Mashable

In one sense, Meta AI's Vibes — an endless scroll of AI-generated videos, submitted by creators and launched on the Meta AI app and website Friday — is the purest expression of what Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg wanted to build when he was designing Facebook in the first place.

Still tinkering in his Harvard dorm room, Zuckerberg explained to a potential partner why he wanted to design his social network not for job hunting, but for endless, mindless scrolling. "I kind of want to be the new MTV," he said (according to a 2010 report on Facebook's murky origin story).

One of my first thoughts, when I decided to spend the better part of a day locked in Vibes' endless scroll, was this: so many Vibes look like a 10-second clip from a music video. (As with Instagram Reels, you can choose from a selection of music to accompany your Vibe.) Some are the cheesy '80s kind of music video, others wacky '90s-style Spike Jonze or Michel Gondry joints. The AI-generated pet videos — of which there are many, often with cats snuggled up in cozy settings or dogs running through fields — look like clips from some dystopian alternate universe where MTV and the Hallmark Channel merged.

This isn't an insult, by the way; I've loved watching music videos since childhood, and they're still my favorite way to get hyped up while working out on my rowing machine. But the best ones, often made by hungry directors heading for Hollywood, do what the best movies do: They tell a compelling story. You can have all the cool disassociated images in the world, and your brain will get bored quickly if there's no story connecting them.

And that's the trouble with Vibes: all of these shorts are great eye candy, none of them tell a story. Scrolling for a day, it was easy to see why social media users were settling on the same description of Meta's new service: an "infinite slop machine."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Is Vibes the future of AI video?

To be fair, there's plenty of interesting AI art out there, stuff that does tell a story and does stick with you. Recently we've highlighted cool stuff like this clever food-based body horror that went viral on Reddit. The question of how much AI infringes on the copyright of other artists is still a hot button topic; one major case is working its way through the system after a judge refused to throw it out.

But as things stand, AI-generated video is the horse that has bolted from the barn. YouTube now lets you add AI video to your shorts; many other services like Imagine and Midjourney are competing to provide you with clips. We're in the AI-generated-video-for-everyone era, like it or not (which is why it's always a good idea to brush up on telltale signs of fakery).

But if Vibes itself is the future of AI video art, I think artists can rest easy. Most artists understand the importance of display and context; a work of art often needs plenty of negative space around it. Vibes jams canvases together like it's a 19th-century gallery with a premium on wall space. (That kind of gallery went out of style for a reason).

The endless series of shorts washed over me after a while, rarely clinging to the inside of my head. There were a few exceptions to this rule, most notably a video of what appeared to be Tom Hanks and Donald Trump running through a cornfield (the same kind that I'd already seen a dozen dogs romp happily through). Hanks looked terrified. Trump, behind him, had long hair flowing in the breeze; it wasn't clear if Trump thought he was chasing or racing. Either way, thanks for the nightmare fuel, Vibes!

A still from a Vibes short, and also how my brain felt after watching them for hours. Credit: @WeirdMusicVideos on Meta AI

Again, to be fair, Vibes also shows how far AI video has come in a few short years. There were few instances, at least in this curated creator feed, of hands with too many fingers, torsos with too many limbs, and other features we associate with AI slop. There was often something in a video that looked a little wrong if you looked too closely — for example, why are those people vacationing at the beach looking out to sea, rather than at the dinosaurs charging past them a few feet away on the boardwalk?

But in general, the problem here is not the Uncanny Valley. The problem here is empty calories.

Younger kids may enjoy the weird eye candy aspect for hours on end (Vibes could well be the new Baby Einstein). But the more mature a brain gets, the less it thrives on mere novelty. Brains are storytelling machines, which is why Facebook's infinite scroll was once so compelling. We shared stories, and created our own community stories by arguing with each other about them. Vibes is the video version of the AI slop that has already arguably made Zuckerberg's social network less compelling than ever.

So yes, in one sense, Zuckerberg couldn't be closer to his MTV dream. And in another, the storytelling sense that keeps us coming back to find out what happened next, Meta's infinite slop machine couldn't be any further away.

This column reflects the opinions of the writer.

Apple's big AI revamp for Siri is getting closer and closer.

The iPhone maker has been overhauling its Siri voice assistant in hopes of making it comparable to AI tools from companies like OpenAI and Google. In fact, speaking of the ChatGPT creator, Apple has created its own version of OpenAI's AI chatbot to test out the new and improved Siri.

