All posts tagged: headphone

This headphone feature fixes the most annoying Bluetooth problem I had

This headphone feature fixes the most annoying Bluetooth problem I had

Published by skeptic

Some people connect headphones to a single device, like your smartphone while you commute or your laptop for video calls from the home office. But sometimes, you want to go back and forth between the two devices, which might require unpairing from one and pairing to the other. But what happens if you’re watching a video on your laptop, listening through your headphones, but a call comes through on your phone? You want to be able to answer it seamlessly using the same headphones. Isn’t it annoying if you can’t? Bluetooth multi-point connectivity is the simple headphone feature that solves this issue. Thankfully, it’s available in most wireless headphones nowadays, though you may still find some older model or cheaper Bluetooth headphones without it. This feature isn’t one you should overlook, though. It makes a bigger difference than you realize. Related You Shouldn’t Buy Headphones if They Lack This Vital Function With so many devices, maintaining a connection is important. How multipoint connectivity works Switch back and forth Bluetooth multipoint is the ability for headphones …

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale headphone deals 2026 – last chance to save

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale headphone deals 2026 – last chance to save

Published by skeptic

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. Though this year’s Amazon Big Spring Sale is over, some of the latest premium headphones and earbuds are still discounted, including the Sony WH-1000XM5, and Apple AirPods Pro 3.  Also: Amazon Spring Sale live blog 2026: Real-time updates on the best deals I test headphones and earbuds all year, wearing the latest models to the gym, in the office, at the grocery store, and while traveling. I’m combing through Amazon’s catalog to find the most interesting deals on models old and new. Here are the best deals to shop before the sale ends. Best Amazon Spring Sale headphone deals 2026 Also: Amazon’s Big Spring Sale starts March 25: Dates, details, and deals to know Current price: $199 (20% off) Original price: $249 Apple’s premium earbuds were released last September, with their standout feature being in-ear heart rate monitoring. On top of that, the AirPods Pro 3 deliver exceptional sound and noise cancellation, and they (and the charging case) are completely waterproof. If you live inside Apple’s ecosystem, these earbuds integrate the …

Google Gemini’s Headphone Live Translation Arrives on Apple Devices

Google Gemini’s Headphone Live Translation Arrives on Apple Devices

Published by skeptic

Google’s live translation, a major selling point for newer Apple AirPods, is now available on Apple devices and can be used with any headphones. The feature, which uses Gemini AI, was introduced in a beta version in December with the ability to translate 70 languages, but it was only available on Android devices. The continued rollout is also making the feature available in more countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Thailand and the UK, according to Google. A representative for Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The translation is done on the mobile device, so users can access the audio with any headphones connected to the phone or tablet, including those plugged in via a headphone dongle or headphone jack. To access the feature, open the Google Translate app, tap the Live Translate icon at the bottom of the screen and choose from modes such as Listening, Conversation, Text Only or Custom Settings. Conversation does two-way translation, playing audio on the phone’s speaker or connected headphones. The app automatically detects …

Google Translate Gets Gemini AI for Smarter Translations and Real-Time Headphone Translation

Google Translate Gets Gemini AI for Smarter Translations and Real-Time Headphone Translation

Published by skeptic

Google is improving its translation features with Gemini integration, adding AI in search and the Google Translate app. Users can expect smarter and more natural text translations, with improvements to phrases with nuanced meanings. Idioms, local expressions, and slang will be translated with Gemini for improved accuracy, and Gemini will parse context instead of giving a literal word-for-word translation. The changes are rolling out on March 26 in the Translate app for iOS and on the web, and Gemini translate works with English and nearly 20 languages like Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, German, and Japanese. Google is debuting a beta experience for real-time translations in headphones. Google says the live translation preserves the tone, emphasis, and cadence of each speaker for more natural translations. The feature can be used by putting on any headphones, opening up the Google Translate app, and tapping on “Live Translate.” As of now, the beta is limited to Android users, but Google plans to expand it to iOS users later in 2026. Popular Stories iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to …

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale headphone deals 2026 – last chance to save

Best early Amazon Big Spring Sale headphone deals 2026

Published by skeptic

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. The pollen count is increasing, which means it’s time for another Amazon Big Spring Sale. This year, several of the latest premium headphones and earbuds are on sale, including the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, Sony WH-1000XM6, and Apple AirPods Pro 3.  Also: The best headphones we’ve tested this year  I test headphones and earbuds all year, wearing the latest models to the gym, in the office, at the grocery store, and while traveling. I’m combing through Amazon’s catalog to find the most interesting deals on models old and new. Here are the best deals to shop before the sale officially starts next week. Best Amazon Spring Sale headphone deals Current price: $298 (10% off) Original price: $330 Sony’s latest premium earbuds offer around eight hours of continuous playtime, a stellar sound profile, impressive noise cancellation, and Bluetooth LE Audio compatibility. If you have the ear anatomy to accommodate these earbuds, they’re a solid option for power users who want some of the best earbuds with a range …

