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110 'Headphones' stories May 2012 - November 2014
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Upcoming Bluetooth Apple-branded Beats Solo2 headphones revealed by FCC

Avatar for Mark Gurman Nov 7 2014 - 12:43 pm PT
15 Comments
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Apple and its Beats by Dre group seem to be close to announcing a new pair of headphones: a Bluetooth version of their popular Solo2 headphones. Earlier this year, Beats launched the Solo2 wired earphones as a cheaper alternative to the Studio cans. Today, a wireless version has been revealed thanks to the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) testing department.

As can be seen in the image above from today’s FCC filing, the design of the wireless model is akin to the wired model. The only difference appears to be the Bluetooth connectivity. The documents specify that Bluetooth 4.0 Low-Energy technology is utilized.

Interestingly, these documents indicate that these headphones are Apple-branded:


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Beats’ latest ad is LeBron James’ homage to Akron and $200 PowerBeats2 earbuds

Avatar for Seth Weintraub Oct 19 2014 - 7:57 pm PT
3 Comments

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCOgaWSfxxs

I’m from Akron so I guess this should hit home for me (0:18 Swensons represent!). But the marriage between Apple and Beats still feels strange and writing about athlete endorsement videos is out of our usual scope.  This is clearly the Beats creative doing what they do best.

PowerBeats2, which are a $50 upgrade from Monster-produced PowerBeats originals get a charitable 3/5 stars on Apple’s Store and 3.7 stars at Amazon where they are $199.99.

Apple reportedly removing Bose products from retail stores as NFL bans & Bose sues Beats

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Oct 10 2014 - 7:23 am PT
54 Comments
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Bose headphones and audio products could soon get the boot from Apple retail stores, according to a report from MacRumors citing “a reliable source.”

While Apple’s acquisition of Beats would seem like the obvious reason behind replacing the many Bose headphones and speakers currently used with iOS and Mac demo units, the report also claims that Apple will be removing Bose products from store shelves in addition to the demo units.
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9to5Toys Last Call: SanDisk USB/SD/SSD memory up to 60% off, Todoist 6-mo free, Xbox One free game bundles, more

Avatar for Sep 8 2014 - 9:06 am PT
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Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call updates:

Amazon GoldBox: Up to 60% off SanDisk USB/SD/ SSD products: 64GB as low as $22, 1TB SSD: $450

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDwmp3oP8Uc?rel=0]

Todoist iOS/Android list and task manager 6-month Premium subscription for free ($14.50 value)

Buy an Xbox One console and snag any game, including Destiny, for free ($60 savings)

Headphones:

Small States: Myro:Air wants you to have your high quality audio and AirPlay too, giveaway worth $599

Other new deals:

More tech deals still alive:

Home/fashion/magazines/games/media:

New products/ongoing promos:

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9to5Toys Last Call: iPad Retina mini/Air from $299/$369, Bose OE2i headphones $80, iTunes GC 15–33% off, more

Avatar for Justin Kahn Aug 29 2014 - 9:00 am PT
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Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call Updates:

Apple Deals:

Bose OE2 or OE2i headphones with mic (white): $80 shipped (55% off)

iTunes gift cards:

Last Chance! Small States: Inside the world of Grado headphones, giveaway worth $495 dollars

Other new deals:

More tech deals still alive:

Apple Deals:

Home/fashion/magazines/games/media:

New products/ongoing promos:

Apple introduces MFi specs for Lightning cable headphones, support arriving in future iOS update

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jun 3 2014 - 5:44 pm PT
73 Comments
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We’ve learned Apple has quietly introduced a new specification for manufacturers in its Made-For-iPhone/iPad/iPod (MFi) program that allows them to create headphones that connect to iOS devices using a Lightning connector instead of the usual 3.5mm headphone jack. Apple has not flipped the switch on the audio input support for Lightning cables and existing iOS devices, but it will release a software update in the future that will enable support in devices running iOS 7.1 or later.
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Review: Beats Studio Wireless headphones (and what Apple can improve)

Avatar for Zac Hall Jun 1 2014 - 9:00 am PT
35 Comments
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A few weeks before initial reports that Apple was planning to acquire Beats Electronics, I started AT&T’s three month trial of the Beats Music subscription streaming service.. Given that generous window of time, I felt more comfortable investing my time than I would with a one or two week trial. When news broke that Apple was in final talks to purchase Beats, I was caught off guard and immediately concerned that the subscription service that I was starting to really like would change under Apple’s watch. Since the deal has been made official, Apple has said that Beats Music will continue as it is (across multiple platforms even) as will the headphones line (Beats branded, not Apple branded) for now.

