The best portable bluetooth speaker
By Brent Butterworth
This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer’s guide to the best technology. Read the full article here.
After testing 118 Bluetooth speakers over the last two years, we think the UE Roll 2 is the best choice for most listeners. It sounds better and plays louder than most competitors, and its slim, waterproof, rugged design lets it survive almost any journey yet still slip easily into a backpack or laptop bag. Seven months of heavy use across the US and around the world have confirmed the practicality and sheer fun of this speaker.
Who should buy a portable Bluetooth speaker?
Anyone who owns a smartphone or tablet would probably enjoy owning a portable Bluetooth speaker. The best deliver sound quality that’s good enough for casual music listening, podcasts, and Internet radio, and their rechargeable batteries let you easily take them all around the house or on trips to the park or the beach. Though Bluetooth does degrade sound quality slightly, chances are small you’ll hear the effects through relatively low-quality speakers such as the ones discussed in this guide.
How we picked
Some of the portable Bluetooth speakers we tested in 2016.
There are so many Bluetooth speakers available today, it’s impossible for any article about Bluetooth speakers to be comprehensive. So we scoured retail and review sites to find promising models introduced since our last update, with a special focus on new models that readers asked us about. Based on a survey of Wirecutter readers, our criteria prioritized good sound, long battery life, and lots of volume.
We tested both large speakers (anything with any dimension longer than seven inches—which cost more and forsake portability for better sound) and smaller speakers (that value portability and low cost). For this update, we got in 39 new models for testing.
How we tested
Our top picks sit together so you can gauge their relative sizes. Clockwise from top: Riva Turbo X, Bose SoundLink Mini II, AmazonBasics BTV2, UE Roll 2, and Logitech X300 (shown in the aftermarket co2CREA “bondage mask” cover).
We started with a listening session spanning two days, in which we gave new speakers a long listen, connecting them via Bluetooth through a Samsung Galaxy S6 phone and playing the same four test tracks, and compared them with each other and our former picks. We first set the level loud enough to listen to but not so loud it would push the speakers into gross distortion. Then we cranked up the top performers to see how loud they could play, and how good they’d sound doing it.
This let us narrow the group down to the most competitive dozen models for blind testing sessions with our listening panel of four experts. In each session we used a custom-built 16-output switcher, in conjunction with an NTi Minilyzer and Mini SPL, so we could level-match and quickly switch between each speaker.
We also did rundown tests on all of our picks to confirm their approximate playing life. Note that our results may not agree with the manufacturers’, likely because their testing methodology—which they almost never publish—varies from ours.
Our pick
The UE Roll 2’s integral bungee cord makes it easy to hang the speaker from a shower faucet and lots of other places, too.
The original UE Roll was our unanimous pick for best portable speaker when we tested 30 new models last year, and we feel just as strongly about its replacement, the UE Roll 2. Like the original, the UE Roll 2 sounds full, with smooth reproduction of everything from bass notes to cymbals, and it plays loud enough to fill a hotel room or a beach blanket with sound. It’s so watertight it will survive being dunked one meter underwater for 30 minutes. Seven months of worldwide traveling with the original Roll have only confirmed our love of this design. The only real downside is that it lacks a speakerphone function.
Better sound, less portable
The Logitech X300’s styling may look a little dull, but the sound is anything but.
If you want a slight upgrade in audio quality, if our main pick sells out or becomes unavailable, if you want something with speakerphone function, or if you just want to save some money, the Logitech X300 is a terrific choice. With this speaker, the focus is on sound quality; it doesn’t play quite as loud as the UE Roll 2, but we think it sounds a little fuller and more natural. It’s not waterproof, and other than the speakerphone function, it doesn’t have any fancy features. But it sounds smoother than most Bluetooth speakers we’ve heard, even many larger and more-expensive models.
Better sound, for a price
The Bose SoundLink Mini II improves on the original SoundLink Mini with direct charging over USB, longer battery life, and a speakerphone function.
For those who want even better sound quality and louder volume but don’t need their portable Bluetooth speaker to be super-portable, the Bose SoundLink Mini II is worth the cost (roughly twice the price of the Roll 2). It’s shocking to hear how much better the SoundLink Mini II sounds than most of its competitors, with clearer voices and a fuller sound closer to what you’d expect to hear from a decent small stereo system. It also plays loud enough to drown out a small dinner party. At 1½ pounds the SoundLink Mini II is perfect for lugging along on family vacations or from room to room in the house but it’s probably heavier than backpackers and business travelers will want to carry.
