Last year, when the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch model was launched, the laptop came with support for Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity out-of-the-box. That has now changed, based on the official specs listed on the company’s website.

As per the listing of the 13-inch MacBook Air on the Apple website, the device now has support for the newer Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, which is said to be faster and more reliable.

The development comes after the Cupertino-based technology giant introduced the new 15-inch MacBook Air laptop with support for Bluetooth 5.3 at WWDC last month.

Thanks to the latest standard, the device will now have more reliable connections with Bluetooth accessories and improved power efficiency, which can contribute to longer battery life.

Bluetooth 5.0 is now a bit older technology, launched back in 2016. On the other hand, Bluetooth 5.3 was introduced in 2021 and a lot of Apple devices use it, including the iPhone 14 series, Apple Watch Ultra, AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), and the latest iPad Pro models.

The 13-inch MacBook Air also comes with a new 70W USB-C power adapter, similar to the 15-inch model. Recently, Apple expanded its self-repair program to include M2-powered MacBooks and the iPhone 14 lineup.

RELATED:

• Apple Beats Studio Pro leaked specs point at head-tracked spatial audio, 40 hours battery
• Future Apple AirPods May Disrupt TWS Earphone Segment With Body Temperature And Hearing Health Features
• Apple to soon launch a new Mac screen that doubles as a smart display
• Apple Generates $1,284 per Hour of Employee Time, but Only Pays Them $45
• Apple Hikes iCloud+ Subscription Prices in Many Countries Around the World

The post Apple MacBook Air 13-inch powered by M2 chip gets Bluetooth 5.3 support appeared first on Gizmochina.

Recently four Nokia smartphones have received Bluetooth SIG certification. The devices have been listed with model numbers TA-1533, TA-1536, TA-1541, and TA-1539 and support 2G, 3G, and 4G network connectivity along with Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi support. Although not much information is available about the devices, it is believed that all four models might be the same device with different model numbers.

According to reports, the TA-1533 model number is linked to the Nokia C22 smartphone that was recently launched ahead of the MWC Event in Barcelona. The certification hints that the smartphone might be launched in more markets soon.

The Nokia C22 smartphone is a budget-friendly device and was launched on 25th February 2023. It comes with a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a screen resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels and runs on the Android 13 (Go edition) operating system. It is powered by a Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) Chipset clocked at 1.6 GHz and comes with 2GB or 3GB RAM options and 64GB internal storage.

The smartphone features a 13MP + 2MP dual-camera setup at the rear and an 8MP front camera. It also comes with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor and other sensors like an accelerometer and proximity sensor. The device is backed by a 5000mAh battery with 10W wired fast charging and is available in Sand and Midnight Black color variants.

Nokia claims that the device will provide its users with three-day-long battery life and features an AI-powered battery management system. The smartphone is priced at EUR 109 (approximately Rs. 9,500) and is yet to be launched in other smartphone markets, including India.

RELATED:

• Nokia C12 With 3,000mAh Removable Battery Launched In India
• The Potential of 6G Sensing Technology Unveiled at MWC 2023
• Nokia C22, C32 India Launch Imminent as Product Listings Go Live
• Old Nokia Logo is Not Dead: Official
• Nokia T21 Review: Good Tablet for Content Consumption

(Via)

The post Four Nokia Smartphones Receive Bluetooth SIG Certification With Bluetooth 4.2 Specs appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google has been working on improving Android and this year, the technology giant will be adding some audio-related features that aim to further improve the user experience but it seems that the features that the company plans to add are inspired by Apple.

The search engine giant will be updating the Fast Pair technology for adding features like auto-switching as well as spatial audio. While the exact release timeline is not yet known, they are expected to get rolled out in the coming weeks or months.

These new features coming to Android for enhancing the Bluetooth headphone capabilities have already been available for iPhone and AirPods users. Once Google rolls out these features, supported headphones and udio sources including Android phones, Chromebooks, Android TV, and select Windows PCs will be auto-switching.

The company is also set to adapt for head tracking for spatial audio on Android for sound effects based on the head movements. Do note that there’s already support for basic spatial audio for a few music services right now.

So far, Google has not revealed much details about the upcoming spatial audio features and thus, details about supported music streaming services, supported headphones, and supported versions of Android remains unknown.

For those who are unawanre, Fast Pair is a feature in Android for pairing Bluetooth devices from the pop-up window instead of going to the Settings app and manually pairing the devices to your smartphone.

RELATED: 

• Nokia explains what went wrong with its Android 11 update rollout
• Developer successfully installs Android 12 on the Samsung Galaxy S III released in 2012
• Google Fit for iPhone now supports heart rate and respiratory rate monitoring
• Pixel 6 series connectivity issues to be fixed by late January: Google
• Google Pixel Watch could come with some exclusive Wear OS features

The post Google to bring features like auto-switching and spatial audio to Android in coming months appeared first on Gizmochina.

With Android 12 OS releasing a while back, Google likely began working on the next iteration that will succeed it. Now, a new report has revealed some interesting information related to the Android 13 operating system way ahead of its eventual launch.

The new changes in the next gen Android platform will offer major improvements in audio streaming through Bluetooth. This was first spotted by Mishaal Rahman on a commit in the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). Looking at this, it appears that the Search Engine giant plans to merge the LE Audio codec (LC3) and has added it to system settings as an option. In other words, this codec will be able to take the highest priority when pairing with an audio device.

Rahman noted that he is unsure if these patches will be capable of getting LE audio running already, but seemed confident that the feature will be ready by the time of Android 13’s official launch. For those unaware, Bluetooth LE Audio is quite notable since it can potentially massively improve battery life while still offering a stable connection that doesn’t compromise on audio quality either. Furthermore, Bluetooth LE Audio would also enable support for multiple streams through more than one pair of headphones.

Android 13 may be the first release to add full support for Bluetooth LE Audio.

Google recently merged an LC3 (the LE Audio codec) encoder and is adding the codec as an option in settings. It'll be the highest priority A2DP source codec.

Commits: https://t.co/tXicKLMZbq pic.twitter.com/ZHcd22grEs

— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) December 21, 2021

Apart from just hearables based products, essentials like hearing aids will also benefit from the newer technology as it would make them on par with consumer products in terms of functionality and practicality. As of right now, Bluetooth LE Audio API has already been introduced with Android 12, although, it is just the basic foundation and does not fully support it. However, the upcoming version would likely be the first to support it when it finally arrives.

RELATED:

• Some key features of the upcoming Android 13 “Tiramisu” surface online
• Some high end Xiaomi phones will be adjusted to internal test channel due to Android 12 prep
• Huawei gets patent for technology related to Android applications migration

The post Android 13 to offer major improvements in audio streaming via Bluetooth appeared first on Gizmochina.

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have found a way to track a phone based on its Bluetooth signal.

The UCSD researchers focused on fingerprinting devices communicating with Bluetooth Low Energy (via Android Police). BLE tech was designed to reduce the power consumption of traditional Bluteooth at the cost of a bit of bandwidth and range. However, its negatives were outweighed by its positives considering it only used 1% of the power required by traditional Bluetooth. This allowed BLE-equipped devices to broadcast constantly.

Rather than trying to break through the encryption of the data within the signal, the researchers instead focused on identifying unique features of the radio signal being broadcast. All wireless transmitters have a signal variance unique to each device. These disturbances are carried through the signal and can be isolated from the data, creating a unique fingerprint for the broadcasting device.

The fingerprints are fairly unique too. The researchers found that both the false-positive rate and the false-negative rate were below 5% when using the technique. And on some devices, like the Pixel 5, the false-negative rate was 0%. This means that there wasn’t a single case where the fingerprint was incorrectly identified.

But while the figures can be scary, it is worth noting that there are significant limits on the feasibility of this tracking method. For starters, not all imperfections are unique. Some BLE chipsets produce similar imperfections, making identification much more challenging. Further, fingerprints can vary based on temperature, which limits the Bluetooth vulnerability to more stable environments.

Bottom line is, the Bluetooth vulnerability isn’t much to be concerned about. But if it keeps bothering you, then your best bet would be to simply turn off your Bluetooth, at least when you don’t need it.

RELATED:

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 (2021) Bluetooth SIG certified, expected to launch soon
• ASUS VivoWatch 5 appears on Bluetooth SIG with LTE connectivity
• Deal: Get Mifa A10 Portable Bluetooth Speaker for $24 (Retail Price $30)
• Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker with IP67 rating & powerful output unveiled
• Black Shark TWS Bluetooth gaming earphones announced with 28 hours of battery life

The post Researchers discover new Bluetooth vulnerability that can expose your location appeared first on Gizmochina.

Earlier this week, Nintendo announced an update for the Switch handheld consoles that brought a much-requested feature – Bluetooth Audio support. The Switch consoles have Bluetooth, but prior to the release of this update, users could only connect compatible controllers to the consoles but never an audio device. Four years after the Switch was released, this new update now allows users to connect their Bluetooth wireless headphones and speakers to their consoles.

