Audio - Page 4

If Apple follows its usual release cadence we can expect it to announce a slew of new software updates in June during the WWDC event and then make them all available to the public around September time. We've been hearing tidbits about what those updates could have to offer with the iPhone's iOS 18 a particular focus. Now, a new report has added further fuel to the fire and it drags the AirPods Pro wireless earbuds into the mix, too.

According to the report, Apple's AirPods Pro will gain a whole new feature as part of the iOS 18 release, Specifically, it's thought that a new hearing aid feature is on the horizon and that it will only be available in conjunction with the AirPods Pro. However, it isn't yet clear whether that feature will only be available on the latest USB-C 2nd-gen AirPods Pro.

The news came via the paywalled version of the Power On newsletter shared every week by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The newsletter was reported on by 9to5Mac.

Apple's HomePod and HomePod mini have a new software update available that makes the smart speakers capable of learning where you like to listen to your music and then use that information for future listening sessions. The new feature, which is part of the HomePod Software 17.4 update, is available to all HomePod owners.

Previously, HomePod owners could use the Home app on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac to choose which music streaming service would be used when they asked their speaker to play music. Streaming music services like YouTube Music, Pandora, TuneIn, and others were all supported but the process required manual intervention whenever the default service needed to be changed. That's no longer the case as a result of this new software update. Spotify is of course a notable exception here because the Swedish streamer has chosen not to add support for HomePod streaming.

According to the software's release notes, Siri will now learn a user's preferred streaming media services, removing the need to include its name when making the request for music to be played.

Apple currently sells the second-generation HomePod and the HomePod mini as its only smart speaker models, but there is constant talk of a third option being added to the lineup. Rumors of Apple working on a HomePod with an iPad-like display attached have been flying for years, and now a new report again adds new fuel to that fire. But there's a big catch - the new model isn't likely to arrive in 2025.

That's according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman who was writing as part of the weekly Power On newsletter for Bloomberg. Gurman says that Apple continues to work on a HomePod that has an iPad-like display attached to a robotic arm that can move, while the device would combine an Apple TV, FaceTime, and a smart speaker. Apple has also reportedly looked into whether it should launch a smart display, like an iPad, that can be magnetically attached to a wall. It isn't yet clear which route Apple will take, however.

Gurman says that he doesn't believe that Apple's progress suggests that it will be able to launch any of these new products imminently, either. Apple has reportedly been indecisive about what it should do in the smart home space for years, but development does remain underway Gurman suggests that nay new HomePod with a display is unlikely to arrive until 2025 at the earliest.

The Apple AirPods Pro wireless earbuds are among the best on the market, but they almost had a completely different name. According to a new report, Apple almost chose to call the AirPods Pro something much more exciting during development but the idea was ultimately canned.

MacRumors reports that in the months leading up to the AirPods Pro launch in October 2019, Apple pondered changing the name to AirPods Extreme. Without citing a specific source the report says that the AirPods Extreme name was suggested by at least one member of Apple's leadership team before it was decided that AirPods Pro branding would be a better option. Many employees reportedly objected to the AirPods Extreme name, perhaps because Apple already used that branding - for the 2003 launch of the AirPort Extreme router back in 2003.

Ultimately, Apple chose the AirPods Pro name which was probably the better option. The Pro and non-Pro naming convention is one that Apple customers are familiar with across the Mac and iPad lineup, not to mention the iPhone. With the launch of the AirPods Max, having the AirPods Extreme might make them appear to be a better product than the wireless headphones Apple sells - a complication given the fact the AirPods Max cost more than twice as much.

When you think of Apple you probably think of the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and the Mac, but the company could previously have been described as a music company. Between iTunes, Apple Music, and of course, the iconic iPod and then iPod touch, the company has been involved in audio for decades. Now, one of the people responsible for some of its audio products and features is set to leave the company.

That man, Gary Geaves, was the company's longtime vice president in charge of acoustics, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. Now, people familiar with the matter, say that he is stepping down from the role and that he will be replaced by his deputy, Ruchir Davé.

The group that handles Apple's acoustics projects has around 300 people in it, the report says, and it's part of the company's push into audio products via the HomePod and AirPods. It also has its fingers in other products via their audio features including the new Apple Vision Pro.

