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Apple AirPods Max vs Sony WH-1000XM4

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Apple AirPods Max vs Sony WH-1000XM4
For a long time, Sony and Bose competed to produce the best premium wireless over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation. With the excellent WH-1000XM4 headphones, Sony finally took the lead in the race. The Sony WH-1000XM4 offers a wholesome all-round experience when it comes to design, sound quality, active noise cancellation, and battery life, and is priced at Rs. 29,990 in India. Many will agree that this is one of the best pairs of wireless headphones you can buy right now.

Sony’s undisputed dominance in the space didn’t last very long though; a challenger emerged in the form of the Apple AirPods Max in late 2020. Priced at Rs. 59,900, the AirPods Max costs twice as much here. However, it delivers a more premium experience in many ways, and offers connectivity and ease-of-use benefits for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users.

Although there is a considerable price difference between the Apple AirPods Max (Review) and the Sony WH-1000XM4 (Review), they are currently each other’s biggest competition, in my opinion. Which one is worth buying, then? Find out in this detailed comparison between these two premium wireless active noise cancelling headphones.

Apple AirPods Max vs Sony WH-1000XM4: Price and availability

At Rs. 59,900, the Apple AirPods Max is twice the price of the Rs. 29,990 Sony WH-1000XM4, and this alone will be a huge barrier to many people. However, the AirPods Max isn’t meant for most people; if you recently bought an Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max (Review) for Rs. 1,29,900 or more, you probably won’t be too fazed by the price.

Buyers using Android smartphones or simply unable to fathom such a price for wireless headphones would be better off considering the Sony WH-1000XM4 for Rs. 29,990. Both headsets are available across e-commerce portals, the respective companies’ online stores, and offline retailers across the country. While the AirPods Max is available in five colour options including some rather bright tones, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is only available in black and silver.

Apple AirPods Max vs Sony WH-1000XM4: Design and specifications

As with all its products, Apple has paid close attention to the design and build quality of the AirPods Max, and this has resulted in an incredibly beautiful, luxurious, and comfortable pair of headphones. The liberal use of anodised aluminium for the ear cups, the soft foam ear pads, stainless steel frame, and knit-mesh headband make the headphones look and feel beautiful, and the bright colours give it some character as well.

The controls are excellent and very easy to get used to, and the AirPods Max also uses its custom Apple-made H1 chip to enable quick, stable, and seamless connectivity with Apple source devices. If you have an iPhone, Mac computer, and iPad, the AirPods Max almost magically switches between each of them, sensing exactly which one’s sounds you need to hear. You can also use it as a wired headset with a Lightning-to-3.5mm audio cable, though this is an expensive optional purchase.

There are some shortcomings with the AirPods Max, particularly the rather strange-looking Smart Case, the lack of a power button, and Apple’s continued use of the proprietary Lightning charging port. The headset is primarily meant to be used with Apple source devices, and although it works just fine over Bluetooth with most other smartphones, tablets, and computers, many of its benefits and customisation options are only available when connected to an Apple device.

Sony, on the other hand, has gone with a safe and familiar look for the WH-1000XM4; it looks very similar to its predecessors in the 1000X range. That said, it remains comfortable and sophisticated, with controls that are easy to get used to and work well. Charging is through a USB Type-C port, and you can use it as a wired headset by connecting the included 3.5mm stereo cable.

Where the Sony WH-1000XM4 really beats the AirPods Max is in terms of Bluetooth codec support. While the latter supports only the SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs, the Sony headset goes a step further with support for the LDAC high-resolution Bluetooth codec in addition. This particularly suits use with Android devices, as it allows for more data to be transmitted, and therefore makes for a more detailed and enjoyable sound. There is, however, no support for the Qualcomm aptX Bluetooth codec.

The Apple AirPods Max are clearly meant to be used with Apple source devices, but the Sony WH-1000XM4 doesn’t discriminate in this department. It works equally well with both Android and iOS devices, and also supports multipoint connectivity to maintain a simultaneous connection with two Bluetooth sources.

Apple AirPods Max vs Sony WH-1000XM4: App and battery life

Many of the customisations and tweaks you can get with modern wireless headphones require the use of a companion app or similar implementation, which is the case with both the Apple AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM4. While the Sony headphones have a dedicated app for iOS and Android, controls for various aspects of the Apple headphones are integrated into iOS and macOS.

Sony’s app offers a lot more customisation options and the ability to set the headphones up the way you want, including the equaliser settings, the speak-to-chat feature, adjustable levels for ANC and hear-through, and more. Most options are available on both iOS and Android, making for a largely consistent usage experience regardless of the source device in use.

While you can pair and use the AirPods Max with any Bluetooth device, it’s only possible to modify settings and customise controls when the headphones are paired with an iOS device such as an iPhone or iPad. These settings can be accessed through the Bluetooth menu, and there are only basic toggles and orientation options for the controls, rather than detailed settings or the ability to tweak the equaliser or ANC. On an Android device, you won’t see any of these options, and will have to use the default or last used controls and settings on the headset.

