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<p>Bose is not hiding the trend behind the launch. Raza Haider, president of Bose Premium Consumer Audio, described wired earbuds as experiencing a &ldquo;cultural renaissance,&rdquo; and recent sales figures suggest there is something behind the comeback. According to market research firm <a href="https://www.circana.com/post/wired-headphones-growth-is-a-throwback-to-2016" target="_blank">Circana</a>, U.S. wired headphone sales increased 3% in 2025 after five straight years of decline, with growth reaching 10% during the second half of the year. That continued into early 2026, when sales growth reportedly reached 20%, with younger shoppers helping drive demand.</p>

<p>That renewed interest seems to have caught Bose's attention quickly. The new earbuds reportedly went from an idea to a finished product in roughly eight to nine months. Rather than simply bringing back an older pair, Bose designed them for the phones and other devices people use now.</p>

<p>That means there is no traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. The earbuds connect through USB-C, so they can plug directly into many current phones, tablets, and computers. There is no Bluetooth pairing or companion app. They also do not have a battery. Instead, they draw power directly from whatever device they are plugged into.</p>

<p>Bose's QuietControl system handles active noise cancellation using two microphones in each earbud. There are three listening options: Quiet Mode blocks outside noise, Aware Mode lets more outside sound in, and ANC Off turns noise cancellation off completely.</p>

<p>The earbuds also support lossless audio at 24-bit/48kHz over USB-C. Since the sound travels through a wired connection rather than Bluetooth, there is also very little delay between what happens on screen and what you hear. That could be useful for gaming and watching videos.</p>

<p>Bose has kept the controls simple, too. An inline remote controls volume, playback, calls, and listening modes, while a microphone on the remote handles calls. The earbuds come with a 4.2-foot cable and an IPX4 water-resistance rating, meaning they can handle sweat and light splashes. Bose also includes three sizes of ear tips, two sizes of stability bands, and a zippered carrying case.</p>

<p>There are some downsides, though. Since the earbuds get their power from the device they are connected to, using noise cancellation will use some of your phone, tablet, or laptop's battery. We do not yet know how much of a difference that will make during everyday use.</p>

<p>USB-C also creates a compatibility problem. Many airplane entertainment systems still use a regular 3.5mm headphone jack, so you may need an adapter to use these earbuds on a flight, and they may not work with every system. The USB-C connection is also less useful for people who want to plug their earbuds into older audio equipment or use their own DAC or amplifier.</p>

<p>Bose has made a few other compromises to keep things simple and bring the price down. There is no adjustable EQ through the Bose app, and early testing suggests the noise cancellation is not as strong as what you get from Bose's more expensive wireless earbuds. Still, at $99, that is probably not the comparison Bose is trying to win. These earbuds are for people who want good noise cancellation without worrying about Bluetooth, charging cases, or whether their earbuds have enough battery left to make it through the day.</p>

<p>For more articles like this, check out our <a href="https://several.com/news/tag/tech6339&usg=AOvVaw363LJBkngY6iOjNXa7iAIx">Tech News</a> page!</p>


Bose Brings Back Wired Earbuds, Set to Release October 15, 2026

Bose Is Bringing Wired Earbuds Back for $99

<h3>The "discovery" is five months old</h3>

<p>The Cork study first appeared in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-71264-8" target="_blank">Nature Communications</a> in April. <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260502233911.htm" target="_blank">ScienceDaily</a> ran a nearly identical headline in May. The research was sponsored by the <a href="https://www.ucc.ie/en/research/news/2026/new-research-reveals-mechanisms-behind-coffees-positive-effects-on-the-gut-brain-axis.html" target="_blank">Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC)</a>, a nonprofit whose members are five major European coffee companies: illycaff&egrave;, JDE Peet's, Lavazza, Paulig and Tchibo. Industry funding doesn't make a study wrong, but readers deserve to know about it.</p>

<h3>What the Cork study found</h3>

<p>Researchers followed 62 adults. Half drank three to five cups of coffee a day, and half didn't drink coffee at all. The coffee drinkers quit for two weeks, then got coffee back without knowing whether it was regular or decaf.</p>

<p>After coffee returned, both groups reported lower stress, depression and impulsivity. Only the decaf group showed better learning and memory. The caffeinated group reported less anxiety and sharper attention. Coffee drinkers also carried more of two bacteria, Eggerthella and Cryptobacterium curtum.</p>

