Headphones were the original piece of wearable technology and they remain as essential today as ever. But they are starting to change rapidly now, as things like noise cancelling and Bluetooth wireless technology enable the dream of completely cable-free living. What will the best headphones of the future look like?
Apple’s busy updating the AirPods lineup, but MacRumors reports that when the Powerbeats Pro 2 revision ships next year, workout warriors can expect the heart rate tracking feature that has popped up on other buds like Sennheiser’s Momentum Sport.
Information from a software update also points to ANC, spatial audio, adaptive audio, and four colors with matching cases: orange, purple, black, and beige.
We’re here with the latest on Apple Intelligence, iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods.
On the opposite end of its mass market noise-canceling headphones, Sony still routinely releases models designed to accurately reflect creative intent in studio environments. The new $249.99 MDR-M1 has an “exclusively developed driver unit that achieves ultra-wideband playback of 5Hz – 80kHz,” a detachable cable, easily replaceable ear cushions, and a “well-balanced and uncolored frequency response.”
The WH-1000XM5, by comparison, are quite colored.
That seems to be the name the company is going with for a new addition to its Ear line, based on a recently granted Singapore certification spotted by 91mobiles.
The certification reveals little else — only that the headphones will connect with Bluetooth and are assigned the model number B182.
[91mobiles.com]
Apple is still planning to refresh the entry-level and mid-tier AirPods models this fall, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman wrote today in the subscriber-only version of Power On, reaffirming his earlier reporting.
What he didn’t mention is a 2024 AirPods Max refresh he’d also mentioned before. It’s been nearly four years since they were released — one hopes they’re still on Apple’s roadmap.
With replaceable ear cushions and outer caps, there are over 2,000 ways to customize these $500 noise-canceling headphones — without the Bane mask this time.
OnePlus is launching its latest pair of earbuds in the hyper-competitive midrange market. The new Nord Buds 3 Pro come in light green or black, and the company says they offer adaptive noise cancellation along with OnePlus’ proprietary “BassWave 2.0” technology. Plus you’re getting IP55 water resistance and multipoint. Not bad at all for $79.99.
To celebrate the 15th anniversary of Minecraft, Beats has announced a special edition of its Solo 4 headphones. They cost the usual $199.99, but you get a custom black and green design with Minecraft-y pixels everywhere. The case has a matching pattern, too.
You can buy the special edition starting July 18th.
The Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Watch 7 and Ultra, Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, and Galaxy Buds 3 and 3 Pro each made appearances at Galaxy Unpacked and are available starting on July 24th.
We’ve prepared a 12-minute supercut of the event for you, in case you missed the livestream.
Setting aside their Apple-ness and the Cybertruck-like angles, what do we think? Here’s a gallery of new Galaxy Buds images from Galaxy Unpacked.
For more on what they’re like, check out Chris Welch’s hands-on.
