Having the perfect portable gadgets by your side makes traveling simpler, more efficient and more fun. From Bluetooth accessories that take your smartphone to the next level, to super-cool gift ideas and the best wireless headphones for any trip, we found all these products on sale for a limited time — at prices that are even better than Amazon!
Samsung rumored to drop earbuds and charger from next phone after mocking Apple
Samsung immediately mocked Apple when the company elected not to include EarPods and a charger with the iPhone 12. So of course rumors now suggest Samsung may follow suit by ditching a charger and earphones from its forthcoming Galaxy S21 box.
Samsung has not confirmed that this will be the case. But according to SamMobile, some observers think Samsung will leave out a charger and earbuds from its new handset. Others think Samsung might get rid of only the earphones.
New Beats Flex earbuds offer AirPods features for just $49
Some of the advanced features of Apple AirPods are in Beats Flex, wireless earphones that come in at a much lower price. Apple’s Beats division built in 12-hour battery life, a new acoustic driver and USB-C charging. All for $49.
Beats Flex are scheduled to reach customers’ hands on Wednesday.
Catch the best deals of the week you might have missed
We serve up a lot of great deals on gear and apps at Cult of Mac. In fact, we do it every day, so it’s likely you may have missed good stuff. Just in case you did, we rounded up some of the best recent deals on personal audio, wireless charging, smartphone video gear and more for your weekend shopping pleasure.
JBL takes on AirPods with cheaper, more colorful wireless buds
Given what a ridiculously massive hit the AirPods have been for Apple, it’s no shocker that other companies are keen to jump aboard the wireless earbuds train with their own rival versions. This one, from America audio company JBL, looks highly reminiscent of Apple’s AirPods.
The main differences? It comes in a range of colors, and costs just $99.95. That makes it a cheap and cheerful alternative to Apple’s premium version.
Nuheara assistive earbuds get active noise cancellation, lower cost
Nuheara’s Bluetooth earbuds help users better hear what’s going on around them, as well as play music and podcasts. The latest version adds active noise cancellation, and comes at a considerable price drop.
The new IQBuds2 Max garnered innovation awards in three categories at CES 2020.
Revamped AirPods with noise cancellation spilled by iOS 13.2
A new iOS 13.2 beta, out today for registered developers, spilled details about Apple’s next-generation AirPods with noise cancellation for the first time.
An image of the new Apple earbuds reveals a revamped design with soft tips. The beta also references different listening modes.
IQbuds Boost wireless earbuds also help you hear better [Review]
Nuheara’s IQbuds Boost work as Bluetooth headphones, but that’s only the start. They are really for people who need just a bit of help hearing. They aren’t true hearing aids, but might actually be better.
Take a listen to my review of these high-end wireless earbuds, along with an optional Bluetooth accessory that connects them to your TV.
Sony’s answer to AirPods boasts one big advantage
Sony’s new wireless earbuds are ready to take on AirPods.
The horribly named WF-1000XM3 promise the same impressive audio quality as Sony’s best-selling headphones — but in an earbud form factor. And they boast one big advantage.
Here’s why you might want to avoid Apple’s hottest accessory and pick up these instead.
AirPods top Galaxy Buds in new water test
Apple’s wireless earbuds face some new competition from Samsung’s cheaper Galaxy Buds, but a new water-damage test shows the cheaper price tag comes at a cost.
Neither AirPods or Galaxy Buds boast waterproofing but do have some water resistance. The folks at CNET pitted the two earbuds against each other in a new real-world test along with the new Powerbeats Pro and the results were pretty bad for Samsung lovers.
Powerbeats Pro teardown is the gory nightmare we all expected
Apple’s new Powerbeats Pro are quite possibly the best wireless earbuds you’ll find in the Apple Store. But they’re not cheap, and if yours break, there’s no hope of a DIY repair.
Watch the gory Powerbeats Pro teardown in the newest video from iFixit.
Powerbeats Pro will only be available in black at launch
Beats fans that are hoping to scoop up the colorful new Powerbeats Pro might be a bit disappointed with the color options when units arrive in stores in May.
Apple revealed the Powerbeats Pro wireless earbuds earlier this month with black, ivory, moss and navy color options. The ivory ones look especially sleek, but it appears that only the black ones will be available at launch.
Amazon thinks it can beat AirPods on audio quality
Apple’s AirPods are about to get some fresh competition from Amazon.
The online retail giant is reportedly planning to release its own set of wireless earbuds that will be powered by its digital assistant Alexa and possibly better audio quality.
Powerbeats Pro earbuds look like AirPods for athletes
The first truly wireless Beats earbuds have finally arrived.
