Headphones

110 'Headphones' stories May 2012 - April 2016

Intel wants to eliminate 3.5 mm headphone jack like rumored iPhone 7, suggests USB-C as replacement

Benjamin Mayo Apr 27 2016 - 5:33 am PT

Apple is widely rumored to be dropping the 3.5 mm headphone jack from the iPhone 7, instead favouring wireless Bluetooth or the Lightning port for connecting headphones. Intel is also keen to eliminate the 100 year old 3.5 mm jack, citing ‘industry singling a strong desire to move from analog to digital’ (via AnandTech).

However, Intel is pushing USB-C as the future of headphone audio cables. Intel believes USB-C will win out over 3.5mm as it has many modern-day benefits including the potential to add additional smart features to headphones in the future, that can pass data down the same USB-C cable.

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9to5Toys Last Call: Beats Solo2 Headphones $90, Digits calculator for iOS free, Bluetooth audio adapter $14, more

Justin Kahn Apr 7 2016 - 9:31 am PT

0 Comments

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Last Call Updates:

Apple’s Pay Once & Play 50% off iOS game sale: Transistor, Brothers, Rules!, Implosion, Radiation Island, more

Green Deals: Philips hue LED Starter Bundle w/ HomeKit Bridge $170, more
Epson’s latest ‘Small-in-One’ printer weighs in at a fraction of the competition
Twelve South introduces new TimePorter capsule for Apple Watch and charger
Logitech Ultrathin Bluetooth Keyboard Case for iPad mini 1/2/3: $17 (Orig. $80)
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio Wireless Bluetooth Speaker (Refurb) $60 (Orig. $400)
Up to 50% Off select Diamondback Kids’ Bikes: Insight Hybrid $200 (Reg. $280), more
ESPN magazine + digital Insider access 1-year subscription: $4.50 (Reg. $26+)
Sports/Fitness: Portable Outdoor USB LED Lantern $12 (Reg. up to $18), more
Home: Oral-B’s best selling Bluetooth Electric Toothbrush $100 (Orig. $220), more

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/718161248492380162 align=’center’]

Beats Solo2 Wired On-Ear Headphones (multiple colors) $90 shipped (Orig. $200), more

Digits, the calculator for humans on iOS is now available for free (Reg. $4)

Add Bluetooth to nearly any speaker w/ the Mpow Streambot Mini for $14 Prime shipped

Apple Deals:

Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch Wi-Fi 128GB in all colors: $760 shipped (Reg. $949)

Apple 12-inch Retina MacBook 1.1GHz/8GB/256GB: $990 shipped (Reg. $1,299), more

Apple 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro (Newest Version) 2.2GHz/16GB/256GB: $1,600 shipped (Reg. $1,999)

Apple TV 4th gen: 32GB $109 (Reg. $149), 64GB $154 (Reg. $199) w/ VISA Checkout

What if I told you that you could get a great Apple Milanese Loop knockoff for a tenth of the price ($16 Prime shipped)?

Apple Watch 42mm Space Gray Milanese Loop Band + Aluminum Dock: $27 Prime shipped (Reg. $35)

Cut the Rope Time Travel for iPhone and iPad goes free for the very first time (Reg. $1)

Brothers A Tale of Two Sons iOS puzzle-adventure game gets its first price drop: $2 (Reg. $5)

Transistor action RPG for iOS matching its lowest price ever: $3 (Reg. $10)

App Store Free App of the Week: CHOMP interactive storybook goes free for the first time ($3 value)

Apple offers Day One 2 iOS journal app for free ($10 value)

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Audio-Technica’s best selling ATH-M50x studio headphones + FiiO A3 amp $130 shipped ($180+ value)

Smartphone Accessories: GOOLOO Car Jump Starter Power Bank $64 (Reg. $100), more
Daily Deals: Sony Portable Bluetooth Speaker w/ AirPlay $160, more
LEGO Deals: Big Bang Theory Living Room $46, Minecraft Ender Dragon $49, more
Onkyo’s 4K A/V Receiver and 5.1-Ch. Speaker bundle for $300 shipped (Reg. $400)
Games/Apps: Assassin’s Creed Syndicate $30, iOS freebies more
Mojang reveals 27 new skins for Minecraft Story mode, here’s how you can get them for free
Browse reddit like a boss with a free 3-month gold membership upgrade ($12 value)
Amazon Gold Box – Reebok running shoes 50% off: Men’s Crossfit Nano Pump Shoe $70, more

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/718104977198198784 align=’center’]

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

iPhone SE and Galaxy S7/Edge cases in a variety of styles/colors from $3 shipped

Walmart launches iPhone SE $100 discount, other Apple/Samsung devices too!

