The 20 best gadgets of 2021

From smartphones to folding skis, the year’s top gizmos selected by tech experts from the Guardian, iNews, TechRadar and Wired

Cutting-edge tech is often super-expensive, difficult to use and less than slick. Not so for Samsung’s latest folding screen phones. The Z Fold 3 tablet-phone hybrid and Z Flip 3 flip-phone reinventions are smooth, slick and even water-resistant, packing big screens in compact bodies. The Fold might be super-expensive still, but the Flip 3 costs about the same as a regular top smartphone, but is far, far more interesting. Samuel Gibbs

Continue reading...

Beats Studio Buds review: Apple’s Android-loving noise-cancelling earbuds

Buds have good sound, battery life, compact shape without stalks and work with Android or iPhones

The latest Apple Bluetooth earbuds from its Beats brand offer active noise-cancelling and cross-compatibility that goes beyond its competitors – even for Android users.

The Studio Buds cost £129.99 ($149.99 or A$199.95) and are Beats’ smallest earbuds to date, following on from the sport-oriented PowerBeats Pro and budget Beats Flex.

Continue reading...

Galaxy Buds Pro review: Samsung’s AirPods Pro-beating earbuds

Great sound, solid noise-cancelling, decent battery, comfortable fit and small case are potent combination

Samsung’s latest Galaxy Buds Pro earbuds add noise-cancelling, virtual surround and improved sound, making them a challenger to Apple’s AirPods Pro.

At £219, they are the new top-of-the-range earbuds from Samsung, sitting above the £179 Galaxy Buds Live and £159 Galaxy Buds+.

Continue reading...

Apple AirPods Max review: stunning sound, painful price

Top luxury noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones – but at a price that demands perfection

Apple’s first own-brand noise-cancelling headphones are heavy on the luxury and sound – but also on price.

The AirPods Max cost £549 and are the most expensive of Apple’s headphones line that includes the £159 AirPods, £249 AirPods Pro and sets from the Beats brand such as the £270 Solo Pro and £300 Studio 3 Wireless.

Continue reading...

Apple unveils its first over-ear headphones – the £549 AirPods Max

Surprise at high price as company looks to beat Bose and Sony with super luxury audio

Apple has announced its long anticipated first over-ear, noise-cancelling wireless headphones, AirPods Max, retailing at £549.

The new headphones look to take the good bits of Apple’s wireless earbuds, AirPods, and put them in larger Bluetooth headphones with high quality speakers and a very high price tag.

Continue reading...

Jabra Elite 85t review: AirPods Pro-beating noise cancelling Bluetooth earbuds

Winning combo of great sound, noise cancelling, dual connection, long battery, small case and fit

Jabra is back with its fourth-generation Bluetooth true wireless earbuds, the Elite 85t, with improved fit, better sound and active noise cancelling to rival Apple’s AirPods Pro.

The Elite 85t cost £219.99 and top the range that includes its predecessors the £170 Elite 75t and £140 Elite 65t.

Continue reading...

Amazon launches Alexa smart ring, smart glasses and earbuds

Echo Frames, Loop and Buds launched along with series of updates to previous products

Amazon wants its Alexa voice assistant to leave the home and be with you everywhere you go, and is turning to wearable technology to achieve this.

Unveiled at an event in Seattle on Wednesday, Amazon’s new Echo Frames smart glasses, Echo Loop ring and Echo Buds aim to put Alexa on your face, your hand or in your ears.

Continue reading...

Russia hack of Democrat followed Trump speech

FILE In this file photo taken on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2006, President Vladimir Putin wears headphones as he tests a pistol in a shooting range as he visits the Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate in Moscow, Russia. The Justice Department has announced charges against 12 Russian intelligence officers for hacking offenses during the 2016 presidential election, it was announced on Friday, July 13, 2018.

What Bruce Poliquin’s ear buds tell us about American politics

By now, the story of Rep. Bruce Poliquin's dash into a bathroom and reemergence with ear buds has become the subject of mocking humor, with editorial cartoons depicting the congressman hiding out to avoid reporters. Poliquin's ear-budded refusal to divulge his position on Trumpcare until just before he voted for it illuminates broader dynamics about the Republican party today.