Items tagged with earbuds
True wireless earbuds are all the rage these days, and with many phones lacking a headphone jack, it’s really no surprise. You can mostly blame Apple for the missing port, but you can also thank them for giving the entire industry a reason to copy the AirPods. And Google is finally in the game. See, the first Pixel Buds, which were neckbuds, were a bust back in 2017. So, we were pretty excited when Google announced these new, true wireless earbuds last October. And in terms of first impressions, the $180 Pixel Buds 2 deliver. Google Pixel Buds 2 Design Picture an egg. Now imagine you can somehow flatten this egg a little without cracking it. That’s what the charging case for...
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Qualcomm may be well-known for its powerful Snapdragon SoCs and 4G LTE/5G modems that power modern Android smartphones, but the company has a vast portfolio of other communications/audio/computing products as well. Qualcomm is a relatively big name in the audio market where it produces Bluetooth SoCs that power your wireless headsets. The company this week announced new entry- and premium tier QCC304x and QCC514x chips that promise to boost runtimes for wireless earbuds while bringing Active Noise Cancelling to lower price points. The primary difference between the two is that the QCC514x supports “always-on” voice recognition. In other words, you would be able to yell out...
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Do not fret about that voice you are hearing in your head, it is just Alexa, the helpful digital assistant that dutifully works for Amazon. Oh, what's that, there aren't any voices in your head? Well then, give it time and perhaps there soon will be—Amazon is apparently working on a set of wireless earbuds with Alexa built into them. Wireless earbuds with smart functionality built into them are growing in popularity thanks in large part to efforts by Apple (AirPods) and Samsung (Galaxy Buds). Not to be outdone, Amazon will throw its hat into the ring, despite not offering its own brand smartphone. According to CNBC, the wireless earbuds are codenamed Puget. They will come with an integrated...
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Sony made waves in the consumer audio market with its WH-1000XM3 headphones, and now the same (presumably) noise-cancelling technology that helped the headset garner so many accolades is offered in a new set of wireless earbuds, the WF-1000XM3. If that is indeed the case, these earbuds could give Apple's AirPods a run for their money. The WF-1000XM3 is available to preorder on Amazon for $229.99, and will be released on August 5, 2019. A charging case is included, so the pricing has the earbuds sitting just above the current generation AirPods, which Amazon sells for $179.99 (the MSRP is $179.99). However, Apple is rumored to be refreshing its AirPods, and pricing could conceivably be higher....
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Samsung has a bunch of new products that will be announced next week, and the most anticipated is likely the Galaxy S10 family of flagship smartphones. Samsung recently updated its Galaxy Wearable app for Android devices, and it lists several new items on its home page. The leaked items include a new smartwatch, fitness wearable, and earbuds. The new smartwatch is the Galaxy Watch Active, which appears to be the Galaxy Watch Sport that leaked earlier this month. The device sports a 40mm case and is said to come in at least two colors. Previous leaks tipped Tizen as the operating system and a move away from the rotating-bezel controls previous Galaxy smartwatches have used. No other tidbits...
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With some smartphone vendors deciding for the rest of us that we don't need a headphone jack, the time for fast progression on the wireless audio front is needed now. Wireless audio isn't anything new, of course, but it's a technology that's extremely hard to get right. A good wireless solution needs to have decent battery-life, a stable connection, and of course, good audio quality. Again, wireless audio isn't anything new, but when Apple released its wireless AirPods earbuds (and removed the headphone jack from its iPhone at the same time), it seemed to spur every other vendor to begin taking wireless earbuds seriously. Apple has done well, based on the number of AirPods you'll see in use in...
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If you live in an area with lots of barking dogs, aircraft flying over, noisy neighbors, or have a spouse who is anything but quiet, Bose has something for you. The audio company has launched a new set of earbuds that are designed specifically for sleep called the Sleepbuds. These wearable gadgets are "tiny" according to Bose and have an "ultra-comfortable" design with the ability to generate soothing sounds to block outside noise. Bose claims that Sleepbuds are the smallest product it has ever made and have ten pre-loaded "sleeptracks" that mirror the frequencies of snoring, neighbors, dogs, traffic, and other sounds allowing the Sleepbuds to hide any annoying sounds. The ear tips are patented...
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Audio headphone manufacturer Bragi today announced The Headphone, a new set of wireless earbuds that are less expensive than the company's first gen Dash product at just $119 on a pre-order program. Offering up to 6 hours of untethered playing time, they're also being positioned as a great solution for next generation smartphones that don't have traditional 3.5mm wired headphone jacks, such as Apple's forthcoming iPhone 7 that is expected to launch this week. However, Bragi may be competing directly against Apple as it has also been rumored that Cupertino's external audio solution may come in the form of wireless "AirPods." Whether or not they'll come with the next gen iPhone as a bundled...
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Now you can work out and fit right into Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 prediction because sci-fi has, as is often the case, become reality. Samsung just unveiled the Gear Fit2 Fitness Tracker and Gear IconX Premium Smart Earbuds. The Gear IconX is a cordless fitness earbud that can still track fitness information and provide users with running feedback on their exercise performance. Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics stated, “Living a healthy lifestyle is a top priority for consumers to enjoy fulfilling lives. Our wearable technology can enhance existing routines and blend fitness and fun. The Gear Fit2 and Gear IconX...
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CES ushers in plenty of new gadgets every year and 2016 is no different. One of the more interesting products making a splash is the BoomStick, which is a small device that sits between your music player and your earbuds. Push a single button, and you’ll hear richer audio than your player alone can provide, according to BoomStick maker BoomCloud 360. “While TV has made huge strides in terms of quality, from black and white to 4k, audio has been going backward,” said George Appling, co-founder of BoomCloud 360 in a statement. “In fact, our research shows that only 4 percent of consumers believe they are achieving (a) great audio experience with their headphones.”...
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We steer clear of most Apple rumors, but this one caught our eye, thanks to the pictures and video of some unusually-designed earbuds. According to Tinhte.vn, a Vietnamese site, the iPhone 5 may be getting new earbuds that have ports in the fronts and sides. Of course, most rumors are nothing more than that, and there are a couple strikes against these particular earbuds being genuine iPhone 5 accessories – not the least of which is the absence of an in-line remote, as PC Magazine’s David Murphy points out. But if you’re starving for news on the next iPhone, forget the naysayers and check out the minute-and-a-half video....
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Turns out, people don't really buy smartphones based on the kind of headphones included. But hey, it was a valiant effort. The HTC Rezound featured a set of Beats earbuds right in the box, but it seems that the phone sales weren't really up to snuff. Or, at least, they weren't enough to justify the massive cost involved in bundling the two. HTC and Beats Audio are financially involved at this point, so we wouldn't be surprised to see some level of integration in the future, but it'll be some time yet before Beats earbuds are thrown in with a phone gratis. An HTC product executive was quoted by CNET as saying: "An accessory like the headphone doesn't factor in when someone is buying a smartphone....
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Typically, Bluetooth earpieces aren't all that exciting. If you've seen one, you've seen them all, as the saying goes. JayBird has a habit of producing some pretty unique looking headphones, and that tradition has now been passed off to the world of Bluetooth headphones. The company originally announced the JF3 Freedom Bluetooth Headphones at CES, but now, they're ready to start shipping 'em to those in need of new ones. They're specifically designed with secure-fit ear cushions, perfect for fitness freaks who can't stand their current 'buds falling out of their ears. The company is relying on a custom-made honeycomb design to keep them in place, and they're also sweat-proof and carry a lifetime...
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NAMM 2011 is getting starting this week in Southern California, and Shure is one of the first out of the gate with new gear. The SE215 sound-isolating earphone has been introduced, featuring a new Dynamic MicroDriver and a detachable cable. These are pro earbuds that join the SE315, SE425 and SE535 at the top of the company's tanks, and they'll be available in clear or translucent black. Shure has designed these for use in live performances, and for audiophiles who aren't interested in missing a beat (or a note). There's even a Kevlar-reinforced cable that can be replaced or customized, and it ships with three pairs of disposable black foam sleeves, three pairs of soft flex sleeves and a carrying...
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The question just has to be asked: "Why didn't I think of that?!" Magnetic connectors have been around for years. They solve a common problem, in that they'll break apart if too much tension is applied. Apple has a patented version on their notebooks, a technology dubbed MagSafe, that is easily our favorite AC adapter technologies amongst all notebooks today. So what if a similar technology were applied to earbuds and headphones? That's what you get with Skunk Juice. These are a very oddly named line of earbuds, catering mostly to teenagers, that will go on sale for the first time later this month. Basically, these earbuds are designed to pass music along through magnetic connectors, so if you...
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Jays is a small headphone company compared to Sony and Shure, but they definitely have a thing for great design. The company has just revealed their latest earbuds, and they definitely look nothing like the pairs that are already out there. They're called the a-JAYS FOUR, and they're black in color. They seem rather simple at a glance, but we get the feeling that Jays was going for a minimalistic look with these. And they definitely achieved that. You'll also spot the company's tangle-free cabling that has appeared on prior sets, and there's a remote embedded in the cabling to control your iPod or iPhone music. Also unlike many competitors, Jays includes five ear tip selections. Most just throw...
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Shopping for headphones? Obviously a lot of other folks are as well. With the proliferation of digital audio players, there has been a huge boom in people looking for aftermarket headphones that'll actually sound decent. If you're interested in buying headphones that may actually cost more than your media player, Westone has a new pair that may be perfect for your golden ears. The Westone 4, or W4, is a new pair of audiophile-quality earphones, right up there with Shure and all the other high-end brands. What makes these special? A few things, actually. First off, these are the world's first universal fit earphones with four driver arrangement. The Westone 4 uses a four driver balanced armature...
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If you're searching for a new, unique set of earbuds that also work well with the iPhone, V-MODA has your answer. Apple's stock earbuds aren't the greatest in terms of audio quality, but it's not tremendously easy to find aftermarket options with full support for in-line call/volume controls. The new Vibrato set is a diamond in the rough, with built-in noise isolation features as well as a Kevlar cable and construction from Zinc Alloy. These metalized earbuds also have a 3-button remote and microphone right in the cable line, and it's made with an 8mm dynamic HD neodymium driver for each ear. In addition, V-MASQUE technology enforces a strict tolerance for high and low frequency ranges, and the...
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Here's something we have always despised: tangled cords. Here's something we have always loved: flat HDMI cables. Now, headphone maker JAYS is making what amounts to our perfect product: earbuds with tangle-free, flat cabling. We can't believe it has taken this long for someone to do it (on lower-end models), but we're thrilled that this little company is getting their name on the map thanks to something that we honestly believe everyone yearns for. The Sweden-based company is expanding their product line with the entry-level a-JAYS One, Two and Three. Each of the three have the same sized speaker, with a dynamic element at 8.6mm and differ slightly in sound. The group will be available at $39.99,...
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Headphones just aren't what they used to be. Back in the day, whatever earbuds came bundled with whatever MP3 player you purchased were considered "good enough," but these days, any self-respecting audio player owner doesn't even unwrap the factory headphones. Instead, they head straight for the accessory department, where more and more high-end alternatives are finding themselves parked.Monster had a set of $300 in-ear headphones hit the market late last year, and now Ultimate Ears has a resounding pair of its own ready to wow those with enough cash to plunk down on them. If you'll recall, UE is now actually a part of Logitech, which knows a thing or two about marketing PC peripherals. The Ultimate...
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Headphones and earbuds are a dime a dozen these days, and frankly it's tough to keep track of which ones are worth a listen and which are just worth passing over. Sleek Audio has been a trusted name in the industry for some time now, though most of its loyal fan base were of the affluent type. Sleek's earbuds are generally expensive, and some are custom tunable to give buyers that perfect sound they've been searching for.Now, that same tunable luxury is hitting the lower-end, as the SA1 earbuds are priced for just about anyone. Or at least anyone that would seriously consider investing in a good pair of 'buds. Another interesting tidbit about the SA1s are that these have wireless capabilities...
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OK, so they might not sense when you take them out, but V-Moda's Vibe II earbuds are a little bit earphone, a little bit microphone and a little bit nice jewelry.The nifty part is that you can switch between calls and your music with an easy click of a button. The cords are reinforced with Kevlar; the plugs plated with 24-karat gold. At $119, they're not the cheapest earbuds on the market, but they're not the most expensive, either. The plug has a flexible design that lets you twist it 45 degrees, no problem, and is designed to give the listener the "sense of a live music experience." It even comes with eight sets of silicone fittings (four black, four clear) to make it conform to your ear, no...
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