Beats unveiled its new Powerbeats Pro earbuds today which are a successor to the Powerbeats 3 buds that feature an over-the-ear support system. The new Powerbeats Pro feature some of the same features you’ll find on the new AirPods, only in a sporty, sweat-resistant package with more color options and a larger price tag.
Check out the teaser:
Xiaomi’s new AirPods clones are unbelievably cheap
Xiaomi has a history of ripping off Apple devices, and sometimes — but not all the time — it does a pretty good job. Its new AirDots are a perfect example of that. They’re AirPods clones (obviously) with Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity that cost a measly $29.
How to work when it’s really, really noisy
As I write this, there’s a truck outside my window using its crane to shovel molten blacktop onto the street. Its diesel engine is revving hard, and has been for the last half hour. For the past two years, there’s been an apartment building under construction across the street from my office. Starting at (and often before) 7 a.m., six days a week, I’ve enjoyed a symphony of pumped cement, circular saws screeching through thin metal sheets, over-revved forklifts, and drilling into reinforced concrete.
I mention this to tell you that I know a thing or two about writing in a noisy spot. I also know how to stop it driving you nuts.
Get cutting-edge gear at great prices [Deals]
With all the technological wonders we take for granted today, it’s easy to lose track of the cutting edge in consumer tech. So to keep that sense of wonder alive, we’ve rounded up some of the most innovative new personal gear and gadgets you can find.
Below you’ll find a solar-powered, antitheft backpack, a Bluetooth speaker that doubles as a wireless charger, a touch-free controller for IoT devices, and more. Even better, each item is massively discounted, some by more than half. Read on for more details.
Gear Hungry: Trusted Reviews
Looking for product inspiration? Visit Gear Hungry today for the best gear, gadgets and gifts for men.Libratone’s hot new earbuds pack noise cancellation
The company behind some of the best AirPlay speakers on the market is ready to give Apple’s AirPods a new challenger.
Libratone revealed its new set of wireless earbuds at CES 2018. And while the Track+ earbuds pack as much good design as the AirPods, they come with a feature Apple’s own wireless headphones can’t match: noise cancellation.
The Fall Tech Bundle Giveaway [Deals]
‘Tis the season to take advantage of free gear and gadgets. By entering this giveaway, you’re eligible for the awesome haul of seven best-selling goodies listed below. So you can get a top-shelf, drop-proof iPhone case; a lens kit for your iPhone; an Alexa-integrated smartwatch; waterproof and wireless headphones, and lots more.
This grab bag is worth more than 600 bucks, but entering to win is free.
Bose takes on AirPods and Beats by baking in Google
Apple’s AirPods and Beats headphones are getting some fresh competition from one of the biggest audio companies in the game. And they’re getting a little help from Apple’s rival, Google.
Bose unveiled two new products today. One is its first ever foray into the world of truly wireless earbuds. The other is a pair of brand new noise-canceling headphones that are also designed to work with Google Assistant.
Grab these top iPhone accessories for less than $20 [Deals]
iPhones are great, but to get the most out of them you’ve got to have the right accessories. But when you’ve already dropped coin for a new phone, it’s hard to think about shelling out even more cash. So we’ve rounded up some of the best iPhone peripherals you can get for under 20 bucks. That includes a tough but flexible mini tripod, and a set of keychain-sized Lightning cables. Plus, we have a set of premium Bluetooth earbuds, and a device to turn any iPhone into a universal remote. Read on for more details:
Jony Ive talks earbuds inspired by stormtroopers, Apple Park
Jony Ive has revealed that the company’s iconic white earbuds were inspired by Star Wars stormtroopers.
In a new interview, in which he also talks at length about Apple Park, the Apple design chief describes how he had the dark side in mind while creating them for the iPod.
Gadgets to make traveling easy [Tech Travel Tips]
Welcome to Tech Travel Tips, a week of travel tips for vacationers. This week we’ll show you how to keep your devices safe while traveling, what apps to download before you go, what settings you should change before leaving the house and — kicking off the week — the best travel gadgets to take with you. Let’s get started!
Three ways to upgrade your mobile audio, and more [Week’s Best Deals]
Here’s hoping everybody’s summer is rolling along nicely. This week at the Cult of Mac Store, we’ve got three personal audio upgrades that can help dial in the summer vibes. Because some people are still thinking about their work, we’ve also got a pair of courses in Excel. That’s a skill that looks good on any resume. Everything is available at a major discount – read on for more details:
Coding classes, wireless earbuds, meditation apps and more [Week’s Best Deals]
It’s getting hot out there. But it’s still nowhere near as hot as the new deals coming into the Cult of Mac Store. This week we’ve added an app that’ll change how you work with PDFs, and a set of future-ready Bluetooth earbuds. There’s also a comprehensive set of courses in Apple’s Swift coding language, and an app that turns your phone into a mindfulness tool. Most are discounted by half or more, read on for more details: