Audio

The new Mi Mix 4 dominated its product launch today (August 10, 2021); however, this did not stop its maker introducing new ecosystem products to go along with it. The new Xiaomi Sound is a speaker that shares an audio partnership and new wireless technology with its potential phablet companion.

Xiaomi has updated its line of smart TVs today (August 10, 2021) with new OLED-enabled models. This comes with an ultra-high contrast ratio, HDR10+ and "True 10-bit" color on the new 6-series. For those in need of even more premium specs, the new Mi TV OLED 77 model has Harman Kardon-tuned speakers, high-wattage speakers and a new spec in common with the Mi Mix 4.

Logitech has developed its first set of TWS earphones targeted at the growing work from home market. The new Logitech Zone TWS earphones can also simultaneously pair to a smartphone and a computer.

A young Indian man has died from a suspected cardiac arrest following a device explosion while using his Bluetooth earphones. Conflicting reports about the incident have started appearing; however, it seems the fatal earphones blast could have been down to a devastating combination of shoddy manufacturing and a possible power surge.

Samsung is all but certain to unveil the next-gen Galaxy Z Fold on August 11, 2021. However, new leaks from well-known sources purport to spoil this event with full-scale specs for the ultra-premium device. They purport to outline the Z Fold3 in every detail, from its connectivity options to more specific display and camera resolutions.

Samsung may not have announced the Galaxy Buds 2 yet, but someone has already purchased a pair. Separately, product slides for the upcoming TWS earbuds have been published by WalkingCat, which outline their battery life and auto-switching between Samsung devices, among other details.

Honor has launched 2 new products today (August 5, 2021): a new pair of TWS earbuds and a smartphone. The Play 5T Pro has a 6.6-inch display, driven by a MediaTek processor, and a larger battery compared to the existing Play 5. Similarly, the Earbuds 2 Lite are rated for up to 32 hours of use on a single charge, and for active noise cancellation (ANC).

The TONE FREE DFP8Ws (or FP8s) are the latest generation of LG TWS earbuds that come with their own UV-emitting charging case for an "auto-cleaning" feature. The OEM has announced pricing and availability for these allegedly bacteria-repelling accessories in the US. They will also soon be joined there by new FP9 and FP5 variants.

Fans of high-end TWS earphones with active noise cancelling now have a new choice. Bang & Olufsen has launched the Beoplay EQ which are the first TWS earphones from the company to feature ANC coupled with its signature premium sound.

The latest versions of the Comply Foam TrueGrip Pro Tips 2.0 are made for Google's latest Pixel Buds A. Therefore, these TWS accessories now have third-party add-ons geared at improved fit and comfort, due to their memory foam-based construction. The new Comply tips are also compatible with the original Pixel Buds, and are on sale from now.

It's slightly pricier than other adapters of similar size, but the sleeker CNC aluminum build, LED indicators, and loud amp output make it a quality purchase.

Targus has announced a new accessory to connect an Android phone with USB type-C to the peripherals necessary for a desktop-like experience. The OEM has also announced that the Universal USB-C Phone Dock supports Samsung's DeX. Users could have this interface up on a potentially 4K monitor with this new product.

ZTE is scheduled to launch its new under-display camera phone, the Axon 30, on July 27, 2021. Now, the OEM has also just announced that 2 new pairs of TWS earbuds will join it on stage. The LiveBuds Pro sport the mics necessary for noise-reducing features, whereas the ZTE Buds might be more cost-effective.

Sony has built on the success of the ZV-1 with a new E10 variant. Unlike its predecessor in vlogging- and streaming-friendly features, it has an APS-C sensor, as well as E-mount lens compatibility this time around. However, it retains the up-to-date BIONZ X image processor, standard 3.5mm input and flip-out screen of the first-gen "creator-cam".

Following an extensive series of teasers, the Carl Pei-run start-up Nothing has formally launched its inaugural ear (1) TWS earbuds, thereby also finally revealing the peripherals' design and specs for the first time. They are to become available in an initial limited batch on July 31, 2021, followed by a larger drop in August.

Xiaomi has globally launched five AIoT products as part of its Smart Living for Everyone event. The announced items were the Mi Router AX9000, Mi 2K Gaming Monitor 27, Mi Smart Air Fryer 3.5L, Redmi Buds 3 Pro, and the Mi Electric Scooter 3. The new Xiaomi smart products will be made available to buy from country-specific Mi.com pages.

The Nokia 110 4G is this HMD Global brand's latest button-phone, released to the Indian market today (July 24, 2021). As the name suggests, it has 4G/LTE connectivity despite its basic feature-device nature. Besides that, it won't strain many pockets in more ways than 1 with a 1.8-inch QVGA display and 128MB of RAM.

Sony's latest soundbar packs plenty of features, including HDMI 2.1, Dolby Atmos and AirPlay 2. Hence, the HT-A7000 could be an excellent option for pairing with a PlayStation 5 or an Xbox Series X without compromising on sound.

The Galaxy Z Fold3 and Flip3 are just 2 of the most keenly awaited new Samsung devices rumored to launch in the third quarter of 2021. Now, the OEM has finally chosen a date for this event. It has confirmed earlier tips that the event will live-stream from official websites on August 11, 2021.

The new tech start-up Nothing is slated to launch its inaugural product, the ear (1) TWS buds, on July 27, 2021. However, it has chosen to share some details on the peripherals' charging case ahead of this event. Not that there is much to see here, as the accessory is largely transparent.

The FCC has revealed the design of the QuietComfort 45, Bose's long-awaited successor to the QC35 II. The QC45 features minor external changes compared to its predecessor, including removing micro-USB charging and a new colourway.

Sony has debuted the LSPX-S3 as the latest in its line of Glass Sound Speakers. Like its predecessors, it can blend "seamlessly" into any home's decor due to its ability to mimic a lamp with its candle-effect LEDs, visible through its transparent tweeter. This sleek wireless accessory has a recommended price of US$350.

The SIGNATURE OLED R is a first-gen rollable TV, and as such incorporates cutting-edge technology in order to come in a completely new, motor-powered form-factor. However, its novel features come at a sky-high price, as US customers who go to LG.com to order its single 65-inch SKU are about to find out.

The incredible popularity of Apple's AirPods has apparently led to an increase in the number of counterfeit headphones that are making their way from Asia to markets around the world. The United States Customs and Border Protection Agency is not just clamping down on the import of fake headphones, it has also released an interesting statistic regarding their confiscations.

Mobvoi's latest product is a dedicated voice recorder pitched at a professional market. The OEM asserts that it is enhanced with "dual-mic" noise-cancelling for clarity in voice-capture during meetings. It is also equipped with a neural network for automatic transcript summary generation based on intelligently-chosen keywords.

Yamaha claims to have drawn on decades of experience with enhancing 2-channel audio at the home-theater level to develop 3D Sound Field for its new YH-L700A headphones. It focuses on adapting to the wearer's head movements to keep sound immersion constant. The OEM also claims the new wired/wireless cans' has uniquely acute active noise cancellation (ANC) thanks to advanced mic placements.

Renowned tech evangelist Robert Scoble has posted a tweet claiming that Apple’s long-awaited Apple Glass AR headset is due to make its first appearance at WWDC 2022. It will be joined by a new iPod that is said to be integral to the new AR experience.

Edifier asserts that its NeoBuds Pro are a world first, in that they are TWS earbuds with active noise cancellation (ANC) and an official Hi-Res certification for sound quality and immersion. The new accessories also have an exceptionally broad frequency range and have IP54 ingress protection.

Carl Pei's new start-up, Nothing, will finally put a product to its name later in July 2021. It has just let the starting price for this product, a pair of TWS earbuds called ear (1), slip prior to this event. Meanwhile, its founder might have divulged its lack of interest in making other devices such as smartphones in the future.

It is thought that Samsung will introduce new TWS earbuds called the Galaxy Buds2 alongside other products such as the Galaxy Z Fold3 later in 2021. These accessories have been painted as mid-tier devices due to their rumored lack of active noise cancellation. However, according to new evidence posted by a reliable leaker, this spec might be coming to the earphones after all.

Sony has launched its latest set of speakers, but they aren’t what you might expect. Its new SRS-NB10 is a wearable stereo speaker that sits on a user’s shoulders that have been targeted at the work from home market, but are also useful around the home more generally.

Dizo is Realme's first spin-off under its new TechLife smart product ecosystem. This branding has been spotted on 2 new feature phones, rumored to be called the Star 500 and 300. With removable batteries to power their tiny screens, super-compact form-factors and dual-band 2G connectivity, they are likely to emerge as mobile phones of the extreme budget category.

LG's TONE FREE accessories stand out in the TWS earbud market with their "UVnano" charging case, rated to kill up to 99.9% of all in-ear bacteria while they charge. Their latest generation also re-introduce a Meridian Audio collaboration for sound clarity, active noise cancellation (ANC) and an AirPod-like design.

