Blogroll

Closing arguments are complete in Elon Musk vs. Sam Altman et al. But even as the nine-person jury began deliberations in a federal courthouse in Oakland, Calif., there was nothing normal about this case.

Thanks to Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who will decide the future of OpenAI, the tech world's trial of the century may yet have a few surprises up its sleeve.

In case you missed it, this trial was convened to determine the outcome of Musk's 2023 lawsuit, which claimed that his fellow OpenAI cofounders defrauded him. Even before it began, this case had all the hallmarks of a catfight between Silicon Valley frenemies.

The scratching turned out to be fierce. Elon Musk's testy testimony included him being forced to admit his co-parenting relationship with OpenAI executive Shivon Zilis, his eyes and ears at the company. Meanwhile, Sam Altman implied Musk cared more about memes than the company he co-founded.

Will Musk be sanctioned for skipping town?

Just when it seemed the drama couldn't get messier, Musk skipped town when he'd told the judge he'd stick around in case he was needed.

We don't know yet whether Judge Rogers, who runs a tight ship and has brooked no nonsense in this trial, will warn or sanction Musk for a rule violation. Neither the court nor Musk's team has yet officially confirmed that no paperwork was filed prior to Musk's departure to join the U.S. delegation in China.

OpenAI's lawyers made hay out of Musk's absence. "Mr. Musk isn't here today," said the company's lead counsel, William Savitt, during closing arguments. "My clients are here. They're here because they care about this."

It was left to Musk's attorney, Steven Molo, to apologize for his client's absence, and to assure the jury that "this is something he's passionate about."

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Elon Musk's OpenAI testimony

Molo went on to trash Altman and OpenAI president and cofounder Greg Brockman by comparing them to people standing by a rickety bridge, ensuring hikers of its safety. The bridge, in case you don't get the metaphor, is "built on Sam Altman's version of the truth."

But the jury may well see Musk, in this metaphor, as a cynical businessman who didn't even show up at the bridge — or worse, wanted to move the bridge to Tesla and make a profit on it himself, back in 2017.

Musk "never cared about the nonprofit structure" of OpenAI, a company attorney said. “What he cared about was winning."

While Molo repeatedly characterized OpenAI's actions as "stealing a charity," OpenAI's lawyers repeated an equally memorable phrase about Musk: "sour grapes."

How the judge and jury will decide what happens next

Luckily for Musk, the jury's decision in this case is only advisory. Unluckily for Musk, it's the judge who holds all the power at the moment. Not only is she free to disagree with the jury, but she also has the crucial task of deciding what, if anything, Musk is owed by OpenAI.

Rogers will convene additional hearings to discuss remedies that might apply if she and the jury agree that OpenAI breached the terms of its charitable trust. They will also need to agree that Musk filed suit within the three-year statute of limitations.

The TL;DR on that bit: if Musk believed OpenAI's terms had been breached before August 2021, he has no standing.

SEE ALSO: The Musk-Altman trial is already spilling the tea. Here's how.

Musk is asking for a remedy of $150 billion. Rogers isn't bound to give him anything close to that. And of course, no matter what happens, both sides may appeal her verdict to a higher court.

A Musk tweet that might haunt him

Amid the Musk-Altman drama, not to mention Brockman's drama-filled diary, in which he said it would be nice to be making billions, it's important to remember that Musk is also suing Microsoft.

The company's $10 billion investment in OpenAI was a catalyst for Musk's lawsuit; Musk's lawyer says that's when OpenAI's standing as a charitable organization was doomed. It was "a horse of a different color" compared to previous Microsoft investments, Molo said.

Microsoft's closing argument essentially boiled down to: you guys, leave us out of it. The company says none of its due diligence at OpenAI turned up any restrictions against its investment.

Ironically, however, it is Microsoft's presence that might doom Musk. OpenAI's lawyers pointed to a Musk tweet from 2020 that read "OpenAI is essentially captured by Microsoft."