<p>The researchers acknowledge that a study this small can't prove coffee caused any of it. The design also leaves an open question. People who quit a daily coffee habit usually feel worse for a while, so some of the improvement after coffee came back may simply be recovery from withdrawal. The decaf group improving too complicates that explanation. It points either to compounds beyond caffeine or to the comfort of the ritual itself.</p>

<h3>What the review found</h3>

<p>The Metabolites review traces what happens to coffee after you drink it. Caffeine is absorbed early in the digestive tract. Other compounds, including chlorogenic acids, fiber-like sugars and dark compounds formed during roasting, travel to the colon, where gut bacteria break them down.</p>

<p>Coffee does seem to shift specific bacteria. Small human trials show increases in Bifidobacterium. The most consistent signal across large studies is a bacterium called Lawsonibacter asaccharolyticus, which is more common in coffee drinkers. Nobody yet knows what it does. It also isn't on the Cork study's list, which is a sign that science hasn't settled which microbes matter.</p>

<p>The health picture is mixed as well. Large population studies link coffee to lower type 2 diabetes risk and healthier livers, but clinical trials are inconsistent. In one trial, patients with diabetes and fatty liver disease took caffeine and chlorogenic acid supplements, and the supplements performed no better than a placebo. Much of the evidence for how coffee might help comes from cell and animal studies that used doses far higher than anyone gets from a cup.</p>

<p>The review has its own funding footnote. It was partly funded by a coffee research project from an industrial park administration in Yunnan, China's main coffee-growing province. The authors declare no conflicts of interest, and their conclusions are notably cautious.</p>

<h3>Why both can be true</h3>

<p>The studies don't contradict each other as much as the headlines suggest. Coffee drinkers have different gut bacteria than non-drinkers, and they tend to report feeling better with coffee than without it. What remains unproven is the chain connecting those facts: that coffee changes your bacteria, and that those bacteria then improve your mood, blood sugar, or liver.</p>

<h3>What actually holds up</h3>

<p>The strongest practical finding in either piece has nothing to do with your microbiome. It comes down to your filter.</p>

<p>Unfiltered coffee from a French press or a boiled brew contains oils called cafestol and kahweol, and a paper filter traps most of them. In a six-month trial, people drinking unfiltered French press coffee saw their LDL cholesterol rise compared with people drinking filtered coffee.</p>

<p>What goes into the cup matters too. Sugar and creamers change the drink's effects, and research tracking more than 100,000 adults found that people who increased their unsweetened coffee intake gained less weight over time. Adding sugar weakened that link.</p>

<p>Individual biology also plays a part. Your genes affect how fast you clear caffeine, and your existing gut bacteria shape how your body processes everything else in the cup. That helps explain why the same coffee can suit one person and not another.</p>

<h3>The bottom line</h3>

<p>Coffee is a complex drink, and scientists are still working out what it does inside you. If you enjoy it and it agrees with you, nothing in either study suggests you should stop. Just don't drink it for your gut. The evidence isn't there yet.</p>

<p>Stay posted on trending and breaking <a href="https://several.com/news/tag/lifestyle" target="_blank">lifestyle and health news with Several.com</a>.&nbsp;</p>


Coffee Boosts Your Gut & Mood? New Research Says Not So Fast

Is Coffee Good for Your Gut? New Review Says Not So Fast

<h2 id="how-far-and-fast-can-the-torcal-go-">How Far and Fast Can the Torcal Go?</h2>

<p>Both versions use two electric motors and all-wheel drive. The standard Torcal produces 809 brake horsepower and reaches 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, according to <a href="https://www.bentleymotors.com/en/models/torcal/torcal.html" target="_blank">Bentley&rsquo;s published specifications</a>. The Torcal S raises output to 876 brake horsepower and can reach 60 mph in 2.8 seconds with launch control. That makes it Bentley&rsquo;s most powerful production car to date. Its top speed is 162 mph, compared with 155 mph for the standard model.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Each version has a 113.2-kWh battery and a claimed range of up to 373 miles. That figure comes from European testing; an official U.S. EPA range estimate has yet to be released. Bentley says the battery can charge from 10% to 80% in 16 minutes under suitable conditions. At a 350-kW charger, drivers can add more than 150 miles of claimed range in 10 minutes. Actual charging times will depend on the charger and conditions.&nbsp;</p>

<h2 id="a-new-look-with-familiar-bentley-details">A New Look With Familiar Bentley Details</h2>

<p><img alt="" loading="lazy" src="https://dwy9ix7d387oz.cloudfront.net/attachments/2026/8/06e11c76-ba94-413e-9b5e-35e79b3d8a18.jpg" /></p>

<p>The Torcal introduces a cleaner, more angular look for Bentley. Its illuminated front grille contains 76 individually applied diamond elements, while the cabin pairs curved screens with leather, wood trim, and other upholstery choices. Buyers can also choose a glass roof that switches from clear to frosted. Bentley&rsquo;s Dynamic Symphony feature creates a driving soundtrack using recordings of musical instruments, drawing on the character of a V8 without an engine under the hood.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bentley has given the SUV features aimed at making its size easier to manage. Rear-wheel steering helps reduce its turning circle to about 36 feet, while an active suspension system adjusts the ride and limits body roll. Available assistance features include remote parking through the My Bentley app and a hands-free driving package where local rules allow it. The app can also check the car&rsquo;s charging status and prepare the cabin before a trip. Feature availability may vary by market.&nbsp;</p>

<h2 id="how-does-its-price-compare-with-ferrari-rsquo-s-ev-">How Does Its Price Compare With Ferrari&rsquo;s EV?</h2>

<p>The Torcal will be built at Bentley&rsquo;s factory in Crewe, England. UK prices start at <strong>&pound;173,300 for the standard model</strong>, and <strong>&pound;199,300 for the Torcal S</strong>. Ferrari&rsquo;s Luce has a reported starting price of about <strong>&euro;550,000</strong> in Italy. The prices come from different markets and currencies, but they show that the Ferrari sits in a much higher price bracket. Bentley has not announced a final U.S. price for the Torcal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The cars also take different forms. Ferrari&rsquo;s Luce is a four-door electric car, while Bentley has chosen an SUV that they hope will appeal to younger buyers and existing customers looking for an electric option. Both brands have created driving sounds for their first EVs, though the Torcal&rsquo;s soundtrack draws on Bentley&rsquo;s V8 character.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bentley is taking a cautious approach to what comes next. CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser said there are currently no plans for a second electric model. For now, the Torcal will test whether buyers who value Bentley&rsquo;s performance and craftsmanship want those qualities in an SUV powered entirely by a battery.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For more industry updates, visit our <a href="https://several.com/news/tag/automotive" target="_blank">automotive news section</a>.</p>


Bentley’s First EV Arrives Months After Ferrari’s Luce

Bentley Reveals Its First EV After Ferrari’s Luce

<h3>The closures are spreading across the country</h3>

<p>The scale of the shutdown is becoming clearer as individual locations disappear. <a href="https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/starbucks-california-closures-22449378.php" target="_blank">SFGate</a> identified 64 likely closures across California, while the <a href="https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2026-09-27/did-your-favorite-local-starbucks-just-close-these-36-socal-locations-are-likely-shuttered" target="_blank">Los Angeles Times</a> found 36 likely locations in Southern California alone. The Times confirmed that all 36 had disappeared from the Starbucks app and were either marked permanently closed on Google or could not be reached by phone. Starbucks did not confirm the newspaper&rsquo;s full list.</p>

<p>Closures are appearing well beyond California. Local outlets have reported affected stores in Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, and other parts of the country as the wider picture continues to emerge.</p>

<p>For now, that means any nationwide list should be treated carefully. Starbucks has confirmed the approximate number of closures, but they have not published an official list identifying all 250 coffeehouses.</p>

<h3>Starbucks is closing stores while sales are growing</h3>

<p>The timing may seem unusual because Starbucks&rsquo; recent numbers do not point to a broad sales collapse. According to the company&rsquo;s <a href="https://investor.starbucks.com/news/financial-releases/news-details/2026/Starbucks-Reports-Q3-Fiscal-Year-2026-Results/default.aspx" target="_blank">fiscal third-quarter results</a>, global comparable-store sales rose 7.9% from a year earlier. North American comparable sales increased 8.1%, while transactions rose 4.5%. Revenue from the North American segment climbed 7% to about $7.4 billion.</p>

