Testing by SoundGuys found that AirPods paired with a Samsung Galaxy phone retain basic controls like play, pause and skip, but lose customization options such as press-and-hold stem actions, ear detection, Spatial Audio, head tracking, and health features like Hearing Test and heart rate tracking. These settings require an Apple device to configure, and automatic switching between devices only works within the Apple ecosystem since AirPods don't support standard Bluetooth multipoint.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-25
Earbuds generally carry lower price tags than headphones due to differences in materials, components and manufacturing scale. Market research firm Mordor Intelligence found true-wireless stereo earbuds made up 68.2% of revenue in the earbud and headphone market in 2025, citing their portability, lightweight design and improvements like battery life and spatial-audio rendering as contributing factors.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-25
Bose announced it has acquired Skullcandy, a rival consumer audio company based in Park City, Utah. The companies had already been partnering, with Skullcandy incorporating Bose's spatial audio and noise cancellation technology into products like the Crusher 1080 ANC headphones. Bose says Skullcandy will continue operating as a distinct brand within its premium audio business, though financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-21
Apple introduced HomeView, a smart home hub available in a domed desktop version and a wall-mounted version. Both share Spatial Audio support and two full-range drivers, but the standard model adds a down-firing woofer and dual force-cancelling passive radiators that the wall-mounted version lacks.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-10-13
A Linux developer reverse engineered a commercial spatial-audio effect that made music sound farther away and less fatiguing to the ear, after finding no equivalent tool existed for Linux. Working on PipeWire, they experimented with HRTF datasets, rejecting the anechoic MIT KEMAR recordings in favor of the SADIE II database, which includes room reflections that better matched the sound they remembered.
epestr.com
· 2026-10-11
Amazon is offering the CMF Buds 2 at a discounted price of $29, down from the original $49. These earbuds include active noise cancellation, spatial audio, IP55 dust and water resistance, and a total of up to 55 hours of playback with the charging case. They also support low-latency gaming and quick charging for on-the-go use.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-10-06
Amazon is selling Nothing's Headphone 1 over-ear headphones for $189, down from a usual price range of $240 to $299. The headphones feature a transparent retro design, active noise cancellation, spatial audio with head tracking, plush ear pads, and a paddle button for playback control.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-06
Meta's latest software updates for Ray-Ban Meta glasses introduce new functionalities, including walking navigation via AI voice commands in v128 and expanded audio controls in v129. The navigation feature allows users to receive directions without needing to check their phones, while the v129 update adds Mono Audio and Audio Balance options for improved accessibility. These updates are gradually rolling out to users worldwide.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-10-06
Samsung has launched the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus and Tab S12 Ultra tablets. The Plus gets a larger, brighter 12.6-inch display, a thinner and lighter build, a MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset, and a bigger 10,600mAh battery, now starting at $1,199. The Ultra keeps its 14.6-inch display, 11,600mAh battery and design from last year's model, adding only a new chipset and four-channel spatial audio, priced at $1,399.
theverge.com
· 2026-09-30
Nothing has unveiled the Headphone 1 Pro, a $399 flagship headphone in white or black that ships with a hardcase and adds a switch to disable the equalizer and spatial audio for accurate studio monitoring. Developed with London's Metropolis Studios, the headphones also support LDAC, 24-bit high-res audio, wireless lossless connections, Auracast transmit/receive, and three drivers tuned for bass, vocals and instruments. They carry an IP52 rating with up to 32 hours of battery life with ANC on and 68 hours with it off.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-29
Elton John performed the first concert at Apple's new Apple Music Hall inside Battersea Power Station in London, opening with 'Your Song.' Apple Music subscribers could watch the show live, and tickets for the 600-capacity venue also went on sale for upcoming performances by Baby Keem and Skye Newman.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-28
Apple has confirmed the first eight artists set to perform at its new Apple Music Hall inside London's Battersea Power Station, with Elton John opening the venue next week. The 600-capacity venue will livestream shows via Apple Music and give performing artists a Spatial Audio recording, broadcast mix, and multicamera video. Tickets for Elton John and Baby Keem & Skye Newman go on sale Monday 28 September at 9AM BST, with other dates to follow later.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-25
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