Sony has revealed an Xperia 1 III pre-order bundle that offers the premium smartphone along with a set of in-ear or over-ear XM3 headphones depending on the market. Along with that, it appears prospective buyers in the US might be able to get to choose a frosted purple Sony Xperia 1 III after all.

Xiaomi has launched its newest "extra-pro" laptop in China. The 15.6-inch Mi Notebook X Pro has an OLED display of a 3.5K (3456 x 2160) resolution, driven by Intel 11th-gen Core i5 or i7 processors and up to 4GB RTX 3050 Ti GPUs. Xiaomi has packed all of this into a CNC-machined chassis that starts at 7,999 yuan (~US$1,240).

Samsung's next TWS earbuds are predicted to launch as the Galaxy Buds2. Now, a new leak may reveal their starting price ahead of their launch. The new alleged detail might put them squarely in the middle tier of their market.

Carl Pei's latest tech start-up Nothing has just set a date for the launch of its first-ever product. The ear (1) TWS earphones are now set to debut on July 27, 2021. The new OEM asserts that they will offer a "pure sound experience", although it has yet to drop any hints as to their pricing.

Lenovo has unveiled the premium Yoga Tab 13 at MWC 2021; now, it is time for its 11-inch counterpart to take the same stage. This device has many design features in common with the higher-end slate, although its 2K display is 15:9 rather than 16:10. On the other hand, this one has a Wi-Fi only option for the more budget-conscious consumer.

Samsung is now touted to add a new color to its TWS earbud spectrum at the ongoing Mobile World Congress of 2021, according to an "exclusive" 91Mobiles leak. The blog claims that the "Galaxy Buds2" will be available in a relatively unique green finish: an update that might have been made in order to distract from the lack of any further upgrades in the upcoming wearables.

Honor has already confirmed that the Magic sub-brand will be updated with a flagship Android phone soon. A new leak suggests that the OEM also has a foldable phablet and clamshell in the works that will also launch under this name, not to mention new laptops, a router and accessories that might include a stylus.

The Lenovo Go series of remote-work-focused accessories is expanding at MWC 2021 to include new and arguably thoughtful peripherals for those who have come to rely on PCs such as ultrabooks in professional capacities. They include new wireless mice, one of which is of the upright variety, and a handy cable-free numberpad. The OEM has also launched audio equipment under this new sub-brand.

Carl Pei's latest start-up Nothing has announced that it will release its first products, the "innovative" ear (1) TWS earbuds, in the summer of 2021. Now, it has also revealed that it has secured a partnership with the high-end department store Selfridges to do so via this chain's flagship London store in the UK.

OnePlus' co-founder Carl Pei has followed the launch of his new start-up Nothing with an announcement for that of its inaugural product, the ear (1) true-wireless stereo (TWS) devices, in June 2021. However, it seems the buds will now fail to make this vague deadline and will debut later in the same year instead.

Apple has released an alternative to its popular AirPods Pro, this time under its Beats brand. The Beats Studio Buds is not only cheaper than the AirPods Pro, but it also has a USB Type-C port on its charging case. The Beats Studio Buds features ANC too and even has longer battery life than the AirPods Pro.

Apple's next personal audio devices are projected to come from the Beats brand and to be called the Studio Buds. The prolific leaker Jon Prosser now asserts that these TWS earbuds will cost no more than US$150 and may launch very soon. They will apparently do so in the black, white or red SKUs hinted at in earlier renders.

Sony may have teased the design and innovation of a future Xperia 1 IV smartphone in recent adverts for its WF-1000XM4 headphones. In at least three promo clips, users of the new noise-cancelling headphones can be seen accessing a smartphone that looks like a Sony Xperia 1 III from the rear but something else from the front.

Razer has launched the new Opus X headphones via its own website. These new wireless accessories have emerged as a new mid-range variant of their series, compared to the original Opus cans. They support active noise cancellation (ANC) and a low-latency connection, yet lack the THX certification of their predecessors, not to mention a 3.5mm port for a wired mode.

Sony has added to the colour options in which it already sold the WH-1000XM4. From the middle of this month, the company will begin selling its latest over-ear headphones in Midnight Blue, which also has gold accents. The Midnight Blue model will not be a limited edition and is US$100 cheaper than the limited Silent White version.

Apple's 'other' personal audio brand, Beats, is projected to release its next product, a pair of TWS earphones, soon. Now, a new leak indicates that they have picked up NCC clearance for sale in Taiwan, suggesting they are not too far from launch at this stage. The new tip seems to confirm their updated design, as well as that of their charging case.