Best sound, refined style
The controls on the top of Riva Turbo X illuminate when you pass your hand within an inch or so of the speaker’s top.
If you’re willing to spend significantly more to get the best possible performance, we think the Riva Turbo X is one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers you can buy. Its sound is clearer, livelier, more spacious, and more natural than its competitors’. It gets you closer to the sound of a real stereo speaker system than any other Bluetooth portable we’ve tried, and it’s the only speaker among our picks that delivers enough volume to be heard over loud party conversation.
It’s also more refined and elegant-looking. The Turbo X is one of the most expensive portable Bluetooth speakers you can buy, but we think it’s worth its cost. Note, however, that even though the Turbo X is splashproof when its rear jacks are protected by its included rubber cover, it’s heavy for its size and not as rugged as the other speakers we’ve picked, so it’s best suited to places like offices, bedrooms, and living rooms.
For smaller budgets and stocking stuffers
The BTV2 delivers good sound for its size and price, and even includes a speakerphone function and a neoprene carrying pouch.
If you’re looking for a Bluetooth speaker for listening to TuneIn Radio or Pandora quietly in your cubicle, or to use as a stocking stuffer or an accessory for a child’s iPod touch or tablet, the AmazonBasics BTV2 is a great choice at a low price of about $25 at the time of this writing. It plays about as loud as a normal speaking voice, and sounds surprisingly full considering it measures just 3¼ inches wide. It can’t play deep bass notes, but voices sound clear and reasonably natural. It also includes two useful and unexpected extras: a speakerphone function and a neoprene carrying sack.
This guide may have been updated by The Wirecutter. To see the current recommendation, please go here.
Scientists finally made a half-way decent map of Alaska
To protect the Arctic from climate change, scientists require a detailed map which they can slowly update and reference over time. Such a resource has, until now, been difficult to produce because traditional capture methods — low-flying aircraft, for instance — are expensive or ill-equipped to deal with the region’s harsh weather patterns. That’s now changed, however, thanks to a project spearheaded by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and the National Science Foundation. Following a directive from President Obama, the group has captured Alaska with a new level of clarity, using commercial satellites owned by Digital Globe.
The three-dimensional topographic maps are based on 2-meter resolution images. The satellites captured the same location twice, 45 seconds apart, before sending them to a supercomputer which was able to combine them and extract elevation data. As National Geographic reports, this allows a horizontal resolution (the shortest distance at which a change in depth can be recorded) of 7 to 17 feet. Subtle height differences of less than two feet can be measured too, culminating in some detailed and insightful models.
Now that the Alaska map has been completed, the team is turning its attention to the rest of the Arctic. By 2017, it hopes to have a complete model — and a methodology — which can be easily replicated in the future. With the appropriate funding, a historical archive can be built up online, giving scientists everywhere a better understanding of the region. “The models will play an important role in informing policy and national security decisions,” NGA director Robert Cardillo said. “They may also provide critical data and context for decisions related to climate resilience, land management, sustainable development and safe recreation.”
The best part of all? The complete dataset, known as ArcticDEM, is freely available to view online. So whether you’re planning a trip or merely curious to see the breathtaking terrain up close, it’s only a URL away.
Via: National Geographic
Source: NGA, The White House
Audeze’s iSine buds will upgrade your Oculus Rift audio
When I first saw Audeze’s new planar magnetic in-ear headphones my eye was drawn to the slightly goofy design. But, any self respecting audio lover will probably overlook that if the sound is right. And, on first listen, it looks promising. Audeze has been making planar magnetic headphones for a while, but this is the first time it’s squeezed the technology into an in-ear headset (it claims, it’s the first time by anyone, ever). Why should you care about that? Well, depending who you ask, some will claim that planar drivers are a good mid-ground between regular dynamic drivers, and pricey electrostatic ones. An unexpected bonus, is that Audeze worked with Oculus so they play nice with Rift, if you’re looking for a dedicated set for your VR headset.
But first, back to that the hardware itself. By definition, planar magnetic headphones need more space to accommodate the 30mm flat driver. That’s why the buds are much bigger than most in-ears. That said, the iSine may be tall, but it’s relatively thin on the profile, like a small audio pancake. The part that goes in your ear is a regular bud, and all in, the headphone is light and comfortable enough to wear. If anything, the over-ear hooks are where any wearing issue comes in. Both myself, and one of the staff members at the IFA booth had to fiddle with them for a few seconds to get them set right. But once you’re done, it’s a comfortable ride.
