Kalakshar US

Volvo hasn’t exactly had a great run of EVs lately. The rollout of its flagship EX90 was stymied out of the gate by a bevy of software glitches. The EX30, meanwhile, was too expensive when it launched — the promised $35,000 model was incompatible with the currently chaotic global tariff situation.

Now, it’s time for a new generation of EV from Volvo, one that’s radically different at its core with a gigacast frame, a much higher-density battery and enough digital and literal horsepower to impress the most jaded of automotive enthusiasts. Mix in high-performance chipsets from both NVIDIA and Qualcomm, plus Google’s Gemini AI onboard, and on paper, it has a lot to offer. After getting an early look at the thing at its unveiling in Sweden, I feel like this EV is ready and able to face off against BMW’s new iX3 and Mercedes-Benz’s upcoming GLC.

Let’s start with the basics: The EX60 slots in the Volvo product lineup right alongside the existing XC60, Volvo’s most popular model in the U.S. It’s a two-row, mid-size SUV that seats five, the sort of thing perfect for those with small families or big dogs. It’ll be available in three different basic configurations, starting with the single-motor, rear-drive, 369-horsepower, 310-mile EX60 P6. Next up is the AWD dual-motor, 503-hp, 320-mile P10, and finally the top-shelf, 670-hp, 400-mile P12.

670 horsepower in an SUV of this size seems frankly excessive to me, but then it does have a lot of weight to move around — 5,137 pounds to be exact. That’s thanks in large part to the P12’s 112-kilowatt-hour net battery pack which is about 50 percent bigger than the one inside a Tesla Model Y. The P6 is a relatively svelte 4,663 pounds thanks to its smaller 80-kWh net battery pack, while the P10 has 91 kWh.

Volvo EX60

Beyond the powertrain divisions, the Volvo EX60 will also be available in a variety of different trims with varying amounts of equipment, including the Volvo Cross Country edition with air suspension and a 20mm boost of ride height. Prices are said to start “around $60k” for an EX60 P10 Plus with a 21-speaker Bose system, but a 28-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system with Dolby Atmos will be available for those who really need all the channels.

Of course, Atmos support is no good without a good source, and to that end, the EX60 will be the first Volvo with Apple Music built in. That’ll be part of the company’s Android Automotive-based infotainment system, running on a curved 15-inch OLED screen and powered by a Qualcomm 8255 chipset. It’s paired with a low, wide gauge cluster set far back on the dashboard behind the steering wheel.

This will also be Volvo’s first car with integrated Gemini, and indeed one of the first cars on the road with Google’s smart agent. You can, of course, do typical Gemini things like ask about the weather or the nuances of René Descartes’s concepts on dualism. Beyond that, Volvo CTO Anders Bell said that it will eventually gain access to the car’s outward-looking cameras, meaning you’ll be able to ask for more details on whatever it is you can see looming on the horizon.

Volvo EX60

Volvo calls the car’s software-defined architecture and the hardware that powers it HuginCore, named for Huginn, the raven of Norse mythology and represents Odin’s mind and senses. Qualcomm powers the infotainment side of the avian experience, but when it comes to active safety, the EX60 relies on an NVIDIA Drive AGX Orin chipset. Unlike the EX90, the EX60 will not use a LiDAR sensor.

Volvo CTO Bell downplayed the absence of the sensor. “We realized we can now achieve many more meaningful and safe automated functions without LiDAR than we could have years ago,” he said. Per Bell, LiDAR was never really in the plan for the EX60 anyway, a decision looking all the brighter given the recent bankruptcy of Volvo’s former LiDAR partner Luminar.

The car’s cameras and radar sensors all tuck nicely into the new exterior of the EX60, which certainly doesn’t look miles off from the EX90 or indeed the current, gas-powered XC60. But the pronounced flares on the front fenders are a nice touch of personality on an otherwise understated SUV.

At the core of the EX60 is a new platform Volvo calls SPA3, with a chassis made using gigacasting. This refers to the force required to inject molten aluminum into massive castings, allowing more of the car to be made from fewer components. Volvo says the carbon footprint of the EX60 is lower even than that of the much smaller EX30.

The battery packs use the on-trend cell-to-pack construction method, which means all the cells are lumped together into a single unit. Typically, this boosts density at the cost of repairability, a tradeoff most manufacturers seem willing to make in pursuit of higher range and lower costs. However, Bell said that the company has actually made pack maintenance easier by optimizing the layout of the ancillary equipment.

Volvo EX60

“The absolute vast majority, 90 percent of anything that ever needs to be repaired on a battery pack is electronics,” he said. In the EX60, Volvo positioned the battery electronics beneath the rear seat to make them even easier to access. “We save a lot of weight, save a lot of cost.”

