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Boom finds a new design partner for its Symphony supersonic jet engine
Overture test flights are now slated to start a year later than previously planned, but Boom still expects the supersonic jet to be certified for commercial flights in 2029.
Apogee Boom brings its DSP-powered plugins to a budget-friendly audio interface
It looks like most audio interfaces, but the Boom packs a DSP without the pro price-tag.
American Airlines is purchasing 20 of Boom's supersonic Overture jets
One of the world’s largest airlines has placed a big bet on supersonic jet startup Boom.
Boom will build a supersonic jet factory in North Carolina
Transporation startup Boom is one step closer to bringing back supersonic passenger flight.
Boom unveils the XB-1, its supersonic testbed
The XB-1 could lead the way to the first civilian supersonic liner in half a century.
The Colorado startup dreaming up a return to supersonic flight
In less than 50 days, we'll see the test plane for a future supersonic airliner. In a year, we could see it fly for the first time. After that? Who knows.
The band X Ambassadors created a music video for the visually impaired
For people who are blind or visually impaired, listening to a music video is often just like listening to the track. The band X Ambassadors wants to change that. They've teamed up with Microsoft to create an "audio-only music video" that's meant to allow blind, low-vision and sighted fans to enjoy the single "Boom" in a new way.
UE Boom app update removes Alexa support on Android
You normally hear about companies adding Alexa support, but not so in this case -- the feature is going away for some users. An updated version of Ultimate Ears' Boom app for Android has removed Alexa control (not to mention alarms) for both UE Boom and Megaboom speakers, turning them into simple Bluetooth speakers. If you ask the company, it's a question of focus.
Boom's supersonic jets get $10 million boost from Japan Airlines
Boom's plan to revive supersonic passenger jets just got an important financial boost. The startup has revealed that Japan Airlines is investing $10 million, and that the carrier also has the option of buying up to 20 of the company's faster-than-sound airliners. If it does, that would give Boom a total of 76 pre-orders, making the Concorde seem like a modest experiment. JAL has actually been working with Boom for "well over a year," Boom said, but the investment makes the alliance official.
A new supersonic jet, and more in the week that was
Tesla currently makes the world's best electric vehicles, but Jaguar's first EV could give the automaker a run for its money. Meet the I-Pace: a svelte, stylish electric SUV that's faster than most sports cars and can drive 220 miles on a single charge. In other auto news, a new law requires all electric vehicles to make noise by the year 2019, and VW's new e-Golf can drive further than the Nissan Leaf at 124 miles per charge. Long-haul flights are the worst, but a new supersonic jet called the Boom could cut them in half. And Noordung launched a stylish vintage-inspired e-bike with a built-in sound system.
Boom's supersonic jets will pick up where the Concorde left off
Boom founder and CEO Blake Scholl wants passengers to break the sound barrier. Since the demise of the supersonic Concorde passenger jet, commercial airlines haven't offered a quicker alternative to fly from point A to point B.
The best water-resistant Bluetooth speakers
This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a list of the best technology to buy. Read the full article below at TheWirecutter.com. If you are looking for the best all-around value in a water-resistant Bluetooth speaker today, the best one to buy is the UE Megaboom. While there are lots of less expensive models, most that truly approach the Megaboom's performance cost about the same, and none that we've seen can offer its mix of sound quality, features and ruggedness. We came to this conclusion after narrowing down 50-some Bluetooth speakers to 13 water-resistant finalists and testing each of them with the Wirecutter AV team and a deep swimming pool. The $300 Megaboom is pricey, but if you have other budgetary or functional needs, we have a few other picks as well.
CES 2015: Ultimate Ears announces the MegaBoom
Ultimate Ears has added the MegaBoom (US$299.99) to its line-up of truly portable Bluetooth speakers, alongside the Boom and Mini Boom. Last year I reviewed the UE Boom and found it to be the best all-round portable Bluetooth speaker I had the pleasure of listening to in 2014. It sounds fantastic, has great battery life, and it is remarkably portable and durable. UE says the MegaBoom builds on everything the Boom delivers. Key features include a large, 360 degree sound with heart-pounding bass, 20 hours of battery life with ultra-fast micro-USB charging, a 100-foot Bluetooth range, and less than two pounds of weight. Furthermore, the MegaBoom is IPX7 certified against water -- it's waterproof! Like the Boom, the MegaBoom uses the accompanying iOS app for sound customization and additional features, including pairing with other MegaBoom or Boom speakers for stereo sound. UE says the MegaBoom will be available in the U.S. and in select countries in Europe and Asia in January. We'll hopefully get our hands on the MegaBoom in the coming weeks for a full review.
Video: Every Steve Jobs "boom" in under four minutes
Steve Jobs will forever be remembered for his contributions to technology and business, but there's another, slightly more whimsical, distinction the Apple founder was known for. We're speaking of course of his "boom." During live demonstrations, Jobs was known to punctuate explanations of particularly exciting features by exclaiming a mighty "boom." The "booms" hit their peak with the 2003 WWDC keynote with 37 booms in total, but the trend continued until Job's final public presentation at the 2010 WWDC. You can watch a super cut of every one of Steve Jobs' "booms" below thanks to YouTube user EverySteveJobsVideo. Below the video you'll find a list of how many times Jobs said the word at each individual event, also compiled by EverySteveJobsVideo. Enjoy. Boom. 1 : NeXTSTEP internal demo video (1992) 4 : MSPDC (1996) 1 : Macworld SF (1999) 1 : WWDC (1999) 18: Macworld SF (2000) 7 : Macworld NY (2000) 15: Macworld SF (2001) 4 : Macworld Tokyo (2001) 8 : Macworld NY (2001) 4 : Apple Special Event (iPod) (2001) 11: Macworld SF (2002) 4 : Apple Special Event (Xserve) (2002) 14: Macworld NY (2002) 8 : Apple Expo Paris (2002) 9 : Macworld SF (2003) 9 : Apple Special Event (iTMS) (2003) 2 : All Things D1 (2003) 37: WWDC (2003) 11: Apple Special Event (iTunes for Windows) (2003) 1 : MacWorld SF (2004) 2 : Apple Special Event (iTunes EU) (2004) 30: WWDC (2004) 20: Macworld SF (2005) 6 : All Things D3 (2005) 9 : WWDC (2005) 1 : Apple Special Event (iPod video) (2005) 21: Macworld SF (2006) 9 : WWDC (2006) 3 : Apple Special Event (Apple TV) (2006) 17: Macworld SF (2007) 3 : All Things D5 (2007) 14: WWDC (2007) 3 : Apple Special Event (Aluminium iMac) (2007) 2 : Apple Special Event (iPod Touch) (2007) 2 : Macworld SF (2008) 1 : Apple Special Event (New iPods) (2008) 1 : Apple Special Event (iOS 4) (2010) 1 : WWDC (2010)
BOOM Urchin speaker for your listening pleasure
When I received the Boom Urchin speaker I have to admit that my first thoughts were that it was ugly and heavy. After using it for a month, I don't notice its weight or form factor, because I am delighted with its sound. BOOM Movement is one of three audio brands, along with Polk Audio and Definitve Technology, owned by DEI Holdings headquartered in Vista California. This is relevant, because these are the folks behind the Anti-sonic diffraction geometry that is responsible for the speaker's great sound. The ovoid-shaped Urchin offers Bluetooth connectivity and can be used as a speakerphone or connected to a device through the auxiliary port. I tested it with my iMac, iPhone, iPad, and a legacy iPod video, using the auxiliary cable. I also tested the Urchin with a wide variety of music and it performed flawlessly. I watched podcasts and used it as a speakerphone too and the sound was just pleasing. It doesn't have bass enhancement as with many sound products, but it doesn't need it either. It reproduced every sound file I played with a full sound and no distortion, no matter the volume. The upper volume will not blow you away, but it can play fairly loud, and is also affected by how loud you've set your device to which it is connected. You know you've reached its loudest setting when it beeps at you, rather loudly. You control the volume with a simple plus and minus button on the device. The controls include the two volume buttons, which also double as skip forward or back and pause, a Bluetooth button, and a power switch. A small green light indicates when the unit is on, and flashes blue when the Bluetooth is enabled. The case makes the buttons a little hard to press, but holding them down for a second