audio

Rarely do you need to review a product twice, even electronic devices that receive occasional or regular software updates. There are rare times, however, when an update changes the game so significantly that it almost feels like you’re using a completely different and newer product. That’s the miracle that Australian startup Nura tried to pull off with the G2 update to its already groundbreaking wireless headset. But does the nuraphone G2 leave up to the company’s own high standards? We prick up our ears to find out.

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YouTube Music is finally getting support for Android Auto, joining Google Music and other audio apps already supported by the platform. With this addition, Android Auto users are able to directly access their YouTube Music content via the platform's interface using a couple taps. When launched, the YouTube Music inclusion offers recommended content, downloads, and more.

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Focal has unveiled a wireless version of its Sphear premium earbuds, the Sphear Wireless. This new model targets discerning on-the-go audiophiles, promising 'excellent tonal balance' alongside overall precise audio and 'explosive' bass. The earbuds offer a variety of features, including two different listening modes that accommodate various ambient environments.

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French high-resolution music service Qobuz has expanded into the United States, taking on TIDAL and other music services targeting audiophiles. The service has been live overseas for more than a decade, but only launched in the US this month, bringing with it unlimited music streaming across three different subscription tiers. The cheapest plan takes on Spotify and similar services, but customers will need to pay more for lossless quality.

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Skullcandy has revealed a new wireless earbuds product called Vert and they're designed specifically for action sports athletes. The model features Bluetooth connectivity and a design that can fit under a helmet, but the key feature is a remote control disk that brings direct audio control to whatever item happens to be most convenient. The disk can be attached to a helmet, bag, or other object.

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Sony has taken the wraps off a pair of limited edition products featuring Kingdom Heart III imagery: a special Series A Walkman and the WH-H800 h.ear on 2 Mini wireless headphones. The Walkman model NW-A55 isn't new, but its stylish design is; the limited edition model features game protagonist Sora sitting on a throne on the back of the device.

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The latest data from CIRP suggests that Amazon's Echo device active installed user base towers over that of the competition. It's never really been a contest, since the group started recording data, back in December of 2017. Amazon's Echo devices with Alexa started with more than double the smart speaker installed base of their closest competitor in Google with Google Home. Each successive quarter showed a similar pattern, with Amazon in the very, very clear lead and Google Home sitting at around 1/3 the base Amazon commands.

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The folks at Audible have teamed up with the official Choose Your Own Adventure brand to pair with Amazon's Alexa. The company that made Choose Your Own Adventure goes by the name Chooseco. They've been so wildly successful with the Choose Your Own Adventure brand and series of books that they've got their own company. Now they're bringing a skill, with Audible, to Amazon's Alexa system.

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The FCC just revealed new Galaxy S10 family details along with a list of devices headed to Samsung's upcoming event. Samsung will be revealing the lot of these devices for sale inside the United States within weeks of the event itself. The devices include smartphones, watches, at least one tablet, and a pair of bluetooth headphones for good measure. What's interesting here is the amount of each device that's on said list - three of each special case, for example.

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The podcast format has seen a huge resurgence in popularity in recent years, with original series drawing in audiences comparable to shows and movies on streaming video services. The streaming music market has especially become interested in podcasts, with the latest being multiple reports of Spotify in "advanced talks" to acquire Gimlet Media, the podcast production network behind popular series like Reply All, StartUp, and Crimetown.

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Back in September, SiriusXM revealed plans to acquire Pandora Media, the company behind the Pandora music streaming service. The music company's stockholders approved the transaction on January 29 and the acquisition will close in the near future. Once that happens, SiriusXM will bring its two platforms together with the addition of Pandora channels in the SiriusXM app.

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Sport headphones company Jaybird has introduced Run XT, a pair of truly wireless earbuds designed for outdoorsy users in need of durability. The new model boasts a variety of features, including a double hydrophobic nano-coating that protects the ear pieces from moisture. Unlike some competing models, the Run XT are suitable for runners and other athletes who do a lot of moving and sweating.

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