SEE ALSO: Apple claims MagSafe stands are responsible for iPhone 17 'Scratchgate'

According to a new report from Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman, Apple has created a ChatGPT-like app dubbed "Veritas" to prepare Siri for its revamp next year.

Veritas is only for internal use among Apple employees in its AI division, and the company has no current plans to release it to the public.

However, news of Vertias' existence gives us an important look into Apple's plans. Apple is perhaps the biggest tech company that has yet to fully immerse its products in AI like its competitors. Apple launched its own AI features, Apple Intelligence, just last year. However, unlike its competitors, Apple Intelligence is powered by a combination of Apple's own technology and AI technology from partnered companies.

Veritas is being used to test Apple's new system, named Linwood, that powers the revamped Siri, according to Gurman. Linwood uses large language models, including Apple's own, combined with a third-party model. Apple is also utilizing Veritas in order to test out features that will be integrated into its new Siri voice assistant, which is still in production. In addition, the company will also evaluate whether these features serve users in an AI chatbot format as well. 

According to the report, some features being tested include AI search through a user's personal data, which includes everything from the music library to emails. Testing is also being conducted on in-app features like editing photos with AI.

Apple just recently released its latest smartphone, the iPhone 17. Looking over Apple's other soon-to-be-announced products, the new Siri appears to be the next big mobile release. Over the past few weeks, reports have pointed to Apple still working out which AI companies to partner with for the new and improved voice assistant.

However, the Siri revamp has been delayed many times before. Gurman reports that Apple is currently slated for a March 2026 debut for the new Siri.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

3D audio, ANC, and practicality favor the AirPods Pro 2 Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

The AirPods Pro 2 have a pleasant soundstage that delivers crisp highs, striking mids, and thumpy lows. But that’s not their biggest selling point. Personalized Spatial Audio is. The 3D audio format makes Dolby Atmos content feel all-encompassing, and movies on compatible streaming services sound more immersive. 

Apple’s noise-cancelling technology eliminates a high amount of external sound to enjoy music peacefully in most environments. Transparency mode is even better and boosts awareness by making ambient noise sound more natural. The surplus of listening modes raises the AirPods Pro 2’s stock. Adaptive Audio terrifically blends both ANC modes to achieve the best sound performance possible. Conversation Awareness automatically lowers volume and increases voice capture for clearer communication. Then there are the multiple Hearing Health modes that transform the buds into hearing aids, which is crucial for those with mild or moderate hearing loss.

All these facets don’t work without a solid ecosystem at the helm, of course. How the AirPods Pro 2 seamlessly interconnect with all brand devices is nothing short of exceptional. Pairing is quick, range is strong within a 40-foot radius, and signature features like “Hey Siri” voice command are complementary. 

Some users complain about the fit of the AirPods Pro 2. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Spatial audio on the Powerbeats Pro 2 works fine, though the feature sounds clearer on the AirPods Pro 2. You should still be able to pick up on the increased acoustics and clarity when vibing out to Apple Music tracks. The Powerbeats Pro 2’s noise cancellation doesn’t measure up to competitors, or to other in-house releases like the Fit Pro. It struggles to drown out most mid- and high-frequency sounds. Wearing the buds around a crying baby or in a rowdy setting won’t grant much silence. 

Transparency mode is clutch for outdoor adventures. Whether it’s hiking in the woods or running through high-traffic areas, you’ll be able to keep tabs on your surroundings and talk to people without taking off the earbuds. The Powerbeats Pro 2 run on the same H2 processor as the AirPods Pro 2. Therefore, they’re programmed to instantly connect with all iOS/macOS devices and share many of their counterparts’ features, though not all. That’s a shame considering their steep MSRP.

Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 2 | Read our full review of the AirPods Pro 2.

Battery life, standard sound, and versatility go to the Powerbeats Pro 2 Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Where the Powerbeats Pro 2 gain serious traction is in their conformity. Beats products have always been known for their long battery life and engaging audio output. We can now add multiplatform support to that list. These buds nail all three targets. 

Up to 10 hours per charge (8 hours with ANC) is the most listening time you’ll get from any Apple or Beats buds on the market. The AirPods Pro 2 max out at a measly 6 hours per charge. There is a significant difference in additional playtime between the two wireless charging cases. Beats’ case holds up to 45 hours and Apple’s case reaches a max of 30 hours. Fast-Fuel charging is stronger on the Powerbeats Pro 2: a 5-minute charge generates 30 minutes more playtime (total of 1.5 hours) than the AirPods Pro 2. 

