Posts Tagged: audio

Clubhouse is pivoting from live audio to group messaging

Clubhouse, once the Silicon Valley darling of pandemic-era social media, announced earlier this year that it was laying off half its staff as its founders pivoted to building “Clubhouse 2.0.” Now, the company is sharing the results of its big reset, with a redesign meant to make Clubhouse “more like a messaging app.”

The audio app is pivoting from its signature “drop-in” audio conversations to friend-centric voice chats, the company said in an update. Instead of sprawling rooms where users host live-streamed conversations open to any and all of the app’s users, the new Clubhouse will instead encourage users to join groups with people they know.

The groups are, somewhat confusingly, called “chats,” and allow friends and friends-of-friends to exchange voice messages. There’s still a “drop-in” element, but it’s less focused on real-time talking and geared more toward something like an Instagram Story — a destination for checking in and sharing quick updates. The app is also ditching text-based direct messages in favor of private audio messages which, yes, it’s calling voicemails or VMs.

The biggest shift, however, isn’t just the format of the conversations but that Clubhouse is now positioning itself as more of a Snapchat, where smaller groups of friends communicate privately or semi-privately, than a Twitter, where all the app's users are shouting into the void. “It’s not about passively listening to people speaking,” the company wrote in an update. “You can listen to great conversations on podcasts, YouTube, TikTok, and a lot of other platforms. It’s about talking with people … and becoming real-life friends with your friends’ friends, and people you never would have met otherwise.”

While the pivot to messaging app may make more sense given the steep decline in engagement Clubhouse saw after pandemic restrictions eased, it’s unclear if the company will be able to return to the same buzzy highs of 2021, when it attracted millions of users and a multibillion-dollar valuation. Clubhouse, whose founders claimed earlier this year that they had “years of runway remaining,” seem like they aren’t taking success for granted their second time around.

They ended their announcement of the redesign with a bit of caution. “It’s a big bet, and we hope we’re right…”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/clubhouse-is-pivoting-from-live-audio-to-group-messaging-001520371.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Rode’s Wireless Pro mic kit lets you forget about ‘clipped’ audio

It might not be an overstatement to say Rode's original Wireless GO microphone system changed how a lot of YouTubers work. It wasn't the first wireless mic system, not by a long long shot, but its focus on creators made it incredibly popular. That success would inspire a lot of competing products — such as DJI's — which have since won over fans in a category that Rode arguably defined. Today, Rode fights back with the Wireless Pro — its new flagship wireless microphone system for creators.

The headline feature is the inclusion of onboard 32-bit float recording which means you should no longer have to worry about setting mic gain levels (though it's probably best that you do). This feature means the onboard recording will be almost impossible to "clip" or distort through being too loud. Effectively you should always have a useable recording if things went a bit too loud on the audio in your camera, which will be a great anxiety reducer to anyone who's ever had a production ruined thanks to bad audio.

The Wireless Pro could arguably help bring 32-bit float into the mainstream. There are specialist audio recorders out there that already offer this feature. And Rode already included it on its NT1 hybrid studio microphone, but given that you can plug a lot of different microphones into the Wireless Pro transmitters, this opens the door for recording a wide variety of audio content in 32-bit float — as long as you can feed it into a 3.5mm jack.

In a further attempt at streamlining the creatory process, the Wireless Pro also has advanced timecode capability so you won't need an external device for this. Though you will need to set this up via Rode Central, the companion app for the mic (there's no option on-device for this setting).

A press shot of the Wireless Pro vlog microphone kit.
Photo by James Trew / Engadget

The Wireless Pro borrows a few features from alternatives or aftermarket accessories by including a charging case as standard (Rode currently offers one as a standalone purchase). That case is good for two total charges of the entire system according to the company and comes as standard with the new model. The stated battery life for the transmitters and receiver is around severn hours, meaning the Wireless Pro should be good for at least 20 hours total recording onto the 32gb storage (good for 40 hours of material apparently).

Another key upgrade is the improved range. The Wireless GO II, for example, has an approximate range of 656 feet (200 meters). The new Pro models expands that to 850 feet (260 meters) which is, coincidentally, a shade more than DJI's stated 820 feet (250 meters).

