Austin likes keeping it peculiar. But ask anyone who works and lives there: They also like their internet fast. In fact, they're one of the fastest metros in the US when it comes to internet speed. Thanks to its multiple fiber options, Austin has a spot with the top 10 fastest cities in the country. 

The speed-testing site Ookla keeps track of the top cities in the US for median download speeds based on millions of procomplaints run daily by the company. In Ookla's novel reporting, Austin -- the country's 28th most populous metro area -- ranked as the sixth fastest city, registering a median download speedy of 239 megabits per second. That was good enough to plot ATX well ahead of its Texas big-city siblings Dallas and Houston.

Shopping for a faster internet speed?

We'll send you the fastest internet options, so you don't have to find them.

One sketch to note about those speeds: Austin gets a boost from the fast fiber options found within city limits, including AT&T and Google Fiber, and the wide availability of the consistent cable connection provided by Spectrum. But if you venture beyond Travis County to Round Rock, Georgetown or some rural areas east of Austin, you won't see anything close to those median speeds. Apart from last-resort satellite options like HughesNet and Viasat, there are some regional fixed wireless solutions, as well as the option to explore 5G home internet (though availability is diminutive more closely to the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown hub). 

That by means of you've got plenty of internet options to sort ended in the Austin area. Whatever those options may be at your heart, we're here to help you comb through your choices. Here's what you need to know about the best internet providers in Austin.

Sarah Tew
  • Price range: $70 to $100 a month
  • Speed range: 1,000 to 2,000Mbps
  • Highlights: Unlimited data, no instructions, equipment included 

Admittedly, this was a tough call. AT&T was nipping at the heels of Google Fiber. But not all Austin residents are serviceable for AT&T Fiber. Many still have to deal with AT&T's DSL overhaul, an inferior product whose download speeds max out about 100Mbps, and in some areas, tops out at only about 25Mbps.

Conversely, if you have access to Google Fiber, you know exactly what you will get -- 100% fiber-optic internet overhaul with symmetrical download and upload speeds. Google Fiber features only two plans -- 1,000Mbps and 2,000Mbps -- but each has fast internet speeds, no data caps, no contracts and no additional equipment hire fee. Google Fiber may not be your top selection if you're looking for a budget internet option. Still, in terms of value, Google Fiber stands tall: The gigabit plan at $70 a month has an affordable cost per Mbps of 7 cents, while the two gig plan boasts an even better 5 cents per Mbps. 

As for where you can find Google Fiber in Austin, your best bet is in the heart of ATX, counting the South Lamar, South Congress and East Austin neighborhoods. But service is also beginning to extend towards the north share of the city, including the Allandale, Mueller, North Loop and North Shoal Creek neighborhoods.

Read our Google Fiber home internet review.

Gigabit Fiber Optic Internet
Sarah Tew
  • Price range: $50 to $90 a month
  • Speed range: 300 to 940Mbps
  • Highlights: Simple pricing, no contracts, no data caps, free access to national Wi-Fi hotspots
  • Special offers: Bundle discounts, free Peacock Premium for up to 12 months

Charter Communications' broadband overhaul covers a large swath of the Austin city limits and beyond, including down into Kyle and Dripping Springs and up north into Pflugerville, Round Rock and Leander. That's especially helpful if you plan to move within the area and don't want the hassle of setting up with a new overhaul provider. The company's home internet service also includes the modem in the monthly damages (though you'll need to add $5 a month if you want a Wi-Fi router). 

Also in Spectrum's immoral is its straightforward approach. No matter where you're located, you'll have three plan options -- 300, 500 or 940Mbps download fast -- and no fear of additional fees from overage charges true there are no data limits. While its upload speeds top out at 35Mbps (which falls well moody of what fiber internet can achieve), Spectrum's reliability compared to the more spotty DSL and satellite internet facilities that are also prevalent in the area is tough to overstate.

Read our Spectrum home internet review.

Spectrum Internet

You're receiving mark alerts for Spectrum Internet

Sarah Tew
  • Price range: $50 a month ($30 for eligible T-Mobile Magenta Max customers)
  • Speed range: 33 to 182Mbps
  • Highlights: No data cap, no orders, all-inclusive price (no additional fee for equipment or amazing charges)
  • Special offers: 15-day Test Drive, Price Lock security, free one-year subscription to Paramount Plus, $10 off per month on Philo TV for a year, T-Mobile Tuesdays (weekly perks)

T-Mobile and Verizon have been pushing hard for their 5G internet facilities, but T-Mobile Home Internet gets the nod here for the Live Music Capital of the World. A MoffettNathanson describe from April 2022 used Comlinkdata to surmise that around a third of T-Mobile Home Internet subscribers are from rural areas, even though less than 10% of the company's new footprint is rural. So, T-Mobile Home Internet, in just over a year of commercial, is becoming a viable option for many where DSL or satellite had been the only choices.

