Author: Richard

From time to time, a product captures the public’s imagination through social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram, thanks to enthusiastic reviews. Take, for instance, a trendy stain remover that gained traction for cleaning in 2022 or a blanket designed for adults that doesn’t bleed color. Their success can be unpredictable—sometimes they excel, other times it’s tough to decipher if the buzz is from a peculiar marketing strategy — yet a recently trending product heavily promoted on TikTok might actually deliver. Dubbed Loop Earplugs, they serve a straightforward purpose, but they excel at it. Loop Earplugs diminish noise to alleviate distractions.

They are not earbuds. They don’t connect to a phone or generate sound. They don’t even block out noise entirely — you can still perceive your environment while using them. They are crafted for situations where sounds are overwhelming, distracting, and potentially harmful to your hearing — such as music festivals or concerts. They also display an unusual yet charming appearance and come in a variety of styles. For example, there’s a McLaren Formula 1 Team X edition featuring a sleek two-tone burnt orange and black design, or a Coachella-inspired version that combines orange and blue in an imaginative blend. They aren’t limited to concerts, races, or extremely loud gatherings, which enhances their appeal. You can wear them in various settings, such as an open office; when managing energetic children; or while staying engaged in discussions in busy places.

Are they truly deserving of the excitement? Well, that’s a matter of opinion, but they are effective and users appreciate them. Presently, they boast hundreds of reviews on Amazon across diverse styles, all with ratings of four stars or higher. The Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs have amassed over 20,000 reviews.

Why is there such a buzz around earplugs?

To comprehend the TikTok phenomenon, a glance at the reviews will suffice. With over 20,000 assessments, an overall rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars, and 62% of these reviews being five stars (for the Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs), it’s clear there’s significant interest. They contain no electronics at all; essentially, they are just a silicone plug with an ear tip. How are they being utilized by so many?

Reviewers express that they wear them to sleep “every night,” and enjoy them so much they’ve purchased several pairs for home and travel. Others report that they are “super comfy,” and maintain their position throughout the night — notably, the Loop Quiet 2 is specifically designed for sleep. How about the McLaren or Coachella versions for live shows? Sure, you may opt for AirPods at a concert, but Loop Earplugs may offer a superior alternative.

Users are fond of the alternative variations as well. Reviewers claim they provide “excellent ear protection,” are perfect for concerts with intense, booming speakers, and are even “good on a motorcycle.” Allegedly, they reduce much of the noise encountered while riding a motorcycle while ensuring you remain fully aware of your surroundings. This is a mark of their effectiveness. Someone with hyperacusis and Misophonia, which makes them very sensitive to sound, stated they use the McLaren-style Loop Earplugs to help them “navigate so much with total calmness.” They seem to live up to the reputation.

Additionally, you might be pleased to learn that Loop Earplugs are among the TSA-approved travel accessories you can take on your next flight. Excuse me while I go order a few pairs.

affordable computer displays. However, that’s not always the experience you receive. What happens if you connect your new display and the colors appear distorted, the text looks unclear, and the motion seems sluggish? Some users believe this is simply the nature of monitors, concluding that their only option is to invest in a higher-quality one. Yet, the real issue often lies within the settings.

Contemporary operating systems and displays come equipped with numerous options, features, and configurations. Navigating these can be challenging, particularly for those unfamiliar with HDR settings, aggressive response-time adjustments, color calibration, scaling settings, or frame syncing. Each feature is intended to address a unique problem, and while it might seem wise to keep them “on” constantly, they can actually detract from your monitor’s performance. Even worse, these settings can make your monitor seem merely unsatisfactory rather than actually faulty.

The silver lining is that no setting is fixed, and you can easily enable or disable them as necessary. A few minor tweaks in the settings can elevate your subpar monitor into a sharp and responsive display that you truly appreciate.

A few weeks following the launch of the initial iOS 26.3 Beta, Apple has introduced the second version — iOS 26.3 Beta 2. While the specifics of this build remain uncertain (Apple still hasn’t released comprehensive changelogs), it’s probable that the company has enhanced features included in prior releases, along with rectifying bugs. If Apple adheres to trends seen in previous years, iOS 26.3 will likely have fewer beta iterations compared to iOS 26.1 or iOS 26.2, given that the final version is anticipated to be available in late January. Furthermore, among the new features, the company is working on several exclusive options for users in Europe.

For instance, Apple is preparing an updated notification system that will enable third-party smartwatches to receive alerts from an iPhone. Although this functionality has been confined to Apple Watch models until now, the company will allow users the option to select a third-party smartwatch for notifications instead. Additionally, specific to Europe, there is a new NFC capability with enhanced data sharing functionality over a Wi-Fi connection. While Apple has not clarified how these features will operate, they are among the list of enhancements the company needed to implement for users in the EU.

iOS 26.3 is set to bring other features as well. For everyone else, migrating data from Android to iPhone will become simpler during the setup phase. While both companies possess proprietary applications for transferring data, starting with iOS 26.3 and Android 16, Apple is incorporating a built-in feature to facilitate the migration of apps, messages, and photos more efficiently. The companies indicate that additional data will be made readily transferable in the future.

In addition, a new wallpaper is also anticipated, mirroring the black unity wallpaper of 2025. Although Apple typically reserves these for the Release Candidate version, new wallpapers have featured in previous iOS iterations of version X.3, as the company commemorates Black History Month in February. As always, we will keep you informed once more details about the updates in iOS 26.3 Beta 2 emerge. Apple is also releasing the second testing versions of iPadOS 26.3, macOS Tahoe 26.3, watchOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, and visionOS 26.3.

connect a wired headphone set straight to your smartphone rather than opting for wireless options, a portable DAC can remedy both issues. Even more advantageous, portable DACs are easily obtainable on Amazon for a modest price of about $22. These gadgets not only simplify the process of connecting your headphones directly to your device but also provide considerably enhanced control over your music and sound, featuring options like PEQ tuning and high-resolution audio support.

the typical shopper may indeed find appealing. As we get ready to spend the upcoming days on the exhibition floor at CES 2026, here’s what piqued our interest at CES Unveiled on Sunday.

iPhone includes impressive, lesser-known shortcuts.

In this piece, you’ll discover some iOS tips and tricks applicable to the newest iPhones, as well as for devices lacking Apple Intelligence features, such as the iPhone 15 or earlier models. Here are a few valuable iOS features you should start utilizing immediately.