Amp
Latest
Amazon’s live audio-streaming platform Amp closes up shop
Amazon is shutting down its short-lived audio app known as Amp. The tool was designed to allow creators to make custom content as modern DJ hosts.
Amazon Amp is the under-the-radar app that's trying to reinvent radio
It's possibly one of the most supportive communities you'll find, but without the right resources, Amazon could squander it.
Positive Grid unveils ultra-portable Spark Go enhanced guitar amp
Positive Grid has a new ultra-portable version of its high-tech Spark guitar amplifier. Designed for musicians seeking a versatile and powerful practice amp, the 3.5-inch-tall Spark Go works with a companion app loaded with virtual amps, pedals and other effects — and it can even flesh out your sound with AI-powered drums and other backing instruments.
What we bought: My first tube amp… about 20 years late
The Fender Blues Jr isn’t just my first tube amp, it’s the first amp I’ve ever loved.
Universal Audio brings its excellent vintage amp emulations to your pedalboard
The latest entries in the UAFX line recreate iconic British and American tube amps.
Amazon AMP preview: Like the app, my radio show needs a little work
Ever wanted to host your own radio show? Now you can with Amazon's AMP. The beta holds promise but there's lots of work to be done before prime time.
Brave's browser can automatically bypass Google's AMP pages
Brave is putting Google's Accelerate Mobile Pages (AMP) on blast with a new feature called De-AMP.
Amazon’s Clubhouse competitor is here, turning hosts into DJs
Creators on Amp have access to tens of millions of licensed songs.
Positive Grid's tiny guitar amp is built for bedroom jam sessions (updated)
Positive Grid has unveiled a tiny connected guitar amp, the Spark Mini, that can help with your bedroom jam sessions.
Sonos is rolling out DTS surround sound support
Amazon Music Ultra HD and Dolby Atmos Music spatial audio will soon work on Sonos devices too.
Positive Grid Spark Pearl review: A high-tech guitar amp that's easy on the eyes
The Positive Grid Spark is one of, if not the most high-tech practice amp out there and packs a lot of versatility for $299.
THX's Onyx is a tiny USB-C headphone DAC that supports master-quality audio
THX's first consumer hardware is a portable USB-C DAC that gives wired headphones a powerful audio upgrade for $200.
Google's latest local news effort is a dedicated sports hub
The website will allow you to access local sports news coverage without paying for multiple subscriptions.
Google's featured snippets now take you straight to the info you want
Google's highlighted featured snippet tool makes it easier to navigate to the information you want.
Google will factor ‘page experience’ into Search rankings
Google plans to add “page experience” to the factors it considers when ranking pages in Search.
Yamaha’s tiny wireless guitar amp gets everything right but the price
With the original THR line of guitar amps, Yamaha basically invented a new product category: the connected desktop amplifier. It filled a need that honestly many guitar players didn't even realize they had. These amplifiers are small enough to sit on a table or desk, they sound great even at low volumes and they're stylish enough that you won't feel compelled to hide them when company comes over. You don't have to search long or hard to find people singing their praises. I bought one a couple years ago and have zero regrets. But the THR amps weren't without flaws. And in the nine years since they were introduced, the competition has caught up. The highly revered Roland Katana line made a play for the space with the Air. And the iconic Vox brand introduced Adio. So Yamaha announced the THR II in September with new features, new amp models and a rich new app in the hopes of not only keeping pace but also showing the competition it's still the benchmark for tiny amps.
Boss’ guitar amp headphones are clever but pricey
There are very few objective truths out there that everyone can seem to agree on. But one of them is most certainly the fact that playing guitar through headphones sucks. Whether you're using a dedicated headphone amp (which often look like relics from the 1980s) or just plugging your trusty over-ears into a tube amp that would wake the neighbors even at the lowest settings, the experience is underwhelming at best. A number of companies have tried different things to try to improve the situation, but Boss' Waza Air are probably the most novel I've seen. For one, this is the first time I know of that a company built a guitar amp directly into a set of headphones. And secondly, the Waza Air includes some pretty unique features that make it feel more like you're listening to an actual amp in a room, rather than just blasting a raw guitar signal into your ears.
Save $80 on a Sonos Beam this Black Friday
With just a couple of days before the official start of Black Friday, Sonos has detailed what you can expect from its sale. Later this week, you'll be able to save on the company's Beam, Playbar, Playbase and Sub speakers, as well as its Amp amplifier. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Sonos plans to offer a direct discount on its music-focused speakers -- home theater products appear to be the theme this year. You'll be able to take advantage of all deals we detail below starting from midnight ET on November 28th through to December 2nd.
Boss’ new Katana guitar amps offer more tones than ever
A few months back a reader asked us what the best connected guitar amp was for beginners. And there are a few solid options, including Yamaha's THR line. But, one amp topped the rest: Boss' Katana 50. And now Katana line is getting major refresh that makes it an even better bang for your buck than before. This most immediate change is the number of amp simulations available. The original Katanas had five, the Katana MkIIs add a variation of each, for a total of 10 amp models. You can also use more of the built in effects simultaneously now. Where as before you were limited to three, the MkII line lets you chain up to five together. And it's still pulling from the same library of over 60 excellent Boss effects (after all, Boss is better known for its effects pedals than its amps).
Google brings AMP-powered search to Google Images
Google wants to make it easier for users to search for content through Google Images. To do so, it's rolling out a new, AMP-powered Swipe to Visit feature. When you select an image, you'll see a preview of the website header at the bottom of the screen. You can keep scrolling through Google Images, or swipe up on the preview to load the AMP (accelerated mobile pages) version of the site.