Smartphone Accessories: Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III $249 shipped (Reg. $300), Aduro 2-Outlet USB Surge Protector $10, more

Storage: WD My Passport Ultra 1TB USB 3.0 Portable HDD $50 (Reg. $60), more
Learn to build amazing apps with the Apple TV Developer Course: $19 (Orig. $199)
Buy 3 accessories, save 20%: iPad Pro Keyboard $143, Apple Pencil $87, more
Aukey Aluminum USB-C Hubs w/ Prime shipping: 7-ports for $19 or 4-ports for $8
Google Nexus 5X 16GB now just $230 shipped (Reg. $349)
Discounted fans: Vornado 660 Whole Room Air Circulator $82 (Reg. $100), more
Green Deals: 25% off Natural Magnetic Wooden Block Sets from $24, more
Free Small Fry and Drink with the purchase of an Arby’s Sandwich!
Grab a free Kindle download of Jane Austen’s ‘Mansfield Park’ w/ Audible Narration
You can now live stream an MLB game every day for free courtesy of Yahoo
Home Theater: Pioneer 4K 3D AirPlay A/V Receiver $400, more
UE BOOM 2 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker in all colors: $150 shipped (Reg. $200)
T-Mobile offering $200 off any iPad when you buy an iPhone on installment plan
Green Deals: Collapsible Solar Lantern $14, more
Start programming with the ‘Learn Python 3.0 Visually’ Kindle eBook for $1 (Reg. $10)
The classic-style Doom and Destiny RPG games drop to just $1 each on iOS (Reg. $3 ea)
Game Dev Story for iOS now matching its lowest price ever: $1 (Reg. $5)
iTunes gift cards w/ free email delivery: $100 for $90, $50 for $45, more (10% off)
Amazon Fire TV 4K Streaming Media Player $85 (Reg. $100), more
Amazon is giving Prime members up to 3 magazine subscriptions for free: Wired, GQ, more
Green Deals: Etekcity 3-pack of Remote Outlet Switches $17 (Reg. $25), more
Browse the web anonymously: $60 (Orig. $80)
Samsung 48-inch Smart UHDTVs: 3D 120Hz $925 (Reg. $1,200+), Curved 60Hz $629 (Reg. $830)
Here’s how you can get a 90-day membership to BJ’s Warehouse for free
Final Fantasy XV gets a new playable demo, now available for free on PS4 and Xbox One
Green Deals: WORX WG156 2-in-1 Electric Trimmer/Edger $80 shipped (Reg. $107+), more
Kindle First eBook freebies for April: Golden Age, The Secret Healer, Blood Defense, more
Google Play Metal Albums for $0.99: Trivium’s Silence In The Snow (Orig. $11), more

Buy a refurbished Apple AirPort Express Wi-Fi router w/ 1-yr warranty for $49 shipped (Orig. $99)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

Ryobi’s new Ultra Quiet Garage Door Opener has a Bluetooth speaker and more

Roku introduces a new quad-core streaming stick with a slimmed down design
Apogee releases its most affordable full-featured Mac recording interface yet
The Yecup 365 travel mug uses your iPhone to heat or cool your drink
ROAM-e follows you around in the sky and takes selfies on demand
Sprint customers can now (but probably shouldn’t) pay monthly for Amazon Prime
Seagate unveils the “world’s first” USB-powered 8TB desktop hard drive
Sony’s new RX10 III digital camera goes big with a 24-600mm lens and 4K capabilities
Unboxing the awesome, pricey C-3PO and Stormtrooper Bluetooth speakers [Video]
QWERKYWRITER is a mechanical Bluetooth keyboard that takes us back to simpler times
Build an Alexa-enabled device using a Raspberry Pi
Review: Fitbit Alta pairs smart fitness tracking with a small and beautiful design
The Kuvée smart wine bottle brings the Internet of Things to grapes near you
This Kickstarter project allows up to 10 people wirelessly listen to nearly any source
TCL’s new 4K Roku-enabled UHDTVs hit every price point
The Tovala iOS-connected oven scans and automatically prepares your dinner

Photos of Lightning Apple EarPods headphones emerge on Chinese media [Updated]

Benjamin Mayo Mar 21 2016 - 2:40 am PT

33 Comments

Update: The original photo displayed in the article was indeed Photoshopped. However, there are other images of Lightning EarPod cables circling the web of unknown origin, as shown above. It just highlights however that images of this ilk are easily faked.

Although we are expecting a myriad of new announcements later today at Apple’s iPhone SE + more media event, Lightning EarPods were not thought to be on the cards. Images of Lightning-equipped EarPods surfaced on Chinese media today, refuelling rumors that the iPhone 7 will drop the 3.5mm headphone jack. It would make sense, then, that Apple would ship new earbuds in the box that connect to the phone over Lightning.

There is nothing else apparently different, aside from the change of port. The EarPods look visually identical otherwise. If there are other changes in the update, such as changes to sound quality, they aren’t reflected in the product’s physical appearance.

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Review: Phiaton BT 460 wireless headphones combine touch-panel, auto-pause/play gadget appeal with balanced sound

Ben Lovejoy Mar 15 2016 - 6:43 am PT

7 Comments

I’ve always been slightly torn when it comes to headphone choice. While I make no claims to being an audiophile, sound quality is my number one criterion when it comes to selecting headphones. I like neutral sound characteristics that faithfully reproduce what the musicians intended us to hear. I also like high-quality, traditional materials with understated looks. That tends to leave me choosing from the traditional hifi brands.

