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According to Google, AI Mode in Google Search has now surpassed 1 billion monthly users. And, of course, AI Overviews are now ubiquitous at the top of every Google search results page.

At Google I/O 2026 today, Google shared some new updates coming to Google Search — and surprise! — even more AI features are coming to the search giant's search product.

SEE ALSO: Google I/O 2026 live updates: See the latest reveals, including Gemini, Android XR, more Google Search AI upgrades

First up, Google is upgrading its AI Mode in Google Search to the brand-new Gemini 3.5 Flash, which was also just announced at I/O.

Google is upgrading the search box with AI, too. The new AI Search Box with Intelligent Search is the first update to Google's search box in more than 25 years. 

When typing a search query, the search box will now expand, offering users more space to use natural language to ask Google their questions. The new AI Search Box will also allow users to upload images, videos, files, and Chrome tabs alongside their query for reference.

Google Search AI Search Box Credit: Google

AI Overviews is also getting an upgrade as well. Users will be able to ask a follow-up question in AI Mode about the information AI Overviews display at the top of a search results page. The feature will allow back-and-forth conversation, much like an AI chatbot, so users can dive deeper into the topic based on the information AI Overviews provide.

AI Overviews upgrade Credit: Google Search agents

Another big search-related announcement at Google I/O 2026: AI Search agents are coming to Google Search.

According to Google, users will be able to provide a Search agent with all the relevant details for a query. The Search agent will then scan 24/7 for sources, like news websites, blogs, and social media, to find the most relevant and up-to-date information.

Search agent Credit: Google

Google provided examples of when a user would utilize Search agents. If a user is apartment hunting, they can input all their housing requirements with a search agent, which will scan around-the-clock for new apartment listings that match those parameters. 

Search agent Credit: Google

These information agents will be available for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the summer.

Agentic AI capabilities are also being upgraded for shopping and booking experiences and services in Search. Users will be able to see the latest prices, availabilities, and direct booking links after providing agents with what they're looking for.

In addition, AI agents will be able to call specific businesses for certain services. These agentic capabilities will be available for all users this summer.

Agentic booking Credit: Google Even more AI features announced

Speaking of AI features for all users, Google says it's expanding Personal Intelligence in Search to even more users, no subscription required.

With Personal Intelligence, users can connect their apps, such as Gmail and Google Photos, so that Google's AI in search can understand search query context using their personal information. Google says the ability to connect Google Calendar to Personal Intelligence is coming soon, and users will continue to have full control over the feature and the data that is used.

Additionally, Google is bringing AI coding tools, powered by Google Antigravity, directly into Google Search. It appears that Google is looking to pull non-developers into the mix, offering use cases such as building a custom fitness tracker or a custom dashboard to plan a wedding.

Looking for more Google I/O announcements? Follow the Mashable Google I/O live blog to see all of the latest news on Gemini, Chrome, and Android.

At Google I/O, three new features for Google Shopping were announced. The updates, all ready to improve the AI shopping experience, not only bridge the gap across retailers but also put parameters in so AI agents don't go rogue.

With the new Universal Cart, Google provides important info on how to save the most on each purchase. Credit: Google

Perhaps the most exciting feature launching on Google Shopping is Universal Cart coming across Google platforms, including Gemini, YouTube, and Gmail. The universal shopping cart collects all of the products you add to a cart, whether that be on Target or Amazon, and adds them to your universal Google cart, so you can see everything you're vying for in one spot.

SEE ALSO: Google I/O 2026: Even more AI is coming to Google Search

"The moment you add a product, the cart goes to work for you in the background. It can do things like find deals, price drops, give you insights on price history, and can even alert when something comes back in stock. Now, these are all things that we've gotten used to doing ourselves, but the cart can just do it in the background," said Vidhya Srinivasan, VP/CM, Google Ads and Commerce.

Universal Cart is going to Google and Gemini in the US this summer. Gmail and YouTube support will follow.

