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Tag: Earbuds

  • Apple To Add Second Supplier To Keep Up With AirPods Pro Demand

    Apple To Add Second Supplier To Keep Up With AirPods Pro Demand

    According to MacRumors, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kou is expecting Apple to add a second supplier for the popular AirPods Pro.

    The AirPods Pro were released on October 30 and represent a significant upgrade from the original AirPods. The earbuds add active noise cancellation, a transparency mode to let outside noise in, a charging case that can be charged wirelessly and more. AirProds Pro have received almost universally good reviews and Apple has struggled to keep up with demand.

    MacRumors reports that “Kuo expects Chinese company Goertek to begin assembly of AirPods Pro in the first half of the year. The addition of a second supplier alongside Luxshare Precision should help improve supply of the popular earphones, which continue to face multi-week shipping estimates on Apple.com.”

    The popular earbuds are proof that innovation and cult-like followings can be achieved with even the smallest devices.

  • Best In-Ear Headphones Chosen By Consumer Reports

    Deciding what the best in-ear headphones are is a contentious topic. After all, sound quality and comfort is largely subjective for a lot of people. That doesn’t mean professional critics can’t try to sort out the best from the junk though.

    Consumer Reports recently put out a list of what it thinks are the best in-ear headphones available today. The exhaustive test saw the critics at Consumer Reports looking at over 150 wired in-ear headphones to determine which one is the best. While a winner is chosen, the magazine does offer a variety of excellent options for all kinds of budgets.

    Starting off, Consumer Reports says the best in-ear headphones are the Polk Audio Nue Era. The magazine cites the headphones excellent sound quality and lightweight as standout features. The magazine also says it likes the tortoise shell design. The Polk Audio Nue Era headphones are a little on the pricey side at $100, but you can usually get a pair cheaper via Amazon or eBay.

    If you want something a little more extravagant, Consumer Reports recommends the Bose QuietComfort 20i. It also has excellent audio quality, but the real standout feature is the noise canceling hardware. Like all things Bose, you’re going to have to spend a lot more than what you’re accustomed to. The QuietComfort 20i retails for $300.

    Let’s say that the above two in-ear headphones are too rich for your tastes. It’s understandable. After all, not everybody has a few Benjamins lying around to spend on some headphones. You want good audio quality at an affordable price, and Consumer Reports has just that. The magazine rated the $10 Panasonic RP-TCM125 rather highly saying that it has excellent sound quality for the price. The only thing it’s lacking is an integrated volume control button so those using these in-ear headphones on a mobile device will have to adjust the volume via the device.

    On a personal note, I highly recommend the Sennheiser CX 300-II in-ear headphones. Out of all the in-ear headphones I’ve used, it packs the best bass. It also comes with three different sizes of rubber cushions so that it fits all ear sizes. The only downside compared to the in-ear headphones above is that it doesn’t have any hardware control buttons or built-in mic. If you need any of that, you’ll want to consider one of the above options. If you put sound quality above all, Sennheiser is an excellent alternative.

    Image via Sennheiser

  • Stocking Stuffer Ideas-All Under $10!

    Stocking Stuffer Ideas-All Under $10!

    Perhaps one of the most overlooked gifts that people forget to snag this holiday season are those tiny trinkets that stuff those beautifully hung stockings. The stocking is not only one of the most forgotten Christmas buys, it’s one of the easiest to fill.

    While the majority of you have plenty to keep you busy before the big day arrives, I’m here to give you a list of some of the most wonderful-and practical-gifts to fill the stockings in your home. Just picked up a fancy tablet and running a little low on cash? No problem. All the stocking stuffers listed below are under $10!

    Fruit…Yes, Fruit. While that might seem a little lame, a sunset orange clementine is a delicious, sweet treat that won’t rot your teeth. With all the yummy holiday sweets being passed around, it’ll be a nice surprise to receive something that’s equally delicious but not filled with guilt. Plus you can buy a bag and have enough to stuff not one but many stockings.

    Earbuds-For the person that’s all about music on the go, grab them a pair of colorful earbuds. You can even throw in a USB cord so they can take their iPod with them in the car and jam to their favorite Christmas song.

    Nail Polish-Cool nail art is all the rave this year. Head down to your local drugstore and pickup a few different colors for the girl in your life with the artistic nail flair.

    Lottery Tickets-These are fun for the man who has it all. The possibility of winning some extra cash is fun for the receiver and the whole family.

    Deck of Cards-Everyone needs to have a deck of cards on hand for those rainy afternoons. Look for a themed deck or something a little different with lots of color.

