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I’m a fan of noise‑cancelling earbuds because the world outside tends to intrude without invitation. A short walk to the gym shouldn’t mean I have to hear every motorcycle, car horn, or construction drill the city throws at me.

The issue shows up on the way back, typically when I stop to make a purchase. I’m at the checkout holding my earbuds like tiny pricey pebbles, trying not to be impolite, trying not to drop them, and somehow turning the whole moment into a drama. Then one slips, and I’m bent over searching for inconspicuous black earbuds on scorching pavement.

So yes, I understand the attraction.

### Why open‑ear earbuds make sense

That minor irritation is where this segment starts to click. Shokz built its reputation on bone‑conduction headphones for runners and cyclists, while Bose and Sony have introduced designs that sit outside the ear rather than sealing it shut.

It’s a compelling pitch. Closed‑in earbuds send a clear social signal. Open‑ear models leave room for negotiation. Traffic noise still gets through. Colleagues are still audible. Boarding announcements, checkout small talk, and someone asking if you’re “free for a quick sync” can still reach you. You can keep a playlist, podcast, or call playing and still appear to be a functional member of society.

That convenience is hard to argue against, and that’s when the optics start to look a bit suspect.

### When the line blurs

In the office, things get stranger. Large headphones convey an unmistakable message. Noise‑cancelling earbuds do the same. They suggest, rightly or wrongly, that you’re working, hiding, concentrating, or choosing not to hear anyone read a calendar invite aloud.

Open‑ear models soften that cue. Someone can call your name and you can probably answer without removing anything. Maybe that’s considerate. Maybe the room has simply become another background layer, tucked behind a podcast, a playlist, a call, or an AI voice dictating your next move.

It creates a tidy social loophole: you’re technically reachable, but not fully present.

### How perpetual listening learned manners

This phenomenon extends beyond earbuds, illustrating how a harmless gadget can become overly self‑assured. The same logic applies to audio glasses, smart glasses, wearable AI, and any device that wants to stay invisible while staying active.

The hardware isn’t the villain. For runners, commuters, travelers, and anyone who needs situational awareness, it can be the difference between enjoying music and missing something crucial. I’d rather notice an oncoming car than savor one last crisp chorus before becoming a cautionary tale.

In the office, the effect leaves a strange aftertaste. Awareness becomes a product feature, while the underlying habit stays the same: constant stimulation delivered with better etiquette. Open‑ear earbuds don’t block the world; they renegotiate the terms.

I’ll listen if I have to, but until then I’d rather be elsewhere.

A commercial sodium‑ion battery already in use in China is entering performance territory once reserved for Tesla, adding fresh pressure on the cost edge of lithium‑ion technology. Researchers who evaluated Hina’s cells reported uniform output across a large sample, high power capability, and a design that mirrors key choices found in Tesla batteries. While the low‑cost sodium solution still needs work—particularly with charging in sub‑zero temperatures—it signals a cheaper route for electric vehicles, grid storage, and commercial vehicles that don’t require maximum driving range.

For automakers, the supply‑chain benefit could be as significant as the performance gain. Sodium is abundant and cheaper to source than lithium, which could help battery producers dodge some of the price volatility and supply bottlenecks that have plagued lithium‑ion production.

**How close is it to Tesla performance?**

The Hina cell stood out because the team didn’t stop after testing a single impressive sample. They measured 120 cells with impedance spectroscopy and found strong uniformity throughout the batch. That consistency is the signal that matters for real‑world manufacturing—high peak performance means little if factories cannot reproduce it reliably, especially in vehicles or grid packs that rely on predictable behavior.

The researchers also examined the cells at various currents and temperatures ranging from –20 °C to 45 °C, then used X‑ray imaging and a teardown to inspect the internal structure. The result was a commercial sodium cell that delivers unusually serious power performance for an early‑stage product in this class.

**Why does sodium shift the cost equation?**

The teardown revealed another cost lever inside the cell. Its cathode mix contains sodium, copper, nickel, iron and manganese, with copper employed in a way that could cut reliance on pricier metals such as nickel and cobalt. The cell also features a tabless double‑aluminum architecture. Because sodium does not react with aluminum the way lithium does, manufacturers can use aluminum foil on both sides of the cell instead of depending on copper for the anode current collector. This structural choice could lower more than just material costs by simplifying the current‑collector setup with cheaper aluminum. If sodium‑ion cells keep improving without leaning heavily on expensive metals, they could become a serious cost pressure point for lithium‑ion batteries in price‑sensitive markets.

