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!

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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.

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Accessories

Insta360 Flow 2 update improves Android support, adds new iOS features

Better Android lens support

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April 23, 2026

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Insta360 Flow 2 update improves Android support, adds new iOS features
Excerpt: Better Android lens support

Insta360 has released a major spring update for its Flow 2 series handheld gimbals, bringing wider Android compatibility and new features for iPhone users.

The update focuses on improving how the Flow 2 and Flow 2 Pro work across different devices. It expands support for flagship Android phones while adding new shooting tools for iOS, making hands-free, stabilized video easier to capture without extra gear.

Android finally gets full lens access

One of the biggest changes is native multi-lens support on Android. When paired with the Insta360 app, the Flow 2 series can now access ultra-wide and telephoto lenses on supported devices from Samsung, Google Pixel, vivo, OPPO, and more.

This means users can shoot at full resolution using their phone’s native cameras, whether capturing wide landscapes or zoomed-in details. The update brings Android performance closer to what iPhone users have been getting, especially in more dynamic shooting scenarios like concerts, sports, and vlogging.

The improved lens access also works with features like Widescreen Mode, helping users create smoother, more cinematic footage with better framing flexibility.

Faster 360 panoramas for quick sharing

The Flow 2 series continues to stand out with its ability to capture full 360-degree panoramas. With the new 360 Panorama 2.0, stitching is now 50% faster, producing results in about 20 seconds.

Users can capture everything in one go, then choose their preferred framing afterward. The feature also supports interactive sharing via links, letting viewers pan and explore the image on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Creative templates such as Tiny Planet are also available for quick edits, making it easier to turn panoramic shots into shareable content.

Dual View adds more angles in one take

Dual View Mode introduces multi-angle recording without the need for additional cameras. It allows simultaneous recording using the front and rear cameras, or even dual rear lenses, producing three clips in a single take.

This is useful for creators who want to capture reactions alongside the main shot or experiment with different focal lengths at once. Combined with AI tracking, the feature keeps subjects centered while adding more variety to footage.

Apple Watch control for hands-free shooting

For iPhone users, the update adds Apple Watch control, turning the watch into a remote for the gimbal.

Users can start or stop recording, adjust settings, switch modes, and even control zoom using the Digital Crown. This allows for better control during solo shoots, especially when the phone is mounted on the gimbal at a distance.

Smarter tracking and remote control tools

The update also improves several AI-powered features across the Flow 2 series.

AI Tracker now works across more Android apps, enabling subject tracking during video calls, livestreams, or hands-free recording. Multi-person tracking keeps groups in frame, while Active Zoom Tracking allows up to 15x zoom while maintaining focus on moving subjects.

There’s also a new smartphone remote control feature, which lets users operate the gimbal using a second phone. This adds flexibility for more complex shooting setups without interrupting the shot.

Availability

The update is available now through the Insta360 app and the official website. Compatibility may vary depending on the smartphone model.

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Jabra launches PanaCast Room Kit for simpler hybrid meetings

The function room setup that doesn’t need an IT guy

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April 20, 2026

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Jabra PanaCast Room Kit

Jabra is expanding its hybrid work ecosystem with the new PanaCast Room Kit.

It’s a video conferencing solution built for meeting rooms. But it skips the usual complexity. No tangled cables, no custom programming, and no need for IT on standby.

The kit is designed for teams of three to 15 people. Setup takes minutes: Connect the cameras, place the speakers and microphones, and link everything with a single cable.

That’s it. A standard room becomes a smart collaboration space without the usual friction.

Built for inclusive meetings

At the center of the experience is the PanaCast 55 VBS.

It uses a 180-degree multi-camera system powered by onboard AI. Jabra’s Virtual Director technology tracks speakers and reframes the view in real time.

Everyone stays visible. Even those seated at the far end of the table.

The goal is simple. Make remote participants feel like they’re in the room.

Audio keeps up with that promise. The PanaCast SpeakerMic extends coverage up to 11 meters. Every voice comes through clearly and at a consistent volume. No need to raise your voice just to be heard.

No-fuss by design

The system adds a Huddly L1 camera for a secondary angle. This gives meetings a more complete and inclusive view.

There’s also the Jabra Control IP touch controller. It handles meetings with simple, one-touch controls.

Everything works together with minimal input. No manual pan-tilt-zoom adjustments. No audio balancing. The AI handles it.

Enterprise-ready, plug-and-play simple

The PanaCast Room Kit is fully UC-certified. It works with Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet.

It also runs on the Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP), bringing enterprise-grade security and reliability.

The idea is straightforward. High-end meeting tech shouldn’t be hard to use.

From small huddle spaces to larger boardrooms, the kit scales without added complexity. It removes the usual barriers to hybrid collaboration.

Whether it’s a quick team sync or a full boardroom discussion, the PanaCast Room Kit aims to give everyone a front-row seat.

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Sony announces open-back INZONE H6 Air

Deeper and tighter bass, more immersive gaming soundscape

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April 16, 2026

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Gamers are set to get another immersive headphones from Sony with the launch of the INZONE H6 Air.

This latest offering features an open-back acoustic structure and custom drivers for deep and tight bass, thanks to back ducts integrated into the drivers.

The open-back structure also helps with a realistic immersive sound field, making gamers feel they are in the game space.

This design minimizes internal reflections by leaving the housing unobstructed. The result is accurate sound field reproduction exactly as game creators intended.

The Sony INZONE H6 Air also features precision-tuned driver units engineered with the same technology as Sony’s renowned MDR-MV1 open-back studio monitor headsets. It is specially adapted for this particular wearable.

Back ducts integrated into the driver unit help deliver deep and controlled bass reproduction, while maintaining clear separation of mids and lows. This detail is helpful especially for titles where rich sound detail matters.

Crafted with premium aluminum, the INZONE H6 Air is also one of Sony’s lightest gaming headsets at just 199 grams. The headset uses the same spring hinge headband design seen on the INZONE H9 II.

Furthermore, the headset features an “RPG/Adventure” equalizer profile as it is developed with sound engineers from PlayStation Studios.

This specific profile is optimized for RPG and adventure titles, recreating the acoustic experience of a sound studio and delivering an immersive listening experience.

An additional cardioid boom mic focuses on voice angled towards the user’s mouth, eliminating unnecessary side noise.

Fnatic Edition devices, INZONE Buds Glass Purple

In addition to the Sony INZONE H6 Air, Sony has launched the Fnatic Editions of the INZONE Mouse-A, INZONE Mat-F, and INZONE Mat-D.

This next step in the collaboration between Sony and Fnatic makes the professional esports club even more present in fans’ daily gaming experience.

Rounding out the new releases is the INZONE Buds in Glass Purple colorway. This joins the previous black and white options, giving owners plenty of choices to suit their styles.

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