Technologies

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Save 50% or More on Select LG Tone Free Earbuds

These true wireless earbuds feature active noise cancellation, bacteria-killing UV lights and more, and right now you can snag a pair for as low as $40.

Headphone technology has come pretty far in recent years, and you no longer need to drop serious cash to get advanced features like active noise cancellation and spatial audio. In addition to making some of our favorite TVs and home appliances, LG also makes its own true wireless earbuds, and right now you can snag select pairs at a discount. BuyDig is currently offering up to $60 off select LG Tone Free earbuds, with prices starting at just $40. These discounts are only available through Monday, March 6, so be sure to get your order in before then if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

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There are two pairs of LG Tone Free earbuds you can pick up on sale right now. At $40, $60 off the usual price, the Tone Free FN7UV are the more affordable of the two. They feature active noise cancellation so you can tune out the world around you, as well as Meridian audio technology for clear hi-fi sound and spatial audio. But one of their most unusual features is that the charging case has a built-in UV light to kill bacteria between uses.

Or, for $45, which is 50% off the usual price, you could grab the LG Tone Free FP7C earbuds. They boast many of the same features as the FN7UV earbuds, including active noise cancellation and a UV light in the charging case, though no support for spatial audio. One of the most convenient features of this pair is that the charging case doubles as a wireless Bluetooth transmitter. It has a built-in cord so you can plug it into any device with a standard headphone jack — like the entertainment system on a plane, for example — and enjoy hassle-free wireless listening.

If you’re looking for a different pair or style, you can check out our roundup of all the best headphone and earbud deals available now for even more bargains.

Technologies

Waymo Expands Its Robotaxi Fleet to Las Vegas, San Diego and Detroit. Everything to Know

Here’s everywhere the self-driving company operates now and where it’s heading soon.

Technologies

Apple Plans to Use a Custom Model of Google’s Gemini AI to Power Siri, Report Says

Apple reportedly chose Google over Anthropic for financial reasons.

Apple is turning to Google to make a custom Gemini AI model to power the next version of its virtual assistant Siri for spring 2026, according to a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman on Sunday.

According to the report, Apple was evaluating whether to use Google or AI competitor Anthropic for the next version of Siri. Gurman says Google offered a better financial deal. In an earlier Bloomberg report, he says Anthropic would have cost Apple $1.5 billion per year. The report doesn’t reveal Apple’s own financial offer.

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This custom Gemini model will run on Apple’s private cloud compute servers. Apple’s own models will continue to run on devices for personal data, while Gemini would operate on servers for more complex tasks. Gurman also says that Apple won’t highlight Google’s involvement in the company’s marketing.

Representatives for Google, Apple and Anthropic did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

With major tech companies pivoting toward AI, Apple has largely been left behind. The tech company was slow to adopt AI and hasn’t developed AI models that are competitive. It instead turned to companies like OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, to help add generative capabilities on top of existing Apple systems.

Even then, the promise of a truly agentic Apple Intelligence has failed to materialize, although it has improved. Apple CEO Tim Cook also hasn’t ruled out the possibility of acquiring an AI company.

(Disclosure: Ziff Davis, CNET’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)

Apple also has a close relationship with Google. The search giant pays Apple $20 billion annually to remain the default search engine on Apple devices. It’s a relationship that nets Apple money and prevents it from building a competitor to Google Search, a claim Apple denies. This arrangement was an important factor in the Department of Justice’s case against Google, where a judge ruled that the company was operating an illegal monopoly.

Despite falling behind on AI, Apple is doing well financially. Last month, it surpassed a $4 trillion market cap.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for Nov. 4, #877

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for Nov. 4, #877.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s NYT Connections puzzle has a diverse mix of topics. They’re not too tough, but let’s hope you recognize your computer-related phrases. If you need help, you’re in the right place. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Point in the right direction.

Green group hint: Like a veneer, or veil.

Blue group hint: Like JPG.

Purple group hint: Musical instrument.