Technologies

Walmart Drops Apple’s Impressive AirPods Max to Under $400 for Prime Day

Few headphones are more premium than Apple’s AirPods Max, and this is the only deal under $400 right now.

Hear ye, hear ye! Amazon Prime Day is now underway — running Tuesday through Friday this year — and it’s the perfect opportunity to level up your tech essentials. There are tons of deals to be had: just keep checking back with CNET. For example, check out this current smash deal on some of the best wireless headphones around, Apple’s updated AirPods Max with USB-C.

Walmart is leading the way on the best deal so far on these amazing AirPods, slashing the price to $399 — the only merchant going sub-$400 currently. The deal includes various colors. Stock availability varies by region, but local Walmart stores in your area might have these AirPods available for in-person pickup.

No matter the price tag on the AirPods Max, there’s no denying that the quality makes the price worth it. And did I mention they come in cool colors? Blue, midnight, orange, purple and starlight. The catch is that we don’t know how long this deal is going to stick around (indeed, some colors are already sold out).

These headphones’ features are essentially identical to the previous AirPods Max, albeit with a USB-C port instead of the previous Lightning port. The switch means that the same charging cable can be used across all of Apple’s latest hardware releases, including iPads, Macs, iPhones and their accessories.

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

You can expect strong active noise cancellation performance as well as instant device pairing and switching, thanks to Apple’s H1 chip. Support for personalized spatial audio and the excellent transparency mode is also included.

Not sure these AirPods Max are the right option for you? Our collection of the best wireless headphone deals is sure to have something for everyone.

HEADPHONE DEALS OF THE WEEK

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones (Navy):

$298 (save $50)
Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones (Black):

$40 (save $20)
Beats Studio Pro Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones (Black):

$300 (save $51)
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless ANC Over-Ear Headphones (Black):

$299 (save $151)
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e ANC Over-Ear Headphones (Black):

$220 (save $180)

Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.

Why this deal matters

This deal is the lowest price we’ve seen on these high-end headphones of late, and we don’t expect them to get any cheaper anytime soon. That means that this deal is worth taking advantage of while it’s still available.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, Jan. 29

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Jan. 29.

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.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It’s one of those neat, solid grids with no empty squares. Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

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 to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Employees, collectively
Answer: STAFF

6A clue: The «L» of TTYL
Answer: LATER

7A clue: Slowly lessen, as political support
Answer: ERODE

8A clue: Dunkin’ offering
Answer: DONUT

9A clue: Tricky things to navigate with a stroller
Answer: STEPS

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Toys that go on the decline in winter?
Answer: SLEDS

2D clue: Set of fortunetelling cards
Answer: TAROT

3D clue: Make amends
Answer: ATONE

4D clue: Out of patience
Answer: FEDUP

5D clue: Guitar bars
Answer: FRETS

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

Technologies

Mobile Internet Without Borders: How Verum E-SIM Is Changing the Game for Travelers and Beyond

In an era when flights take just a few hours, but data boundaries remain very real, a solution has emerged that significantly simplifies life for frequent international travelers. The Verum E-SIM app offers a next-generation virtual SIM card — no plastic, no waiting for delivery, and no traditional roaming charges.

While eSIM technology itself is no longer new, Verum takes it further: the internet works in over 150 countries worldwide under clear, uniform conditions. Connection happens through the app in just a couple of minutes — choose a package (or even a global one), pay, and activate. No need to buy local SIM cards at the airport, hunt for carrier shops, or struggle with explanations in a foreign language.

One of the biggest advantages is the complete absence of hidden fees or billing surprises. Plans are fully transparent: you immediately see how many gigabytes you get and for how long. Speed and reliability are provided by partner operators in each specific country — this isn’t a single “averaged” provider for the entire world.

Another key point for many users is that no VPN is required. As long as your device is using Verum E-SIM traffic, all familiar services and websites open directly, without extra layers or speed loss.

For those traveling with a group or family, portable Wi-Fi routers with Verum eSIM support have become a great option. One profile — and the internet is shared simultaneously across multiple smartphones, tablets, and laptops. It’s convenient on the road, in a hotel, or even in a café where the local Wi-Fi is unreliable.

Payment flexibility is also a plus: the service supports regular bank cards, cryptocurrencies, and various alternative methods — so you can choose whatever feels most convenient and cost-effective for you.

In the end, Verum E-SIM is more than just another data app. It’s a way to make mobile internet as natural and hassle-free abroad as it is at home. The difference becomes especially clear when you compare a roaming bill from one of the major operators with your Verum expenses after two or three trips.

The technology is still gaining popularity, but many travelers are already saying: “For the first time in ages, internet abroad stopped being a source of stress.” Solutions like this are shaping the future of mobile connectivity — without extra cables, borders, or unpleasant surprises.

If you travel often or simply value stable internet without unnecessary hassle — it’s worth giving it a try at least once.

https://esim.verum.im

https://esimglobal.world

Technologies

Google Agrees to Pay $135M in Huge Android Data-Harvesting Settlement

Google’s settlement with Android users would resolve the lawsuit and alter how the company manages its terms of service, though not all users would receive financial compensation.

Android users, take note: On Tuesday, Google reached a preliminary settlement in a class action lawsuit over illegal data collection. If it goes through, Google will pay out $135 million to Android phone users, possibly the largest settlement of this kind in history.

According to the lawsuit, starting in 2017, Google programmed its Android OS to automatically collect cellular data via carriers, with no way for users to opt out. The lawsuit asserted that this data collection occurred even when users took steps such as disabling location tracking or closing apps.

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

The lawsuit also made a significant claim: that Google’s data collection practices constituted a crime called conversion. Conversion occurs when one party takes property from another with the intent to deprive them of it. No conversion cases have ever settled for $135 million.

As part of the settlement, Google has denied any wrongdoing.

«We are pleased to resolve this case, which mischaracterized standard industry practices that keep Android safe. We’re providing additional disclosures to give people more information about how our services work,» said Google spokesperson José Castañeda.

The lawsuit could have significant implications for data privacy and other data collection practices. It will also change Google’s terms of service. The company has agreed to obtain more explicit consent from Android users when first using new phones, to include a toggle button to turn off certain types of data collection, and to disclose data collection more clearly.

How do Android users know if they’ll get paid?

This is a preliminary settlement ahead of the first trial date in August, so we don’t yet know all the details. The judge will have to approve the settlement and confirm the time frame, payment method and other specifics.

Here’s what we do know: Payments would be capped at $100 per person, so no one should expect to get more than that. Also, in most cases, you have to sign up to become a part of a class action lawsuit. If you didn’t sign on to this specific lawsuit by now, you’re not likely to receive any money.

Another settlement involved ad targeting

It’s been an eventful week for Google settlements. Earlier this week, Google also agreed to a $68 million preliminary settlement in another class action lawsuit, this one involving Google Assistant (now being replaced with Gemini for Home).

Users said smart devices used Google Assistant to listen to them without their activation, leading to ad targeting based on information they hadn’t willingly shared.

In that settlement, payments will be made automatically. No claim form is required to receive a payment.