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iPod marks its 15th birthday in a changed world
If you're a gadget fan of a certain age (cough), you're about to feel ancient: Apple's iPod just turned 15 years old. Steve Jobs unveiled the first version of the media player at an event on Apple's campus on October 23rd, 2001. To say that it had a wild ride after that would be an understatement. Many credit the iPod as the device that took Apple from niche PC maker to one of the largest companies on the planet, only to fade away as smartphones took over. But how did it get to where it is now? And is there any room left for the iPod 15 years later? Let's take a quick look back at how the iPod has evolved through the years.
UE's updated Roll speaker brings a volume and range boost
Ultimate Ears overhauled its entry-level speaker around this time last year, reintroducing it as the UE Roll. This leveled the playing field for its trio of Bluetooth speakers, giving them all improved internals, Bluetooth 4.0 and app compatibility. Today, the company has announced a new successor, the UE Roll 2. This updated model boasts internal tweaks, including improved Bluetooth range and a 15 percent volume boost. On the outside, nothing has changed, which is fine by me: Last year's slim, saucer-shaped design made for easy stowage, while the stretchable bungie cord allowed for some versatile mounting options. Thanks to its portability and sound quality, the original Roll was already a worthwhile option, and with the price staying the same at $100/£79, we expect we'll enjoy the Roll 2 as well. I was curious, though, to find out if the audio and range boosts would be noticeable in real-world use.
Denon Envaya is a portable Bluetooth speaker with loads of oomph
Denon is an audio company renowned for producing high-quality, high-end hi-fi equipment. The Envaya (US$199) represents Denon's current offering into the portable speaker market. Having recently reviewed Ultimate Ear's Boom and the pricier (compared to both the Boom and Envaya) Libratone Zipp, I was keen to see how the Envaya compared. Design Where the Boom and Zipp are cylindrical, the Envaya takes a more traditional rectangular shape. It's fairly large compared to the Boom (width 25.5 cm x height 1.41 cm x depth 4.75 cm) and weighs just under 3 lbs, so it's not as large as the Zipp. Having said that, the Envaya could easily be carried around in-hand or slipped into a rucksack. I wouldn't say the Envaya has an exciting, bold design like the Boom, or a sophisticated look like the Zipp, but it's not bad looking either. Similarly, it doesn't feel cheap, but it doesn't feel premium either. The Envaya comes in either black or white, but on the front is a grill with an interchangeable, colored cloth underneath. There are four colors (lunar, indigo, fandango, sunset) which do give the speaker some personality, but it's subtle. The Evanya may not stand out with its looks, but it's well put together and has a sturdy, durable quality. There's a kickstand round the back that snaps out with a squeeze to stand the Envaya upright. The kickstand collapses with a satisfying click when you press down, to make it easier to transport or store. On top is a row of large, back-lit buttons (power on / off, pairing, mute, volume up / down, and aux) as well as a battery indicator light. On the right hand side is a power input, a 3.5mm aux input, a reset button and a USB port for charging your iOS device from the Envaya's battery. On the bottom is a rubbery grip, keeping the Envaya steady and stable. Inside are what Denon calls two Full Range Drivers and in between them is a Passive Radiator for the bass, all driven by a digital amplifier. Performance Pairing the Envaya to my iPhone was really easy with Bluetooth. The Envaya chimes when pairing is complete and the Bluetooth pairing button's backlight is constantly on to indicate the connection. Multiple devices can be paired with the Envaya. I found the Envaya had really good Bluetooth range, too. The first thing I noticed from the Envaya when I played a track through it was that it had oodles of bass. It was surprising just how much of a punch the Envaya had, especially compared to the Zipp, where I felt bass was slightly lacking. However, the extra bass comes at the expense of higher end detail and openness. Things tended to sound a little muffled in the upper ranges. The Envaya has loads of volume though, easily filling a good-sized room with music. Denon says the Envaya has 10 hours of battery life and charges in 2.5 hours. I found the battery life to be on par with that, lasting a good few days with intermittent usage. The speaker's USB port for charging is a nice extra for those emergency low-battery moments, too. Conclusion For a portable speaker, the Envaya has a great deal of volume and bass oomph, making it a great choice for impromptu parties and the like. Battery life and Bluetooth performance are solid, and the USB charging port is a useful extra, but the veiled high-end left me wanting a little more from its audio performance. Having said that, if you're a bass-heavy fiend, the Envaya will be exactly what you're looking for in a portable speaker.
Apple officially brings Beats into the fold
A smidge over two months after Apple announced its plan to nab Dr. Dre's headphone and music streaming interests, the folks in Cupertino have officially welcomed Beats to the family. The US government didn't seem to take issue with the purchase, giving the final stamp of approval. Both sides have also posted statements on their respective sites celebrating the union that's now a done deal. The $3 billion dollar purchase of the Beats brand brings not only popular audio devices and a personalized streaming service into Apple's fold, but also the talents of CEO Jimmy Iovine, Dr. Dre and music head Ian Rogers to the table for future projects. In the meantime, if you're looking to purchase from Beats, it has moved sales to the new owner's online store.
These high-tech headphones will livestream your next gig
Let's face it, most headphones pack a pretty short features list, and the majority of us are just fine with that. There's wired and wireless, on-ear and over-ear, with all of them coming at a range of prices and catering to varying sonic sensibilities. We've seen social-minded cans pop up as of late, and now, a new offering looks to pack even more into a set of headphones. SoundSight packed in a 1080p camera, six microphones, voice control and an accelerometer into its wireless set. Not only does the audio add-on capture video from the wearer's point of view, but it also offers livestreaming capabilities from the stage or studio.
Apple acquires Beats Electronics for $3 billion
Apple is making things official: Dr. Dre's Beats Electronics belongs to Cupertino, and it cost them $3 billion. Rumors had circulated that CEO Tim Cook was interested in nabbing up the audio accessory and music-streaming outfit, corroborated by a beer-drenched video in which Dre himself declared that he had become "the first billionaire in hip-hop." And now, after Financial Times had already let the cat out of the bag, we have Apple's side of the story. As expected, co-founders Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre (Andre Young) will join Cook and VP of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue, but their exact job titles haven't been revealed just yet.
Portable audio deals of the week: 5.2.14
Let's face it. We all like music. If you're like those of us parked at Engadget HQ, you listen to hours of the stuff on a daily basis. This week, we're looking to help boost those audio experiences with Bluetooth speakers and both over-ear and in-ear headphones. Discounted items are ready to suit those listening preferences, so jump down past the break to take a gander. If there are other audio gadgets you're after that we haven't included here -- join us and add them to your "Want" list. Every time there's a price cut in the future, you'll get an email alert!
Portable audio deals of the week: 4.9.14
Sometimes you just have to march to the beat of a different drum. Or from that of a drum in your streaming library of choice. Either way, we've got a handful of portable audio options that could make said strides a bit more enjoyable. If fact, three of the four will tune out your surroundings entirely -- what's not to like about that? If there are other audio gadgets you're after that we haven't included here -- join us and add them to your "Want" list. Every time there's a price cut in the future, you'll get an email alert!
Neil Young's music player for audiophiles reaches Kickstarter on March 15th
We now know how Neil Young plans to make his dreams of high-quality digital music come true: crowdfunding. The artist's company PonoMusic is launching a Kickstarter campaign on March 15th that will let you reserve the PonoPlayer, Young's long-teased, audiophile-grade portable jukebox. The 128GB device will set you back a whopping $399 when it goes on sale (less with the Kickstarter discount), but its creators are promising audio fidelity worthy of the price tag. The hardware will offer natural-sounding digital filtering from Ayre Acoustics, ESS' most advanced digital-to-analog converter and "perfectly flat" frequency response with most any set of headphones. As you might expect, there will be a matching online store that delivers high-resolution tunes. The PonoMusic team hasn't said just when its media player will reach your pocket, but it shouldn't be too long before you're listening to a pristine version of Harvest while on the move.