If you are wondering how to connect your favorite Bluetooth earphones (and or speaker), this guide should make it easy for you. Below are the steps to get your Bluetooth devices connected to your Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch Lite:

Step 1 – Check that your Switch is running the latest software version

To be able to pair your Bluetooth audio device, you have to confirm that your device is updated to the latest software version. Below are the steps to check the software version your console is running:

1. Go to System Settings on your Nintendo Switch console. To do this, select the Gear Icon at the bottom of the screen.
2. Scroll down to System, and you should see the current version of your console on the right side of the screen.

To be able to connect a Bluetooth audio device, your console must be running version 13.0.0 and above. So if your device is running a lower version, you have to update your device. If your device is running version 13.0.0 and above, you can jump to step 3.

Step 2 – Update your Nintendo Switch

To update your Nintendo Switch console, simply tap ‘System Update’. Your system should check for an update and download one if there is. Your device will need to restart once the update is downloaded and installed.

Step 3 – Connect your Bluetooth Audio Device

Once you are running the required version for Bluetooth audio device support, follow the steps below to connect your Bluetooth audio device.

1. Go to System Settings as described in step 1.
2. Scroll down on the left pane to the bottom of the screen. You should see a new menu called Bluetooth Audio.
3. Select Pair Device on the right pane. If you have AirPlane Mode turned on, it will ask you to turn it off.
4. Put on your Bluetooth audio device and make sure it is in pairing mode.
   Your Nintendo Switch will search for available Bluetooth devices.
5. Once you see your Bluetooth device, select it and the console will be paired to it.

Voila! Your favorite Bluetooth audio device is now connected to your Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch Lite.

Do note that you can have Bluetooth turned on but Airplane Mode set to on by going to Airplane Mode under System Settings. Turning Airplane Mode on and setting Bluetooth to on.

RELATED:

• PlayStation 5’s Pulse 3D Wireless Headset gets Midnight Black colorway
• Xbox Wireless Headset gets a cheaper wired version
• Pre-Orders for OLED version of Nintendo Switch starts from September 24

The post How to connect Bluetooth headphones/speaker to your Nintendo Switch/Switch Lite appeared first on Gizmochina.

Realme seems to be on a launching spree. The company had launched several products last month at an event named “AIoT Grand Launch Season 3” and now the company held a similar event in Malaysia today named “AIoT Sports Launch,” introducing a few new products in the market, including Realme Pocket Bluetooth Speaker, Realme Watch 2 Pro, and Realme Buds Wireless 2.

The Realme Pocket Bluetooth Speaker, as the name indicates, is designed to ensure that it easily fits into the pocket of the users, making it easy to carry around. This new light and portable speaker is ideal for good sound quality in almost any situation, says the company.

The device is made of durable material, as per the company, but it is just a clear way to avoid saying plastic. It weighs 113 grams and comes with a wrist strap attached.

It packs 3W Dynamic Bass Boost Driver combined with a passive radiator. As per Realme, it offers rich and deep bass, even when the user is in an outdoor location. It is rated IPX5, making it water sprays and splash resistant.

The product supports stereo pairing and three equalizer presets, meaning two speakers can be connected together to offer a stereo music experience. The three preset equalizers include Bass, Dynamic, and Bright.

For connectivity, there’s Bluetooth 5.0 that has a transmission range of up to 10 meters. There’s also a Game Mode for syncing audio and video while playing games or watching movies. It can be connected to the smartphone using the Realme Link application.

As for the battery life, the company claims that it can offer six hours of continuous playback on a single charge. The device can be charged with a USB Type-C cable which is included in the box.

The Realme Pocket Bluetooth Speaker comes in two color options — Desert Grey and Classic Black. It is priced at RM 79 which roughly converts to $19 and will soon be available for purchase in Malaysia. The product could soon be launched in other regions also.

RELATED: 

• Realme will soon launch the “Quicksilver” smartphone powered by the Snapdragon 778G
• A mysterious Realme phone with Snapdragon 870 chip is in the works
• Realme confirms May 24 launch event in China, Likely to launch Realme GT Neo Flash Edition smartphone

The post Realme Pocket Bluetooth Speaker with 6-hour battery life launched for RM 79 ($19) appeared first on Gizmochina.

A few months back, a mouse with Mi Portable Wireless Mouse 2 moniker got Bluetooth SIG Certification. Today, Xiaomi has finally crowdfunded the successor of the Mi Portable Mouse today in China. The new Mi Portable Mouse 2 has features like Dual-Mode connection, low energy Bluetooth, and more.

From the looks, the Mi Portable Mouse 2 looks like a successor to the Mi Portable Wireless Mouse that launched in India this year. However, unlike the latter, it has a darker silver version and a Black color variant. Also, at the back, it has a DPI switch which according to the company is 4-way adjustable.

At the front, we see a similar circular layout for the mouse-click buttons. However, there is an additional button that is for the dual-mode switch. Speaking of which, the Mouse supports dual-mode connection. Users can connect through a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and via the Bluetooth 4.2. This Bluetooth connectivity is provided by a Telink Low-Energy Bluetooth chip.

Once done, you can easily switch between the two screens with the button. That said, the mouse also has the usual Left, Right Click buttons and a two-way scroll wheel. The outer body of the mouse is built using Anodized Aluminum Alloy through a sandblasting process. The buttons and wheel have improved less-noisy clicks thanks to the soft rubber material.

EDITOR’S PICK: Xiaomi crowdfunds MIIIW Wireless Silent Mouse for 49 yuan ($7)

This portable mouse, aimed at home and office use, runs on one AA battery. Xiaomi says the battery will last up to a year which is similar to the predecessor. And, it also has a low-battery reminder so you can be aware when the battery is going to die.

The crowdfunding price of the Mi Portable Mouse 2 is 79 yuan($12) and shipment starts from January 13. But if we look at the official website, it says the otherwise retail price is 99 yuan($15).

UP NEXT: Xiaomi to launch a new Redmi phone in Malaysia soon, likely Redmi 9T

The post Xiaomi Crowdfunds Mi Portable Wireless Mouse 2 for 79 yuan($12) in China appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi has announced multiple mice and keyboards under its own Mi brand as well as that of companies under its ecosystem. Some of these products have even launched outside China such as the Mi Portable Wireless Mouse. The Chinese smartphone manufacturer is set to announce yet another mouse according to a recent Bluetooth SIG listing.

The Bluetooth SIG has certified a new Xiaomi mouse under the name Mi Smart Mouse. The description says the mouse, whose model number is stated as XASB01ME, has speech recognition, support for translation, and a 4000 DPI.

A few months ago, Xiaomi released a keyboard with voice input support. We believe the mouse will use similar technology. The Mi Smart Mouse will connect via Bluetooth 5.0 but should also connect via Wi-Fi. We expect it to have a built-in rechargeable battery too.

We can’t say when the mouse will be announced but when it does launch, we will be sure to let you know.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi launches Mi Notebook 14 series in India with Intel 10th-gen processors and a ~$550 starting price

The post Mi Smart Mouse with speech recognition gets Bluetooth certification appeared first on Gizmochina.

Two new Xiaomi products have received Bluetooth certifications. The two products are the Mi Flood Detector and the Mi Kids Smartwatch 4C.

Mi Flood Detector

The Mi Flood Detector was certified a few days ago. From the name, one can tell that this is a sensor that alerts you when there is a water leak that can flood your apartment.

Xiaomi actually launched a similar product back in 2017 called the Aqara Water Leak Sensor (Aqara Flood Sensor). The sensor can be placed on the floor in your bathroom or under your kitchen sink or anywhere there is a chance of a water leak. Two sensors on the back will set off the alarm when a leak is detected and alert you on your device.

With the Bluetooth certification of the Mi Flood Detector, we presume Xiaomi plans to launch an upgraded version of the sensor that may also be sold outside China.

The Aqara Water Leak sensor had a launch price under $15, so this too should be pretty affordable.

Mi Kids Smartwatch 4C

Before Xiaomi began making smartwatches for adults, it has been making for kids under the Mi Bunny Kids Smartwatch line. Back in April, it launched the Mi Bunny Watch 4 in China.

Xiaomi is yet to announce any of its kids’ smartwatches outside China but a Bluetooth SIG certification has revealed there may be a new model launching soon in China.

Listed as the Mi Kids Smartwatch Kids 4C, the smartwatch should be a successor to the Mi Bunny Kids Smartwatch 3C that was announced back in August 2019. The watch has model number MTSB111XUN and will connect via Bluetooth 4.2.

We won’t be surprised if this doesn’t get an international release just like its predecessors.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi backed Haylou Solar Smartwatch Review: The Best Budget Smartwatch

(Sources: 1, 2)

The post Mi Flood Detector and Mi Kids Smartwatch 4C receive Bluetooth certification appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi is known for its Walkie Talkies which are launched under its Mijia brand as well as those of its other ecosystem companies. The Bluetooth SIG website has revealed Xiaomi has a new one coming and it will launch as the Mi Walkie-Talkie Lite.

The device was certified late last month and has model number XMDJJL01. The description says it is an “entry-level walkie-talkie that is extremely cost-effective”. It adds that alongside the intercom function, it also supports “power query“, “APP editing channels and settings”, and “batch configuration”.

The Mi Walkie-Talkie Lite will support Bluetooth 5.0 which should come in handy in case you want to connect your earphones to it.

