Denon Heos HS2 review: A true Sonos competitor

We had no problems recommending the original Denon Heos multi-room speaker range, but a couple of minor gripes stopped it from true five-star performance. The follow-up, rebooted Heos HS2 range goes all out, offering hi-res streaming support and Bluetooth connectivity.

Since the original’s launch the multi-room audio highway has got a whole lot more congested though. There’s Yamaha’s MusicCast system, an updated Sonos, new Libratone, Bluesound and Gear4 products, plus new designs from Bang & Olufsen all vying for your attention.

The Denon faces that competition wisely: without a price hike for those new features. It also remains compatible with original Heos products. But does it sound any good? We received exclusive samples of the new Denon Heos 7 HS2 (£379, reduced from £499), Heos 5 HS2 (£349) and Heos 1 HS2 (£199) to find out.

Denon Heos HS2 review: Design

The look of the Heos range hasn’t changed – just the internal components have been polished – so the Heos 7 HS2 and Heos 5 HS2 both have the same horizontal teardrop design and both are built extremely well with nice attention to detail, well-finished edges and premium quality materials.

The top-of-the-line Heos 7 HS2 is pretty hefty and will command attention, while the more svelte Heos 5 HS2 is perfect for a home office or dining room. The smallest speaker, Heos 1 HS2 ditches the teardrop and cloth cover in favour of a smart asymmetrical all-metal grille. Squint and you might mistake it for a deformed Sonos Play:1 – in a good way. The Heos 1 HS2 is sealed for humidity resistance making it suitable for use in the bathroom.

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We were originally pretty scathing of the Heos’s teardrop design – the awkward shape was attractive but it wasn’t easy to find space for it on a typical bookshelf, and it lacked the ability to stand vertically or horizontally – but on revisiting the design we’ve warmed to its pointy ways. With so many boring black streaming boxes available the design is a welcome change without being overly ostentatious. That said, it’s hard to not love the latest Sonos Play:5’s simpler design more.

Denon Heos HS2 review: Setup

Connecting your Heos speaker (or speaker) to the network couldn’t be easier. There’s no hub plugged into your router, you just need to download the Heos app (iOS, Android, Kindle), plug your smartphone/tablet into the speaker using the supplied 3.5mm cable and follow the instructions. It took less than three minutes to have the Heos 7 HS2 up and running.

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Once all speakers are connected – you can do this individually, but the app should manage the settings automatically to save you inputting the password repeatedly – you can easily create multi-room “zones”. We setup two zones: Dining and Living Room, with the Heos 7 HS2 and 5 HS2; Kitchen with the smaller Heos 1 HS2. Adjusting these is simply a case of sliding one name onto another in the app.

If the idea of streaming high-resolution music to a single wireless speaker fills you with horror take some comfort in the fact that any of the Heos HS2 range can be paired and assigned left/right channels for true stereo playback.

Denon Heos HS2 review: Connectivity

With Spotify, Tidal, TuneIn, Deezer, Napster, Soundcloud, MoodMix and direct play from your phone’s music files, virtually all your streaming needs are catered for via Wi-Fi. But given the hi-res streaming upgrade it’s worth pointing out you can also pull music from any network connected music server or NAS drive or via direct input using USB stick (if you are using an external USB drive plugged into one speaker, any other speaker on that network will then be able to access and play that content too).

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One of the big new features of the HS2 upgrade is the addition of Bluetooth. With a dedicated button on the back of each speaker pairing is quick and the connection reliable. While you are limited to the usual 10m range, if you stream via the Heos app you can extend your Bluetooth streaming around the house by grouping speakers together.

Oddly, especially given the hi-res streaming upgrade, Denon have neglected to include Bluetooth aptX – so Bluetooth playback quality is limited, if that’s of concern to your needs.

Denon Heos HS2 review: Heos App

While not the prettiest interface we’ve ever used Denon’s Heos App remains mercifully straightforward to navigate. Along the bottom of the app’s main screen there are three tabs: Rooms, Music and Now Playing. Pick a room (where you can also create a new multi-room zone), choose your music source and off you go. The Now Playing app gives basic controls over tracks and individual speaker volume.

Being able to play different songs from individual sources on different speakers and from separate devices remains a big plus, especially if you have friends or family with exquisite music tastes who prefer a different music platform to you.

Of cause, if you’re a Spotify user you can sidestep the Heos app entirely and enjoy the simple uncluttered pleasure of Spotify Connect. With the original app some users reported connectivity issues, but Denon has confirmed that a recent firmware update will have sorted it out.

Denon Heos HS2 review: Sound quality

We raved about the sound of both the original flagship Heos 7 and Heos 5 and the ability to now stream a higher quality music file to the new HS2 range has only helped to reinforce our opinion.

