Audio

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.

The Outlier Gold offers impeccable value for money. While many of their competitors stretch into hundreds of dollars, Creative has kept the Outlier Gold below US$100. The company has not compromised on audio quality though, as we shall discuss in our hands-on review.

A new study of US households with high-speed internet has found that 44% of them reported having bought speakers, whereas 33% own earphones and 37% own headphones. However, these respondents also reported that smart speakers or smart displays. They are also likely to be affected by the Covid-19 pandemic quarantine conditions in the near future.

According to a new Counterpoint Research report, music-streaming service subscriptions have increased in 2019 compared to 2018. Spotify has retained the top spot in this market year-on-year (YoY), also other popular platforms such as Apple Music have taken decently-sized shares of it as well.

The 8 Pro is rumored to become OnePlus' first flagship phone with wireless charging. Now, a prominent leaker asserts that the OEM will sell a power accessory to support this feature. This brand is also now rumored to have Bullets Wireless Z earphones in the works.

Samsung is now rumored to have a completely new type of Galaxy Bud in the works. According to a new leak, they will have a much larger shape that looks somewhat like a pair of beans. Some renders generated based on this idea suggests that they may have an improved range of sensors compared to the Buds+.

Sony has unveiled the WH-CH710N completely wireless headphones. They are equipped with Automatic Artificial Intelligence Noise Canceling (AINC), which excludes ambient sounds in a way that adapts to the wearer's environment. They are also NFC-enabled for rapid pairing with a mobile device.

Sony has released the WF-XB700 earphones: TWS devices designed to incorporate this OEM's EXTRA BASS technology. They also have an IP4 rating against sweat and water-splashes and ergonomics that may help them stay in the user's ear. These new accessories will become available during April 2020.

Samsung has launched the AKG N400, a new pair of true-wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds. These accessories, unlike the Galaxy Buds+, have active noise cancellation (ANC). They also hold an IP rating and different color options over the pre-existing earphones.

A study conducted by a broadband internet research group has found that millennials are more likely to develop anxiety at the thought of a voice-call compared to boomers. 50% of the former group also reported getting their parents to make doctor's appointments over the phone for them. However, this aversion abates in those aged 35 or older.

Jabra has announced new editions to its collaboration- and co-working-focused Evolve series of headsets. They are compatible with the Unified Communications (UC) platforms typically used in offices, and may block a greater degree of distractions with new Digital Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) features.

Sony has announced a plan to take its existing Electronics Products & Solutions (EP&S) divisions, which includes its Mobile Communications business, and combine them into 1 intermediate holding entity. This new corporation is intended to streamline and optimize these areas for the Japanese giant.

Apple is giving creative pros and others the opportunity to use the full versions of Final Cut Pro X and Logic Pro X to users for 90 days. Final Cut Pro X had previously been available for a 1-month trial period while this is the first time users have ever been able to give Logic Pro X a trial before buying.

Qualcomm has introduced the QCC514X and QCC304X, 2 new audio SoCs that are "optimized for" true wireless (TWS) earbuds and other similar accessories. They are equipped with support for its Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and generally improved sound over low-energy Bluetooth.

Most IP and Wi-Fi-connected home security cameras are designed to simply detect suspicious movement on a property. However, the Lumus may improve on such products from Reolink in that it also has a built-in spotlight. This augmentation is intended to deter potential intruders from the home.

Taiwan's NCC regulator has reportedly cleared a new set of TWS devices from Google. This suggests that the Pixel Buds debuted last year will see successors in 2020. However, it is difficult to guess from their new putative leak how the 2 generations might differ.

Amazfit has announced that its iF Design Award for the innovative ZenBuds came in during the week of World Sleep Day this year (March 13, 2020). These TWS earbuds, appropriately enough, have been created in order to support improved nightly rest. They do so through an ultra-light and compact build, ANC and stress-busting features.

OnePlus introduced a new facet of its OxygenOS called Instant Translation during its last product launch. It allows a phone to generate automatic captions during live video chats. This function has finally been added to new Open Betas for the 7, 7T, 7 Pro and 7T Pro.

Sony is equipping the PlayStation 5 with a revolutionary Tempest 3D audio engine that focuses a lot on positional audio experiences using HRTF methods. The PS5's Tempest Engine actually leverages an entire GPU compute unit for audio processing. Sony will be further improving audio in the years to come, and this may involve creating HRTF profiles based on the photo of a user's ear or head.

Apple has debuted a refreshed pair of Powerbeats for 2020. These new products look much the same as their predecessors, although they have comparably extended battery life and Audio Sharing. They are available from now for ~US$150.

With the new coronavirus forcing most of us to stay at home, we are all going to be looking for things to do to keep us entertained. Enter Korg and Moog, which have both made a couple of their popular synth apps available to download for free for a limited time.

The CineBeam projectors support 4K UHD content and LG's ThinQ AI. Now, they also support Amazon Alexa thanks to a new software update. This applies to the HU70LA and HU85LA variants of this series.

Luxury goods maker Montblanc has launched its latest smartwatch alongside its first pair of premium wireless headphones. The new Summit 2+ builds on the same platform as its predecessor but is now larger while its new luxury Smart Headphones will appeal to well-heeled travelers.

TCL has launched new TVs for 2020, which are divided into 3 series: V8, C8 and P9, which also have their own additional marketing monikers and specific enhancements or use-cases. They are quantum-dot panels, some of which also have "Hi-Fi" audio or hands-free controls.