We're really covering all the bases with our latest slate of reviews. We've got everything from an EV family hauler to a smart pellet grill. Wireless earbuds, a unique camera and a GPU that's actually affordable are also on the list. Plus, there are new Playdate games and a VPN review if you're into those things. Whatever your preferred flavor, read on for a recap of our reviews from the last two weeks. 

VW ID.Buzz

There really isn't an electric minivan available in the US, although the VW ID.Buzz certainly comes close. The EV is definitely a head turner, and it offers loads of cargo space for both passengers and packages. "It's just a shame that it's held back by some obvious issues," senior reviews reporter Devindra Hardawar said. "The ID.Buzz is still undeniably useful though, especially if you don't plan on taking many road trips, so there's a chance it'll become more compelling as its price falls."

Weber Smoque

Wi-Fi-equipped pellet grills can get very expensive very quickly. Thankfully, two of the biggest names in grilling chose to offer affordable models as part of their 2025 lineups. One of those is Weber, and the company's new Smoque pellet grill provides reliable performance alongside all of the features most backyard pit masters will ever need — for $799. "Weber really hit its stride with pellet grills last year with the Searwood, and the Smoque is proof the company has more compelling ideas in the hopper," I wrote. "Thankfully, this one saves you some money without sacrificing any of the culinary results."

Fujifilm GFX100RF

The GFX100RF may be a world's first, according to Fujifilm, but the camera isn't without a few substantial flaws. Despite a great design, sharp image quality and new controls, this model isn't good for low-light situations, has subpar autofocus and doesn't offer any image stabilization. As senior reporter Steve Dent noted, maybe the GFX100RF has a higher calling. "The GFX100RF is fun to use, though, and introduces several innovations like the aspect ratio dial," he said. "Though it may never have a huge market, I think products like this push the industry in new directions and create conversations that draw new people into photography."

AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT

Upgrading your GPU these days isn't typically an affordable task, but AMD has a $350 option that's a solid bet for most users. "The Radeon RX 9060 XT is a reminder of a world where we didn’t have to pay more than $400 to get a capable GPU," Devindra explained. "So for the vast majority of players out there — the ones who aren’t using monitors with crazy high refresh rates or 4K+ resolutions — it’s all the GPU you really need."

Two sets of midrange earbuds: Skullcandy and Sony

If you're looking for a set of wireless earbuds for under $150, we recently reviewed two options in that price range. First, Skullcandy's Method 360 ANC borrows heavily from Bose's QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, although officially it only features "sound by Bose." However, Senior buying advice reporter Jeff Dunn warns against the expectation of flagship quality performance. "This is still a tier above most budget pairs we’ve tested," he said. "It has nearly all the features we’re looking for (unlike, say, the Beats Solo Buds), it’s comfortable and the sound signature will hit right if you’re hungry for bass." 

Sony is best known for its 1000X line of earbuds and headphones, but the company has struck gold a few times with midrange devices. Its latest, the WF-C710N, has a comfy design and a lot of features for $120. However, sound quality is where you'll notice the biggest difference between it and more expensive options. "If I had been able to hit (or even surpass) Sony’s stated battery life, these earbuds would be easy to recommend," I wrote. "Despite that, they’re still a solid option, especially at $120, since the company once again outpaces its midrange rivals with more convenient tools than you’ll find anywhere else."

Playdate Season 2 and testing ExpressVPN

Playdate Season 2 will deliver two new games per week for the handheld through July 3. Weekend editor Cheyenne Macdonald has already played the first two entries, Fulcrum Defender and Dig! Dig! Dino!, and a third title that Panic also released called Blippo+. Meanwhile, senior writer Sam Chapman tested ExpressVPN, observing how the service outpaces much of the competition despite its lack of customization options and its higher price. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/engadget-review-recap-vw-idbuzz-weber-smoque-fujifilm-gfx100rf-and-more-133047923.html?src=rss

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Sony’s 1000X earbuds may get most of the attention in the company’s lineup, but there are gems to be found on the roster for less money. The LinkBuds series offers some serious contenders for $100 less than the flagship WF-1000XM5. There have also been some compelling products under $150 from Sony, and the recently released WF-C710N ($120) also fits the bill. A comfortable fit, a long list of features and above-average ANC performance lead the positives here, but there are a few caveats you’ll need to consider before you commit.

What’s good about the WF-C710N?

The WF-C710N is the successor to the WF-C700N that debuted in 2023. That set was a formidable mid-range contender in its own right, thanks to a compact design and handy features. Sony didn’t change the overall look too much for the C710N, but the touch panels for the controls are easier to find since they’re now concave circles. The company also introduced a transparent blue color option that allows you to see inside the earbuds and case. It’s giving Beats Solo Buds and Studio Buds + vibes, but I’m all for it. In my opinion, the more transparent gadgets, the better.

Compared to much of the competition, the C710N’s smaller size also means it is more comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The earbuds sit on the ridges of my ears nicely, and there isn’t any unbalanced, excess weight projecting out from the side of my head. It’s clear Sony fine-tuned the ergonomics for all-day use, and I had no trouble wearing them for the entirety of my battery tests. That’s not always the case with larger, bulkier earbuds.

The C710N might be a midrange set at $120, but the long list of features allows the earbuds to punch above their weight. Starting with the basics, there’s active noise cancellation (ANC), adjustable ambient sound mode, customizable EQ (presets and sliders), multipoint connectivity, reconfigurable touch controls and automatic pausing when the buds are removed from your ears. On the more advanced end of the spec sheet, you get Adaptive Sound Control: Sony’s trademark tool that automates changes to sound settings based on activity or location. There’s also a personalized EQ, 360 Reality Audio support, DSEE upscaling and a Quick Attention feature that lowers the volume and activates ambient sound for any brief chats. The only notable omission here is Speak-to-Chat that does the same thing as Quick Attention automatically when you start talking, but I’m not surprised it was left off a pair of $120 earbuds.

ANC performance is remarkably strong on the C710N, a feat that typically eludes the competition in this price range. In particular, I noticed these earbuds do an above average job of blocking human voices as I was able to greatly reduce the volume of nearby chatter in most instances. I’m not talking complete silence, but the amount of noise blocking is above average when you’re in the vicinity of someone you’d rather not listen to at full volume. Constant distractions like loud fans are also reduced but not entirely thwarted, so that too is better than what you’ll get from a lot of the similarly priced options.

What’s not so good about the WF-C710N?

Billy Steele for Engadget

Compared to other midrange earbuds, sound quality is slightly above average on the C710N, but it could be good enough to satisfy you at this price. The bass is tight and punchy, but oftentimes it overpowers the mix for hip-hop, rock and metal — basically any genre with a driving beat. And when you switch to something more mellow like bluegrass, the low-end tone still constrains the treble and mid range. Depending on the song, highs can cut through, but a boost in the middle of the EQ would do wonders for overall depth of sound here (you’ll want to keep DSEE active). Is it good enough for someone looking to pick up a set of earbuds on a budget? Yes. Does the audio performance compete with flagship options like the WF-1000XM5? Not even close.

In my tests, the C710N didn’t last as long as Sony promised. The company says you’ll get up to eight and a half hours on a charge with ANC active. But, using a mix of noise cancelling and ambient sound modes, I only managed between six and a half and seven hours. That’s a respectable amount, but if you’re looking to wear these for an entire work day, you might not make it. That’s especially true if you need them to also stick around for your commute.

Despite offering the option to “Capture Voice During a Phone Call” in the Sound Connect app, the C710N doesn’t pipe much of you back through the earbuds in that scenario. Even with ambient sound active, I still felt the need to speak up more than normal, so voice and video calls weren’t as natural as they could be. Overall, Sony’s assurance of “crystal-clear calls” falls flat as you’ll sound decent, but not pristine. The C710N will block most background noise from coming through, but in doing so the quality of your voice greatly suffers. All of that means these earbuds are usable for calls if you really need them, but if sounding comprehensible in calls is important , you’ll want to look elsewhere.

