faster. The grill can be controlled remotely with the Weber Connect app, which can also keep tabs on any connected food probes. The new Performer is essentially an upgraded version of the Performer Premium, Deluxe and base options that currently exist. You still get the porcelain-enamel finish, adjustable dampers for manual temperature controls and the One-Touch cleaning system for ash removal. The other upgrade is a Weber Works side table and side rail that accommodate the companys line of accessories. A premium version comes with a cart with storage shelves for $799 while an option with a more basic cart will be $599. Weber also plans to sell non-smart versions for $649 and $449, respectively. The company says the base models will arrive this spring while the premium trims will be available this summer. Weber Kettle Smart RingWeber BlackstoneIf you already have a Weber Kettle and are looking to add a bit of automation to your setup, the Kettle Smart Ring brings temperature control and smart connectivity for $280 this spring. This accessory fits the companys 22-inch grills and is equipped with an LCD display and knob-based controls. Of course, it also syncs with the Weber Connect app and offers two slots for wired food probes. Another key smart grilling area Weber lags behind its competition is wireless temperature probes, but that changes this spring. The company will debut a $70 Smart Wireless Probe and a $115 version with range booster and charger. These new probes sync with any Weber smart grill, the Weber Connect app or the new Smart Hub Display and Booster ($90) that works on any grill. Weber also built a retractable wired Smart Probe ($40) that can be used to monitor the temperature at the grates. And if youre loyal to propane, Weber has new options for you too. Updated Genesis Smart Gas Grills have a Sear Zone that can hit temperatures of up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit and a side table that now accommodates Weber Works accessories. It will be available in both propane and natural gas versions in both three- and four-burner configurations this spring starting at $999. More affordable Spirit Smart Gas Grills will start at $599 and will also come in three- and four-burner options. Both the Genesis and Spirit smart models work with the Weber Connect app like the rest of the companys Wi-Fi grills and accessories. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/webers-2026-smart-grill-lineup-includes-the-companys-first-wi-fi-equipped-charcoal-grill-150000097.html?src=rss
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