Accessories

JBL makes ’70s nostalgia hit hard with their new Authentics speakers

Plus a turntable that will def’ly turn tables with its modern feats

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Photos and Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

From VHS Instagram effects, film-like camera filters, and even wireless speakers that resemble a turntable, retro stuff from the ’70s ’til ’90s are the “in” and “it” thing this 2023 — and it’s very apparent in Gen Z’s social media feed, interests, and even inspo in terms of #OOTDs, visuals, strings, and beats!

The Authentic Classics

Honestly, I’ve been dreaming of owning a speaker that has that ol’ classic retro-spired design while combining today’s modern features in terms of functionality and connectivity.

Well, JBL has finally answered my long time wish with not one, not two, but three classic-looking speakers in this lineup.

JBL Authentics 500

These speakers are the Authentics 200, 300, and 500. As obvious as it sounds, the Authentics 200 is the base model while the Authentics 500 is the best in class with pumped-up audio features. The Authentics 300 is then again, the one with features in-between.

JBL Authentics 200 and 300

JBL has tried to relive the past by resurrecting their L100 Classic Speaker from the 1970s and incorporating its classic design to its new line of smart wireless speakers.

All of these models have modern-day speaker features such as Bluetooth 5.3 or Wi-Fi 6 connectivity with dual 2.4GHz + 5GHz support plus streaming support via Spotify, Apple AirPlay, and even Chromecast. If you’re too lazy to find a song you’d play, don’t worry as Google Assistant and Alexa both save the day.

But if you’re that “traditional” type of listener who prefers controlling stuff manually like the ol’ classic times, a set of knobs and intuitive controls are found at the top of every speaker. That’s within the perimeter of the leather-like enclosure to make the feel as classic as possible.

To make the experience even more classic, these speakers feature a standout Quadrex Grille design which is also made from 100% recycled fabric.

For that added sustainability, most parts are made from 85% recycled plastics and 50% aluminum.

Same styles, different vibes

What makes the Authentics 500 stand out from its smaller siblings other than its size is the fact that it’s the only one to bring an integrated 6.5-inch subwoofer at its bottom part. Together with JBL’s patented SlipStream technology, it’s able to reduce wind distortion and noise with a breeze. It’s also the only speaker in the line to support Dolby Atmos Music.

And if it’s still not evident in the image above showcasing all the speaker parts and components, idk how I’ll entice you that it’s one of the most well thought-out speakers in overall design, sound quality, and functionality.

Meanwhile, the Authentics 300 has a pair of 1-inch tweeters, 5.25-inch woofer, and a 6.5-inch passive radiator. It’s also the only speaker in the line that has a built-in battery that lasts up to 8 hours and can be charged via USB-C. There’s even a convenient metal handle so you can bring it in any part of your home — or maybe in a friend’s house (or Lover?).

Lastly, the Authentics 200 offers enough JBL audio quality in such a compact smart home speaker setup thanks to its dual 25mm tweeters, 5-inch woofer, and 6-inch passive radiator.

Authentic sound experience

JBL has also let us hear and witness how great-sounding these speakers were through the experience booth. They all filled large rooms with a sound quality you wouldn’t expect from speakers of these sizes.

It’s hard to make you all believe just through words but in all honesty, the overall clarity and sound quality is greater than good with the right amount of balance in each of the speakers’ bass, mids, and treble. Whether you’re an audiophile or casual listener, you wouldn’t feel disappointed with how JBL packed a lot of their great audio tech and features.

If JBL’s self-tuning capabilities aren’t your cup ot tea, the JBL One app has got you covered where you can manually configure equalizers, audio features, and many more.

While each Authentics speaker cater to various audio preferences and needs of different types of listeners, I can guarantee that all of them offer great overall sound. JBL has fine-tuned their products for every user to experience and enjoy fully.

Turntable in the Modern Times

JBL Philippines/Harman APAC have acknowledged that there’s a continuous demand for these types of turntables despite the dominance of modern-day audio products. Thus, the JBL Spinner BT was born.

From Taylor Swift to K-Pop acts such as BLACKPINK, SNSD’s Taeyeon, and BTS, vinyls are still being produced both as a marketing advantage for the artist’s overall sales as well as an added perk to any merchandise-collector type of fan.

But having a turntable with a twist of modern-day audio features is a killer product itself. The ability to stream songs via Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX HD encoding plus having the additional voice assistance of both the Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa make audio playing as seamless as possible while still keeping that classic retro turntable look and vinyl player functionality as well.

High-quality (HQ) components are considered in this modern yet classic-looking turntable.

There’s the HQ aluminum tonearm to ensure excellent tracking of the record groove without actually making it wear and tear over time. An HQ moving magnetic cartridge also comes pre-installed as well and the hardshell is removable so the cartridge can be replaced without frills when needed.

An aluminum platter is also present and is driven by a belt drive and motor with an optical sensor beneath. This ensures that there’s a precise playback whether you’re playing a full album, EP, or single. A wooden plinth is also considered over plastic for better sound quality and sustainability as well.

The JBL Spinner BT modern turntable is being offered in either Black/Orange or Black/Gold colorways.

