Audio

Danish high-end audio maker Bang & Olufsen has announced a partnership with Microsoft for the launch of the Xbox Series X console. Although not yet specifying exactly what it will produce as a result of the new deal, the company promises a ‘new audio proposition catered for the high-end segment within gaming”.

Aipower may be best known for its innovative Wearbuds product. However, it has also released a pair of standalone TWS earbuds with premium features such as active noise cancellation (ANC). The brand has put these T18NCs up for a flash sale, which ends on June 8, 2020.

With the NanoSound One, you can transform the Raspberry Pi into a versatile audio system with an integrated Hi-Fi DAC. The NanoSound One supports multiroom, Spotify and Tidal among other music streaming services.

House of Marley wants to help consumers celebrate Father's Day with a 30% sale off everything in its US online store. They include the brand's Exodus active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones. This discount is in effect from today (June 5) until June 13, 2020.

Walmart has confirmed several specifications and the pricing of the Sony WH-1000XM4. Priced at US$348 on Walmart, the over-ear headphones are likely to cost US$349 at other retailers. LDAC returns, but there is no mention of aptX or aptX HD support. Walmart has confirmed that Sony will be bringing DSEE Extreme, Precise Voice Pickup and Multipoint connection technologies to the WH-1000XM4 too.

Tipster @evleaks unveiled leaked renders for Samsung's Galaxy Buds+ BTS edition. The purple TWS earphones are, alongside the Samsung Galaxy S20 BTS edition, targeted squarely at fans of the Korean K-pop group.

Vivo has unveiled its latest wireless audio product for the Chinese market. The Vivo TWS Neo supports Qualcomm's aptX Adaptive codec, Bluetooth 5.2, and even has a low-latency mode for gaming. The earphones retail at CNY 499($70) and are available for purchase on Vivo's official website. There is no word about its international release.

Mobvoi is a wearable and smart-thing OEM that makes the WearOS-powered TicWatch series. It has announced that customers who order from its own web-store using PayPal will get a 10% discount. This, for example, would bring the price of its latest Pro 2020 model down by nearly US$26.

A new market research report states that the gaming headset sector broke records in terms of US retail sales in April 2020. This study also found that 8 of the 10 best-selling devices in this category were from the brand Turtle Beach. Of these, its Stealth 600 has accrued the most revenue in 2020 so far.

Sony has launched a lightweight, compact camera with a 20.1MP 1.0-type Exmor RS CMOS sensor. However, it is not a new RX: the new ZV-1 was designed with content creators in mind. It has a side-mounted LCD touchscreen, as well as the OEM's latest directional mic that is compatible with its own wind-screen.

HP's new PC G6 is an all-in-one (AiO) so directed at interprofessional use-cases it even has a relevant term in its official product name. It is also accordingly equipped with Rooms, a feature of the Zoom service intended to remove the need to configure it to the AV system in question prior to starting a first meeting.

Redmi has launched a new pair of TWS earphones in India called the Redmi Earbuds S. It boasts of up to four hours of continuous playback on a single charge, splash resistance, and a 122ms low-latency mode for gaming. It is available on Xiaomi's website for Rs 1,799 (~$24.)

Creative has introduced the limited edition Sound BlasterX AE-5 Pure Plus Edition in a white variant with additional RGB lighting. The Sound BlasterX AE-5 Pure Plus Edition also supports Dolby Digital and DTS encoding and uses the Sound Core3D DSP and the ESS Sabre 32 Ultra DAC for 32-bit 384 kHz playback and 122 dB SNR.

The tipster Max J. claims that OnePlus is closer than ever to releasing its first pair of truly wireless (TWS) earbuds. He also asserts that they will be launched in about 2 months from today (May 24, 2020). However, those hoping for even a slight deviation from the norm in this device category may be disappointed in this leak.

OPPO has been busy teasing some new upcoming products on social media, including the OPPO Smart Band wearable and OPPO Enco W51 wireless earbuds. Specific details about the two products are currently scarce, but it is believed OPPO will launch the Smart Band and Enco W51 earbuds in June.