Everything you add to your online shopping cart — across retailers — now appears in one cart on Google. Credit: Google

Also announced at Google I/O is Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), allowing AI agents to purchase products, order goods, and reserve hotels for users. Current partners for Google's UCP include eShopify, Amazon, Walmart, Stripe, Salesforce, and Meta. This makes it possible for AI agents to engage with retailers on these platforms to make bookings rather than just planning a trip or suggesting products. UCP will be available soon in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

But with the power being given to AI agents to book and purchase on behalf of users, Google has updated its parameters, launching too. Agent Payments Protocol 2 (AP2) lets users place limits on how much and what an AI agent can purchase. Even with the new protocol in place, mistakes may happen, which is why AP2 also creates a permanent paper trail in the case of returns or order issues.

The new Google Shopping features follow the announcements made at last year's I/O, which included Google's 'Try it on' feature.

Looking for more Google I/O announcements? Follow the Mashable Google I/O live blog to see all of the latest news on Gemini, Chrome, and Android.

Soon you'll be able to literally talk to your Gmail inbox. During its I/O keynote today, Google unveiled a new native AI voice integration feature for Gmail called Gmail Live.

The tool will let users get information from their emails by verbally asking Gmail for it, rather than typing keywords into its search bar. According to a company blog post, you can "Say things like, 'What's my flight's gate number?' or 'What's going on at my kid's school this week?' and Gmail Live will search your inbox to find the answer instantly." Similar conversational features are coming to Google Docs and Keep, too.

Gmail Live launches this summer for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. Credit: Google

Gmail Live will be available to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers this summer. It will launch in preview to Google Workspace business customers at the same time.

Also at I/O, Google announced the expansion of its AI Inbox tool it originally rolled out to Google AI Ultra subscribers in January. Per the same blog post, it's getting updated with three extra features, and Google AI Pro and Plus subscribers will soon have access to it as well.

SEE ALSO: Google I/O 2026: Even more AI is coming to Google Search

As Mashable's Anna Iovine reported previously, AI Inbox is like a personalized briefing. It provides updates on topics you've gotten emails about and suggests next steps.

AI Inbox's brand-new features include personalized draft replies; instant file access to relevant Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides; and streamlined task management. With the latter, you can "Keep your view clutter-free by marking individual tasks as done, dismissing unhelpful suggestions or marking all emails in a given topic as read with a single click," the blog post reads.

Google will begin deploying AI Inbox's new features and broader availability starting today.

AI Inbox's new features are rolling out today. Credit: Google

In an interview with Mashable, Gmail's VP of product, Blake Barnes, said user privacy is central to both Gmail Live and AI Inbox. "We don't use your data for training, and that remains the case for these features," he said.

Barnes said Google is working to build trust with those who are hesitant to incorporate more AI in their inboxes by building sourcing into the new Gmail features.

"We have, in the UX, a way for you to see the sources," he explained. (UX stands for "user experience.) "So, what are the specific emails that were used to generate the reply and the response that you just received?"

Barnes added: "It's just one of the ways amongst many to sort of give you the confidence that the answer we've given you is the right one and the accurate one."

Google debuted many other new AI tools during its I/O keynote, some of which will support integrations with Gmail. These include Daily Brief, a personalized content roundup; Gemini Spark, a 24/7 personal AI agent; and Universal Cart, a cross-retailer shopping cart. Additionally, Google is expanding Personal Intelligence in AI Mode, which can connect with Gmail, to nearly 200 countries and 98 languages.

Looking for more Google I/O announcements? Follow the Mashable Google I/O live blog to see all of the latest news on Gemini, Chrome, and Android.

Google just unveiled a brand new AI world model at Google I/O 2026 called Gemini Omni.

While Google calls Gemini Omni a "new model that can create anything from any output," its showcase focused on the AI model's video-generation capabilities.

The first release within the Omni AI model family is called Gemini Omni Flash.

Credit: Google

So, what's so special about Gemini Omni Flash compared to other AI video tools and Google's Genie world model?

During a presentation at Google I/O, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis described Omni as a crucial step toward AGI. Hassabis said that in the future, Omni would be able to output "anything" the user wanted. Unlike text-to-video tools like Google Veo, Gemini Omni is multi-modal in both input and output. That means users can input text, audio, images, and video into the model, and Omni will generate a unique, interactive world utilizing Gemini's "real-world knowledge." 