<p>Instead, the closures are part of CEO Brian Niccol&rsquo;s ongoing &ldquo;Back to Starbucks&rdquo; strategy, which focuses on reviving the coffeehouse experience and improving the company&rsquo;s store portfolio. Starbucks has been investing in stores and customer experience while reviewing locations that do not meet its financial or operational expectations.</p>

<p>That makes this closure round less about Starbucks abandoning growth and more about changing the makeup of their store network. The company says they still see significant long-term growth opportunities in North America and are actively developing a pipeline of new coffeehouses.</p>

<h3>Closing 250 stores comes with a $300 million bill</h3>

<p>The changes are not cheap. Starbucks expects approximately $300 million in restructuring charges related to the latest plan, according to their SEC filing. About $200 million will consist of cash charges primarily related to lease exits and employee separation benefits, while another $100 million will come from noncash charges tied to disposing of or writing down store assets.</p>

<p>The closures have also reduced Starbucks&rsquo; expansion forecast. The company previously expected 600 to 650 net new company-operated and licensed coffeehouses globally during fiscal 2026. They now expect about 440, with the roughly 250 North American closures partly offset by higher net new openings in international markets.</p>

<p>Employees are also affected. Starbucks says they will try to transfer workers from closing coffeehouses to other stores where possible and provide severance support to those who cannot be transferred.</p>

<p>The closures have also drawn attention from organized labor. Some unionized coffeehouses are among the affected locations. For example, <a href="https://www.opb.org/article/2026/09/25/starbucks-eugene-closing-union/" target="_blank">Oregon Public Broadcasting</a> reported that Oregon&rsquo;s first unionized Starbucks, located on Willamette Street in Eugene, is among the stores being shut down.</p>

<h3>This is Starbucks&rsquo; second major closure wave in a year</h3>

<p>The latest cuts follow another major restructuring announced in September 2025. That plan involved hundreds of store closures across North America and Europe and was expected to cost Starbucks about $1 billion. <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/starbucks-to-shutter-250-stores-in-north-america-a-year-after-big-wave-of-closings" target="_blank">PBS NewsHour</a> reports that 627 stores ultimately closed in that round.</p>

<p>Taken together, the two rounds show Starbucks making significant changes to its physical footprint even as customer traffic and sales recover. The company is cutting locations that no longer meet its targets while investing in stores it believes have stronger prospects and continuing to plan new coffeehouses.</p>

<p>For customers, though, the immediate issue is much simpler. Starbucks still has not published an official list of all 250 affected coffeehouses. Until they do, some customers may only find out their neighborhood Starbucks is gone when the location disappears from the app or they arrive to find the doors closed.</p>

<p>For more articles like this, visit our <a href="https://several.com/news/tag/lifestyle" target="_blank">Lifestyle News Page</a>!</p>


Starbucks Is Closing 250 Stores Across North America

Starbucks Cuts 250 Stores in Major Coffeehouse Reset

<h2 id="who-won-the-most-at-the-2026-vmas-">Who Won the Most at the 2026 VMAs?</h2>

<p>Madonna entered as the leading nominee with a career-high 13 nods on the strength of Confessions II, the sequel to her 2005 album. Her seven wins topped the night and included Artist of the Year and Best Album, along with Best Dance and Best Collaboration for "Bring Your Love" with Sabrina Carpenter. It was also her best VMAs night ever, beating the six awards she won for Ray of Light in 1998.</p>

<p>Accepting Artist of the Year, she recalled her first VMAs in 1984, when she lost a stiletto onstage and her manager told her afterward that her career was over. She also revealed that she messaged Carpenter directly after Carpenter's team took five days to respond to her collaboration request.</p>

<h2 id="taylor-swift-s-wins---the-artist-director-controversy">Taylor Swift's Wins & the Artist Director Controversy</h2>

<p>Swift took home three trophies:</p>

<ul>
	<li><strong>Video of the Year: </strong>"The Fate of Ophelia," which was the final award of the night</li>
	<li><strong>Best Direction:</strong> "Opalite"</li>
	<li><strong>Artist Director Honors:</strong> The first time the award has been given out</li>
</ul>

<p>The wins extended her record as the most-awarded artist in VMA history. The Artist Director Honors got the most attention, but not all of it was positive.</p>

