Accessories

I brought the JBL Flip 7 on a boat, and now I won’t travel without it

This portable speaker played through a storm and earned its spot in my beach bag!

Published

August 31, 2025

MJ Jucutan

Somewhere in the middle of my post-breakup arc, I escaped to Shangri-La Mactan for ten days, craving sun, sea, and a little bit of solitude.

Of course, I got everything except that. The sun showed up and the sea sparkled. But solitude? Not a chance. Between moments of lounging by the beach, a fun crowd found me and never left.

Maybe it’s true what they say about Leos: that we are the personification of the sun and everyone else just revolves around us, even when we try to hide.

I guess I’ve built a reputation for being the life of the party. After all, I slid a JBL Flip 7 into one of my beach bags for an island-hopping trip, and that pretty much sums me up.

Main character, personified

Before main character energy became a TikTok cliché, I was already walking proof of it. I’ve always been the personality hire in every workplace I’ve joined, because somehow, the room lights up when I enter.

I command attention, whether I mean to or not. And maybe that’s why I’ve always owned JBL speakers over the years. On a charity excursion in the mountains three years ago, I carried a PartyBox Encore Essential on my shoulders while trekking through a muddy slope.

Back when I lived in a mid-rise condominium, I even got a noise complaint. The bass from my JBL speaker rattled the walls and shook the entire floor.

JBL’s speaker–whether it’s the PartyBox or its smaller portable siblings–have always had that unmistakable DNA.

Loud, confident, and unapologetic. The sound comes with full force, but when you actually listen, it’s balanced and bold. It’s really main character, personified.

That same identity extends to the new Flip 7. I got mine in Purple, my favorite colorway: bold, bright, and playful, just like yours truly.

If there’s one accessory I’ll bring everywhere, it’s this one.

Made to take every beating

It’s easy to imagine waterproof and drop-proof speakers as rugged slabs of tech, made for hikers and hardcore adventurers. The Flip 7 challenges that image with a design that speaks in color, texture, and fun.

Right now, it comes in Black, Blue, Red, Pink, White, Purple, and Squad (a camouflage look).

The form factor will feel familiar to anyone who’s used previous Flip models. Cylindrical, compact, and easy to grip.

Its matte fabric finish stays grippy, even when wet. It slips effortlessly into any tote, doesn’t feel bulky in the hand, and looks damn good on any poolside table.

The buttons are tactile, and the strap lets you hook it, tie it, or carry it around your wrist like a fashion accessory with benefits.

The details are thoughtful and well-executed, so the speaker never screams “utility.”

It’s rated IP67, which means it’s both dustproof and waterproof. You can submerge it in water up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes.

That’s why I didn’t worry when it fell off a table, rolled across the sand, or got splashed with seawater and dinner drinks.

Somewhere in the middle of our island-hopping adventure past Caohagan Island in Cebu, the skies turned without warning. We were in the middle of the sea, mid-lunch, mid-conversation — and the rain poured like Moana stole something from the ocean and the goddesses were angry.

I wasn’t about to let a sudden storm dampen our trip. So, I pulled out the Flip 7 and hit play on my downloaded Britney Spears playlist on Spotify. We were wet, cold, and shivering in open water with the waves getting higher. Still, we were laughing and singing as “Toxic” blasted through the rain.

We just let Britney carry us through the storm.

The good and the not-so-good

JBL claims up to 16 hours of playtime, and the Flip 7 came close. I used it across the day, from my pre-island-hop prep and the actual boat ride to some poolside downtime after the storm and even a post-dinner fireworks moment on the balcony.

By the end of the night, it died. It wasn’t quite 16 hours of continuous play, but it made it through the ride and the day.

What I appreciated more was how strong the Bluetooth connection remained. I paired it with my iPhone 16 Pro, my iPad Pro, my MacBook Air, and even my ASUS Zenbook S 14.

It stayed connected even when I moved around, like when I left the speaker playing on the poolside bed while I fetched a frozen margarita by the bar, at least 50 meters away.

Although, when two or more paired devices played media at the same time, the speaker sometimes paused playback instead of switching between them. It didn’t switch audio sources mid-stream, it just paused.

When I needed to share sound–which, yes, happens–JBL’s Auracast came through. It let me connect to other compatible JBL speakers and headphones so everyone could hear the same playlist in sync.

Designed to keep up

I’ve always been on the go, always diving headfirst into new experiences, adventurous or not.

The JBL Flip 7 tags along without missing a beat. It’s compact enough to carry without thinking, loud enough to overpower a storm, and stylish enough to be an extension of your personality.