The EX60 will be Volvo’s first car to use the Tesla-style NACS charging standard, and the largest two packs will support charging speeds up to 370 kW. That drops to 320 kW on the 80-kWh net P6.

In practical terms, though, they’re all roughly the same. Each model charges from 10 to 80 percent in less than 20 minutes, adding between 160 and 173 miles of range in 10 minutes. That’s not quite the 200 miles BMW’s iX3 can manage in the same time, but it is close.

The iX3 will probably be the EX60’s fiercest competition when Volvo opens up orders later this spring. The EX60’s $60,000 price for a midrange P10 Plus puts it right in line with the $60,000 that BMW says to expect for its iX3. Mercedes hasn’t set American pricing for its GLC yet, but that, too, will be on a lot of shoppers’ lists to compare.

I’ve already been impressed by how both the iX3 and the GLC drive. Sadly, Volvo wouldn’t let me behind the wheel of its EX60 just yet, but hopefully I can report back with impressions soon to start to see how all these stack up on the road. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/volvo-ex60-suv-preview-400-mile-range-670-hp-and-google-gemini-onboard-173000033.html?src=rss 

I vividly remember when Bose announced the Ultra Open Earbuds. While I applauded the company for trying something different, I wasn’t sure if the clip-on design would take hold. Well, here we are almost two years later and most earbud makers now have something akin to Bose’s fashion experiment. You can now count Sony among those as the company revealed its LinkBuds Clip ($230) open-fit earbuds today. 

These aren’t the first open-wear earbuds in Sony’s LinkBuds lineup. The company has two generations of the LinkBuds Open (originally called just LinkBuds) under its belt, giving users a more traditional earbud fit with donut-shaped drivers that let ambient sounds in. Now Sony is taking a cue from Bose and others with a clip-on design that attaches securely and comfortably to the ear while leaving the ear canal unobstructed. It’s clear companies believe customers like this type of earbuds, but Sony’s challenge is to make the LinkBuds Clip unique among the growing list of alternatives.

Design and fit

Sony isn’t offering anything distinctive in terms of design here, but that’s okay. To be fair, I haven’t seen too much innovation in terms of aesthetics in these clip-on-style earbuds. For the most part, they all have similar shapes: two cylindrical cases connected by short, flexible cable. True to its predecessors, Sony put the drivers in a squatty housing while the bulk of the components are in a larger one that sits behind your ear lobe. 

Sony kept the weight of the LinkBuds Clip low, and it avoided the bulk of the Ultra Open Earbuds. Both of these factors contribute to a very comfortable fit, so the IPX4-rated earbuds can be easily worn all day without becoming a burden. And while I didn’t need them, Sony includes a pair of flexible silicone “fitting cushions” in the box. These clip on to the short, flat cable of the newest LinkBuds for a more secure fit. During my tests, the LinkBuds Clip stayed in place just fine without them, but there also wasn’t any decreased comfort when I did install them. 

The last design-related item I’ll mention is the touch controls. On the LinkBuds Clip, the flat connector between the two housings accepts taps for playback controls, volume changes, cycling through sound modes and more. You can tap along this area to make an adjustment, and you don’t have to do so right in the center. The LinkBuds Clip were pleasantly responsive during this review, quickly completing the task without delay or repeated taps. That is, except for volume, because you have to keep tapping for that change to happen. 

LinkBuds Clip features

Controls are situated along the connector between the two cylindrical housings

Sony typically throws a whole host of features at its earbuds. Even though they’re technically the company’s midrange line, the LinkBuds family has a robust set of conveniences that make them well suited for both productivity and leisure. Unfortunately, the LinkBuds Clip doesn’t have as much to offer here. The company gives you the basics, like the ability to fine-tune the tap controls or customize the EQ, and there’s even the Adaptive Audio tool that lets you customize settings based on activity or location (Sony calls them “scenes”). But there are some handy features I’ve come to expect from Sony that are notably absent. 

The LinkBuds Clip doesn’t support speak-to-chat, Sony’s voice recognition feature that pauses audio and activates ambient sound when you start talking. Quick attention mode, the tool that lowers the volume and lets in ambient sound for brief chats, isn’t here either. These earbuds don’t even have wear detection, and you have to settle for regular ol’ DSEE audio upscaling instead of an enhanced version of that tech.  

Sony did equip the LinkBuds Clip with unique listening modes meant to enhance the audio performance in two scenarios. First, Voice Boost increases the volume of voices when you’re on a call or listening to podcasts or audiobooks. The company says this is designed for noisy environments where the ambient sound is overly raucous. During my testing, I found the setting to be an extreme treble boost and volume increase — something that’s definitely not well-suited for music. 

Next, Sound Leakage Reduction dials back high-pitched tones to avoid annoying your neighbors in the office or coffee shop. To me, this is the opposite of Voice Boost, removing the highs for a more mid- and bass-heavy tuning, but it doesn’t sound very good compared to the default setting. Plus, my family wasn’t really able to hear any leakage on the LinkBuds Clip anyway, unless I had the volume cranked uncomfortably high. I’ll also note that any EQ customization/presets and DSEE upscaling are only available in Standard (default) listening mode. 

Sound and call quality

The LinkBuds Clip have both noise reduction and bone conduction tech for calls

Open-fit earbuds typically struggle to muster adequate low-end tone, and the LinkBuds Clip meets the same fate. However, it’s not all bad in the audio department as these earbuds have great clarity and provide a solid soundstage so overall quality doesn’t suffer to the point of being unpleasant. The lack of bass is most apparent in booming genres, like hip-hop and synth-heavy electronic tunes. 

The LinkBuds Clip doesn’t fare much better with more chaotic music styles like rock and metal. Spiritbox’s “Holy Roller” doesn’t have the depth that it does on closed-fit earbuds like the AirPods Pro 3 or over-ear headphones like Sony’s WH-1000XM6. As such, the band’s songs aren’t nearly as immersive or impactful without adequate amounts of bass. So if pristine, enveloping sound quality is your primary aim, you’ll want to look elsewhere, and you’ll want to tread carefully with any other open-type earbuds. 

The open nature of the LinkBuds Clip makes them well-suited for calls. Since your ears aren’t plugged, you can clearly hear your own voice so you never feel like you need to shout. Sony says these earbuds have AI noise reduction and a bone conduction sensor for voice pickup, both of which are supposed to keep you sounding good. During the course of this review, I found the background noise reduction worked well without making me sound overly processed. However, the overall voice quality is average at best, which means you can get by with using these for calls, but there are better options if you really value clarity here.   

Battery life on the LinkBuds Clip

When it comes to battery life, Sony says you can expect up to nine hours of use on a charge with up to 37 hours when you factor in the case. That means the LinkBuds Clip alone is enough to get you through a full workday, especially if you’re pausing for the occasional office chat or in-person meeting. And you’ll get more if you’re docking the earbuds in their case once or twice a day. If you do find yourself with a depleted battery though, a three-minute charge will give you an hour of play time. 

I’m still conducting battery tests on the LinkBuds Clip. In my first attempt at a full, nine-hour run down, I wasn’t able to hit Sony’s stated figure, so I’m doing more testing before I offer any final observations here. 

The competition

The including “fitting cushion” (left) can help with a secure fit

Based on my testing, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are still the best in this emerging clip-on category. However, they’re the bulkiest and the most expensive at $299. While they offer all the perks of open wear, sound quality can vary based on how they fit your ears and the lack of multipoint Bluetooth could be a deal breaker for some. 

If you’re hoping to pay less than either Bose or Sony, Anker’s Soundcore line offers the AeroClip for $170. Or if you’re truly ballin’ on a budget, JLab has the Flex Open Earbuds that are now just $40. JBL just announced a new $150 set during CES too, but those won’t be available until March. I’ve only given these two a casual listen without any in-depth testing, so I won’t make a definitive call on which one stacks up best against the LinkBuds Clip. But they’re also just three of currently available options, and there are many more if none of these seem compelling. 

Wrap-up

The LinkBuds Clip expands Sony’s midrange lineup with a completely different design that comes with inherent perks. They’re plenty comfortable and exploit the benefits of open-type designs while doing basic earbud functionality well. Subpar bass performance and the omission of some of Sony’s more attractive features (and even some basic ones) mean the company hasn’t done enough to distinguish the Clip from the competition in an obvious way. Sure, these earbuds work as intended without being flashy or overly complicated, but there are plenty of other options that do that too.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/sony-linkbuds-clip-review-open-fit-benefits-arent-enough-to-stand-out-160000140.html?src=rss 

Weber has been in the smart grilling game since 2020, dabbling in Wi-Fi connectivity for gas and pellet grills. It has also offered grillers a standalone option for its Weber Connect platform. For 2026, the company is expanding its smart grilling lineup to its original fuel source: charcoal. Today, Weber announced the Performer Smart Charcoal Grill and Kettle Smart Ring, both of which bring Weber Connect control and cooking guidance to charcoal grilling in a more integrated way.

The 22-inch Performer Smart Charcoal Grill has a Wi-Fi-enabled LCD controller that regulates grill temperature by adjusting the airflow to lit charcoal. Weber says this grill is well-suited for overnight smoking and longer cooks thanks to this bit of automation. The new Performer also has a so-called Rapidfire Assist mode to get those coals lit faster. The grill can be controlled remotely with the Weber Connect app, which can also keep tabs on any connected food probes.

The new Performer is essentially an upgraded version of the Performer Premium, Deluxe and base options that currently exist. You still get the porcelain-enamel finish, adjustable dampers for manual temperature controls and the One-Touch cleaning system for ash removal. The other upgrade is a Weber Works side table and side rail that accommodate the company’s line of accessories. A premium version comes with a cart with storage shelves for $799 while an option with a more basic cart will be $599. Weber also plans to sell non-smart versions for $649 and $449, respectively. The company says the base models will arrive this spring while the premium trims will be available this summer.

Weber Kettle Smart Ring

If you already have a Weber Kettle and are looking to add a bit of automation to your setup, the Kettle Smart Ring brings temperature control and smart connectivity for $280 this spring. This accessory fits the company’s 22-inch grills and is equipped with an LCD display and knob-based controls. Of course, it also syncs with the Weber Connect app and offers two slots for wired food probes.

Another key smart grilling area Weber lags behind its competition is wireless temperature probes, but that changes this spring. The company will debut a $70 Smart Wireless Probe and a $115 version with range booster and charger. These new probes sync with any Weber smart grill, the Weber Connect app or the new Smart Hub Display and Booster ($90) that works on any grill. Weber also built a retractable wired Smart Probe ($40) that can be used to monitor the temperature at the grates.

And if you’re loyal to propane, Weber has new options for you too. Updated Genesis Smart Gas Grills have a Sear Zone that can hit temperatures of up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit and a side table that now accommodates Weber Works accessories. It will be available in both propane and natural gas versions — in both three- and four-burner configurations — this spring starting at $999. More affordable Spirit Smart Gas Grills will start at $599 and will also come in three- and four-burner options. Both the Genesis and Spirit smart models work with the Weber Connect app like the rest of the company’s Wi-Fi grills and accessories.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/webers-2026-smart-grill-lineup-includes-the-companys-first-wi-fi-equipped-charcoal-grill-150000097.html?src=rss 

Microsoft has announced some solid additions to Game Pass this month, ranging from AAA titles to indies, including some of our favorites from 2024 and 2025. Topping the list is Death Stranding Director’s Cut, an extended version of Hideo Kojima’s 2019 sci-fi action game (now available). Other key inclusions are Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (January 29) and puzzle game The Talos Principle 2 (January 27).

We’re also seeing some award winners including Indika (February 2), a surreal tale about the devil living inside a nun’s head, one of Engadget’s 2024 games of the year. Last year’s Ninja Gaiden Ragebound (available today), a hack-and-slash platformer with top-notch pixel, was on our list for one of 2025’s best games. Finally, Roadcraft allows you to operate a fleet of 40 authentic construction vehicles to clear debris, repair bridges and restore infrastructure.

Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass

Along with the games, there are a few DLC releases arriving soon as well. The Sims 4 players (Ultimate, Premium, or PC tiers) will gain The Sims 25th Birthday Bundle on Jan. 22. You also get Grounded 2, Dead by Daylight (extra Stranger Things content coming January 27) and and Sea of Thieves, with season 18 act 2 coming on January 22.

Here’s a list of key games and tiers arriving on Game Pass over the next month:

Death Stranding Director’s Cut (Ultimate, Premium, PC ) on January 21

RoadCraft (Ultimate, Premium, PC) on January 21

Ninja Gaiden Ragebound (Ultimate, Premium, PC) on January 21

The Talos Principle 2 (Ultimate, Premium, PC) on January 27

Anno: Mutationem (Ultimate, Premium, PC) on January 28

Drop Duchy (Ultimate, Premium, PC) on January 28

MySims: Cozy Bundle (Ultimate, Premium, PC) on January 29

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (Ultimate, Premium, PC ) on January 29

Indika (Ultimate, Premium, PC) on February 2

Final Fantasy 2 (Ultimate, Premium, PC) on February 3

At the same time, here are the titles leaving January 31:

Shady Part of Me (Cloud, PC, and Console)Cataclismo (PC)

Starbound (Cloud, PC, and Console)

Lonely Mountains Snow Riders (Cloud, PC, and Console)

Paw Patrol World (Cloud, PC, and Console)

Citizen Sleeper 2 Starward Vector (Cloud, PC, and Console)

Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap (Cloud, PC, and Console)

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox-game-pass-adds-death-stranding-dc-ninja-gaiden-talos-principle-2-and-more-134126315.html?src=rss