Audio

The shares of the company Spotify were down 11% at the start of today (November 1, 2018) due to a forecast that shows relatively poor fourth-quarter performance. In addition, Spotify is now reported to be committed to new investments to boost innovation and future-proofing in its products.

Huawei has used its home market launch event for the Mate 20 series of smartphones to debut its Huawei AI Speaker. More than a little reminiscent of Apple's HomePod, the new speaker has been co-developed with famed Dutch audio specialists Dynaudio.

The latest Apple flagship smartphones are facing yet another issue that means they do not work out of the box as described. This time, it seems that one of their dual speakers does not fire while playing audio. The bug has been reported numerous times on several different types of forum by now.

The music streaming service Spotify has finally pushed an update for the app used on Android smartwatches. This version takes on the functions users formerly had to turn to 3rd-party solutions for. For example, the new Spotify for Wear OS has an actual set of music controls, and also syncs speakers with them.

If everything works as planned, Winamp 5.8 will arrive tomorrow with a bunch of fixes in tow and — the best part of it all — without the paid options previously reserved to the users of the Pro version. However, this iconic piece of code should get a major update and mobile versions for iOS and Android devices in 2019.

A strong supporter for the 3.5 mm audio jack in the past, Samsung may soon be forced to get with the times and move on to wireless headphones. A recent report informs that at least the flagship smartphone models launching from fall 2019 onward would not get the audio jack anymore, so the Galaxy S11 is most likely to come without it, while the Note 10 might still get one, depending on launch date.

The Pixel Slate is Google's latest tablet. It comes in one colour (Midnight Blue) and has an optional Pixelbook pen and keyboard with a dedicated Google Assistant button. The Pixel Slate runs Chrome OS and has its own Play Store apps.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K has just been announced. It may be able to deliver HDR10+, as well as Dolby Vision, in order to stream content. Amazon has also included object-based Dolby Atmos surround sound, for material that supports it. At just US$49, it may be a significant problem for the upcoming Chromecast update.

Huawei is now rumored to be integrating a new form of device security, Voice Unlock, into its upcoming flagship, the Mate 20 Pro. This device may also have a 6.9-inch screen, as much as 6GB in RAM and an extra-large battery. However, this leak reinforces the lack of a 3.5mm jack in this device.

The new Razer Nari is a line of gaming-focused headsets that will incorporate Razer HyperSense. This is an advanced form of haptic feedback intended to intensify an immersive experience. The Nari headsets will also feature THX Spatial Audio and improved engineering for those who wear glasses or similar equipment.

Amazon has released a stunning array of new Alexa-powered devices that spans traditional products like its Echo range, through to a new car product and even an Alexa-enabled microwave oven. The new devices highlight the increasing popularity of its digital personal assistant and the company’s plans to make the platform ubiquitous.

Carl Pei, the OnePlus CEO, confirmed the fact that his company's upcoming late-year flagship refresh will not feature a headphone jack in an interview with TechRadar. Pei claimed that user feedback had contributed to this decision. Accordingly, OnePlus' next branded headphones will have a USB type C connector.

Sony has launched its most expensive digital music player and in-ear headphones to date. The new Signature Edition DMP-Z1 and IER-Z1Rs come in at a whopping US$7,900 and US$1,780, but promise an unmatched audio quality.

Logitech and Blue Microphones have both announced the collective agreement for Logitech to purchase Blue and add them to their family of companies. Logitech's wider portfolio already includes Ultimate Ears, Jaybird, and Astro Gaming so Blue's range of microphones will complement existing audio products.

Google is currently offering its Pixel 2 XL models at US$100 off their regular price. The sale also includes other products in its hardware lineup and runs until July 17 while stocks last.

The first such accessory by Alienware in almost a decade, the AW988 is a wireless 7.1 surround gaming headset with LED lights, active noise canceling, and a frequency response range of 20 to 20,000 Hz. Covered by a two-year manufacturer warranty, the Alienware Wireless Gaming Headset AW988 can be acquired directly from Dell for US$229.99.

Sony's futuristic Xperia Ear Duo headphones are now up for pre-order in the US. The headphones allow listeners to hear both music or voice overs at the same time as being able to hear ambient sounds around them.

Barclay's analyst Blayne Curtis is predicting that Apple will stop bundling the Lightning to 3.5mm audio adapter with the iPhone released this fall. If this prediction comes true, iPhone users that want wired audio would have to separately purchase the adapter at a small (but annoying) additional cost.

A report from Bloomberg has stated that Apple has had to cut manufacturing orders with Inventec in regard to the HomePod. Apparently, the smart speaker has not been selling in huge numbers and Apple workers have commented that store inventories are simply piling up with the device. A number of factors are being accused for the HomePod's sluggish sales, including the relatively high price of US$349.

The family of gaming headsets introduced by SteelSeries earlier this month includes the Arctis Pro + GameDAC, which is the first certified Hi-Res Audio headset in the gaming world, and the Arctis Pro Wireless. Their prices are US$249.99 and US$329.99, but those on a tight budget can also pick the Arctis Pro without the USB DAC for US$179.99.

Bose has launched a new type of AR technology that it is calling Audio AR. The prototype sunglasses on show at SXSW use an audio layer to supplement a user's interaction with their surrounds to provide more information and context.