Google says Omni will be able to generate videos with more accurate physics and, in turn, create more realistic-looking content. Gemini will also be able to understand the context of a prompt, such as a historical fact, to generate more accurate video content. 

Credit: Google

In addition to video generation, Google says users can also edit videos through conversation with the Omni model. Google showcased some samples of what editing through Omni can do at I/O. For example, users can take a video they shot or an AI-generated video and edit specific aspects of the clip. If a user likes a shot but wants to change the background, they can do so with Omni. Omni can take a video and change the style, the angle, the scenery, or even a specific detail in the clip.

Credit: Google

With Gemini Omni Flash, users can create their own digital likeness through Avatars. However, Google says it is still testing this feature to ensure a responsible launch. 

All videos generated with Omni will be embedded with the SynthID watermark, allowing them to be verified as AI-generated.

Google is rolling out Gemini Omni Flash today to paid Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers within the Gemini app and Google Flow. Later this week, Gemini Omni Flash will also launch in YouTube Shorts and the YouTube Create app at no cost to users.

Looking for more Google I/O announcements? Follow the Mashable Google I/O live blog to see all of the latest news on Gemini, Chrome, and Android.

We live in a world where people need the ability to quickly and accurately identify AI-generated content. And at Google I/O 2026, the company announced a massive expansion of its SynthID digital watermark initiative.

At Google I/O 2026, the company announced that it is adding the Google DeepMind SynthID tool as well as content credential verification from the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (or C2PA) to Search and the Chrome browser. In the Gemini app, C2PA Content Credentials verification will be available starting today.

By expanding this tool to Chrome and Google Search, users will be able to more easily check if a particular image, audio file, or video is generated by AI. As deepfakes and AI videos become a growing problem, digital watermarks are one of the only reliable ways to identify AI-generated content.

Since launching SynthID, Google says that it has watermarked more than 100 billion images and videos, plus 60,000 years of audio content.

In addition, Google announced that OpenAI, Kakao, and ElevenLabs will incorporate SynthID into their products, as well. So, if you see an image that was made with OpenAI's ChatGPT, for instance, it should be watermarked with SynthID going forward.

SynthID in action. Credit: Screenshot: Google

Both SynthID and C2PA exist to help users detect when something is AI-generated; C2PA verification is provided as metadata, and SynthID is an invisible watermark that can hold up even when metadata is lost.

"These two systems reinforce each other. C2PA helps content carry detailed context; SynthID helps preserve a signal when metadata does not survive," OpenAI stated in a press release. "Watermarking can be more durable through transformations like screenshots, while metadata can provide more information than a watermark alone. Together, they make provenance more resilient than either layer would be on its own."

With these tools, it should be as easy as right-clicking on something and asking if it was generated by AI, at least according to Google.

"We want to make sure more people have easy, seamless access to these tools. So, we are expanding both content credentials and syntary verification to Google Search and Chrome," Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said in a briefing ahead of I/O. "That means you can simply circle to search an image, or right click in Chrome and ask, ‘Was this generated with AI?’ and you'll get a clear response, along with other helpful context.”

Looking for more Google I/O announcements? Follow the Mashable Google I/O live blog to see all of the latest news on Gemini, Chrome, and Android.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Google restructured its AI subscription lineup at I/O 2026 today, introducing a new mid-tier Ultra plan and cutting the price of its most expensive plan, while stating it wants to rethink how usage limits work across the board.

SEE ALSO: Google Gemini app to get deeper thinking and more third-party app support, report says

The headline number is $99.99 per month for a new AI Ultra entry point, aimed at developers, technical leads, and power users. It comes with 5x the usage limits of the Pro plan, Gemini 3.5 Flash, priority access to Google Antigravity — the company's agent-first coding platform — 20TB of cloud storage, and a full YouTube Premium individual plan bundled in. For those already on the $250-per-month top tier, Google dropped that price to $200, with all the same capabilities intact.

Credit: Google

The three-tier structure now looks like this: AI Plus at $7.99/month, AI Pro at $19.99/month, and AI Ultra starting at $99.99/month. Gemini Spark, the new autonomous AI agent announced earlier today, is exclusive to Ultra subscribers and rolling out in beta next week in the U.S.