New market research has found that nearly 70% of all US households with broadband internet own and use at least 1 device along the lines of a smart TV, streaming box, connected DVR or console. This appears to underpin the strong role that online video has taken in home entertainment. It also suggests that OEMs in this space may be gravitating towards open-source software.

TCL is becoming increasingly well-known for its mostly affordable high-res TVs. However, it also does soundbars, the newest of which has won an award for its unique "RAYDANZ" design. The OEM claims that it allows the device to project sound effectively in the desirable directions.

According to a new document reportedly filed with the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO), Sony has invented a phone that has pop-up modules at both its top and bottom edges. These additional parts span the short edges of the main device, and largely function to hide front-firing speakers when not in use.

Dell has integrated a new form of potentially workflow-aiding AI into some of its new PCs. Known as the "Optimizer", it confers features such as Express Sign-In, Intelligent Audio and Express Response. They allow for next-gen behaviors such as an auto-lock as soon as the user walks away.

Redmi India has been teasing a wireless personal audio product that will soon be launching on the Indian market. Fans of the brand have been guessing what the device could be, with Redmi AirDots S TWS earbuds and the Redmi Soundbar 2.0 leading the charge as popular choices. Xiaomi recently released the Redmi AirDots S TWS in China for 99 yuan (US$14).

1More has introduced its new Dual Driver ANC Pro Wireless In-Ear Headphones. This new product is not truly wireless, but does improve on its predecessor through the addition of Bluetooth 5.0 and a Wind Noise Resistance mode on top of its active noise cancellation (ANC) spec. The buds are also rated for twice the battery life of their previous generation.

Realme has let it be known that it is to launch up to 8 new devices or accessories on May 25, 2020. Therefore, speculation is now rife that this event may debut the rumored X3 series. One of them is also now thought to be a gaming phone code-named "Blade Runner".

Sony has launched the HT-G700, a new partially-wireless 400 watt (W) soundbar system rated for up to 7.1.2-channel audio reproduction and effective room coverage. It supports standards such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X while using its HDMI eARC, and also incorporates a standalone sub-woofer for bass.

Sony has announced new additions to its SRS-XB line of wireless speakers. Their generation features programmable lighting strips in their IP67 housing and are engineered for "deep, punchy bass" and a 3D surround effect. There are 3 models in this line-up that are available to pre-order from today.

Recent FCC documentation shows that Apple has what appears to be Powerbeats Pro 2 in the works. They have now picked up further certifications that probably put them close to an unveiling. Therefore, they may be launched in the US, Korea and Malaysia at the least.

LG has announced that the soundbars designed to go with its 2020 OLED and NanoCell TVs will be available in the US soon. These products are rated to deliver between 380 and 770 watts (W) of audio power, and feature enhancements such as Dolby Atmos, DTS-X and Meridian tuning.

Sony has reportedly filed a patent for a pair of truly wireless (or TWS) earphones. However, successors to the well-received WF-1000XM3s they are most likely not: they have a more original design that incorporates a large attachment on which physical controls are found.

Huawei may have filed a new patent for a tablet that is now on the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) database. Given its form-factor, it may be easy to assume that it is the upcoming T8 model rumored to launch soon. However, this new design and the budget slate as leaked thus far show slightly confusing variation.

HTC is currently said to have a new phone called the Desire 20 Pro in the works. The noted leaker Evan Blass has now ramped these rumors up with a new render. It depicts the supposedly upcoming device as one with a quad rear camera module and a single punch-hole in its display.

Some new TWS earbuds from Apple have passed through Federal Communications Commission (FCC) testing. These products are not new AirPods, however: their new certification lets their Beats branding slip, in addition to the fact they closely resemble the existing Powerbeats Pro. Therefore, they are most likely to be a 2nd generation of the same.

The Realme Buds Wireless are of the 'neckbud' form-factor. Now, it seems the brand has a Pro variant of the same ready to go. A product under this name has been spotted in the hands of Singaporean and Taiwanese regulators ahead of their launch.

Today, (April 27, 2020) a new app for Google's Pixel Buds 2 went live on the Play Store. It was even more unexpectedly followed by the TWS earphones themselves on the Mountain View giant's store. They support OEM-specific features such as Instant Translation, Assistant integration and Adaptive Sound.