I didn’t stop using it after my ten-day trip. I took it to Bangkok, played Chappell Roan during my morning rituals inside the hotel room, and started my day in full main character mode.

It’s the kind of gadget that blends into your life without asking for much. You don’t need to charge it daily or fuss with settings. You turn it on, and it plays.

If you want to tweak the sound, the JBL Portable app gives you control. But for people like me who prefer tech that works without using a single brain cell, the Flip 7 delivers exactly that.

Is the JBL Flip 7 your GadgetMatch?

The JBL Flip 7 is for people whose lives are made of spontaneous trips and unplanned adventures. If you care about how things look, how they sound, and how they hold up when things get messy, this one’s definitely your GadgetMatch.

For PhP 7,999, you get a portable speaker that doesn’t flinch when the weather turns and makes even the worst travel hiccups feel like scenes from your favorite coming-of-age film.

Because honestly, the Flip 7 made our trip feel like a movie. We turned up the volume and for a few moments, we were all the stars of the story.

The JBL Flip 7 is available at JBL’s official stores and authorized retail partners.

Accessories

OBSBOT launches AI-powered 4K Tiny 3 series webcams

Professional-grade audiovisual features in compact bodies

Published

January 28, 2026

GadgetMatch

OBSBOT has announced the global launch of two new AI-powered 4K webcams: the Tiny 3 and Tiny 3 Lite.

Designed for content creators, streamers, podcasters, remote professionals, educators, and more, the Tiny 3 series sets a new benchmark for professional webcams.

The products combine studio-grade spatial audio, flagship-level imaging, and industry-leading AI intelligence.

The two variants also come in ultra-compact aluminum-alloy bodies while delivering premium sight and sound.

Both the Tiny 3 and Tiny 3 Lite feature industry-leading triple silicon MEMS microphone array. This system combines one omnidirectional and two directional microphones powered by Sisonic MEMS technology.

The architecture is commonly found in premium TWS earbuds and professional audio equipment. Such technology enables:

ultra-low distortion up to 130 dB SPL
exceptional 69dB signal-to-noise ratio
full spectrum 50Hz-20kHz frequency response
consistent unit-to-unit studio quality

This way, users can expect immersive sound that rivals dedicated microphones without the need to buy an extra product.

In addition, the Tiny 3 series features five dedicated audio profiles so users can tailor fit the webcams for various needs:

Pure Audio Mode — zero processing, studio-grade capture
Spatial Audio Mode — enhanced left-right stereo separation for vlogs, storytelling with soundscape
Smart Omni Mode — AI-powered 360-degree pickup with balanced vocals, ambient sound
Directional Mode — focuses on voice in front while cutting surrounding noise
Dual-Directional Mode — clear audio capture from front and rear while rejecting side noise

Moreover, the Tiny 3 series comes with Voice Locator. This feature lets the product find users, smoothly rotating the gimbal and tracking them automatically.

They can also leverage voice commands or the OBSBOT Vox SE wireless lavalier for cable-free audio.

Flagship imaging

Picture wise, the Tiny 3 features 4K@30fps video and up to 120fps high-frame rate capture. The system also uses advanced DCG HDR for balanced highlights and shadows, as well as ultra-fast dual all-pixel PDAF autofocus.

And powered by OBSBOT’s AI algorithms, the series introduces AI Tracking 2.0. Key capabilities include:

accurate tracking of subjects like individuals, groups, hands, objects, and more via Only Me mode
auto zoom, customizable composition lines, Face Framing
Voice Tracking
Multiple AI modes, including dedicated Desk Mode, Whiteboard Mode
Intuitive gesture and voice controls

For further control, users can use the OBSBOT Center and OBSBOT live for creative controls. These cover exposure and gamma curve adjustments, manual white balance tuning, and more.

Furthermore, the Tiny 3 products support remote interaction and VR features powered by the OBSBOT Toolkit.

They also integrate effortlessly with the OBSBOT ecosystem for livestreams, gaming handheld capabilities, and more.

Price, availability

The Tiny 3 starts at US$ 349 while the Tiny 3 Lite starts at US$ 199. The Vox SE, meanwhile, retails for US$ 59.

Accessories

Soundtrack for the city: HIDDEN.NY x AIAIAI TMA-2 headphones

Published

January 28, 2026

Alex Matinkhah

Living in a big city like New York makes you want to have music on a lot: on the subway, walking between meetings, sitting in a café with your laptop, zoning out on a long walk home, or romanticizing the smallest things. Headphones have become an essential part of my life.

