Matt Tinsley
Articles by Matt Tinsley
UE MEGABOOM is the new authority in Bluetooth portable speakers
Last week I wrote on the announcement of UE MEGABOOM (US$299.99) Bluetooth speaker, the new big brother to the UE BOOM ($199.99) and the UE MINIBOOM ($99.99). I reviewed the UE BOOM last year and was thrilled with its performance as a portable, durable and great sounding wireless speaker. It's the portable Bluetooth speaker I've been recommending to everyone that's been asking. This last week I've had the pleasure of putting UE's MEGABOOM through its paces, especially in comparison to the smaller BOOM. Read on to find out how the MEGABOOM fared. Design and Features In terms of design, the MEGABOOM looks like a super-charged version of the BOOM. All the design cues and details are virtually identical to the BOOM. In my BOOM review, I likened the BOOM's shape to that of an old-school cylindrical pencil case. The MEGABOOM is exactly like that, only the bigger version that holds about a dozen more pencils. It's 8.3 inches tall and has a diameter of 3.3 inches. The MEGABOOM weighs 1.93 Ib or 875g, which is just over 300g heavier than the BOOM. It's still extremely solid, and really easy to pick up and carry around with one hand. Although those 300g are noticeable when carrying the MEGABOOM for extended periods of time in comparison to the BOOM, the extra weight is negligible in day to day use. It's the size in form factor which is the dramatic change here. It's the difference between shoving the BOOM into a small satchel or even a coat pocket and the MEGABOOM requiring a backpack or something of that ilk. Still, I would consider the MEGABOOM a truly portable wireless speaker. From its capacious 20-hour battery life (up from 15 hours for the BOOM) and 100-foot Bluetooth range (up from 50 feet on the BOOM), to the smallest details of the design, the MEGABOOM will perform in just about any environment. For example, like the BOOM, the MEGABOOM's cylindrical shape means that there are no edges or potential hooks for it to grate or snag on. The fact that you can feel your way around the speaker without needing to look at it; the on / off button is indented at the top while the Bluetooth pairing button is raised. The volume-up and volume-down buttons are indented along the rubbery back of the speaker in "+" and "-" symbols. Furthermore, the MEGABOOM is IPX 7 certified, which means it's waterproof in up to 1 meter of water. Awesome! The USB charging port and 3.5mm audio input jack have rubber doors to make the MEGABOOM air tight. You've no need to worry about drops into the bathtub, swimming pool or if you leave it out in the rain, which means you don't need to bother with carry cases or protective covers. It's design that serves both form and functional that means there's no fuss. You just focus on the music. Performance Pairing to the MEGABOOM on my iPhone, iPad and also my Mac over Bluetooth was really easy and straightforward. When you first connect to the speaker, you're prompted to download the easy-to-use MEGABOOM app, which is there for the extras, like EQ settings, software updates and other features. In terms of audio performance, the MEGABOOM builds on everything the BOOM delivers. The 360-degree room filling audio that comes from the cylindrical shape is enlarged and well-rounded. High-end is open, clear and spacious, while the low end is much warmer and fuller than what the littler BOOM offers. The fantastic My Brightest Diamond's track Pressure puts the MEGABOOM to the test. Tight snare with a big kick and fat toms are punchy and detailed, but it's the bass riff that drives while the vocal is clear and smooth, front and center. Wind instruments are the icing, while synths and BVs enhance and fill everything out. It's a brilliant song and the MEGABOOM handles it well. If I was to be picky, It'd be in those booming low frequencies that things can get slightly muddied. Of course, positioning of the MEGABOOM will make a big difference to the sound it produces. The accompanying MEGABOOM app allows for custom EQ settings to adjust to your preferences. Speaking of which, the MEGABOOM app also allows for over-the-air software updates to the MEGABOOM as well as the ability to pair the MEGABOOM with up to 10 other MEGABOOMS. What a party that would be! There's also the alarm clock and and a new feature that lets you turn on or off the MEGABOOM from the app, for those late nights or early mornings where you can't be bothered to get out of bed. Conclusion The MEGABOOM is a real level-up in comparison to the BOOM. For a truly portable speaker, design, portability and overall audio performance are top-notch. Sure, it may be bigger than the BOOM, but the enhanced audio, Bluetooth range and battery life far outweigh the extra bulk. The only downside of significant note is the price. The $299.99 price feels a little on the expensive side. But if your budget can reach for it, the MEGABOOM is the Bluetooth speaker to get. However, If you do need something a little smaller or you can't justify the price tag, the smaller BOOM is still a worthy contender.
PLAYER for iOS teaches you how to play your music library
MiQ Limited has announced PLAYER, a free iOS app that analyzes songs from your device's music library and then shows you how to play those songs with chords, keys and song structure. PLAYER uses a streamlined interface and attractive UI to display song structure and chords in real-time as a song from your iOS device is played. The idea is that you see the correct chords that correspond to the song as it's being played, which teaches you to play along with the song. If you don't know a particular chord, PLAYER displays chord finger positioning for guitar, piano and ukulele at the top of the app. Before you start, the song is first sent to MiQ for analysis, which takes a few seconds. Additional features include a Discover section that allows you to see the Top Charts of songs used by PLAYER in iTunes' music library. The charts give you a taste of sample chords played in a given song as well as the option to tag a song for later purchase. PLAYER also lets you compile a set list of songs for rehearsal to save you digging around for individual songs you want to practice. Finally, a nice touch is a feature that allows you to slow down the playback of a song you're playing along to. It's a great tool for when you're first learning a song and everything's a bit too fast for you to keep up with. Regarding song analysis, unfortunately no app is going to correctly predict and place all the chords of a given song. And PLAYER is no exception. Your mileage will vary depending on the style and production of the song you're listing to. For best results, you need to give as much attention to listening to the musical makeup of a song as you do looking at the chords being displayed in the app. In short, PLAYER is an easy to use, well designed app. It's a wonderful tool for anyone wanting to learn and develop their musical playing skills for guitar, piano and ukulele, especially beginners. As a side note, PLAYER is developed by the same company that developed Jamn, an app that teaches you the musical theory of the relationship between notes, scales and chords.You can read my review of it here. Finally, if you like PLAYER, but want a bit more detail and control of the manipulation of the song you're learing, check out Capo for Mac, which I reviewed here.
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.
CES 2015: SuperTooth announces multiroom Bluetooth speaker system
SuperTooth, makers of Bluetooth accessories, like the SuperTooth HD speakerphone, has announced the Multiroom System. With up to five speakers connected by Bluetooth and controlled by an app for iOS or Mac, the Multiroom System streams music or any other audio from your device wirelessly around your home. At US$299 for a three speaker set (one master, 2 satellites) and $480 for the five speaker set (one master, 4 satellites), SuperTooth is aggressively pricing the Multiroom System, making multiroom wireless audio more affordable than ever. The speakers will have a range of 32 to 49 feet (10 - 15 meters) and will be linked via Bluetooth. The satellite speakers will automatically connect to the master speaker, so you'll only need to pair your device to the master speaker. All 5 speakers will deliver a combined 125 watts RMS. The app will control volume, stereo or mono placement and equalizer. However, with the product just being announced there are some unanswered questions: Will each speaker be able to support unique audio? What quality of audio will the Multiroom System support? These are just a few. We'll hopefully get our hands on the SuperTooth Multiroom System in the coming weeks for a full, hands-on review.
RHA's T10i brings sound customization to high-fidelity headphones
The recently announced RHA T10i (US$199.95) noise-isolating, in-ear headphones take top-shelf in RHA's lineup of fantastic headphones. According to RHA, the T10i headphones take precedence over the MA750i (read my review here), which have been my everyday headphones over the last year or so. They're also the set I recommend to anyone looking for new headphones with high-quality sound, but with a modest budget. How does the T10i compare as the new top-tier RHA offering? Design According to RHA's website, the T10i takes a step forward in almost every aspect compared to the MA750i. The MA750i drivers are made from 303F Stainless Steel. The T10i drivers are made from Injected Molded Steel -- a process where steel is subjected to 1300 degrees Celsius heat for up to ten hours, ensuring the correct shape and density for superior comfort and durability. The result is a cool, brushed metal look and feel, with a sturdy confidence. I would have no problems shoving these into my back pocket or bag. The MA750i has over-ear cable supports. The T10i has "moulded" over-ear hooks that adjust to the shape of your ear. The MA750i has a steel reinforced, oxygen-free cable with gold plated connections. The T10i has a multicore, reinforced, oxygen-free copper cable with gold plated connections, and it's noticeably thinner, but still strong and hard-wearing. The list goes on. Incrementally different as they are, both headphones look fantastic, are rugged and durable, have a three button remote and mic made for iOS users and, as with all RHA headphones, have a 3-year warranty. However, the big difference here is between the MA750i 560.1 driver and the T10i 770.1 driver. For starters, the T10i's are noticeably bigger. But there's a lot more to it than just size. Aside from delivering a natural, balanced sound signature aiming to accommodate all genres of music accurately and precisely with high levels of soundstage imaging, the frequency response of the 770.1 driver is customizable with the T10i's interchangeable tuning filter system. By unscrewing the tip-ends off the drivers and replacing them with either of the two sets of additional filters, users can enhance the bass or treble response of the T10i or remain with the pre-installed, true-to-life reference filters attached. Check out RHA's details on the differences between all the drivers in their line-up here. Performance I spent the bulk of my listening time using the reference filters on the T10i. After the lengthy, but recommended burn-in period, I found the T10i's to be immediately familiar in feel and sound -- though offering a weightier, more detailed sound compared with the MA750i's more open sound -- but with a new found focus and determination that bested the MA750i. Of course, choosing the right ear tip is crucial for both noise isolation and the sound you'll get. I have some universal custom molds for my ears, but found that they didn't work well with the T10i's. Perhaps when fitted, there's a bit more travel between the driver and my ear. Either way, do try the different tips that come with the T10i's to get the best fit. Damien Rice's The Box (do listen to the album version) demonstrates how the T10i delivers fine detail and presentation as well as range and depth with life and energy. Rice's vocal is front and center, delicate and then soaring over an acoustic guitar. Subtle inflections, intonations and rhythms are beautifully presented and handled. The later piano and strings demonstrate the breadth of the T10i's soundstage, with warmth and clarity. Brass and drums join the mix, filling into the balanced depth and fullness the T10i offers. Everything culminates with a climatic end; piano harmonics linger while Rice's vocal and guitar end the song. It's a great song and a pleasure to hear through the T10i's. I spent less time with the filters, but appreciated the enhancements that each brought. If you're looking for that extra bit of sonic depth or height in your music, both will deliver subtle, but appreciated enhancements to either end of the spectrum. The filters provide a customization that is not often found in headphones of this price range, if at all. Conclusion The T10i sets a new high for RHA, pushing the boundaries of sound quality and delivery. They're a worthy upgrade to the MA750i, with incremental upgrades to an already impressive feature set, but it's those 770.1 drivers that make all the difference. There's also the custom filters for personal taste, which is a premium feature. Hitting the $200 price point starts to push beyond the realms of budget headphones, but I think the T10i offer great value for money when you could easily spend a lot more for a similar, high-quality experience. The T10i is available directly from RHA's website, Apple's Online Store or Amazon
OGIO's Newt 15 is a high-quality backpack for day-to-day commuting
The OGIO Newt 15 (US$100) is a stylish, mid-sized backpack for day to day transportation of your digital essentials and then some. Previously, TUAW's own Steve Sande and Ilene Hoffman reviewed OGIO's 13 inch Covert Shoulder Bag ($69.99) and Hampton's Women's Tote ($70) respectively. Both of those bags garnered high praise. My last backpack review was the Incase Compact Backpack ($79.95), which I found did a solid job of holding my gear at a reasonable price. The Newt 15 is $20 more expensive, so I was keen to see just what a $100 backpack has to offer. Design The Newt 15, presumably named after the small, slender-bodied amphibian, is an apt title for the backpack. It's of a slim build (weighing 2.2 lbs), with a 6-inch depth, a good height of 18.75 inches, and a width of 12.75 inches. Its total capacity is 1050 cubic inches. According to OGIO's website, the Newt 15 is made from 400 D Nylon / 300 D poly-cotton. On OGIO"s Amazon page, it says the bag is made from durable ballistic polyester, oxford polyester and poly/cotton fabric. I have no idea what any of that means, but the bag is really well put together and feels particularly rugged and durable. I can't say if it's in any way weather or water resistant, as I couldn't find any indication or classification on OGIO's website. The Newt 15 has six compartments or pockets. At the rear of the backpack is a side-entry, fleece lined laptop compartment (14.5 inch H x 10.5 inch W x 1 inch D). In the middle is the main compartment, with double zips. When fully unzipped, the main compartment opens wide, allowing for good access. Inside is a padded iPad sleeve as well as two mesh compartments for storing smaller items like chargers, USB sticks, in-ear headphones, an iPhone and the like. On the front side of the Newt 15 are two smaller compartments. The upper compartment is fleece lined, with four mesh compartments; two on either side. There's also a spacious gap between these mesh pockets for additional loose items. The lower compartment is longer, but less roomy. It has four pen holders and an additional pocket, as well as a larger space for things like glasses. There's also a key hook here. On the top of the bag is a small, fleece lined single-zipper pocket for small valuables. Finally, on the side of the bag is a zip pocket for what OGIO describes as travel essentials. It's perfect for passports, travel tickets or anything flat that will sit flush with the back panel of the bag. Speaking of the back panel, there are five padded bars here that cushion the Newt 15 against your back, also providing some ventilation. The adjustable shoulder straps are well padded by what OGIO calls Dual Density foam shoulder straps, for comfort and stability with heavier loads. There's also an adjustable front clasp that secure the two straps together over your torso. Take a look at OGIO's promo video of the backpack below. Functionality The Newt 15 has what feels like an endless number of pockets, compartments and ways to organize your stuff. It took me a few days to even realize there was a side zip pocket flush with the back panel. My 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro easily fit into the back compartment with room to spare for extra papers or anything else you'd feel comfortable placing alongside your laptop. For me, that was a bunch of loose papers. The well-padded fleece-lined compartment left me with no concern for scratches, bumps or knocks. The main compartment is roomy, with mesh pockets to organize cables, cards, sticks and accessories in many varying ways. My iPad Air fit snugly into the sleeve and I found I still had plenty of room for my MacBook charger, iPhone charger, a journal, my umbrella and I could shove a light hoodie in there, too. As a day to day commuter, you'll have no trouble getting your essentials into the Newt 15. You may struggle, though, if you have to bring along three or four large books in addition to everything else. In a pinch, I'd happily use the Newt 15 for an overnight trip, provided you're happy to travel light, with a small change of clothes and toiletries. That being said, it's amazing that the Newt 15 accommodates all this content for its size and weight. The travel pocket is a nice touch, though anything thicker than a passport and some tickets does become noticeable as a bulge against the back panel, making for a lob-sided fit. I found the bag to be comfortable to wear, though there was a bit of a 'wear-in' period and it did take me a few days to adjust the straps to a setting that felt snug, but not uncomfortable on my shoulders. Once there, though, I found the Newt 15 to be a tremendously resourceful and comfortable bag. I also got a few appreciative remarks towards the Newt 15's Dark Static color and minimalist styling. Conclusion Commuting around London with the OGIO Newt 15 was a pleasure. The bag is ideal for day-to-day travel as well as the odd overnight excursion. The backpack's materials and the way it has been put together emanate a durability and ruggedness, which, overall, gives the Newt 15 a premium feel. There's still a question mark around its weather resistance, and it does take a fair bit of adjusting to get comfortable. But compared to the Incase Compact Backpack, which has solid, but baseline features, a rather understated appearance and no frills, the Newt 15 excels in looks, quality and functionality.
Making music on the Mac with GForce M-Tron Pro synth
The M-Tron Pro (approx. US$225) is a software-based Mellotron emulator synth, available for Mac as stand-alone or as a plug-in with Logic, GarageBand, Pro Tools, and a host of other music apps. It's made by UK-based developer GForce Software. Design Let's start with a simple question: what is a Mellotron? No doubt, it's an instrument you will have heard in many popular songs. In the 1960s, the Mellotron was one of the first sample-based keyboards. It was made famous by Pink Floyd, David Bowie, The Beatles and others, and later by many more bands, like Radiohead, for example. The Mellotron emulates choirs, voices, strings and orchestral instruments, among other things. Here's a description of how the Mellotron works from the GForce website: When pressed, each key engaged playback of a discrete strip of tape containing an eight-second recording of that note played on an instrument such as a violin. The tape rewound after key release. The lack of looping forced the player to adapt his playing style giving the instrument a unique playing characteristic in addition to its already distinct sound. The M-Tron Pro, well... It digitally models those tape sounds, but with enhanced features, like vintage-style ensemble and delay effects, dual layering (29 parameters per layer), filter sections, a very cool tape reverse option as well as dynamic keyboard control and filter aftertouch. The "Tron" has just under 200 high-quality sample banks, with new and classic tape sounds, including 19 tape banks from the original M-Tron that were remastered at London's Abbey Road Studios. Performance The Tron comes with over 700 patches, with many authored by world-class recording artists and programmers. Out of the box, Tron produces instantly recognizable and usable sounds. But the real fun comes with Tron's powerful editing tools. Tron allows you to layer two tape banks, both of which are individually editable with filter and envelop controls, effects, pitch LFO, and keyboard responses (velocity, aftertouch). You can also apply those same editing features to both samples at the same time. If you've used any kind of audio editing software before, you'll feel right at home with Tron. Once you understand the simple dual-layer premise that blends the tape banks, you'll be on your way to sculpting your own, bespoke Mellotron-based sounds. I have to say that there's a wealth of high-quality sound on the M-Tron. The samples sound fantastic. Editing is intuitive and straightforward. I lost an afternoon enjoying the tape reverse and the half speed option, producing some rather tasteful results! G-Force also offers expansion libraries, including the ChamberTron, OptiTron and the OrchesTron. I was particularly fascinated by the ChamberTron. Check out the video below to hear about the instrument and how it was invented, used and later sampled for the M-Tron Pro. Conclusion The M-Tron Pro offers high-quality virtual modeling of the classic Mellotron instrument, with fantastic editing features and effects to make unique, signature sounds. If you're looking for a fresh, inspiring take on the virtual Mellotron instrument, the M-Tron Pro won't disappoint.
Ultimate Ears Pro 7 Custom in-ear monitors for pro musicians and audiophiles
We recently reviewed it and would hands-down say it's the best truly portable Bluetooth speaker I've used. It's an all-round fantastic package.
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.
Sonos Play:3 and Play:5 wireless speakers review for Mac and iOS
A little while ago I reviewed the Sonos Play:1 speaker. I was thrilled with how the speaker packed a real punch in sound, performance and design. Over the last few weeks I've had the addition of the the Sonos Play:3 (US$299) and Play:5 (US$399) to add to the Play:1, creating a truly wireless sound system for three rooms in my flat. Design The Play:3 and Play:5 take ques from the Play:1's design and appearance, but get respectively larger in size and sound performance. Like the Play:1, both the Play:3 and Play:5 come in black or white. The speakers have a minimalist appearance that allows either to settle into any room of the house, without looking out of place or intrusive. The Play:3 has 3 speakers powered by 3 Class-D digital amplifiers. There's a single tweeter, two mid-range drivers and a novel bass radiator that uses energized air volume from within the Play:3 to generate low, bass frequencies. It really works, too. The Play:3 can also be placed horizontally or vertically, with rubber feet to suit either orientation. Better still, the Play:3 automatically adjusts its own EQ depending on its orientation, to make sure you're getting the best sound out of it. The Play:5, on the other hand, ups the speaker count. There are 2 tweeters, 2 mid-range drivers and a dedicated sub-woofer handles the bass, each powered by a dedicated Class-D amplifier. The Play:5 also offers an analogue, 3.5mm input, something that the Play:1 and Play:3 are noticeably lacking. Like the Play:1, the Play:3 and Play:5 can be paired with an additional, respective model to create a truly stereo sound-stage. Performance There's no doubt that, as much as I love the Play:1, placing the Play:3 alongside it revealed its weaker points. Compared with the Play:1, the Play:3's extra speakers and amplifiers add extra warmth, breadth and depth to whatever you put through it. Of course, the Play:3 is double the size of the Play:1. Also, the Play:3 costs $100 more than the Play:1, so it makes sense that the Play:3 sounds $100 better. I think it appropriately does. I had a similar experience placing the Play:5 alongside the Play:3. Compared with the Play:3, the Play:5 has more subtlety and breadth in the higher-end as well as a natural warmth from that sub-woofer. With Sonos' Loudness feature turned off (simply put, a feature that lifts the lower end to compensate for low volume), it was even clearer that the Play:5 has more to deliver, thanks to that additional tweeter and sub-woofer. The Play:5 also has a much wider stereo sound-stage thanks to it's larger form factor. Once more, it stands to reason that for $100 more than the Play:3, the Play:5 comes out on top. Teaming up all three speakers was a joy. Having perfectly synced music in three different rooms in the house was a pleasure. Likewise, to play different tracks in different rooms at the same time was also a real boon. The Sonos Bridge handled it all flawlessly, with no dropouts or stutters. I discussed the Sonos iOS and Mac apps in my Play:1 review. After a few more weeks of using it, I still feel there are some frustrating niggles. A newly discovered frustration was that certain features are missing from the Sonos app that are standard in native music players. For example, with Spotify in the Sonos app, I missed features like recommendations, playlist and profile search results and Spotify Radio. To me, that illustrates how the Sonos app will always be slightly lacking in features that native music players will continually be adding. It's going to be impossible for Sonos to keep up with the addition of new features in every music player. However, the Sonos app does cover the basics and, for most, the essentials. Furthermore, the more I used the Sonos app, the more apt I became at getting what I wanted out of it. Conclusion Sonos offers rock solid wireless delivery of music in your home. For wireless music delivery, you need not look further than Sonos. Adding to the Sonos system is exceptionally easy, and for getting your music around your house, much better than independent systems in each room. The only question is which Play speakers do you go for? I absolutely loved the Play:1 when I tested it, but it's clear that things improve with the Play:3 and and even more so with the Play:5. Naturally, at a price. Walking away from the Play speakers, I really felt each speaker delivered fantastic value for money in their respective class. Basically, you won't be disappointed, no matter which Play speaker you go for. However, if you can choose, I'd suggest that for everyday use, where you're looking for a soundtrack to what you're doing, the Play:1 and Play:3 will absolutely hit the spot. But for those moments, or rooms, where you want the best Sonos has to offer and the most from your music, the Play:5 is the speaker to go for.
Catalyst Case for iPhone 5 / 5s provides rugged, waterproof protection
Last year I reviewed the now defunct Griffin Survivor + Catalyst iPhone case. This year, Catalyst Lifestyle is now a stand-alone company with an updated range of cases. I had the opportunity to try out the Catalyst Waterproof Stealth Black case for iPhone 5 / 5S (US$64.99). Design The Catalyst Waterproof is 13.2 mm thick, 134.3 mm tall, 67.2 mm wide (0.52" x 5.29" x 2.65"). It weighs 41 grams (1.4 Oz). It obviously adds a bit of bulk to your iPhone, but it is less bulky than the model I reviewed last year. Catalyst has got rid of the large latches that locked last year's case in place. The Catalyst Waterproof simply fits together by snapping the case front into the case itself. The case provides IP68 protection from water and dust, and will protect your iPhone in up to 5 meters (16.4 ft) of water. It's also given the 810G military standard rating for protection from shocks and drops up to 2m (6.6ft). Performance My iPhone fit snugly into the Catalyst Waterproof without a hitch. All features of my iPhone, including Touch ID worked perfectly, though it is recommended that you rescan your fingerprint with the iPhone in the case to get an exact image. In terms of operating my iPhone, the only small adjustment was having to press down on the screen a little bit harder than I normally would for it to register. Make sure you push the iPhone right down into the case to make sure there's good contact between your iPhone's screen and the case screen. As with last year's review, the Catalyst Waterproof comes with strict instructions for testing the case before submerging it in water. However, things have been simplified significantly. There's still an O-ring that is essentially the waterproof seal for the case. You need to make sure this ring is sitting properly within the case and that it is not twisted in any way. Catalyst provides full instructions on its website. Aside from that and making sure the charger port / audio jack plug is closed, you're good to go. I performed Catalyst's recommended test and found no water penetration into the case. If your iPhone was to go for an unexpected swim, the Catalyst Waterproof case will make sure not a drop gets in. In terms of protection from knocks and drops, the Catalyst Waterproof provides excellent, all round protection. If your iPhone was to take a tumble, knock or drop, you can rest assured that the case provides significant protection. Conclusion The Catalyst Waterproof's slimmer form-factor and easier operation makes it a solid option for those who want a high level of protection for their iPhone with the least amount of additional bulk. For everyday protection -- or even specific occasions where you know your iPhone will be at particular risk of damage -- the Catalyst Waterproof is definitely worth considering.
Libratone Zipp Wireless Speaker: Portable, high-end audio with good looks
The Zipp (US$399.95) is the first in Scandinavian-based Libratone's range of high-end, wireless speakers, followed by the Loop, Live and Lounge. Steve Sande took a closer look at the Loop earlier this year, and while he was impressed with the quality of sound and design, the high price point and finicky setup process were some noted drawbacks. I've spent the last week or so using the Zipp. I was keen to see how the smaller Zipp compared to Steve's take on the Loop. Design First off, the Zipp looks great. With its tall, cylindrical shape, the Zipp is unassuming and simple in appearance, yet its changeable, woolen covers (that come in multiple colors) give it personality and life. The covers are changed by unzipping the old one and zipping on a new one -- hence: the Zipp!. The Zipp's Height is 26.0 cm (10.2") and its circumference is 12.2 cm (4.8"). The Zipp weighs 4 lbs (1.8 kg). On top of the Zipp is a simple, circular button to power the device, with volume-up and volume-down buttons either side, not dissimilar to an Apple TV remote in appearance. There's a small LED light that indicates the Zipp's status; if all's well the LED fades in and out with a soft, white glow. Round the back is a leather strap to carry the Zipp from room to room or out and about. Underneath the leather strap are the Zipp's inputs (3.5mm aux-in and audio USB) as well as a WiFi and PlayDirect button and a battery status indicator. Underneath is a solid base with an input for the Zipp's power supply, a rather clunky brick. All in all, the Zipp looks great, especially with its removable cover. The Zipp's form factor means it will fit on just about any table top, counter or shelf. The only aesthetic drawback of note was the Zipp's plastic top, which feels a little, well... plasticky. Inside the Zipp is a 60W, digital amplification 2.1 stereo system. There's a 4" bass speaker and two 1" ribbon based tweeters. There's also a lithium-ion battery that promises 8 hours of wired operation or 4 hours of wireless operation. Performance Thankfully, I didn't experience the same setup issues Steve did. I opted to connect the Zipp to my home's Wi-Fi network using the Libratone Zipp app on my iPad (which first did a software update on the Zipp). Once I had the Zipp connected to my home network, the Zipp appeared on my iTunes and iOS device's AirPlay menu. It's worth noting that the Zipp can connect to your iOS or Mac via PlayDirect, where the Zipp is setup as a standalone Wi-Fi network, allowing AirPlay between the Zipp and your device without the need for a Wi-Fi network. This is a great feature, especially for a portable speaker, like the Zipp. In terms of sound, I was really thrilled with the Zipp's performance. There was a real subtlety to the Zipp, especially in the higher ranges, where detail really shone through. This made the Zipp a truly satisfying listen. Having said that, I did find the Zipp was a little lacking in terms of weight. That's not to say it didn't have a solid punch with up-beat, bass-heavy tracks, but rather, overall, the sound could do with being slightly fuller in the low-range. Even so, the Zipp is still a fantastic listen. The Acid's Animal is breathtaking, with the Zipp delivering so much rich detail. I was taken aback by the way reverb carries on different beats and vocal parts, and then when it's absent; the sheer dryness that is exposed. The decay-crunch on the sampled drum roll is glorious, and I found lost on lesser speakers. And all those little guitar hisses and ambient amp noises come through so well. It's testament to the recording, but also how well the Zipp delivers. I found AirPlay performance on the whole to be good, though I did get occasional clicking sounds every now and again, despite being in good range of my router. Wired playback was without any problems, and sounded super. Conclusion The Libratone Zipp is a solid piece of kit. It looks the part and has fantastic sound, particularly when it comes to detail. The best part is that you can unplug it and take it anywhere, thanks to its built-in battery and PlayDirect Wi-Fi. You won't get a day's life out of the battery (especially if you're using the speaker wirelessly), but you'll be getting true high-end sound, which is more than you can say for other battery-powered portable speakers. If portability isn't a priority, there are other contenders to weigh up against the Zipp, but if high-end sound and portability are at the top of your list, check out the Zipp.
Sonos Play:1 is a well-priced, super-sounding wireless speaker
Sonos is a manufacturer of high-fidelity, wireless audio speakers that bring your digital music into every room of your home, all controlled from the Sonos app on your Mac or iOS device, through your home's WiFi network using the Sonos Bridge. There are currently 5 speakers in the range; the Play:1, Play:3, Play:5, Playbar and Sub. The Playbar and Sub are more geared towards home theatre. I've had the pleasure of testing the Play:1 over the last couple weeks. Design The Play:1 (US$199) is Sonos' entry-level speaker. It's compact enough to fit just about anywhere in your house -- it's also wall mountable -- but large enough to produce compelling, high-quality sound. In fact, as I type this in a coffee shop that's approximately 10 meters x 10 meters large, there's a Play:1 on a book shelf comfortably filling the room with weighty, clear sound. The Play:1 weighs 4 lb. (1.85 kg) and has dimensions of 6.36" tall, 4.69" wide and 4.69" deep (16.15 x 11.9 x 11.9 cm). It's really solid and unassuming in its appearance, but has a premium look and feel to it. There are just three buttons on the Play:1 (and it's the same for the Play:3 and Play:5): volume-up, volume-down and a play/pause button that doubles as a pairing button when you first connect the speaker to your network. On the back is an Ethernet cable input (in case you decide to go for the wired option) and a threaded mounting hole. Underneath is the input for the AC power adapter. Unfortunately there's no auxiliary input on the Play:1 for those odd occasions when you might want to connect the Play:1 to another audio source (Mac, CD player, or even your iPhone for those moments when you don't have a WiFi network available). The Play:1 is certainly portable enough to move around and use in different rooms around the home or office, though it's not what you'd call a portable speaker. There's no battery or anything like that. In that sense, it's designed to be stationary. Sonos wants you to get a speaker for each room! The Play:1 has two Class-D digital amplifiers, one tweeter to cover the high frequencies and a mid-woofer to cover the mid- and low-end range. Setup In order to get the Play:1 up and running wirelessly, I had to connect the Sonos Bridge (sold separately) to my WiFi network router, which in this case is an Airport Extreme. The Bridge ensures that wireless range is solid, with no quality issues during playback. Once connected and the Play:1 powered up, I ran the Sonos app on my iPhone to pair the two. After a few false starts, the Play:1 successfully paired. The Sonos app With Sonos speakers, the Sonos app becomes, for better or worse, the control center of your digital music. Wherever you get your music from (local library, streaming service, internet radio, iOS device), it needs to be routed through the Sonos app. Fortunately, Sonos has done a great job at partnering with a wide range of streaming and cloud-music services (that's continually expanding), including Spotify and many others, to make this happen smoothly. However, it's worth checking that where you get your music from is compatible with Sonos. For example, Spotify requires a premium account to work with Sonos. Using the app takes a bit of getting used to. For example, I repeatedly found myself opening Spotify or iTunes to play something and then realizing I needed to go to the Sonos app instead. Or in the Sonos app I would hit play on a track in an album and the app would only play that track. It doesn't automatically go to the next track. Why? I don't know. You've got to add tracks to the queue. Another little niggle was with volume control. You can't use the the Mac's keyboard shortcuts or the volume rockers on an iPhone or iPad to change volume levels. You've got to do it through the Sonos app. It's not a big deal, but when you're used to using the volume controls on your Mac or iOS device, it's a little counterintuitive. It was also quite frustrating to find that not all audio from my Mac or iOS device would play through the Play:1. For example, I would be listening to music while on my Mac, come across a movie trailer that I wanted to watch while browsing in Safari, play it, only to discover the audio would go through my Mac's speaker instead of the Play:1. That's when it hit me: the Play:1 is for music only. Don't plan on watching a movie on your iPad, for example, and routing the audio through it. It won't happen. Everything has to go through the Sonos app, and if it's not supported, you're out of luck. I know the Sonos app is designed to make sure everything sounds as best as it can, with no playback issues etc -- and I never had any issues with audio quality -- but the Sonos way of doing things felt a little limiting when it came to audio that wasn't music. Performance Despite these issues, when you do want to listen to music, the Play:1 really does deliver. In fact, with its smaller form factor and very reasonable price, it really feels like the Play:1 punches well above its weight. Coldplay's A Sky Full Of Stars was punchy, rich and driving. Turn up the volume and the Play:1 continues to handle things very well. There's balance and clarity with no hint of distortion. It really was astonishing just how loud the Play:1 could go when you see how small it is. The more subtle Ryan Adams Amy carried just as well, with vocals clear and warm, while the acoustic guitar and chamberlin instrument are detailed and well-placed. But that's not the end of it. The beauty of the Play:1 is not just its fantastic sound reproduction, but the fact that you can easily add more Sonos speakers to the mix, perfectly in time, without any quality issues. Get another Play:1 and create a stereo sound stage or place a Play:1 in all the rooms of your house and have an awesome house party with music perfectly synced in every room. Conclusion While the Play:1 won't meet all the audio requirements you have on your Mac or iOS devices (films, YouTube, gaming etc), when it comes to playing music as a dedicated speaker in your home, the Play:1 has a larger-than-life premium sound, considering its size and price point. Furthermore, Sonos has superior music streaming compared to Bluetooth and Airplay. Finally, when you're ready to get your digital music into more rooms in your house, Sonos makes it really easy to add and expand your Sonos system in a way that suits you. If you're wanting to invest in a digital music system for your home, but you're only ready to take the first step. the Play:1 is the right place to start.
Fantastical 2.1 for iOS adds new snooze, search and notification features
Flexibits' Fantastical 2.1 for iOS is available today with a host of new features, improvements and bug fixes. The calendar, reminders and to-dos app is a major hit with the TUAW team, so we're always pleased to see an update to this fantastic app! Check out our review of Fantastical 2.0 for iPhone, here. Highlights of the update include new snooze options for event or reminder notifications, the option to search and add contacts or locations when creating a new event, a setting to hide the event details location map (which can be a little annoying if you don't always use it), and new event invitation notifications. And if that isn't enough -- there's also a new app icon badge option, upcoming birthday notifications. keyboard shortcuts for those that use an external keyboard with their iOS device, and improvements to the calendar week-view, with updated colors and an improved appearance for timed events that span multiple days. To celebrate the update, Flexibits is putting Fantastical on sale. The iPhone and Mac version is 50% off at $4.99 and $9.99 respectively, and the iPad version is 33% off at $9.99.
UE Boom for iOS, Mac is a superb and portable Bluetooth speaker
The UE Boom (US$199) by Ultimate Ears is a portable, Bluetooth-enabled wireless speaker compatible with Mac and iOS devices. If you've ever grown tired of the limited quality of your MacBook, iPhone or iPad's speaker (and let's face it, who hasn't?), the UE Boom is designed to bring high-quality, long-lasting audio to your device in a robust, easy-to-use, portable form factor. Features The Boom is small, about the size and shape of an old-school cylindrical pencil case (diameter: 6.5cm, height: 18 cm). It's easy to pick up, and even hold for extended periods of time in your hand. It's compact enough to shove in a bag and durable enough for you not to worry about it getting damaged while it's in there. It's solid too; nothing rattles and there are no moving parts. It's weighty (538g), but not heavy. It's even water resistant with a Level 4 Ingress Protection Rating. The Boom is designed to be used anywhere: the kitchen, the bathroom, the car, a camping trip or even on a bicycle ride. There are four buttons on the Boom. On the top are the power button and a Bluetooth pairing button. On its side are two large, indented volume-up and volume-down buttons in the shape of "+" and "-" symbols, which are easy to find, but sometimes difficult to push. Pressing the power button turns the device on. The button lights up and the Boom plays a little drum roll, telling you it's alive and well. Pressing and holding the Bluetooth pairing button allows the Boom to be paired with up to 8 devices. When pairing happens, a shorter drum-roll sounds. The effect is endearing, and it's useful too. The Boom's underside has a micro-USB input for charging, a 3.5mm audio input and a hook to affix the Boom to things. The Boom is colorful. It comes in a multitude of dual-color pairings or more extravagant custom editions. The color really adds to the Boom's appeal, saying so much more about the excitement of listening to music than other wireless speakers that remain dull and neutral. In terms of design and quality, the Boom is one of the best accessories I've had the pleasure of reviewing. It really is a pleasing and exciting piece of kit to behold and use. Finally, the Boom has a companion iOS app to update the Boom's software as well as adjust settings, enable 2x pairing of two Booms, for a stereo sounndfield or just double the volume, and a handy alarm clock feature, where your Boom plays the last played track as a wake-up call. Performance The Boom continues to impress in the audio department. Sound is clear and dynamic. Whatever you seem to put through the Boom, it produces an exciting and engaging listen -- all this coming from a portable, wireless speaker. The 360-degree sound is room filling and can get very loud. I found I never really took the Boom much past half-way volume when indoors, but would happily crank it up for an impromptu social gathering or using it outdoors. At high volumes the Boom held its composure and didn't distort. If anything, I found putting the volume up exposed the nasty flaws of lesser-quality audio files. Using Spotify's high-quality playback, the Boom provided a compelling listen, even distracting in a good way. As engaging as the sound is, I did find the Boom missed out on the finer details that might be found on higher-end equipment. Pairing the Boom to my iPhone and iPad was effortless. Once paired, you choose the Boom from the AirPlay menu wherever you see it in iOS. Volume is adjusted and mirrored whether you change it on the Boom or your iOS device. It's important to note that the Boom doesn't take advantage of Apple's AirPlay technology, so you don't need a WiFi router to use it. However, using Bluetooth means that signal range is limited. UE says the Boom has 15 meters or 50 ft of range. However, I found that indoors, with walls and doors to contend with, the Boom started to drop signal after about 8 meters. A great little bonus feature is that the Boom has a built-in mic, which means you can take and receive phone calls through the Boom. However, all control needs to be done on your iOS device. It was a little disappointing to find that the Boom couldn't take advantage of Siri to make or take calls, let alone change tracks. Pairing on the Mac was just as straightforward as on iOS, but I found the Boom didn't have the same ease and responsiveness in terms of controlling volume, switching apps, etc as it does on iOS. Playing music was fine, but I couldn't always get system sounds to come through the Boom. In another instance, I couldn't hear a Skype call ringing, but could have the conversation through the Boom. Things seemed temperamental. It'd be great to see these little kinks worked out in a software update. Bluetooth pairing also means that multiple devices don't always work as coherently as multiple devices do with AirPlay. If I was playing a track on my iPhone and then "interrupted" that track by playing a track from my Mac, the track from my iPhone wouldn't stop, but just become disjointed and distorted. I found I had to stop playback on one device before I could play something from another. A couple times I had to power down the Boom and re-pair it to get rid of little distortions and corrupted playback. UE says the Boom has a battery life of 15 hours. While I didn't do an extensive battery test, I found the battery lasted extremely well when the volume wasn't pushed excessively for long periods of time. I easily got through a day of playback with the Boom sitting at my desk. The Boom can also be powered by the included USB cable plugged into a wall socket or USB power supply, so if the Boom's battery does run out, the party doesn't have to end there! Conclusion In short, the Boom is the best portable music speaker I've used. It looks fantastic, is seriously portable, is a pleasure to use, and the sound it produces is exciting and entertaining. At this price point, there's not a better wireless speaker out there that I know of. There are a few niggles; no Siri integration for iOS devices, operation as an audio output on the Mac is a little buggy when working with certain applications, and Bluetooth range is somewhat limited in comparison to AirPlay when indoors. However, the pros far outweigh the relatively minor cons here. The UE Boom is the portable wireless speaker to get. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible
FiftyThree's Pencil stylus now on sale in UK, France and Germany
FiftyThree, makers of the amazing Paper app for iPad as well as the accompanying, Bleutooth-enabled Pencil stylus, is now shipping Pencil in the UK, Germany and France. Pencil costs £50 for the Graphite version and £65 for the Walnut variety and are available to order from Amazon UK. Both models are steeper in price compared to purchase within the US (US$59.95 and $74.95 respectively). Pencil was released in the US last year to much hype and anticipation and is largely considered one of the best styli on the market for iPad. Besides its chunky, but attractive design, Pencil has a host of features for designers and artists to take advantage of in conjunction with the Paper app: With a simple press of Pencil to iPad, Bluetooth pairing is complete. Intelligent palm recognition technology prevents any unintended input, and Surface Pressure brings a new level of detail to input strokes this fall with the arrival of iOS 8. Take a look at the video below to see Pencil in action. Pencil / Think With Your Hands from FiftyThree on Vimeo.
Flavourit for iPhone is a good-looking, digital recipe book
Flavourrit is a new recipe management app for iPhone that lets you quickly and easily create and store recipes as attractive, interactive cards that are searchable by title, ingredients and up to 46 subcategories. The beautiful app makes it easy to see exactly which ingredients are needed and when. Well-designed, assignable icons illustrate the various cooking methods, so there's less text to get lost in. From a glance you can see what action needs to take place next. For example, a knife indicates chopping, while a mixer means all ingredients are to be mixed together. Of course, if you do need to add / see additional text, tap a button and the text appears next to the ingredients as per the stage you're at in the recipe. Once the necessary ingredients and methods have been collected, the app encourages you to take a photo of the completed dish, making it easy to find later. Adding recipes to Flavourit can feel a little cumbersome, but taking the time to do so accurately -- as well as a bit of time getting used to how the app works -- produces elegant, straight-forward recipes that can be shared via Facebook or as digital photos via email, text or printing. Flavourit has an in-app purchase that adds a shopping list feature and eliminates pop-up ads. Finally, as a version 1.0 app, Flavourit isn't as buttery-smooth as it could be. At times, I found myself having to repeatedly tap and swipe at things to get the desired result. Hopefully, updates will produce a more reliable experience. Despite these niggles, Flavourit is a great place to start. Have a look at Flavourit in action in the video below.
Take revenge on infuriating flies with FlyOut for iOS
Flyout for both iPhone and iPad is a free game that's all about killing flies -- many different kinds of very annoying flies. The good news is that you get to kill them with all sorts of wonderful devices. The aim of the game is to kill as many flies as possible, wave by wave, without letting any survive. Things start off relatively easily with a slow wave of normal flies. You're equipped with a fly swatter to get the business done. However, things rapidly get more challenging with fast, sturdy flies who require multiple zaps and quick strikes. Fortunately, your arsenal improves with a machine gun, rocket launcher, bug spray, and my personal favorite, the say-hello-to-my-little-friend minigun! Annihilating the pesky flies is quite satisfying. However, there are some annoying ads in the game, which can be zapped by a small, one-off in-app purchase. The game is entirely playable if you don't make the purchase. When first launching the FlyOut it asks for your Facebook and Twitter account information, but you can dismiss that request without consequence. Regardless, if you've ever been infuriated by a fly, FlyOut will let you serve justice.
Propellerhead's Take is a supercharged memo recorder for iPhone
Take Creative Vocal Recorder is a free iPhone voice recorder, designed by the fantastic Propellerhead, creators of great music-making apps like Reason and Figure. Thousands of musicians around the world use the iPhone's Voice Memos app to instantly and easily capture moments of creative inspiration. However, the app is limited to just a single take, with limited editing features -- perhaps that's its strength. Nevertheless, Propellherhead's Take capitalizes on those ideas, with an app that's just as easy to instantly grab and start recording, but with a few supercharged features. Take gives you three tracks to record on, so if you get a great idea down, it's really easy to build on that idea right there and then, adding a harmony and perhaps a second instrument part. Each track also has volume levels and a simple reverb effect. Previously I've laid down a catchy idea on the Voice Memos app only to realize my timings been all over the place, meaning it's not a usable guide for a later production. Take adds a simple metronome with adjustable BPM as well as beats and loops to keep you on track and further inspire your ideas. I only wish the metronome had other time signatures. Hopefully we'll see that in a later update. Finally, just like on the Voice Memos app, Take makes it really easy to share your ideas with friends and colleagues via email, Facebook and Twitter. One important thing to note is that Take works best with headphones. If you want to take advantage of Take's metronome or loops and beats, you'll need to plug in headphones, preferably without a built-in mic, so you don't get sound bleeding into your recording and you get the best audio recording from your iPhone's mic. Check out Take in action in the video below.
IK iRig MIDI 2 brings updated features, Lightning connector compatibility
IK Multimedia's iRig MIDI 2 (US$99.99) is a universal MIDI interface for Mac and iOS. IK's original iRig MIDI was compatible with Apple's 30-pin dock connector, but not Apple's newer Lightning connector interface. The updated iRig MIDI now supports both connectors as well as USB for connecting to Mac. I reviewed the original iRig MIDI back in 2011, so it's great to see a revamp of this portable MIDI interface. Features include a re-designed, smaller, pocket-sized form factor with a rubberized, sturdier enclosure, standard-sized MIDI ports, power provided from host device, detachable cables that are bumper / case friendly, and, of course, Lightning connector compatibility. IK also offers a host of iOS apps to work with MIDI instruments. SampleTank Free is a comprehensive sound workstation with high-quality instruments and patterns. iGrand Piano FREE is a high-quality sampled grand piano. Finally, for Mac users, SampleTank 3 SE is a free desktop workstation with instruments and patterns. All apps can be upgraded with more sounds and features via in-app purchase. The only downside to the iRig MIDI 2 is that it cost $30 more than the original iRig MIDI. However, with the improved features, design and higher-quality enclosure -- the original one was on the tacky side -- the iRig MIDI 2 should be a worthwhile investment for iOS MIDI enthusiasts.