Beats Pill XL review: Dr. Dre's newest speaker is supersized and super loud
Back in 2012, Beats unveiled its diminutive Pill wireless speaker in a bid to steal the Jambox's thunder. Since then, its main rival hasn't exactly been standing still: Jawbone has released two more Bluetooth speakers, including the well-received Big Jambox. Not to be outdone, Dr. Dre & co. recently began selling a super-sized version of their own: the $300 Beats Pill XL. As the name suggests, it is indeed a larger version of the original and it packs a much larger punch in the sound department as well. The list of features is nearly identical too, with NFC, dual 3.5mm jacks, a heavy dose of bass and more than a day's worth of battery life. Heck, you can even use the speakers to charge your phone, should the need arise. But let's be honest: Bluetooth speakers come a dime a dozen these days. It's not uncommon for press releases on six, seven, eight models to hit our inboxes in the course of a week. Given that the market's so saturated, has Beats done enough to stand apart? And what of this new form factor? Does the increased bulk make the Pill XL too big for its britches? Let's find out.
Headphone and wireless speaker deals of the week: 2.12.14
Whether you prefer those on-the-go tunes to bump from on-ears, in-ears or a wireless speaker, today's smattering of discounted audio tech covers all of those bases. There's a range of price options too, suiting those that happen to be on even the tightest of budgets. The lowest Engadget Global Score on today's list? That would be 84. Pretty solid. So, dive in on the other side of the break and take a gander at a collection that's eager to outfit your streaming habit. Just window shopping? No worries. Join us and add the gadgets you're shopping for to your Want list; every time there's a price cut in the future, you'll get an email alert!
JBL's Flip 2 speaker, Synchros S400BT cans and J46BT in-ears suit all listening habits
Portable audio wares are never in short supply here at CES, and JBL is looking to do its part to maintain those levels. Adding to the fray, the company has announced a Bluetooth-enabled trio with the Flip 2 speaker, Synchros S400BT headphones and J46BT in-ears to suit a variety of mobile listening sensibilities. The Flip 2 is the follow-up to last year's Flip and offers tech for making clearer speakerphone calls on top of its rechargeable wireless chops. There's also a pair of drivers and on-board bass ports to handle the audio duties for the $129 unit. If you're ready to upgrade from the previous model, the Flip 2 is up for pre-order now in red, blue, yellow, white and black color schemes and is set to ship next month. Next, the Synchros S400BT cans offer both wired and wireless listening thanks to Bluetooth 3.0. Packing in advanced aptX functionality and JBL's PureBass for improved audio quality, the set sports soft ear cushions, a steel headband and collapsible form factor. On the left earcup, controls for volume, track control and receiving calls are sorted with a touch-sensitive panel. In fact, an LED light tracks your finger in order to cater to your cues on the $299 device. The S400BT will be available in black and white when it arrives in February, but you can nab a pre-order now -- if you'd rather lock a pair down. Last but not least, for the in-ear listening crowd, the J46BT wireless buds sport Bluetooth 4.0 compatibility and an in-line remote for switching back and forth between Katy Perry and incoming calls. The J46BT are shipping now for $99 in your choice of black, white or blue.
Jambox and Mini Jambox score a water-resistant option for an extra $50
Sure, you might shrug off peril when it comes to placing portable speakers near the tub or sink, but it wouldn't hurt to have an added line of defense. To that end, Jawbone is now giving folks who purchase a Mini Jambox or its normally-sized counterpart from their website the option to add Liquipel 2.0 protection for an extra $50. The coating bestows hardware with an IPX-5 rating, which lends it protection from water splashed upon it from all angles. It might not be the time of year to bust out your super soaker or dip into a pool, but you can prepare for summer by picking up one of the specially-treated gadgets at the bordering source link.
IK Multimedia ships iLoud wireless Bluetooth speaker for musicians with $300 price tag
We first got our mitts on IK Multimedia's iLoud wireless speaker (above left) back at NAMM in January and now you can do that same. If you're in need of a refresher, the Bluetooth unit houses a 1/4-inch input with the outfit's iRig circuitry, power and gain controls, an aux input and front-mounted volume knob inside a black soft-touch shell. You'll have to dish out $300 to score the 40W of sound and, unfortunately, there's no mention of when we'll see the smaller less expensive iLoud mini (above right) that should ring up for $200 when it arrives.
Processing trick turns off-the-shelf earphones into pulse rate monitors
We've seen earphones that double as health sensors, but they frequently require integrated (and sometimes bulky) equipment to get the job done. Bifrostec and the Kaiteki Institute have just solved that problem with processing technology that turns any pair of in-ears into a pulse wave sensor. The approach converts earphones into microphones that listen for eardrum movement, which is usually in sync with the pulse rate of a person's arteries. As the technique compensates for background noise, it lets users monitor their pulses while they listen to music -- and without having to wear head-mounted gadgets. While there's no word on when (or if) we'll see the pulse wave discovery reach shipping products, it's efficient enough that it could slip into conventional mobile devices almost unnoticed. Don't be surprised if a future smartphone can tell you when it's time to relax.
Sony preps portable and integrated stereo amps for its High Resolution Audio series
Sony began catering to well-off audiophiles last month with its High Resolution Audio series, but it left out portable music fans and those with existing audio systems. The company is covering those gaps in its lineup this weekend. Its new PHA-2 (shown above) is billed as the first portable amplifier/DAC combo to support "virtually every" studio-grade audio format, including 24-bit/192KHz PCM files; it can handle digital audio from PCs and iOS devices, as well as analog audio for other sources. Listeners who are primarily stationary, meanwhile, may want the TA-A1ES integrated stereo amp (seen after the break). The audio companion puts a strong emphasis on reducing unwanted noise through a specially-designed chassis, gain volume control and transistors that minimize sound channel variations. The TA-A1ES is shipping this month for a hefty $1,999, but you'll have to be patient for the PHA-2 -- the portable amp won't arrive until March, when it will cost $600.
Logitech's Ultimate Ears Mini Boom wireless speaker can take a bruising
So you want a portable Bluetooth speaker, but you're worried that it won't survive your party-driven lifestyle. What to do? You may want to consider Logitech's new Ultimate Ears Mini Boom, which can take a moderate amount of abuse thanks to its metal frame and rubber housing. Like the full-size Boom, the Mini Boom can still operate in pairs (through Android and iOS apps) and lasts for a healthy 10 hours per charge. It will also power up through micro-USB in the event that you're nowhere near a wall outlet. Logitech expects to ship the Mini Boom this month in a variety of flashy colors for $100.
Jawbone Mini Jambox review
Jawbone's original Jambox made Bluetooth portable speakers a mass-market hit. Since then, though, Jawbone has started to lag behind as other companies have come out with better units that cost either the same price or less. Now, the $180 Mini Jambox is here with an even more portable design to help Jawbone keep its edge. Now that we've gotten the chance to live with it for a few weeks, it's time to answer the big questions you might have before placing a pre-order. Does the Mini Jambox offer marked improvements over the original? Is it enough to compete with all the other options in this space? And, most importantly, is the price right? Read on for the Engadget take.
Engadget's back to school guide 2013: portable audio
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! Today, we're talking portable audio. Head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as we add them throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back; in early September, we'll be giving away a ton of gear. College isn't cheap -- especially with loan rates on the rise -- but arming yourself with beats to take all over campus doesn't have to cost a fortune. If you're set on having great audio along for your cross-classroom travels, we'd like to help. As such, we've compiled a list containing nine of our favorite portable audio products that blend fun, portability, good looks and great sound across a variety of price points. Audiophile or not, don't sacrifice your sound too much this semester!
Apple patent shares your music's tempo to start private dance parties
Headphone parties, or silent discos, seldom translate well to mobile devices -- the likelihood that every listener has the same songs is rather slim. If Apple implements a newly granted patent, however, it could be easy to start those private gigs. The technique shares the tempo of a master track with other devices invited to a party; those gadgets automatically pick similarly paced tunes and sync their playback. Participants could be part of an ad hoc local network, but the approach would also work when people are miles apart. Apple even proposes a social networking element that lets aspiring DJs share avatars and other identifiers. While there's no guarantees that the patent will reach shipping products, we wouldn't be surprised to see iPhone owners grooving in unison at some point in the future.
