JBL might just have a HiFi tailor-made for the emerging world of high-resolution streaming music. The newly introduced L75ms doesn't have a catchy name, but it combines a slick-looking walnut wood cabinet with a higher-end speaker system that includes both a 32-bit/192kHz DAC and modern streaming audio conveniences. While you can't really use the built-in Bluetooth for lossless sound, you can use the Ethernet and other wired connections to stream top-tier audio, including through AirPlay 2 and Chromecast.
The company even offers a 90-day Qobuz trial to help sell you on the concept.
This could be a sweet-sounding system regardless of the audio source. The L75ms includes a pair of 1-inch titanium dome tweeters with wave guides, two 5.25-inch white cone woofers and a 4-inch mid-range driver, all of them with dedicated channels for amp and DSP tuning. They sit on a "multi-angled" baffle, too. On top of the networking, you'l find a 3.5mm input, a vinyl-friendly moving magnet phono stage and ARC-capable HDMI for connecting to your TV. You can connect an external subwoofer if you need deeper, separated bass.
The L75ms won't ship until the fourth quarter of the year, and it won't be a trivial expense at $1,500. However, it's also a rare combination of high-res audio, streaming support and a relatively compact design that would look right at home in many living rooms. You might not need much else to get the most out of a premium music service.
Some folks who buy or rent movies on Apple TV are running into a major issue when they watch films through the app. Occasionally, flicks are playing without audio, according to 9to5 Mac. The bug is reportedly affecting various systems that support the TV app, including smart TVs, the Apple TV device and other streaming devices, such as Roku sticks and Chromecast with Google TV. The issue seems to have been occurring for at least the last month.
@AppleTV please tell me what is going on… watched preview of one movie looked good… rented, but then after renting… no sound. Picked another movie… preview fine… perfect sound… rented… no sound?? Am now out like $40 and still can’t watch anything! 😡
The cause of the issue is unclear. 9to5 Mac speculates the TV app may not be decoding the audio track correctly due to a problem with digital rights management (DRM). According to the report, users have been having mixed success when requesting refunds due to the issue — Apple seemingly hasn't fulfilled all such requests from customers, though it's not clear why. Engadget has contacted Apple for comment.
Whatever the cause of the problem, it's undoubtedly frustrating to spend money to rent or buy a film only to find you're missing out on a significant proportion of the experience. If you do encounter this problem, it might be worth connecting your Apple account to Movies Anywhere and see if the movies you bought on the iTunes Store play correctly with sound through that service.
The US military's AI experiments are growing particularly ambitious. The Drivereports that US Northern Command recently completed a string of tests for Global Information Dominance Experiments (GIDE), a combination of AI, cloud computing and sensors that could give the Pentagon the ability to predict events "days in advance," according to Command leader General Glen VanHerck. It's not as mystical as it sounds, but it could lead to a major change in military and government operations.
The machine learning-based system observes changes in raw, real-time data that hint at possible trouble. If satellite imagery shows signs that a rival nation's submarine is preparing to leave port, for instance, the AI could flag that mobilization knowing the vessel will likely leave soon. Military analysts can take hours or even days to comb through this information — GIDE technology could send an alert within "seconds," VanHerck said.
The most recent dry run, GIDE 3, was the most expansive yet. It saw all 11 US commands and the broader Defense Department use a mix of military and civilian sensors to address scenarios where "contested logistics" (such as communications in the Panama Canal) might pose a problem. The technology involved wasn't strictly new, the General said, but the military "stitched everything together."
The platform could be put into real-world use relatively soon. VanHerck believed the military was "ready to field" the software, and could validate it at the next Globally Integrated Exercise in spring 2022.
The advantages of this predictive AI are fairly clear. Instead of merely reacting to events or relying on outdated info, the Pentagon could take proactive steps like deploying forces or ramping up defenses. It could also provide an "opportunity" for the civilian government, VanHerck added. He didn't provide examples, but this could help politicians call out acts of aggression while they're still in the early stages.
There are still limitations. The AI is looking for out-of-the-ordinary clues, such as a greater number of parked cars or aircraft. It can't say for certain what's happening — humans will still be heavily involved. Even so, the tech could be worthwhile if it prevents a 'surprise' attack or leads to negotiations instead of conflict.
Klipsch's redesigned T5 II true wireless earbuds are a big improvement over the T5 that debuted in 2019. However, the company's 2020 models didn't offer active noise cancellation (ANC) and only the pricier Sport version had wireless charging. Today, Klipsch is making both of those standard features with the T5 II ANC, plus it's throwing in AI-powered features from true wireless pioneer Bragi and Dirac HD Sound. All of the additions make this model a true flagship, right down to the premium price of $299.
The T5 II ANC has the same design for both the earbuds and the case as the T5 II. The buds were retooled after the original T5 to make them more comfortable. Klipsch still includes six sets of oval silicon ear tips to help you find the best fit, but the T5 II ANC is only IPX4 rated water resistant (compared to the T5 II's IP67). Inside, the company uses a redesigned 5.8mm driver with a thinner diaphragm that it says improves sound quality across all frequencies.
Klipsch takes the audio profile a step further with some help from Dirac's HD Sound technology. Dirac is known for its "digital audio optimization," and in 2020 the company announced plans to both recalibrate your headphones and integrate its sound tech directly inside future products. For the T5 II ANC, Klipsch says HD Sound will improve staging, clarity, voice and bass while still allowing you to apply custom EQ settings at you see fit.
Another key element of the T5 II ANC are the hands-free gestures called Bragi Moves. Bragi was one of the first companies to build true wireless earbuds, long before Apple helped popularize the product category. The company's Dash line of earbuds not only worked better than many of the early options, but they were also packed with more tech: gesture controls, on-board music storage, fitness tracking, real-time translation and more. In 2019, Bragi announced that it had sold its hardware business to focus on software and AI. Klipsch is one of the first to integrate the company's gesture controls, including the ability to answer calls by nodding or to skip tracks by shaking your head. Bragi's tech will also enable Sidekicks or automated processes like turning on ANC when you listen to music or activating transparency mode when you get a call. Klipsch and Bragi said more features will be available in the future.
Klipsch T5 II ANC McLaren Edition
Klipsch
The noise-cancelling setup on the T5 II ANC employs dual microphones on each earbud (feedforward and feedback) to catch as much external distraction as possible. Like the T5, this model also includes a transparency mode so you can tune into your surroundings when needed. Klipsch promises "loud and clear" calls as well, with six beamforming microphones and automatic noise suppression.
All of those new features led to less battery life. With ANC on, Klipsch says you can muster five hours of listening on the buds themselves. That's down from eight on the T5 II and T5 II Sport. When you disable the noise-cancelling feature, the company says you can expect two more hours of use. The included case holds 21 additional hours (three full charges) and Qi-compatible wireless charging is on board.
Like it did with the T5 II Sport, Klipsch is offering a McLaren Edition of the T5 II ANC. The company is a sponsor for McLaren's Formula 1 team, so it's bringing papaya orange, carbon fiber and a tire tread pattern from the track to your earbuds. This special version carries all of the same features of the regular T5 II ANC, but it comes with a wireless charging pad and it's equipped with NuCurrent charging tech. Klipsch says this feature combined with the McLaren Edition case "will charge twice as fast as anything else on the market." Racing fans will have to pony up an extra $50 though: the special edition is $349.
If you've been eyeing Apple's latest Mac Mini as your next desktop, now is the time to act. You can currently get the 512GB model for $799 at Amazon, or $100 off the normal $899 price. The deal brings the desktop down to just below the record low we saw in March and April. It also means you're only paying $100 more for double the storage of the $699 base model.
That should come in handy if you plan to take full advantage of the Mac Mini's M1 chip. As we've previouslynoted, Apple's in-house silicon is a powerhouse that makes quick work of most tasks, be it browsing bloated websites or opening creative editing software. Inside the desktop, you'll find an 8-core CPU with four performance cores and four efficiency cores and a 16-core Neural Engine. Unlike with the iMac, you'll also need your own display and peripherals like a keyboard and mouse.
There are a few caveats, however. The Mac Mini's RAM and storage aren't upgradeable and the two rear Thunderbolt ports won't please those who need extra monitors and faster connectivity. Apple also offers 16GB unified memory, up to 2TB SSD storage and 10 Gigabit Ethernet support at a cost. In fact, the true top-of-the line Mac Mini will set you back $1,799. Saying that, the specs available on this deal model should please most casual users.
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In a bid to boost YouTube Premium sign-ups, Google has offered everything from free hardware to access to unique features. Now, it's going back to basics. The company is testing a lower-priced subscription plan in parts of Europe that gives you ad-free viewing without offline downloads, YouTube Music and background playback. A Resetera user first spotted the new YouTube Premium Lite tier in Netherlands, Finland and Sweden while trying to cancel the paid-for service.
The plan costs €6.99 ($8.32) per month, the same as the student tier, whereas the normal price is €11.99 ($14.26). YouTube confirmed to The Vergethat it's also testing the offering in Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg and Norway with local equivalent pricing. Comparatively, Netflix Basic costs €7.99 ($9.50) in several of those regions.
The YouTube Premium Lite page states that you get ad-free YouTube and YouTube Kids across multiple devices including mobile, desktop and TVs. In the past, YouTube has announced incentives for paying users including free products such as Google Stadia and neat features like automatic downloads.
But, since its launch, and subsequent rebranding, the service has always been more like a bundle with the inclusion of YouTube Music, which may not entice those already paying for Spotify or Apple Music. Trimming the fat to offer the core ad-free experience for less will certainly appeal to more viewers, and could help to drive subscriptions as a result.
If it’s not lamps that are smart speakers, it's artwork that doubles as a speaker. IKEA now thinks it’s time to play spot the air purifier.
It’s introducing a family of smart air purifiers, and the first two Starkvind models are a standalone air purifier and a side table, which cost $129 and $189. They contain a three-filter system, which IKEA says will capture bigger particles, like hair and dust, 99.5 percent of smaller airborne particles that measure less than 2.5 micrometers (or one 400th of a millimeter) as well as dust, pollen, pollutants, like formaldehyde, and even bad odors.
The designs are simple and subtle, but you’ll need IKEA’s smart hub to use all the features, like scheduling and remote activation. Both models will arrive in October — enough time to get rid of your not-smart side table.
Fornite’s Rift Tour concert series is its latest musician showcase, and on August 6th, Ariana Grande will take to the virtual stage. The game developer is warning concertgoers to arrive an hour early to the show, with a Rift Tour playlist going live 30 minutes beforehand.
The battle royale juggernaut has already played host to Travis Scott and J Balvin concerts — and there was even a rumor of a Lady Gaga collaboration that didn’t quite pan out.
It wouldn’t be a Fortnite event without some in-game cosmetics — you’ll be able to grab an Ariana outfit to play as the pop star and rock the pony look. This is set to go live on August 4th. Continue reading.
A rare instance of a major news network facing a YouTube ban.
YouTube has banned Sky News Australia from uploading new videos for a week over accusations it spread COVID-19 misinformation. Multiple Sky videos reportedly violated rules denying the existence of new coronavirus variants or claiming that hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin were effective treatments.
The clips didn't provide "sufficient countervailing context" to indicate the claims were false, YouTube told The Guardian. The TV network has come under fire for its stance on COVID-19, particularly from host Alan Jones. He falsely claimed the SARS-CoV-2 virus was "not a pandemic" back in 2020, and in July, incorrectly maintained that the virus' Delta variant was neither dangerous nor affected by vaccines.
This is just one "strike" against Sky — two more would lead to a permanent channel ban. Continue reading.
If you wanted the titanium Apple Watch Series 6, you might be too late. The pricier model is largely unavailable through the company's online stores across the US and other countries.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman speculated in his Power On newsletter that Apple underestimated demand. It likely made a small number of titanium Apple Watches and stopped production "months ago" in anticipation of switching focus to Series 7, according to Gurman. Units now seem to have dried up. This might not mean the titanium Series 6 was a huge hit, but Apple's luxury wristwear might have fared better than expected. Will there be a Series 7 titanium model? Continue reading.
Zoom has agreed to pay $85 million to settle a lawsuit accusing the video chat giant of violating privacy and enabling "zoombombing" (that is, trolls dropping into otherwise private videocalls). The preliminary settlement also demands tougher security measures, such as warning about third-party apps and offering further privacy-oriented training to Zoom staff.
Judge Lucy Koh, who you might remember from the epic Apple–Samsung lawsuit years ago, said the company was largely protected against zoombombing claims thanks to the Communications Decency Act's Section 230, which safeguards against liability for users' actions.
The settlement could also lead to payouts for you, dear reader, if the lawsuit achieves a proposed class-action status. Subscribers would receive a refund of either 15 percent or $25, whichever was larger, while everyone else would receive as much as $15. Continue reading.
If you missed the all-time low deal for Sony's excellent WH-1000XM4, you're in luck. The wireless headphones are back down to the $278 we saw in Spring, a solid $72 saving on their typical price of $350.
While that may still be a bit steep for some, we reckon they're worth it. The XM4 have been sitting pretty at the top of our list of best wireless headphones since they landed last fall. Not only are they more comfy than their predecessors, Sony's cans also boast improved software to back up the dedicated QN1 noise-canceling and Bluetooth Audio chips inside.
You'll notice the results in the punchy bass, added detail and boomy low-end tones when listening to music. At the same time, the headphones do a great job of blocking out background commotion. Sony also updated its audio-upscaling tech, known as the Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE), by adding Edge-AI that analyzes music in real time.
Elsewhere, it bolstered the companion app — which already offered plenty of audio customization — with the addition of multi-device connectivity. The handy feature basically lets you switch between different devices seamlessly. There's also automatic pause that stops what you're listening to when you start talking.
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In a short span of time, astronomers have taken us closer to black holes than ever with unprecedentedimages of the cosmic giants. Now, for the first time, scientists have seen the phenomena that takes place behind them. As part of the breakthrough, researchers witnessed and captured the light from the back of a supermassive black hole 800 million light years away.
The latest breakthrough is a "key part of the puzzle to understanding" how the universe came to be, according to Stanford astrophysicist Dan Wilkins. What's more, it appears to confirm Einstein's theory of relativity from over a century ago.
While studying the bright flares of x-rays emanating from the black hole, a feature known as the corona, researchers also witnessed fainter flashes of light. These were the "luminous echoes" of of the flares bouncing off the gas behind the black hole. This phenomena was first predicted by Einstein in his theory of relativity published in 1916.
ESA
“Any light that goes into that black hole doesn’t come out, so we shouldn’t be able to see anything that’s behind the black hole," Wilkins explained. “The reason we can see that is because that black hole is warping space, bending light and twisting magnetic fields around itself.”
The supermassive black hole is 10 million times as massive as our Sun and located in the centre of a nearby spiral galaxy called I Zwicky 1. An international group of scientists witnessed the echoes using the European Space Agency's XMM-Newton and NASA’s NuSTAR space telescopes. Their findings were published in the journal Nature.
"The color of these flashes, the color of those echoes as well as the time that they were delayed after the original flare told us that these were the echoes coming from the gas that's hidden from our view behind the black hole," Wilkins noted. "Some of it will shine back down onto the gas that's falling into the black hole, and this gives us really quite a unique view of this material in its final moments before it's lost into the black hole."
Square has announced that it plans to pay $29 billion in stock for Afterpay, an Australian service that lets you pay for purchases over time with no interest, The Verge has reported. Square, led by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, has already purchased a majority stake in Tidal and launched a new Bitcoin business in 2021.
In a press release, Square called Afterpay "the pioneering global 'buy now, pay later' (BNPL) platform." Afterpay notes that it has over 16 million customers worldwide and services nearly 100,000 resellers across retail markets like "fashion, homewares, beauty, sporting goods and more."
"The addition of Afterpay to Cash App will strengthen our growing networks of consumers around the world, while supporting consumers with flexible, responsible payment options," said Square's Brian Grassadonia. "Afterpay will help deepen and reinforce the connections between our Cash App and Seller ecosystems, and accelerate our ability to offer a rich suite of commerce capabilities to Cash App customers."
Afterpay, like other increasingly popular BNPL services (including Affirm, Klarna and Uplift), allows customers to pay over time without interest. To make money, they charge retailers a fee (4 to 6 percent), promising to connect them with a desirable demographic and assume all financial risk. In Square's press release, Afterpay also said it can help "drive repeat purchases [and] increase average transaction sizes."
One of the world's largest retailers, Apple, is reportedly planning to offer its own buy now, pay later type program directly to consumers. Much like PayPal's "Pay in 4" service, "Apple Pay in 4" would allow Apple Wallet users to stretch purchases out to four payments, interest-free. Square's purchase of Afterpay, meanwhile, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022.