When Rode unveiled its more affordale Wireless ME kit, it introduced the idea of the receiver doubling as a "narrator" mic via a TRRS headset in the headphones/monitoring port. That's a feature that carries over to the Pro meaning you can record up to three different speakers albeit one of them will be wired, rather than cable free.

There are a couple of minor, but welcome quality of life updates, too, such as locking 3.5mm jacks so you won't rip your lav mic out and plugin power detection so the system can detect when the camera its plugged into is active, using that info to optimize power usage.

At time of publication, DJI's dual-mic product retails for $ 330. The Rode Wireless Pro will cost $ 399. That's obviously a slice more, but the company decided to include two Lavalier II mics as part of the bundle. The Lavalier II costs $ 99 on its own, so from that perspective the entire bundle represents a decent value if you're looking for complete solution. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/rodes-wireless-pro-mic-kit-lets-you-forget-about-clipped-audio-000028417.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Apple’s new Beats Studio headphones could support personalized spatial audio

It has been more than five years since Beats last refreshed its top-end Studio headphones, but a new model could be on the way. According to 9to5Mac, Apple is “about” to launch a set of Beats Studio Pro headphones. The new model reportedly features a custom Beats chip that promises improved active noise cancellation and transparency mode performance. For the first time, the Studio line may also feature personalized spatial audio. Additionally, 9to5Mac speculates the new model will come with a USB-C port for fast charging.

Visually, the headphones look similar to the current Studio3 model, though it appears Apple has done away with the “Studio” branding found on the side of those headphones. Based on codenames found by 9to5Mac in the internal files for iOS 16.5’s release candidate, Apple collaborated with fashion designer Samuel Ross, best known for starting the clothing label A-Cold-Wall, on the design of the Beats Studio Pro. Images the outlet found in those same files suggest Apple will offer the headphones in four colorways: blue, black, brown and white.

It’s unclear if Apple intends for the Beats Studio Pro to replace the $ 349 Studio3 headphones, or if the company plans to market them as a more premium offering. According to 9to5, Apple is also working on a set of Studio Buds+. They will reportedly support audio sharing, automatic device switching and Hey Siri integration. The outlet suggests both products will arrive in stores soon.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-new-beats-studio-headphones-could-support-personalized-spatial-audio-200614057.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

[Deal] Save $50 on the 1More EVO Noise Canceling Earbuds with Hi-Res Audio, Wireless Charging, and 28 Hour battery life

When it comes to picking out a pair of quality earbuds, 1More’s Evo Earbuds with dual drivers, adaptive ANC, HiFi sound, 28Hr playback, and Qi wireless charging could be just what you are looking for. Usually priced at $ 169, you can get the 1More Evo Earbuds for just $ 119 on Amazon for the time being. […]

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Microsoft is testing a redesigned Windows 11 audio mixer

Windows has frequently made managing multiple audio devices a hassle. Over the years, Microsoft has tried to improve the experience in a few ways. In 2021, for example, the company simplified how Windows 10 categorized Bluetooth devices. In spite of those efforts, it often feels like the OS doesn’t make switching between audio outputs and managing sound levels as easy as they should be. For instance, I wish Windows 11’s Quick Setting panel would allow me to adjust audio levels on a per-app basis.

Thankfully, Microsoft is finally preparing to solve that minor annoyance for Windows users. This week, the company detailed the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview and it just so happens to include a redesigned Quick Settings volume mixer. The updated interface element not only allows you to switch between audio devices but you can also use it to enable spatial sound and adjust volume output on a per-app basis, two things you can’t do with the current design. What’s more, Microsoft has added a dedicated shortcut to make accessing the feature faster. Once you have access to the volume mixer, press the Windows, Ctrl and V keys on your keyboard at the same time to open it.

"With this change, you can now tailor your audio experience with more control and fewer clicks to better manage your favorite apps," Microsoft says of the redesigned interface. As Bleeping Computer points out, the new volume mixer is reminiscent of the popular EarTrumpet mod. There’s no word yet on when Microsoft plans to roll out the latest Windows Insider features to regular users, but here’s hoping this one doesn’t take long to make its way to the general public.