Because I was rather surprised by the appeal of Beats Music and Apple is now endorsing the headphones more than ever (even if only really for their massive profit margins), I got really curious Friday afternoon to try out a pair of Beats headphones first hand so I did just that. I’ve been using the Beats Studio Wireless headphones (Amazon) just about all waking hour of this weekend, and below you can read my thoughts on one of the products included in Apple’s biggest acquisition to date.
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Beats acquisition may be part of a new focus on music quality, suggests Japanese blog

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy May 13 2014 - 4:29 am PT
33 Comments
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Following the presumed acquisition of Beats, Apple plans to up its music game with support for high-resolution audio files in a revamped Music app in iOS 8, and to offer a higher-quality version of its In-Ear Headphones, reports Japanese blog Macotakara. 

The source of the high-res audio rumor appears somewhat circumstantial, linked to a Warner Music post about the forthcoming release of a ‘Super Deluxe’ version of three remastered early Led Zeppelin albums in 96kHz/24-bit form – a resolution the current iOS Music app cannot play. It is, however, consistent with a similar earlier rumor regarding iTunes support for higher-quality audio … 
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Apple and Beats not such strange bedfellows, argues Bloomberg

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy May 12 2014 - 4:38 am PT
8 Comments
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Steve Jobs and Jimmy Iovine in 2008 (Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage via Getty Images)

A Bloomberg analysis of the presumed acquisition of Beats Electronics by Apple says that while the two companies may have very different cultures, the partnership is not so strange as it might first appear.

“These aren’t strange bedfellows at all,” said Peter Csathy, chief executive officer of entertainment law firm Manatt Digital Media Ventures. “Steve Jobs really drove the relationship with the music industry. The executives at Apple and Beats know each other very well, and there’s a comfort level there” …


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Opinion: What is Apple’s thinking in spending $3.2B on buying Beats?

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy May 9 2014 - 6:51 am PT
82 Comments
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Apple’s apparent purchase of Beats took everyone by surprise. I must confess that my immediate reaction was to be slightly appalled. As someone whose audio tastes run more to B&O and B+W, I’ve always viewed Beats headphones as over-bassed, over-priced fashion items. But then my tastes in music admittedly differ somewhat from those of the typical Beats customer.

Even so, it’s still a little baffling at first glance. Tim Cook himself said a year ago that Apple asks two questions when considering an acquisition:

Would it help us make a great product, and would the culture fit at Apple?

My immediate answer to both would be “no,” so why would Apple spend $3.2B on a headphone manufacturer with a small sideline streaming music service … ? 
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Review: Onkyo ES-CTI300(SS) On-Ear Headphones with Control Talk for iOS Devices

Avatar for Seth Weintraub Mar 7 2014 - 2:46 pm PT
9 Comments
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I’ve been on the search for the perfect headphones for my whole life.

Apple’s fall out of my ears if I think too hard and I even have problems keeping typical in-ear headphones in my ears when working out. Getting those weird things that go around my ears to hold them isn’t a great general purpose solution.  In-ear headphones also typically lack the depth of sound of over the ear headphones.

Unfortunately, over the ear headphones often lack the mic and iOS controls that you can easily get with in-ear headphones. Add that they are usually bulky and heavy and are too hot on the ears and you usually have a non-starter as a general purpose headset.

The Onkyo ES-CTI300(SS) On-Ear Headphones with Control Talk for iOS Devices aim to be the best of both worlds…


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9to5Toys Last Call: Discounted Samsung/Crucial SSDs 120GB-1TB, home deals from iRobot Roomba/Dyson/Cuisinart, more

Avatar for Jan 22 2014 - 10:08 am PT
1 Comment

Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and subscribe to the new Safari push notifications feature.