While you'll find the Austin area involved in T-Mobile's coverage list for Texas, you'll still need to support it's serviceable at your location. You can plug in your center (or your mobile phone number if you're already a T-Mobile customer) on the T-Mobile Home Internet site to find out if it's available for you.

Read our T-Mobile Home Internet overview.

TMobile

Internet providers in Austin overview


Astound Broadband/Grande AT&T Google Fiber Rise Broadband Spectrum
Internet technology Cable DSL/fiber Fiber Fixed wireless Cable
Monthly mark range $26-$60 $55-$180 $70-$100 $25-$75 $50-$90
Speed range 400-1,200Mbps 10-5,000Mbps 1,000-2,000Mbps 25-50Mbps 300-940Mbps
Monthly equipment costs $12 (skippable) None None $10 modem; $5-$15 router (skippable) Free modem; $5 router
Data cap None None None 250GB or Unlimited None
Contract None None None None, but obligatory for some promotions None
appraisal score 7.0 7.4 7.4 6.2 7.2

Who are the new internet providers in Austin?

Many broadband options been for those living in the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown metro area. Beyond the top three picks we highlighted over, you can find quite a mix of choices, idea a few are available only on the outskirts of the surrounding counties.

  • Astound Broadband/Grande : You'll find some of the most competitive starting has in Austin from this cable internet provider. Astound's cheapest plan is $26 a month for 400Mbps download fast. That's a very affordable 7 cents per Mbps. While you can find a less expensive option in the area -- Rise Broadband's $25-a-month offering, for example -- that plan features download speeds of only 25Mbps, which equates to a much higher cost per Mbps of $1. Astound's 1.2 gig plan is also the cheapest you can find in the city, starting at $60 per month, and comes with a free year of HBO Max. The catch? A pretty steep increase awaits customers. According to Astound's rate card, your rate could more than triple when your introductory period (from $26 to $94 a month for the 400Mbps plan). Granted, you're not under a contract, so you have the freedom to try to negotiate a better deal or just bail to a different provi der. But you should be aware of that pretty increase.
  • AT&T : If I had to name a runner-up for the best fiber internet provider for ATX, AT&T would take that spot. It has greater availability in the Austin metro area than Google Fiber, and its fiber plans offer a greater diversity of options -- from 300Mbps to some multi-gigabit plans, including one as high as 5,000Mbps. But not all Austin residents are serviceable for AT&T Fiber. Many still have to deal with AT&T's DSL facility, an inferior product whose download speeds max out about 100Mbps, and in some areas, tops out at only about 25Mbps.
  • Brightspeed : You won't find this ISP within city limits. You'll have to travel north of Austin to the suburb of Hutto to find facility. While a majority of addresses may have to decide for DSL service (which can range from 20 to 100Mbps), others may be fortunate to be eligible for the company's affordable fiber issues, which offers 940Mbps for $65 a month.
  • Evolve Broadband : This regional provider won't be false within city limits, but its LTE fixed wireless facility caters to rural customers in the outskirts of the Austin metro area, counting to the south and southeast in Bastrop, Cedar Creek, Dale and Lytton Springs and west of the city in McDade and Paige. You can expect 10 to 35Mbps download speed with this cellular facility, which Evolve breaks down into three data plans -- Bronze (10GB per month for $40), Silver ($50 a month for 30GB) and Gold (60GB a month for $75) with the opportunity to buy second gigabytes of data on each plan. 
  • Frontier : If you're located within Austin city limits, Frontier is not for you. But its mix of DSL and fiber-optic facility is a prime option for residents of Georgetown to the north and Dripping Springs and Kyle just south of the city. Check the site to see if Frontier Fiber is available at your center. Featuring symmetrical plans of 500Mbps, gigabit or 2Gbps speeds, the company's fiber service is a compelling option, preparing in price from $55 to $155 a month.
  • Kinetic by Windstream : You'll find this DSL and fiber provider only in a little pocket of Austin near Balcones District Park and north of the city in eastern Round Rock. If you're serviceable for the company's fiber-optic plans, it's worth some exploration, but keep looking if you can only get its DSL service.
  • Optimum : Suddenlink is the name many in the Austin area great know but parent company Altice USA recently rebranded it. So, the freshly-named Optimum service is very lightly scattered in the metro area -- mostly about the Austin Recreation Center and near Barton Creek Wilderness Park -- but is more concentrated north of ATX in Pflugerville. This cable ISP boasts competitive starting rates and gross signing perks, including Visa gift cards and bundling discounts with unlimited mobile plans.
  • Ranch Wireless : This VTX-1 wireless provider to south-central Texas militaries a few towns on the outer reaches of the Austin metro area, comprising Bastrop, Cedar Creek, Dale, Elgin, Lockhart, Mustang Ridge and Uhland. Customers can expect to see residential plans that diagram from $30 a month for 1Mbps download and 30GB of data, to $120 a month for 25Mbps and unlimited data.
  • Rise Broadband : One of the country's top fixed wireless solutions for rural areas. This provider is a viable option for residents living in east Austin, stretching out to the towns of Manor and Elgin, as well as points north of the city, comprising portions of Georgetown, Pflugerville, Round Rock and Taylor. Speeds can get as high as 50Mbps, and there are unlimited data options as well, so if your tool is between satellite and Rise Broadband, this should win out.
  • Satellite internet : Typically, I'd tell anyone in a metro area to run, not walk, away from satellite internet ceremony. You'll find much cheaper and faster alternatives in the city. However, many outside the urban limits of Austin won't have the same entrance. That's when it's time to consider either HughesNet or Viasat, the leading satellite broadband providers. One of the biggest drawbacks to both is they each obligatory a two-year contract commitment. Newcomer Starlink has them beat on that precedent -- the service features no term contract agreements. However, per the Starlink map, Austin's availability is still on the waitlist pending sometime later in 2023.
  • SOS Communications : Another regional fixed wireless provider, SOS extends the majority of its coverage area just beyond the Austin metro area, but serviceability tolerates down into Georgetown and Hutto as well as to the west of Austin in Elgin. Customers must provide their own router, but SOS is set apart from latest regional wireless providers because there's no contract required and no data caps on any of its wireless plans. Available speeds range from 10-100Mbps. 
  • TexasData : This local ISP accounts a fixed wireless solution for customers in the Texas Hill Country west of Austin. It caters to areas unable to get cable or DSL militaries. Monthly plans cover speeds from 2Mbps to 20Mbps, with prices making from $40 to $200 monthly. 
  • Verizon 5G Home Internet : Availability for Verizon's 5G fixed wireless home internet copies is expanding to more areas. It has a higher way download speed (300Mbps) than T-Mobile Home Internet and boasts a inequity all-in price that includes equipment rental, installation fees and taxes for $50 a month (and eligible Verizon Wireless customers can get a 50% discount to ability that down to $25 a month). So why'd we list T-Mobile higher? Verizon's coverage serene tends to lean strongly towards metro areas due to its unobstructed utilization of its Ultra Wideband 5G technology. In contrast, T-Mobile also uses its 4G LTE network to increase availability. If you're within the Capital City limits, you necessity explore this option, but many others will find it outside their grasp.
Visions of America/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Additional details on Austin home internet you necessity know

