Month: November 2023

Enlarge / Well, at least they got the look of the hardware right.

If you've ever tried plugging an unmodified early generation gaming console into an HDTV, you already know that modern flat screens do a pretty poor job with RF signals that were designed for a completely different CRT display setting. The recently released Atari 2600+ helps fix this specific problem, giving retro gamers a way to get their classic Atari cartridges looking nice and sharp on an HD screen.

Unfortunately, that's about all this bare-bones, $130 hardware does. If you're expecting the kind of modern quality-of-life features you've seen on other retro console revamps in recent years, lower your expectations accordingly here.

A cute curio

Let's start with the physical hardware itself, which earns points for authenticity. At a glance, the 2600+ looks exactly like an Atari 2600 unit you might remember from decades past (albeit a four-switch "CX2600-A" model introduced in 1980, not one of the larger "Sixer" models from the late '70s). The fake wood grain and suitably springy front switches are sure to activate the nostalgia centers deep in the brains of gamers of a certain age. There's even a charming, working switch for flipping from Color to Black and White display, an option that hasn't been relevant to most living room entertainment centers since the Carter administration (at the latest).

Enlarge / Behold, it's the Devil's Milky Way. (credit: Taylor Thomas)

Welcome to the Daily Telescope. There is a little too much darkness in this world and not enough light, a little too much pseudoscience and not enough science. We'll let other publications offer you a daily horoscope. At Ars Technica, we're going to take a different route, finding inspiration from very real images of a universe that is filled with stars and wonder.

Good morning. It's November 22, and today's photo showcases our very own Milky Way Galaxy above the red rocks of Utah.

If you've ever hiked in Utah, chances are you've heard of the Mount Nebo Loop south of Provo. One of the best features along this hike is Devil's Kitchen, which features pillars and other interesting rock formations. Taylor Thomas snapped this photograph this summer while visiting the popular outdoor area.

Enlarge / Apple's AirPods Max noise-canceling headphones. (credit: Jeff Dunn)

The best headphone Black Friday deals have landed, and we've pulled all our favorite models, many of which are hitting the lowest price we've seen. From Apple's futuristic AirPods Max and beloved AirPods Pro to top offerings from Bose, Sony, Sennheiser, and more, you can't go wrong with the list below. So find your favorite deal of the season and get ready to rock out.

Earbuds

• Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) Wireless Earbuds for $190 (was $249) at Amazon
• Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Noise Canceling Earbuds for $199 (was $279) at Amazon | Best Buy
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Noise Canceling Earbuds for $249 (was $299) at Amazon | Best Buy
• Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro Noise Canceling Earbuds for $160 (was $190) at Amazon | Best Buy
• Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Bluetooth Noise Canceling Earbuds for $248 (was $300) at Amazon | Best Buy
• Sennheiser Sport True Wireless Earbuds for $80 (was $150) at Amazon
• Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds for $100 (was $180) at Amazon | Best Buy
• Sennheiser  IE 200 In-Ear Wired Headphones for $111 (was $150) at Amazon
• Jabra Elite 7 Active True Wireless Noise Canceling In-Ear Headphones for $115 (was $180) at Best Buy
• Jabra Elite 7 Pro True Wireless Noise Canceling In-Ear Headphones for $120 (was $200) at Best Buy
• Jabra Elite 4 Noise Canceling Sports Buds for $60 (was $100) at Amazon | Best Buy
• Beats Studio Buds Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds for $100 (was $150) at Amazon | Best Buy
• Beats Fit Pro True Wireless Noise Canceling In-Ear Earbuds for $180 (was $200) at Amazon | Best Buy
• Soundcore by Anker Space A40 Active Noise Canceling Wireless Earbuds for $55 (was $100) at Amazon
• Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds for $20 (was $40) at Amazon
• Soundcore by Anker A20i True Wireless Earbuds for $20 (was $40) at Amazon
• Soundcore by Anker Life P3i Hybrid Active Noise Canceling Earbuds for $35 (was $60) at Amazon

Headphones

• Beats Studio Pro Wireless Noise Canceling Over-the-Ear Headphones for $170 (was $350) at Amazon | Best Buy
• Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones for $450 (was $549) at Amazon | Best Buy
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones with Spatial Audio for $379 (was $429) at Amazon | Best Buy
• Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Bluetooth Noise Canceling Headphones for $199 (was $329) at Amazon
• Bose Headphones 700 Wireless Noise Canceling Over-the-Ear Headphones for $259 (was $379) at Best Buy
• Sony-INZONE H9 Wireless Noise Canceling Gaming Headset for $221 (was $300) at Amazon
• Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Over-Ear Headphones for $328 (was $400) at Amazon
• Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Premium Noise Canceling Overhead Headphones for $248 (was $278) at Amazon
• Sony WH-XB910N EXTRA BASS Noise Canceling Headphones for $118 (was $250) at Amazon
• Sony WH-CH720N Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones for $98 (was $150) at Amazon
• 1MORE SonoFlow Active Noise Canceling Headphones for $64 (was $100) at Amazon
• Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Adaptive Noise-Canceling Over-The-Ear Headphones for $260 (was $350) at Amazon 
• Sennheiser HD 660S2 Wired Audiophile Bass-boosted Over-the-Ear Headphones for $400 (was $600) at Amazon | Best Buy
• Sennheiser HD 458BT Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones for $100 (was $200) at Best Buy
• Sennheiser HD 560S Wired Open Aire Over-the-Ear Audiophile Headphones for $150 (was $230) at Best Buy
• Marshall Major IV Bluetooth Headphone with wireless charging for $100 (was $150) at Best Buy
• Beats Solo 3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones for $130 (was $200) at Best Buy
• Poly - formerly Plantronics - Voyager 4320 for $145 (was $170) at Best Buy

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