    Mini Alcohol Bottles-For the 21-and-up lover of tasty beverages, grab a few miniature bottles of their favorite spirit. It’s a great way to spice up that old stocking (and make the in-laws a tad more tolerable this season.)

    Gift Cards-A $10 iTunes giftcard will come in handy after receiving all those gadgets needing new apps.

    Mittens-Tis the season to be warm! Grab your loved ones something to keep them warm during the holidays. PIckup a pair of gloves or festive scarf.

    Poster-For the person who enjoys the nice sights, grab them a cool poster of their favorite landscape or band.

    DVD/CD-Head to Walmart and search the bargain bin. Sometimes you can find blockbuster hits that’ve been marked down. Grab that or a classic CD that they’re guaranteed to love.

    Head out to your local drugstore, Walmart, Target (especially check in their dollar section) and you’re sure to find affordable stuffers that’ll make everyone on your Christmas list happy little elves.

    Photo Credit: YouTube

  • Google Glass Gets Voice Command For Music

    Google Glass Gets Voice Command For Music

    Google announced today that it has added some new functionality to Google Glass that will be appealing to music lovers.

    Over the course of the next few weeks, Google will be rolling out a new voice command that will let users access tracks from Google Play Music. Just say, “Okay Glass, listen to…” and start listening to whatever you want.

    Naturally, this should be a ready-to-go feature once Glass launches more widely to consumers. It does work with Google’s recently launched Spotify competitor All Access.

    We recently got a look at the new version of Glass itself. This includes earbuds. Google had this to say today:

    We’re also introducing stereo earbuds designed specifically for Glass. They’re lightweight and uniquely engineered to deliver crisp, full-range audio while still letting you hear your surroundings. You can also rock out in style by customizing your buds with five interchangeable color caps.

    Current Glass Explorers (the users who have gained access to the device) will be getting notifications via email over the coming weeks with more details on the new stuff.

    Image: Google

  • Here’s Apple’s EarPods Promo Video

    Here’s Apple’s EarPods Promo Video

    Apple revealed the iPhone 5 yesterday, but they also debuted a handful of other products: among them, the new “EarPods,” which come with the device.

    “Just like fingerprints, ears are unique parts of the body,” says Apple. “Which means earbud headphones fit differently on everyone. So rather than use the speaker as the starting point for new headphones, Apple designers and engineers started with the ear. They tested over a hundred prototype designs on hundreds of people. All with the goal of creating earbuds that rest comfortably inside — and stay inside — a variety of ear types, while also producing quality sound. The result is a breakthrough for earbud headphones: Apple EarPods. They’re unlike anything you’ve ever seen or heard.”

    Apple has now uploaded the EarPods promo video to YouTube, so check it out:

    “Apple EarPods are just the beginning of the improved audio experience on iPhone 5,” Apple claims. “It’s designed with three microphones: one on the front, one on the back, and one on the bottom. The front and back mics work together to achieve beamforming — a technique that helps iPhone focus on sound from the desired location for clearer audio. New noise-canceling technology reduces background noise. So when you hold iPhone up to your ear in a loud room, you hear what matters most: the voice on the other end.”

    More iPhone 5 coverage here. More from the Apple Event here.

  • iPhone 5 Will Include Apple’s New “EarPods”

    Now that the big Apple announcements are out of the way, all of the smaller details announced today about the iPhone 5, iPod Touch, and iTunes can be picked apart until they are so much dust blowing in the wind.

    During their presentation, Apple saw fit to brag a bit about their previous designs for earbuds, though everyone knows they were average earbuds, at best. After that, it announced its new earbuds, which are inexplicably named the “EarPods.”

    Despite the silliness of the name, Apple claims the accessories are more comfortable than any other earbud headphones. The weird oblong shape of the EarPods are “defined by the geometry of the ear,” Apple says in its product description. The shape of the earbuds is such that the speakers are pointed directly into the ear. Apple claims this uni-directional speaker design minimizes sound loss and maximizes sound output.

    The remote is much the same as those on Apple’s previous earbuds. It allows users to control volume, video or music playback, and answer the phone without taking their iOS device out of their pocket. The microphone on the remote allows conversations to take place in a similar manner.

    Interestingly enough, not even a tiny detail such as the new earbuds escaped the avalanche of (very accurate, it turns out) rumors that proceeded the release of the iPhone 5. A leak just over one week ago included a YouTube video that shows the EarPods in all their strange glory.

  • iPhone 5 Rumor: Apple Designed New Headphones To Launch With The New iPhone

    Despite my feelings in regards to their hardware, Apple makes a fine pair of earbuds. The earbuds that came with my 2nd Gen iPod Nano far outlived the actual iPod. The design of the earbuds were getting a little on in years though. Competitors have already created far superior earbuds in the absence of any real innovation from Apple. That may be changing with the iPhone 5.

    A recent video from Vietnamese site Tinhte.vn discloses what appears to be newly redesigned earbuds from Apple. According to Mac Rumors, the video used to have a person talking over the video while showing off the new headphones.

    As you can obviously hear, there is no sound anymore. The video was replaced with the no sound version for an unexplained reason. Mac Rumors was able to grab a transcript before the sound went down:

    In my hands are the new earphones for the iPhone 5 that is about to come out – Apple’s next generation of iPod [sic]. These will replace the current earphones that are on the market. These are manufactured at Phax Co factory in Vietnam. They have the appearance of a horse’s head, not like earbuds. When they are worn, they have a much smaller profile. They have the appearance of a fully integrated, single unit – there’s no part that looks like it would come apart – not like earbuds; the integrated design is characteristic of Apple products. Here I have the old earphones for comparison. The new ones are much smaller; when they are worn, they do not hurt the way earbuds do. You can see on the old ones the surface is a separate part that looks like it can be detached – not like the small surface of the new one. The old earphones were mostly made in China, with some in Vietnam. But the new ones are clearly made in Vietnam. (Reading from the wires): “Designed by Apple in California, assembled in Vietnam.”

    They look a little uncomfortable, but so do all earbuds. The true test is to actually use them. Apple’s original earbuds passed that test with flying colors a long time ago. If this turns out to be true, we can expecto see the new earbuds launching with the iPhone 5 on September 21. Apple will also probably phase out their old earbud line for the new ones this month.

  • Apple Looking To Improve Earbuds, But Not By Making Them Stay In Your Ears

    It’s nice of Apple to always include a pair of those patented white earbuds with every iPhone and iPod. In a way, having a those two little small white protrusions hanging in your outer ear became a status symbol of The Cool in the aughts. However, for me and several other Apple customers I’ve known, there has always been one persistent problem: the damn things never want to stay in your ears.

    AppleInsider discovered today a couple of new patent applications that Apple has filed, but don’t hold your breath because unless there’s some super secret, blindly sophisticated detail in the designs, they don’t appear to be an improvement in keeping the earbuds in your ears. Instead, the patents describe a design innovation Apple’s calling a “unibody” appearance wherein the seams created by all of the connecting parts – wires, jack, different pieces of the earbud itself – will be polished and welded down so as to create a seamless appearance. In other words, the earbuds will just look like one flexible, solid piece.

    The second patent that Apple’s filed may have a better utility to its millions of consumers. Simply put, it’s a new design of the part of the earbud where the music comes out of that will hopefully prevent your grody earwax from clogging up the earbud’s holes, thus dampening the sound and clarity of the music.

    At least now when the earbuds fall out of your ears while you’re on the treadmill or simply sitting still, nobody will know if you don’t know how to properly clean your ears out.

  • Logitech’s BH320 USB Stereo Earbuds End Bad Hair Day

    As a person who has worked in the customer support industry for a long time, I completely understand the frustration of commonplace headsets messing up your hair. After a long day of wearing the headset, moving it all around your head (sometimes without noticing), you realize that your hair is not the same as it was when you started the day. Complex headsets have always been associated with bad hair, and I have provided a tweet below as an example.

    @bchulick
    Ben Chulick    Wish I brought a hat with me. I have a bad case of headset hair 2 days ago via TweetDeck ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    Logitech, a well known and trusted name in computer peripherals, has taken on the challenge to end “bad hair days” (for both men and women) by creating a headset that will not let us fellow customer support workers down. With this premise, I would like to bring your attention to the new Logitech BH320 USB Stereo Earbuds.

    To see these new easy-to-use and human-friendly earbuds in action, please view the YouTube video below:

    These quality earbuds are great not just for the office, but if you are an on-the-go person that is involved with Skype, Microsoft Lync, or other video-conferencing software. Two great benefits of this quality product have been provided below.

    • Discreet and minimalistic look – Barely-there design is perfect for those who prefer a discreet and minimalistic wearing experience during audio and video calls.
    • Life-like conversations – Superior business-grade sound clarity provided by precise acoustic tuning and advanced echo cancellation – the result is as if conversations are in person.

    What are your thoughts on this new product from Logitech? Please leave your feedback below in this post’s comments section.