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8Bitdo's Pro 2 controller with travel case is on sale for $40 for Prime members

It has been just over a month since 8Bitdo released its Pro 3 controller. While the new model is a great option, its predecessor shouldn't be kicked to the wayside — especially when it's on sale. Right now, Prime members can get the 8Bitdo Pro 2 wireless Bluetooth controller and a travel case for $40, down from $60. The 34 percent discount solves our biggest gripe about the device: that it's too big to carry around sans case. Plus, it gives you a cheaper option that's also compatible with the n

Spotify finally rolls out Lossless audio — here’s how to turn it on

Tushar Mehta / Android Authority TL;DR Spotify’s long-awaited lossless audio tier is now gradually rolling out to Premium subscribers. The feature, simply called Lossless, streams in up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC. It is recommended to stream lossless music on Wi-Fi using either wired headphones or speakers on a non-Bluetooth connection. Spotify announced its “HiFi” lossless tier in February 2021, but the feature never arrived — until now. Literally years after the first announcement, Spotify is

New iPhones use Apple N1 wireless chip—and we’ll probably start seeing it everywhere

Apple's most famous chips are the A- and M-series processors that power its iPhones, iPads, and Macs, but this year, its effort to build its own wireless chips is starting to bear fruit. Earlier this spring, the iPhone 16e included Apple's C1 modem, furthering Apple's ambitions to shed its dependence on Qualcomm, and today's iPhone Air brought a faster Apple C1X variant, plus something new: the Apple N1, a chip that provides Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support for all of today's new iPhones

Apple’s N1 chip extends its custom silicon into Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread

Apple's most famous chips are the A- and M-series processors that power its iPhones, iPads, and Macs, but this year, its effort to build its own wireless chips is starting to bear fruit. Earlier this spring, the iPhone 16e included Apple's C1 modem, furthering Apple's ambitions to shed its dependence on Qualcomm, and today's iPhone Air brought a faster Apple C1X variant, plus something new: the Apple N1, a chip that provides Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support for all of today's new iPhones

Reverse engineering Solos smart glasses

Posted 2025/8/28 Reverse engineering Solos smart glasses First and foremost: If you’ve got any documentation on this hardware, please contact me! I would love to read the actual specs for this protocol. Background Before the audio-only AI-based smart glasses of today, we’d periodically see companies announcing smart glasses with displays, usually to small fanfare and little success. The Solos Smart Glasses are just another example. Released in 2018, they targeted cyclists and runners. The co

Earbud sharing begone: Pixel phones now have proper support for Auracast

Supplied by Google TL;DR Google has announced that Auracast is now available on recent Pixel phones. This lets you broadcast Bluetooth audio or tune into Bluetooth broadcasts from others. It also comes months after Google introduced Auracast support on Pixels, but only for compatible hearing aids. Google announced Auracast support for the Pixel 9 series earlier this year, but this was initially restricted to compatible hearing aids. Now, the company has announced full-fledged Auracast suppor

Great, Now I Need a Next-Gen, Cassette Tape-Playing Boombox

If you’re super nostalgic for the days of analog, modern Bluetooth devices probably aren’t cutting it. You can’t pick Bluetooth up; you can’t see it; you can’t… forget to rewind it and then have to wait to start your favorite album over again. Luckily, IFA 2025 is here, and the sky is the limit, which means we now have a modern boombox that can play honest-to-God cassettes while still leaving room for the convenience of wireless music streaming and hi-fi audio. We Are Rewind’s GB-001 is billed

JBL's Grip Bluetooth speaker doubles as a snazzy reading light

JBL just announced a new portable Bluetooth speaker, called the Grip. This model includes a rope hook, which should make it easy to attach to backpacks, ski gear, or just about anything else. It also features customizable ambient lighting that actually looks pretty useful. The company says this lighting scheme makes the speaker a "perfect bedside companion for late-night reading." A speaker that doubles as a night light? I can see the use for that. As for the audio, JBL promises "pro sound" at

How a small subwoofer caught this audiophile off guard (and in the best way possible)

Creative Pebble X Plus ZDNET's key takeaways The Pebble X Plus speakers are available now for $120 on Amazon. The rich, deep bass perfectly matches the mids and highs delivered by the satellite speakers. However, they don't have built-in battery power, so your portability is limited to a power source. View now at Amazon It shocks me how good Bluetooth speakers have come over the years. I remember when I bought my first Bose Bluetooth speaker, thinking it had set the bar pretty high. But when

Your Windows PC just got a big Bluetooth audio upgrade from Microsoft - hear the difference

Picture alliance / Getty Images Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Microsoft's new Bluetooth standard will improve audio quality. The new standard is designed for online games and virtual meeting apps. You can chat via a Bluetooth headset with no drop in sound quality. Here's a question for those of you who enjoy online multiplayer games: Have you ever tried chatting with a fellow gamer via your Bluetooth headset, only for the sound from the game to

