Accessories

BOYA mini 2: A step-up for content creators, more

Sub-US$ 60 package where audio quality, convenience, and portability align

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In today’s vertical-first, voice-over-heavy social media world, audio isn’t just important; it’s the dealbreaker. Better audio sets the tone instantly.

Content creators know this, especially that production for social media consumption has changed dramatically over the past half decade.

It’s only vital for creators to resonate with audiences clearly, as the latter are all ears aside from eyes on videos.

That’s where the BOYA mini 2 can come in and upgrade that aspect of content creation —  mine included.

Portable, lightweight, easy to use

These thumb-sized, 5-gram transmitters are portable, long-lasting, and can give you a quick and easy workflow to finish whatever you’re working on.

Scour quickly on BOYA’s retail website and you’ll find plenty of sets to choose from. You can start with just a charging case and one transmitter and receiver, but you can also opt for two transmitters and both a Lightning or USB-C receiver.

I had the set that had everything, and this entire package costs just US$ 54.99 (PhP 3,290). There’s Matte Black and Lunar Silver color options as well.

The charging case is likewise small and portable, and having it is as if you’re just carrying earbuds along. It fits pockets, pouches, sling bags, handbags, and more. No extra baggage needed.

Plug and use

What you’ll love with the BOYA mini 2 is that it works right out of the box. The package I have had both the lightning and USB-C receivers.

Just plug which one is compatible with your phone and you’re ready to go. The default audio quality is already leagues ahead of muffled clip-ons and built-in phone mics.

Each mic lets you record up to 48Khz-24 bit quality audio, giving voices clarity with minimal distortion.

But of course, if you’re big on tailor-fitting the audio for what you’re about to produce, you can just download the BOYA Central app to make changes in several settings.

There is a 6-level gain, so you can have the transmitter absorb louder audio. You can also switch between mono and stereo recording if you have two transmitters turned on.

In addition, there are preset EQ modes, but you’re free to customize your own mix as well. My go-to is the Vocal Boost mode which amplifies whatever I say on record.

Speaker mode, meanwhile, allows you to review recorded audio or video immediately afterwards. This is helpful especially if you’re just recording with a phone.

Do note that the app needs internet connection to work, but other than that, you’re all set.

Noise Cancellation: A big help

Moreover, the 3rd-generation AI-powered Noise Cancellation feature works wonders. It blocks off unwanted noise (-21dB to -40dB) to a certain degree.

BOYA trained this with over 700,000 real-world noise samples. In practice, it shows.

There are times I recorded in crowded areas or had a cooling fan behind me for a food review, but I couldn’t hear them whenever I played such videos on my phone.

Conversely, if your area is already quiet enough, the audio stands out even better.

Obviously, if you have more high-end headphones, you’ll be able to hear more layers of sound, but considering the target audiences of creators who’ll likely play content from their phones, it’s all good.

And such feature is helpful for interviews, stand-uppers (i.e., talking-head shots), and more scenarios.

I can imagine traditional media leveraging this and the wireless nature of the mini 2 for packed media scrums where you can’t be in front of the guest/s.

A step-up for vloggers, content creators, more

In my case, I started making vlogs again back in 2023. Before that, I had a YouTube channel that lasted from 2018 to 2021 that focused mainly on Korean BBQ restaurant reviews back when the samgyup hype was at an all-time high.

My videos had the regular 16:9 aspect ratio and lasted about 5 to 10 minutes long. But those days are well behind us.

Nowadays, it’s all about vertical short-form videos with voice-overs. I was well aware of this and had to figure out how to keep up with this generation’s way of making vlogs.

While I’ve always trusted my skills and my midrange smartphones to deliver the visual part, the voice recording side was the one that’s tricky. I used to just record my voice inside my wardrobe closet to block off noise and absorb echo.

At some point, our ever generous managing editor did give me a condenser mic before, but using it also involved a lot of steps in the workflow. I had to use a laptop to start recording and then transfer the audio file to my phone.

Simpler process

This is where the BOYA mini 2 changed the game for me. The product’s versatility allows for a more simplified and seamless production flow.

My partner, on the other hand, was also able to use the system for her makeup product reviews with front camera shots.

She even leveraged the transmitters for livestreaming sessions so that she could use both arms for swatching different lipstick shades and focusing on Shopee or TikTok’s livestream controls.

A little patience goes a long way

As you’re not paying a fortune per se with the BOYA mini 2, don’t expect perfection either.

The one hurdle we had to deal with was whenever we switched from the Lightning to USB-C receiver, you will have to reconnect the transmitters again.

It takes a while to figure it out. Without reading the manual, I just double-pressed the button on the transmitter until it turned green after blinking steadily. You will also have to do the same with the mics, which restart several times before finally syncing again.

Other than that, there weren’t much problems encountered.

Final thoughts

The BOYA mini 2 isn’t flawless. But convenience, portability, and clear audio quality all align at below US$ 60.

It’s about studio perfection but for creators who need speed, portability, and good enough clarity to keep up with the algorithm.

Accessories

Peak Design’s new City Line combines minimalism and color

Less padding, more personality

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Known for its camera-friendly bags with generous padding to protect photography gear, Peak Design is taking a different approach with the City Line.

The new collection prioritizes lightweight construction and everyday functionality, stripping away unnecessary bulk while still delivering the thoughtful organization the brand is known for.

The new collection includes the City Backpack in 15L and 22L sizes, the 15L City Tote, the City Crescent in 6L and 12L options, and the compact 2L City Sling. While each bag serves a different purpose, they all share the same minimalist aesthetics and intuitive organization.

To achieve that lighter design is Peak Design’s new weather-resistant MonoShell material, along with a seam-reduced construction that cuts down on unnecessary bulk.

It also comes with Peak Design’s built-in BagLev hook, allowing you to hang your bag from a table instead of placing it on the floor.

Beyond the neutral and muted finishes we’ve seen in the past, Peak Design is also introducing brighter options that add more personality to the collection.

The vibrant Lapis blue, in particular, stands out as a fun alternative for anyone looking to move beyond the usual black everyday bag.

The City Line is now available through peakdesign.com and authorized retailers worldwide.

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DJI Osmo Mobile 8P: From a videographer’s perspective

Better tracking, fewer buttons

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DJI’s smartphone gimbals have always chased one goal: delivering cinema-smooth footage without forcing you to carry a heavy rig.

The Osmo Mobile 8P (OM 8P) makes its priorities clear right out of the box. This is not a simple refresh. DJI rebuilt how you control the gimbal, and that decision shapes the entire shooting experience.

Freedom behind the lens

The biggest change is the FrameTap remote, and it’s the kind of upgrade that fixes a problem you didn’t realize was slowing you down until it’s gone.

On the standard OM 8, adjusting your framing meant reaching for your phone every time, which broke the flow of shooting and pulled you out of the moment.

FrameTap puts that control back in your hand. You can reframe shots and manage the gimbal without touching your phone at all, and for anyone shooting solo, that alone changes how usable the whole setup feels. Tracking has taken a real step forward too.

ActiveTrack 8.0, paired with Module 2, held onto its subject even after they stepped out of frame for a moment, then picked them back up without much fuss.

It also lets you sit off-center in the shot instead of forcing you into the middle every time, which gives you more room to compose something that doesn’t look like every other gimbal video.

None of that would matter much if the gimbal itself wasn’t solid, and it still is. The OM 8P holds onto the same foldable design, magnetic phone clamp, and built-in tripod that made the OM 8 easy to live with.

And it remains one of the better compact options for stabilization, tracking, and portability in one package.

The tripod legs are a touch wider this time, and that extra width does make a noticeable difference on uneven ground.

The trade-offs in touch

The trade-off for all that new remote functionality is a control scheme that takes more getting used to. More of the gimbal’s functions now live on the FrameTap touchscreen, the joystick is smaller, and switching between shooting modes takes a few extra taps compared to the OM 8. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a learning curve you’ll need to budget time for.

DJI also removed the zoom and focus wheel, so if you leaned on that dial for quick adjustments, you’ll feel its absence here. Module 2 no longer lets you plug a DJI wireless mic in directly either.

You’ll need to connect it to your phone instead, which adds a step to a setup that used to be simpler. Phone compatibility is still a limiting factor as well. DJI lists support for phones up to around 300g and 11mm thick, so bigger phones or ones in chunky cases may not clamp in properly.

Finding your ideal workflow

The OM 8P makes the most sense for solo creators who want dependable tracking and the freedom of remote framing without stepping up to a dedicated camera like the DJI Osmo Pocket.

If you’re already shooting on a phone with a solid camera, this fills the gap nicely. It’s a tougher sell if you prefer physical buttons over touchscreen menus, or if your phone runs on the larger and heavier side, since fitting it onto the clamp might be a problem before you even get to shooting.

Price, availability

DJI is offering the OM 8P in three combos, so how much you pay depends on how much of the ecosystem you actually need.

  • Standard Combo (PhP 7,499): the gimbal itself, with 8th-gen stabilization and the detachable FrameTap remote included.
  • Advanced Tracking Combo (PhP 9,199): adds the Multifunctional Module 2 for the improved subject tracking we tested.
  • Creator Combo (PhP 11,099): the full kit, built for creators who want everything DJI bundles in from the start.

Is the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P your GadgetMatch?

The DJI Osmo Mobile 8P asks you to relearn a few habits in exchange for a gimbal that finally lets go of your phone. If hands-free framing and steadier tracking matter more to you than a dedicated zoom dial, this is worth the adjustment.

If you’d rather keep things exactly as they were on the OM 8, that learning curve might be the deciding factor.

Swipe right if you shoot alone often and have been waiting for a gimbal remote that actually works. The FrameTap remote alone justifies the upgrade if reaching for your phone mid-shot has been slowing you down.

Consider this if reliable tracking matters to you, especially if you’ve had a subject wander out of frame and stay lost on older gimbals.

And of course, get this if you already own a capable phone under the weight and thickness limits, and you’d rather invest in a smartphone rig than jump to a dedicated camera like the Osmo Pocket.

Swipe left if you lean on physical dials for zoom and focus, and moving those functions to a touchscreen sounds like a downgrade rather than an upgrade.

This is not for you if you use a DJI wireless mic and want it plugged directly into the module without routing through your phone first. Or, your phone runs heavier or bulkier than DJI’s limits allow, since no amount of enthusiasm fixes a clamp that won’t close.

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Accessories

Sony WH-1000XM6 gets a new Olive Gray colorway option

The new color launches today.

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Last year, the Sony WH-1000XM6 quickly became our favorite pair of noise-cancelling headphones. The audio quality pairs remarkably well with its ANC capabilities. Now, a year into the accessory’s life cycle, new colors are still coming out. Today, the acclaimed WH-1000XM6 is getting an Olive Gray variant.

A few months ago, Sony expanded the WH-1000XM6’s colorway options with a Sandstone version, launching alongside the Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION. At the time, the new color added a splash of life to an already blossoming lineup.

Now, much like the rest of the lineup, the new Olive Gray version is a subdued mashup between olive green and gray. Though it stands out on its own, the color is still cool enough to mix well with the contours of the user’s head.

Other than that, the new version is still identical to the inner workings of the original device. The Sony WH-1000XM6 comes with a new HD Noise Canceling Processor QN3, providing 12 microphones for effective noise cancellation. In terms of audio quality, the headphones support High-Resolution Audio and High-Resolution Audio Wireless, thanks to LDAC support.

Also, the accessory sits comfortable on the head with a high rigidity carbon fiber composite material dome, cushioned well with synthetic leather.

As always, the Olive Gray version, launching today, will sell for US$ 459.99.

In Singapore, the Sony WH-1000XM6 in Olive Gray is available starting today through Sony Stores, the Sony Store Online, and authorized dealers for S$649, matching the pricing of the existing color options.

SEE ALSO: Sony WH-1000XM6: Master of sound quality and noise cancellation

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