Technologies

New Sony Noise-Canceling Headphones Specs and Pricing Apparently Leak

The next pair of Sony WH-1000XM noise-canceling headphones will see a series of improvements and AI mics, if leaked specs are to be believed.

It appears that Sony is gearing up to release its high-end consumer successor to the WH-1000XM5 noise canceling headphones, and potentially very soon, according to a new leak from Dealabs via Android Authority.

Sony launched the WH-1000XM5 three years ago, in May 2022, marking the longest gap in time from one generation to another since the line was introduced in 2016. The series has always balanced a mix of function, comfort and sound that has kept it on many top noise-canceling headphone lists, including CNET’s.

The new headphones were first spotted by a Reddit user that found a since-removed Amazon Spain listing, detailing the specs and pricing of the latest over-ear headphones from Sony. In the three years that it’s taken to get a new pair of headphones from this lineup, it’s fairly easy to assume that there are improvements across the board.

What’s new in the WH-1000XM6?

Here’s the supposed official description and feature list taken from the original page, after being translated:

The flagship model, with Sony’s best noise cancellation and best ambient sound mode ever on over-ear headphones.
With the new QN3 HD Noise Cancelling processor and 12 microphones, our Multi Noise Sensor technology with Auto NC Optimizer delivers optimal performance anywhere.
Developed with Grammy-winning mastering engineers, 30mm drivers, Hi-Res Audio, DSEE Extreme to enhance every track, and a customizable 10-band EQ.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 folds flat for easy storage and transport. The new case provides protection, with a magnetic closure for quick access.
Lightweight for all-day wear, the new headband is even more comfortable and secure than the previous model, with soft, padded ear cushions for a premium feel.
A quick 3-minute charge provides 3 hours of entertainment, and you can even use the WH-1000XM6 while charging.
360 Upmix for Cinema transforms stereo content into immersive sound, coming from the sides, behind, and above. Game EQ improves clarity and detail during gameplay.
With six AI-powered microphones, calls are crystal-clear, even in the busiest environments. AI noise reduction filters out unwanted sounds
Multipoint connection lets you seamlessly switch between your Bluetooth devices, including iPhone, Android, PC, and Mac
Adaptive Sound Control, Quick Attention, Background Music, Personalized Spatial Audio, Wind Noise Reduction, 360 Reality Audio with head tracking, and Speak to Chat.

Let’s break it down.

According to the leaked specs, the Sony 1000XM6 headphones look to improve upon their predecessors with a new QN3 HD Noise Cancelling processor, up from the QN1 processor in the XM5s — the fact that Sony is skipping the existence of the QN2 and going straight to the QN3 could just be marketing, but Dealab’s report says the processor is up to 7x faster than its predecessor.

The headphones will apparently ship with 12 microphones — six of which are powered by AI to improve call quality and reduce unwanted noise. Like its predecessor, the latest headphones will also ship with an auto noise-canceling optimizer. CNET had already crowned the XM5s as the go-to noise-canceling headphones to grab for great calls, and the latest version looks to bolster what was already great.

Fast charging is still intact, the leak shows, and a 3-minute charge will be able to provide 3 hours of «entertainment,» as the description says, but those specifics, if true, will likely be ironed out during the official announcement. In contrast, Dealabs’ report claims a 3-minute charge will provide 1 hour battery life.

Most older features are still apparently present in the latest version of the headphones. The signature touch controls on the earcup, and the semi-infuriating Speak to Chat function that always re-enables itself on my 1000XM4s will stay put, along with the 3.5mm headphone jack and support for Hi-Res audio.

The 1000XM6s will get the bump to Bluetooth version 5.3 vs 5.2 found in the 1000XM5 headphones, and will be a negligible 4 grams heavier than the older version as well, coming in at 254 grams.

Pricing and availability

The new headphones will apparently be available in three colors, including black, platinum silver and midnight blue, with pricing pegged at $450 in the US.

The official announcement isn’t far off, either, it seems. Based of off Dealab’s own information, the Sony 1000XM6 will be unveiled sometime between May 14 and May 16, 2025, which falls in line with the May 15 timing found on the screengrab of the Amazon leak.

Technologies

Dangerous TikTok Chromebook Challenge: Avoid Sparking a Fire in Your Laptop

Well, this is a bad idea: Kids are jamming metal into their school computer USB ports.

TikTok is full of entertaining cat videos, humorous dances, and yes, even challenges — the famed ice-bucket challenge has returned and is promoting mental-health support. But now a dangerous TikTok challenge is spreading through the short-form video app and through schools across the US.

The Chromebook Challenge, named for Google’s line of laptops, encourages students to insert metal items into the USB port on their school-issued computers, intending to create sparks, smoke and possibly a fire.

A representative for TikTok told NBC News that the challenge videos were not exclusive to their platform, and that search terms like «Chromebook Challenge» have been blocked.

A representative for Google didn’t immediately respond to CNET’s request for comment

Read more: Best laptops of 2025

Searching TikTok will bring up videos showing kids attempting the dangerous and damaging challenge. Schools, as you might expect, are not happy.

David Winston, principal of Lincoln Park Middle School in Morris County, New Jersey, sent a letter home to parents about the dangers of the act, as reported by NorthJersey.com.

Read more: The 75 Hard and 75 Soft TikTok Fitness Challenges Explained

«We expect our students to make responsible choices and refrain from any behavior that could result in injury, property damage, disciplinary action, or the loss of privileges,» Winston said in his letter. «This type of act is considered a form of vandalism and, if a fire results, could be treated as arson.»

And kids might not be laughing when their parents get the bill for a damaged or ruined laptop.

«We’re asking for your help in talking to your child about the importance of taking care of their school devices and thinking twice before participating in online challenges like this,» reads a letter sent to parents of kids in Virginia’s Prince George’s County Public Schools, as reported by FOX5. «As a reminder, families are responsible for the cost of any deliberate damage done to school-issued Chromebooks.»

Technologies

Hey Wordle Players, the New Pope Is One of Us

He also saw the movie Conclave, plays Words with Friends and is a Chicago White Sox fan.

Maybe an upcoming Wordle puzzle will include the word PAPAL. On Thursday, Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost was chosen the first American pope ever, taking the papal name Pope Leo XIV. Although he spent years of his ministry in Peru, he might just have some things in common with his fellow Americans. According to an interview with his brother John, who lives in Illinois, the new pope enjoys the New York Times game Wordle, plays the Scrabble-like game Words With Friends, and yes, he has seen the 2024 movie Conclave, which focuses on a fictional papal election.

Read more: Click for answers to today’s Wordle, Connections, Strands, Connections: Sports Edition and Mini Crossword

NBC Chicago spoke to the new pope’s brother, who’s understandably overwhelmed. John Prevost said he talked to his brother on Tuesday before the conclave started, and asked Robert Prevost, who was then still a cardinal, if he’d seen the Conclave film. And indeed he had.

«He had just finished watching the movie Conclave,» John Prevost told NBC Chicago. «I wanted to take his mind off of it and laugh about something. Because this is now an awesome responsibility.»

Read more: How to Stream Conclave

According to NBC News, John Prevost also said his chat with his brother included «discussing Wordle and playing Words with Friends.» Wordle is the New York Times’ online game where players are given six chances to guess a five-letter word. (CNET posts the answers to Wordle and other NYT puzzles daily.) Words with Friends is another word game, but more like Scrabble, and allows for back-and-forth play between two friends. Or brothers. Or a soon-to-be pope and his brother.

Read more: Wordle Players, Use Our Tip Sheet to Find Your Next Favorite Starter Word

A representative for the New York Times didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

The pope’s brother also set the Holy Father’s Chicago baseball allegiance straight. Although the Chicago Cubs tried to claim him on social media, his brother confirmed that the pope is from the South Side of Chicago and is a White Sox fan.

Well, would you look at that… Congratulations to Chicago’s own Pope Leo XIV pic.twitter.com/U5DJ7TOyDr

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 8, 2025

While quotes from NBC didn’t flat-out say the new pope plays Wordle (they said he «discussed it»), who discusses a puzzle they don’t play? So when you fire up your next round of Wordle, and puzzle over those double letters, or rack your brain for a way to use the yellow letters you just can’t place, think to yourself that maybe the new pope is doing the exact same thing.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Friday, May 9

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for May 9.

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

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword is one of those oddball ones where certain letters in certain answers get placed into circles, and they serve as a clue for 9-Across. I usually shudder at such game tricks, but this was an easy puzzle, so the circles didn’t bother me. Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get at those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Humpty Dumpty, in many illustrations
Answer: EGG

4A clue: Cartoon bear who wears a red shirt and no pants
Answer: POOH

6A clue: Collection of world maps
Answer: ATLAS

8A clue: Counterpart of «adios»
Answer: HOLA

9A clue: [See circled letters]
Answer: WOW

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Clean water org.
Answer: EPA

2D clue: Subculture with black clothing
Answer: GOTH

3D clue: «When they ___ …» (start of a memorable Michelle Obama line)
Answer: GOLOW

5D clue: Angel topper
Answer: HALO

7D clue: It has sharp teeth
Answer: SAW

How to play more Mini Crosswords

The New York Times Games section offers a large number of online games, but only some of them are free for all to play. You can play the current day’s Mini Crossword for free, but you’ll need a subscription to the Times Games section to play older puzzles from the archives.