Chipolo launches new Loop and Card Bluetooth trackers

Chipolo is adding two rechargeable Bluetooth trackers to its lineup. The new Chipolo Loop and Chipolo Card trackers are compatible with both the Apple Find My network and Google’s Find Hub. The new trackers are available for pre-order on the Chipolo website today. The Card tracker is thin enough to fit inside your wallet and has a speaker in the corner capable of reaching 110 dB, to ensure you can hear it easily. It comes in black and will retail for $39. The Loop is a small circular tag remini

Windows 11 now has better Bluetooth quality for game chat and voice calls

is a senior editor and author of Notepad , who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Microsoft is addressing muffled audio quality on Bluetooth headsets by introducing a new LE Audio feature for Windows 11. Built on top of the Bluetooth Low Energy radio spec, LE Audio uses a new compression algorithm that results in higher quality audio that Microsoft says will “drastically

Google Pixel phones just got a major Bluetooth connectivity upgrade - why 6.0 is such a big deal

Joseph Maldonado/ZDNET ZDNET's key takeaways Pixel 10 is the first US phone lineup with Bluetooth 6. Bluetooth 6 adds upgrades, including precise Channel Sounding. Both devices need Bluetooth 6, so adoption will be slow. Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers. Google's Pixel 10 smartphones debuted with plenty of noteworthy features, including native magnetic wireless charging, an industry-first IP68 dust- and waterproof fo

11 Best Computer Speakers (2025), Tested and Reviewed

Other Computer Speakers We Tested There are tons of computer speakers on the market, and many of the ones we tested are perfectly fine but don't deserve a spot above for one reason or another. Photograph: Simon Hill Onkyo Creator GX-10DB for $249: Capable of producing a warm and rich sound, Onkyo’s speakers are the perfect size for your desktop and come with angled stands (though they are plastic). The connectivity options are solid, with USB-C, optical, and stereo RCA inputs, and support for

15 Best Bluetooth Speakers Our Testers Jammed With in 2025

The best Bluetooth speakers have a place near and dear to our hearts, even as we’ve seen smart speakers improving their sound and portability. By (mostly) forgoing Wi-Fi radios and voice assistants, Bluetooth speakers are ultraportable, able to venture into the world and withstand rugged conditions like a sandy beach or a steamy Airbnb jacuzzi. They provide worry-free connection to any smartphone, and the top options offer sound that meets or beats the average smart speaker. We've tested hundre

Why I prefer this $180 Fender speaker over competing models by Sony and Bose

Fender Rockster Cross ZDNET's key takeaways The Fender x Teufel Rockster Cross speaker is available now on Amazon for $250 (currently $200). With massive sound and an immersive option to punch up the highs and lows, this speaker is a brilliant option for those who love it loud. The Rockster Cross immersive option might be a bit harsh for some listeners. $179.99 at Amazon Bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen. You can find them on the end caps at your neighborhood drug store, and if we could s

Why I still recommend this $180 Bluetooth speaker even a year after its release

Fender Rockster Cross ZDNET's key takeaways The Fender x Teufel Rockster Cross speaker is available now on Amazon for $250 (currently $200). With massive sound and an immersive option to punch up the highs and lows, this speaker is a brilliant option for those who love it loud. The Rockster Cross immersive option might be a bit harsh for some listeners. $179.99 at Amazon Bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen. You can find them on the end caps at your neighborhood drug store, and if we could s

8BitDo's Ultimate 2C controller is on sale for only $18

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . The well-regraded 8BitDo Ultimate 2C controller is on sale for just $18 via Amazon . This is nearly 40 percent off and a record-low price. Typically, this controller doesn't go any lower than $25 , so this is one heck of a deal. There's one major caveat. The deal only applies to the p

Jack Dorsey's Bluetooth messaging app is now on the App Store

Earlier this month, Block CEO and Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey unveiled a peer-to-peer, Bluetooth-based messaging app he put together. Now, anyone with a compatible iPhone, Mac or iPad (or even Apple Vision Pro) can try Bitchat as it's available on the App Store . Dorsey created Bitchat under the auspices of "and Other Stuff," an open-source development collective he has backed financially . Per the free app's description, it allows users to chat with others who are physically close to them w

iOS 26 lets you keep AirPods audio from auto-switching to speakers

iOS 26 is packed full of new features, but one that lots of users might appreciate most is flying under the radar. Thanks to a new setting added in iOS 26, you can finally stop AirPods’ audio from automatically getting hijacked by other Bluetooth speakers, including your in-car speakers. ‘Keep Audio with Headphones’ gives you control of your iPhone’s audio stream If you use AirPods or other Bluetooth headphones, you’ve likely experienced a surprise occurrence around other Bluetooth speakers.

These Stylish Bluetooth Headphones With Unbelievable Battery Life Are Cheaper Than Ever

Discount available: Marshall's Major V headphones are worth it even at full price but right now they're down to $100 -- or around 38% off -- on Amazon, their all-time lowest price on the site. This covers the black, brown and cream colored versions, but not the midnight blue version for whatever reason. I might not be a true battle-tested headphone expert like CNET's David Carnoy but I still love headphones and I'm confident in what I like about them. My most recent pickup, the Marshall Major V

I'm taking my favorite portable vinyl player on all my summer trips, and it's on sale right now

ZDNET's key takeaways The Audio-Technica Sound Burger retails for $199 and comes in yellow, black, or white. The Sound Burger has unparalleled portability, a long battery life, and provides a novel listening experience. It doesn't have a counterweight, and also doesn't have an auto-return feature. View now at Amazon The Audio-Technica Sound Burger is $24 when you buy it on Amazon. This deal only applies to the black color. Technology is all about embracing the now. So, even though I am one o

These Stylish Bluetooth Headphones With Unbelievable Battery Life Are Still a Steal After Prime Day

Discount available: Marshall's Major V headphones are worth it even at full price, but right now they're down to $111 -- or around 31% off -- on Amazon, which is still a great deal. I might not be a true battle-tested headphone expert like CNET's David Carnoy, but I still love headphones and I'm confident in what I like about them. My most recent pickup, the Marshall Major V on-ear Bluetooth headphones, quickly became a pair that I adore. What is Marshall? Marshall is a British audio hardware

You can buy a 4-pack of Apple AirTags for just $80 on Amazon right now

Kayla Solino/ZDNET Summer usually means one thing: vacation. And nothing can ruin a vacation more than losing your wallet or luggage. To ease those anxieties, I have the perfect Bluetooth accessory that's worth picking up before you hit your next destination. Amid the possibility of a new generation of the Apple AirTag, we're seeing big discounts on the Bluetooth tracker, making this the best time to buy the current generation. The Apple AirTag 4-Pack is on sale for 19% off right now, and the

The Best-Sounding Midrange Bluetooth Speaker I've Tested Is 25% Off Right Now

Deal alert: The Sony ULT Field 5 Bluetooth speaker is available for $248 at Amazon. That's equivalent to 25% off or a savings of $82. We named this newcomer the best midrange Bluetooth speaker available, and this discount puts it in a much more appealing price range. If you were to ask me what my favorite new portable Bluetooth speaker of 2025 is so far, I'd have to say Sony's ULT Field 5 speaker. When it launched back in April, I called it one of the best-sounding Bluetooth speakers I've teste

I'm bringing this portable JBL speaker to all my summer festivities - here's why

ZDNET's key takeaways The JBL Charge 6 is available for $199 in Black, Blue, White, Red, Camo, and Purple. The Charge 6 offers great sound, durability, battery life, and in-app features. Although it's waterproof, constant, untreated exposure to salt and chlorine can incur internal damage, just like any other Bluetooth speaker. View now at Best Buy View now at JBL more buying choices While there are plenty of Bluetooth speakers on the market, only a few strike the balance of durability and sou

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (Gen 3) Review: Perpetually Great

Back in 2016, the original A1 Bluetooth speaker (8/10, WIRED Recommends) was one of the first from Bang & Olufsen under its more affordable Beosound sub-brand. The stylish puck of brushed aluminum was a welcome antidote to all the rubberized Bluetooth boxes, and as a testament to good design, aesthetically it has changed little through three generations. The third-generation Beosound A1 has just been launched, and while the design remains instantly recognizable and effortlessly cool, internally

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1 (Gen 3) Review: Perpetually Great

Back in 2016, the original A1 Bluetooth speaker (8/10, WIRED Recommends) was one of the first from Bang & Olufsen under its more affordable Beoplay sub-brand. The stylish puck of brushed aluminum was a welcome antidote to all the rubberized Bluetooth boxes, and as a testament to good design, aesthetically it has changed little through three generations. The third-generation Beoplay A1 has just been launched, and while the design remains instantly recognizable and effortlessly cool, internally i

This tiny Bluetooth speaker and subwoofer caught me off guard with some big sound

ZDNET's key takeaways The Pebble X Plus speakers are available now for $120 on Amazon. The rich, deep bass perfectly matches the mids and highs delivered by the satellite speakers. However, they don't have built-in battery power, so your portability is limited to a power source. View now at Amazon It shocks me how good Bluetooth speakers have come over the years. I remember when I bought my first Bose Bluetooth speaker, thinking it had set the bar pretty high. But when I listen to that speake

I'm taking my favorite portable vinyl player on all my summer trips

ZDNET's key takeaways The Audio-Technica Sound Burger retails for $199 and comes in yellow, black, or white. The Sound Burger has unparalleled portability, a long battery life, and provides a novel listening experience. It doesn't have a counterweight, and also doesn't have an auto-return feature. View now at Amazon Technology is all about embracing the now. So, even though I am one of those people who can be stuck in their ways (such as listening to vinyl records with the appropriate analog