or three works fine. The Urchin boasts a removable silicone skin that supposedly comes in ten different colors, but only the red and black covers appear on the site, while the Apple Store also offers it in blue. I saw other skin colors available on Amazon for US19.99. The unit I received has a red skin, which is a bit more muted than shown in the photo below. You can swing it around with its built-in carry ring, but is not pocketable, as early reports claim. It barely fits into my size seven hand, but it's not as big as a watermelon, as one review on Amazon claimed. The thick skin includes a flip-down tab that covers the mini-USB charging port and the auxiliary port. This tab is probably the biggest failing of the whole device, as it has already ripped a little along the edges after minimal use. I edited BOOM's photo and circled the area where it ripped in the shot below. It looks small, because it is a small tear, but I suspect it will rip more with continued use. The press release claims that it is "waterproof for up to five minutes of saturation, dustproof and drop-proof as high as 10 feet (50 times in a row!)." The tab isn't sealed though, so I am not convinced of its water immersion protection. It hasn't rained here during daylight hours in months, so I wasn't able to put it to a water test. (Sorry, I'm not putting a working sound system in the shower!) The Urchin has an IPX4 Ingress Protection Rating (IP Code) also known as the International Protection Rating, according to Wikipedia. The Rugged Technologies site which explains the NEMA and IP Ratings and Equivalency states that the "4" means that "Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect." I dropped it on grass a couple of times and the pavement once with no effect. I dropped it not to test it, but because it is a bit heavy and even with the rubber-like cover, it slipped out of my hand. The Urchin includes a variety of holding accessories, including a carabiner, a self-adhesive mount that includes a screw that fits in the back of the device, a suction mount with stub on which to hang it, and a hand strap. Now, I think the Urchin is too heavy (.75 lbs) to carry via the hand strap, so I used the built-in ring most often. You need to be careful where you mount the self-adhesive screw mount because the Urchin could be difficult to screw into the mount. The aluminum carabiner could come in handy though. After a number of mishaps with suction mounts from a variety of companies, I elected not to test it. The Urchin retails for $149.95 and can be found with a red, blue, or black skin at your local Apple Store. The bottom line is that the Urchin has really nice sound and doesn't distort your music at any volume. The skin seems to rip around the tab too easily. The Bluetooth works well, but it started to degrade at around 15 to 20 feet, which is less than other Bluetooth speakers I've tested. I recommend the Urchin, if you can find it at a discounted price. The Urchin Package Speaker with a silicone skin USB Power Supply Micro USB Cable AUX Input Cable Adhesive Screw (which you need to unscrew to remove it from the packaging) Suction Cup Carabiner Instructions Technical Specs (from the Apple Store) Frequency Response: 100 Hz to 18 kHz Input Type: 3.5mm Stereo Jack, USB Other Features: Bluetooth Speaker Configurations: Stereo Drivers: Two 43 mm drivers Power Source: Battery Power Battery Type: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Height: 2.25 in./5.71 cm Width: 3.875 in./9.84 cm Weight: 0.75 lb./0.34 kg Length: 6.25 in./15.87 cm
UE Boom: a splash-resistant, Bluetooth-enabled speaker for overzealous rioters
You know what'll go perfectly with that waterproof Bluetooth speaker ball that a Billy Corgan doppelganger recommended a few years back? That odd tube you're undoubtedly fixated on above. That's the Ultimate Ears UE Boom, and those people underneath are presumably blitzed from a day of raving at [insert EDM festival here]. Parent company Logitech is calling this thing the "world's first social music player," but last we checked, it's not capable of tweeting whatever you're listening to. Instead, it's seemingly engineered "to help you rage, riot, party and play the music you love, out loud." Seriously -- that's in the description. In order to do so, there's a Bluetooth radio within, NFC support, a 15-hour rechargeable battery and an exterior that'll turn away light splashes. Of note, you can wirelessly link two UE Booms together using an associated Android or iOS app to play them in either stereo-to-stereo mode or traditional left / right stereo mode. It's expected to hit US and European shores later this month for $199.99, which means you too can take weird shots of yourself holding it at frat parties in the very, very near future.