That’s why the HIDDEN.NY x AIAIAI collaboration makes sense. The TMA-2 HIDDEN Edition headphones are reminiscent of early-2000s tech. It’s nostalgic but with New York City character, at least the kind that I encounter and not the one you see in movies.

If you follow either brand, the partnership feels natural. HIDDEN.NY started as an Instagram mood board and grew into a full lifestyle platform rooted in street culture and design. AIAIAI is a Danish company that’s long been part of music culture, known for modular gear that artists use.

The first thing you notice is the colorway. The transparent design with green highlights is subtle. It’s not loud but still stands out.

You can see the structure of the headphones, which makes them feel more like an accessory than just another piece of black plastic tech. Bonus points that they are a conversation starter, too.

In daily use, the headphones are easy to live with. They are light and comfortable, which is important when you’re wearing them for long stretches. They don’t clamp too hard nor do they feel bulky.

Sound-wise, they’re clean and balanced. While it doesn’t have active noise cancellation, it works well for all the ways people actually listen in a big city. I like that you don’t have to think about the sound much.

It’s just good in a way that doesn’t get in your way, whatever mood I’m in wherever I am in the city, these headphones are great company.

AIAIAI’s modular approach also means these aren’t built to be tossed when something wears out. The speaker, headband, earpads, and cable are all replaceable.

So much of the tech we use should grow with us, even if they get outdated. So AIAIAI builds systems that can be upgraded over time. That’s part of why artists and DJs use them.

Especially because it’s a collectible, it feels like a piece you’ll want to keep. As someone who uses his prized possessions for a really long time, I love this about these headphones.

In a city where everything moves fast and feels temporary, it’s nice to have gear that doesn’t feel disposable.

The campaign, shot by photographer Gunner Stahl, probably looks familiar if you’re attuned to hiphop culture. What sets his work apart is his portraits feel more raw and relaxed instead of posed and polished. It aligns with HIDDEN.NY’s aesthetic, the kind of everyday style that feels genuine.

At the end of the day, the HIDDEN.NY x AIAIAI TMA-2 Bluetooth headphones make sense for people who live in cities like New York, where music is part of how you move, work, and think.

They sound good, they look interesting and different. They fit into real life without trying too hard.

The TMA-2 Hidden Edition headphones retail for US$220 and is available on aiaiai.audio.

Accessories

G-DRAGON is CASETiFY’s first ever Global Brand Ambassador

Right on time with the brand’s 15th-year milestone

Published

January 22, 2026

Vincenz

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

One of K-Pop’s most iconic soloists of all time has finally partnered up with the globally-renowned case maker.

And this isn’t like any other CASETiFY’s K-Pop Collab, this is much grander than that.

i-naugural Brand iCON

You heard that right! CASETiFY reveals their first ever Global Brand Ambassador.

Amassing 25 million Instagram followers, over 1.2 Billion YouTube views, and hitting almost 4 Million Spotify listeners, G-DRAGON has truly marked his footprint as the “King of K-Pop” — more than just being the iconic member of the global hit group BIGBANG.

His long overdue comeback (and world tour) with ‘Übermensch’ last 2025 further proves how massive the VIP (and FAM) community is.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by PEACEMINUSONE®️ (@peaceminusonedotcom)

That said, GD’s influence isn’t limited to the music industry alone. Art and fashion have also witnessed his legendary artistry through his PEACEMINUSONE label. That pretty daisy with a fallen petal is the brand’s most iconic emblem you can see around.

The introduction of his fashion line was connected to music as well. It was introduced way back in 2013 during his ‘COUP D’ETAT’ solo promotions which was a true hit. It was totally evident in the album art’s peace symbol minus that one line.

Wesley Ng, CASETiFY’s CEO and Co-Founder (who’s also fashion-savvy), said that “welcoming G-DRAGON as the brand’s first Global iCON is a powerful statement.” This will not only amplify the reach of the already-popular case maker, it will also influence the brand’s creative direction.

After all, one’s artistic expression can be seen easily with the cases we rock out and about.

i-conic CHROMATIC

In line with this milestone also lies a new collection of cases and accessories.

The all-new CHROMATIC Collection is built around two concepts: FORMS & HUES. First, the CHROMATIC: FORMS set is headlined by the premium-made Alloy Ripple Case with an upgraded aluminum material.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Speaking of aluminum, the accompanying accessories are all metallic — from the 2-in-1 cross-body chain to custom cube charms for bespoke personalization.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Meanwhile, the CHROMATIC: HUES adds five new vibrant shades to CASETiFY’s ever-popular Ripple Collection through the Neon Ripple Case. These bold range of colors not only embody users’ creativity and self-expression, it also showcases an individual’s overall aesthetics.