At the same time, though, I’m a gadget guy. I loved the touch-panel controls of the Parrot Zik. The only thing that put me off those is that, plane journeys aside, I’m not a fan of noise-cancelling cans. I like to be able to hear just a little of what’s going on around me – enough to hear when an announcement is being made on a train, or that I’m about to step in front of a bus – and the Zik headphones don’t sound good in passive mode.

So when Phiaton announced the BT 460, which has a similar touch-and-swipe interface, I thought I’d give them a try. These also have one further claim to fame on the gadget front: they automatically pause music when you take them off, and auto-resume when you put them back on …

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Apple audio supplier suggestion corroborates rumored noise-cancelling iPhone 7 headphones

Zac Hall Jan 28 2016 - 12:53 pm PT

26 Comments

My cheap headphone jack-less iPhone mockup

While it’s widely rumored that the iPhone 7 will drop the headphone jack when it launches later this year, known Apple audio supplier Cirrus Logic may have hinted about how Apple plans to handle this transition. Speaking to analysts and investors during the company’s latest earnings call (via BI), CEO Jason Rhode made a few interesting comments about what might be planned for later this year.

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Apple developing revamped, cord-free Beats with charging case ahead of iPhone 7

Mark Gurman Jan 8 2016 - 11:15 am PT

97 Comments

With its resources from the 2014 acquisition of headphone maker Beats Electronics, Apple is prototyping a completely new set of Bluetooth earphones with the potential of launching the accessory alongside the iPhone 7 this fall. The new earphones are said to be completely wireless, which is to say that they do not even have a cable connecting the left and right ear pieces. Sources say that the headphones are similar in concept to the Motorola Hint headset (pictured above) and Bragi’s new Dash headphones that were shown at CES this week.

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Over 200,000 people petition Apple to abandon rumored plans to ditch the 3.5mm headphone socket

Ben Lovejoy Jan 8 2016 - 6:04 am PT

44 Comments

Reports that Apple plans to ditch the 3.5mm headphone socket on the iPhone 7 in favor of Lightning headphones have been growing in number, and a recent poll found that 70% of you expect Apple to go this route. However, it appears some 200,000 people aren’t very happy about it.

A somewhat hysterically-worded petition calling for Apple to retain the 3.5mm socket had attracted some 204,000 signatures at the time of writing. The opening paragraph sets the tone …

Apple is about to rip off every one of its customers. Again.

Apple introduced MFi specs for Lightning headphones last year, and a few models are already available. The latest report, from Fast Company, suggests that Apple will also be introducing noise-cancelling technology, which it will be encouraging third-party headphone makers to adopt.

Report: iPhone 7 to feature noise-canceling headphone tech, waterproof design, wireless charging

Chance Miller Jan 7 2016 - 3:33 pm PT

80 Comments

We’re still a while away from the launch of the iPhone 7, but rumors have been running rampant recently concerning the design and features of Apple’s next flagship device. Fast Company has now published a new report in which it corroborates many earlier rumors regarding the iPhone 7, as well as offering up a few more details and tidbits.

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Apple wishes retail employees musical holidays with gifts of Beats earphones and Apple Music subscription

Ben Lovejoy Dec 15 2015 - 5:11 am PT

9 Comments

Apple had a small surprise for its retail employees yesterday. After gifting them with urBeats earphones last week, Eddy Cue yesterday sent a video message stating that they would also receive a promo code for a free 9 month Apple Music subscription.

MacRumors reports that the subscription runs for nine months. While nine months rather than a year seems a little odd, it does mean that anyone who has not yet used up their three-month free trial would get a year in total.

With the headphones retailing at $100 (though cheaper on Amazon), and the Apple Music subscription worth $90, it makes the gift significantly more generous than the Incase Staple backpack they got last year.

The urBeats headphones were recently updated to offer a rose gold option.

Apple adds third-party Lightning headphones to online store (at a cool $800)

Ben Lovejoy Dec 9 2015 - 5:14 am PT

0 Comments

If you’re looking for a pair of headphones with a Lightning connector, either because you want better quality or for future-proofing, there aren’t yet many options out there. Apple has now added one option to its online store – but they’re not cheap at $799.99.

The Audeze EL-8 Titanium Closed-Back Headphones are the real deal, however. An audiophile brand whose headphones more typically run into four figures, the EL-8 gets you a 28-bit DAC and the company’s planar magnetic driver – four times larger than most other headphones – borrowed from its high-end LCD Series. Industrial design is by BMW.

Apple describes the driver as offering “exceptional transient response and extended bass—virtually flat to 25Hz—along with the lowest Total Harmonic Distortion.”