Classics Reimagined

JBL Philippines’ ‘Classics Reimagined’ launch event was held at Cove Manila in Okada.

Classics indeed! It looked like we went back in time with all the ’70s-inspired retro outfits, elements, and sets of entertainment around.

And with all these in mind, they’ve announced their latest audio product line that also relive the classics.

Product reveal went through several dance numbers that also showcase each notable music genre that’s now prevalent in 2023’s local music scene such as OPM, hip-hop, and even K-Pop.

From an individual’s curiosity on why bring back the classics to the modern era, Grace Koh, Harman APAC’s Vice President and General Manager confidently answered that Gen Zs are the next big thing when it comes to these products.

While all of these classic-looking products bring back a great amount of nostalgia towards millennials, keeping the younger Gen Zs intact along with their current obsession to everything retro definitely proves that reimagining and reliving the classics is one way forward towards achieving the success of JBL in such a vast market of audio and tech.

To make both the local music and Gen Zs dominance even more present, the night was highlighted by a live band performance courtesy of Lola Amour — one of the hottest and freshest local music acts in the country right now. Together with JBL’s refined sound system, we were able to hear enjoy their Raining in Manila, Pwede Ba?, and Fallen setlist crisp and clear.

ICYMI: they also performed during Power Mac Center’s iPhone 15 midnight launch a week before this happened 🤩

Pricing and Availability

Local pricing for all of these devices weren’t revealed both in the event and even when the press materials were distributed to us. But after some digging, I was able to find out that they’re already being sold at Abenson along with these price tags:

Authentics Speakers

Spinner Turntable

The Authentics speakers line are up for pre-orders online. Meanwhile, the Spinner BT turntables are currently sold out as of this writing.

Accessories

CASETiFY Match: Finding the right case for your Galaxy Z8 Series phone

Cases that match your personality

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CASETiFY cases for Galaxy Z8 series phones

A phone case can be more than protection. It can also be a way to show off your interests, personality, and the little things that make you, well, you.

For our CASETiFY Match for the Galaxy Z8 Series, we asked the team one question: Why was this CASETiFY design your Match?

From Spider-Man fandom and capybara obsession to feline-inspired art and snake motifs, here are the designs that found their way into our team’s everyday carry, plus a couple of bonus picks worth checking out.

Rodneil: A little New York energy for a certified web-head

If it wasn’t obvious enough, I’m a certified web-head. I love anything and everything Spider-Man, especially the iconic red-and-blue motif. Though, if we’re being honest, I’m more partial to the red.

I had my eyes on the Spider-Man suit design for the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and the Spider-Man Mask Snappy Grip Stand. Unfortunately, those designs aren’t available for the Galaxy Z Fold8.

So, I went with a design that gives off a bit of New York energy instead. It still pairs nicely with the Spidey Snappy Grip Stand, letting me bring a little of that Spider-Man vibe to my everyday setup.

V: Keeping it cool with capybaras

I’ve been a capybara stan since 2020, long before the world finally caught up with just how cute and chill these animals are. Seeing them get the recognition they deserve has been a source of much excitement.

Finding cool and cute capybara cases and accessories for the phones I use every day, however, hasn’t always been easy.

That’s where Deville Dewil’s capybara collection comes in. It fills that gap while making my Galaxy Z Fold8 feel like an even more personal accessory.

At this point, I’d like to identify as a capy/bara.

Luigi: A cat design that’s playful without being too loud

There’s no shortage of cat-themed cases out there. If you’re a cat lover like me, chances are you’ve considered one at some point.

The tricky part is finding a design that isn’t too whimsical or loud. I love the little furballs, but I still want something sleek and clean.

CASETiFY’s cat collection speaks to that balance. In particular, this design by Catwheezie blends artistry with a touch of whimsy. It lets me show off my personality without being too flashy.

MJ: A little reputation energy

I’ve always had a soft spot for snake motifs, and CASETiFY’s Transparent Kingsnake case gives me Taylor Swift’s reputation era energy.

I love how snakes symbolize transformation. As someone who’s always evolving and never afraid to reinvent himself, that meaning feels personal.

The black-and-white design also brings a sleek, rebellious edge. Paired with my Galaxy Z Flip8, it’s giving statement accessory with a little bite.

Bonus Match: Sunglasses at Night

Sometimes, keeping it simple is the way to go. The Sunglasses at Night design is tasteful and understated, letting me show off the actual color of my phone without competing with it.

Bonus Match: Pink Weekly Planner

For the girls (and gaes) who plan their days–and life–ahead. And of course, for when they need to keep their Wednesdays pink.

Find your Match

There’s no single way to find a phone case that feels right. It might be a favorite character, an animal you’ve loved for years, a piece of art, or a symbol that means something to you.

For our team, the right CASETiFY design is the one that brings a little more personality to a device we carry every day.

So, which design would be your Match?

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Accessories

Bose acquires Skullcandy

But both are still separate brands.

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As one of the wisest sages of the 2000s once said, “He was a punk, she did ballet. What more can I say?” Sometimes, opposites attract. Now, two of those opposites in the audio space are coming together: the punk Skullcandy and the ballet-loving Bose.

Today, Bose has announced its acquisition of Skullcandy. The latter will continue to operate as a separate brand but now officially under the Bose umbrella. Although, it’s not a new collaboration as the two brands have previously worked together on devices before. Skullcandy will just have more access to Bose’s technologies moving forward.

Alternatively, Bose will now have access to Skullcandy’s more varied audience. Compared to Bose’s focus on premium products, Skullcandy caters to more alternative lifestyles. Though the brand has since mellowed from its more radical roots, it is still known as one of the alternative brands.

Bose, on the other hand, is still a household name for home audio and noise-cancelling headphones. The new relationship between two polar opposites might be seen as a weird one, but it’s ultimately beneficial to both parties. Besides, both brands were very strong in the 2010s. Keeping both brands going is a boon to audiophiles of the past decade.

SEE ALSO: Sony unveils three premium Walkman music players

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Accessories

Fujifilm’s new instax Pal 2 and Link WIDE 2 make room for more creative memories

A new pocket camera and a collage-making printer join the instax family.

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Seeing a memory take shape beyond your screen changes how it feels. A favorite photo becomes a print you can tuck into a journal or pin beside your desk, and the everyday moments you capture get a little more room to live.

That was the spirit of Fujifilm’s instax Playhou2e launch in Makati, where visual artist Jill Arteche brought her signature illustrations into the event space.

Her artwork surrounded the latest additions to the instax family, the instax Pal 2 and instax Link WIDE 2. Both devices treat photography as a form of personal expression, from the snapshots you take throughout the day to the printed memories you want to keep close.

A pocket-sized camera that goes wherever you do

The original instax Pal made the case for carrying a camera without a full-sized setup. Its successor, the instax Pal 2, builds on that with a refreshed design and improved image quality.

The palm-sized camera is built for everyday adventures and can capture angles that are awkward to get with a smartphone. Its compact body also makes it easy to bring along if you like documenting your day as it happens.

Fujifilm gave the Pal 2 a semi-matte finish. A new monitor on top lets you review shots right after you take them, and the added viewfinder, control dial, and lever give it a more tactile feel to shoot with.

The specs have moved up, too. The Pal 2 captures 10-megapixel images, double the original’s five megapixels, and its internal storage holds up to 100 images compared with 50 before. A separately sold microSD card adds more room.

The creative options are where the Pal 2 gets playful. It offers 30 effects, so you can give images different moods without editing each one from scratch. Its instax Animation mode strings up to 10 consecutive shots into a flipbook-style animated video.

Transferring your photos is straightforward. The Pal 2 supports wireless Bluetooth transfers, and a USB Type-C connection offers faster transfers to compatible smartphones. From there, you can edit the images and post them to social media or keep them in your camera roll.

Because the Pal 2 is part of the instax ecosystem, its digital photos can also be printed on instant film through compatible instax printers. That means you can shoot first and decide later which moments deserve a physical copy.

Turning your camera roll into something worth keeping

Taking photos is only half the fun. The other half is deciding what to do with the hundreds of images that pile up on our phones.

The instax Link WIDE 2 is Fujifilm’s answer for anyone who collects travel photos or documents celebrations. As the brand’s WIDE-format smartphone printer, it prints at twice the image area of the instax mini format, which leaves more space for group photos and landscapes.

Its biggest new feature is Photo Mixer, which builds scrapbook-style collages from multiple images you pick in the dedicated app. Instead of printing a single photo, you can combine highlights from a trip or a gathering into one larger keepsake.

The app suggests layouts based on your chosen photos and adjusts image sizes, angles, text placement, and fonts to keep the design cohesive. You can then add your own text and stamps. A cutout function identifies people and objects in your photos so you can layer them into the collage.

With Photo Mixer, printing becomes part of the creative process, and your camera roll turns into material for building a visual record of an experience in a single print.

The Link WIDE 2 also gets a design refresh, with two-tone finishes in Duo Beige and Duo Blue. The light and dark surfaces give it a polished look on a shelf or desk, and an illuminated instax logo glows while it prints.

Connectivity has expanded, too. Beyond smartphones and tablets, the printer works with PCs, Fujifilm X Series cameras, and the instax Pal 2, so digital artwork and other compatible images can become physical prints.

A more personal way to keep your memories

The instax Pal 2 and Link WIDE 2 share the idea that photography is a way to express yourself. The Pal 2 makes it easy to capture moments as they happen, and the Link WIDE 2 gives those images a place in the physical world.

Jill Arteche’s artwork at the launch backed that idea up. Her illustrations filled the space with personality and showed how photos and art can make an environment feel more personal. The event also made a case for revisiting and reinterpreting the images we collect.

Taking a photo takes seconds, and printing one can make the memory feel more special. The instax Pal 2 and Link WIDE 2 bring that into everyday life and give your snapshots room for creativity, from the moment you press the shutter to the moment you find a place for the print.


In the Philippines, the Fujifilm instax Pal 2 retails for PhP 10,599, while the Fujifilm instax Link WIDE 2 is priced at PhP 10,999. Both devices are now available on Fujifilm’s authorized stores and retailers nationwide.

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