Technologies

These Colorful Soundcore P30i ANC Wireless Earbuds Cost Just $30 Right Now

This deal proves you can get top-tier wireless earbud features at an entry-level price point.

When it comes time to shop for new wireless earbuds, the options can be mind-boggling. New models are arriving daily, and the prices can often be prohibitive, to say the least. But that’s starting to change. These days, you can get some great features at a price that’s hard to believe. Right now, that price is even less than usual — the Soundcore P30i wireless earbuds are now just $30 rather than the usual $50.

This is quite the wireless earbuds deal, but it’s unlikely to remain available long. Amazon says it’s a «limited-time deal,» meaning it could end at any time and without warning, so you do need to consider ordering your new ANC earbuds before it’s too late.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

Soundcore’s P30i wireless earbuds are available in no fewer than five different colors, so you can choose the one that best fits your style. We’re big fans of the lovely blue finish, but it’s your money and your choice.

Color aside, you’ll always get the same 45-hour playtime per charge and up to 42 decibels of advanced active noise cancellation. The technology blocks unwanted noise so you can better hear your content — perfect for busy offices and noisy commutes.

Your new earbuds are IP54-rated, so they can be used at the gym and in the rain without issue, and the two-in-one charging case can even be used as a handy phone stand as well.

Why this deal matters

We’re big fans of wireless earbuds because they can make it easier to listen to music, podcasts and audiobooks when you might otherwise not be able to. They’re great for hands-free calls as well, and at this price, we think now is the time you should consider ditching those old wired earbuds that came with your phone 10 years ago.

Technologies

FTC Sues Over Uber One, Saying It ‘Deceived Consumers’

The agency accuses the ridesharing company of charging customers without consent and of making it difficult to cancel the service.

The Federal Trade Commission is suing the rideshare company Uber for what it’s calling deceptive business practices involving its Uber One subscription service. In a complaint filed in a San Francisco district court, the FTC cites instances where customers say they were charged for the service when they believed their subscriptions were canceled, or were not allowed to cancel their accounts easily.

Uber One costs $10 a month and allows users to get discounts, free delivery on Uber Eats and cash back, in addition to other perks.

However, the FTC says that customers who sign up for free trials have had difficulty canceling and have ended up with unexpected charges.

«Today, we’re alleging that Uber not only deceived consumers about their subscriptions, but also made it unreasonably difficult for customers to cancel,» FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson said in a press release.

The complaint cites instances where it would take 23 screens and 32 actions to cancel an Uber One subscription.

An Uber spokesperson said that the company doesn’t sign up or charge consumers without their consent and that «cancellations can now be done anytime in-app and take most people 20 seconds or less.»

«We are disappointed that the FTC chose to move forward with this action,» the spokesperson told CNET, «but are confident that the courts will agree with what we already know: Uber One’s sign-up and cancellation processes are clear, simple, and follow the letter and spirit of the law.»

In an email, Uber contested points in the FTC’s complaint, saying that it discloses information about what customers will be charged. «Consumers who canceled were never charged additional fees,» it said.

Subscription services in the crosshairs

Subscription services have been a target for the FTC recently, as it has implemented rules requiring companies to make them simpler and easier to cancel. Last year, California passed a law requiring it to be as easy as a single click for consumers. The changes were, in large part, enacted to combat increasingly sophisticated ways that companies were keeping customers on the hook for paid services.

Expect to see more FTC action against companies that fail to follow the rules on subscriptions, says Syracuse University law professor Shubha Ghosh, who focuses on business, antitrust and intellectual property law.

«Very likely there will be more suits as the FTC, across administrations, seeks to address anticompetitive practices that harm consumers, especially practices that raise prices and limit consumer choices,» Ghosh told CNET. «Ticketmaster is one example. We may see actions against crypto and payday loans online.»

But don’t expect rewards from these FTC lawsuits if you feel you were taken advantage of by a subscription-based service. For customers, it’s not the same as a class action suit in which plaintiffs may get money from court-designated damages, Ghosh said.

«The FTC cannot recover restitution for consumers after the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in [a 2021 case involving] AMG Management,» he said. «The FTC can change business practices, however, through injunctive relief under the Federal Trade Commission Act. The FTC can also obtain refunds for violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the (Better Online Ticket Sales) Act.»

Technologies

Trump Administration Delays Rural Broadband Program By 90 Days

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for April 23, #212

Hints and answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, No. 212, for April 23.

Looking for the most recent regular 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 and Strands puzzles.

Connections: Sports Edition offers a mix today. Even if you don’t know the category names at first, you might recognize four team names and four surnames, and that’ll get you halfway there. Read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That’s a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can continue to play it free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

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

Yellow group hint: Strong.

Green group hint: Free throw time.

Blue group hint: College teams.

Purple group hint: They sure could throw.