<p>Before the show, VMAs executive producer Bruce Gillmer told AP Entertainment that "the kernel of the idea came from external. I'll leave it at that." His refusal to elaborate prompted music fans to speculate that Swift had a hand in proposing the award. There is no evidence that Swift funded the award, and Gillmer never said she did. Still, an award created from an unnamed outside idea and handed to one artist in its first year is an awkward look for a show already fighting credibility questions.</p>

<p>Dakota Johnson presented the honor, and Swift used her time onstage to premiere the "Patient Zero" music video. Swift directed the video herself, with Johnson and Colin Farrell starring and Oscar winner Emmanuel Lubezki as cinematographer.</p>

<p>The premiere came at a difficult moment for the song. "Patient Zero" leads The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore, which dropped two days before the show, and the track was criticized by fans and critics alike for its lyrics and talk-singing delivery. The deluxe edition in entirety dragged the already divisive album to lower ratings.</p>

<h2 id="other-notable-winners-at-the-2026-vmas">Other Notable Winners at the 2026 VMAs</h2>

<p>Beyond Madonna and Swift, the night's other major wins included:</p>

<ul>
	<li><strong>BTS:</strong> Song of the Year for "Swim," Best K-Pop and Best Group, making it a sweep of all three nominations</li>
	<li><strong>Lisa:</strong> Best Pop for "Dream" featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi</li>
	<li><strong>Sienna Spiro: </strong>Best New Artist, which fans voted on during the live broadcast</li>
	<li><strong>Sabrina Carpenter:</strong> Best Editing for "House Tour," on top of her Best Collaboration win with Madonna</li>
	<li><strong>PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson:</strong> Best Art Direction for "Stateside"</li>
	<li><strong>Cardi B and Kehlani:</strong> Best Hip-Hop for "Safe"</li>
	<li><strong>Bruno Mars:</strong> Best R&B for "I Just Might"</li>
	<li><strong>Olivia Rodrigo:</strong> Best Alternative for "The Cure"</li>
</ul>

<p>The full list is available in <a href="https://www.billboard.com/lists/vmas-winners-list-2026/" target="_blank">Billboard's 2026 VMAs winners list</a>.</p>

<h2 id="most-talked-about-performances-of-the-2026-vmas">Most Talked About Performances of the 2026 VMAs</h2>

<h3>Madonna opens with a spectacle</h3>

<p>Madonna's opener, her first VMAs performance in 23 years, was the best of the night, and at 68, she gave the rest of the lineup a lesson in how to deliver an awards show performance. She began "Bring Your Love" sprawled across a black grand piano as Carpenter played, before the two left the piano behind for a choreographed routine. Her dancers then carried her onto a moving platform that glided across the stage while a choir in veiled white nun habits sang the chorus. Charli XCX took over from there for "Danceteria Afterhours," performed on a set modeled after the restrooms of the New York nightclub the song is named for.</p>

<p>Debi Mazar, Julia Garner (cast to play Madonna in her yet to be greenlit biopic), Sombr, and Fab 5 Freddy also made appearances during the number.</p>

<h3>The George Michael tribute</h3>

<p>The tribute marked nearly 40 years since George Michael's Faith and came ahead of a Faith Tour live album and concert film. After an introduction from Orville Peck, Sombr opened in Michael's actual Faith-era leather jacket for "Faith" and "Father Figure." Raye followed with "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)," and Teddy Swims took on "Careless Whisper."</p>

<p>The lineup drew criticism as soon as it was announced. Many felt it lacked the vocal weight and star power that Michael's catalog and brand demand, and fans pointed out that none of the announced performers had publicly identified as LGBTQ+, despite Michael's status as a gay pop icon. Pitchfork called the lineup perplexing, and Gold Derby said producers failed to deliver the star power a proper tribute needed.</p>

<p>That makes Adam Lambert's surprise appearance look a lot like last-minute damage control. Lambert, who hadn't been announced, closed the tribute with "Freedom! '90," joined by openly queer singers MNEK, Saint Harison and Meek, which answered nearly every complaint from the week before. Billboard said the tribute stole the show, but the additions felt more like a patch than a plan.</p>