A screenshot of Windows 11's redesigned volume mixer, currently available to Windows Insiders.
Microsoft

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-is-testing-a-redesigned-windows-11-audio-mixer-224417187.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

TCL’s ION X with a removable battery, MicroSD support, and a 3.5mm audio jack is now on sale

It’s not often that we get to talk about a phone that features the holy trifecta of a removable battery, a 3.5mm audio jack, and support for MicroSD cards but here we are with TCL’s affordable ION X handset. Now on sale at Metro by T-Mobile, the TCL ION X is priced at $ 119. At […]

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The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 will support Spatial Audio

Ahead of the official launch on February 7th, OnePlus has announced that its upcoming Buds Pro 2 will feature support for Spatial Audio – making it one of the first TWS earbuds to do so. Set to launch alongside the OnePlus 11 5G, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 will “adopt Google’s signature spatial audio feature” […]

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This AI cloned my voice using just three minutes of audio

My Own Voice certainly isn’t the only voice-cloning tool out there, but what’s impressive about it is that it only needs a tiny amount of input.
Digital Trends

The Realme 10 is official with a 90Hz AMOLED display, 50MP main camera, and audio jack from $229

Realme is a brand that has been pretty quiet over the past few months but now we have news that it’s launched a new budget-minded handset. Called the Realme 10, the new phone is powered by the Helio G99 chipset, a 90Hz AMOLED display, and 33W fast charging, all for $ 229. Besides being powered by […]

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Spotify has killed the Car Thing, its $90 in-car audio device that failed to find an audience

After a rocky three-year history, Spotify has discontinued its Car Thing, a $ 90 device that was meant to make the service easier to access while driving.
Mobile | Digital Trends

Google’s Nest Audio smart speaker is down to $60 right now

Even Google devices are getting discounted ahead of Amazon Prime Day. Wellbots currently has a few Nest gadgets at some of the best prices we've seen. The Nest Audio smart speaker is $ 40 off and down to $ 60 with the code EGDT40 at checkout, while the Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max are on sale for $ 60 (using the same code) and $ 169 (with the code EGDT60), respectively.

Buy Nest Audio at Wellbots – $ 60Buy Nest Hub at Wellbots – $ 60Buy Nest Hub Max at Wellbots – $ 169

Even though the Nest Audio came out in 2020, we still consider it to be one of the best smart speakers you can get. And if you already live in the Google ecosystem, it's a no-brainer. The speaker has an unassuming yet attractive design, plus great audio quality that's made even better if you pair two of them together and use them in stereo mode. There are better speakers out there if you're mostly concerned with audio quality, but the Nest Audio excels at being a solid music-machine that also houses the Google Assistant. You can use voice commands to add events to your calendar, check the forecast, control smart home gadgets, play specific music and more.

Either of the Nest Hubs on sale are better if you like the idea of having a display to show you all of the information you ask the Assistant to gather for you. The standard Nest Hub is basically a Nest Audio but with an added touchscreen, plus it has sleep-tracking capabilities if you place it next to your bed. We also appreciate that the second-gen version has clearer, louder audio and even speedier Google Assistant performance. As for the Nest Hub Max, it's the one to get if you want the best audio quality possible, plus as big of a screen as you can get on any Nest smart device.

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Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Google Nest Audio bundle offers two smart speakers for just $120

If you're looking to get a few smart speakers for your connected home, this may be your chance to grab a handful at a discount. You can get a pair of Google Nest Audio smart speakers right now from Adorama for $ 120. If you just want the one, you can also grab a singular speaker for $ 65.

The Google Nest Audio has always offered a robust music experience without a hefty price tag to go with it, but now it's even more affordable at $ 80 or 40 percent off the bundle's regular price. While we didn't find the Nest Audio to be quite on par with bigger music-focused speakers when it comes to audio quality when we tested it out, it still sounds a lot better than the Nest Mini.

Buy Google Nest Audio Smart Speaker 2-Pack at Adorama – $ 120Buy Google Nest Audio Speaker at Adorama – $ 65

It's loud enough for small- and medium-sized rooms, and pairing two of them can deliver stereo sound. Since it's a Google smart speaker, it supports Assistant voice commands, and you can tell it to play what you want after linking it to your account and your music streaming services. Like other Nest speakers, it's covered in cloth for a clean, minimalist aesthetic that will complement most home decor. And at 7 inches tall and only 3 inches thick, it will fit in most places you decide to put it. 

If you'd rather get a smart display, the second-generation Google Nest Hub is also down to $ 65, which is $ 35 off the usual price and one of the best deals we've seen it dropped to an all-time low of $ 55 in March. Its bigger sibling, the Google Nest Hub Max is also on sale at Adorama for $ 179, or $ 50 off its retail price. With its 10-inch touchscreen, the Nest Hub Max is the biggest Google smart display available and also has the best sound quality. We gave it a score of 86 in our review, praising it not just for having a great display and sound quality, but also for its ability to double as a Nest Cam and to play and pause media with gestures.

Buy Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) at Adorama – $ 65Buy Google Nest Hub Max at Adorama – $ 179

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Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

How to improve your audio experience on your Samsung Galaxy smartphone

If you’ve got a recent Samsung smartphone and are struggling with poor sound when taking voice calls I feel your pain. I have a Samsung Note10+ and often really struggle to hear calls; we live in a bit of a signal black hole and at home-time, our quiet road is like the main highway with […]

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IP what? Explaining water and dust resistance for audio gear

Tech companies use an IPX code to show that their products are water and dust-resistant. But what does this IPX code mean? We break it all down.
Wearables | Digital Trends

Tidal adds a free tier and brings HiFi audio to its $10 plan

Tidal is adding a free, ad-supported tier as it seeks to expand its user base. The option, which is only available in the US for now, includes access to Tidal's entire library of 80 million songs as well as playlists. The service noted on Twitter that it's introducing the free tier to "remain competitive" with its rivals, eight months after Square bought a majority stake in the company. Tidal says the plan is rolling out on Android and "will be available on all devices in the coming days."

There are some trade-offs beyond occasional ads, of course. The audio quality tops out at 160 kbps, there's no offline listening option and it doesn't appear that you'll have unlimited skips. The later feature is mentioned explicitly as part of the revamped $ 10/month Tidal HiFi plan.

Tidal says users on that plan can now listen to music in HiFi quality — up to 1,411 kbps. There are no ads and you'll gain access to more than 350,000 videos. Users can listen to music in HiFi quality on connected devices through Tidal Connect, and they'll be able to track and share what they're listening to via a new activity feed.

In addition, there's a $ 20/month HiFi Plus plan. It includes everything from the HiFi tier, as well as master-quality audio at up to 9,216 kbps. The plan also offers immersive, spatial audio formats, such as Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio, and early access to upcoming features. Both HiFi plans are available in all countries in which Tidal operates.

What's more, the HiFi Plus tier has a couple of new features centered around artists. One of those is direct-to-artist payments, which Tidal is rolling out today. Every month, 10 percent of a HiFi Plus user's subscription fees (i.e. $ 2) will go to the artist they listen to the most. That's on top of regular streaming royalties. It's another way for users to support their favorite artists.

Starting in January, Tidal will roll out a revamped artist payment system called fan-centered royalties. Every time a HiFi Plus user listens to one of their songs, they'll receive a "significantly higher" per-stream payment than other music streaming services' payouts. Apple Music pays a penny per stream, while artists have long been asking Spotify for a similar rate.

Tidal says "royalties attributed to HiFi Plus subscribers will not be aggregated." Payments will be tied to each individual user's listening activity, but only on that tier. HiFi Plus users will be able to see how those payments are divvied up through their activity feed.

In addition to revamping the payment model, Tidal is aiming to ensure "quick and seamless" payouts to artists around the world. It's working with Square, Cash App and PayPal to facilitate those.

These are bold, but perhaps necessary moves by Tidal as it aims to become more competitive with larger music streaming services. Tidal was one of the first major proponents of lossless audio, but as rivals started offering that option at no extra cost, it more or less had to bring that option to the $ 10/month plan.

Apple Music added lossless and Dolby Atmos spatial audio features in June. Amazon Music Unlimited dropped the premium fee for HD and Ultra HD streaming in May. It too offers spatial audio as part of the regular plan.