There is no info on when Xiaomi will announce it but it will be nice to see it launch outside of China too. Quite a number of folks have had to import its previous walkie-talkies to their respective countries, so a global launch for this inexpensive model will be welcome.

UP NEXT: Weiyuan Smart Handheld Bladeless fan is Xiaomi’s latest crowdfunding product

The post Xaomi Mi Walkie-Talkie Lite gets Bluetooth certification appeared first on Gizmochina.

Huawei had just recently launched its latest flagship series, the Huawei P40 lineup. It arrives with top notch specs and features, and according to a new leak, it can soon also be used as a standalone dedicated microphone, thanks to its wireless sound transmission.

From what we know so far, the wireless sound transmission is a feature that is only supported on the Huawei FreeBuds, FlyPods and FreeLance series of audio wearables at the moment. Through these headphones, one can transmit the external sound directly from the Huawei P40’s microphone to the Bluetooth headset or Bluetooth speakers in real time. In other words, it effectively makes the smartphone a dedicated microphone which also allows sound amplification.

Editor’s Pick: Honor’s George Zhao denies having a stockpile of 4G phones, Says supply has been limited

There are certain real life applications of this as well. First, the wireless listening can act as a baby monitor, a device that relays sound from an audio capturing device in the infants’ room and an audio output device with the mother when she is not around. Thus, creating a situation that even if she is busy, the sound of the baby crying or other emergencies can be heard from afar through headphones.

Another great example is sound application. Imagine a tour guide giving a lecture on all the rare and ancient artifacts in a museum. It can even be used by teachers for sound amplification, with the Huawei P40 acting as the microphone while a Bluetooth speaker amplifies the sounds so it is better audible for a larger crowd. A few people have also ridiculed the feature, as it also has potential for eavesdropping from a different room, although its viability is still unsure.

UP NEXT: Honor Play 4T series key details like Kirin 810, 48MP triple cameras and 4,000mAh battery revealed

The post Huawei P40 can be used as a dedicated microphone appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi’s TWS lineup is messy and that is because one product can go by multiple names. For example, the Mi AirDots Lite, the Redmi AirDots, and the Mi True Wireless Earphones Basic are practically the same product. Now, a successor seems to be on the way.

The Bluetooth SIG has certified a pair of TWS from Xiaomi called the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic. Going by the info in the first paragraph above, this should be the successor of the Mi AirDots Lite and should also be the successor of the Redmi AirDots.

The Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic has model number TWSEJ04WM and will connect via Bluetooth 5.0. We have no idea what it will look like, so we can’t say if it will keep the design of its predecessor.

While the design is important for comfort, the features are equally important. The Redmi AirDots, which I own, is terrible when it comes to calls as there is no noise-canceling microphone. Hopefully, this is fixed with the new iteration. We also would not mind it having a USB Type-C port and better battery life.

What features do you want to see in the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic? Let us know in the comment box.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 is the global version of the Mi AirDots Pro 2

(Source)

The post Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic gets Bluetooth Certification; should launch as Redmi AirDots 2 appeared first on Gizmochina.

Last year, Xiaomi announced the Mi Soundbar in India. The soundbar, which is also sold in China, provides a boost in audio for televisions and can also be used as a standalone Bluetooth speaker. Now a successor is on the way but will arrive under a different name – the Redmi Soundbar 2.0.

The Redmi Soundbar 2.0 was certified by the Bluetooth SIG today. The certificate reveals the speaker has model number MDZ-34-DA and supports Bluetooth 5.0. The Mi Soundbar from last year connected via Bluetooth 4.2.

The rest of the specs are still unknown but we expect it to offer a range of other connectivity options such as Optical, SPDIF, and Auxilliary modes. We also expect it to have a more impressive audio quality compared to the Mi Soundbar.

Redmi launched its first TV last year, a 70-inch behemoth with a price tag around $550. No new models have been announced yet but we won’t be surprised if there is a launch around the corner for new models. Redmi’s General Manager, Lu Weibing, said the Redmi K30 Pro’s launch will be for more than just smartphones. This means there is a high chance the Redmi Soundbar 2.0 will be announced on that day too.

UP NEXT: RedmiBook 14 India launch could be near as it receives BIS certification

(Source)

The post Redmi Soundbar 2.0 gets Bluetooth certification; may launch soon appeared first on Gizmochina.

A recent report by Strategy Analytics revealed Xiaomi has the second largest share of the TWS earbuds market. The Chinese manufacturer trails after Apple but leads Samsung, JBL, and Huawei. Xiaomi is able to achieve this thanks to its lineup of affordable TWS headsets which include the Mi Bluetooth Earphones Air (Mi True Wireless Earphones), the Mi AirDots Youth Edition (Mi True Wireless Basic), and the Mi True Wireless Bluetooth Headset Air2.

Over the past few months, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group has certified a couple of new TWS headsets from Xiaomi but they are yet to launch. There is the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 that was certified back in July 2019 and that we think is the international version of the Mi True Wireless Bluetooth Headset Air2. There is also the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2S that was certified in December 2019. Now a new one called the Mi True Wireless Earphones Lite has been spotted on the certification site.

The Mi True Wireless Earphones Lite has the model number TWSEJ03WM and was certified on January 14, 2020. The certificate reveals the wireless earbuds will connect via Bluetooth 5.0.

Other than the aforementioned, there are not any more details about the upcoming TWS earbuds. At the moment, we have not heard any report of the launch of new pair of wireless earbuds from Xiaomi. However, if we were to take a wild guess, we will say the Mi True Wireless Earphones Lite may be a lite version of the Air2.

Xiaomi will want to maintain its grip of having the second largest share of the TWS markets and to do that, it needs to announce new models that bring new features while keeping the price tag affordable.

It has not announced any new phone launches outside China but when it does, we expect it to announce at least one new pair of TWS earbuds.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi launches Mi Portable Wireless Mouse in India

(Source)

The post Mi True Wireless Earphones Lite certified by Bluetooth SIG appeared first on Gizmochina.

“The best camera is the one you carry with you”. This is one of the biggest truths in photography. Especially nowadays that smartphone cameras have improved so much that the average eye wouldn’t be able to distinguish a photo shot on a smartphone from one shot on a DSLR camera. And since all of us carry our smartphone every day, this is the best camera.

But there are some obstacles that prevent a user from shooting the best photo he can with the greater of all being an unstable hand. Just Mobile managed to solve this problem with its original ShutterGrip a year ago and now they are ready to release ShutterGrip 2 with a brand new finish and more flexible ways of controlling your camera in your pocket.

The design goal of ShutterGrip 2 is to re-create the comfort and control of a traditional DSLR camera. Starting from the palm grip, to the optimally positioned shutter release button, the final creation is a palm grip that is comfortable to operate with one hand, and a secured camera that is always ready by your side.

And there’s no need for a proprietary app, just Bluetooth pairing is enough and you are good to go no matter if you own an Android or iOS device.

It is able to support both landscape and portrait grips. When taking landscape videos, just place the ShutterGrip 2 in the middle of the phone and flip the palm grip down. Besides that, there are several other uses of the accessory that you can see on Kickstarter crowdfunding platform. Go ahead and visit the campaign and catch an Early Bird offer now.

The post Just Mobile ShutterGrip 2: A pocket-sized Bluetooth grip for easy Street Photography appeared first on Gizmochina.

The two popular versions of Bluetooth are – Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) and Bluetooth Classic. The former uses less power consumption, as much as 100x lower than Bluetooth Classic which is why it is the mode of connection for a number of IoT products, fitness trackers, and beacons. Bluetooth Classic, on the other hand, uses more power and has a higher throughput which is why it is used for streaming audio. At CES 2020, Bluetooth SIG announced LE Audio which will allow for audio streaming over Low Energy.

You may be concerned about quality taking a hit since Bluetooth Low Energy has a low throughput. It has been reported that LE Audio will use a new compression algorithm called LC3 (Low Complexity Communication Codec) that will keep the audio quality at the same high level you get when using Bluetooth Classic. The main advantage LE Audio brings is the increase in playtime which can be nearly double.

Extensive listening tests have shown than LC3 will provide improvements in audio quality over the SBC codec included with Classic Audio, even at a 50% lower bit rate.

– Manfred LUtZKY, Head of Audio for communications at Fraunhofer IIS

For products where an increase in battery life is not the focus, they can become smaller since the battery size can be reduced.

Low Energy Audio will also support hearing aids; allow for the transmission of multiple and independent audio streams from one device to one or more devices with benefits such as smoother switching between devices and better stereo experience, and support broadcast audio for audio sharing which will allow you to broadcast one or more streams to an unlimited number of devices.

Audio sharing can be personal or location-based. Personal is when you share what you are listening to on your smartphone with those around you. In the case of location-based audio sharing, which is even more interesting, you can select the audio being broadcast by silent TVs in a public place. Location-based audio sharing can also be used in places such as airports, cinemas, theaters, or lecture halls to help visitors with hearing loss or to provide audio in several languages.

The Bluetooth SIG says the specifications for Bluetooth LE Audio will be released in the first half of the year. We should expect the technology to start appearing in devices after then.