As an aside, Apple really needs to sort out the accessory sections of the store: you get different results depending on whether you browse headphones within Mac or iPhone categories, with no discernible logic behind the differences (you don’t get lighter or smaller headphones within iPhone, for example).

Via The Verge

Apple bundling $60 Apple Music/iTunes gift cards with most Beats headphones and speakers

Zac Hall Dec 3 2015 - 8:46 pm PT

2 Comments

Apple’s new <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016QXV2QK?qid=1449202644&ref_=sr_1_1&keywords=beats%252520pill%25252B&tag=n003f1-20&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Beats Pill+</a> Bluetooth speaker

Apple may have outsourced Black Friday discounts on its products to other retailers this year, but it’s not staying completely out of the promotion game during the Christmas shopping season. Starting today Apple is bundling $60 gift cards that can be used toward Apple Music memberships with almost all Beats headphones and speakers purchased from Apple for a limited time. The promotion specifically pushes Apple Music memberships as it can pay for almost 6 months of access, but the $60 credit can be used toward iTunes, iBooks, and App Store, and Mac App Store purchases and subscriptions as well.
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V-MODA Crossfade Wireless headphones – unboxing and review [Video]

Cam Bunton Nov 26 2015 - 6:58 am PT

4 Comments

V-MODA makes some of the best earphones available. While sports stars and celebrities are normally seen wearing Beats, you’re more likely to find a pair of V-MODA cans wrapped around the necks of DJs. And if I’m going to trust someone’s judgement on an audio product, I’ll choose a music professional over a sportsperson any day.

In the past, I’ve owned the Crossfade M100 and now, the award-winning earphones are back with an added feature: wireless connectivity. I’ve been using the Crossfade Wireless for the past week or so, and they’re rather fantastic…

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9to5Toys Last Call: 256GB Retina MacBook Pro $1,280, Bose around-ear headphones $100, AirPrint Printer $35, more

Oct 7 2015 - 9:07 am PT

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Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call Updates:

Aukey USB Power Roundup: 6-Port 50W: $15, 5-port 40W: $10, 4-port 30W: $8 Prime shipped

iPhone 6/s Accessories: 2-ft. MFi Lightning + MicroUSB cable $8, 2-Pack Tempered Glass Screen Protector $3, more
Mac Bundle: 14 Mac Apps incl. RapidWeaver, Voila Screencapture, Kinemac 3D, more: $18
Dyson includes air purification in its newest hot + cool bladeless fan
Ever wonder what a $130K VIZIO Ultra HDTV looks like? Now we know.
Harman Kardon High-Performance, 6-Piece Home Theater Speaker System $190 shipped (Orig. $649)
Acer 1280×800 WXGA 600 ANSI Lumens 3D Ready LED Projector: $240 shipped (Orig. $450)
Omaker 10W(2x5W) Portable Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker $22 Prime shipped (Reg. $35)
Motorola Nexus 6 Unlocked 32GB in Midnight Blue: $300 shipped (Reg. $499)
Lytro Illum Camera: The first ever high-end camera to capture the entire light field: $700 shipped (Orig. $1,300, CA Tax Only)
The latest entry in the Far Cry series goes Primal, taking gamers back to 10,000 BC
Sports/Fitness: Zume Portable Badminton Set $50 (Reg. $60+), 100 lbs. Barbell Weight Set $37 (Reg. $50+), more
Freebies: 7-Eleven Coffee Week + Wake Alarm Clock for iOS + Frugal Living for Dummies eBook + More!
Home: Hamilton Beach Coffee Maker $32 (Orig. $60), D-Link Wireless Surveillance Cam $30 (Orig. $70), more

13″ Retina MacBook Pro (newest) 2.7GHz/8GB/256GB: $1,280 shipped (Reg. $1,499)

13″ Retina MacBook Pro (newest) 2.7GHz/8GB/128GB: $1,080 shipped (Reg. $1,299)

Over-Ear Headphones: Bose SoundTrue $100 (Reg. $120), Sennheiser HD202 $15 (Reg. $25), more

JayBird BlueBuds X Sport Bluetooth Sweat Proof Headphones $90 shipped (Reg. $130), more

HP AirPrint Wireless All-in-One Printers: InkJet $35 (Reg. $60), LaserJet $304 (Reg. $400+)

Amazon Student Days: Fire TV (4K model) $60, free $5 credit w/ Gift Card purchase, SanDisk 64GB Wi-Fi Flash Drive $45, more

Giveaway: Trinity Delta aluminum earbuds feature a unique design and top-notch sound ($135 value), 20% discount

More new gear from today:

Amazon Gold Box – 50% or more off Halloween Costumes: Darth Vader $17, Thor $30, Supergirl $12, more

Games/Apps: Tales from the Borderlands goes free on iOS for the first time, Madden NFL 16 $43
Daily Deals: Seagate 1TB Portable HDD $50, SJ-Series Gyro remote controlled Helicopter $14, more
Pre-order Microsoft’s latest gadgets right now: Surface Pro 4, Surface Book, Band 2