**What still needs to improve?**

Cold‑weather charging remains the biggest weakness. Researchers found that low‑temperature charging is still problematic, meaning these cells would require careful thermal management before they can handle frequent charging below 0 °C. Energy density is another limitation; today’s sodium‑ion cells generally cannot match the top lithium‑ion batteries for long‑range EVs, so Tesla’s core advantage in maximum driving range stays intact.

Nonetheless, the opening is real. If Hina and other manufacturers enhance cold‑temperature charging, refine hard‑carbon anodes, and advance electrolyte chemistry, sodium‑ion batteries could claim a large role in grid storage, shorter‑range EVs, and commercial vehicles where lithium’s premium may not be justified.

Slate Auto’s stripped‑down electric truck is edging closer to hitting the streets. The startup announced that pre‑orders will begin on June 24, 2026, with an initial $300 reservation fee. It has also been accepting refundable $50 reservations, and recent emails to potential buyers urge them to lock in a spot now to secure a delivery window before the preorder rush.

We have the preorder dates, but the exact price is still missing.

Slate previously made headlines by claiming the base model could be priced under $20,000 after a $7,500 federal tax credit. That credit was later eliminated, and Slate has since been vague about the final cost, now indicating it will fall in the mid‑$20,000 range.

Thus, June 24 could be a pivotal day for the company. Slate built its brand around removing costly complexity and offering a straightforward, customizable EV at a price ordinary consumers can afford. If the final price drifts too far from the original bargain‑car promise, the truck could become harder to sell.

The concept remains attractive.

Slate markets its upcoming budget EV as a radically simple electric pickup that can be converted into an SUV, a work truck, or a personalized vehicle through accessories and kits. This no‑frills strategy has already drawn interest, with Slate reportedly gathering over 160,000 refundable reservations since unveiling the vehicle last year. However, it remains to be seen how many of those reservations will turn into actual sales.

The “buy now, upgrade later” model for EVs is undeniably appealing, and it could succeed—provided the price point aligns with consumer expectations.

Spotify has just introduced a suite of updates that many playlist enthusiasts have been longing for. The headline feature is the arrival of playlist folders on mobile devices—a capability that has been available on desktop for a long time but was missing on phones.

Now you can categorize your playlists by mood, activity, or genre directly from your smartphone, and even nest folders within other folders if you prefer a deeper hierarchy. Playlist folders are rolled out worldwide for all users, with no subscription needed.

Every new feature coming to your Spotify app

– Playlist folders are now accessible on mobile, allowing you to tidy up Your Library while on the move.

– Bulk editing tools let you move or delete multiple tracks, podcast episodes, or audiobook chapters from a playlist in a single action.

– Multi‑select queue management is available for Premium subscribers, giving you finer control over the upcoming playback without adjusting songs one by one.

– Background downloads finally arrive on iOS for Premium users, so music and podcasts continue downloading even when the app is closed. Android users have enjoyed this for years, making it a long‑overdue fix for iPhone owners.

– A new reshuffle button instantly creates a fresh shuffle order without the need to toggle shuffle off and on again, also limited to Premium accounts.

These changes provide a refreshing pause from Spotify’s recent focus on AI‑driven features, which have included AI‑generated daily briefings, personalized podcasts, and AI‑crafted song covers and remixes. Just yesterday, Spotify added a shortcut for clipping and sharing favorite podcast moments straight to social media.

Sometimes the most satisfying updates are the ones that simply make the app behave the way you’ve always wanted. Ensure your Spotify app is updated to enjoy all of these enhancements right away.

After years of going head-to-head with AMD for PC gaming supremacy, Intel now appears determined to challenge Team Red’s dominance in the Windows 11 gaming handheld market.

The company has just unveiled the Intel Arc G3 and Arc G3 Extreme processors, both based on the Panther Lake architecture used in Intel Core Ultra Series 3. Intel says the chips are tuned for handhelds, with 2 performance cores, 8 efficiency cores, 4 low-power efficiency cores, and graphics based on its latest Xe3 architecture. The top configuration uses Intel Arc B390 graphics, with support for real-time ray tracing, XeSS 3, Multi-Frame Generation, Xe Low Latency, and AI-based upscaling.

Intel wants a slice of the handheld pie

It was about time that Intel gave handheld gaming a real shot. AMD has dominated most mainstream gaming handhelds so far. Valve’s Steam Deck uses a custom AMD APU, while Asus’ ROG Ally X and Lenovo’s Legion Go use AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chips. Newer premium handhelds are also moving toward AMD’s Ryzen Z2 family, including the ROG Xbox Ally X with the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme.