Sony has used MWC to introduce a new "dual listening" experience headset it calls the Xperia Ear Duo. The headphones allow users to interact with music, or notifications, at the same time as being able to hear their immediate environment.

Archos has presented Archos Hello, the company's first smart home device. Hello is a smart display with a built-in battery for optional portable use. The device runs on Android Oreo with Google Assistant and will come in two different sizes.

Apple's HomePod has come third, after the Google Home Max and the Sonos One, in an independent blind audio test. It only finished ahead of the relatively weak audio quality of the Amazon Echo Plus in a test conducted by Yahoo tech writer David Pogue.

Roccat has announced the Khan AIMO RGB, their new gaming headset with large 50mm drivers, a built-in soundcard and support for the company's own AIMO RGB ecosystem.

Sony's third quarter results for 2017/18 show the company is performing well regarding profitability, with gaming, financial, semiconductor, and music standing out for income contribution. Mobile communication profitability drops further as Sony tries to breath new life into their smartphone designs.

During the presentation of Sony's Q3 2017 financial ressults, they announced the resignation of their current President and CEO, Kazuo Hirai, to be replaced by Kenichiro Yoshida. Hirai's time at the top was defined by a return to profitability for Sony, and he will remain with Sony Corporation as Chairman.

Apple's wireless HomePod speaker is finally launching on February 9 for US$349 with pre-orders starting tomorrow in the US, UK, and Australia. The HomePod features an enhanced Siri experience, spatial awareness, and a wide soundstage.

Apple is well behind the smart speaker 8-ball when it comes to the launch of its Siri-powered HomePod. First unveiled in June, it has now received FCC certification suggesting its launch can't be too far away.

A new study shows that there is strong consumer interest in smart speakers. As many as one in six households in the US have purchased a smart speaker with sales peaking during the recent holiday period.

LG has launched its ThinQ WK9 Google Assistant Touch Screen Speaker. The AI-powered device also features audio tuned by high-end audio maker Meridian Audio.

Anker Innovations, who is perhaps best known for their line of portable power banks, has announced a mammoth power bank, an Alexa powered car kit, and the expected availability of the Nebula Capsule

Anker Innovations has announced the ZOLO Model Zero, a new home speaker with a unique design, and a release date for the upcoming ZOLO Liberty+ Earbuds.

Compared to September 2016, Spotify now has 50 percent more paid subscribers. The count of 70 million comes just in time since Spotify apparently filed for its direct listing IPO at the end of December.

We can expect three new audio products from LG at CES in the form of a 5.1.2 channel soundbar, an 1800-Watt party speaker, and a premium smart speaker powered by Google Assistant that likely sits between the Google Home and Google Home Max.

Xiaomi has announced a new smart speaker produced via their Yeelight subsidiary which will start shipping in early 2018. A dual AI system uses Xiaomi's AI technology inside China and Amazon Alexa worldwide.

Razer is offering a free Leviathan Mini portable Bluetooth speaker worth US$179 with its Razer Phone for a limited time. The deal lasts until December 20 or while stocks last.

A GSM Arena poll regarding 3.5 mm headphone jacks on phones found that 69% of those polled wouldn't consider phones without a headphone jack, 14% didn't care, 9% had switched to Bluetooth/USB-C/Lightning products, and 8% were living the dongle life.

The Skype desktop software and web interface will receive the update treatment soon to match the Android, iOS, and UWP applications. When this happens, the legacy feature to sign in using your Skype account will disappear so any accounts set up this way will need to be merged with a Microsoft Account before the update.

Min-Liang Tan has posted an explanation of why the gaming company dropped the venerable audio jack on its new Razer Phone. The demise of the headphone jack is all about giving users better features, according to Razer's CEO.

Razer has refreshed their Hammerhead line of earbuds with two new digital based models using USB-C and Lightning Port connectors. The USB-C version comes with a DAC for improved audio.

Bose has started an Indigogo campaign for prototype testing of their new noise-masking sleepbuds. These sleepbuds are ultra-compact earbuds which isolate external noise and play soothing nature sounds to aid in achieving a good night's sleep.

The flexible 3.5 mm port would be smaller than a standard 3.5 mm port at the cost of higher complexity and likely higher manufacturing costs.

Google has introduced Fast Pair for Android devices. It brings a far easier way of pairing Bluetooth headphones that is very similar to what Apple is doing with its AirPods for iPhone.

Featuring the latest Alexa voice assistant that comes with the UE Blast and Megablast wireless speakers can play your favorite music, control IoT-enabled devices and perform more than 25,000 other tasks.

Google is spicing up their Home line of smart home management devices with Home Mini and Home Max. Mini is a smaller version of home, while Max is a massive smart speaker with dual subwoofers.

The three new products that succeed the award-winning Epic2 Bluetooth Sport Earbuds retail at prices between $24.99 USD and $39.99 USD, all offering a six-hour battery life and, IP55 dust/sweatproof rating, as well as Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity.

Google Duo now allows voice calling from anywhere in the world. The feature should appeal to users who are interested in the app but are subject to carrier-imposed data restrictions.

Since the latest iPhone and the HTC Bolt, Moto Z, or the latest LeEco smartphones dropped this old connector, it would not be a surprise to see all high-end handsets abandon it by the end of the year.