Meanwhile, many of Tidal's rivals have long offered ad-supported free streaming options, including Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer and YouTube Music. At the opposite end of the scale, Spotify announced plans in February to roll out a CD-quality audio plan, also called HiFi, in select markets at some point this year. It has yet to do so.

Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Clubhouse finally makes audio shareable with 30-second previews of rooms

One week after introducing a new invite system, Clubhouse is introducing a host of new features. The first of those new is Clips, a tool people can use to share previews of public rooms. When creators and hosts enable the feature, you’ll see a new icon that looks like a pair of scissors. Tap it and Clubhouse will capture the last 30 seconds of audio, which you can then share on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, iMessage or WhatsApp. Clubhouse says it’s rolling out Clips in beta to select creators today. In most public and open rooms, you should see the scissors icon there unless the host has gone out of their way to disable the feature.

Sometime in the next few weeks, Clubhouse also plans to introduce a way for people to share archives of past live rooms. The feature is called Replays. As with Clips, it’s something that people will be able to disable if they want. When active, however, it will make past rooms discoverable for as long as a host or creator wants people to find that conversation. Clubhouse says it plans to start rolling out Replays sometime in October.

Rounding things out, Clubhouse is introducing a search tool that allows you to look for specific people, clubs, live rooms and future events. Initially, that functionality will live in the Explore tab for about a week or two before Clubhouse moves it to the hallway sidebar. Last but not least, Android users can look forward to Clubhouse rolling out support for spatial audio. In many ways, the updates Clubhouse announced today address shortcomings that have been in the app for a while. The absence of a way to share audio was a particularly notable omission.  

Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Galaxy Buds Pro leak reveals in-ear design and presence of ANC, 3D spatial audio, and conversation detection

The Galaxy Beans or Galaxy Buds Live as Samsung prefers to call them, looks to be the singular model to feature the bean-like design with the soon-to-launch Galaxy Buds Pro returning to the in-ear design of the Galaxy Buds+. Ahead of the rumored January launch, a leak reveals pretty much everything about the new Buds […]

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The Morning After: We reviewed Google’s new Nest Audio smart speaker

It’s finally time for Apple to unveil this year’s new iPhones. Invitations have gone out for the “Hi, Speed” event on Tuesday, October 13th at 1PM ET where we expect to see Apple introduce its first new devices with 5G and the A14 Bionic chipset. Ch…
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Blurams AI-Powered Smart Video Doorbell brings facial recognition, 2-way audio, and 1080p video to your front door

First announced during CES 2020, Blurams Smart Video Doorbell with AI facial recognition, free cloud storage*, two-way audio, and real-time notifications, is about to go live on Indigogo. Projected to launch with an RRP of $ 149, the Smart Video Doorbell is available for $ 99 on Indigogo. Thanks to the built-in AI technology, the Smart Video […]

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Google rolls out captions for audio and video messages on Duo

Google has started rolling out a new Duo feature that’ll make it easier to check video and voice messages even in a noisy place. In a tweet, the Made by Google account has revealed that captions have started going live for messages sent on the applic…
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Belkin’s SoundForm Elite combines audio, wireless charging, and Google Assistant all-in-one for $230/£280

As rumors point to a successor finally being developed for the original Google Home, Belkin’s SoundForm Elite that combines the Google Assistant, Bluetooth speaker, and wireless charger functions into a single device is now on sale in the UK. First announced during CES 2020, the SoundForm Elite is now on sale for $ 229/£279. With a […]

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Gamechanger Audio introduces an optical spring reverb pedal

Gamechanger may have only released two guitar pedals so far, but the company has shown that it can live up to its lofty name. Its Plasma Pedal, for one, stands out in an ocean of distortion effects, thanks to both a staticky, lo-fi timbre and its ast…
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Qualcomm is going to make Bluetooth audio way better at CES 2020

Qualcomm is best known for their high-end mobile processors, typically in Android smartphones, but that’s not all they do. In fact, they play a pretty big role in Bluetooth connectivity for your phone, too. They’ve announced a new aptX Voice Audio implementation for smartphones that should drastically improve call quality for headphones and headsets. This […]

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Deezer’s lossless audio finally comes to Android, iOS and the web