What’s New in the AirPods Max 2? Breaking Down Apple’s Headphone Update

What’s New in the AirPods Max 2? Breaking Down Apple’s Headphone Update

Published by skeptic

Two weeks removed from Apple’s latest product event, where we were treated to everything from the new iPhone 17e to the cheapest laptop Apple has ever made, the company surprised us with “one more thing.” In a news post this morning, Apple quietly announced the long-awaited update to its popular AirPods Max headphones. Meet the AirPods Max 2: A subtle makeover that offers upgraded noise canceling, audio performance, and features, all in a seemingly identical frame for the same $549 price. They’ll be available for order starting March 25, with shipping starting in April. It’s nice to (finally) see an update to Apple’s increasingly stale flagship headphones, which have remained largely unchanged since their 2020 release, outside of a few upgrades like a USB-C charging port and lossless audio support. Apple says the Max 2’s addition of the H2 chip (the same chip in the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3) provides noise canceling that’s “1.5x more effective” than before, alongside a new amplifier for “cleaner sound” with improved spatial audio support. Courtesy of …

Sennheiser RS 275 TV Headphone Bundle Review: Awesome Tech, OK Headphones

Sennheiser RS 275 TV Headphone Bundle Review: Awesome Tech, OK Headphones

Published by skeptic

You may also be wondering just how you connect other headphones to the transmitter via Auracast. As I said earlier, Sennheiser’s HDR 275 connect to the system automatically on power-up, though they can also break free and connect to your phone over regular Bluetooth to take them on the go. Other options have their own methods; JBL’s Tour Pro 3 buds let you connect with their specialized transmitter case, while the Momentum 4 connect over the Sennheiser Smart Plus app. The app is your primary settings hub for both the transmitter and Sennheiser headphones, so you’ll want to download it straight away. It’s easy to set up, searching for devices with a tap and offering basic settings, including three sound modes for options like speech enhancement, Virtual Surround, and a mix of both. I didn’t think any of the modes were an upgrade, instead creating a thinner, more tinny sound signature, so I mainly kept the system in Neutral. The app can be sluggish, and I sometimes needed to close and reopen it to find …

Nothing Headphone (a) review: The superior option for design and button enthusiasts

Nothing Headphone (a) review: The superior option for design and button enthusiasts

Published by skeptic

ZDNET’s key takeaways Nothing’s new Headphone (a) are available now for $199. They offer a unique design, long battery, great sound, and intuitive button controls. Although they’re lighter than their predecessors, they still feel a little clunky after extended wear. Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. These days, good sound isn’t that hard to come by. So how do headphones differentiate themselves? If you’re the London-based Nothing, you’ll give your headphones great battery life, add some smart quality-of-life improvements, and a distinct visual style. Also: Forget iPhone 17e: Nothing’s Phone 4a Pro costs less and looks a whole lot better But most importantly, you price them at $200 — significantly less than competitors. I’m talking about Nothing’s Headphone (a), the brand’s latest over-ear pair. I tested them over the course of a week, and found lots to love, but they aren’t perfect.  Best headphone deals of the week Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article. Nothing launched its Headphone (a) alongside its Phone 4a series …

6 Best Phones With Headphone Jacks (2026), Tested and Reviewed

6 Best Phones With Headphone Jacks (2026), Tested and Reviewed

Published by skeptic

If a headphone jack is a must-have on your next phone, Motorola’s Moto G Stylus 5G 2025 strikes the best balance of performance, aesthetics, features, and price. Not only does it have the jack, but it also stores a stylus inside, an embarrassment for any other company that cited space-saving reasons to nix the port. The gorgeous blue vegan leather finish on the back truly makes this phone stand out, putting the Blue Man Group to shame. The performance, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, is nice and smooth, and you get a 120-Hz 6.7-inch OLED screen to boot. It’s slim, despite the 5,000-mAh battery, which lasts a full day and then some with average use. And the 50-megapixel main camera is reliable day or night as long as you keep still when tapping the shutter button. Motorola goes above and beyond, stuffing this phone with twice the amount of typical storage at 256 GB; there’s also a microSD card slot to expand space, wireless charging, and an IP68 rating, so it will …

Every Single Headphone That Researchers Tested Contained Horrifying Chemicals

Every Single Headphone That Researchers Tested Contained Horrifying Chemicals

Published by José Betancourt

Illustration by Tag Hartman-Simkins / Futurism. Source: Getty Images Eventually, it seems to turn out that every consumer product is killing you — from cooking utensils to menstrual care products, and literally the kitchen sink. Now, one of our most beloved creature comforts is getting its own heel turn. A new analysis by the European Union-funded ToxFree Life for All project took a look at 81 headphone models from producers around the world. The results were pretty grim: every single model tested contained substances considered hazardous to humans, including bisphenols, phthalates, and flame retardants. Not even premium brands like Bose and Sennheiser received a clean bill of health, culminating in what ToxFree calls a “complete market failure.” Most alarmingly, researchers found Bisphenol A — an industrial chemical linked to infertility, obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes — in 177 of the 180 total samples taken from the 81 devices. “These chemicals are not just additives; they may be migrating from the headphones into our body,” Karolína Brabcová, a chemical researcher with ToxFree told the …