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

Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for Oct. 23 #599

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for Oct. 23, No. 599.

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

Today’s NYT Strands puzzle might be Halloween-themed, as the answers are all rather dangerous. Some of them are a bit tough to unscramble, so if you need hints and answers, read on.

I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far

Hint for today’s Strands puzzle

Today’s Strands theme is: Please don’t eat me!

If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Remember Mr. Yuk?

Clue words to unlock in-game hints

Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:

POND, NOON, NODE, BALE, SOCK, LOVE, LOCK, MOCK, LEER, REEL, GLOVE, DAIS, LEAN, LEAD, REEL

Answers for today’s Strands puzzle

These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:

AZALEA, HEMLOCK, FOXGLOVE, OLEANDER, BELLADONNA

Today’s Strands spangram

Today’s Strands spangram is POISONOUS. To find it, look for the P that is the first letter on the far left of the top row, and wind down and across.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Oct. 23, #395

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Oct. 23, No. 395.

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.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition has one of those crazy purple categories, where you wonder if anyone saw the connection, or if people just put that grouping together because only those four words were left. If you’re struggling but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for 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: Fan noise.

Green group hint: Strategies for hoops.

Blue group hint: Minor league.

Purple group hint: Look for a connection to hoops.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Sounds from the crowd.

Green group: Basketball offenses.

Blue group: Triple-A baseball teams.

Purple group: Ends with a basketball stat.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is sounds from the crowd. The four answers are boo, cheer, clap and whistle.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is basketball offenses. The four answers are motion, pick and roll, Princeton and triangle.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is triple-A baseball teams. The four answers are Aces, Jumbo Shrimp, Sounds and Storm Chasers.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is ends with a basketball stat. The four answers are afoul, bassist, counterpoint and sunblock.

Technologies

Amazon’s Delivery Drivers Will Soon Wear AI Smart Glasses to Work

The goal is to streamline the delivery process while keeping drivers safe.

Amazon announced on Wednesday that it is developing new AI-powered smart glasses to simplify the delivery experience for its drivers. CNET smart glasses expert Scott Stein mentioned this wearable rollout last month, and now the plan is in its final testing stages.

The goal is to simplify package delivery by reducing the need for drivers to look at their phones, the label on the package they’re delivering and their surroundings to find the correct address.

Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.

A heads-up display will activate as soon as the driver parks, pointing out potential hazards and tasks that must be completed. From there, drivers can locate and scan packages, follow turn-by-turn directions and snap a photograph to prove delivery completion without needing to take out their phone.

The company is testing the glasses in select North American markets.

Watch: See our Instagram post with a video showing the glasses

A representative for Amazon didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

To fight battery drain, the glasses pair with a controller attached to the employee’s delivery vest, allowing them to replace depleted batteries and access operational controls. The glasses will support an employee’s eyeglass prescription. An emergency button will be within reach to ensure the driver’s safety.

Amazon is already planning future versions of the glasses, which will feature «real-time defect detection,» notifying the driver if a package was delivered to the incorrect address. They plan to add features to the glasses to detect if pets are in the yard and adjust to low light.