Beats improved its soundstage to give listeners the bass-fueled sonic presentation they desire. There is a notable dip in midrange, but overall, the Powerbeats Pro 2 produce emphatic and resonant sound. Sound quality on Android devices is just as impressive.

Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

The Powerbeats Pro 2’s integrated earhooks form a comfy and incredibly secure fit. Full-on compatibility with iOS and Android makes these buds ideal for multiplatform enthusiasts. In addition, features like multipoint technology let you pair to two devices at the same time, no matter the operating system. Something else that makes the Powerbeats Pro 2 more distinctive is the built-in heart rate monitoring, which is only available with the new AirPods Pro 3. The feature isn’t the most accurate, but it’s a way to gauge activity when your Apple Watch isn’t available. 

Now you see what we mean by versatility.

Winner: Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 | Read our full review of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2.

Apple’s absolute best wireless earbuds are… Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

The AirPods Pro 2. Considering they're almost always on sale, they offer the most bang for your buck. Access to newer listening modes, stronger ANC, and the guarantee of more updates via iOS are well worth the current asking price ($199 on Amazon). Not to mention their flawless functionality with brand devices and unrivaled spatial audio, at least when it comes to Apple earbuds.

Just because the Powerbeats Pro 2 lost this battle doesn’t mean you should overlook them. Sporty attributes like the earhook design and heart-rate monitoring make them the better workout buds. (However, the new AirPods Pro 3 do offer heart-rate monitoring now.) They also provide the longest playtime of any Apple or Beats true wireless model. Beats’ refined soundstage also stabilizes frequencies, while maintaining loud and energetic bass response. If only their ANC, feature set, and pricing matched the AirPods Pro 2.

Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 2

Products in this guide The newcomer Apple AirPods Pro 3 $249.00 at Walmart Get Deal Best to save a few bucks Apple AirPods Pro 2 $199.00 at Amazon Get Deal Best for hardcore athletes Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 $199.95 at Amazon Get Deal

If you have strong preferences for your workout gear — and strong feelings on Hoka versus Brooks (we're not getting in the middle of that debate) — then finding the right pair of workout headphones can be extra challenging.

The best headphones for working out need to withstand movement, sweat, and the elements. Plus, you don't want something you're constantly fussing with; your headphones should help you stay focused during your exercises.

Mashable reviewers have tested many pairs of headphones and wireless earbuds, and we can tell you which products stay put during a workout, and which buds will go tumbling onto the sidewalk as soon as you break into a run. To make sure we're recommending the right products, we tested over a dozen of the best sports earbuds, headphones, and bone conduction headphones from brands like Bose, Beats, Apple, and Shokz.

How to pick headphones for working out

The right headphones for you depend significantly on the kinds of workouts you like to do and where you like to do them. If you like to run outdoors, you need headphones that keep you safe in busy areas with reliable noise transparency, such as bone conduction headphones or open earbuds. If you're pumping iron at the gym, you might prefer sports earbuds that block out the world with active noise cancellation so you can lock in for your reps. And some people just prefer the look and feel of traditional over-ear headphones. We found reliable options in each category, but in general, most athletes prefer the best wireless earbuds for working out.

For this guide, we looked for two universal specs in all of the headphones we tested. First, workout headphones need to be wireless, giving you a full range of movement. You don't want to get tied up on the stair climber.

Second, workout headphones need to be sweat- or water-resistant. This one is obvious. When you're working out, you're getting sweaty, and you want headphones that won't freak out at the first sign of moisture. Your gym earbuds don't have to be fully waterproof, but this will be helpful for outdoor athletes.

So, whether you're hitting the gym or the pavement, here are the best earbuds and headphones for working out.

Recent changes to this guide

For our most recent update in September 2025, we replaced the Apple AirPods Pro 2 with the newly released AirPods Pro 3. Likewise, we swapped out the previous-gen Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds for the QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) buds.

In a previous update, we removed the discontinued Jabra Elite 8 Active (Gen 2). These buds previously occupied the top spot and provided remarkable battery life, fit, and sound quality in a highly durable package. We still recommend it if you’re lucky enough to find a pair online at a reasonable price (they sell for $300 on eBay).

We also tested additional products that ultimately didn't make the cut, including the JBL Reflect Aero noise-cancelling earbuds. Despite appearing to have a similar design to the Beats Fit Pro — the earbuds themselves, not the ear tips — were so big they couldn't comfortably fit in the ear, a troubling design that caused them to fall out constantly.