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/651729413374087168 align=’center’]

More deals still alive:

USB Power Deals: KMASHI 15,000mAh USB $14 (Reg. $20), Aukey 2A Wall Charger $8 (Reg. $16), more

Tweetbot for Mac drops to $10 (Reg. $13)
Philips hue Lux LED Starter Kit $60 shipped, 750-Lumen 9W LED Light Bulb $15
Bluetooth Speakers w/ Prime Shipping: OontZ Splashproof $25 (Reg. $35), Aukey $13 (Reg. $20)
Xbox One Gears of War bundle + 40″ HDTV $470 w/ .EDU, more
Beyerdynamic A200p Portable DAC Headphone Amp $160 shipped (Reg. $200)
Pebble Steel Smartwatch for iOS/Android in black or sliver $100 shipped (Orig. $230)
Add Bluetooth/mic to any Aux speaker or headphones for $10 Prime shipped
TiVO Roamio OTA HD DVR w/ Lifetime service for a one-time $300 fee
VIZIO 49-inch 120Hz M-Series LED Smart 4K Ultra HDTV: $580 shipped (Reg. $720)
Logitech Harmony Touch 15-Device Universal Remote: $100 shipped (Reg. $140)
The Executive for iOS goes free for the first time as IGN’s Game of the Month ($5 value)
Get a no-contract iPhone 6s from Boost Mobile for just $450 shipped (Orig. $649)
Media: Blu-ray & DVDs from $3 –Taken 2, RoboCop & others, Jurassic World pre-order, more
TP-LINK DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem $50, TP-LINK AC Gigabit Router $40, more
GoPro HERO4 Session Action Camera: $249 shipped (Reg. $299)
M-Audio Vocal Recording Bundle: USB Condenser mic w/ stand, more $79 shipped (Reg. $100)
Garmin nüvi 6-inch GPS w/ Bluetooth (Refurb) $140 shipped (Orig. $270)
Lenmar MAVEN iPhone 6 MFi 3,000mAh Battery Case $29 shipped (Orig. $100), more
App Store Gorgeous Games for $1 Sale: Tengami, Superbrothers, KAMI, Icebreaker, Out There, more
App Store Free App of the Week: Combo Quest RPG goes free for the first time ($1 value)
UE ROLL 360 Bluetooth Speaker (all colors): $90 shipped (Reg. $100)
Jawbone BIG JAMBOX Bluetooth Speaker (dented box) $120 shipped (Reg. $180)
Freebies: My Sketch iOS app + Carl’s Jr. BOGO breakfast sandwich + eBooks + More!
Freebies: Kindle Edition Kids books + Google Play music sampler + Monument Valley for Android + More!
Kindle First Books for Oct: Infinity Lost, The Mentor, The Concealed, This Is the Night, more
Learn to hack a Raspberry Pi: $115 (Orig. $804, CA Tax Only)
First Generation Lytro 16GB Digital Camera $80 (Orig. $199)

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/651126504156368896 align=’center’]

New products & more:

Logitech’s new Harmony Home Hub Extender lets the pizza man in with your remote

Roku’s new streaming media player supports 4K and finds your remote control for you

Review: Rock Band 4 makes an old favorite come alive
The new Dr. Who LEGO set looks just like TARDIS time machine
Mattel’s retro-rebooted $30 VR View-Master is now available for iOS and Android
Robo Wunderkind uses iOS connectivity and LEGO-like blocks to teach coding
The Sondors eBike is loaded with features and surprisingly affordable
EA’s new free-to-play Need for Speed No Limits is now available on iOS and Android
These Bluetooth earbuds use your iPhone’s Lightning port to charge
BRO Ball combines Bluetooth audio and pigskin for the ultimate tailgate companion

Rock Jaw Alfa Review: Replace your EarPods with these affordable, premium earbuds

Benjamin Mayo Oct 6 2015 - 10:15 am PT

14 Comments

The Rock Jaw Alfa Genus V2 headphones ($49.90) are not especially meant as a replacement for EarPods, but that’s how I see them. Apple’s bundled EarPods have a lot of positives. They are ‘cheap’, lightweight and small. You can chuck them in a bag or pocket without worrying too much. This is in stark contrast to Beats on-ear and over-ear headphones, for example, which are expensive, bulky and heavy. However, EarPods leave much to be desired in regard to sound quality.

It turns out the Rock Jaw Alfa’s fill this gap nicely. They have the same portability as EarPods but with a focus on also providing great sound to listen to. They aren’t perfect but they are pretty great value earbuds. Read on for our full review …

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Apple patents half-height 3.5mm headphone jack, ready for slimmer future iPhones

Ben Lovejoy Sep 22 2015 - 5:31 am PT

21 Comments

While Apple appears to view the Lightning port as the future headphone connector of choice, with some manufacturers already on board, there are plenty of us who’ll be reluctant to replace our existing, expensive headphones. Which poses something of a problem as iPhones and iPads continue to get slimmer, and existing ones barely accommodate the 3.5mm socket.