Talkcast tonight: Splicing in a G+ Hangout with our bare hands
As fond as we are of Talkshoe round here, there are some challenges and limitations on the podcast platform. Listeners know we're casting about for some new solutions that will keep the fun and spontaneity of the Talkcast we know and love, while improving audio quality and reliability. Tonight, as we look ahead to Macworld | iWorld and Apple's upcoming earnings report, we're going to try something new. We'll be simulcasting the Talkcast as a Google+ Hangout, and hopefully also streaming it to our YouTube channel. There's a cap of 10 participants in the Hangout itself, but you'll be able to comment and contribute on the G+ page during the show as well as in the usual Talkshoe chat. It's a grand experiment, so bear with us if things go sideways -- that is, when things go sideways. I plan to start the Hangout at 9:30pm and get it solidified before we begin the regular audio side of things at 10pm ET. We may run into some audio looping issues, so if I have to mute the G+ side we'll do that and connect it in by phone. In any case, it's bound to be interesting; hope we'll hear and see you there. To participate live during the show (other than on the G+ side), you can use the browser-only Talkshoe client, the embedded Facebook app, or download the classic TalkShoe Pro Java client; however, the best way to have your voice heard is to call in. For the web UI, just click the Talkshoe Web button on our profile page at 4 HI/7 PDT/10 pm EDT Sunday. To call in on regular phone or VoIP lines (viva free weekend minutes!): dial (724) 444-7444 and enter our talkcast ID, 45077 -- during the call, you can request to talk by keying in *8. If you've got a headset or microphone handy on your Mac, you can connect via the free X-Lite or other SIP clients (aside from Skype or Google Voice), basic instructions are here. Talk to you tonight!
Monster and Beats Electronics discontinue partnership, audiophiles rejoice
Color us surprised, but word on the street is that Monster and Beats By Dr. Dre are soon going to be a thing of the past. After years of pumping out fashion-forward, bass and treble pumping headphones that (debatably) changed the landscape of personal audio products -- and spawned a slew of imitators -- both companies have reportedly decided not to renew their five-year contract. Businessweek notes that two sources have confirmed that disagreements over "revenue share" and "who deserved the most credit for the line's success" stemmed the decision between the companies -- not surprisingly, Beats Electronics wanted more of both. In the followup, Monster will pump out eight new headphone lineups this year independently. Monster is noted to have brought in 60% of its own revenue from Beats by Dre, and now plans to shift its focus on older demographics, such as executive types, which the brand never exactly catered to. Notably, Businessweek also states that Beats Electronics will retain the rights to the headphone's iconic design, sound-signature and branding. Considering Beats' partnerships reign far with companies like HP and HTC, things probably won't be all doom and gloom for the company -- but the amount of time left to pick up your very own JustBeats likely just got very slim.
Visualized CES Edition: Behringer's iNuke Boom speaker dock, a 10,000-watt altar for your iPod
No word on whether it goes to eleven. Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.
World of Tanks deploys its second video tutorial
All right, listen here, soldier! You learned all about the garage in the first World of Tanks tutorial. Now it's time to get into the action. Wargaming.net just released its latest lesson about playing this unique MMO. There is a lot to learn, and although the controls may seem familiar at first there are a few twists that may throw you for a loop. This is where the actual fighting starts. By the end of this second World of Tanks tutorial, you should have all the basics down on how to engage an enemy. The step-by-step instructions will teach you how to read the mini-map, target enemies at specific ranges, lock on targets for close ranged battles, and maneuvering your monstrous vehicle. If you are into strategy and war gaming or if you just like to blow stuff up, check out the video after the break, then march on over to the official World of Tanks website to sign up for beta testing. Ten hut! Forward march!