Intel is now trying to push into that same category with OEM partners already lined up. According to Intel, Arc G-Series handhelds will begin rolling out from June 2026, with broader availability through the year. The first confirmed systems include Acer’s Predator Atlas 8, MSI’s Claw 8 EX AI+, and OneXPlayer devices. Acer’s Predator Atlas 8 will be available with both Arc G3 and Arc G3 Extreme, while the OneXPlayer 3 has been confirmed with the G3 Extreme chip and an 8.8-inch OLED display. The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ was earlier spotted at an Australian retailer with the G3 Extreme, suggesting that a healthy number of handhelds could launch this year with Intel’s new chips.

Specs alone will not settle the fight

On paper, the Arc G3 Extreme appears to be Intel’s answer to the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, while the regular Arc G3 looks closer to a Ryzen Z2 rival. The comparison will come down to more than clock speeds or graphics architecture. Handhelds need stable performance within tight power and cooling limits, so battery life, thermals, driver support, and lower-wattage gaming will be key.

Intel is preparing Day-0 driver support and precompiled shaders to reduce launch delays and shader stutter in select games. Still, Arc G-Series will need real-world testing before it can be judged against AMD’s more established platform.

Marathon has turned into one of those titles where the chatter around it overshadows the game itself. Behind this fresh extraction shooter lies Bungie’s lengthy development saga and lingering baggage from Destiny 2. With whispers of layoffs after Destiny 2’s conclusion, some have already declared Marathon the epitome of everything wrong with live‑service games—often without having played a single extraction round.

Now that Bungie has unveiled its inaugural Open Play Week, the timing is perfect for newcomers to experience Marathon on their own terms.

The game will be free from June 2 to June 9 on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, and any progress made will carry over if you decide to purchase the full version later. This limited window coincides with the launch of Marathon Season 2 on June 2, during which Bungie will reset progression so both fresh faces and returning veterans start on equal footing.

Don’t Treat It Like a Ranked Shooter

As an extraction shooter, Marathon inherently carries tension. You drop in, scavenge for loot, clash with AI foes and other players, and then scramble to escape alive. Losing in a conventional shooter is frustrating, but in an extraction game the sting is deeper—you also lose your gear. That risk can deter some players, and that’s understandable.

Extraction shooters aren’t built for everyone, but Marathon becomes far more engaging when you stop viewing it as a pure competitive arena where every misstep must be dissected. The thrill lies in the panic and the eventual victory. You’re not fighting just for the sake of fighting; the excitement is in surviving. My recent run in Arc Raiders gave me the same rush.

Hearing footsteps forces you to decide quickly whether to engage or slip into the foliage. One moment you might be loot‑hunting, the next a sudden sound signals a player nearby. “Gear fear” often freezes gamers from using their best equipment, which is why the free week is ideal—you can test the loop without committing long‑term. Dive in with curiosity, not dread of losing.

If the game’s risk‑reward loop hooks you, you’ll no longer be sweating over ELO or rank.

Marathon Shows Confidence From the Outset

Another major reason to give Marathon a go is its distinct identity. I can’t emphasize enough how stunning the visuals are. Graphics shape first impressions, but a unique art direction makes a title truly stand out. Marathon lives and dies by its aesthetics. It’s not a generic military shooter with loot‑tweaking on top; it shares a genre with Hunt: Showdown and Arc Raiders while carving out its own vibe.

The game is vibrant and heavily stylized, pulling from the classic Marathon legacy and reshaping it into something sharper and more contemporary. This revival of a long‑dormant franchise blends retro‑futuristic neon hues, ASCII‑style text, vintage web design, and ’90s sci‑fi culture.

While mainstream titles cling to proven formulas, Marathon chooses the opposite path, embracing risk.

A Fresh Beginning

Season 2 also smooths the entry for newcomers. It adds a new Sentinel shell geared toward defensive play, a nighttime Dire Marsh area pulsing with survival‑horror vibes, fresh gear, and the Cradle progression system, which lets players turn equipment into personal growth separate from faction advancement.

None of this guarantees Marathon will become a long‑term hit. A free week won’t magically resolve every concern about Bungie, monetisation, balance, or the game’s future. However, it does give players a chance to form their own opinion before an online debate does it for them. Try it while it’s free, and stay only if it proves worthwhile. You might just discover your next obsession.

Oura has announced a new version of its popular smart ring, called the Oura Ring 5. Compared to the Ring 4, the new model has a 40% smaller body (2.28mm thick), made of lightweight, non-allergenic titanium.

To achieve a thinner and lighter design, the brand has reworked the mechanical, electrical, optical, battery, and sensing architecture.

Oura Ring 5 has a smaller design and upgraded sensors

The Ring 5 uses low-profile sensor domes, stronger LEDs, and 12 signal pathways to get cleaner and more consistent readings from the finger across different skin tones. Its battery life has been increased to last between six and nine days.

It is available in sizes ranging from 6 to 13 and comes in Silver, Black, Gold, Stealth, Brushed Silver, and Deep Rose. Oura says this is its most scratch-resistant ring so far because of a stronger physical vapor deposition coating. It also has an IP68 rating and is waterproof to 100 meters.

The company is also launching a $99 aluminum charging case for the Ring 5, which can store one month of battery, supports wireless charging, and has an action button for checking charging status and pairing.

Oura is adding more health features to the app

Health Radar is the biggest update that has been launched for Oura subscription members with Gen 3 rings and above. It has two main capabilities called Blood Pressure Signals and Nighttime Breathing. The Blood Pressure Signals feature monitors blood pressure during sleep, when factors such as movement, stress, and caffeine are not affecting readings as much. It can alert users if it detects unusual cardiovascular strain during sleep.

Users can also log readings from a traditional blood pressure cuff directly in the Oura app, so those measurements can sit alongside their longer-term Oura trends.

Nighttime Breathing also works in a similar way by tracking breathing during sleep and giving users a 30-day view of sleep-related breathing disturbances. This makes it easier to spot patterns that may need medical attention.

Other new software features include Live Activity Tracking, which turns the Oura app into a more active workout companion. Users can start a workout from the app and see pace, distance, and connected heart rate in real time. The feature supports running, cycling, and strength training, and can also pull heart rate data from third-party monitors and supported devices.

Oura Ring 5 is available for preorder now and starts shipping on June 4, 2026. It costs $399 in Silver and Black, and $499 in Gold, Stealth, Brushed Silver, and Deep Rose.

New digital assets are prompting the same old questions about trust, oversight, and reserve transparency.

Gold has long been linked to stability in uncertain markets, while stablecoins were introduced to curb the volatility of crypto assets. A growing number of projects are now merging these concepts by issuing digital tokens that are tied to physical gold reserves.

The objective is straightforward: give digital assets a more familiar feel for institutions and users who remain wary of the wild swings in crypto markets.

### Gold Is Still Relevant

As digital assets become more commonplace, one might assume gold would become obsolete—it’s heavy, cumbersome, and doesn’t easily integrate with invisible payments, digital tokens, and modern finance. Yet gold continues to be a trusted store of value.

People view gold as scarce, durable, and dependable—a time‑tested form of money that has changed little over centuries. As financial technology evolves, so does the way investors employ gold.

USDKG, a gold‑backed stablecoin offered to institutional clients via the OSL Group, exemplifies how gold stays pertinent amid contemporary financial shifts. It provides a familiar anchor for a new financial infrastructure while making blockchain‑based money appear less speculative. Even as crypto positions itself as an alternative to modern finance, it still draws on one of the oldest wealth stores.

Rather than treating blockchain assets as completely detached from traditional finance, initiatives like this aim to place them closer to the systems investors already understand. Since investors regard gold as reliable, they are more inclined to trust a stablecoin backed by it.

### Linking Trusted Assets to Modern Finance

Gold is a well‑known asset, but investors demand clear insight into how it ties to custody, ownership, redemption, fees, legal rights, and oversight in stablecoins. A gold‑backed token’s credibility hinges on transparent reserve reporting, robust custody arrangements, reliable redemption processes, and proper regulation.

Transparency, regulation, and liquidity are essential for navigating gold‑backed stablecoins. Because these tokens represent real, allocated physical gold—usually stored in highly secure, insured vaults—verifiable proof of transparency is a must. Merging gold with stablecoins can deliver a more efficient, accessible version of the precious metal, overcoming many of its traditional constraints.

### What Lies Ahead

Gold‑backed stablecoins currently occupy a modest slice of the digital‑asset market, but interest in the segment appears to be rising. This curiosity stems from a broader push within crypto to develop products that feel less speculative and align more closely with familiar financial structures.

Whether these efforts achieve widespread adoption will likely depend on factors such as reserve transparency, liquidity, redemption reliability, regulatory oversight, and users’ ability to clearly grasp how the assets function.

For now, gold‑backed stablecoins sit at the intersection of traditional commodity finance and blockchain‑based payment systems. Their long‑term credibility may hinge less on promotional announcements and more on the consistent performance of the underlying systems that support trust, verification, and accountability.

*Investing involves risk and your investment may lose value. Past performance is not indicative of future results. These statements do not constitute and cannot replace investment advice.*

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