Apple, however, has a potential solution to this in a patent granted today (via Patently Apple). It’s essentially a standard 3.5mm jack cut in half, to make it much smaller in cross-section. This could easily be used with existing 3.5mm jacks using an adapter. The clever part is that it’s actually chopped off a little above the halfway mark, so the revised connector would still fit snugly in standard 3.5mm jacks on other devices.

As always with Apple patents, there’s no telling whether it will ever make it into production, but this one strikes me as a neat solution to a problem that could arrive as early as the iPhone 7, KGI suggesting that it will be around 6mm thick.

iPhone 6 photo: ukmobilereview.com

Back to school gift guide: Great stuff for Apple-obsessed students

Jordan Kahn Aug 23 2015 - 7:11 am PT

5 Comments

The new school year is rapidly approaching, and that means stocking up on supplies and the latest tech to be ready for class by early next month. Since we’re tracking the latest deals from around the web incessantly over at 9to5Toys, and reviewing the best in tech for your Mac, iOS, and Android devices on 9to5Mac and 9to5Google, we’ve rounded up the team to put together a gift guide with our top picks for gear, supplies, apps and more to get you through the year.
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Apple to simplify retail stores by demoting iPods to shelves, dropping iPad Smart Signs

Mark Gurman Aug 18 2015 - 8:14 pm PT

16 Comments

Apple is preparing to make significant changes to its stores to simplify the experience by relocating iPod stock to accessory shelves and removing iPad-based Smart Signs, according to several Apple Retail managers briefed today on the plans. Apple will begin rolling out these notable changes overnight on Tuesday of next week to stores in the United States so that customers who begin coming in on Wednesday see the refreshed look.

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Review: Zipbuds Slide, average-sounding but super-convenient tangle free earbuds

Ben Lovejoy Jul 30 2015 - 7:06 am PT

3 Comments

I love music, so most of the time when I’m out and about I have headphones round my neck or in my bag. But there are times when I’m music’d out, and leave them at home – and I can then pretty much guarantee I’ll end up wishing I’d taken them with me.

Whether it’s to have a lengthy phone conversation while walking down the street, or watching the funny video a friend just posted on Facebook on the train (without subjecting everyone else to the audio), headphones aren’t just about music. For that reason, I’ve taken to chucking a few pairs of cheap-ish in-ear headphones in various bags and jacket pockets so that I always have some with me. In-ear ones can be squished into a small space so they take up almost no room.

The problem with that squishing, of course, is that whenever I do dig them out, I spend several minutes untangling them. This is the problem Zipbuds Slide sets out to solve …
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9to5Toys Last Call: 13″ Retina MacBook Pro $1,100, Mohu HDTV Antenna $30, Dell Laser Printer $100, more

Jul 28 2015 - 9:10 am PT

0 Comments

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call Updates:

Kodak’s 360 degree action camera adds must-see YouTube capabilities

The LEGO Architect shows you how to build exact replicas of famous buildings and homes
GoPro’s newest HERO4 Session waterproof action camera is on sale: $370 (Reg. $400)
Knock those piggies down in 3D with this oversized Angry Birds arcade cabinet
USB roundup: RAVPower 36W 4-Port USB wall charger $10, more
VIZIO’s 70-inch 240Hz Smart 4K UHDTV: $1,799 shipped (Reg. $2,200)
QNAP 2-Bay Cloud NAS w/ AirPlay support: $219 shipped (Reg. $300+)
Newegg Monitor Sale: LG 27-inch w/ HDMI $170 shipped (Reg. $200+), more
Free Xbox Live Gold Games for August: Metal Gear Solid V Ground Zeroes, more
Home: Hamilton Beach Deep Fryer $30 (up to $20 off), more

Motorola’s best-selling SurfBoard SB6121 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem: $52.87 shipped (Reg $100) http://t.co/TseErHGZ0k pic.twitter.com/0OicoL9mnx

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) July 28, 2015

The LEGO Movie Video Game for iOS gets its first price drop: $1 (Reg. $5) http://t.co/7L6mJmuQpm pic.twitter.com/K1wkqjBqBg

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) July 28, 2015

Bose SoundSport In-ear Headphones (green) $100 shipped (Reg. $150) http://t.co/uG9tGNoYiZ pic.twitter.com/L3nsD0wTZu

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) July 28, 2015

Apple 13″ MacBook Pro w/ Retina Display: 2.7GHz/8GB/128GB $1,100 (Reg. $1,299)

Cut the cord! Mohu Leaf 50 Ultimate HDTV Antenna (open box): $30 shipped (Orig. $90)

Color Wireless Printers: Dell LED Laser $100 (Reg. $150+), Canon All-In-One Inkjet $70 (Reg. $100)

Amazon’s new Launchpad store offers the latest gadgets from crowdfunding campaigns and startups

More new gear from today:

Daily Deals: Trendnet N600 Dual-Band Router $10, ZAGG iPad Mini ZAGGkeys Bluetooth Keyboard Cover (refurb) $10, more