Apple was again recently rumored to be ready to refresh the impressive AirPods Max headphones in 2024, with the switch away from Lightning to USB-C thought to be the main change. There is no suggestion that the new headphones will feature any design changes this year, however, although rumors have hinted that there might be new colors to choose from, too. But a new report has suggested that potential buyers might miss out on a feature that otherwise might have been expected to be present.

That report comes via MacRumors and is based on a post by the Weibo user Instant Digital with the claim being that the new AirPods Max will "definitely" launch in 2024 but that they won't have Adaptive Audio features.

Adaptive Audio is actually a feature that encompasses three desperate features, all designed to offer new audio capabilities. Adaptive Noise Control, Personalized Volume, and Conversation Awareness are all included. Adaptive Noise Control is designed to automatically adjust the active noise cancelation technology based on ambient sound to ensure that specific types of noise are blocked out, for example. Conversation Awareness lowers the volume of the audio being placed and enhances the voice of whoever is speaking to you, while Personailixed Volume adjusts the overall volume based on the surroundings.

Apple continues to move more and more of its devices and accessories away from using the Lightning cable and towards the more universal USB-C connector, and it will do just that with the updated AirPods 4 and refreshed AirPods Max later this year. That's according to a new report reiterating claims from last year.

That report comes via Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, writing in the paywalled version of the weekly Power On newsletter seen by MacRumors. Gurman had previously said that Apple would launch new AirPods 4 and refreshed AirPods Max in late 2024, making the claim back in October of last year. Now, he's backed that up by saying that Apple's planned launch is still underway, hinting that a late 2024 release timeframe is still in the cards.

Gurman's comments were following a question from a reader about when the new USB-C AirPods would arrive, but little is really known about either product. Gurman says that Apple plans to discontinue the third- and second-gen AirPods when the new AirPods 4 arrive, with two models thought to be in the cards - one potentially borrowing design cues from the higher-end AirPods Pro.

With countless headsets designed for PC gaming and audio, there's seemingly only a fraction of that attention placed on PC desktop speakers - those two (or more) portable speakers you sit on either side of your display or desk. If you're in the market for some portable desktop speakers for gaming and other media, you might want to check out the new Creative Pebble X and Creative Pebble X Plus desktop speakers.

The latest iteration of the circular and stylish Pebble series of speakers features enhanced and custom-tune 2.75-inch drivers angled at 45 degrees; they're small but can deliver big sound. Each speaker offers up to 15W for a peak of 30W while connected to a USB-C port - which increases to 30W and a peak output of 60W when connected to a power adapter.

This dual functionality is excellent, with the Creative Pebble X Plus including a cube-shaped 3.5-inch subwoofer compact enough to sit on a desk.

Samsung announced back in November 2023 that it was collaborating with Google on a new 3D spatial audio technology, which is called Immersive Audio Model and Formats (IAMF), and will fight Dolby Atmos technology.

The company has now confirmed that its new IAMF audio format will be rolling out later this year for TVs, soundbars, and more. Samsung's new Immersive Audio Model and Formats audio technology will compete with Dolby Atmos, where IAMF-capable devices will just need a firmware upgrade before it rolls out as a standard on new devices.

Dolby Atmos, on the other hand, requires Atmos-capable sound hardware that has royalties attached to it, while Samsung's new IAMF is royalty-free and open-source. IAMF will work on previous-generation TVs and legacy sound systems after a firmware update, but there's no word on how far back this will go.

Sensit!'s Feelbelt is a belt with haptic technology designed to enhance the audio experience for games, music, movies, and VR. According to its creators, Feelbelt "adds a tactile layer to the [audio] experience" by "providing users with a sense of touch that complements the audio they hear."

Audio that touches you around the waist sounds strange, but adding a layer of audio feedback for those without the ability to hear is cool. "Feel Every Sound" is the tagline, and it kind of looks like Batman's gadget or toolbelt - so I'm not sure about wearing it around town connected to your smartphone so that you can feel the beat.

