MEElectronics Air-Fi Touch Advanced Bluetooth Wireless Headphones Review: Touching is allowed
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I love wireless Bluetooth headphones, but one of the things that bugs me the most about them are unintuitive controls mounted on the headset themselves – too often, I find myself feeling around for the right button to press, which can become a real pain if you’re doing it day in and day out. MEElectronics Air-Fi Touch Advanced Bluetooth Wireless Headphones aim to do away with all these buttons and simply use touch to manipulate your audio experience, which sounds great, in theory. Which is why we’ve been taking them for a spin – let’s check it out.
What’s in the box
In the box of the Air-Fi Touch you will find a capsule-shaped hard case containing the headphones and an assortment of accessories. With the Air-Fi Touch, you will get a 2.5mm to 2.5mm audio cable (for when your battery runs flat) and a microUSB charging cable to charge your headphones back up. As always, I’m extremely happy that MEElectronics has included a case to house the headphones (and accessories) as their Air-Fi range has always been versatile travel companions.
As you can probably surmise from the title of this review, the Air-Fi Touch headphones are wireless via Bluetooth. With no cables attached, the headset is incredibly light even with the controls mounted on the left side, which brings us to the name of the headphones and its secret party trick: Touch. Yes, the Air-Fi Touch employs the use of touch gestures to control your music, and we’ll cover how it is to use a little later on in the review.
Objectively, I quite like the way the Air-Fi Touch looks, particularly as the form factor reminds me of the VOXOA headphones I reviewed last year. There is an element of class though with the Air-Fi Touch, particularly with the glossy black finish and gold highlights. The headset itself is fully collapsible which makes it a snap to pack up and remains compact even when in its case.
How do they perform
The thing that keeps me coming back the MEElectronics’ products is that they not only have great sounding headphones for a great price – they have great audio quality period, and the Air-Fi Touch is business as usual. The high and mid ranges are extremely clear and crisp, while there’s enough bass to keep everything in balance. Those of you who listen to lots of EDM or house music may find the native bass a little lacking, but this can always be modified with an equalizer.
On to those touch controls, for which these headphones are named. There are four directional commands the Air-Fi Touch can take which are two volumes (up and down) and skipping tracks (back and forward). Unlike a smart device’s display, the controls aren’t quite as responsive so you’ll need quite a large movement and more pressure than you’d expect to get a swipe to register – for example, you would swipe up to increase volume and down to decrease volume. It takes a bit of time to get used to the motion, but once practiced, it’s easy enough to manage while the headphones are on your head.
Comfort-wise, the Air-Fi Touch headphones are very similar to the VOXOA headphones I mentioned earlier, but I would say that these ones are a little bit tighter. Unfortunately, that does mean that after an extended period of listening (probably around 4 hours), my ears did start to ache a bit, but I generally do have more issues with headphones as my head is quite large – if you have a smaller head, your experience may vary. Even so, I would say overall, the Air-Fi Touch is quite comfortable, and the leather padded ear pads are extremely comfortable and set gently on your ears. The headband is likewise generously padded and works well, especially considering how light the Air-Fi Touch headphones are.
What I like about the MEElectronics Air-Fi Touch Headphones
I really love how versatile the Air-Fi Touch headphones are – being able to be folded up and stored in a protective case is a big plus for travellers, and the fact that they still function with an audio cable is also really useful too when you don’t know when your next charge up is.
I am also incredibly impressed by the battery life of the Air-Fi Touch – while I don’t want to make it sound like hyperbole, I honestly don’t remember needing to charge them all that often over the course of my review. MEElectronics claims that they will last 24 hours of playback, and I’m pretty certain you’ll be getting at least that, if not a little bit more.
What I don’t like about the MEElectronics Air-Fi Touch Headphones
Typically, when you adjust the volume using your headset controls, you expect it to change the volume on your device. Unfortunately, this is not what happens with the Air-Fi Touch as it appears to have a volume setting for the headset independent of the volume your device is outputting – in fact, I went through most of this review thinking they were too soft until I realized this was the case. It’s a small annoyance, but it’s a bit frustrating if you alternate between changing volume on the headset and your device frequently.
This one almost pains me to say but I don’t think touch gestures belong on headsets – note that this has nothing to do with the Air-Fi Touch in particular but just touch controls on headphones in general. While the controls themselves work well enough, they still possess the same problem that normal wireless headset buttons have which, to me, is that they’re never quite intuitive enough and you always end up thinking about which direction to swipe. Volume, in this case, was fine as it makes sense to go up and down, but skipping tracks was always an ordeal for me. And with touch in particular, if you’re using the Air-Fi Touch in public and you’re swiping away at your headset, I can only imagine what it might look like to other people. But keep in mind that this is just my opinion and as I said earlier, there’s nothing wrong with how the controls themselves work so if this is your cup of tea, swipe away.