Final verdict on the WF-C710N

If comfort and handy features are your primary concern, the C710N will serve you well. Sound quality isn’t the best, but it isn’t bad either, so I have no doubt that many people will be pleased with it. If I had been able to hit (or even surpass) Sony’s stated battery life, these earbuds would be easy to recommend. Despite that, they’re still a solid option, especially at $120, since the company once again outpaces its midrange rivals with more convenient tools than you’ll find anywhere else. The C710N is definitely a better choice than the slightly cheaper Beats Solo Buds, which are now $99.95 at full price ($80 at launch).

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/sony-wf-c710n-review-more-than-midrange-180018400.html?src=rss

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© Billy Steele for Engadget

Wacom's Cintiq line of pen displays give designers and illustrators the ability to use a stylus directly on a screen in various creative apps. Today, the company announced its latest entries with the Cintiq 16, Cintiq 24 and Cintiq 24 Touch. All three feature a slimmer design than the previous models, including thinner bezels around the outside. The company also trimmed down the weight, making even the larger options lighter and more portable. 

The new Cintiq displays work with the Pro Pen 3 where the previous generation offered the Pro Pen 2. The third-gen version has a 12ms response time, 8,192 pressure levels, three programmable buttons, supports up to 60-degree tilt and can be used with various grips. You can also swap out the pen nibs for a different feel or add balance weights as needed. Inside, "an evolved IC chip from the Pro Pen 2" recreates the precise and natural feel of drawing on paper. It also doesn't have a battery, so that's one less thing you have to worry about charging. 

The display panels in each model offer 2.5K resolution (2560 x 1600 on the 16-inch, 2560 x 1440 on the 23.8-inch) and 60Hz refresh rate. Wacom touts its "true-to-life color" and anti-glare glass serves to both nix reflections and provide adequate friction for the Pro Pen 3. That latter item produces "a natural, paper-like drawing experience" when combined with the company's powerful stylus. 

Wacom

You can expect USB-C, HDMI and USB-A ports around back, although the Cintiq 16 connects to a computer with a single USB-C cable (display signal and power delivery). The Cintiq 16 also comes with built-in foldable legs that allow the pen display to sit at a 20-degree angle. Both the Cintiq 24 and Cintiq 24 Touch come with an adjustable stand that offers more positions (you can purchase this stand separately for the Cintiq 16). 

In my experience, Wacom displays are at their best when touch gestures are involved. As the name suggests, those are only available on the Cintiq 24 Touch in this trio. This added functionality allows you to zoom, pan, rotate and more with your fingers, which makes your workflow more efficient. And on the Cintiq 24 Touch, you can use up to 10 fingers simultaneously for those tasks. 

The new Cintiq lineup will be available later this summer. The Cintiq 16 is $699.95, the Cintiq 24 is $1,299.95 and the Cintiq 24 Touch is $1,499.95. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/wacom-debuts-three-new-cintiq-pen-displays-with-slimmer-designs-and-pro-pen-3-support-034647373.html?src=rss

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Father’s Day is just before the official start of summer, so it’s an ideal time to grab some outdoor gear dad can use for the warmer weather. I’ve selected a number of options covering a variety of interests, so if your pops is a beach bum, hiker, aspiring pitmaster, amateur pizzaiolo or just likes to hang out around the fire pit, you’ll find a gift idea for them here. Smart grills, a handy grilling companion, a Bluetooth speaker and more are on the list and ready for all of the summer vibes. Plus, most of this stuff can be used year-round, so dad will be reminded of your gift-giving prowess all year long.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-outdoor-gift-ideas-for-dad-154513097.html?src=rss

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