Still, it's an interesting product with tactile and haptic feedback covering a wide 10 to 20,000 Hz frequency range, Bluetooth 5.0 wireless connectivity to connect to smartphones, consoles, and other devices, and the option to customize the intensity to create a personalized audio experience.

3M has announced the world's first self-charging communications headset at CES 2024, which uses solar cell technology to convert outdoor and indoor light into a continuous charge.

The company behind the new headset called the 3M PELTOR WS ALERT XPV, which was officially showcased at CES 2024, uses patented solar cell technology called Powerfoyle. This technology was birthed out a partnership between 3M and Exeger, a Swedish company that specializes in solar cell technology.

In addition to its light harvesting capabilities the headset will come with Bluetooth functionality, noise-cancelling microphone, push-to-listen feature, and connectivity with the 3M Connected Equipment app for monitoring solar cell battery health and general settings adjustments. Upon discovering the 3M PELTOR WS ALERT XPV I was interested to learn more about the product. Below are my questions and answers.

Sennheiser, a staple audio company within the tech industry, unveiled two new earbuds at CES 2024, one being an update to its flagship Momentum line, and the other being the company's first fitness-centered earbuds.

Firstly, Sennheiser announced the Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds, which the company describes as its "most capable earbud yet", as it delivers incredible lossless sound along with ultra-low latency through its connectivity that's built on the Qualcomm S5 Sound Gen 2 platform and Snapdragon Sound Technology for aptX. The Momentum True Wireless 4 will be available to pre-order on February 15th for $299.95.

The earbuds feature more than a dozen upgrades compared to its previous generation, with support Bluetooth 5.4, the adopted Qualcomm platform, six microphones, adaptive EQ monitors, physical design improvements, and much more. As for the other pair of earbuds from Sennheiser, the audio company unveiled the Momentum Sport, a $329.95 pair of earbuds releasing on April 9 that integrates both a heart rate sensor and a body temperature sensor.

Samsung announced a plethora of new products at CES 2024, including its new flagship HW-Q990D soundbar.

The new Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar features an 11.1.4-channel configuration, with the company baking in a new Party Mode audio profile and Private Listening mode that disables the front-firing speakers. Another big selling point of the new Samsung Q990D soundbar is that it supports HDMI 2.1 connectivity, allowing for 4K 120Hz passthrough for home theater enthusiasts.

Samsung is, of course, using AI to optimize sound on its new Q990D soundbar, which the company says optimizes sound for the performance experience across a wide range of content. There's not much new under the hood, so if you recently purchased the Q990C soundbar, you might not want to upgrade in 2024.

3M has announced it will be unveiling the world's first self-charging communications headset at CES 2024, ushering in new technology that eliminates the need for single-use batteries.

The company has issued a press release that reveals what 3M claims as the "world's first self-charging protective communications headset," which uses solar cell technology to convert indoor and outdoor light into a continuous charge. This patented solar cell technology is called Powerfoyle and was birthed out of 3M's partnership with Exeger, a Swedish company specializing in solar cell technology.

The upcoming communications headset is the 3M PELTOR WS ALERT XPV and will be officially showcased at CES 2024. Along with its light-harvesting capabilities, the new communications headset comes with Bluetooth, a noise-canceling microphone, a push-to-listen feature, the 3M Connected Equipment app for monitoring solar cell energy levels and settings adjustments, and Over-the-Air (OTA) firmware updates.

Next year, Apple is expected to release its fourth-generation AirPods, and according to reports, they will arrive with a bunch of new features and upgrades.

The AirPods 4 will be released in two separate versions, with Apple aiming to replace the currently sold AirPods 3 and AirPods 2. The information comes from industry insider Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who wrote in the Power On newsletter that Apple is planning to streamline AirPod purchases with the release of AirPods 4, as they will feature an updated design that will look like a fusion of current AirPods and the AirPods Pro.

With these earbud design changes, consumers can expect a better fit, shorter stems, and a completely redesigned case to go along with them. The report states the case will come with speakers for Find My alerts and a USB-C charging port, following in-suite with Apple's USB-C adoption. The higher-end AirPods 4 will differentiate itself by having Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which has been exclusive to the AirPods Pro.

