Accessories

Happy birthday: Apple’s iPod turns 15

Published

October 24, 2016

Monch Lopez

Here’s a nice slice of Apple trivia for you: The original iPod happened fifteen years ago today, on October 23rd, 2001.

Nine months after the American tech giant introduced iTunes as a music software, then-Apple chief executive and co-founder Steve Jobs took the stage to announce the portable MP3 player that acted (somewhat predictably) as a precursor to the iPhone and iPad and revolutionized the way we listen to and buy music.

[irp posts=”4731″ name=”Apple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus Review”]

It changed Apple forever, too. The iPod made it possible for Apple to pivot from a personal computer company to a consumer electronics company, where the action is — and where the money is to be made.

Here’s an excerpt from Job’s presentation; his self-confidence isn’t misplaced:

‘Now, why music? Well, we love music. More importantly, music is a part of everyone’s life — everyone. Music’s been around forever; it will always be around. This is not a speculative market… But interestingly enough, in this whole new digital music revolution, there is no market leader… No one has really found a recipe yet for digital music. And we think, not only did we find the recipe, but we think the Apple brand is going to be fantastic, because people trust the Apple brand to get their great digital electronics from.’

The former Apple head went on to describe the iPod as a “quantum leap in listening to music.” The first iPod had enough storage to fit 1,000 songs at CD-quality; had 20 minutes of skip protection; offered 10 hours of music playback.

Most important of all was that it could ride shotgun in a person’s pocket. “This amazing little device holds 1,000 songs. And it goes right in my pocket,” Jobs quipped, throwing shade at companies like Creative, SonicBlue, and Sony and their bulky, unattractive music gear. The first iPod went on sale for $399, but people gobbled it up.

Music will always be around; the iPod won’t.

Apple sold its millionth iPod in 2003. In the years that followed, the company introduced other iPods of varying colors, shapes, sizes, and functionalities. By 2010, Apple had sold 275 million iPods. But that same year, Tony Fadell, the guy who created the iPod, left Apple.

Steve Jobs launches the iPod nano in 2005

Apple has stopped reporting financial figures of the iPod entirely. Sales are on a decline, and consumers are no longer excited about them. Apple probably feels the same way we do because it hasn’t touched the iPod line since last year — an eternity in the industry. The iPhone is its flagship product now, accounting for more than half of Apple’s revenue.

[irp posts=”3870″ name=”Apple is making big changes to MacBook Pro line — Bloomberg”]

It hasn’t stopped selling iPods in its stores, though. Surely, there’s still a market for them, however small and insignificant. But the question isn’t if Apple will eventually discontinue the iPod, but when. Music will always be around; the iPod won’t.

Accessories

GameSir X4 Alerion Unboxing and Hands-On

Pretty fly mobile gaming accessory

Published

May 16, 2024

GadgetMatch

Just when you thought GameSir couldn’t possibly come out with any more new form factors, that’s when they surprise you. The GameSir X4 Alerion isn’t quite like anything we’ve seen from the company before. It’s a two-piece mobile controller that connects to your phone via bluetooth that’s also officially licensed by Xbox.

First of all, that name is so badass. So we had to learn where it came from. A quick Google search says Alerion means “Heraldry. an eagle displayed, usually represented without a beak or legs.” Fitting because the Alerion controllers clip to your smartphone like wings. Pretty neat.

Unboxing

@gadgetmatch

Unboxing the GameSir X4 Alerion 🎮 #GameSir #X3Alerion #GameSirX4Alerion @GameSir

♬ original sound – GadgetMatch – GadgetMatch

Like most GameSir products, the packaging is pretty generous. Outside of the magnetically-attached two-piece controllers, you’ll also find the carrying case with alternate thumbsticks and D-Pad. You also get some stickers as well as a GamePass subscription code.

With GameSir, you’ll never feel like you’re not getting your money’s worth.

Features and Specs

Like most of GameSir’s recent offerings, the X4 Alerion comes with Hall Effect sticks. That means no risk whatsoever of stick drift. Other than the D-Pad, the AXBY face buttons are also interchangeable.

You have more customization options through the GameSir app so if you’re the type who likes tweaking their devices, you’ll have plenty to do with the Alerion. You can adjust trigger mode, RGB brightness, lighting effects, volume and key value freely.

Check out the specs:

Working Platform: Android
Connectivity: Low-latency Bluetooth
ABXY Buttons: Microswitch
Hall Effect Sticks: Yes
Hall Effect Triggers: Yes
Trigger mode: Analog triggers or hair triggers
Back Buttons: Yes, 2 mappable Back Buttons
Customization Software: Yes, GameSir APP
Button Layout: Xbox / Switch
Compatible Model Width: 68-95mm / 2.68-3.74 in
Compatible Maximum Model Thickness: 12.5mm / 0.49 in
Pass-Through Charging: Yes
Battery: Yes, one 400mAh battery in each controller
Product Size: 120*104.6*42.7 mm / 4.72*4.12*1.68 in
Net Weight: 188.5 g / 0.42 lbs
Package Size: 160*118*84 mm / 6.30*4.65*3.31 in
Gross Weight: 426.3 g / 0.94 lbs

Actual use and performance

It’s a pretty straightforward device. Snap the controllers onto your Android smartphone, pair via bluetooth, and you’re ready to play.

It was perfect when we used it with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The controller snapped on to the sides without trouble. We then proceeded to play Pokémon Unite and Call of Duty: Mobile.

It worked seamlessly with no noticeable delay on Pokémon Unite. It’s a different story for CODM though. While it did work right away, there was a bit of delay in the input which affected our gameplay.

We also tried it with Asphalt 9 — it’s a game that’s known to work well with mobile controllers. With the X4 Alerion, it was no different. They worked together perfectly.

It’s good to check first if the game you intend to play has controller support. If that’s the case, the X4 Alerion will work right off the bat. Without controller support, you’ll have to resort to button mapping. It’s not our favorite activity in the world, but if you’re hellbent on playing with physical controls, it’s something you just have to do.

GameSir was kind enough to make their own tutorial video about this. Watch below:

Not for every smartphone

While the X4 Alerion is a great mobile gaming partner for regular slabs, foldable users who want to play with the screen unfolded might have to turn to other offerings from GameSir. The clip at the top of each controller just isn’t tall enough to accommodate larger screens. You can, of course, still use it folded so there’s that option.

Another pain point would be for those smartphones with huge, protruding camera modules. We tried clipping the X4 Alerion on the HONOR Magic6 Pro and well, it was an exercise in futility. It just doesn’t fit securely and would disconnect the bluetooth connection every time it gets yanked out unintentionally.

That said, it’s perfect for everything else. For best results, use the GameSir X4 Alerion with Android smartphones meant for gaming. Those tend to not have bulky camera modules and are more built for mobile gaming.

Price and availability

The GameSir X4 Alerion is now available and retails for £99.99/$99.99/ PhP 5,900.

Buy here and use GSX4A10OFF on the Coupon for a discount.

Accessories

Apple might launch an Apple Pencil Pro later today

Event is scheduled for today

Published

May 7, 2024

Luigi Leonardo

In a few short hours, Apple is scheduled to host an event for its iPad lineup. While the event’s invite makes no mention of the tablets directly, the graphic includes an Apple Pencil. Whatever is happening, tablets are involved. Now, we have a clearer idea of what’s coming in today’s event.

Via MacRumors, Apple’s Japanese website currently has a reference in its code to something called the “Apple Pencil Pro.”

It’s not a direct reference. Rather, it’s an alternative text to an included graphic on the homepage. “Folded green, yellow, orange and blue paper forms the Apple logo. Inside the logo, you can see the creator’s hand holding the Apple Pencil Pro and drawing,” it reads (albeit translated, of course).

Given the proximity to today’s event, the name might be more than a coincidence. Apple might actually release an Apple Pencil Pro later today.

However, tempering expectations a bit, the spotted reference is available only on the Japanese website. Other countries do not have the same caption. It’s possible that it’s just a translation error. It also doesn’t help that the graphic doesn’t actually depict a new Pencil.

If anything, Apple’s stylus needs an update. The Pencil hasn’t received a major overhaul since 2018’s second-generation model.

Accessories

F1’s Daniel Ricciardo spotted with an unreleased Beats Pill

LeBron James was also spotted with the same thing

Published

May 3, 2024

Luigi Leonardo

Image source: Formula 1 | Instagram

In a world inundated with leaks, spotting an unreleased device out in the wild is less of a spectacle these days. However, there are still some sneak peeks that manage to catch our eyes. One such example is the sudden appearance of an unreleased Beats Pill in the hands of F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo.

A Beats Pill is not an easy speaker to find these days. After all, the company discontinued the last one back in 2022. Unless they particularly love old devices, it’s likely not a coincidence if a popular personality is somehow toting one out in public.

In preparation for the upcoming Miami Grand Prix this weekend, Daniel Ricciardo, who currently races for the Visa Cash App RB team, strolled into the paddock carrying a golden Beats Pill. It’s also interesting that the Pill is positioned perfectly to display the Beats logo.

As if that’s not a sure sign already, LeBron James was also spotted with the same speaker before a game back in April. Serendipitously, the pictured speaker swung perfectly to display the Beats logo in the NBA star’s photo.

Because Beats has not announced a revival yet, it’s difficult to see what the audio company has in store for its next portable speaker. However, one thing’s for sure: A new lanyard will make it easier to carry around. It’s also safe to assume that the device will come with USB-C this time around.