The idea of a nonprofit being "captured" by a for-profit company seems like the very essence of a breach of charitable trust. So why did Musk wait another three years to take legal action? Thanks to the statute of limitations, that may end up being the $150 billion question.

Today's a big day on Paramount+, the premiere of Taylor Sheridan's wildly anticipated new Yellowstone sequel series, Dutton Ranch, has arrived on the streaming service, and I've got the details for you below.

Not everyone has the latest and greatest 3D printer with all the bells and whistles. Especially if you're focusing on bare-bones workhorse machines where raw capability mattered more to your budget than luxury.

Across films like Set It Off, Why Do Fools Fall in Love?, Independence Day, and Kill Bill, critically heralded actress Vivica A. Fox has played a bank robber, an outspoken widow, a single mom, and a former assassin. Now, in Is God Is she plays God. Well, sort of.

Playwright Aleshea Harris translates her celebrated play Is God Is into a compelling road movie centered on Black twin sisters Racine (Kara Young) and Anaia (Mallori Johnson), who are on a life-changing quest for revenge. Minutes after being reunited with Ruby (Fox), the mother the girls had thought was long dead, she charges them with a mission: Make your daddy dead.

To the twins, Ruby is "God," because she created them. And who are they to deny God her bloodlust?

SEE ALSO: 'Is God Is' review: The first epic summer movie has arrived

Celebrating the film's release, Fox sat down with Mashable's Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko to talk about her storied filmography, what it's like to play God, and her high opinion of Harris, who she counts as one of her favorite directors to work with, alongside Quentin Tarantino.

Plus, she shares what it is that drives her, and the advice she'd give to those inspired by her.

Is God Is is now playing in theaters.

Bambu Lab is the biggest name in 3D printing right now. Not content with making the hobby accessible to a more casual audience, the company frequently flirts with controversy and finds itself in the news for all the wrong reasons.

SAVE OVER $20: As of May 15, the Lego Icons Fountain Garden is on sale for $77.19 at Amazon. This is $22.80 off its full price of $99.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Icons Fountain Garden (10359) $77.19 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $22.80   Get Deal

Lego has dropped some excellent new sets for May, but if you're looking to save cash on a build right now, Amazon has quite a few options on sale. The Lego Icons Fountain Garden is one of them, down to under $80 for a limited time.

As of May 15, the Lego Icons Fountain Garden is discounted to $77.19 at Amazon. This saves you $22.80 off its full price of $99.99, and isn't too far away from its lowest-ever price of $69.95.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

This brick-built garden display would make a delightful addition to your shelves. Coming with 1,302 pieces, the Lego Icons Fountain Garden includes a tiered fountain, lavabo, two cypress trees, flowering grape vines, four pergolas, and tiled pathways. It also comes with figures of a luna moth, bird, and frog that can be placed throughout the garden.

That's not all, though. There are even slots in the base of the garden that allow you to create different displays. That way, you can find the perfect way to show it all off once you're done.

This offer may not stick around for long. Don't miss out on the chance to save on the Lego Icons Fountain Garden set at Amazon.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone universe returns to television in Dutton Ranch, a new spin-off series starring Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton and Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler. The first two episodes are now streaming on Paramount+. If you don't have Paramount+, there is another way to watch.

May is off to an excellent start on Netflix, with some great new shows making headlines, climbing the streaming charts and Rotten Tomatoes rankings, including the cringy roast of Kevin Hart, the unsettling drama Lord of the Flies, and, to throw in a movie pick, Sally Field's heartwarming Remarkably Bright Creatures.

Stephen Colbert's Late Show is coming to an end next week, and David Letterman wasted no time helping him clear the place out.

In the clip above the two Late Show hosts stand on the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater with some stolen talk show chairs, Colbert's Eames desk chair, and a few bonus melons, launching them over the edge at a giant CBS logo far below.

Needless to say it's extremely entertaining viewing, as is Letterman's final message to CBS: "Good night and good luck, motherf***ers."

