Audio

The US' Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has conferred a Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Electronics Challenge Award (Gold Tier) on the electronics giant LG. It has earned this accolade thanks to the recycling programs instituted by the OEM's division in this country. They are credited with keeping tons of old devices out of landfill and, thereby, preventing the concomitant carbon dioxide emissions.

Beoplay Portal is the first wireless gaming headset from Bang & Olufsen. With a rather sober design, the Beoplay Portal comes with an all-new virtual boom arm, adaptive active noise cancellation, Dolby Atmos for Headphones support, and up to 24 hours of autonomy. Those interested can already purchase it for US$499.

Some Realme fans might already be aware of Realmeow, this OEM’s recently-unveiled visor-rocking feline mascot. Now, some official-looking Twitter accounts allege that this character is to become much more to the brand. In fact, it is due to be rolled out as a smart assistant soon.

The latest version of Samsung's Galaxy Wearable app contains references to not just new Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Watch Active devices, but also the Galaxy Buds 2. The Wearable app states that Samsung has codenamed the earbuds 'berry.'

The Realme GT Neo has launched as the world's first Dimensity 1200-powered phone. This new MediaTek flagship processor has debuted in a chassis with many potential advantages, including an FHD+ AMOLED screen with an up-to-date refresh rate, Wi-Fi 6 and UFS 3.1 storage. It starts at about US$275 for a 6GB RAM version, although a 12GB option is also available for a good price.

ZTE has launched its new S30 series of Android phones today (March 30, 2021). Its flagship is the Snapdragon 768G-powered Pro variant, which debuts with a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display that boasts HDR10+ support, 800 nits of brightness and a high-end 144Hz refresh rate. It is joined by the S30 and S30E, which also come with 5G processors.

According to the cybersecurity specialists Zimperium, a non-Google Play Store app masquerading as a system-update tool found online is in fact Android malware. Once installed on devices via side-loading, it apparently steals information ranging from SMS messages to clipboard data. It may also hijack phone cameras and mics to spy on unsuspecting users.

According to some recent leaks, Huawei is about to launch a new series of TVs. The OEM is also now said to have partnered with the sound specialist Devialet for these putative 2021 smart screens' audio solutions. This collaboration has, apparently, results in inbuilt speakers that might make the user forget about an external set-up.

LG has announced that the release of its latest A1-, C1- and G1-series of 4K OLED TVs to the US market has begun. They start at US$1,299 for a 48-inch model, although the highest-end 83-inch C1 variant is $6,000. Most models are available from now, although the OEM is holding back on some until April to June 2021.

The Realme GT Neo is set to launch on March 31, 2021 as the mid-range version of the flagship GT. Then again, according to its latest leaks, it will do so with pretty much all the best aspects of its premium sibling, its 120Hz AMOLED panel and 3.5mm jack included. It will, however, pack the crucial difference of a MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC in place of a Snapdragon 888.

The idea of Discord being bought out by Microsoft in a billion-dollar deal has mostly been dismissed as clickbait fuel - until now. The Wall Street Journal has reported that the Redmond giant and chat-service stalwart are indeed in "advanced" talks concerning a potential acquisition. Therefore, the latter may not be merely trying to ramp up for a potential IPO after all.

Bang & Olufsen has unveiled a new pair of Bluetooth headphones that it claims should last up to 40 hours on a single charge. The BeoPlay HX should also deliver B&O's high-quality craftsmanship, along with active noise cancellation and premium sound quality.

"Rugged" phones from OEMs such as DOOGEE are often sold via platforms such as AliExpress. However, this company has now announced that it is also now selling its S59 Pro on Amazon (in the US and the UK). This IP68/IP69K/MIL-STD-810G device has one of the largest batteries on the Android market, which powers on-board speakers rated for up to 2W of audio power.

The upcoming Black Shark 4 Pro has been crowned the new smartphone audio champion in DXOMARK’s rankings, pushing the Xiaomi Mi 10S into second place. The Black Shark 4 Pro impressed with its clear playback and excellent trio of microphones. The gaming smartphone with Snapdragon 888 and 144 Hz AMOLED will be launched on March 23.

ENACFIRE has announced A9 TWS earbuds with active noise cancellation (ANC). This spec is delivered via "smart noise-detect mics" rated to cut out up to 80% of ambient noise while also providing a 'Transparency' mode. The buds also feature IPX7 ingress-protection, a quad-mic system for call quality and a launch price of US$40.

The Redmi Smart TV X50, X55 and X65 have been unleashed onto the Indian market. Their 4K LED panels are enhanced with MEMC, HDR10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision. The series also features dual 15W speakers, and will start at INR 32,999 (~US$455) on their March 26, 2021 release.

Google has released a revamped version of its Nest Hub. The device, while looking quite similar on the surface includes a number of enhancements including the ability to monitor sleep.

Contrary to an earlier leak, analyst Ming Chi-Kuo's report indicates that Apple only plans on ramping up AirPods 3 production by Q3 2021. This could potentially mean a holiday 2021 or 2022 time frame for the wireless buds.

The latest AirPods 3 leak seems to confirm that Apple’s major redesign of its next-gen buds will lean heavily on the look of the AirPods Pro. There will be important differences, however, including a lack of silicone ear tips and the omission of active noise-cancelling.

Carl Pei asserts that his new Nothing brand can disrupt the consumer tech space with innovative, unique products. The company has just given the world the first hint of their design in its new Concept 1 TWS earbuds. However, they are also what they say on the tin, and apparently won't actually resemble Nothing's actual inaugural buds.

Cambridge Audio has revealed the Melomania 1+, the successors to the Melomania 1 that the company released in 2019. The Melomania 1+ offers all the great features of its predecessor, but with USB Type-C charging, Melomania app support and a High Performance Audio Mode.

DXOMARK has published an early verdict of the audio capabilities of the upcoming Xiaomi Mi 10S. The Mi 10S managed to outscore the well-received Asus ROG Phone 5 to claim the top spot in the audio rankings. The latest phone from Xiaomi is to be launched on March 10 and features Harman Kardon speakers.

The Mijia Mi Smart Projector 2 Pro is a relatively portable FHD projector launched by Xiaomi with the potential advantage of a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor for added focus capabilities in late 2020 in China. Now, it has a Global variant, which means it runs Android TV and is available on Banggood from now.

Google is expected to release two new Pixel devices in Q2 2021, and one in as soon as mid-April. According to a new report, a third-generation Pixel Buds will arrive first and will be followed by a new Pixel smartphone in June. In all likelihood, Google will release the Pixel 5a, the follow-up to last year's Pixel 4a (5G).

Razer is known for gaming audio peripherals; however, its new Anzu product is something else altogether. They are of the smart-glass type that incorporate personal speakers for the wearer's audio, which, as the OEM claims, will reach the user's head with reduced latency and increased immersion. They are available in Razer's store from now for US$199.99.

Marshall has launched its first TWS earbuds joining a highly competitive field of listening options. The new Marshall Mode II true wireless earbuds of course carry the famous Marshall name to help them stand out from the crowd, but they also come with a very strong list of features.

Qualcomm offers a range of products that support or serve mobile wireless audio, ranging from its aptX technology to the entire 8-series of mobile SoCs. Now, it has announced that this panel of technology has a new, unified platform: Snapdragon Sound. It will also act as a badge to signal to the consumer that its specs are present in a given product.

Realme has launched its first flagship device of 2021. The OEM asserts that the new GT 5G has been designed and equipped to get the most out of its Snapdragon 888 platform, from its "gaming" 120Hz E4 AMOLED display to its new stainless steel-augmented cooling system. It also does indeed come in finishes that include "racing-stripe" vegan leather, and starts at just under ~US$450 in China.

Razer DevCon is a new event set to debut in 2021 via Twitch. It is slated to present discussions on the up-to-date innovation and technology that might most benefit the future of gaming across multiple platforms. Therefore, it might interest developers involved in mobile, console or PC ecosystems.

Laser TVs are devices much more like ultra-short-throw projectors than conventional big screens. Therefore, they can deliver larger display sizes with less harmful blue light, which is what customers want these days - according to Hisense, at least. This OEM claims that it sold over three times more laser TVs in 2020 internationally compared to 2019.

Nothing is the name of Carl Pei's new tech start-up, his first since leaving OnePlus in 2020. It has been introduced as based in London; however, it also now has an Indian presence. It is to be led by Manu Sharma, formerly a Samsung executive. Pei projects that he will "play a pivotal role for our growth in India".

Xiaomi has recently launched the new Redmi AirDots 3 true wireless headset with Bluetooth 5.2 support. The third-generation Redmi earbuds utilize a Qualcomm QCC3040 chip solution to provide the best audio performance, with aptX audio technology being part of the package. The price in China for the Redmi AirDots 3 is 199 yuan (US$31).

Carl Pei's new start-up, Nothing, has announced that it has a new founding partner: teenage engineering. This Stockholm-based group has been involved in "craftsmanship" and industrial design for 10 years now, and is possibly best-known for its OP-1 synthesizer. Pei claims that its involvement in Nothing has resulted in a "product roadmap" that is "true to the company's vision".

Spotify has announced that it is finally bringing lossless quality audio to its popular music streaming service. The company made the announcement at its Stream On online event and said that customers in ‘select markets’ will be able to upgrade their subscription to the CD-quality audio later this year.

A new leak about the WF-1000XM4 has fleshed out some of the details about Sony's upcoming TWS earbuds. Apparently, the WF-1000XM4 will be Hi-Res Audio Wireless certified, which points to the adoption of Sony's high-resolution LDAC codec. The earbuds will support ANC too and up to 18 hours use between charges.

Huawei has introduced its latest TWS earbuds alongside its new Mate X2 foldable. The accessories are definitely the more affordable of the two; nevertheless, they have high-end specs such as active noise cancellation (ANC), wearer detection and up to 10 hours of battery life. They have an AirPod-clone look, albeit with a new style of charging case and 3 color choices.

A new leak has set expectations for the AirPods 3, Apple's next TWS earbuds. The AirPods 3 look like a cross between the AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro, as does its charging case.

The first sighting of the Sony WF-1000XM4 may have appeared online. The WF-1000XM4 looks radically different compared to the WF-1000XM3, which Sony released in 2019.

AMD's official Reddit account has posted requesting reports from users about an increasingly well-publicized issue in which USB devices installed in or attached to 500-series chipset motherboards disconnect randomly and without warning. It seems to be fairly constant across this range and across board manufacturers.

Realme has announced that its second-gen Buds Air will launch in India on February 24, 2021. It has also confirmed multiple leaks about these TWS earbuds in teasing their specs prior to this event. They include the (expected) ANC, as well as the fact that they will have 10mm "Diamond class" drivers, improved battery life and a low-latency Gaming Mode.

Sennheiser has announced that it wants to leave the consumer headphone and speaker markets, and has put its corresponding division up for sale. In the future, Sennheiser wants to focus on professional products going forwards.

Asus launched the PN50 mini PC with Ryzen 4000 processors in 2020. Now, a device described as the bare-bones version of its successor, the PN51, has appeared on the website ProShop. According to this listing, its chassis has not changed in 2021, and thus still boasts a configurable port that can add anything from a DisplayPort to a second RJ-45 to the device.

The Xbox Wireless Headset may be Microsoft's latest pair of over-ear headphones, but it is a pair that the company first teased in October 2020. Easter egg or a delayed-release, the Xbox Wireless Headset is available pre-order now for US$99.99 and will begin shipping from March 16.

Realme is rumored to launch its second-gen Buds Air in India soon, in partnership with the Chainsmokers EDM group. These upcoming TWS earbuds have allegedly popped up on an OEM's app early, inadvertently revealing that they have active noise cancellation (ANC). They may also boast features such as Transparency and a Game Mode.

Carl Pei, the co-founder of OnePlus and now most recently Nothing has made one of the more surprising acquisitions in recent times. It has been revealed that his new venture has picked up parts of what is left of former Android supremo Andy Rubin’s defunct Essential mobile devices company.