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Many users won’t be deeply embedded in hi-res files, but for those who do have the relevant streaming services and files it’s an added bonus. Even if you’re content with “standard” audio quality, there’s no taking away from the HS2 line-up’s overall quality.

The flagship Heos 7 HS2 boasts five custom drivers, two passive radiators and powered five class D amplifiers. In terms of clout it offers more than the superb Sonos Play:5 with a huge room-filling sound and punchy bass.

While more adept at playing loud and hard the Heos 7 HS2 can also do finesse. Streaming Jason Isbell’s Something More Than Free in CD quality Flac (16-bit 44.1kHz) the extra detail was more than evident with a lovely tone and balance to the mix. The same track streamed via standard Bluetooth (there’s no aptX) lacked some of the depth and the acoustic instruments lost a little of their live buzz, but the overall performance was still enjoyable.

The smaller Heos 5 HS2 is a great speaker, featuring two mid-woofers, two tweeters and passive bass radiator, active drivers and individually powered class D amplifiers. The drop in quality from the 7 HS2 is noticeable – and given the current discounted price point of £375 if you’ve got the room the larger speaker is a bit of a bargain – but as a standalone streaming speaker the Heos 5 HS2 is ideal for the bedroom or office. We were unable to pair two speakers to test them in stereo, but have no doubt the result would be a positive one.

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As for the compact Heos 1 HS2 you get the same bi-amped two-way system, a custom woofer and tweeter powered by a single two-channel Class D amplifier as the original. Although not as good as the exceptional Sonos Play:1 it provides a really great performance whatever the genre. Given its dinky size the Heos 1 HS2 was more than loud enough – and capable of being too loud – for the kitchen.

Verdict

If you’re looking to invest in a good value multi-room audio system that can handle virtually all streaming services and file types – including the very best in hi-res lossless audio – you’ll not find much better than the updated Denon Heos HS2.

The extensive choice of wireless speakers and amplifiers means you can build a complete multi-room system to suit the size of your home and budget, while the excellent Heos 7 HS2 offers enough performance and style to stand alone and impress in most living rooms.

At the drop-down price of £375 the Heos 7 HS2 is a bargain, especially given the sound quality is on a par with the more expensive Sonos Play:5, and while not up to the performance of the £595 Naim Mu so Qb you will have enough money left over to kick start your own multi-room system with a £199 Heos 1 HS2.

Should you buy the Google Pixel in India?

The Pixel and Pixel XL are well-crafted devices that showcase the best of Android. But can Google convince Indian buyers to pay up?

Google has partnered with handset manufacturers over the years to create the Nexus lineup of phones and tablets, but this year, the company is putting forth its own vision of a high-end Android phone with the Pixel and Pixel XL. The phones feature a minimalist design backed by an excellent camera, a vibrant AMOLED display, Snapdragon 821, and all-day battery life. By controlling both the hardware and software side of things, Google has managed to deliver a superior software experience that isn’t found on any other Android phone today.

Even though the phones aren’t loaded with features — there’s no microSD slot, OIS, or waterproofing — they excel at showcasing Android’s potential. Google has baked its AI-powered Google Assistant into the phones, and several features will remain exclusive to the Pixel range, like unlimited photo and video backup that includes 4K video. If you’re looking for the best that Android has to offer, this is it.

The Pixels offer a software experience that isn’t found on any other Android phone.

The Pixels are now up for pre-order in India, with sales set to kick off October 24. Both phones are positioned in the high-end segment, a field dominated by Samsung. The Note series has a loyal user base in the country, and Samsung has seen a lot of success last year with the Galaxy S6 and this year with the S7 and S7 edge. But with recent events creating a Note 7-sized hole in this category, the odds are stacked in the Pixel’s favor.

That said, Google’s track record in India isn’t great when it comes to hardware, as evidenced by the failure of the Android One initiative. The program followed the same blueprint as the Nexus line, with Google providing software support while manufacturers were allowed to choose the specifications and design. The goal was to offer enticing phones in the sub-$100 segment running vanilla Android and the promise of quick updates.

However, the program fell apart for two reasons: the hardware wasn’t on par with similarly-priced phones from competitors, and Google’s decision to offer the products exclusively online made it harder for its targeted audience to get their hands on the Android One handsets. Even though Google heavily advertised the program, it didn’t do enough to educate buyers as to why they should buy into Android One.

This time around, the situation is different. Both the Pixel and Pixel XL are sold online via Flipkart, and both phones will be available offline from Reliance Digital, Croma, Vijay Sales, Bajaj Electronics, eZone, HotSpot, and other chain stores. A significant portion of phone sales in India are carried out in brick and mortar stores, where customers get a chance to use the products first-hand. With the Pixels representing a sizable investment, Google is pushing the offline experience to let prospective buyers get a feel for either handset before going through with the purchase.

Then there’s the question of after-sales support. The Pixel offers 24/7 live support with the ability to share your screen with a Google representative. There’s also a toll-free customer care number that you’ll be able to call to get your queries resolved. If you need further assistance, you can get the phones serviced at 54 service centers located across the country. As the go-to tech support guy in my family, I’m very excited about the Pixel’s 24/7 live support feature.

You don’t have to worry about after-sales support with the Pixel.

And now, time to address the elephant in the room: price. Google — like Apple — is selling the overall experience, and that inevitably commands a premium. The Pixel costs ₹57,000 ($855) for the 32GB model, with prices going all the way up to ₹76,000 ($1,140) for the 128GB Pixel XL. The pricing is on par with the S7 edge and the iPhone 7 in India, making it a very costly proposition.

In a country that’s highly price sensitive, this is the main drawback of the Pixel. Apple and Samsung get away with charging an exorbitant fee for their phones on account of their brand cachet, a trait Google doesn’t possess yet. The Pixel marks Google’s first foray into the handset business, and as such it is likely initial sales momentum will be limited to enthusiasts looking to try out the latest that Android has to offer. For its part, Google is flexing its advertising muscle by taking out full-page ads in newspapers and plastering billboards across the country.

In the meantime, if you’ve got the cash, you should definitely get the Pixel.

See at Flipkart

Google Keep update lets you pin notes

Google Keep is a minimalist note-taking app that comes with a slew of features. The app is very straightforward to use, allowing you to easily create collaborative to-do lists, voice notes, and so much more. Keep seamlessly syncs between the web client, Android and iOS apps, and there’s even a Chrome extension that lets you quickly jot down a note.

An update rolling out to the service now lets you pin notes at the top, giving you quick access to your important notes. Pinning a note is easy: just long press anywhere on a note to access the menu options, and tap the pin icon. All pinned notes show up in a separate section at the top of the screen.

Not using Keep yet? Download it now from the Play Store. Once it’s installed, see what else you can do with Keep in our ultimate guide.

T-Mobile to pay $48 million fine for misleading customers over ‘unlimited’ data plans

T-Mobile has reached a settlement with the FCC wherein the carrier will pay $48 million fine for misleading customers over its “unlimited” data plans. The FCC started investigating the carrier’s unlimited plans after receiving several complaints from T-Mobile and MetroPCS customers that their data connections were being throttled. T-Mobile later clarified that it was “de-prioritizing” the top 3% of its data users during times of high congestion, throttling the connections to 1Mbps or lower.

According to the FCC, the way T-Mobile marketed its unlimited plans deceived customers, leading to a violation of the 2010 Open Internet transparency rules:

The FCC’s investigation found that company policy allows it to slow down data speeds when T-Mobile or MetroPCS customers on so-called “unlimited” plans exceed a monthly data threshold. Company advertisements and other disclosures may have led unlimited data plan customers to expect that they were buying better and faster service than what they received.

The settlement sees T-Mobile paying a $7.5 million fine to the US Treasury, with an additional $35.5 million allocated for a “consumer benefits” program that gives T-Mobile customers a 20% discount on accessories as well as 4GB of additional data. Eligible customers will receive notifications in December. T-Mobile will also spend $5 million in providing services and equipment to U.S. schools in low-income districts, with the program set to benefit 80,000 students.

Samsung unveils the first 8GB LPDDR4 mobile DRAM module

Back in December 2014, Samsung rolled out its 4GB LPDDR4 mobile DRAM package, enabling smartphones to have 4GB of RAM. The company has now announced the industry’s first 8GB LPDDR4 DRAM module aimed at high-end mobile phones, ultra-thin notebooks, and tablets.

The DRAM module is manufactured using a 10nm process, and sees four 16 gigabit (2GB) LPDDR4 memory chips stacked to create an 8GB module. The memory operates at up to 4266Mbps, which when transmitted over a 64-bit memory bus leads to a throughput of over 34GB/s. Thanks to the efficient manufacturing process, the 8GB module draws the same amount of power as its older 4GB counterpart, which was built on a 20nm node.

From Joo Sun Choi, executive vice president of Memory Sales and Marketing at Samsung:

The advent of our powerful 8GB mobile DRAM solution will enable more capable next-generation, flagship mobile devices around the world. We will continue to provide advanced memory solutions offering the highest values and leading-edge benefits to meet the escalating needs of devices having dual camera, 4K UHD and VR features.

No word on when we’ll see the new DRAM in consumer hardware, but with the Galaxy S8 looming, it’s entirely possible that we won’t have to wait long to see 8GB of RAM on phones.

Kodak Ektra is a new Android cameraphone aimed at photographers

Kodak made a smartphone. And, naturally, its primary focus is on imaging. 

The Eastman Kodak Company on Thursday unveiled the new Kodak Ektra smartphone, which it described as a “photography-led smartphone designed for those with a passion for photography, from enthusiasts to experts”. It basically blends Kodak’s long history in imaging with today’s smartphone technology. It notably features a 21-megapixel fast focus camera sensor with f2.0 aperture and a 13-megapixel front-facing camera.

That selfie shooter comes with Phase Detection Auto Focus PDAF and f2.2 aperture. Kodak is also loading the Android 6.0 Marshmallow phone with its own camera app, where adjustments can be made in real time via a range of settings including HDR, Landscape, Portrait, Macro, Sport, Night-time, Panorama, and Bokeh. There’s also a Smart Auto mode that auto-selects the best conditions for your photographs.

Kodak

For the pro users out there, the app offers a Manual mode with settings for exposure, ISO, focus, white balance, and shutter speed. Once again, the results are visible on the screen as the changes are made. There’s also a Super 8 app that provides effects similar to Kodak’s Super 8 film stocks. Oh, and the phone has a dedicated shutter button in the horizontal style of traditional cameras.

Other features include a Helio X20 2.3GHz decacore processor with 3GB RAM, 32GB memory (expandable with MicroSD cards), and a 3000mAh battery with USB 3.0 Type C fast charger. The Kodak Ektra Smartphone will cost £449 when it launches across Europe “later this year”.

Tesla confirms heavily upgraded Autopilot for all new cars

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said his company had a big announcement for October 17. Unfortunately he didn’t make that date and it got put back to Wednesday October 19 instead. What Musk had to announce was that all Tesla’s produced from now will have heavily upgraded hardware that will give it full autonomous driving capabilities.

Tesla says the hardware that will be fitted to cars will give them a “level of safety substantially greater than that of a human driver”.

• Tesla: Everything you need to know about Model 3, Model S, Model X and more

The new hardware includes eight cameras placed around the outside of the car to give 360 degree vision at up to 250 metres in every direction and 12 ultrasonic sensors to detect hard and soft objects. Tesla says the 12 sensors can ‘see’ objects at nearly twice the distance compared to the sensors on current Tesla cars.

A new radar system has been designed for the front of the car to help the driver get information about the road ahead whether it be in fog, heavy rain or even in front of the car ahead.

Tesla has designed and produced a new computer to process all the extra information, saying the new one has nearly 40 times the processing power of the old one. The hardware upgrades are available on Tesla Model S and Model X cars as of today, so you can go out and buy one to be among the first to have a car with spidey senses.

Tesla has said it will be further testing the capabilities and safety of the new hardware over “millions of miles of real-world driving”. Once the tests are complete, the company will activate the features via an over-the-air update to your car.

The company has said that until the features are activated, cars with the new second-generation Autopilot hardware will be without some standard safety features of the first-generation hardware, such as automatic emergency braking, collision warning, lane holding and active cruise control. So perhaps it’s best you wait until Tesla has fully completed its tests, just in case.

While the majority of new Autopilot features will rely on new hardware, Tesla hasn’t forgotten about those with first-generation Autopilot hardware, saying it will make these cars “more capable over time” as well.

Nintendo NX to be unveiled today at 3pm, see what all the fuss is about

Nintendo has announced that it will be previewing its new console today at 3pm UK time, as part of a trailer it will be hosting online.

It has been heavily rumoured of late that a full announcement will come on Friday, 21 October and the timing of the preview trailer seems to suggest that’s highly possible. 

A tweet was posted by the @NintendoUK account around 2am this morning which revealed the time the trailer will be live. It encourages Brits to “be among the first to discover” the new console.

Be among the first to discover #NX. Watch the Preview Trailer at 3pm UK time! pic.twitter.com/oWOpb4erXZ

— Nintendo UK (@NintendoUK) October 20, 2016

Of course, others from around the world will be able to see it too. Nintendo of America posted a similar message, stating the east and west coast times of 10am and 7am.

There’s no indication yet as to where the trailer might be sited. We’ll update you when we find out more. It’s also worth keeping an eye on the Nintendo Twitter feed for your region.

• Nintendo NX: Release date, specs and everything you need to know

The Nintendo NX is the Japanese gaming giants big hope after hugely disappointing sales of the Wii U. It is expected to be a combination console, comprising a handheld machine that can also plug into or interact with some form of docking station in order to play games on your TV.

Nintendo has previously stated that it will go on sale in March 2017.