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

Google Gemini can do a lot of cool stuff for free. Things like “Personal Intelligence” and ordering food from GrubHub. However, if you don’t pay for an AI subscription, you’re missing out on one of Gemini’s most useful features.

Donald Trump is in China visiting Xi Jinping at the moment, providing the late night hosts with a swathe of roastable material.

In the Daily Show clip above, Jordan Klepper gleefully compares the Chinese president talking about the Thucydides Trap (a story about a fear of a rising power resulting in war) with Trump talking about Chinese restaurants in the U.S. outnumbering fast food chains.

"That's my president," says Klepper. "Putting his understanding of geopolitics into fast food terms. He gives a summit speech like a third grader who got assigned China for his geography project."

SEE ALSO: Stephen Colbert breaks down Trump's awkward visit to China

Klepper goes on to talk about the closed door meeting where Xi reportedly warned Trump against a mishandling of the situation with Taiwan, resulting in the U.S. president appearing to avoid the question at a resulting press conference.

"What happened in the meeting that made him really not want to talk about Taiwan?" asks Klepper. "He's out there like, 'Don't you guys want to talk about anything else? Jeffrey Epstein? I got a lot of redactions. I got time, let's chat!"

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

TL;DR: Amazon has the Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Starter Kit on sale for $19.99, down from its typical $24.01 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Play Booster Box $19.99 at Amazon
$24.01 Save $4.02 Get Deal

If you’ve wanted to get into the Magic: The Gathering trading card game through its Final Fantasy crossover without paying massive booster box prices, Amazon is offering an easy entry point for under $20.

As of May 15, the Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Starter Kit is listed at Amazon for $19.99, down from its usual $24.01 price. That works out to 17% off, with the listing shipped by Amazon and sold by The Card Kid.

Walmart has the same MTG Final Fantasy Starter Kit listed for $23.11, marked down from $29.99. TCGplayer’s listing shows an even lower price of around $16.90. 

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

Inside, you get two ready-to-play 60-card decks themed around Cloud, Planet’s Champion, and Sephiroth, Planet’s Heir, giving newer players an easy way to learn Magic without having to build their own deck first. It also comes with two deck boxes, two reference cards, a play guide booklet, four double-sided tokens, and two Magic: The Gathering Arena code cards so both decks can be unlocked online.

Like the rest of the hit expansion, each deck includes Final Fantasy-themed art, rare cards, and one shiny Traditional Foil Mythic Rare Legendary Creature. Inspired by the entire Final Fantasy gaming series, bringing spells, summons, characters, and familiar locations into Magic’s tabletop format.

If you’re a Pokémon TCG fan, the newly-announced Pitch Black expansion is available to pre-order at TCGplayer.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

SAVE $100: As of May 15, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (47mm, LTE) is on sale for $549.99 at Amazon. This is $100 off its list price of $649.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) $549.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $100   Get Deal

There's a wide range of smartwatches out there, from models that cover the basics of health and fitness tracking to more premium picks for fitness fanatics. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra falls in the latter category, and if you've had your eye on it, Amazon has it on sale for $549.99.

This is a full $100 off its list price of $649.99, which is a very solid deal. It's also not too far away from its lowest-ever price of $529.99.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

If the changing seasons has you itching to spend more time in the sun, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is a smartwatch that's built to handle those outdoor adventures. It features a durable titanium design that can withstand the toughest of excursions, whether you're running, biking, or swimming.

Features include a Running Coach, Advanced Sleep Coaching, and an Energy Score, which summarizes your wellness for the day based on information from yesterday. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is stacked with stats to keep you informed during the day. It can even keep you updated on your blood pressure, which is helpful for those hoping to keep a close eye on their health.

If this offer on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra has caught your attention, now is the time to buy at Amazon.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

SAVE $60: As of May 15, the Jackery Explorer 300 is on sale for $199 at Amazon. That's a 23% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 300 $199 at Amazon
$259 Save $60   Get Deal

Camping season is well and truly upon us, and if you're looking at giving your essential kit an upgrade, why not check out this deal on the Jackery Explorer 300? Camping doesn't have to be totally off the grid if you don't want it to be, and if you prefer to stay connected with your devices fully charged, this is the product for you.

This portable power station has a 293Wh lithium-ion battery designed to provide 300W output. And it only weighs 7.1 pounds, so it's easy to carry with you to the campsite. It also has a carry handle on top, making it even easier to transport. It includes two AC outlets, a 60W PD USB-C port (input/output), a USB-A, fast charge 3.0 port, and a DC car port, so you can charge up to six devices at once, including your phone, laptop, or even small cooking appliances.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

It can be recharged a few ways, either through a wall outlet, a car outlet, or compatible solar panels (sold separately). It also supports fast recharging, reaching around 80% in about two hours when using both AC and USB-C inputs together.

As of May 15, it's on sale for $60 off. Right now, you can purchase it for $199 (normally priced at $259). Find this deal at Amazon right now.

Donald Trump's China visit to meet with leader Xi Jinping is the talk of the late night shows, including Late Night with Seth Meyers.

The host used his "A Closer Look" segment to unpack the trip, including the U.S. president's high praise for the Chinese leader, as well as his entourage of tech CEOs including Tesla's Elon Musk, Apple's Tim Cook, and Nvidia's Jensen Huang.

"I just hope Elon Musk comports himself well," said Meyers. "This trip is a high stakes summit between two geopolitical rivals during a time of major global conflict. We need statesmen, people who can project dignity and poise. Elon, all you need to do is attend the state banquet and be normal."

Cut to footage of Musk making faces while at the official dinner (he was reportedly taking a photo with Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun).

"What are you doing, dude? Whistling for your imaginary friend to come save you from Tim Cook?" said Meyers. "You look like an eight-year-old who's ruining the family Christmas card. 'Elon, please, we're sending this to all of our friends.' 'Oh, joke's on you, I don't have any friends, except for Daniel, that is. Come, Daniel!'"

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

SAVE $13: As of May 15, the Fire TV Stick HD is on sale for $21.99 at Amazon. That's a 37% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick HD $21.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $13.00   Get Deal

The Fire TV Stick HD is back on sale at Amazon, and this time it's down to its lowest-ever price. This model is the newest release of the HD stick, launched this year. As of May 15, it's down to $21.99. That's a $13 saving on its usual price of $34.99.

This version of the Fire TV Stick is a streaming device with Full HD support and WiFi 6 connectivity, designed to give you simple access to streaming apps, live TV, gaming, and more. You'll get streaming options from all the big services, including Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV, and whatever else you regularly use.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

It connects directly to your TV’s HDMI port and is now powered through the TV using the included USB-C cable, a big upgrade from the previous version which needed a wall outlet to run. It also comes with an Alexa Voice Remote that can power and control the volume for your TV.

The built-in Alexa can be used to control your smart home. Just tell it to check your cameras or adjust lights, or ask it to check the weather forecast before you head out.

This Fire Stick deal is available at Amazon now.

SAVE $170: As of May 15, the DJI Mini 3 drone is on sale for $379 at Amazon. That's a 31% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 3 $378.98 at Amazon
$549 Save $170.02   Get Deal

Existing stock of DJI drones is unaffected by the recent ban on foreign-made drones, which is great news for anyone still eyeing up something from the popular brand. And the best news? Right now the DJI Mini 3 is on sale for its best-ever price. As of May 15, it's dropped to $379 at Amazon, saving you $170.

The DJI Mini 3 is a seriously lightweight drone, coming in under 249 grams. This means it doesn't require FAA registration or Remote ID for recreational flying. It records 4K HDR video and uses Dual Native ISO Fusion to give you incredible content. The drone also supports True Vertical Shooting for vertical video.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

It features a three-axis mechanical gimbal for stabilized filming, Level 5 wind resistance up to 38kph, and brushless motors that support takeoff at altitudes up to 4,000 meters. It can even cope with video transmission from a distance of up to 10 kilometers. And thanks to its battery life you'll get 38 minutes of fly time, extended to 51 minutes when you add on the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus (sold separately).

Don't miss out on this new low price on the DJI Mini 3.

Donald Trump is currently in China to visit leader Xi Jinping, and the trip has already led to a number of moments worthy of a second look.

In the Late Show clip above, Stephen Colbert offers commentary on everything from the awkward initial handshake between presidents to the crowd of children jumping up and down and cheering as Trump walks by.

"Look at that, those kids are so happy...that they got the day off from the iPhone factory," says Colbert. "That joke is based on a true story that I read on my iPhone."

Colbert then moves on to footage of Trump praising Xi as a "great leader" and declaring, "I only say the truth."

"Congratulations!" says Colbert. "'I only say the truth' was Donald Trump's one billionth lie!"

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

SAVE $100: As of May 15, the Dyson V11 is on sale for $449.99 at Amazon. That's a 18% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V11 $449.99 at Amazon
$549 Save $99.01   Get Deal

If you're looking for a new vacuum, the Dyson V11 has dropped in price again. This time you can save $100.

As of May 15, this cordless stick vacuum (that can transform into a handheld) is down to $449.99 at Amazon.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

As you'd expect from Dyson, this vacuum is a powerful model designed to keep your whole home clean. It has up to 60 minutes of runtime and three different cleaning modes: Auto, Eco, and Boost. Auto mode balances power and battery life for everyday use, Eco mode is designed for when you need a longer runtime, and Boost mode gives you stronger suction for more intensive cleaning.

It even has an LCD screen that displays the selected power mode as well as maintenance alerts and the remaining battery life.

The vacuum includes a Motorbar cleaner head for cleaning different floor types and detangling long hair and pet hair. It can also convert into a handheld vacuum for cleaning awkward areas like stairs or even your car upholstery. It comes with a range of attachments, including a mini soft dusting brush, crevice tool, and Hair Screw Tool.

Head to Amazon to grab this Dyson deal.

If you're in line to get the Nothing Headphone (1), do not stay in line.

Why? The brand's newer mid-tier option, the Nothing Headphone (a), is $100 cheaper and better than the flagship model.

Sure, there are some concessions made in the Headphone (a) in terms of design and sound quality. The differences, however, amount to a pair of headphones stripped down to the best parts of their more expensive counterparts, and with a much more attractive price point, which makes any flaws easier to overlook.

After spending about a month and a half with the headphones, I have some thoughts on what Nothing got so right this time around — let's get into it.

Nothing Headphone (a): Price and specs

The Nothing Headphone (a) is $199, making it significantly more affordable than the $299 Nothing Headphone (1).

A design that stands out. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

At that price point, here's what the headphones come equipped with:

• Drivers: 40 mm RF drivers

• Equalizer: eight-band equalizer

• Spatial audio: Yes, including concert and cinema mode

• Noise cancellation: Adaptive and manually adjustable ANC

• Battery life: 75 hours with ANC, 135 hours without ANC

• Quick charge: eight hours of playback after five-minute charge

• Microphones: four mics, with two hybrid ANC mics

• IP rating: IP52 dust- and water-resistance

• Bluetooth connection: Bluetooth 5.4

• Codecs: AAC, SBC, LDAC

• Colors: White, black, pink, and yellow

The Headphone (a) outperforms the Headphone (1)

I'll get more in-depth with each aspect of the Headphone (a) below, but in the interest of good journalism, let's not bury the lede: These headphones are much better than their predecessor.

Out of the gate, they look rather similar. Sure, anyone could probably guess that the Headphone (a) is the cheaper pair due to the presence of more plastic in the design. But if you want that quintessentially Nothing retro-look, you'll get it with either pair. Plus, I found the (a) to be more comfortable due to their lighter weight (and they clamped my head less).

The Nothing Headphone (1) next to the Nothing Headphone (a). Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

The design between the two headphones is exactly the same where it matters most: on-ear controls. The controls were by far my favorite part of the Headphone (1) — Nothing recognized that it struck gold, and copy/pasted the format to the Headphone (a).

The on-ear controls are identical between the two headphones. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Already, the (a) headphones seem the more attractive option. So the Headphone (1) must blow them away in terms of ANC and sound performance, right? Well, not exactly. According to Nothing, the Headphone (a) can block out up to 40 decibels of sound, while the Headphone (1) blocks up to 42 decibels. In practice, that meant a near-negligible difference. Both headphones also feature manually adjustable ANC — while I could tell the difference between the levels on both, neither blew me away. In a noisy cafe, I maybe got 75 percent of the blockage I'd get with headphones like the Bose QuietComforts.

SEE ALSO: Nothing’s new, eye-grabbing headphones are impressive, but not in the ways you expect

There's a slightly more obvious discrepancy in the sound, as the Headphone (1) was made in collaboration with the hi-fi audio brand KEF. While adjusting the EQ is necessary for getting the best sound on the Headphone (1), once you do, the sound on the more expensive headphones is less bass-heavy, overall giving a more balanced and robust profile. Plus, you get access to a personal sound profile test to find your best equalizer settings — it's simple, genuinely works, and unavailable on the Headphone (a).

Besides the few features you'll find on the more expensive headphones, the two do have the exact same app experience, which is a huge pro, considering its excellent, easy-to-navigate design.

The app experience of the Headphone (a)... Credit: Screenshot / Nothing Versus the Headphone (1). Credit: Screenshot / Nothing The battery life made me do a double-take

Battery life on ANC has steadily been trending upwards over the years (exempting the measly 20 hours on the Apple AirPods Max 2). While it's now standard practice to expect at least 30 hours from flagship models, other headphones like the Dyson OnTrac and Marshall Monitor III have reached highs of 55 hours of battery with ANC and 70 hours of battery with ANC, respectively.

Somehow, the Nothing Headphone (a) blows even those out of the water, offering 75 hours of battery life with ANC and 135 hours without. If you're someone who constantly forgets to put your headphones on the charger, the battery life alone may be the reason to pick these headphones up.

A standout design with perfect on-ear controls

I already mentioned this above, but I am convinced that Nothing came up with the perfect on-ear controls. They consist of four buttons: a roller for volume and playback, a paddle for changing through tracks, an action button, and a dedicated Bluetooth button on the inside of the ear cup.

The interior Bluetooth button...chef's kiss. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Maybe it's odd to be passionate about on-ear controls, but personally, I'm a fan of anything that lets me enjoy the benefit of my devices (streaming music! listening to a good podcast!) without the major cons (going to switch a song and somehow finding myself on TikTok for 45 minutes of my one precious life).

SEE ALSO: The Brick taught me how to be bored again — and cut my screentime in half

All this to say, Nothing struck the balance between simplicity and specificity — each button has a clear, useful purpose, most have some customizability, and they all literally feel different, so it's easy to learn the controls. Also, more brands need dedicated Bluetooth buttons. Enough of trying to connect a device and accidentally switching your headphones off a few times.

Just a word of warning on the comfort front

To me, the Platonic ideal of comfort in headphones is the Bose QuietComfort line. I'm talking lightweight headphones, plush ear padding, and a headband that never squeezes.

SEE ALSO: We tested every pair of Bose headphones and earbuds. We found 5 we love, and 1 to buy on sale.

While I wouldn't say Nothing's headphones are uncomfortable, they do have more of a noticeable squeeze while wearing (and I wouldn't consider my noggin particularly large). I imagine this tight fit is to help boost noise cancellation, but the return isn't worth it. I notice these headphones more, even in the first few hours of wear, than comfier headphones, and by hour three, I may need a short break here or there. The padding feels less plush and more like firm memory foam.