The Logitech G Astro A50X Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Headset is the company's new flagship audio product, and it's a headset and base station combo that features the new and unique PLAYSYNC technology. It works like an A/V receiver for a home theatre setup - you connect the HDMI 2.1 from your PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and USB-C from your PC into the base station that handles seamless and quick switching between devices. Plus, it charges the headset.

With audio signals carried over HDMI 2.1 for default console audio output, it's an interesting and clever way to add support for multiple devices and the ability to switch between them without having to sync up dongles or deal with different wireless protocols. Granted, it makes the base station quite high-tech as it supports full HDMI 2.1 passthrough (with 4K 120Hz HDR, VRR, and ALLM).

With the base station handling all audio processing and passthrough, audio will automatically switch back to the TV side when you're not using the headset. Again, it's a unique and impressive wireless audio solution for gamers with multiple devices - but it's also costly.

Samsung's Galaxy Buds Live, Buds Pro, Buds 2, Buds 2 Pro, and Buds FE are about to get a new accessory for those who like Pokemon, so long as they happen to live in Spain. That's because Samsung is bringing the Pokemon-themed earbud cases to Europe for the first time, and it's surely only a matter of time until they move beyond Spain and into other countries as well.

The new cases are designed to look like three popular Pokeballs including Ultraball, Greatball, and Masterball. This is the first time that the cases have been sold outside of Samsung's home territory and they will sell for €39.91 each. The same cases are also available in a range of earbud bundles, so buyers in Spain can pick one up in a variety of configurations if Pokemon is their game of choice.

As part of the unveiling Samsung also confirmed that it is making the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro available for just €80.89 as part of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday fun, although it isn't clear how long that offer will run for. There are three colors available including black, white, and purple so buyers need to make sure to pick their preferred colorway when placing their order.

When it comes to picking a great pair of wireless earbuds there is absolutely no shortage of options. And there's about to be another one if a new leak is anything to go by. The OnePlus Buds 3 look set for an unveiling sooner rather than later after a new leak shared details about their specifications alongside renders of what we can expect the earbuds to look like.

The leak comes via a collaboration between MySmartPrice and OnLeaks, and shows a new pair of earbuds that are unlikely to be all that far away from release. The earbuds could well be unveiled alongside the OnePlus 12 smartphone at an event on December 5.

In terms of specifications, we're told that the new earbuds will weigh 4.77 grams each and come equipped with a 10.4mm woofer and 6mm tweeter. We're also told toe expect a 48dB Active NOise Cancelation feature as well as an IP55 water and dust resistance. Beyond that, the charging case will have an IPX4 rating.

Following the release of the new AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C it was surely only a matter of time before Apple started to sell the older Lightning-powered model at a discount. And now that's happening, so long as you're willing to pick up a pair of refurbished earbuds.

Apple's refurbished store is now selling second-gen AirPods Pro for the first time, but only in a select few European countries. At the time of writing those countries include the U.K., Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, and Switzerland.

It's important to remember that these are not the latest model of AirPods Pro right now, although it won't matter to a lot of people. The only difference between this model and the one Apple recently released is the move from Lightning to USB-C and a tweak that could be important to future Vision Pro headset buyers. For those people, the USB-C AirPods Pro will support wireless lossless audio, something the Lightning model can't manage thanks to having an older H2 wireless audio chip.

If you're in the market to pick up a brand new pair of high-end wireless headphones you might want to hang fire on making a purchase, at least for a little while. That's following the news that Sonos, the company known for making wireless speakers and soundbars, is readying a pair of new $400+ headphones of its own. It's expected that the new headphones will compete with similar products from brands more familiar to headphone buyers including Apple, Bose, and Sony.

While Sonos is yet to officially confirm the new headphones Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that a release is expected to take place in or around April of 2024. Gurman doesn't say who his source is, but he does say that they are people familiar with the matter - the go-to term for unnamed sources these days.

Bloomberg contacted Sonos for comment on its plans although the company understandably declined to offer any commentary. However, CEO Patrick Spence is thought to be keen to find new ways for Sonos to make money following the decline of demand for smart speakers with products like headphones thought to be one area where Sonos could find additional revenue.