The audio experience was promising. The usual caveats of testing on a show floor apply, but from the few minutes I had with the iSine, I listened to some Miles Davis, and the plucked guitars of Daylight by Alison Krauss (the company’s demo music, not my choice). The picked strings in that bluegrass song were particularly crisp, clear and had an nice airy sound I’ve not really heard with most dynamic driver in-ears. In general, bass tones were subdued, but I didn’t get chance to pump any throbbing dance music through them, so we’ll wait and see.
Audeze is shipping two versions of the iSine, the difference is in the impedance which will be down to personal preference. There’s also the option to choose between a regular 3.5mm connector and one with a lightning adapter — something which will become much more common now it’s almost certain that Apple is axing the headphone jack on the iPhone. Perhaps more interesting is that Audeze also had a demo pair that connect directly to the Oculus Rift. The company had to design a proprietary connector, working with Oculus’ own bespoke technology, but you will be able to get an adapter to work with whichever set you buy, so it’s a nice bit of bonus functionality if you’re a Rift owner.
If you’re curious about the iSine, you’ll have to wait a month or so until it starts to ship, but for $399 you can pre-order a pair right now if you’re already sold on the idea.
We’re live all week from Berlin, Germany, for IFA 2016. Click here to catch up on all the news from the show.
White House will host a ‘South by South Lawn’ fest in October
Both President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama spoke at the South by Southwest festival this year, and apparently they enjoyed it so much they’re bringing a mini version to the White House. The first-ever “South by South Lawn” will take place on October 3rd and will have the same three components SXSW is known for: Interactive, Film and Music.
The interactive portion of the day will feature panel discussions as well as booths featuring “new technology and innovations”, though the details on both aren’t too concrete yet. The White House says that the panels will include topics like “how to make change stick with organizers who are having an impact, as well as a discussion with influencers who are using their platforms to bring about positive change.”
The notion of change and inspiration appears to be the theme of the day — the musicians the White House is tapping for the event are said to be “using their music to inspire audiences.” It’ll be a mix of established and emerging performers, but again there aren’t any details on who exactly will be playing.
For film, the event will feature the 3rd annual White House Student Film Festival. The theme of the film festival this year was “The world I want to live in,” and more than 700 short films from K-12 students submitted entries this year. The South by South Lawn event will feature the official selections for the annual film festival and also include some of the filmmakers themselves.
Attendance at the event will naturally be limited — if you want to go, you’ll have to nominate yourself here (or hope someone else nominates you). It’s not clear what criteria the White House will use to select attendees, but it’s still worth a shot throwing your hat in the ring if you want to hang out at the White House for a day. Nominations will be accepted up until September 10th at 5PM, so don’t sit on this if you want a chance to go.
Via: Pitchfork
Source: The White House
Alcatel’s new budget smartwatch is designed for grownups
A few years back, Alcatel surprised plenty of people by announcing its own smartwatch, the originally-named, uh, Watch. Now, the company has arrived at IFA 2016 with the follow up, that takes much of the same technology but puts it in far nicer clothes. The MoveTime WiFi uses the same basic operating system as the Watch, and has the same optical heart rate monitor, but gains a WiFi radio for better connectivity. The big selling point is the more mature case, and the new device looks a lot more mature, even if some of the original device’s uniqueness has been lost in the process.
Your eyes will be staring into a 1.39-inch, 400 x 400 AMOLED display that, in Alcatel’s ultra-dark booth, looked pretty good. I’m sure, however, that it’ll be worth checking this out in bright sunlight to see if it stands up in the real world. Tucked inside are both 802.11 b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 radios, although that’s pretty much expected at this point. Alcatel’s representatives did mention to us, however, that the MoveTime has a built-in speaker and microphone, enabling you to make calls (via your phone) while speaking into your wrist.
While the operating system remains the same, it’s had a makeover that brings it a lot closer to Android Wear in terms of style, if not specific details. Gone are the primary-colored icons in bright boxes that had a hint of Sesame Street about them. In comes smaller icons with text descriptors that you scroll through vertically, rather than horizontally.
MoveTime WiFi is the flagship in a series of Move-branded wearables, including a Fitbit-esque Moveband, Movetrack, a portable GPS tracker, and Move Track & Talk, a tracking smartwatch for kids. The series will become available in Europe towards the end of the month, although details about a US launch and pricing are thin on the ground. Given that Alcatel’s first-generation Watch retailed for $150, its likely replaement shouldn’t be too much more expensive. We just hope that the company has tidied up some of the flaws in its homebrew software that we found in our review.
We’re live all week from Berlin, Germany, for IFA 2016. Click here to catch up on all the news from the show.
Source: Alcatel
Apple Music Gets New Radio Station Artwork
Apple has quietly updated the radio section of Apple Music and iTunes with a few new pieces of artwork for stations like “Pop Workout,” “Dance,” and “Classical.” The new art can be seen within the radio tab of the Music app on iOS and iTunes on OS X.
Apple is expected to touch upon software updates coming to its mobile and desktop operating systems at its iPhone-centric event next Wednesday, September 7. These will include iOS 10 and macOS Sierra, both expected to launch alongside the so-called iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus later this month with an all-new and revamped Apple Music app.
(Thanks, Manny!)
Tag: Apple Music
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Mac tips, tricks and shortcuts: Here’s your master list – CNET
Whether you have just purchased your first Mac or are a seasoned Mac user, this collection of shortcuts is sure to make your life easier — or at least more efficient when seated in front of your Mac.
We have rounded up all of our recent Mac tips and tricks, from using Finder and Spotlight to improve your search efforts to better browsing with Safari and better navigation of iTunes. We have also included helpful tips on the various ways you can lock your Mac, Force Quit apps and limit notifications.
10 shortcuts for general Mac use
Let’s start off with 10 general Mac tips, from quitting apps to calling up Spotlight search.
12 Spotlight search tips
Speaking of Spotlight, here are a dozen Spotlight tips for your Mac’s surprisingly powerful and flexible search tool.
10 Finder shortcuts
Find files faster with Finder.
Matt Elliott/CNET
21 Safari shortcuts
Become a Safari Svengali by employing some of these keyboard shortcuts.
16 iTunes shortcuts
Make your life easier with these keyboard shortcuts for iTunes 12.4.
3 ways to limit notifications on your Mac
Learn how to use Do Not Disturb for fewer interruptions.
4 ways to Force Quit an app on your Mac
Pick your favorite way to eradicate unresponsive apps.
7 ways to lock your MacBook
When it comes to locking your Mac, you have options.
Note 7 recall: How to return your phone to Verizon, Sprint, AT&T or T-Mobile – CNET
Samsung on Friday announced a global recall of its Galaxy Note 7 on account of defective batteries. According to the company, 35 separate incidents have resulted in a Note 7’s battery catching fire. Sales have stopped, and all devices already sold will be replaced by the company.
Samsung is expected to issue instructions for those affected by the recall “in the coming weeks,” but for those who don’t feel comfortable with a device that could possibly catch fire while charging, US carriers are ready to help you out.
Instructions for each carrier are below, and we will keep updating this post as more news becomes available.
Verizon Wireless
Verizon customers can return the Note 7, with Verizon waiving the restocking fee through September 30.
“Because customer safety is our top priority, Verizon has stopped selling the Galaxy Note 7,” the carrier said in a statement.
Sprint
Sprint’s CEO Marcelo Claure posted a statement on Twitter detailing Sprint’s plan of attack for the recall. For current Note 7 owners, you should visit your local Sprint store to return your Note 7. Sprint will give you a “similar device” to use until Samsung is able to fix the issue and sales of the Note 7 resumes.
You can read the complete statement here.
AT&T
The company is still working out the final details for its exchange process. Here’s the official statement from AT&T:
Samsung has notified us that they have identified a battery cell issue in certain Galaxy Note 7s. They have asked all retailers, including AT&T, to stop selling the device. We are in the process of determining the exchange process for our customers and how they can replace their current Note 7 as quickly as possible. We will have more information later today.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile will issue complete refunds for the Note 7, including any accessories purchased with the device. The company is also waiving any restocking or shipping fees during the exchange process. Visit your local T-Mobile store or call 1-800-937-8997 to initiate the process. T-Mobile expects to have replacement Note 7s “in the next two weeks,” according to a statement published on its website.
A portion of the statement is below:
Starting immediately, customers who are concerned about using the Note 7 can return the device to T-Mobile for a full, complete refund. They’ll get a full refund of anything paid for the device and any Note 7 accessories. We’ll waive any restocking charges and shipping fees, and customers can keep the free Netflix subscription they received with purchase during pre-order.
Razer Blade Stealth (late 2016) Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
I might finally buy a Razer laptop.
I could never quite do it before. They were always a little too expensive for my tastes, ran too hot, and the battery life was often poor.
The specs/price breakdown for the new Razer Blade Stealth, in the US.
Razer
But the 12.5-inch Razer Blade Stealth starts at just $999 or AU$1,549 (around £750) — an incredible deal for a ridiculously thin, well-built aluminum laptop with a Core i7 processor, 8GB of memory, a beautiful, mesmerizing keyboard and a high-res 2,560×1,440-pixel display.
Particularly now that Razer has addressed the Blade Stealth’s biggest weakness: that battery.
Though we really, really liked the Blade Stealth in our CNET review, battery life was its Achilles’ heel. The upgraded version of the laptop, with a 4K-resolution screen, only lasted 3 hours 12 minutes in our streaming video battery drain test. (We see over 10 hours on a MacBook Air, in case you’re wondering.)
But today, Razer says it’s crammed 15 percent more battery (53.6 vs. 45 watt-hours) into the same 0.52-inch thin, 2.84 pound (13.2mm, 1.29 kg) body, and for the same price.
Oh, and it’s also trading the sixth-gen Intel Core i7-6500U processor for a faster seventh-gen Core i7-7500U chip, which may or may not improve battery life even more. Plus, you can now add up to 16GB of memory and 1TB of solid-state storage (the fast PCIe variety) if you’ve got a little more money to burn.
Another reason to wait for reviews: the $499 Razer Core dock lets you add the power of a desktop graphics card to the Blade Stealth, but Razer hasn’t sent out review units yet.
Sean Hollister/CNET
Mind you, I can’t actually say for sure that the Razer Blade Stealth’s 15 percent larger battery means it’ll last 15 percent longer on a charge, or if that’ll be enough for me with the more battery efficient screen. I’ll be waiting for our full review, and I recommend you do too.
Last September, I told myself I’d buy a MacBook Pro. I’ve been waiting an entire year, but Apple’s new laptops are nowhere to be found. And if you believe the rumors, we may not see them in 2016 at all.
That’s plenty of time for Razer to win me over.
The updated Razer Blade Stealth is on sale today in the US at razerstore.com. No word on availability for the UK and Australia.
Razer Blade (14-inch, late 2016) Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
Razer’s about to sell a whole lot more Blades. All it took was one tweak.
With one of Nvidia’s new GeForce GTX 1060 graphics chips inside, the 0.7-inch (18mm) thick Razer Blade just become one of the smallest, most attractive VR-ready PCs.
Instead of lugging around a giant desktop to introduce your friends and colleagues to the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive, Razer claims you’ll be able to do it with a sleek laptop roughly the size of Apple’s smallest MacBook Pro with Retina display. (Razer’s computer is not the only laptop with Nvidia’s new VR-ready laptop chips, but it’s definitely the smallest we’ve seen.)
The new Razer Blade 14’s price breakdown in the US.
Razer
Plus, the new Blade 14 starts a full $200 cheaper — thanks to a lower-res 1,920×1,080-pixel resolution IPS screen with a matte finish, instead of the high-res 3,200×1,800-pixel touchscreen panel that came standard earlier this year.
Personally, I’d take a matte 1080p screen any day of the week. Not only do they typically offer more battery life and fewer distracting reflections, the reduced graphical demands of lower resolution typically means smoother gameplay.
Other than those important tweaks, the 14-inch Razer Blade is pretty much the same thin gaming laptop we liked earlier this year. It’s got the same 4.25-pound (1.92 kg) jet black aluminum body, the same sixth-gen quad-core Intel processor and 16GB of RAM, the same colorful Chroma keyboard and the same 70 watt-hour battery. (Razer says it’s hoping for improved battery life, but wouldn’t promise it during an interview with CNET.)
You can watch our video review of the previous Blade 14 below:
Close
A gaming laptop with a colorful personality
Drag
The new Blade 14 is also still compatible with the Razer Core external graphics dock if you need some additional oomph, though I can’t recommend you buy that till we’ve had a chance to test it out.
The new 14-inch Razer Blade starts at $1,799 in the US, which is roughly £1,355 or AU$2,380, though availability outside the US hasn’t been confirmed. Preorders begin today at razerstore.com, and devices should ship this October.
AIVAnet 