<h3>Lisa's "SaWaDiKa" debut</h3>

<p>Fresh off her Best Pop win and introduced by Tyla, Lisa gave "SaWaDiKa" its first live TV performance. In a red wrestling-style leotard, she led Muay Thai&ndash;inspired choreography against a Bangkok skyline, rapped her second verse while doing doughnuts in a life-sized tuk-tuk, and closed posing on top of it.</p>

<h3>Bruno Mars' taped tour set</h3>

<p>Bruno Mars' "Dance With Me" came from his Romantic Tour, apparently taped in Miami. Despite strong vocals and an extended guitar solo, Billboard said the off-site footage felt like a fan's social media clip, and viewers expecting a live appearance were disappointed.</p>

<p>The rest of the lineup included:</p>

<ul>
	<li><strong>Kacey Musgraves:</strong> A tribute to the late Dolly Parton with "I Will Always Love You"</li>
	<li><strong>Raye:</strong> Her VMAs performance debut, with "I Will Overcome" and "Where Is My Husband!"</li>
	<li><strong>Shaboozey:</strong> "Cowgirl," plus "High Noon" with Gunna</li>
	<li><strong>Sienna Spiro, GENER8ION, and Yung Lean:</strong> Spiro performed solo, while GENER8ION and Yung Lean paired up for "Storm II"</li>
</ul>

<h2 id="nirvana-accepts-the-video-vanguard-award">Nirvana Accepts the Video Vanguard Award</h2>

<p>Chuck D presented Nirvana with the Video Vanguard Award, and Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl accepted alongside touring guitarist Pat Smear. Only Novoselic spoke, crediting the band's videos to Kurt Cobain's vision, and there was no performance. Nirvana is the first band to receive the award since 2003, and the honor came the same year the VMAs dropped the Best Rock category. Many felt that Honoring rock's most important MTV band while shutting out every rock act working today is a disservice to the genre that helped build MTV no longer has a place on its ballot.</p>

<h2 id="who-attended-the-2026-vmas---who-skipped">Who Attended the 2026 VMAs & Who Skipped</h2>

<p>The attendance list tells you a lot about where the show stands. Many of the night's biggest nominees didn't come.</p>

<p><strong>In the room:</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li>Madonna, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Charli XCX</li>
	<li>Lisa, Raye, Sombr, and Sienna Spiro</li>
	<li>Nirvana's Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Not in the room:</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li><strong>Ariana Grande, Harry Styles, and Bad Bunny:</strong> Grande's no-show drew the most complaints from fans online, and Styles skipped despite two nominations</li>
	<li><strong>Olivia Rodrigo:</strong> Two days into her Unraveled Tour, with her next show in Pittsburgh</li>
	<li><strong>BTS</strong>: Absent despite sweeping all three of their categories, continuing their VMAs non-appearance streak</li>
	<li><strong>Katseye and Zara Larsson:</strong> Absent due to touring</li>
	<li><strong>Bruno Mars:</strong> Appeared only through taped tour footage</li>
</ul>

<h2 id="are-attendance---airtime-deciding-the-winners-">Are Attendance & Airtime Deciding the Winners?</h2>

<p>Most of the awards weren't shown on TV at all. Only six of the 23 categories were presented on air, while Best Album, Song of the Year, and Best K-Pop were handed out off-camera. Even Madonna won only three of her seven trophies on the telecast.</p>

<p>That makes Lisa's Best Pop win a useful case study. She beat Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Charli XCX, Olivia Rodrigo, and Sabrina Carpenter, all of whom had bigger commercial years. Lisa was also in the building and booked to perform, and many fans online dismissed the win as an "attendance award."&nbsp;</p>

<p>To be fair, Swift, Carpenter, and Charli XCX were in the room too, and MTV has never said attendance affects who wins. But when the most visible televised prize goes to a performer already on the rundown over bigger names, it's reasonable to ask whether availability is doing more work than the votes.</p>

<h2 id="is-the-vmas-following-the-amas-">Is the VMAs Following the AMAs?</h2>

<p>The telecast itself didn't help. CBS joined the show 22 minutes late because the Ravens-Cowboys game ran long, and Dunkin' ads built into the broadcast drew complaints from viewers. As Gold Derby put it, the VMAs "only exist today because of what they used to be."</p>