Final Thoughts
The MEElectronics Air-Fi Touch Advanced Bluetooth Wireless Headphones ticks all the right boxes – it’s versatile, portable, and has great audio quality, which is basically what you want from any set of headphones. As for the novelty of its party trick i.e. touch gestures, there are a few little things that irk me personally, but none that I would call dealbreakers or anything that takes away from the fact that these are a fantastic pair of Bluetooth headphones.
If you’re interested in checking out more about the MEElectronics Air-Fi Touch Advanced Bluetooth Wireless Headphones, they retail for $99.99 USD on the MEElectronics site here.
Gallery of Photos
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LG quietly launches the G4c in Europe
Earlier today, LG quietly launched a new variant of the G4 in Europe. The handset is called the G4c and is essentially a scaled-down model of the flagship with a smaller display and more refined internals.
This European variant carries the model number LG-H525N and sports a 5-inch 720p panel, a Snapdragon 410 chipset with a 1.2GHz quad-core CPU, 1GB of RAM, an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera and 8GB of expandable internal storage.
If you like the sound of the G4c you can pick one up via eBay for €249 ($275), you can do so, by hitting the source link below.
Source: eBay
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NTT Docomo will launch the Xperia Z4 this Wednesday, June 10
Japanese operator NTT Docomo has just announced that it will launch the Xperia Z4 on Wednesday, June 10, and it will set you back 93,312 Yen ($750). The device will be available to purchase in all four colorways — Black, White, Aqua Green and Copper — from the network’s online portal and its bricks-and-mortar stores.
For those unaware, the Xperia Z4 is a Japan exclusive smartphone. European markets will, however, be receiving an upgraded model of the Xperia Z3, dubbed the Z3+, which will pack identical specifications to the Z4 — a 5.2-inch Full HD display, a Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB of RAM and a 20.7-megapixel rear-facing camera.
Are you excited for the launch of Sony’s next-generation smartphone? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Source: XperiaBlog
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Dallas Cowboys become the first NFL team to go all-in on VR
When an old-school coach like Mike “Da Bears” Ditka gets behind virtual reality as a football training device, you know there’s something there. And now, the Dallas Cowboys are the first NFL team to adopt VR tech from a Stanford-based company called StriVR Labs, according to ESPN. The franchise dedicated a new room at its training facility to the tech, which it’ll use to help quarterbacks, linebackers and safeties. Players will put on an Oculus Rift or other headset and then watch scrimmages recorded by 360-degree cameras attached to players’ helmets. Compared to watching regular films, Dallas coach Jason Garrett said, “this allows you to get a little closer (to the action) so you can coach better.”
The Cowboys were among the teams that saw a demo of the tech at the NFL Combines in February, according to Fox Sports. One coach at the preview said “I was expecting something kinda cheesy… and when I was about to write them off, they put the headset on you and shoot, it’s real.” Other teams are also considering the tech, which is so far only a visual, and not an interactive tool. But it’s the immersive quality that makes it work, according to StriVR’s founder, ex-Stanford Cardinals kicker Derek Belch. “Even the best Madden characters just kinda hover across the screen,” Belch says. “They don’t bump into each other and (tell) your brain, ‘This is real.’”
To develop the system Belch and his adviser, Stanford VR guru Jeremy Bailensen, worked with his alma mater team. They shot test plays from a helmet-cam that “was like eight GoPros rubber-banded together,” according to Stanford coach David Shaw. But after refining the technique, they immediately saw the benefits with quarterback Kevin Hogan, who studied plays with the Oculus headset about 20 minutes a day before games. “When you’re just watching film, you don’t get the sound, you don’t get that real-life feel of the game. With this, I can see what the structure is,” Hogan told Fox.
Source: ESPN
DJI’s experimental drone will help prevent collisions
DJI has just made its UAV platform a lot more developer-friendly with a new test drone and collision avoidance system, along with an SDK for its current DJI Inspire 1 and Phontom 3 models. The Matrice 100 (M100) is a new quadcopter made specifically for developers to help them test new sensors, processors and other tech. The bare-bones looking craft will fly for 20 minutes with a 2.2 pound payload or longer using an extra battery. The company said it “includes everything needed to fly with minimal assembly and no need for tuning or programming.”
Perhaps more intriguing is DJI’s “Guidance,” which it calls “the first commercially-available collision avoidance for aerial platforms.” Using stereo cameras and ultrasonic sensors, the system can detect objects anywhere around a UAV within 65 feet, or stabilize it with “centimeter” accuracy above the ground. Developers can mount Guidance to the Matrice 100, which will also accept any robotic system with USB or UART ports. In a video (below), DJI manager Navjot Singh said with the system aboard, “the Matrice 100 is always aware of its surroundings, and will automatically adjust its flight path when closing in on objects or obstructions.”
The drone also works with DJI’s Lightbridge live video tech using its Inspire 1 Zenmuse X3 camera and gimbal, or any third party camera with HDMI input. Beta-testers have already put the new technology through its paces; for instance, a Shanghai team paired with Intel to develop tech that uses Guidance’s depth sensors to detect illegally parked cars. The drones have also flown with FLIR’s Lepton infrared cameras, which sense temperature differences as small as a tenth of a degree.
The M100 and Guidance system are obviously aimed at serious developers with $3,299 and $999 price tags, respectively. However, the FAA and potential commercial operators like Amazon have emphasized the importance of collision avoidance and other safety features, so the demand is no doubt there. Pre-orders are now open, with both devices set to start shipping by the end of the month.
Filed under: Robots
Source: DJI
Oppo announce Neo 5 (2015) and Neo 5s
Oppo has just officially announced two new midrange smartphones, the Neo 5 (2015) and the Neo 5s, which offers the style of the more premium Oppo R1x in a more affordable package. The key difference between the two new devices is the processor, with the Neo 5 (2015) powered by a MediaTek chipset and the Neo 5s powered by a Qualcomm chipset.
The Neo 5 (2015) is not to be mistaken with its sibling from last year as it brings updated specs. The handset is powered by a MediaTek MT6582 chipset with a quad-core 1.3GHz Cortex-A7 processor and daul-core Mali-400MP2 GPU. The Neo 5S meanwhile uses a 64-bit Snapdragon S410 processor paired with a quad-core 1.2Ghz Cortex-A53 processor and Adreno 306 GPU and comes with a few additional features to the Neo 5 (see below). The main reason for the different chipsets is that the Neo 5s comes with support for regional LTE bands while the Neo 5 (2015) comes without LTE support.
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The R7 – Oppo’s latest premium smartphone
Other than the processor, both models are near identical and feature a 4.5-inch IPS display of 854 x 480 pixels resolution, which offers a lowly density of just 218 pixels per inch. Under the hood, they come with 1GB RAM and 8GB internal storage, which can be expanded by up to 32GB or 128GB depending on the model you buy. On the back, the handsets have an 8MP primary camera with an f/2.2 aperture lens and a single LED flash, while the front has a 2MP snapper and f/2.8 aperture lens. Other notable specs include a 2000 mAh battery, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v4.1 and the usual array of sensors.
Both handsets come with support for gestures, with Oppo adding a feature that allows you to take a screenshot at any time with a three finger on screen swipe. On top of this, gestures will allow you to perform commands or launch applications – such as wake up the screen or access the camera – using gestures even when the screen is off.
Oppo in video:
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On the Neo 5s, Oppo have added a few extra features thanks to the 64-bit Snapdragon processor. As covered above, the microSD card slot supports cards up to 128GB in size (versus up to 32GB on the Neo 5) and Oppo have also developed their own eye protection system. Built into Color OS, the system filters out harmful blue light to create a screen display that is easy to look at for long periods of time and offers enhanced health benefits. The last feature Oppo added to the 5s is the “Colorful Night Shot” which combines multiple frames with smart algorithms to produce an image that’s brighter with more clarity and less noise.
Both smartphones run Android 4.4.2 KitKat with Oppo’s ColorOS v2.0.1 on top and we may see them updated to Android Lollipop in the future. We’re yet to hear more about exact pricing or availability but we will of course, let you know when we have more info.
Samsung patents automatic ejectable stylus design for a Galaxy Note
A new Samsung patent has appeared at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office which shows that the company has been working on an automatically ejectable touch pen system for its Galaxy Note series of smartphones. Although far from confirmation that such a design will be making its way into future products, it’s an interesting look at the type of features that Samsung is thinking about.
Driving right on into the patent, it appears that the ejection system makes use of small electromagnets, both within the stylus and the docking slot, to push the pen up and out of the handset when required.
Two magnets are used inside the handset with the same polarity as the magnet in the pen, to push it away from the handset, rather than having the user manually have to dig it out. The second magnet has the opposite polarity, so the pen with tend to protrude from the end of the handset without flying out and potentially getting lost.
The patent also suggests that the ejection method would be tied into software, as the design has sensors that can detect when the pen is ejected from the phone. This would then display a message to the user to inform them that the stylus was loose.
“Since it is possible to automatically eject the touch pen only with a simple manipulation and/or command, it is easy to manipulate the electronic device with one hand, and since a separate locking device for confining the touch pen isn’t needed, it is possible to enhance the usage convenience of the electronic device.”