Headphones: Sony MDR-7506 Professional Folding $70 (Reg. $100), Beyerdynamic DT 1350 $150 (Orig. $300+), more

New! Games: Final Fantasy Type-0 HD w/ XV demo $35, Fallout 4 Vault Dweller’s Guide $24
New! Media: $5 Blu-rays – Rush, This is 40, Public Enemies, more
New! iFixit Pro Tech Screwdriver Set & Jimmy Tool Bundle: $60 Shipped (Orig. $100)

Apple iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi 16GB in all colors for $400 shipped (Reg. $499) http://t.co/6m0iOdNOIA pic.twitter.com/gqknmZ9WtM

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) July 27, 2015

More deals still alive:

Apple’s massive iOS sale w/ 100 apps for $0.99 ea: Rayman, Angry Birds, Pixelmator, Spider-Man, many more

Free McGraw-Hill iOS apps for kids: Monster Squeeze, more (Reg. $2 ea.)

QuickRes – the app that changes your resolution in a click: 50% off

App Store Free App of the Week: SpongeBob Moves In ($4 value)

Disney’s award-winning Animated iPad app hits a new all-time low price of $3 (Reg. $10)

Save 50% on the brand new Screenium 3 high-res, high-speed screen capture app for Mac

Samsung 850 EVO 1TB 2.5-inch Internal Solid-State Drive: $310 shipped (Reg. $350

iPhone 6/Plus $100 off w/ VZW or Sprint 2-yr contract: 16GB $100, more
Etekcity 8GB Voice recorder and USB Stick: $13 shipped
iOttie Easy One Touch 2 iPhone car mount: $17 Prime shipped (Reg. $25)
Anker Bluetooth iPad Keyboards from $20: Folio Case $30 (Reg. $40), more
Sennheiser Urbanite on-ears for $75 or XL over-ears for $130 (Orig. up to $250), more
Magnetic Air Vent Car Mount Holder for iPhone 6/Plus $6 Prime shipped (Orig. $11)
Timbuk2 Iris Gym Duffel Bag (Black) for $30 shipped (Reg. $54)
Apple-Certified MFi Lightning Cables: 1-ft braided nylon $12, 10-ft $10, 3-ft $5, more
Canon PIXMA Inkjet Photo All-in-One Printer + software $20 shipped (Reg. $40+)
Jabra SOLEMATE Portable Bluetooth Speaker $60 shipped (Reg. $90+), more
Urge Soundbrick $18 shipped, waterproof shower speaker $10 shipped, more
Beats by Dr. Dre Studio Wireless On-Ear Headphones in Titanium: $209 shipped (Orig. $380)
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II is now available for Mac: $7 (Reg. $10)
Cook your food perfectly with the Range Smart Thermometer: $60 shipped (Orig. $70)
Shoot cinematic masterpieces w/ iStabilizer: $39 (Orig. $60)
Themes for iBooks Author for $9.99 (50% off)
Designs for Mail for $9.99 (50% off)
Learn to build 11 apps with this exclusive iOS 9 Swift coding course: $59 (Orig. $299)
Blinkist Premium 1-yr Subscription: 1000+ Grasp Nonfiction Books: $30 (Orig. $80)
Spigen’s latest Apple Watch dock is made for watchOS 2, pre-order now for $12
Pay what you want for the 7-course Web Hacker Bundle ($1,043 value, currently $6)
Complete this Chipotle trivia game & receive a buy one, get one free coupon
Sennheiser HD650 + Apogee Groove portable DAC/amp $550 shipped ($755 value)
American Express rolls out PayPal competitor, offers $10 statement credit for trying it

New products & more:

Plantronics new BackBeat Sense Bluetooth headphones are loaded with sensors

This Lightning cable cleverly solves an annoyance every iPhone user deals with

Make your own miniature 3D printed, Raspberry Pi-powered Game Boy emulator
Hori’s new Tactical Assault Commander 4 brings PC style controls to the PS4
2K announces Terminator as a playable character for WWE 2K16
JBL details new Flip3 & Xtreme portable Bluetooth speakers w/ fresh designs & features
Converse upgrades its Chuck Taylors with new technology for the first time in 98 years
Dad makes a custom Mario Kart 8-inspired nursery and becomes instant internet sensation
The Panono panoramic camera is filled with 36 lenses that total 108MP, available today
Stary Board cuts the weight to become the “world’s lightest” electric vehicle

Review: Bang & Olufsen Beolit 15 Bluetooth speaker

Review: DODOcase Apple Watch Charging Stand

Review: SanDisk Connect Wireless Stic

Review: Trinity Delta, the first in-ear headphones to really impress me

Ben Lovejoy Jul 23 2015 - 8:27 am PT

7 Comments

I’m an on-ear/over-ear headphone guy. To me, the size and weight has always been a price worth paying for the far higher quality and sound isolation they deliver when compared to consumer-grade in-ear headphones.

I’ve tried numerous in-ear headphones, and none have ever felt remotely comparable to me – until now. Trinity is a brand new British company founded by former lead designer at Rockjaw, specifically to create high-quality in-ear monitors (IEMs) at an affordable price. The Delta is the high-end model, at $135/£90, and it takes rather an unusual approach …
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Review: blueLounge’s Posto is the handsome headphone stand you can still afford after buying Beats

Jeremy Horwitz Jun 23 2015 - 12:36 pm PT

1 Comment

When the iPod was surging, full-sized headphones were flailing. For decades, big “cans” were the only proper way to quietly listen to the massive audio players stored in home A/V cabinets. But by 2006, portable audio devices were king, and their pocketable little white earbuds were everywhere. Then Beats by Dre came along and convinced people that big headphones were worth buying again, even for portable media players. Beats’ signature Studio headphones aren’t as easy to carry around as little earbuds, but as their growing popularity demonstrates, people haven’t seemed to mind.

blueLounge’s new Posto ($20) is the latest in a series of “big headphone” stands made by Apple accessory companies. I’ve previously tested heavy, all-metal options such as Just Mobile’s HeadStand, which hover around the $50 price point and — to their credit — try to do one or two nice little things to justify that sort of price point. There are also cheap headphone stands that tend to look… cheap. Posto is clearly the result of a different theory of design. The black version is made from several different materials that somehow look nearly indistinguishable from one another, reducing the cost, weight, and assembly challenges found in other headphone stands. (A white and silver version uses different-looking parts.) Consequently, Posto works much the same as HeadStand, but costs less than half the price. If you’ve just dropped $250 or more on a pair of big headphones, Posto lets you manage them without breaking the bank…

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Apple takes $20 off its new wireless Beats Powerbeats2 in Apple Watch colors

Mark Gurman Jun 17 2015 - 11:33 am PT

5 Comments

Earlier this week we noted that Apple has refreshed the Beats by Dre wireless Beats Powerbeats 2 earbuds with new colors aimed at Apple Watch Sport users. Today, Apple has updated its Beats headphones website to promote the new line of headphones along with a new price: $179, which is $20 less than the previous price at $199.

With its onboard storage for music and Bluetooth connection, Apple is promoting these headphones as a way to tap into listening to music with the Apple Watch without the need of a connected iPhone. Even with the ties to Apple and the new Apple Watch-centric marketing campaign, the new earphones will still work with other Bluetooth media players.

We noted earlier today on 9to5Toys that some retailers are offering as much as $50 off of the wireless headphones, and Amazon is selling the accessory at various discounted prices ranging from $169 to $189.

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Review: House of Marley Liberate XLBT environmentally-friendly over-ear Bluetooth headphones

Ben Lovejoy Jun 16 2015 - 7:42 am PT

9 Comments

Friends have often expressed surprise at the fact that I continue to use wired headphones. My beautifully-portable and much-loved Bowers & Wilkins P5 headphones go with me almost everywhere, while my Master & Dynamic MH40s are my go-to headphones in the living room.

Friends know my aversion to visible cables, and I’m usually an ‘any excuse for a gadget’ type guy, so why, they ask, do I continue to wear wired headphones? There have been a couple of reasons for that. First, the ‘yet another device to charge’ factor – to add to my Macs, iPad, iPhone, bike cam, GPS and now Apple Watch.

Second, the sound quality of Bluetooth headphones hasn’t compared well to wired ones in my experience. I’ve tried a bunch of Bluetooth headphones in the store, but none persuaded me. However, designing with wood and leather is always a good way to catch my attention, so I thought I’d try House of Marley’s Liberate XLBT over-ear headphones …
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Apple releases new PowerBeats2 Wireless headphone colors aimed at Apple Watch Sport users

Seth Weintraub Jun 14 2015 - 6:11 am PT

24 Comments

image credit: Ben Thomas

Apple quietly updated its Powerbeats2 headphones to match Apple Watch Sport colors this week signalling a new move to focus audio accessories to the Apple Watch ecosystem. The new colors, which match the Apple Watch Sport Band colors of Blue, Black, Green, Pink and (updated) White, are available in Apple Stores but haven’t arrived at other retail locations yet.

The Apple Watch can store and play 2GB of music without a tethered iPhone wirelessly via Bluetooth 4 and with watchOS 2 will get access to many more audio applications. It wouldn’t be out of character for Apple to release over the ear Beats headphones in matching colors or even PowerBeats Wireless to match the more expensive stainless steel Apple Watch.

The new Powerbeats2 headphones will of course work with all Apple and other Bluetooth 4 devices even though they appear to be focused on the growing Apple Watch market.

Apple Powerbeats2 Wireless earphones still come in their original, dare I say, dated colors for $199 ($189 Amazon, $169 Best Buy or $160 Ebay) but the original White version has been moved from the old lineup the the new lineup. Original urBeats wired headphones can be found for as little as $45 via 9to5Toys.com

(Via Benjamin Thomas)
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