Google also overhauled how it measures usage. Instead of counting individual prompts, the new system measures compute used. This means that a simple text question costs far less against your limit than a complex video or coding task.

SEE ALSO: 3 new features are coming to Google Shopping

Limits now refresh every five hours rather than resetting daily. If you hit your cap on a top-tier model, Google automatically drops you to a faster, lighter model instead of cutting you off. AI Pro and Ultra subscribers will also be able to buy pay-as-you-go credits for Google Antigravity and Google Flow, with Gemini app support coming soon.

Looking for more Google I/O announcements? Follow the Mashable Google I/O live blog to see all of the latest news on Gemini, Chrome, and Android.

Google announced Gemini Spark at I/O 2026 today, and it might be the most ambitious thing the company has put on stage.

Billed as "your personal AI agent," Spark is a cloud-based AI that runs continuously. According to Google, Spark runs in the Cloud, so you don't need a Mac Mini or a dedicated home server. Plus, it's designed to handle the kind of tasks that pile up in your inbox and to-do list while you're busy doing everything else.

SEE ALSO: General Motors adds Google Gemini to 4 million vehicles. Is your car on the list?

Powered by Gemini 3.5 and built with Google's Antigravity coding IDE baked in, Spark connects to Google's own products and integrates with more than 30 third-party tools via MCP, including Adobe, Asana, Dropbox, Lyft, OpenTable, Uber, Zillow, and Zocdoc. Need to send your boss a status update? Spark digs through your inbox and Docs to pull together everything relevant. Running a small business? You can set it to monitor incoming customer inquiries and flag the urgent ones.

Google said Spark will land inside Gmail and Chat soon and begin rolling out to AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. next week.

Gemini Spark has safeguards in place

The question everyone has about an autonomous AI agent is obvious: what stops it from doing something you didn't want? Google's answer was the Agent Payments Protocol (AP2), a framework that imposes hard limits on what Spark can spend, which merchants it can interact with, and what it can actually purchase. For now, users approve any transactions before they go through.

Josh Woodward, VP of Google Labs, described the philosophy at a media briefing ahead of the event: "On the team, we think a lot of it as if you're giving a teenager their first debit card. There are sort of limits and constraints around it, and that's how we'll be designing Spark as we go through the year."

As Google sees it, Spark will gradually gain autonomy over time. For now, though, AP2 will include a permanent digital paper trail for returns and disputes and head to Google Shopping later this year.

Looking for more Google I/O announcements? Follow the Mashable Google I/O live blog to see all of the latest news on Gemini, Chrome, and Android.

Sometimes hotel Wi-Fi is insecure, limited, or an outright hassle to join. Fortunately, there is a way around all of those issues—the humble travel router.

SAVE $350: The Beatbot Sora 70 robotic pool cleaner is on sale at Amazon for $1,149, down from the standard price of $1,499. That's a 23% discount and the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beatbot Beatbot Sora 70 robotic pool cleaner $1,149 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $350   Get Deal

With Memorial Day weekend on the horizon, it's time to think about summer fun. If you have a pool, that means endless time spent in the water, taking advantage of every summer day. But if you own a pool, you also know maintenance can be a hassle. Instead of worrying about pool cleaning or hiring help, check out this Amazon deal.

As of May 19, the Beatbot Sora 70 robotic pool cleaner is on sale at Amazon for $1,149, down from the standard price of $1,499. That's a 23% discount and the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

Ready to clean in-ground or above-ground pools for up to seven hours per session, the Beatbot Sora 70 will be your pool's new companion. It's designed to clean all pool shapes including the walls, floor, waterline, water surface, and platforms as low as eight inches. Beatbot says the 10,000mAh battery is capable of cleaning a 3,200 square-foot pool or continuous floor cleaning for up to five hours.

SEE ALSO: The powerhouse Segway Navimow i110N robot lawn mower is down to a record low at Amazon — save $250

Beatbot says this model uses an industry-first JetPulse cleaning system which uses two water jets and four water flows for the best debris capture possible. It does all of this with 6,800GPH of cleaning power. Once it's finished cleaning, it'll automatically float to the edge for easy retrieval.

Instead of spending a glorious summer morning skimming leaves off the pool's surface, enlist the help of the Beatbot Sora 70 robotic pool cleaner. Since it's sitting at the lowest sale price we've seen, there's no reason to delay.

If you own an external SSD, you're already ahead of the curve when it comes to following the 3-2-1 rule for backups. But while using an external SSD is as easy as just plugging it in and drag-and-dropping some files, you might be hindering its performance by plugging it in at the front.

SAVE $600: As of May 19, get the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 gaming monitor for $1,499.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $2,099.99. That's a discount of 29%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 $1,499.99 at Amazon
$2,099.99 Save $600.00   Get Deal

When it comes to playing your favorite game, bigger is always better. Go big on your peripherals, including your monitor, and you'll feel like you're right in the middle of the action. And there's no going much bigger than this outrageous ultrawide gaming monitor from Samsung, which is on sale right now for an excellent price.

As of May 19, get the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 gaming monitor for $1,499.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $2,099.99. That's $600 off and a discount of 29%.

SEE ALSO: Samsung is launching new monitors this month — reserve now and get a free $50 credit

Samsung calls this display the world's "first DUal UHD monitor", and in addition to its massive size, it also boasts a 1,000R curve for the best immersion possible. It's esssentially two large 4K monitors in one, delivering a 7680x2160 resolution and 240Hz refresh rae with a 1ms response time. In short, it's built to help you feel like you're right in the middle of the game.

It uses Samsung's Quantum Matrix Mini-LED tech and VESA DisplayHDR 1000 tech to offer bright hues, deeper dark colors, and visually impressive loacal dimming zones. For all the scenes you'll rip through with action to spare, it also offers fast-moving scenes without screen tearing with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.

This monitor represents the perfect opportunity to get more out of your favorite titles and feel like you're right in the middle of the action. But don't wait too long, because this is a great deal on tech that's typically premium-priced. Get yours now before it goes back up and you're out of luck.

I've been tinkering with my smart home for well over a decade. My obsession began with trying to control my smart bulb with my voice. All these years later, I'm right back where I started.

Sometimes, we encounter real events that feel like fiction. Other times, we're faced with stories too insane to be true. How Hollywood captures these moments and brings real-life stories to the screen is what draws our attention, encouraging us to reflect, question, and feel different emotions.

It's that time of the year again for tool fans. I'm talking about "Ryobi Days," Home Depot's annual sale with big discounts, freebies, and other deals you don't want to miss. If you have DIY projects around the house that need attention, now is the perfect time to get new gear. Here's what you need to know.

You spend time setting up a smart home, and then someone walks into the room and flips a wall switch like a normal button. Suddenly, the device loses its power, and the ‘smart’ setup becomes useless until the switch is turned back on again. This exact problem is what Zunzunbee Slate Switch is trying to solve, and now, it has joined Home Assistant’s official certified device program.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. CNET Group Big Guessing Game Contest (the “Contest”) is governed by these official rules (the “Contest Rules”). The Contest begins on May 19, 2026 at 12:01PM EST and ends on September 1, 2026 at 11:59PM EST (the “Contest Period”).

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The Rounds are as follows:

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DISCLAIMER: EXCLUDING ONLY APPLICABLE MANUFACTURERS’ WARRANTIES, THE PRIZE IS PROVIDED TO THE WINNER ON AN “AS IS” BASIS, WITHOUT FURTHER WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. SPONSOR HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL FURTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY WITH RESPECT TO THE PRIZE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

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As a condition of participating in the Contest, entrant agrees that any and all disputes that cannot be resolved between entrant and Sponsor, and causes of action arising out of or connected with the Contest or these Contest Rules, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, exclusively before a court of competent jurisdiction located in New York County, New York, and entrant irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in New York County, New York with respect to any such dispute, cause of action, or other matter. All disputes will be governed and controlled by the laws of the State of New York (without regard for its conflicts-of-laws principles). Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and hereby irrevocably waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental, or consequential damages, or any other damages, including attorneys’ fees, other than entrant’s actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e., costs incurred directly in connection with entrant’s participation in the Contest), and entrant further irrevocably waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased, if any. EACH PARTY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply.

PRIVACY: Information collected from entrants in connection with the Contest is subject to Sponsor’s privacy policy, which may be found here.  

SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTION: Although the Contest may be featured on X, Facebook and/or other social media platforms, the Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or association with X, Facebook and/or such other social media platforms and you agree that X, Facebook and all other social media platforms are not liable in any way for any claims, damages or losses associated with the Contest.  

WINNER(S) LIST: For a list of name(s) of prize winner(s), after the Selection Date, please send a stamped, self-addressed No. 10/standard  business envelope to Ziff Davis, LLC, Attn: Legal Department, 360 Park Avenue South, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10010 (VT residents may omit return postage).

BY ENTERING, YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO ALL OF THESE CONTEST RULES.

The MacBook Neo was a massive hit for Apple, but the company has more new releases in store for 2026. As WWDC 2026 approaches, the tech world is closely watching the fabled California fruit company.

Mashable’s tech experts constantly track leaks and rumors around the iPhone, Siri, Apple Watch, and AirPods, but Apple is a notoriously tight-lipped company when it’s cooking up something new. So, while we’ve got a pretty good idea of what to expect at this year's Worldwide Developers' Conference on June 8 or at the annual iPhone event in September, we don’t know what we don’t know.

If you think you know what Apple will announce this year, now is your chance to test your knowledge and earn a chance to win a prize. Mashable and the rest of the CNET Group websites (ZDNET, PCMag, CNET, and Lifehacker) are hosting a contest to see which of our readers can make the best Apple predictions for 2026.

Answer five questions in any of our three rounds of the contest to be entered to win the latest version of the Apple Watch announced in September. Every answer you guess correctly earns you one entry in a drawing for the grand prize — you only need to enter once to get a chance to win, but answering all three rounds of questions will improve your odds.

This first round of contest questions will run from today, May 19, until 11:59 p.m. PT on June 2. Check out the first round of questions and make your guesses here.

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NO PURCHASE NECESSARY to enter or win the "CNET Group Big Guessing Game" Giveaway. Open to legal U.S. residents in the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18+ yrs of age. Other restrictions apply. Begins May 19, 2026 at 12:01 pm ET and ends Sept. 1, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET. Void where prohibited. Subject to Official Rules: https://www.mashable.com/article/mashable-big-guessing-game-apple-edition-official-contest-rules/. Sponsor: Ziff Davis, LLC.

Apple is not a sponsor of, affiliated with, or endorser of this sweepstakes. Apple Watch is a trademark of Apple Inc.

Sony wants to not only challenge Apple's AirPods Max 2 in audio quality but in design as well. It just unveiled 1000X The Collexion, a luxury set of over-ear wireless headphones that promise a premium build as well as key audio upgrades over the WH-1000XM6.

Sony's WH-1000XM6 hit the market just over a year ago, and already, the brand is back with a new pair of noise-cancelling headphones.

This time, however, it's in honor of the 10-year anniversary of the iconic 1000X line. So how do you follow up one of the best headphone releases of the past year? If you're Sony, you release the 1000X the Collexion: an upgraded pair of headphones that prioritizes sleek design, comfort, and sound.

Sony 1000X the Collexion headphones $649.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Sony

The upgrade doesn't come cheap, though. Sony is asking $649.99 for the new headphones, which is a $200 price jump over the $449.99 WH-1000XM6 headphones — and those had already increased in price from the $399.99 XM5 headphones.

My testing unit is still making its way to me, so I can't share any personal first impressions of how the 1000X the Collexion headphones stack up (and most importantly, if they're maybe worth the extra $200). What I can share is a breakdown of what to expect from the Collexion headphones, what's similar to the XM6s, and everything you need to know if you're looking to purchase the anniversary edition headphones. And stay tuned for a hands-on review when I do get the headphones in to test.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator today!

Sony 1000X the Collexion: What's new

In a press briefing, Sony reps made it clear that these headphones aren't necessarily intended to improve on the XM6 headphones in every way possible. That said, there are some notable improvements that drive up the price point.