Furthermore, Samsung’s patent shows a new locking mechanism to keep the stylus in place when not required. There’s a small motor and arm lock located inside the device which hooks into a groove around the edge of the pen. Again, this suggests that the unlocking mechanism would be software based, perhaps allowing the user to eject the pen with a voice command, swipe action, or button press.
The real question is whether this design is actually more convenient for users, and it’s probably something that existing Galaxy Note users would take some getting used to. This is certainly a feature of convenience rather than necessity, but an auto-eject pen does sounds quite cool.
Ascend Mate 7 running Lollipop shown off on video
Huawei isn’t known for updating its handsets to the latest Android OS but the company is trying to change this and its flagship Ascend Mate 7 phablet looks set to be updated to the goodies that Android Lollipop. A new video has shown off exactly what the update to Lollipop will bring for Ascend Mate 7 owners and although it doesn’t confirm when the update will land, it’s nice to see that Huawei hasn’t forgotten about its customers.
The video shows that the Mate 7 will gain a new split-screen multitasking mode – similar to the feature offered by LG and Samsung – which allows you to run two applications side-by-side (or on top of each other depending on the orientation of your device). Other notable additions include the ability to quickly minimise the display and improvements to the one-handed interface mode, which makes it easy to use the large 6 inch display in one hand.
The Ascend Mate 7 was expected to be the first of Huawei’s existing devices to be updated to Android Lollipop last month but the update was seemingly delayed. One possible reason for the delay is that Huawei have skipped Android 5.0 and gone straight to Android 5.1 from Android 4.4 KitKat. However, the other reason could be the issues that have plagued the company’s Huawei P8 flagship, which is also running on Android Lollipop with Emotion 3.1 UI on top.
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In its flagship – which hasn’t been released yet so the company has time to fix the issues – Huawei have used Google‘s latest OS but failed to adopt material design properly so there are several interface features that don’t quite work (such as the status bar being a different color to material design in applications). Other notable issues include Android Wear not working with the flagship and problems with the display of notifications but the company should have fixed these as part of the Android 5.1 update.
It’s unknown exactly when Huawei will begin rolling out the update to Mate 7 users but the video suggests its nearing rollout; like most devices, the update rollout is likely to be staggered across regions and carriers. We’ll keep an eye out for the update and let you know when it begins rolling out.
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Meizu’s MX5 Pro to launch in July with 6-inch 2K display and Exynos 7420 processor
It’s no surprise that traditional Android device manufacturers such as Samsung, HTC, Sony, et al. are under immense pressure to maintain market share while facing the onslaught of China’s Android handset makers producing smartphones with high-end specifications for mid-range prices. One such manufacturer is Meizu, whose upcoming MX5 Pro smartphone is rumoured to carry a 6-inch display and a processor produced by Samsung.
The 6-inch display will sport a 2K resolution while the Samsung-made processor is thought to be the same chip that powers the Galaxy S6, the Exynos 7420 Octa-core. On the multi-tasking side of things, the MX5 Pro will feature 4GB of RAM to take help take advantage of the 64-bit capability of the CPU (and Android). The Meizu MX5 Pro will also have an oval-shaped home button with a built-in fingerprint scanner.
On to the rear camera, and here we should see Sony’s 20MP sensor. Such a large display with such a high resolution will use a fair amount of juice, but that should be no problem with the MX5 Pro’s battery thought to have a capacity of over 4,000mAh. With a rumoured launch date of sometime in July, there isn’t too long to wait until the Meizu MX5 Pro’s secrets are known.
Source: GizmoChina
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Xiaomi discounts the Redmi 2A to $80 in China
Xiaomi has a history of releasing budget smartphones with more than decent specifications, one of which was the well-received Redmi 2 handset that retailed for around $110. The Chinese manufacturer has gone one better though, with its Redmi 2A handset being discounted from $96 to just $80 in China.
Let’s have a look at what you will get for $80.
Specifications:
- 4.7-Inch HD display (720p)
- capacitive navigation buttons
- Quad-core Leadcore L 1860C CPU @ 1.5GHZ
- Mali-T628 MP2 GPU
- 1GB RAM
- 8GB Internal storage
- MicroSD card
- 8MP Rear camera with flash
- 2MP front camera
- Rear speaker
- Bluetooth 4.0 & WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
- LTE connectivity (China Mobile)
- 2,200mAh battery
- MIUI 6 (based on Android 5.0 Lollipop)
- Free public WiFi support
The discounted Redmi 2A is available in white, yellow, pink, green and grey and is only available for purchase in China at the present time. It remains to be seen whether Xiaomi will release the Redmi 2A elsewhere in the future.
Source: XiaomiToday
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AIVAnet 