You can find more CES 2020 coverage here.

(Sources: 1, 2 | Via)

The post Bluetooth SIG introduces LE Audio with support for hearing aids, audio sharing and more appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi’s Mi AirDots Pro is sold outside China as the Mi True Wireless Earphones. In September, Xiaomi announced the Air2 (AirDots Pro 2) which is the successor to the AirDots Pro and should sell outside China as the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2. However, Xiaomi is yet to announce the Air2 outside China and that isn’t surprising seeing as it took about six months before it launched the first model in Europe.

Now, a Bluetooth certification page for another pair of wireless earbuds from Xiaomi called the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2S has been spotted.

The Mi True Wireless Earphones 2S was certified today by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. The certification page reveals the model number of the earbuds has TWSEJ05WM and it confirms that it is a higher model than the Mi Air2/AirDots 2 Pro whose model number is TWSEJ02JY.

The certification page says the product website is Tiiinlab.com.cn which is actually the website of the acoustics company behind the 1More brand of audio products.

The earbuds will connect via Bluetooth 5.0 but we do not know what it will look like and what new features it will bring. However, we do hope it will come with Qualcomm’s QCC5126 audio chip and support for wireless charging. We also cannot say when it will launch, though it doesn’t seem like it will be this year.

UP NEXT: Redmi XiaoAI Speaker Play launched for 79 yuan ($11)

The post Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2S gets Bluetooth certification appeared first on Gizmochina.

1More, the Chinese company behind a number of audio products released under its own name and for brands like Xiaomi will soon launch its first Active Noise Cancelling TWS earbuds.

The pair of wireless earbuds is powered by Qualcomm’s 3034 entry-level audio SoC. The low-energy chipset supports aptX and aptX HD as well as Bluetooth 5.0 and is the same chipset in the OnePlus Bullets Wireless. In addition to aptX support, it will also support AAC, have improved audio quality, stronger connection, and support stereo phone calls.

1More says the earbuds use a combination of FeedForward and FeedBack for its active noise cancelation. Users will be able to choose between two ANC settings. There is also cVc 8.0 which cuts out background noise for crystal clear calls. The earbuds also have a dual-driver setup which includes one dynamic driver and one balanced armature for better bass and crystal-clear mids, highs, and vocals. Like all 1More audio products, the ANC TWS Earbuds are tuned by Luca Bignardi, the Grammy-award winning sound engineer.

The 1More ANC TWS Earbuds will provide up to 6 hours of listening with ANC turned off (22 hours with the case). With ANC turned on, users will get up to 5 hours of battery life. The case will support fast charging via USB-C and a 15-minute charge will provide up to 2 hours of listening time. There is also support for Google Assistant, Siri, and XiaoAI voice assistants. It also supports NFC pairing and has in-ear detection.

1More first revealed the TWS earbuds at CES 2019 but has been working on improving it. It is already available for reservation and it will be available for purchase during the 11:11 shopping festival. The 1More ANC TWS Earbuds will have a selling price of $199.99.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi Mi AirDots Pro 2 noise-canceling earphones with Bluetooth 5.0 announced

(Via)

The post 1More ANC True Wireless Stereo Earbuds to launch next month appeared first on Gizmochina.

The specialized headset brand, Origem, has released three wireless Bluetooth headsets in the past few years: HS-1, HS-2, and HS-3. All are high-quality headsets offering great sound experience to users and the company has won the trust of many users that are now loyal to the brand.

Origem has become 3 years old and to celebrate this anniversary, they have prepared big promotions that are offered until September 29th. Of course, the star of the promotion is the latest and best model to date, Origem HS-3 that gets $40 off the official price and is currently selling for just $59.

1 of 2

What’s more, they’ve prepared various headphone giveaways. All you have to do to enter the Giveaway is register on the Origem website and you may be among the 3 lucky participants that will win an HS-3 for free. One winner will be announced once a day until the end of the promotion, so hurry.

Since the event is already running for 4 days, the company informs us that the HS-1 has been totally sold out while the inventory of HS-3 is very limited now. So, if you are on the hunt for a high-quality wireless headset, wait no more. You can learn more about the promo here.

The post Origem 3rd Anniversary crazy sale is ongoing, just 3 days left to grab deals from $0.99 appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi may soon announce two new products based on recent listings on the Bluetooth SIG website. The Bluetooth website shows a product called the Mi Translator was certified today while the Mi Kids Smartwatch 2S was certified a few days ago.

The certification page for the Mi Translator which has model number FYJ01QP includes a description that says the device has a 4.1-inch touchscreen display, a 6-microphone array, and a rear camera. It also runs Android 8.1 (Go Edition), has far-field voice pickup and translation, image translation, and an exchange rate conversion. It will also connect via Bluetooth 4.2

These features sound familiar as they are similar to the features of the QIN AI Assistant phone which launched a few months ago. We presume this is a smaller model that will launch soon.

The Mi Kids (Bunny) SmartWatch 2S is an upcoming model in Xiaomi’s Mi Kids (Bunny) smartwatch line. We are surprised that this version is called the 2S seeing as Xiaomi already released the Mi Kids Smartwatch 3 and Mi Kids Smartwatch 3C. It also already received certification for the Mi Kids Smartwatch 4 Pro a few weeks ago.

The Mi Kids Smartwatch 2S has model number MTSB09XUN and will connect via Bluetooth 4.0.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi launches a vertical air-cooled 30W wireless charger priced at 199 yuan ($28)

(Sources 1, 2)

The post Xiaomi Mi Translator and Mi Kids Smartwatch 2S get Bluetooth Certification appeared first on Gizmochina.

Origem may be a relatively new manufacturer in the high-fidelity audio but they are going strong with their latest product, Origem HS-3 earbuds. The HS-3 is the world’s 1st HDR (High Dynamic Range) enabled earbuds and use an HDR algorithm that can automatically mix, optimize, map and cull sound to provide a higher level of high-quality sound. These features are available in a wide variety of mediums including music, games, movies, etc.

Their design optimizes the dynamic range and sound field to provide a balanced and consistent sound at any volume, providing for high-quality audio across all frequencies with a crystal clear mid-range, powerful bass, and a detailed high range.

1 of 6

Origem celebrates its 3rd Anniversary this year and they are holding a big promotion starting today and ending on September 29th. No need for coupons or invitations; for 1 week, the HS-3 headset is available at just $59, a solid $40 off the official price. What’s more, a $0.99 flash deal will be held twice a day. Of course, not everyone can grab the flash deals as they are time-limited but for those who miss them, a lucky draw of the HS-3 Bluetooth headphones will take place.

You can learn more on the promotion page.

The post Why spend a fortune on AirPods when you can get the world’s first HDR Bluetooth earbuds at just $59? (video) appeared first on Gizmochina.

Recently, there are so many TWS earphones at the market. It is not easy to pick a good but budget earphones. Astrotec is one of the most famous earphone manufactures in China, and I got their latest product called astrotec Redspace S80 Earphones several days ago. Let’s check it out.

Unboxing:

The astrotec S80 Earphones ship with a charging case, a storage bag, eartips of different size, Type-C charging cable and manual.

Design:

Astrotec Redspace S80 Earbuds have a simple design without physical buttons. The solid support of the earphones is a little bigger than Xiaomi Redmi AirDots. As the earbuds are made of plastic, they are light, so my ear canal doesn’t feel pressure from eartips. Because of my small ears, I can feel the big solid supports obviously touching outer area of ears, which makes me feel a little uncomfortable. However, thanks to the big solid supports, the earbuds can firmly stay in my ears, even I shake my head. So I will swallow the big solid support.

The charging case of astrotec S80 earphones comes with a fabric box and aluminum lid. I do like the touch feeling of the fabric box. In terms of sealing, this charging case is better than the others, because the lid is a bit difficult to open. With an oval shape, it has a medium size that is easy to take it out.

The astrotec S80 earbuds come with virtual key, which is easy to operate. Like most of the TWS earphones, the S80 supports phone call mode, music mode and voice assistant wake-up. In terms of phone call mode, Quick touch 2 times means reject or hang up phone calls, one touch means answer phone call. In the music mode, touch the right/left earbud for 2s to skip track forward/backward when playing. Touch the right/left earbud 2 times to plus/minus volume. Just touch the earbud 3 times can arouse the voice assistant.

Running on Bluetooth 5.0, the S80 TWS Earphones has solid wireless connection in a range of around 30 feet.

Performance:

To check the performance of astrotec S80, we played a lot of songs with lyrics as well as complex music. It’s punchy in the low end, but is not enough to frighten my ears. The S80 doesn’t have the much powerful thumping effect. I think it is good, because the bass is not my priority.

If you like to listen to lyrical songs, you may like the astrotec S80 TWS Earphones. Vocals are clear, which deliver more details. However, it also has the same problem on the other budget earphones. In the high end, it has a minimum amount of distortion although the highs are pretty crisp. But for this price, I think it’s okay.

In terms of voice calling, the voice has a bit of distortion, and it is not as clear as using the phone speaker.

Battery:

The battery life of astrotec S80 Earbuds is about 5 hours, which can be used for about 25 hours with the charging case.