The 1000X the Collexion headphones are available in two colorways: platinum and black. Credit: Sony The case color matches the headphones' color. Credit: Sony Design and comfort prioritized

Sony headphones have never exactly skimped on design, but the 1000X series historically does opt for an all or mostly plastic approach. With the Collexion headphones, Sony flips the script, putting no plastic on the surface of the headphones. Instead, stainless steel and vegan leather make up the chassis, "to create a headphone that looks as elevated as it feels," according to the press release. For the on-ear controls, Sony uses metal buttons.

This design posits Sony in competition with the likes of Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 headphones, which are comprised of a combo of die-cast aluminum and Nappa leather. (Those headphones, for the record, run for $799.)

Not stopping there, Sony also widened the headband of the headphones to more evenly distribute the weight of the headphones, and make for an all-over more comfortable wear experience. The brand states that the cushioning on the headband is about 40 percent thicker than the XM6 headphones, while the band is about 10 percent wider (from a top-down view). The ear cups are also slightly slimmer, losing about five millimeters of the profile from the XM6 headphones.

As the last major design change, the Collexion headphones also go back on an XM6 update — folding ear cups. After the XM5 headphones lost the folding ear cups feature of earlier 1000X headphones, I was happy to see them return on the XM6 headphones, but the Collexion headphones are back to the design of the XM5 ear cups.

Noise cancellation isn't quite as powerful

The XM6 headphones are one of the best noise-cancelling headphones of the past year, so it may come as a shock that Collexion's noise cancellation isn't quite as good.

SEE ALSO: I tested the best Sony headphones and earbuds for ANC, sound, and cool factor: See my top 7 picks

It comes back to the comfort factor. Prioritizing comfort means that Sony didn't go for quite as snug a fit as the XM6 headphones. So while the XM6 and Collexion headphones have the same internal noise cancellation capabilities thanks to the 12 microphones, multi-noise sensor, and adaptive noise cancellation optimizer, less passive noise cancellation on the Collexion headphones means the XM6s will retain the slight edge on that front.

Improved sound quality

The Collexion headphones come with a bespoke driver system that uses unidirectional carbon fiber, which, according to Sony, allows for more clarity in separation for instruments and better high-frequency range expression.

The headphones also come with a V3 integrated audio processor, which helps power DSEE Ultimate, a feature that uses AI scale enhancement to provide the highest resolution listening experience possible. The Collexion is the first and only Sony headphones to feature the DSEE Ultimate tech.

Finally, the spatial audio mixer includes a music and game mode in addition to the existing cinema mode. There's also an on-ear button to power the different modes.

Slightly lower battery life

This change is pretty much as it's written on the box. Compared to the 30 hours of battery life found on the XM5 and XM6 headphones, the 1000X the Collexion headphones have 24 hours of battery life.

A new carrying case

Like the XM6 headphones, the Collexion headphones have a magnetic carrying case, but for the anniversary headphones, Sony has added a handle to the design.

The carrying case gets an updated design. Credit: Sony Sony 1000X the Collexion: Just the specs

• Processor: Sony QN3 and V3

• Microphones: 12

• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3

• Battery: 24 hours with ANC

• Noise cancellation: Active noise cancellation

• Spatial audio: Yes

• Colors: Platinum and black

• Inputs: USB-C, 3.5mm audio jack

Sony 1000X the Collexion: Who's it for

Sony enthusiasts, folks who love a luxury look, and those who prioritize comfort above all else are the target audience for this Sony release. That said, $649.99 is a hefty price, even for premium headphones, so it wouldn't be surprising if these headphones only appeal to the more devoted Sony fans among us.

Sony 1000X the Collexion: Where to buy

As of May 19, the Sony 1000X the Collexion headphones are available at Sony, Amazon, and Best Buy for $649.99.

Sony 1000X the Collexion headphones $649.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Sony

Plex has decided to increase the price of its lifetime subscription to Plex Pass. Instead of a slight bump, however, it’s a massive increase that effectively triples its price. Currently, the Plex Pass is available for a lifetime subscription for $249.99, but not for long. Starting July 1, 2026, a Plex Pass lifetime subscription will cost users $749.99.