Deezer's lossless audio rollout has been slow, to put it mildly — it first reached connected speakers in 2014, didn't come to desktop apps until 2017, and has been a no-show elsewhere. It's widely available now, though. The service has launched its…
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Sony officially kicks off their new 360 Reality Audio format on the Xperia 1

Sony is no stranger to proprietary formats for audio and video. Sometimes that pays off, like with Blu-ray, but sometimes it’s just a massive headache for everyone before eventually dying off and leaving some devices useless, like Sony memory sticks for cameras and the PlayStation Vita. Is that going to stop Sony from trying the […]

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YouTube Music now lets listeners switch seamlessly between audio and music videos

Imagine listening to a new track by your favorite artist in the YouTube Music app and having the ability to seamlessly switch over to watch the music video ⁠— no pauses, no interruptions, just a simple transition that keeps the music flowing. That’s exactly what we’re introducing! Today, YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium subscribers can now make a seamless transition between a song and its music video for uninterrupted listening and watching.

Switching between songs and music videos is as simple as the tap of a button. Users will notice a video button at the top of the screen as they start listening to a song, and with a simple tap, they can instantly start watching the music video or flip back to the audio at the same point in the track.

This new feature simplifies listening to songs and watching videos, plus more!

  • Discovering new music videos is easier than ever before. From recent mega-hits to deep cuts, if a song has a video, YouTube Music will surface a video button so switching between audio and visuals is just one click away.
  • YouTube Music has perfectly time-matched over five million official music videos to their respective audio tracks, so no matter when or how often you flip back and forth between the two, you won’t miss a beat.
  • When you flip from video to song, say goodbye to the other sounds that go with the music video — like those long introductions  and enjoy the song as it was intended.
  • Not into music videos? We’ve got you covered. To stick to songs 100% of the time, visit your settings and turn off the music video option by toggling “Don’t play music videos” to the “on” position.

Whether you’re listening to your favorites or checking out new releases, your music experience just got way more interactive. To check out flipping between song and video, along with all the other great features, download the YouTube Music app for Android or iOS, and start your trial of YouTube Music Premium.

Brandon Bilinski, Product Manager, YouTube Music. He’s recently been listening to “Happier” by Marshmello & Bastille.


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Denon parent Sound United now owns Pioneer and Onkyo home audio

The audio world just got noticeably smaller. Sound United, the parent company for brands like Denon, Polk Audio and Marantz, has reached a deal to buy Onkyo's home audio division, including everything from smart speakers to receivers and turntables….
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Google brings Duo audio calls to Google Home speakers

When Google released the Home Hub last year it (sort of) introduced the ability for Google Home type devices to make Duo calls without the video component, since the Home Hub lacks a camera. The screen can make a call and deliver audio to someone else, they just won’t be able to see you on […]

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Sony delivers better audio on the Xperia XA2 and XA2 Ultra

Sony has announced some new software updates that will be coming to the Xperia XA2 and XA2 Ultra to deliver an even more premium audio experience for users. Sony’s phones typically already try to offer better sound quality with the company’s own ClearAudio+ and Clear Bass technology, but now the devices will also support High-Resolution […]

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JBL Link View: A Google Smart Display that puts audio centerstage

Even though Amazon was the first to come up with the smart display concept (via the Echo Show), it's Google that transformed it into a whole new consumer category. Much of this is due to Google's hardware strategy: It partners with different manu…
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Qualcomm wants to improve wireless audio (again) with AptX Adaptive

Bluetooth audio on smartphones and other gadgets still really isn’t perfect; the audio quality has gotten much better recently, but it still can’t touch the quality of wired headphones, and I feel like we don’t even need to mention the potential for connection issues. Qualcomm originally created AptX as a means to make Bluetooth audio […]

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Yamaha’s latest turntable streams multi-room audio via WiFi

You can pair a turntable with a multi-room audio setup (Sonos even offers a bundle), but that usually means wiring your record player into that setup at some point. Yamaha thinks it can do better. Its newly launched MusicCast Vinyl 500 turntable uses…
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Essential’s Audio Adapter HD module adds the 3.5mm audio jack to the PH-1