Conclusion:

The astrotec S80 TWS Earphones have a simple design and a beautiful charging case. The most important is that the S80 has a great sound quality. Although the quality of calling voice is not so good, the overall performance is great.

The S80 is priced at $99.99 at Hifigo now. If you are going to get earphones, astrotec S80 is a great option.

Buy Link: astrotec S80 on Hifigo

The post Astrotec S80 TWS Earphones Review: Good Sound And Beautiful Look appeared first on Gizmochina.

Android TV is available not only on dongles and TV boxes but is now also on soundbars. The $400 JBL Link Bar is an example. If you prefer Amazon’s Fire TV, then Anker may soon announce something similar to the JBL Link Bar.

Anker may be best known for its power banks, chargers, and adapters but it also makes great and affordable audio products that are launched under its Soundcore sub-brand and also projectors under its Nebula sub-brand.

A Bluetooth listing has revealed the manufacturer may soon announce a soundbar with Fire OS built-in. According to the listing details, the product will be called Nebula Soundbar – Fire TV Edition. We are surprised it is not launching as a Soundcore product, to be precise, as the Soundcore Infini – Fire TV Edition. Infini is Soundcore’s line of soundbars.

Technically, this isn’t Nebula’s first soundbar. Back in May, it was revealed that a Nebula Soundbar was in development. There was even an image but little or no details back then and the soundbar is yet to launch. There is a possibility Anker may have scrapped that in favor of the Nebula Soundbar Fire TV Edition.

The device was certified on August 23 and the listing was first discovered by Android TV Rumors (@androidtv_rumor). The soundbar will have Bluetooth 5.0 and its model number is given as D3000. That is all we know for now about the first Fire TV soundbar.

(Sources: 1, 2)

UP NEXT: OnePlus executive reveals screen size for the OnePlus TV

The post Anker Nebula Soundbar Fire TV Edition gets Bluetooth certification appeared first on Gizmochina.

Data security has been a burning topic in recent times especially as the industry begins to migrate to 5G connectivity technology. Recently, researchers from Boston University (BU) detected a vulnerability in several high-profile Bluetooth devices. The vulnerability could allow third-parties to determine your location and other sensitive information. The fear is that this could be exploited by persons with sinister intentions to extract information that could be used for stalking or abuse. With Bluetooth devices almost everywhere, this finding should be of concern to you.

The susceptibility has to do with the way Bluetooth-enabled gadgets pair with one another. one device serves as the central connection and the other plays a peripheral role. The peripheral device sends out a signal that contains a unique address — similar to an IP address — and data about the connection. Most devices produce a randomized address which automatically reconfigures periodically. That’s meant to protect users’ privacy, but the BU researchers found that, using an open-source “sniffer” algorithm, they could identify Bluetooth connections even when their addresses changed.

EDITOR’S PICK: US Senators introduce Bill to block Huawei from Buying or Selling US Patents

Despite being susceptible to attack, individual information is not revealed. However, that lacuna could be used to follow Bluetooth gadgets and their clients. Android may get a go here. The scientists state Android gadgets don’t have all the earmarks of being defenceless, however, Windows 10 and iOS gadgets can be followed.

Of particular concern is Fitbit users’ vulnerability clients which are said to be the worst. According to the researchers, Fitbits don’t automatically update or randomize their addresses, making them even easier to track. However, a Fitbit spokesperson has responded to an inquiry about this by Engadget. He stated: “As the leader in connected health and fitness category, Fitbit is committed to protecting consumer privacy and keeping data safe. The trust of our customers is paramount and we carefully design security measures for new products, continuously monitor for new threats, and rapidly respond to identified issues.”

The company also said that Fitbit devices aren’t able to share personally identifiable information for any users and that it believes it would be extremely difficult to actually stalk someone using this method. “Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology is widespread and allows all types of devices to connect easily without draining battery power. It’s important to note that this technology can only be used to confirm that an active tracker is nearby. No personally identifiable information is shared or accessible. It’s highly unlikely that someone could stumble across a particular device, know who it belongs to, and track the device’s movement,” the company’s statement says. Nevertheless, the company is also monitoring the situation carefully.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi shares Mi A3 disassembly video but skips screen components to showcase cameras

(source)

The post Your Fitbit and other Bluetooth gadgets could be giving away your location data appeared first on Gizmochina.

Aliexpress is once again holding its mid-year sale and besides smartphone deals that interest most of the buyers, accessory manufacturers are also participating, offering great discounts on already affordable products. Baseus is among the top accessory manufacturers and their product quality is excellent considering the fact that they are already cheap. You can check out all the dozens of deals here but let’s check out some of the most discounted ones first.

Baseus 45W Quick Charge 4.0 Car Charger

The Baseus 45W Quick Charge 4.0 Car Charger is a dual port charger that besides your smartphone or tablet, can also charge your laptop since it comes with a USB Type-C port with PD. In order for that to work, you must use it with Baseus’ own cable though. In addition, there is a voltage indicator display that shows the current voltage output while charging a device. What’s more, it sports an LED light that changes color depending on the current your car socket delivers. Of course, there are all kinds of protection mechanisms to avoid overloading, overheating, etc. You can get it here as low as $10.14.

Baseus Quick Charge 4.0 dual charger

Featuring support for multiple quick charging protocols like Qualcomm’s Fast Charge 4.0, Huawei’s FCP and SCP as well as MediaTek’s Quick charge, the Baseus Quick Charge 4.0 dual charger is all the chargers you’ll ever need. It comes in two colors, Black and White, and in different configurations with dual Type-A USB ports or 1 Type-C and one Type-A port. The price is just unbeatable at $13.79 so you should take a look at the deal here.

Baseus D02 Bluetooth Headset

Although the Baseus D02 may seem a typical headset for music or game lovers, it is much more than that. It features a mic as well so it can act as a handsfree to use with your smartphone. It is very lightweight and adjustable to fit every head size. The battery lasts long enough for you to listen to 350 songs on a single charge and if you run out of battery, you can use the 3.5mm aux-in to turn it into a wired headset. It comes with Bluetooth 5.0 and you can get it for just $21.29 here.

The post Baseus mid-year sales on Aliexpress is perfect for your annual accessory refresh appeared first on Gizmochina.

While we’ve been hearing a lot from Huawei lately, their sub-brand Honor has been relatively quiet. We saw them launch the Honor 20 and Honor 20 Pro earlier this month, but other than that they’ve been silent. That is, of course, until earlier today, where the company made a big announcement. An announcement that puts the Honor 20’s to shame. Behold, the Honor Rubik’s Cube Bluetooth Speaker is now official.

We joke, but this still seems like a pretty nifty little bluetooth speaker. For starters, it’s quite the cheap little piece at just 99 yuan, or $15. It features 3W full range sound, and it supports Bluetooth 4.2. We’d like to have seen Bluetooth 5.0, but it’s fine for the price. It also has a 660mAh battery, which can apparently last for 4 hours of music playback.

The Honor Rubik’s Cube Bluetooth speaker measures in at 54 x 54 x 55mm and weighs about 120g. It has a woven lanyard, which means you can hang it just about anywhere. The little thing also only comes in one colour option, that being the cheerful raspberry red you can see in the pictures. The power button lets you turn it on, pair the device, answer calls, and even pair your Cube with another Cube.

It’s nothing special, but it’s a cheap and cheerful little speaker with an adorable design. It’s already available for purchase over at Jingdong Mall. While I’m personally not all to interested in having a small bluetooth speaker like this, I can definitely see the appeal. You could just easily toss it into a bag to take anywhere, since it’s so small and cute.

UP NEXT: Huawei still No.2 Worldwide, Apple sales slump

(Source)

The post Honor releases the Rubik’s Cube Bluetooth Speaker appeared first on Gizmochina.

Qualcomm took to Twitter on Wednesday to reveal it has a special announcement scheduled for March 19. There is not a lot of info but the attached image hints at the announcement being audio-related.

If we had to take a guess, we would say it is probably a new audio chipset or audio technology. Nearly a year ago, Qualcomm announced the QCC3026 audio SoC for entry-level and mid-range Bluetooth earphones.

The chipset which brings True Wireless Stereo Plus to earphones by connecting the phone to both earbuds simultaneously is found inside the OPPO O-Free Wireless Earphones. It is also present inside the Mavin Air-X Earbuds.

READ MORE: Qualcomm updates camera specifications for Snapdragon chipsets with more details

There is a possibility next Tuesday’s announcement is a new audio SoC too that brings improvement to wireless audio.

(Source)

The post Qualcomm schedules special announcement for March 19, might be audio-related appeared first on Gizmochina.

Bluetooth is present on every smartphone device since the past decade. It is helping users to connect different wireless devices and offers an ability to transfer files over a small distance. Bluetooth has improved a lot over time and is now more efficient concerning power consumption. The latest versions of Bluetooth protocol helps to connect multiple devices simultaneously. Today, Bluetooth Special Group (SIG) has introduced a new feature with the latest version of the Bluetooth protocol.

As per the Bluetooth SIG, the new version will carry some more advancements. It helps devices to get a more accurate location upto centimeters along with direction parameter. A new era of Bluetooth will begin where it can be used in the proximity-based services or devices.  It will even help users to track objects or devices accurately within the range. Moreover, it will help the devices to provide exact indoor locations.

