Consumer Electronics
Ongoing coverage on Consumer Electronics.
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'We Were Forced to Change': Sony CEO Outlines Shift to Entertainment, and Says PS5 Must Be the Best Place to Play
Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki outlined the company's strategic shift from consumer electronics to entertainment, which now accounts for over 60% of its revenue. He emphasized that PlayStation must remain the premier platform for both players and publishers. Despite this focus, Totoki admitted he is not a big gamer himself but enjoys music and TV dramas.
Evening Tech Bits
Intel's upcoming Arrow Lake Refresh CPUs may face significant price increases, potentially making them less accessible for gamers. Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly preparing to launch four new products.
RAM prices are technically dropping, but AI data centers will still keep them very high
Despite recent AI algorithm updates and market fluctuations, consumer RAM prices are not significantly dropping. Manufacturers are prioritizing business-to-business sales for AI data centers, which are experiencing surging demand and higher profit margins, leaving the consumer market as an afterthought.
50 years of Apple pushing tech forward, for better or worse
Over its 50-year history, Apple has driven significant technological advancements, from personal computers and smartphones to wearables and software services. While often met with initial resistance, many of Apple's decisions, such as removing disk drives, headphone jacks, and physical keyboards, ultimately shaped industry standards and consumer behavior. The article examines key product transitions and their impact, highlighting Apple's role in pushing technology forward, for better or worse.
Apple AirPods Pro 3 Are $50 Off Right Now
Apple's AirPods Pro 3 are currently available for $200, a $50 discount from their usual $250 price, as part of Amazon's Big Spring Sale. These headphones feature active noise cancellation, an "acoustic architecture" for clearer audio, heart rate monitoring, and up to eight hours of battery life. They are also integrated with Apple's "Find My" app for easy location.
Ring adds 4K to its battery-powered video doorbells
Ring has announced upgrades to its battery-powered video doorbells, including 4K video for the Battery Doorbell Pro (2nd gen) and 2K video for the Battery Doorbell Plus and Battery Doorbell (2nd gen). New solar charging accessories are also available to extend battery life. The new products are available for pre-order starting today.
Sennheiser's owners want to sell its consumer headphone business
Sonova, the owner of Sennheiser's consumer audio division, has announced its intention to sell the business less than five years after its acquisition. The company plans to divest the division to focus on its core Hearing Care operations. Sales for the Sennheiser division have recently declined, and the business was fined for retail pricing practices prior to Sonova's purchase.
Engadget review recap: Lots of Apple devices, Galaxy S26, Dell XPS 16 and more
This review recap covers several new devices, including Apple's MacBook Neo and iPhone 17e, both priced at $599, and updated iPads and MacBooks with new M-series chips. It also features reviews of the Samsung Galaxy S26, Dell XPS 16, a Soundcore projector, Nothing Phone 4a Pro, and a Belkin charging case.
EU rules push Nintendo toward replaceable battery design for Switch 2
Nintendo is reportedly planning a version of the Nintendo Switch 2 with a replaceable battery, primarily for the European market, to comply with upcoming EU regulations. This move towards easier repairability could extend to controllers and signals a broader industry shift towards sustainability and longer product lifecycles.
Nintendo is reportedly making a Switch 2 with a user-replaceable battery for the EU
Nintendo is reportedly developing a version of the Nintendo Switch 2 for the European Union that features a user-replaceable battery to comply with new EU "right-to-repair" regulations. This policy, which also affects the Joy-Con controllers, mandates easier battery replacement for portable electronics by 2027. While initially exclusive to the EU, similar policies in other regions could lead to wider adoption of this design change.
Europe Might Be Forcing Nintendo To Revise The Switch 2
Nintendo is reportedly revising the upcoming Switch 2 to comply with European Union regulations requiring user-replaceable batteries. This change is specifically targeted at the European market but could be expanded globally if consumer awareness of repair rights increases. The current Switch models and their Pro Controllers require specialized tools to access and replace batteries.
Former Xbox Boss Is Reportedly Making A Phone For Amazon, 12 Years After First Effort Failed
Amazon is reportedly developing a new AI-driven smartphone, codenamed 'Transformer,' led by former Xbox boss J Allard. This initiative marks Amazon's second attempt at the smartphone market after the previous Fire Phone failed. The device aims to integrate AI for personalization and push users towards Amazon's services, though the project's future and specific features remain uncertain.
I'm obsessed with this Switch 2 headset and it's just returned to a ridiculously low price at Woot
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless headset, praised for its comfort and sound quality for the Nintendo Switch, has returned to its lowest price of $59.99 at Woot. This wired headset offers a budget-friendly alternative to more expensive options like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and Turtle Beach Airlite Fit.
Apple and Nike team up for a new Powerbeats Pro 2 colorway
Apple and Nike have collaborated to release a new "Volt" colorway for the Powerbeats Pro 2 earphones, dubbed the Nike Special Edition. This limited-edition variant features shared branding and the same core features as the standard model, including heart-rate tracking and active noise cancellation. The earphones are available for $250 on Apple's and Nike's websites starting March 20.
The Morning After: Apple's surprise AirPods Max refresh
Apple has released an updated version of its AirPods Max headphones, featuring an H2 chip for improved noise cancellation and support for Adaptive Audio and Live Translation. The new AirPods Max retain their original design and $549 price point, with pre-orders starting March 25 and shipping in early April. The article also touches on other tech news including Samsung's discontinuation of the Galaxy Z TriFold, NVIDIA's collaboration on robotaxis, a review of the Samsung Galaxy S26, a reboot of Firefly as an animated series, NVIDIA's DLSS 5 claims, and a lawsuit against xAI's Grok AI for allegedly generating child sexual abuse material.
How and where to buy refurbished tech online
This guide explains how to buy refurbished electronics, emphasizing that refurbished items undergo testing and cleaning, unlike 'used' items sold 'as-is.' Key considerations include checking for warranties and return policies, as well as sanitation practices. Recommended places to buy include direct manufacturers like Apple and Samsung, major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, and specialized marketplaces like Back Market.
JBL's two new Live headphones offer 80 hours of battery each
JBL has launched two new headphones, the over-ear Live 780NC and the on-ear Live 680NC. Both models boast an impressive 80 hours of battery life with regular use, or 50 hours with active noise cancellation (ANC). The Live 780NC features six microphones for ANC and costs $250, while the Live 680NC has four microphones and is priced at $160.
The best eco-friendly phone cases for 2026
This guide highlights the best eco-friendly phone cases available, focusing on durability and sustainability. These cases are made from materials like biodegradable plastics, recycled ocean waste, and bamboo, offering protection while reducing environmental impact. The article also addresses common questions about what makes a phone case eco-friendly and how to recycle or compost old cases.
Looking Glass' Musubi showcases its holographic display in a consumer-friendly package
Looking Glass has launched the Musubi, a consumer-friendly holographic display and digital photo frame priced at $149, with early Kickstarter pre-orders available for $99. The 7-inch device can store up to 1,000 images or short video clips and uses the company's Hololuminescent Display technology to showcase glasses-free holograms.
Morning Tech Bits
A report indicates that 73% of consumers prioritize reliable technology over advanced features, suggesting a decline in demand for 'status upgrade' tech. The article also briefly mentions a 3D printer that mines Bitcoin using its own heat for temperature regulation.