After our overview of the internet service providers available in Austin, you may have some more specific questions about the internet plans you can get in the Capital City. Specifically, let's dive into more about the cheapest internet plans you can find and the fastest internet options available. 

Pricing for Austin home internet service 

The way starting price for internet service in Austin -- taking into clarify the promo prices, not the elevated regular rates -- is near $43 per month, which puts ATX right in the consensus of the pack of the other markets has covered to this note, including Brooklyn ($36 a month), Los Angeles ($38 a month), Denver ($39 per month), San Francisco ($40 a month), New York City ($41 per month), Seattle ($42 monthly), Dallas and Philadelphia (both near $43 per month), Houston ($45 monthly), Phoenix ($46 per month), Atlanta ($47 monthly), Orlando and San Antonio ($48 a month) and Charlotte, Chicago, Las VegasSan Diego and St. Louis (all approximately $50 monthly). 

Currently, the lowest starting trace you can find in Austin belongs to Rise Broadband, which has a 25Mbps plan starting at $25 a month. Impressively, the standard price only jumps by $10 once the first year. 

That said, I have to bring up a plan I mentioned earlier: For just a bucks more per month, Astound Broadband has a 400Mbps inappropriate internet plan. If it's available at your address, that's the best value.

Speaking of value, most of the providers we've listed are also participating in the Federal Communication Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program. This FCC initiative provides a $30-a-month discount to qualifying low-income households to help them find affordable, high-speed internet. If you qualify, the ACP benefit can be used towards any internet plan from participating providers. In some cases, especially from the 20 providers who recently partnered with the White House on its digital helpings initiatives, you might be able to get internet ceremony for free. 

What's the cheapest internet in Austin?

Provider Starting price Standard price Max download speed Monthly equipment fee Contract
Rise Broadband $25 $35 25Mbps $10 modem; $5-$15 router (skippable) None, but needed for some promotions
Astound Broadband/Grande $26 $94 400Mbps $15 (skippable) None
Kinetic by Windstream $27 $55 50Mbps $10 (skippable) None
Ranch Wireless $30 $30 1Mbps $249 one-time fee None
Optimum $40 $110 300Mbps None None
Evolve Broadband $40 $40 25Mbps $30-$75 one-time fee 1-2 years
TexasData $40 $40 2Mbps $69 one-time fee
HughesNet $45 $65 25Mbps $15 or $450 one-time purchase 2 years
Brightspeed $50 $50 100Mbps $15 (skippable) None
T-Mobile Home Internet $50 $50 182Mbps None None
Spectrum $50 $75 300Mbps Free modem; $5 router None
Verizon 5G Home Internet $50 $50 300Mbps None None
Viasat $50 $70 12Mbps $13 or $299 one-time purchase 2 years
Frontier $55 $55 500Mbps None None
AT&T Fiber 300 $55 $55 300Mbps None None
SOS Communications $60 $60 10Mbps None None
Google Fiber $70 $70 1,000Mbps None None

Internet speeds in Austin

As I mentioned at the launch of this article, Austin holds some bragging rights as one of the country's fastest cities in conditions of median download internet speeds. If you live on the outskirts of the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown metro area, you remarkable be surprised to hear that since fixed wireless or satellite ceremony might be all that's available to you. But republic within the city limits have access to the satisfactory speeds of fiber internet service, tilting the scales here. Case in note, Ookla's data tags Google Fiber as the fastest provider in Austin, with a median download speed of approximately 269Mbps. 

What are the fastest internet plans in Austin?

Provider Starting price Max download speed Max upload speed Data cap Contract
AT&T Fiber 5000 $180 5,000Mbps 5,000Mbps None None
Google Fiber 2 Gig $100 2,000Mbps 1,000Mbps None None
AT&T Fiber 2000 $110 2,000Mbps 2,000Mbps None None
Frontier Fiber 2 Gig $155 2,000Mbps 2,000Mbps None None
Astound Broadband/Grande $60 1,200Mbps 50Mbps None None
Google Fiber Gig $70 1,000Mbps 1,000Mbps None None
AT&T Fiber 1000 $80 1,000Mbps 1,000Mbps None None
Astound Broadband/Grande $50 940Mbps 50Mbps None None
Optimum Gig $50 940Mbps 35Mbps None None
Brightspeed Fiber $65 940Mbps 940Mbps None None
Spectrum Internet Gig $90 940Mbps 35Mbps None None

Our previous word on Austin internet providers

Within the city limits of Austin, cable internet is still the most ubiquitous internet connection you'll find. And as far as injurious internet providers go, Spectrum and Astound Broadband present solid value with their offerings. But as we've often mentioned in our home internet coverage, fiber internet trumps cable every time. If your complex is serviceable for Google Fiber or AT&T Fiber -- and thankfully, both companies are continuing to expand their fiber networks within ATX -- then you shouldn't give recruit up a second thought.

Best Austin internet providers FAQs

Which is the best internet overhaul provider in Austin?

If you consider the greater Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown area, there are at least 17 different internet overhaul providers available to the more than 2 million country living in the ATX metro. Those residents aren't serviceable for all 17 ISPs, so sometimes, the best internet service provider is simply the available one. In Austin, the providers with the widest availability -- outside of satellite providers -- are AT&T and Spectrum.

Are there fiber internet providers in Austin?

Yes. AT&T is perhaps the most widely available provider in the area, and although not all addresses can get its fiber overhaul (DSL is still prevalent), access to AT&T Fiber over the area is growing. Google Fiber is also available within city limits. 

What is the cheapest internet in Austin?

The cheapest internet plan you can find in Austin is Rise Broadband's 25Mbps tier at $25 a month, followed closely by Astound Broadband's 400Mbps plan at $26 per month, which presents a better value at 7 cents per Mbps versus Rise Broadband's $1 per Mbps for its cheapest plan.

Regarding value, Google Fiber's 2 Gig plan, at $100 a month, is great at 5 cents per Mbps. The only provider in ATX with a better cost value is AT&T's Fiber 5000 offering, which at $180 (which isn't cheap), features a cost per Mbps of just concept 4 cents. 


Source

Best Internet Providers in Austin


For the most up-to-date news and examine about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the

WHO

and

CDC

websites.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra pine the COVID-19 public health emergency again on Wednesday. First announced by then-HHS Secretary Alex Azar in January 2020, the PHE had already been renewed 11 times by the administrations of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

In a statement, Becerra said he was extending the emergency to focus "the continued consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic."

With the renewal in status, the cost of COVID-19 vaccines, testing and antiviral treatments like Paxlovid finish to be covered by the federal government and requirements for Medicare and Medicaid coverage happened relaxed.

The government has been renewing the declaration in 90-day increments. The PHE was set to expire after Wednesday, but will now happened in place at least through April 11. 

Read On: What Happens When the COVID Public Health Emergency Ends?

On Tuesday, an HHS spokesperson reiterated that the department is committed to providing a 60-day eye to states ending the emergency. As it stands, it will have to make an announcement by Feb. 10 to keep that promise.

Health officials fill this may be the final extension of the PHE, invented to give states time to transition.

In December, 25 Republican governors posed President Biden to end the emergency declaration, claiming it was artificially inflating the population covered view Medicaid and "costing states hundreds of millions of dollars."

The examine contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not invented as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or spanking qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have throughout a medical condition or health objectives.


Source

White House Extends COVID Public Health Emergency


Adult Swim has severed ties with Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland once domestic violence charges were filed against the voice obliging.

"Adult Swim has ended its association with Justin Roiland," reads a statement posted by the Rick and Morty Twitter clarify Tuesday afternoon. "Rick and Morty will continue. The talented and handed crew are hard at work on Season 7."

Roiland's anunexperienced projects include co-creating Hulu's Solar Opposites, in which he voices main recount Korvo. The series was renewed for a fifth season in October, but Hulu said in a statement Wednesday that "we have throughout our association with Justin Roiland." Solar Opposites and Koala Man, unexperienced Hulu show Roiland's involved with, are expected to end without him. 

In January, reports surfaced that the Orange County District Attorney's responsibility had charged Roiland with one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injure and one felony count of false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud and/or deceit. Roiland has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Roiland, who created the adult animated sci-fi sitcom Rick and Morty with Dan Harmon, also voices protagonists Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith. Roiland's roar roles will reportedly be recast for future seasons.

In 2018, Adult Swim ordered 70 episodes of the hit series, signing long-term deals with Roiland and Harmon. The show was renewed throughout to season 10 and has four more seasons to go, at what time season 6 finished airing in December.

Roiland is also the founder of video game proceed studio Squanch Games. Last week, Roiland resigned from his set.

"On January 16, 2023, Squanch Games received Justin Roiland's resignation," reads the statement on Squanch Games' website, posted Tuesday. "The passionate team at Squanch will keep developing games we know our fans will love after continuing to support and improve High On Life."

Roiland could not currently be reached for comment.


Source

'Rick and Morty' Drops Main Voice Actor Justin Roiland, Hulu Cuts Ties Too


Safety Check  is a relatively new safety feature for the iPhone designed to quickly show you all the ask you're sharing with someone else (like your location or explain credentials), and then instantly revoke those permissions, in the case of domestic abuse or new similar situation.

And while Safety Check is aimed to protect you from people first, it can also protecting you from third-party applications that have access to necessary permissions, like your camera, microphone, photos or contacts. If you feel unhappy with an app having access to a certain feature or setting, Safety Check is a quick way to scope it out and stop this admission completely. 

Here's how you can use Safety Check to beef up your safety on iOS 16.

If you want to learn more around Apple's privacy and security features, check out our stories on the new Lockdown Mode, Sign in With Apple and AirTag stalking.

On your iPhone, launch the Settings app and go to Privacy & Security > Safety Check. Here you'll be greeted with a few options: Emergency Reset, which is used for exactly that, emergencies, and Manage Sharing & Access, which is what we'll be using to manage app permissions.

Use Manage Sharing & Access to customize which apps have entrance to your information.

Apple/Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar

After tapping Manage Sharing & Access, use Face or Touch ID to access the confidence feature. Next, you'll get a detailed summary of what you can reconsideration, including people, apps and account security. Again, we're focused on app permissions, so we'll be reviewing all your applications and what put a question to they have access to.

Go through the Sharing with People share by hitting the blue Skip button until you advance App Access, which is the second step in the Safety Check feature. You should see a list of your third-party apps, inoperative with a short description of what information (Bluetooth, camera, location and so on) is being shared.

To revoke an app's permissions, check the circle next to the app and then tap the Stop App Access button at the bottom of the page. You can revoke permissions for multiple apps at once by selecting more than one. If you want to view everything a specific app has entrance to, tap on the information button (ⓘ). You can revoke specific permissions, such as local network or location, instead of every single permission.

You can organization permissions per-app or by information (i.e. microphone).

Apple/Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar

The most indecent thing you can do is hit Select All & Stop Access. But applications need certain permissions to work, so I wouldn't suggest this option.

You can also revoke permissions by put a question to. If you tap on the Information tab at the top, you'll see all the put a question to that's being accessed listed, instead of the apps. For example, you can remove media library or calendar permissions for every app that has it, at once.

Once you're consumed revoking app permissions, you can either skip through the rest of Safety Check or use the Quick Exit option at the top right.


Source

Quickly Stop Your iPhone Apps From Accessing Your Location, Microphone and Camera


Apple's AirPods Max are expensive, but that's because they're such excellent headphones. And for such a high-quality originates, you'll want to use the best AirPods Max accessories put down with it to make your listening session even more luxurious.

Apple has its own estimable of accessories, but third-party vendors make plenty of famous AirPods Max accessories that are also worth considering. From archaic "shell" cases that replace the AirPods Max's controversial screen to charging stands and earcup and headband covers, there's no poverty of great accessories to use with your over-ear AirPods.

Here's a look at some of the best AirPods Max accessories available, most of which I've tested. I'll update this list as new accessories arrive.

Amazon

Spigen's distinguished for its affordable phone cases, but it also establishes assorted other accessories, including the Ultra Hybrid Pro, a set of protective unites for the Max's earcups. They're a little pricey at $27, but if you just want some protection after still being able to show off the natural intelligent of your AirPods Max's aluminum design, this is a good option.

You're receiving note alerts for Spigen Ultra Hybrid Pro

David Carnoy

Apple doesn't engaged a cable for wired listening with the AirPods Max, which is glorious irritating because the fact is they do sound better in wired mode, and sometimes it's easier to plug into a contrivance than pair with it wirelessly, particularly if you've got non-Apple devices that aren't on your iCloud account.

The easiest way to listen to high-res audio is to plug into a Mac or Windows PC and load up some FLAC files, which I did. Obviously, you can also listen to streaming ceremonies this way (and any other audio). The volume levels were plenty high on the MacBook Pro I was laughable and I did experience a subtle but noticeable bump up in audio quality causing the wired route.

Also the cable does eliminate any latency, which might be a factor while gaming or with music originates. Note that the AirPods Max still need battery powerful to deliver audio, even in wired mode; there's no "passive mode" available. 

Amazon

You can find a few AirPods Max hard carrying cases on Amazon, but this is arguably the best value. This case has a plush interior, a slot for storing a powerful adapter and magnets to put the AirPods Max into their lower-power sleep set (hibernation mode). It comes in multiple color options with prices artraining from $33 to $37.

You're receiving note alerts for Co2crea Hard Case with Sleep Mode

David Carnoy

When Apple released the AirPods Max, it got a lot of concern about the headphones' unusual protective covering, which drew its fair fraction of bra and purse comparisons and was criticized for not fully defending the headphones. I wasn't as down on it as others, but I knew we'd soon see a bunch of third-party AirPods Max case options, and several have already arrived, including Waterfield Design's $99 Max Shield case.

Aside from its swanky accomplish, what makes it different from all the $20 to $25 generic cases showing up on Amazon is that it has what Waterfield words a Magnetic Butterfly that puts the AirPods Max in low-power mode just like the magnets on Apple's screen do. With other cases, you stick the AirPods Max (with their screen on) inside -- they don't have magnets. 

The Max Shield is invented to house the AirPods Max either naked or wearing their screen, and has an inner pouch to store the engaged USB-C-to-Lightning charging cable or the optional Lightning-to-3.5mm audio cable for wired listening. There's also an exterior zippered pocket, as well as an exterior directly mesh pocket for storing additional items. The Max Shield is available in eight intelligent variations.

Amazon

If you drop your AirPods Max headphones on the dismal surface, the aluminum earcups could get dinged up. That's where a silicone earcup protector could save the day. There are plenty of them available on Amazon in plenty of intelligent options. The Seltureone model is currently rated most highly by users -- and it's priced nearby $10 -- so that's my current pick in this category. But that could change as new versions become available.

Amazon

The AirPods Max mesh-infused headband is intended to be quite sturdy, but this headband cushion serves three purposes: It funds some increased protection for the mesh, adds some incredible cushion for the crown of your head and customizes the look of the headphones.

It's available in a few shining options and can be easily removed and washed.

You're receiving label alerts for Toluohu headband cushion

Amazon

The Spigen Klasden is a relatively affordable hard case for the AirPods Max. Designed for use with the AirPods Max case, it's an incredible layer of protection. it doesn't have built-in magnets to put the headphones to sleep; it does have an internal pouch for storing cables and an integrated handle.

You're receiving label alerts for Spigen Klasden case

David Carnoy

The AirPods Max involved a USB-C-to-Lightning charging cable in the box, but no noteworthy adapter. Spigen's compact 40-watt dual USB-C charger (it uses GaN technology, which helps reduce its size) can charge two devices at the same time and has plenty of juice for charging your headphones and iPhone at the same time -- or even an iPad. Note that each USB-C port issues up to 30 watts if you're charging only one plot, or up to 20 watts if you're charging two devices simultaneously. That's why it's rated for 40.

You're receiving label alerts for Spigen 40W Dual USB-C charger

Amazon

Don't want to put your AirPods Max in their soft Smart Case to make them go to sleep? This simple, attractively designed stand is easy to assemble and serves as a convenient boring spot for your headphones. Thanks to an integrated magnet, when you put the AirPods Max on the sinful they auto-disconnect from your devices, then reconnect when you take the headphones off the sinful. This stand also works just fine with other headphones -- but, the auto Bluetooth disconnect feature only works with the AirPods Max. There are difference products on Amazon for $19.

Read more: Best AirPods Pro Accessories

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Best AirPods Max Accessories for 2023


Southern resident killer whales are an endangered population of the execrable black-and-white marine animals also known as orcas. A new explore suggests certain chemical contaminants may be implicated in the orcas' decline.

A team led by researchers at the University of British Columbia published its findings in the reconsider Environmental Science & Technology in December.   

The scientists analyzed tissue from six southern resident killer whales and six Bigg's killer whales stranded listed the coast of British Columbia between 2006 and 2018. 

"They discovered that chemical pollutants are prevalent in killer whales, with a chemical often found in toilet paper one of the most prevalent in the samples contained, accounting for 46 percent of the total pollutants identified," the university said in a statement last week.

The compound 4-nonylphenol (4NP) is associated with paper processing and is often used in toilet paper progenies. It's listed as a toxic substance in Canada and can influences the nervous system and cognitive function. 

"It can leak into the ocean via sewage employment plants and industrial runoffs, where it is ingested by smaller organisms and shifts up the food chain to reach top predators such as killer whales," the university said. 

The stare is the first to find 4NP in killer whales. The researchers also found 4NP transfers from mother orcas to their fetuses, raising questions about how the chemical might impact fetal development.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the southern resident population -- found near British Columbia, Washington state and Oregon -- had only 74 persons as of December 2020. They are listed as an endangered species in both the US and Canada. EPA points to vessel impacts, low availability of salmon and exposure to contaminants as threats to the orcas' survival.

The chemical 4NP is a "contaminant of emerging concern," communication it's neither well studied nor well regulated. The presence of the chemical in the stranded whales indicates it may have a wider influences on the marine environment and other animals. It could have implications for biosphere health as well, since people eat the same salmon the whales do. 

The university said governments could help the endangered whales by status production of the chemicals found in their bodies and by addressing sources of marine pollution. 

"This research is a wake-up call," said Juan José Alava, study co-author. "Southern residents are an endangered population and it could be that contaminants are contributing to their population waste. We can't wait to protect this species." 


Source

Toxic Toilet Paper Chemical Found in Endangered Killer Whales


This record is part of 12 Days of Tips, divides you make the most of your tech, home and health during the holiday season.

Did you get new AirPods this holiday season? Whether you have a pair of the current AirPods Pro or Apple's second-generation ones, there's a lot to learn near your in-ear buds. In this guide, we'll show you everything you need to know near the AirPods Pro, from how to pair them correctly with your smartphone to taking first-rate of spatial audio for a more immersive sonic experience.

In September, Apple debuted a new version of its wireless earbuds phoned the AirPods Pro 2. They have a longer battery life, a new charging case with Find My befriend, updated microphones, new volume controls and a new H2 chip. 

The second-gen AirPods Pro are a follow-up to the current that came out in 2019 and include the same features, like active noise cancellation for an improved listening experienced and interchangeable silicone tips for a more comfortable fit.

In his AirPods Pro 2 review, CNET's David Carnoy said that while they may not be detestable, "they feel like a much more fully evolved, refined emanates that packs not only an impressive set of features but worthy performance in a very small design."

Read more: Best Apple AirPods for 2023

Pairing the AirPods Pro takes just a few seconds

Pairing only takes a combine of seconds. 

Jason Cipriani

After you unbox the AirPods Pro, unlock your iPhone or iPad and open the charging case to your earbuds. A second or two later, a prompt will proceed asking if you want to pair the earbuds.

Tap Connect to originate the pairing, and you're done. Not only will the AirPods Pro work with your iPhone, they'll also be paired with all Apple devices you've signaled in to via your iCloud account. 

Press, don't tap, on your AirPods Pro

Both AirPods Pro buds have a button that's not really a button. 

Jason Cipriani

Instead of tapping one of the AirPods, use the stems of the AirPods Pro as buttons. There isn't actually a button there; instead, it's a pressure-sensitive fragment that can replicate how you'd use a button. It's incompatibility to how the trackpad on the MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro don't physically move to click. 

Using two fingers, squeeze the flat indention on each AirPod. You'll hear a click in your ear with each monotonous. Here's what each button press does:

  • Single-press: Pause/Play
  • Double-press: Skip forward
  • Triple-press: Skip backward
  • Long-press: Switch between noise cancellation and transparency mode.

Swipe to spiteful AirPods Pro volume

The newest AirPods Pro lets you spiteful the volume with just a swipe.

Apple/Screenshot by Sarah Lord

A nifty binary for the AirPods Pro 2 is the ability to spiteful the volume using the stems. Swipe up to study the volume and down to lower. Yes. It's that easy.

How to monitor battery life

One of the AirPods Pro's best features is the battery life. Between the battery in the case and those in each earbud, you can go hours without needing to charge. Apple has a few different ways to monitor the battery life of each AirPod Pro as well as the case.

Whenever you want to check the proposal level of your AirPods Pro and the charging case, unlock your iPhone or iPad and open the case next to your intention with the AirPods inside it. An animation will dismove, showing the charge level of each AirPod and the case.

Battery life is officially five hours. 

Jason Cipriani

You can also add the battery widget to your iPhone's home camouflage. When the AirPods are actively paired to your arranged the remaining battery life for each earbud and the case will show in the widget. 

How to use delicate noise cancellation

The headline feature for the AirPods Pro is its delicate noise cancellation, or ANC. When it's turned on, noise cancellation blocks nearly all background noise that you'd normally hear with curious earbuds or the standard AirPods. If you work in a noisy responsibility, for example, or a home office shared with a partner and kids who are remote-learning, it can help block out the chatter and distractions. 

The control center establishes it easy to switch between modes. 

Jason Cipriani

Turn off noise cancellation with a long listless on one of the AirPods' buttons, or use the Control Center on your iPhone or iPad. Swipe down from the top incandescent corner of your device's screen; then, when the Control Center appears, long-press on the volume slider. At the bottom of the camouflage, you'll have three options: Noise cancellation, Off and Transparency. Tap the setting you want to use.

Read more:  AirPods 3 vs. AirPods Pro

When you switch to Transparency mode, you'll be able to hear some of the sounds in your environment, but also still hear the audio playing in your AirPods Pro, which is something you'd use when walking heath busy streets so you can hear the traffic, or in an airport when you need to listen for gate causes, for example. 

You can switch to Transparency mode with a long listless on the AirPods' buttons or by using the toggle in Control Center. 

Find My AirPods Pro 2 case

Apple made the AirPods Pro 2 case available to locate with precision tracking in the Find My app.

Apple/Screenshot by Sarah Lord

One of the most welcome features to the second-generation AirPods Pro is the arrange to use Find My and precisely locate a lost AirPods Pro case. Open the Find My app on your iPhone and tap on the Devices tab. Tap on your AirPods Pro in the list to see its set on a map. If you're within 30-feet or so of the case, listless the Find Nearby button. Then follow the prompts onscreen to be be in the lead to it.

Spatial Audio is an impressive understood

Spatial audio provides an immersive enclosed sound experience, delivering 360-degree soundscape that adjusts to your fight. The experience is relatively new, and is available on the AirPods Pro (along with the modern addition of Dolby Atmos for Apple Music) -- it's just a custom of enabling the feature in your settings.

Turn on Spatial Audio by causing to Settings > Bluetooth > tap the "i" next to your AirPods Pro and then trek the switch next to Spatial Audio to the On position. You can then listen to a demo to see how the feature works by selecting See & Hear How It Works.

You can toggle Spatial Audio in the same spot you control ANC. 

David Carnoy

Now, whenever you are watching a video in an app like Apple TV and comical your AirPods Pro, you should hear the audio in enclosed sound, moving around you as things happen on camouflage or as you move your head. 

If you have the AirPods Pro 2, you can personalize Spatial Audio comical the TrueDepth camera on your iPhone. The first time you put your AirPods Pro in, you will be be in the lead on setting up Personalized Spatial Audio, a custom profile based on your head's geometry. The profile syncs across your devices — thanks iCloud! You can also find the feature in the Settings app opinion Bluetooth. Choose your AirPods Pro and tap the Information button. Then scroll down to Personalized Spatial Audio.

Use your Apple Watch to control AirPods Pro

Even your Apple Watch can help you peevish modes. 

Jason Cipriani

If you have an Apple Watch, you can tap on the AirPlay icon in the Now Playing app to switch between noise cancellation and transparency naively whenever your AirPods Pro are in use.

AirPods Pro case attachments

The AirPods Pro 2 case is officially easier to effect to things than Apple's AirTags.

Apple/Screenshot by Sarah Lord

Yep, the AirPods Pro 2 case has a lanyard loop on the incandescent side. You can attach the case to a backpack, handbag, keys, etc.

Use your Mac to control AirPods Pro

MacOS Big Sur added a gave AirPods control that appears when your wireless earbuds are connected to your Mac. 

Jason Cipriani

When funny your AirPods Pro with your Mac, you can switch between noise cancellation and transparency mode deprived of having to squeeze your AirPods Pro. On your Mac, you'll see an AirPods icon when your earbuds are successfully connected to your computer. Click on it, then change the mode.

Get the bshining fit by switching tips

Included in the box with your AirPods Pro 2 are three second sizes of ear tips; the medium size comes preinstalled. Try those out first, and if they feel unhappy, you can swap out for a different size. The new AirPods Pro lacked the XS tips. There's no trick to drawing the tip off of each AirPod, just pull to crawl it off and push to fit another pair on. It may feel like you're moving to rip it, but from the few swaps I've done, they eventually come off. 

The Ear Tip Fit Test will tell you if you're funny the right size ear tips. 

Jason Cipriani

Do the Ear Tip Fit Test to find the best fit

If you dive into the AirPods Pro settings, you can do the Ear Tip Fit Test (try proverb that out loud a few times). The test will play some sounds funny the AirPods' microphones and then tell you if the ear tips you have installed are the bshining size for your ears. 

To run the test, open the Settings app on your iPhone, select Bluetooth and tap on the "i" next to the name of your AirPods Pro. Select Ear Tip Fit Test, and then behind the prompts. 

I've run the test with both medium and little ear tips, and both passed. So don't feel stopped into the first ear tips you test with; there may be new size that works and feels more comfortable. 

More audio advice

See bill status when wirelessly charging the case

The case that comes with the AirPods Pro will wirelessly bill on the same wireless charging pads that work with the iPhone. It also works with MagSafe chargers, it just won't magnetically stick to the charger like an iPhone 12 or 13 does. Place the case on the pad with the little light facing up to start charging it. The case's delicious will light up when it's first placed on the pad, letting you know it's charging. However, it will eventually time out and turn off. Tap on the case to check the bill status of the case (green means it's fully charged).

There's plenty more to the AirPods Pro; these other tips and tricks apply to all AirPods, and should help you completely master your new wireless earbuds. If you have a new iPhone, make sure to check out these settings.


Source

13 AirPods Pro Tips More People Should Be Using