<p>That trajectory looks familiar. The American Music Awards went the same way, with fewer superstars showing up, more trophies handed out off-screen, and broadcasts that play more like a concert special than a competition. The Grammys also give out most of their categories before the main telecast, but they still draw the biggest names to the room. The VMAs increasingly can't.</p>

<h2 id="why-music-videos-matter-less-in-2026">Why Music Videos Matter Less in 2026</h2>

<p>The bigger threat may be to the art form the VMAs exist to celebrate. YouTube stopped supplying its data to Billboard's charts after January 16, 2026, arguing that Billboard's formula undervalues ad-supported streams. Billboard had counted YouTube data on its song charts since 2013.</p>

<p>Music videos with huge YouTube view counts used to help push songs up the Hot 100. Without that chart payoff, labels have much less financial reason to fund ambitious videos. Fewer big videos means less for the VMAs to celebrate and fewer reasons for stars to show up.</p>

<h2 id="what-rsquo-s-the-future-of-the-vmas-">What&rsquo;s the Future of the VMAs?</h2>

<p>Madonna reminded everyone why the VMAs mattered in the first place, and Nirvana's honor gave the night some real weight. But between absent nominees and starts, credibility controversies, and most trophies handed out off-camera, the 2026 VMAs is a sinking ship relying on the magic of its past years.</p>

<p>If MTV wants the VMAs to matter again, the fix starts in the room. That means putting more categories back on air, giving nominees a reason to show up and proving that music videos from all genres are still worth celebrating. Otherwise, the VMAs risk following the AMAs' path: from culture-defining moments to a nostalgia act running on reruns of its own past.</p>

<p>For more articles like this, visit our <a href="https://several.com/news/tag/lifestyle" target="_blank">Lifestyle News Page</a>!</p>


2026 VMAs Recap: Madonna Wins Big, but MTV Should Take a Bow

MTV VMAs 2026: Winners, Performances & Biggest Moments

<p>Charm has a roughly two-inch display centered around an animated Muse character that users can personalize with different appearances, outfits, voices, and other traits. But instead of keeping a digital pet alive, users get a pocket-sized AI companion designed to answer questions, understand its surroundings, and help with everyday tasks.</p>

<p>A fingerprint sensor in the corner lets users start talking with Muse without pulling out their phone and opening an app. Zuckerberg presented that quick access was one of the main reasons for giving the AI its own device.</p>

<p>Despite its small size, Charm packs in a surprising amount of hardware. Cameras on the front and back can provide Muse with visual context, allowing the AI to see what the user is seeing. The device also includes microphones, speakers, music and video playback, USB-C charging, and built-in 5G connectivity.</p>

<p>Meta has also designed Charm to be carried in several ways. It can attach to a wrist strap, clip onto a bag or keychain, or simply sit in a pocket. One version features a translucent shell that exposes some of the electronics inside, similar to some Game Boy models. When two Charms are placed close together, they can recognize and interact with each other, adding a social element to the device.<br />
Charm came together unusually quickly. Meta reportedly began exploring the idea in March and developed the device in roughly nine months through its new design lab, led by former Apple interface design chief Alan Dye, alongside the company's Superintelligence AI group.</p>

<p>Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth has characterized Charm as an experiment rather than the center of Meta's AI hardware plans. The company expects far more people to access Muse through smartphones and its growing range of AI glasses.</p>

<p>Meta has not announced a price, although reports suggest Charm could fall somewhere within smartwatch territory. Cellular fees have not been finalized either, and Zuckerberg said the company is still settling on some of the components, but Meta plans to have Muse Charm ready to ship in time for the December holiday season.</p>

<p>The timing follows the recent launch of Muse on iPhone, Android, and the web. Meta is also expanding the assistant with real-time voice conversations, live video capabilities, custom voices, and other features, while preparing to bring Muse to its AI glasses.</p>

<p>Charm now gives Meta another place to put that AI. The bigger question is whether people want another gadget in their pockets when Muse already works on devices they own. Its Tamagotchi-like personality could help it stand out, but its price, battery life, and usefulness outside the novelty of having a tiny AI companion may ultimately decide whether Charm becomes a holiday hit or simply one of Meta's stranger hardware experiments.</p>

<p>For more articles like this, check out our <a href="https://several.com/news/tag/tech" target="_blank">Tech News</a> page!</p>


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