Battery life is considerably different between the Apple AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM4, with the latter offering better performance. As per my testing, the AirPods Max can run for around 13-14 hours per charge in typical conditions, while the Sony WH-1000XM4 ran for twice as long at around 28 hours per charge.

apple airpods max sony wh1000xm4 comparison cases Apple  Sony

Part of this is because the Apple AirPods Max does not have a power button and never really powers down; it’s always on and ready to quickly connect to a source device. Naturally, Sony’s approach is objectively better, and is recommended for anyone looking for reliable and long-lasting battery times.

Apple AirPods Max vs Sony WH-1000XM4: Performance

The Apple AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM4 are the best-sounding wireless headphones you can buy today, thanks to a combination of good hardware and software. Active noise cancellation is effective and class-leading on both of these headphones as well. However, Sony’s superior Bluetooth codec support does mean that when used with the right source device and with high-resolution audio, the WH-1000XM4 sounds noticeably better than the Apple AirPods Max.

That said, when using the AAC Bluetooth codec – as would be the case if you used the Sony WH-1000XM4 with an iPhone or iPad – there’s very little difference in sound quality between the two. Both pairs of headphones offer detailed sound, a flexible and energetic sonic signature, and the ability to bring the most out of your audio tracks.

What also stands out about the two headsets is that the sound isn’t meant to be analytical or neutral; it’s enjoyable, and meant for the everyday listener rather than the discerning audiophile. Sony does go a step further than Apple in offering a bit more detail without losing out on the ‘fun’ element, while the AirPods Max is a bit more flexible and capable of adjusting its sound to different genres.

Active noise cancellation on both pairs of headphones is very effective, but Sony’s range of customisation options gives it an edge here. I often found the starkness of the AirPods Max’s active noise cancellation to be unnerving, and I liked that I could adjust this on the Sony WH-1000XM4. Additionally, the Sony WH-1000XM4 will support the default voice assistant on your smartphone, while the AirPods Max expectedly only allows Siri to be used with Apple devices.

apple airpods max sony wh1000xm4 comparison main2 Apple  Sony

Verdict

Despite the large difference in price between the Sony WH-1000XM4 and the Apple AirPods Max, these two pairs of headphones have both put up a strong fight for the crown. The price difference will actually help many people make their decisions – you either cannot wrap your head around what Apple is charging, and should pick the Sony WH-1000XM4 for that reason, or it doesn’t matter to you at all.

If you’re among the latter set and if you own one or more Apple devices that you intend to use as your primary source(s), the AirPods Max should definitely be your top pick. The seamless connectivity, ability to switch quickly between different Apple devices, good sound quality and active noise cancellation, and beautiful design makes this a premium listening experience in every way.

However, if you’re looking for what is objectively the better-sounding pair of headphones, that title goes to the Sony WH-1000XM4. Better codec support, more impressive features, and plenty of customisation options for both iOS and Android through the app make this the better value-for-money option. Excellent battery life is a pretty big factor as well.


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Microsoft Partners With Inworld to Bring AI Game Development Tools to Xbox

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Microsoft Partners With Inworld to Bring AI Game Development Tools to Xbox


Microsoft is teaming up with Inworld AI to create game development tools for Xbox, enabling developers to create characters, generate entire scripts and quests, and more. The multi-year deal brings an AI design copilot and an AI character runtime engine to the forefront, both of them being totally optional to use and to varying degrees. Of course, the use of AI in art has been criticised by many for simply lacking originality, in addition to running the risk of fewer jobs for artists — a growing fear among many considering the alarming number of layoffs seen at game studios this year in an attempt to cut costs.

“At Xbox, we believe that with better tools, creators can make even more extraordinary games,” Haiyan Zhang, GM, Xbox Gaming AI, said in a blog post. “This partnership will bring together: Inworld’s expertise in working with generative AI models for character development, Microsoft’s cutting-edge cloud-based AI solutions including Azure OpenAI Service, Microsoft Research’s technical insights into the future of play, and Team Xbox’s strengths in revolutionizing accessible and responsible creator tools for all developers.”

The aforementioned AI design copilot is a toolset that will help game designers turn prompts into scripts and dialogue trees. In contrast, the character runtime will enable dynamically generated plot beats and quests. We’ve already seen heavy AI integration in games by way of procedural generation — a more recent example being the 1000+ planets in Starfield. Not to mention, enemy AI has been around for way longer.

Inworld made headlines in August when it launched a modded story mode for Grand Theft Auto V, Sentient Streets, in which players had to investigate the rise of a bizarre AI-worshipping cult — a segment loaded with characters that spoke in AI-generated dialogue, on the fly. The mod was later taken down by publisher Take-Two, leaving a permanent strike on the creator Bloc’s YouTube channel. As per The Verge, Inworld’s AI technology can also be used for narration in top-down RPGs to warn players about any events awaiting off-screen and respond to questions like we’ve seen in the past year with AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Bing Chat. Microsoft has also been heavily banking on artificial intelligence, having made a $10 billion (about Rs. 83,254 crore) investment in OpenAI. The company has also integrated AI tools into its popular suite of services and also added an AI copilot to Windows.

Despite being a Microsoft-affiliated AI toolset, it would be interesting to see whether titles using them will be allowed to thrive on other platforms. In July, Valve claimed that it would be cracking down on games that included AI-generated assets if the developer didn’t own the copyright to the piece of art. For the uninitiated, when you insert a prompt to create something in AI, the software simply repurposes existing assets found online and mushes them together — basically stealing from other artists and writers without appropriate commercial licenses. Infringing them would lead to the game not being distributed on Steam, forcing the developers to seek proper licenses for the asset by reaching out to the AI companies involved. It’s unclear how Microsoft’s partnership will play out — as long as AI content is being used as a catalyst to innovate and create something new, it should be fine.


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BSNL Offers Free 4G SIM Upgrade: Here’s How to Get It

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BSNL Offers Free 4G SIM Upgrade: Here’s How to Get It


BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) is a state-owned telecommunication company in India. Earlier this year in May, the government said that the firm started rolling out 4G services in the country. By December, the networks were said to be upgraded to 5G. However, at the India Mobile Congress, BSNL chairman P K Purwar said that the company will launch 4G services in December and then roll it across the country by June 2024. The chairman added that the 5G upgrades will take place after June next year.

In a post on X shared by BSNL’s Andhra Pradesh (@bsnl_ap_circle) unit, the company confirmed that BSNL users can upgrade their older 2G or 3G SIMs to a 4G SIM for free. Not only will the upgrade be free, but a promotional image shared with the post suggests that users who opt for the upgrade will also receive 4GB of free data that will be valid for three months. It is speculated that BSNL is aiming to boost its upcoming 4G services with this offer. The announcement was first spotted by Telecom Talk.

To access the free data offer and the free upgrade, BSNL users are requested to get in touch with executives at BSNL’s Customer Service Centre, franchisee or retailer stores, or contact one of their Direct Selling Agents (DSA). The promo image also adds in a finer print that the offer is available with certain terms and conditions, but hasn’t detailed any, so far.

Reliance’s Jio recently launched the 4G-supported Bharat B1 feature phone in India. The handset is priced at Rs. 1,299 in India. Alongside 4G connectivity, the phone comes with JioCinema and JioSaavn applications pre-installed.

The Jio Bharat B1 is equipped with the JioPay application, which is said to allow users to make UPI payments. Aiming to increase accessibility, the phone supports 23 languages overall, including multiple regional languages.


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Realme GT 5 Pro Teased to Feature 3,000 Nits Display; More Details Revealed

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Realme GT 5 Pro Teased to Feature 3,000 Nits Display; More Details Revealed


Realme GT 5 Pro’s launch date is not far away. The Chinese smartphone brand on Tuesday (November 7) confirmed the arrival of the new GT series smartphone in its home country. The Realme GT 5 Pro is teased to come with a display with over 3000 nits of peak brightness. It is also confirmed to pack a larger heat dissipation area for thermal management. The handset will ship with Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. The Realme GT 5 Pro is expected to come as a successor to the Realme GT 5 that debuted in China in August.

Realme, via Weibo, announced the arrival of the Realme GT 5 Pro in China. The display of the handset is confirmed to offer 3000 nits peak brightness. It has also been teased to offer heat dissipation with a surface area of around 10,000mm2. It is confirmed to ship with Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. The post doesn’t specify the exact launch date of the smartphone, however, given the release of the teasers, the launch could be just around the corner.

The Realme GT 5 Pro has been in the news a lot lately. It is expected to feature a 6.78-inch (1,264×2,780 pixels) AMOLED display and is tipped to come in 8GB, 12GB, and 16GB RAM options along with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB inbuilt storage options.

For optics, the Realme GT 5 Pro is said to have a triple rear camera unit comprising two 50-megapixel sensors and an 8-megapixel shooter at the rear. The camera setup might include a Sony LYTIA LYT808 sensor, an OmniVision OV08D10 secondary sensor, and a Sony IMX890 telephoto sensor. For selfies, there could be a 32-megapixel sensor at the front. It is said to carry a 5,400mAh battery with support for 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging.

The Realme GT 5 Pro is expected to come with upgrades over Realme GT 5. The latter was launched in China in August with a price tag of CNY 2,999 for the base model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.


The Motorola Edge 40 recently made its debut in the country as the successor to the Edge 30 that was launched last year. Should you buy this phone instead of the Nothing Phone 1 or the Realme Pro+? We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
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