Currently, it is used along with the GPS to track the exact location but not used solely for the same purpose. Bluetooth 5.1 will give commercial or personal users an ability track location accurately within malls, bigger cities, building and even on different shelves. It can be used to track another Bluetooth 5.1 device with an accuracy of over a centimeter. Talking about the same Bluetooth SIG executive director Mark Powell said, “Location services is one of the fastest-growing solution areas for Bluetooth technology and is forecasted to reach over 400 million products per year by 2022. This is great traction, and the Bluetooth community continues to seek ways to further grow this market with technology enhancements that better address market needs, demonstrating the community’s commitment to driving innovation and enriching the technology experience of users worldwide.”

It is a game changer for various industries, it will allow them to track objects efficiently and accurately. Bluetooth 5.1 is a boon for enterprises which have big warehouses. Further, there are many other possibilities through which Bluetooth 5.1 can cater to the needs of customers.

• Read More: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 Features The Capability To Stream Music To Multiple Bluetooth Devices

From the past few years, Bluetooth has seen numerous improvements such as improved efficiency, faster transfer rates, multiple devices connected and much more. The Bluetooth 5.0 has allowed portable devices such as wireless headphones to communicate over power-conservative Bluetooth Low Energy.

It is great to see such an advancement on the Bluetooth protocol.

(Via)

The post Bluetooth 5.1 comes with direction metric and location accuracy of upto a centimeter appeared first on Gizmochina.

Apple was expected to launch its AirPods 2 wireless earphones in October but that didn’t happen. But it seems that the launch of Apple AirPods 2 is now far away as they have reportedly passed through the mandatory Bluetooth SIG certification.

Listing for the new Apple AirPods on the Bluetooth SIG mentions the device using the model numbers A2031 and A2032. Further, the listing also reveals that the next-generation AirPods will come with support for Bluetooth 5.0.

Further, reports related to the device’s trademark filing hints that the upcoming next-generation AirPods will have much more to offer than just audio. There are reports indicated that Apple could introduce health and wellness features in the AirPods 2, including support for heart rate monitoring.

Last year, Apple won a patent for sports-oriented AirPods with biometrics and noise cancellation features. Recently, the company renewed trademark filings from Hong Kong and Europe indicating that Apple is updating the AirPods classifications to specifically include aspects like ‘wellness sensors’ and more.

The specific notion for the “‘General wellness instruments” under trademark filing for the new AirPods mentions following:

CLASS 10: GENERAL WELLNESS INSTRUMENTS, NAMELY, HEALTH, FITNESS, EXERCISE, AND WELLNESS SENSORS, MONITORS, SPEAKERS AND DISPLAYS FOR MEASURING, DISPLAYING, TRACKING, REPORTING, MONITORING, STORING, AND TRANSMITTING BIOMETRIC DATA, HEART RATE, BODY MOVEMENT, AND CALORIES BURNED.

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple AirPods could come with support for hands-free Siri access that allows buyers to easily summon the AI-driven virtual assistant. It could also come with the much demanded water resistance support. Some rumors indicate that Apple could also launch an optional wireless charging case for the AirPods that would be compatible with Apple AirPower charging mat.

Read More: Apple launches a new MacBook Air with Retina Display, Touch ID, USB-C, and thinner bezels

Further, the upcoming Apple AirPods 2 is expected to come with improved battery backup, better range of operation, and improved audio quality. Rumours indicate that the new AirPods will be announced alongside the StudioPods, a premium over-the-ear headphones.

(Via)

The post Apple AirPods 2 receives Bluetooth SIG Certification, could launch soon appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google is always late to the party when it comes to features that should already be available on Android. Thanks to third-party versions of the Android OS, we have been able to get some much-needed features without waiting for Google. One new feature coming to Android is in-band ringtone support.

In-band ringtone is a feature that allows your Bluetooth headset to ring with the same ringtone as your phone instead of that annoying beep you hear. This feature has been available on iOS for years and A search on the web will show you Android users have been asking for it to be enabled as far back as 2009.

The feature will be added to Android O when it launches. It remains to be seen if Google will find a way to make it available for previous versions of Android.

Another Bluetooth feature coming to Android is battery level indicator for connected devices. This has been available for years on iOS and some third-party OEMS’s custom version of Android. However, it will just be coming to Android.

READ MORE: Lenovo Abandons Vibe UI, Now To Use Stock Android On Its Phones

Android O will also have Sony’s LDAC which allows you to stream audio wirelessly at a higher quality rate. Current streaming rate is about 330kbps but LDAC wil push it to 990kbps. The gripe with this new feature is that your Bluetooth audio device must have LDAC built-in and right now only Sony’s audio devices seem to be the supported ones.

(Source, via)

The post In-Band Ringtone Support Coming To Android Devices Via Android O appeared first on Gizmochina.

However, an update for HydrogenOS is bringing a new feature that isn’t yet available to OxygenOS, and that is support for aptX and aptX HD Bluetooth codecs. What is aptX and what does it do?

When you transmit audio over bluetooth, it is compressed and the audio quality is not as good as when you use a pair of wired earphones or when you stream over other wireless methods. aptX still compresses the audio but it just sounds a lot better. According to Qualcomm Global Trading Pte. Ltd., a Qualcomm subsidiary that acquired CSR, the original owner of aptX, the codec enables CD-like quality wireless audio because it solves the problem of sending the full music bandwidth over bluetooth.

READ MORE: OnePlus 3T Midnight Black Edition Sold Out Except in The UK and Hong Kong

The update is still limited to the beta version (HydrogenOS Beta 12) but will soon be made available via a stable update. aptX needs a special hardware for it to work in smartphones and even aptX supported headphones or speakers. The hardware is said to be present in most high-end smartphones already. aptXsupport will also be added to all smartphones and tablets running Android O.

(Source)

The post HydrogenOS Update Brings aptX and aptX HD Bluetooth Support for OnePlus 3 appeared first on Gizmochina.

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) was formed in 1998 as a non-profit group that oversees the development of Bluetooth standards and licensing of Bluetooth technologies. The group recently adopted Bluetooth 5.0 as the latest version of the technology. As it stands, the upcoming Galaxy S8 might be the first device to come with the new bluetooth version.

First, what does Bluetooth 5.0 do differently from the previous Bluetooth 4.0 version?

According to the information on the Bluetooth website, Bluetooth 5.0 has quadruple the range and double the speed of Bluetooth 4.0. In addition to that, the capacity of connection-less data broadcasts have also been increased by up to 800%, which will change the way bluetooth devices transmit information. To explain how that will work, just imagine not having to download an app for a bluetooth device just because you need to use the device.

The increase in operation range will also allow users connect to IoT devices that extend beyond the walls of homes, therefore providing a more reliable Internet of Things connection.

READ MORE: Samsung galaxy S8 Will Only Have a Curved Variant

SIG already has 30,000 registered members which consists of promoter members, associate members, and adopter members. Samsung is an associate member and its next flagship, the Galaxy S8 is expected to be the first device to feature the new Bluetooth 5.0 standard.

Source: Sammobile

The post Samsung Galaxy S8 Might Be The first Phone To feature Bluetooth 5.0 appeared first on Gizmochina.

The Bluetooth earphones market is pretty busy but we found the Syllable A6 necklace style sports earphones to be unique, great sounding and affordable. Learn more in the full review.

UNBOXING

The earphones come in a nice looking box and the contents of it include some instruction manuals, a tangle-free USB cable for charging and the headset itself. Unfortunately, there are no extra earbuds included.

DESIGN, FEATURES AND FUNCTIONALITY

As for design, we are looking a a very light necklace-type headset.

You need wrap it around your neck and use a magnetic clip to lock it.

Once you do that, the earphones are very close to your ears preventing any cables from tangling up. 

A really cool design feature is that the control part (you can skip tracks, adjust volume, play/pause or answer the call) is right in front of you. I found it really convenient to reach it when I was jogging.

The earphones themselves (they are made of rubberised plastic) are just about the size of any regular (non-Bluetooth earphones) and that is a huge advantage.

I’ve tested a lot of different Bluetooth headsets and I found a lot of them to be heavy and falling out of the ears easily. It is not happening with these ones as the Bluetooth module is actually not in the earphones themselves but in the magnetic hasp part.

Overall, I love the design of this headset. The only thing that I didn’t like is that the cable is really thin and may break easier than thicker cables.

TEST NOTES AND SOUND QUALITY

I didn’t have any issues with pairing the headset with my phone. Also, the Bluetooth connectivity and range are fine.

As far as call quality, it is good and I had no complaints from my friends I talked to via this headset.

As for the sound quality, the Syllable A6 sound pretty well. While these are not the best sounding earphones I’ve tested, the sound is crisp and clean. Also, there is a decent amount of bass but I would love to hear a bit more of it. However, the volume output could be slightly louder.

The battery life could be better, to be honest. I managed to get less than 3 hours of music playback out of this headset. That means that you would need to charge it quite a lot of you do a lot of exercising during the week.

CONCLUSIONS

The Syllable A6 Bluetooth headset is a pretty good choice if you are in the market of affordable (under $22) sports earphones. 

I love the design of the headset and the fact that it is very light, and it is really comfortable to wear. Also, the sound quality is good for the price of this headset.

However, the volume output could be louder and the battery life could be better.

All in all, Syllable A6 Bluetooth headset is a great choice for the price despite a few shortcomings.

The post Syllable A6 Sports Bluetooth Headset Review appeared first on Gizmochina.

This is a segment of great gift ideas. This time around we have a multi-colour light bulb with a Bluetooth speaker that costs below $15. 

BRELONG E27 12W Bluetooth Music Bulb Review: VIDEO

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-leFAgKgQA[/embedyt]

BRELONG E27 12W Bluetooth Music Bulb Review: UNBOXING

The device comes with some instruction manuals and a remote control, which has a pre-installed removable battery.

BRELONG E27 12W Bluetooth Music Bulb Review: DESIGN and BUILD

The lightbulb comes in E27 size, so make sure it fits the lamp you want to use it with. 

It is well made and you simply can’t ask more at this price point. 

BRELONG E27 12W Bluetooth Music Bulb Review: FEATURES and FUNCTIONALITY

The setup of the lightbulb is super easy. You just have to install it and use the remote control to change colours, adjust brightness levels or select different modes like flash, strobe, fade or smooth. 

All the modes are working fine except for the strobe as it looks the same as the flash mode. 

If you select a white colour, you can use the bulb as any other regular bulbs. Unfortunately, the bulb only has 12W of power output, which is not enough to illuminate a large room.

Another feature is the built-in Bluetooth speaker. While it will not knock your socks off, it is pretty good and the bulb is quite loud for the size. Just make sure not to listen to music at the highest volume settings as you will hear some distortions.

BRELONG E27 12W Bluetooth Music Bulb Review: CONCLUSIONS

The Breelong Bluetooth music bulb is a great gadget and it has a lot to offer for the price of under $15. While it is not perfect, it does most of the things right and you simply can’t ask more at this price tag. 

Buy Breelong Bluetooth music bulb from Gearbest

The post A Great Gift Idea for under $15 – Multi-colour Light Bulb with Bluetooth Speaker appeared first on Gizmochina.

The company AUSDOM  is headquartered in Shenzhen, and mainly deals with IP cameras, car electronics and a few headphones. The AUSDOM M05 is an over-ear headphone for about $40 USD, which can be connected both via Bluetooth and a 3.5mm jack.

Packaging and content

The packaging is a simple black box with the mapped headphones. On the back are the most important information.

Accessories include a storage bag, a quick start guide (in German), a USB to micro-USB for charging and a 3.5mm jack cable. Which means that this headset also supports wired audio playback, which is very rare to see in headphones in this price range.

Material and Design

The AUSDOM M05  act really high quality and are well crafted. Especially the bracket is very robust but still flexible. The bracket on the sides is made ​​of plastic, which is slightly roughened. Thus, it is not only high quality but also really feels like that. Like us itself very well built, and feels very good either when wearing it or just holding it, or left around the neck.

The bracket on the top side has a carbon-look but is made of soft foam as well as the inside of the strap. The transitions are all handled properly, here we have nothing to complain about. The earpieces on the sides are also provided with a soft carbon coating.

Here is a short demonstration of how flexible the headphones really are.

Comfort

The padded earcups is very comfortable to wear. According AUSDOM supposed to be a kind of artificial protein leather, whatever that is. The bracket can be pulled out sufficiently so that should really find the headphones on each head a proper fit. A proper fit is very important for longer sessions when one is working on a computer or out on a run.

The headphones have exercise on a very good fit without much pressure on the ears. The soft reference of the ear cups feels fluffy and comfortable.

The ear is completely covered, thus ensuring a good shielding of ambient noise.

Technical specifications:

• Bluetooth 4.0 EDR
• Hands-Free
• built-in microphone
• aptX Protocol Support
• 20 hrs. Playback or talk time
• 250 Std.Standby
• 3.5 mm jack
• Frequency range 20-20.000Hz)

Function Keys

On the left side you will find the microphone behind a lattice, the on / power button and the volume loud and soft key. In addition then still beside the 3.5mm jack input.

On the right side then the microUSB input for charging, the Pause / Play and skip track buttons.

The coupling takes place via Bluetooth simplistic about the hold the Power button. A female voice in English has a friendly then out.Otherwise, all the keys worked perfectly in our tests and had a good pressure point.

Microphone

The M05 has additionally an integrated microphone. The supports all devices that can be connected via Bluetooth. But rather below average but to use it, the quality of the microphone to call quite suitable. But it puts more emphasis on good mic for long Skype sessions etc. one should seek something else prefer.

The sound

But as always, the most important thing – How is the sound and they are good what?

The sound of the M05 AUSDOM we would rather describe as average.Overall, they are very bassy, ​​where unfortunately the mids and highs to go a bit lost. Especially because of the missing middle is something missing the dynamism but for people who love good bass, you may appropriately. The rest would then have been a neat equalizer countermeasures. You can not use the example in wide Xiaomi Headphones keep up but the games in a different league and are also more expensive. Overall, however, probably better than the Bluedio Turbine headphones but slightly worse than the cheaper Leme B20.

Conclusion and Recommendation

The post Ausdom M05 Over the ear Bluetooth Headset Review appeared first on Gizmochina.

If you are looking for great sports Bluetooth earphones but don’t want to pay the price of Jaybird Bluebuds, the 1byone headset is worth checking out. Stay tuned for a full review.

This review is brought to you by TechLineHD.

1byone Sports Bluetooth Earphones Review: VIDEO

The headset costs $43 on Amazon and I will leave the links below the video. For this price, you are getting a really nice presentation as all the items are packed neatly. The contents include a nice carrying pouch, USB cable, instruction manual, different sizes of earbuds and secure fit supports.

1byone Sports Bluetooth Earphones Review: DESIGN

When it comes to the design, 1byone Bluetooth earphones are very well-made although it uses plastic and rubber in its build. As usual to this type of product, the earphones itself are bigger than the regular ones since there are batteries, sound drivers, Bluetooth chip and other stuff inside of them.

Nevertheless, they stay great in the ears are are quite comfortable to use. However, you to choose the right earbuds to get a perfect seal.

As far as controller, you can play/pause, adjust volume or skip tracks and the buttons have a good tactile feedback.

Also, there is a mic and the hands-free calling feature is good but not great. I could definitely hear the people on the other end but they rated the call quality just above average.

1byone Sports Bluetooth Earphones Review: SOUND QUALITY

These earphones use Bluetooth 4.1 with apt-X HD codec and that leads to a really good sound quality. What impressed me most is that there is a good amount of bass and a great balance between lows, mids and highs. For the price, I don’t think you can get anything better.

1byone Sports Bluetooth Earphones Review: CONCLUSIONS

So, there you have it, 1byone sports Bluetooth earphones. For the price of just $43, you are getting an affordable headset that doesn’t skimp on neither  the build quality nor sound. Also, earphones are comfortable to wear.

As far as battery life, I could get around 6 hours of music playback, which is not the best result but definitely not bad. Also, I didn’t have any Bluetooth connectivity issues doesn’t matter if had my phone in my pocket or in a backpack.

Finally, I can definitely recommend this headset as it is worth the money considering the overall package. Make sure to stay tuned and subscribe to the TechLineHD Youtube channel as I will be giving these earphones away very soon.

Buy 1byone Sports Bluetooth Earphones

The post 1byone Bluetooth Earphones Review – Awesome Affordable Bluetooth Sports Earphones! appeared first on Gizmochina.

Do you have one or two Bluetooth speakers but both of them are neither powerful enough nor rugged, nor outdoor ready, nor splash-proof? The Divoom Voombox Party may be the speaker that does it all, on a budget of under $100.

Divoom Voombox Party Rugged Bluetooth Speaker Review: VIDEO

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS_i44PEN3o[/embedyt]

Divoom Voombox Party Rugged Bluetooth Speaker Review: UNBOXING

As usual, let’s take take a look at the packaging, which does look fancy and inside of it you will find a micro USB cable, AUX cable for non-Bluetooth devices and some documentation.

Divoom Voombox Party Rugged Bluetooth Speaker Review: DESIGN

When it comes to the design, this is not a small Bluetooth speaker as it is about the size of a brick (233L x 54W x 103H mm) and it weighs 3.5 pounds or 1.6kg.

It is very well made and it uses quality metal and rubber materials.

Both sides of the Voombox Party have speakers inside as it uses a combo of whopping 5 sound drivers, which are capable of delivering 20W of sound output.

On the top we have a bunch of very clicky and tactile control buttons, which include volume up/down and call button as the speaker has a mic for hands-free calling. Lastly, there are Bluetooth and power buttons.

On the right there is a flap and underneath it you can find a micro USB port for charging and AUX input for non-Bluetooth devices.

The Voombox speaker also has NFC for easy pairing, which is always a nice feature to have.

Overall, the Divoom Voombox Party is built like I tank and it’s built to last. Also, the IP44 rating gives you solids and liquids protection for the outdoor use. That’s pretty cool.

Divoom Voombox Party Rugged Bluetooth Speaker Review: SOUND QUALITY

20W of sound output that it coming out 5 custom made speakers are freaking loud and the sound is deep and very rich. Also, the built-in subwoofer with dual passive radiators provide a lot of bass that if you boost the bass setting on the equaliser of your player, the speaker will soon start moving.

Divoom Voombox Party Rugged Bluetooth Speaker Review: CONCLUSIONS

So here it is, the Divoom Voombox Party. It is a very powerful Bluetooth speaker that has been made with the outdoor use in mind due to its IP44 rating, which delivers ruggerised and splash-proof properties.

It is well worth $100 considering a high quality construction, 20W of sound output and NFC feature. Regarding connectivity, I found Bluetooth 4.0 working well as I had no range issues.

On the other hand, the playback time when listening to music at around 70% of volume was about 6.5-7 hours, which is not that impressive.

Other con is that the embedded mic does not assure the best call quality. You can make understandable conversations but people on the other end will notice that you are using hands-free immediately.

All in all, despite a few shortcomings, this is a true powerhouse for just under $100 and the VoomBox Party is definitely one of the best rugged and powerful Bluetooth speakers in this price range.

The post Divoom Voombox Party Review – The Best Super Powerful Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker appeared first on Gizmochina.

This is actually the second product made by Divoom I am checking out and I can say that they ship their items in a premium packaging, and the Aurabulb is no exception.

All you are getting is the micro USB cable, AUX cable and some documentation.

Divoom Aurabulb Smart Bluetooth Music Lamp Speaker: DESIGN AND FEATURES

Allright, so the Aurabulb is not your regular Bluetooth speaker as it has a lot more to offer. It comes in a shape of a huge light bulb, which is made of rubber and the bottom part is made of quality metal mesh material.

It has the rubberised control buttons, which include the power key, volume up/down, which also allow to skip tracks, play/pause button an the light key.

On the back side we have a micro USB charging port and the AUX input for non-Bluetooth devices.

The bottom is made of rubber, so the speaker doesn’t slide on the table.

If you don’t like the light bulb idea, you can easily take the rubber bulb part off and the speaker looks kind of nice without it. There is a light under the plastic and on the top there is a dedicated subwoofer.

Divoom Aurabulb Smart Bluetooth Music Lamp Speaker: FUNCTIONALITY

The Divoom Aurabulb is a really cool speaker as it has a full range RGB LED and you can adjust the colours, brightness of it and choose from a variety of different colour modes. Also, you can do it in a couple of ways. You may choose from the preset ones by pressing a light button on the speaker or you can download a free app either for Android or iOS to take a full manual control and get a lot more features.

The interface of the app is easy to use and here you can choose from tons of different colours and adjust the brightness or simply turn off the light. Also, you can select different modes of the light like flashing, pulse or rainbow effects. In each mode you man manually select colours and I think it is pretty cool.

Also, you can simply shake your device to change colours and that another fun part of this speaker.

In addition, the app has a music player but if you don’t like it, you can simply use your phone’s player.

There is also a sleep timer and the alarm clock and you can choose from different pre-loaded scenes to help you fall asleep or wake up in the morning.

PLEASE SEE A VIDEO REVIEW FOR A FULL APP WALKTHROUGH

Divoom Aurabulb Smart Bluetooth Music Lamp Speaker: SOUND QUALITY

I have to say that I am really impressed with the sound quality this tiny speaker can produce. For the size of the speaker, the sound has a good amount of depth, the mids and highs sound pretty good. Also, the bass is really powerful and the speaker is even having a hard time sitting on the table at the highest volume setting.

Speaking of which, I was impressed that the speaker didn’t make any crackling noises when playing music at the maximum volume. And yeah, the speaker is very loud.

Overall, I am really happy with the sound quality and the volume output the Aurabulb can produce.

Divoom Aurabulb Smart Bluetooth Music Lamp Speaker: CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the Divoom Aurabulb is a great product considering the feature set you are getting, a great build quality, awesome sound and volume output.

Also, this is not another Bluetooth speaker with some basic functionality as you can use the Aurabulb in a lot of different ways.

I could get about 5 hours of music playback, which is not really impressive but not the worst either considering the size of this gadget. A good thing is that the Bluetooth range has no issues at all.

However, the handsfree feature is not the best out there. Well, you can still make a conversation but the voice could sound more clearly.

Also, the price of $50 maybe a little bit too steep for some and I would say it could cost around $10 less. Still, you are getting a lot of extra features for the price and I don’t see major shortcomings that could be a deal breaker

The post Divoom Aurabulb Smart Bluetooth Music Lamp Speaker Review appeared first on Gizmochina.

When it comes to the Bluetooth speakers, the market is really crowded with a lot of them ranging from $10 to hundreds of dollars depending on what you really need. However, there is one common trend – all of them are becoming similar in terms of design, size and shape. The Divoom Aurabox is something that you may have not seen before.

We wanted to say thank you to Divoom for sending the Aurabox for a review. We suggest you visiting the product page for more detailed info.

Divoom Aurabox Bluetooth Speaker Review: VIDEO

[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKbPtGTl-28[/embedyt]

Divoom Aurabox Bluetooth Speaker Review: UNBOXING

The speaker comes in a really premium box, which matches the $60 retail price of this speaker.

All you are getting in the box is a speaker itself, microUSB charging cable, AUX cable and some documentation.

Divoom Aurabox Bluetooth Speaker Review: DESIGN and FEATURES

What makes the Divoom Aurabox stand out from other speakers is that it has 100 highly customisable LED lights and I have to say they really look cool.

The speaker is not the smallest we’ve seen but it is very compact and lightweight. It has a good built quality but the choice of rubber all around the speaker makes it a fingerprint and dust magnet, and it is not that easy to clean it.

The Divoom Aurabox comes only with one speaker but it is large at the size 3” and it has 5W of power. Due to the unique design of this gadget, it is placed on the back.

On the bottom right corner we have a microUSB charging port along with the LED and the AUX input in case you want to connect a non-Bluetooth device.

The top side is full of controls. Here you can find a microphone for hands-free calling and I can say that the call quality is pretty good. Also, you can find a power switch, play/pause button, volume up/down, which also double as skip tracks buttons. Lastly, there is a light a mode button, which allows you to choose between the clock, the embedded real-time thermometer, different light modes or simply shuts down the LED lights.

Divoom Aurabox Bluetooth Speaker Review: THE APP

The Divoom Aurabox app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iOS).

Please see the video review, where we walk through all the features of the app.

1 of 17

The fun doesn’t stop here as the Aurabox has an app, which adds a lot of functionality and customisation options. You can select what to display on the speaker’s display, which includes a lot of preset light modes and animations or you can select that LED’s will blink according to the music you play.

Speaking of which, the app has a very simple music player but you can also use your phone’s default player.

Also, there is a sleep timer as well as alarm and it allows you to choose between different music and light combos.

Once you go to the gallery, you can choose from tons of different images and a lot of cool looking animations.

If you still feel that you can’t find the one you like you can design your own image and even animation, which is really amazing! The interface is super easy and fun to use. You are given 8 different patterns and you can choose a different colour for each of them. This is something that is fun to play but as you can see I wasn’t too creative here.

In addition, you can receive a lot of different notifications like Facebook, messages or incoming calls. That’s pretty neat.

All in all, the creativity is endless here.

Divoom Aurabox Bluetooth Speaker Review: SOUND QUALITY

The Aurabox is really loud for the size of the speaker and it will easily fill even the largest rooms with sound. As far as the sound quality goes, it is quite impressive as it has quite a lot of depth, a decent amount of mids and a good amount of bass. However, since the speaker is located at the back, the highs are not pronounced enough and could be a bit sharper. Also, either the subwoofer or the speaker grill starts making a few cracking noises at the highest volume setting once you play songs with a good amount of bass. A good thing is that listening to music at around 80-90% of volume setting easily fixes this issue.

Divoom Aurabox Bluetooth Speaker Review: CONCLUSIONS

So here it is, the Aurabox by Divoom. These 100 LED lights with tons of different customisation options make this speaker stand out from the crowded Bluetooth speaker market.

Also, the features like the clock, thermometer, alarm clock and sleep timer add the functionality we don’t see on all the Bluetooth speakers, especially in this price range.

The app is responsive and easy to use and a great thing is that you can choose between different modes straight from the speaker itself.

The sound quality is definitely good for a price except the fact that some cracking noises may kick in once you play the music at the loudest volume setting. Other than that you may actually be surprised by the depth of sound this tiny speaker can produce.

The battery life could be better though. Well, I could get up to 5.5 hours of music playback but it was with the LED lights off. Once you keep them turned on, you may get just around 3 hours. Well, it is not really impressive but this is a trade-off needed to be made to power up a a huge speaker and 100 of LED lights.

All in all, the Divoom Aurabox is a great buy despite a few shortcomings. If you are looking for a Bluetooth speaker that does a lot more and it is really fun to use, this may be for you and I believe the speaker is worth $60 price tag.

The post Amazing Divoom Aurabox Bluetooth Wireless Speaker Review appeared first on Gizmochina.