Discord for Android has a useful feature in which a button for its voice-chat functions can float over every other aspect of the UI. Unfortunately, it was originally launched as an exclusive to the Samsung Galaxy Notes 10. However, it has now been detected as working in more Android phones via the app's latest betas.

HYPER's 2nd-generation USB type C hub for laptops such as MacBooks has been launched via crowd-funding platforms. The resulting Indiegogo campaign has now attracted over US$1 million in backing, whereas the company had originally looked for about a tenth of that. This version of the HyperDrive has 3 SKUs with up to 18 ports each.

From the MacBook Pro 14 to the iPhone 12 and everything in between, Apple is planning a bumper hardware refresh by the end of the year. Expect new iMacs, AirTags, Watch Series 6 and MacBook Pro 16 releases.

Steel Series has launched its Cyberpunk 2077 ahead of the game’s launch in September. The new range includes the all-new Arctis 1 Wireless headsets for Xbox, PS4, Android, Switch and PC. Users of the Arctis Pro series can also purchase Cyberpunk 2077 a themed ‘Booster Pack’ to customize their headsets as well.

Sony has announced details on its latest TVs, including their MRSPs in USD and where to get them. They include 8K LED models, which are of course the most expensive on this new list. However, there are also 4K BRAVIA OLED and LED options at more reasonable prices.

Apple is keen to build on the sales momentum of its AirPods line. According to the latest in a string of Apple-related leaks from Jon Prosser, a new model is inbound and set to join the line up as soon as May when the next round of Apple product releases is expected.

The iQOO Neo series' next generation is the 3, a phone touted to combine the highest-end of flagship phone specs at the lowest price. Its model number has appeared as the title of new listings on Geekbench 4, which may help set some of them further in stone. This "Neo3" has posted healthy scores for its conformation.

Apple Music’s web-based interface is finally out of beta and is now widely available. The interface is long overdue and now puts Apple Music in line with its leading competitors all of which have browser-based access in addition to mobile and desktop apps.

A new report from Bloomberg confirms that Apple is working on a set of on-ear or over-ear headphones. However, in a very Apple-like twist, the design is said to feature interchangeable parts to emphasize personal customization.

The Note 20s are YOBYBO's latest go at revolutionizing the TWS earbud form-factor. They have a unique asymmetrical shape that extend out of the wearer's ear while in use, as well as an equally innovative square charging case with a case rated to be up to 50% that those of competitors. They are available via their new Indiegogo campaign.

Xiaomi has now launched its new TWS earbuds, the Redmi AirDots S. The AirDots S looks to be a refresh of the first-gen Redmi AirDots and offers more of the same, with the addition of a new low latency game mode.

The latest variant of the Samsung Galaxy Buds+ are hailed as some of the best non-ANC TWS earbuds out there. However, they are also affected by the potential for severe wind-noise during voice calls. Their latest firmware update is touted to fix this problem.

The next Apple TV refresh looks set to bring with it Apple’s next-generation A14 SoC according to a fresh rumor. Also on the cards is an Apple HomePod with a display along the lines of a Google Nest Hub and Amazon Echo Show after code examinations shows that Apple has switch to tvOS for the HomePod operating system.

OnePlus has unleashed new versions of its wireless earphones alongside its new 8-series of flagship phones. This new generation has an improved range of color options compared to its predecessors. It also features low-latency connections and a battery that can support up to 20 hours' worth of playback.

Razer has lined up a treat for Pokémon fans with the launch of its new themed Hammerhead variant. Targeted specifically at the Pokémon crazy Chinese market, the new headphones will undoubtedly also attract interest from die-hard fans everywhere.

Phone is an app made by Google that may offer more features and settings compared to the average default Android dialer. It is normally only exclusive to Pixel and Android One devices. However, XDA contributors now claim that it can work when downloaded onto some other handsets.

Recently spotted Bluetooth certificates have indicated an upcoming announcement of two new products from the Xiaomi sub-brand Redmi: the Redmi AirDots 2 and the Redmi SonicBass Wireless Earphones. The first Redmi AirDots have been called a cheap AirPods killer and offered active noise cancellation and Bluetooth 5.0 support.