That's not to say it's across the board bad — for some folks, this is their Platonic ideal! But if you fall into the softer is better camp, I would be honest with yourself on your wear preferences before adding these to the cart. At the very least, they are far more comfortable than the Headphone (1), which I can barely stand to wear for an hour.

The sound is on par with the price point

Out of the box, these headphones fall into the bass-heavy trap that many others do. What I mean is that if you actually prefer to hear some balance in your music — you know, like the real presence of vocals and guitars, where the bass serves as nice punctuation rather than one long line of !!!!!!!!!!!! the entire song, adjusting the equalizer is worth it. If you want even more bass, you can turn on bass enhancement in the app — though at that point, I recommend checking out the Sony ULT headphones instead.

Thankfully, these headphones come equipped with an eight-band equalizer. Prefer not to mess around with audio settings? You can check out the catalog of community-curated EQ profiles on the Nothing X companion app.

The Nothing X app offers two different screens for playing with equalizer settings in addition to the community-sourced equalizers. Credit: Screenshot / Nothing Credit: Screenshot / Nothing

Once my settings were properly adjusted, these headphones sounded great. BTS's "Hooligan" and "2.0" had me mentally attempting the choreo. "Run Your Mouth" by The Marías reached certified-slapper status with the guitar and bass riffs in balance. "A Day In the Life" by the Beatles sounded the tiniest bit flat and muddy at points, but the discordant strings sounded appropriately chaotic and overwhelming. Overall, the headphones didn't make any songs shine extra bright, but they still left the music I listened to plenty enjoyable. Not an audiophile's dream, but not a casual listener's nightmare either.

There is also spatial audio, and though it isn't split into "head-tracking " and "fixed" modes like the Headphone (1) (and most other premium headphones, for that matter), the cinema and concert modes found on these headphones do offer some variation in the listening experience. I'm not the biggest fan of spatial audio, and I found that while these weren't the worst I tried, I mostly found that the sound profile became more hollow-sounding, leading me to prefer the non-spatialized experience.

Besides that, the main con to be aware of is that these headphones do suffer from some mild sound leakage at louder volumes, especially for higher-pitched tones. If you're sitting across from someone in a relatively quiet space, don't be surprised if they tell you they know exactly what you're listening to (don't ask me how I found that out).

The ANC is less noteworthy

With so many budget headphones coming out with great active noise cancellation, middling ANC becomes ironically more of a sore thumb feature, and while I hesitate to say the ANC on these headphones detracts from the overall experience of using them, I certainly wouldn't recommend them if you're frequently in noisy environments and looking for some serious noise cancelling.

*Abby Lee Miller voice* Noise cancellation...you were good, I wanted you to be great. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Let's start with what I like about the Headphone (a) ANC: it's adjustable, with noticeably different levels of blockage. There's also no obvious hissing sound to assist in making your environment quieter.

SEE ALSO: The 11 best noise-cancelling headphones we use, love, and recommend

These headphones could probably use that hiss boost, though. My local cafe during an early afternoon rush became the grounds on which this ANC's flaws were clearly on display. Even with both the highest and adaptive ANC modes toggled on, a fair amount of chatter and music from the cafe's speakers leaked through. Sure, I couldn't really make out any words of conversations without straining to hear, and playing my own music helped some. But I never really had that moment of taking off my headphones and being surprised by how loud the room actually was, which has happened with every other pair of ANC headphones I've tested.

Is the Nothing Headphone (a) worth it?

They may not be by far the best or most well-rounded headphones for their price bracket, but they are the most unique option. Yes, it's mostly due to their design, but let's not pretend that aesthetics don't factor into an over-ear headphone purchase decision (see: the top of the pro column for the AirPods Max).

Still, Nothing backs up the great look of these headphones with a solid performance, rounding out decent sound and ANC with plenty of ease built into the user experience, topped up with truly unbeatable battery life. At the very least, the Headphone (a) is the clear choice over the Headphone (1).

Nothing Headphone (a) $169 at Amazon
$199 Save $30   Shop Now at Amazon