Despite canning development for a second-generation smartphone, Essential has announced a second module for the PH-1 called the Audio Adapter HD which brings back the audio jack. Yes, the same audio jack that the company chose to omit from the Essential Phone. Go figure.  Besides bringing back the audio jack, the module adds full MQA […]

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[TA Deals] Grab a 3 piece HyperGear wireless audio gift set for just $44.99

Whether you’re buying something for yourself or for someone else, this HyperGear wireless audio gift set makes an excellent bundle of audio products for just about anyone. You’ll get a pair of earbuds, over the ear headphones, and a portable speaker, and they’re all Bluetooth-enabled and wireless for convenience. That’s going to cover pretty much […]

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Google Home’s multi-room audio will now play through other Bluetooth speakers

It’s fair to say that smart speakers such as the Google Home and Home Mini have taken off in a big way in the last year or so, but there are still some notable frustrations to be experienced. One of these niggles was the inability to pair your Google Home, Home Mini, or Home Max […]

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Google Home finally gets Bluetooth audio, Deezer and Spotify Free support coming soon

The Google Home is much more than simply being a Google Assistant device, its built-in speakers are great for listening to music from. After confirming that Android 8.0 would indeed be known as Oreo yesterday, Google has also added more music options to its Google Home device, making it easier to stream your favorite tracks […]

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Take your music wireless and save $10 with Google’s Chromecast Audio

These days, there are numerous ways to enjoy wireless streaming at home, but few options can compete with the rock-solid reliability afforded by Google’s Chromecast Audio. Simple and affordable, the Chromecast Audio is currently $ 10 off.

The post Take your music wireless and save $ 10 with Google’s Chromecast Audio appeared first on Digital Trends.

Mobile–Digital Trends

One step closer to reality: introducing 360-degree live streaming and spatial audio on YouTube

Growing up as a kid, my favorite basketball player was Magic Johnson. I wanted nothing more than to be able to watch him play in person, but unfortunately I never got the chance. Whether it’s a sporting event or a concert or even a family gathering, all of us have had the feeling of wanting to be somewhere we couldn’t. But these days, virtual reality and 360-degree video can help get you one step closer to actually being at those places and in those moments. Today, we’re taking immersive video even further with 360-degree live streaming on YouTube.

We first launched support for 360-degree videos back in March 2015. From musicians to athletes to brands, creators have done some incredible things with this technology. Now, they’ll be able to do even more to bring fans directly into their world, with 360-degree live streaming. And after years of live streaming Coachella for fans around the world who can’t attend the festival, this year we’re bringing you the festival like never before by live streaming select artist performances in 360 degrees this weekend.

Starting today, we’re also launching spatial audio for on-demand YouTube videos. Just as watching a concert in 360 degrees can give you an unmatched immersive experience, spatial audio allows you to listen along as you do in real life, where depth, distance and intensity all play a role. Try out this playlist on your Android device.

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To make sure all creators can tell awesome stories with virtual reality, we’ve been working with companies across the industry. We’re working with companies like VideoStitch and Two Big Ears to make their software compatible with 360-degree live streams or spatial audio on YouTube and more will be available soon. We’ll also make 360-degree live streaming and spatial audio technologies available at all YouTube Space locations around the globe, so you can take it for a spin.

What excites me most about 360-degree storytelling is that it lets us open up the world’s experiences to everyone. Students can now experience news events in the classroom as they unfold. Travelers can experience faraway sites and explorers can deep-sea dive, all without the physical constraints of the real world. And today’s kids dreaming of going to a basketball game or a concert can access those experiences firsthand, even if they’re far away from the court. What were once limited experiences are now available to anyone, anywhere, at any time.

Are you ready to never miss a moment again?

Neal Mohan, Chief Product Officer, recently watched “Dub360: Stephen Curry pregame warmup routine.”


YouTube Blog

LG bringing its updated Tone Infinim HBS-910 audio headset to CES 2016

LG has revealed even more of its CES lineup by announcing it will be showing an update to its Tone Infinim audio headset, the HBS-910, at this year’s show. Unlike most wireless in-ears, these use an around-the-neck base unit that allows for much more battery life.

The post LG bringing its updated Tone Infinim HBS-910 audio headset to CES 2016 appeared first on Digital Trends.

Mobile»Digital Trends