Today’s can’t miss deals: 

Last Call updates:

Solid State Drives:

  • Samsung 840 EVO Series 1TB $480
  • Crucial M500: 480GB $259, 240GB $114, 120GB $77

Home Deals: Dyson table fan: $100, Cuisinart Coffeemaker: $90, 10-Piece GreenGourmet cookware: $200, more

Pad & Quill Little Pocket Book for iPhone 5/5S $60 shipped ($10 off)

Other great deals from today:

More great deals still alive:

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9to5Toys Last Call: Seiki 4K UHDTV from $404, Slingbox SOLO $40, Time Capsule 2TB/3TB $50 off, AP Extreme $165, more

Avatar for Jan 16 2014 - 10:35 am PT
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Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and subscribe to the new Safari push notifications feature.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call updates:

 

Seiki 4K Ultra HD TVs: 39″ $404 (Reg. $699), 50″ $607 (Reg. $1,500)

Sling Media Slingbox SOLO Media Streamer Refurb $40 shipped

Apple Time Capsule AC wireless router/backup device (newest version): 2TB $250/3TB $350, AirPort Extreme $165

Other great deals from today:


More great deals still alive:

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Audio specialist Blue promises true hi-fi quality wireless audio by the spring

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Jan 6 2014 - 5:43 am PT
3 Comments

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/83331745]

I take the view that wires are evil: anything that can be wireless should be wireless. My iOS devices sync via wifi, my keyboard and trackpad are Bluetooth, I have Wemo-controlled lighting, Tado-controlled heating and love cloud services.

But there’s one thing in my living-room that still relies on a wire: the connection between Mac and hifi system. I tried a Bluetooth link, and the quality just wasn’t there. I quickly reverted to the 3.5mm cable that runs around the skirting board.

Enter microphone specialist Blue. The company is teasing a true hifi-quality wireless connection between digital devices and headphones (and presumably hifi systems) under the name Mo-Fi.

Where digital music technology has advanced, headphones have lagged behind. We’ve seen dramatic advances in the quality and convenience of digital music, yet headphones –designed specifically to bring us closer to sound— have failed to bridge the gap from hi-fi to mobile. Headphones are the last barrier between us and the audio trapped in our digital devices. What if we liberated our music from overhyped lo-fi to true mobile hi-fi? We can. Blue is offering the first sneak peek at CES 2014.

We’ll bring you more details when we have them.

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9to5Toys Last Call: iPad Air winner announced, 20% off iTunes, iPhone 5 for $370, iOS freebies, more

Avatar for Nov 11 2013 - 10:00 am PT
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Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Thank you to everyone who entered the iPad Air / SlickWraps Giveaway! We were absolutely blown away by the response we received. The winner has been contacted via twitter direct message. If you didn’t win, keep tabs on 9to5Toys all month long as we will continue to hold giveaways as we lead up to Black Friday.

Veterans Day Special FREE T-Mobile PrePaid SIM Card, use it for $30/month unlimited Data/Text plan


$50 iTunes gift card for $40: Save 20% on apps, music, movies, books, more

Virgin 10% off iPhone 5 + $35 credit yields prices starting at $370 and $30/month unlimited data plans.

Game/App Deals: PS Vita Wi-Fi: $160 shipped (Reg. $200), iOS freebies, Breaking Bad seasons 1-3 $9.99 each, more

Other great deals from today:

The best deals that are still alive:

New product announcements & reviews:

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9to5Toys Last Call: iPad Air giveaway, Toshiba portable HD 1TB $60/2TB $100, Panasonic Lumix G5 camera $300, more

Avatar for Nov 8 2013 - 10:00 am PT
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Take a few minutes out of your lunch to cash in on some incredible deals. Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+.

Weekend update:

  • 2nd Generation AppleTV, perfect for hacking, $80 shipped
  • 1080P LED Monitors: 24-inch AOC: $120 shipped, 27-inch Viewsonic (refurb): $141+ship
  • Headphone Deals up to 82% off: Beats by Dre, Soul by Ludacris, Sony MDR, Pioneer DJ cans, more
  • LG G2 5.2″ 1080P Android 4.2 quad-core phone on Verizon Wireless: Free /w plan

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Giveaway: Apple iPad Air with awesome SlickWraps protective skin

Hard Drive Deals: Toshiba portable 2TB $100/1TB $60, Seagate portable 1TB: $60, WD 3TB desktop: $100

Panasonic Lumix G5 16 MP Compact System Camera with 14-42mm Zoom Lens: $300

PNY StorEDGE flash memory expansion for MacBooks: 128GB $98, 64GB $40


Other great deals from today:

The best deals that are still alive:

New product announcements & reviews:

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9to5Toys Last Call: Seagate GoFlex 3TB external $100, XCOM for iOS 50% off, Audio-Technica ‘phones $95, more

Avatar for Oct 30 2013 - 10:04 am PT
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Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Seagate 3TB FreeAgent GoFlex Desk Kit USB 3.0 External Hard Drive $100 shipped

Game/App Deals:

– 50% off iOS XCOM Enemy Unknown, Nintendo 3DS XL Zelda preorder, iOS freebies, more
– Target’s PS4 launch week ad leaks: will offer buy 2 get 1 free on PS4, Xbox One games, others

Audio-Technica ATH-M50 professional closed-back studio headphones $95 shipped (Reg. $199)


Other great deals from today:

The best deals that are still alive:

Mac software bundles:

  • The SuperStacked Mac Bundle: Over $3,000 Worth Of Premium Developer & Designer Tools – $50 today, but price increases everyday it’s on sale.

New product announcements & reviews:

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9to5Toys Last Call: 20% off $50 iTunes gift card, MFi Lightning cable $8.50, Klipsch Image ONE headphones $60, more

Avatar for Oct 21 2013 - 3:00 pm PT
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Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

$50 iTunes gift card for $40: Save 20% on future app, music, movie, book purchases

Monoprice Apple-certified 6′ MFi Lightning cables as low as $8.50 each shipped

Klipsch Image ONE Premium on-ear headphones with Mic and Apple controls $60 shipped (Reg. $150)

Other great deals from today:

The best deals that are still alive:

Mac software bundles:

  • The SuperStacked Mac Bundle: Over $3,000 Worth Of Premium Developer & Designer Tools – $44 today, but price increases everyday it’s on sale.
  • The Mac Freebie Bundle 2.0: 10 Apps To Enhance Your Design, Photography & Productivity – Ends tonight!

New product announcements & reviews:

  • Pyle Audio releases new mini Hi-Speed HD sports camera
  • Synology introduces new, faster SOHO NAS w/ hot-swappable drives for $330
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9to5Toys Last Call: 50% off XCOM Enemy Unknown for iOS, SuperStacked Mac app bundle $35, iOttie mounts $15, more

Avatar for Oct 10 2013 - 3:00 pm PT
0 Comments

Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

50% off XCOM Enemy Unknown, 34% off 5-game PS3 bundle, iOS freebies, more

The SuperStacked Mac Bundle: Over $3,000 Worth Of Premium Developer & Designer Tools – $35 today, but price increases everyday it’s on sale. Don’t hesitate!

iOttie One-Touch Mobile Mounts starting at just $15 shipped

Other great deals from today:

The best deals that are still alive:

Mac software bundles:

New product announcements & reviews:

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9to5Toys Last Call: Klipsch/Logitech noise-cancelling headphones from $100, 1TB USB3 portable HD $50, iPod Touch 5g 16GB (Refurb) $150, iPad 128GB, more

Avatar for Sep 30 2013 - 3:00 pm PT
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From 9to5Toys.com:

Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+.

Today’s featured deals:

Noise-Cancelling Headphones: Klipsch Mode M40: $145 (Reg. $350), Logitech UE 6000: $100 (Reg. $160)

Samsung USB 3.0 portable HD: $50 shipped, 1TB Western Digital: $53 shipped

Apple iPod Touch 16GB 5th gen. (Refurb.) $149 (Reg. $229 new)

Mac Bundle 3.0 Ft. Camtasia 2 and 9 other explosive Mac Apps. Name your own price. Ends in 1 day!

Other great deals from today:

The best deals that are still alive:

Mac software bundles:

New product announcements & reviews:

  • Valve announces Steam Machines hardware beta for SteamOS
  • Amazon freshens up the Kindle Fire HD, now starts at just $139
  • Roku announces refreshed lineup of devices starting at $50
  • Belkin announces YourType Wireless Keypad to extend your Mac’s keyboard
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9to5Toys Last Call: iPhone 4 on Virgin $199, Asphalt 8 for iOS: Free, more

Avatar for Sep 13 2013 - 3:00 pm PT
0 Comments

From 9to5Toys.com:

A large majority of the deals we cover each day come from a variety of ‘Daily Deal’ websites or are so popular that they don’t even last 24 hours. We know you can’t be at your computer every second, so we’re going to round up the best deals each day to make sure you have a fair shot at the deals you want. Be sure to follow 9to5Toys.com so you never miss a deal... Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+.

Today’s featured deals:

Virgin slashes 8GB iPhone 4 to $199, (4S: 20% off) unsubsidized w/$30/month unlimited data plan

Other great deals from today:

The best deals that are still alive:

New product announcements & reviews: