Accessories

JBL Live 460NC: Huge sounds meet portability

Listen the way you want as ANC lets you focus on what you’re doing

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Motivation helps us be more productive in what we do. I think most would agree that music is one of those things that get us amped up. The good people at JBL came up with a new line of true wireless headphones for every lifestyle. One of which is the JBL Live 460NC– wireless on-ear noise cancelling headphones.

For those who dare to multitask on a regular basis, this listening device could be your ideal companion. The brand’s signature sound is ingrained in the JBL Live 460NC with an added benefit of true wireless technology. This allows you to move freely while enjoying your music.

Easy to pair

I have tried several wireless earphones from another reputable brand before. Bluetooth pairing can be a hassle sometimes but JBL took care of that by equipping Live 460NC with Bluetooth V5.0. It pairs up smoothly with phones, tablets and laptops with a range of up to 10 feet. You can also link it to two devices with its multi-point connection feature. Easily switch between your devices for entertainment and answering phone calls.

More music, less charging

Enjoy uninterrupted audio with up to 40 hours of battery life. It comes with a type-C USB charging cable and only takes about an hour and a half to fully charge. It promises four (4) hours of playtime in just 10 mins of charge so you can do it (quickly) before heading out.

Comfortable to wear

On average, I spend more than two hours a day wearing headphones. The lightweight construction of JBL Live 460NC, at 210 grams, makes it perfect for long periods of listening.

Soft faux leather ear cushions provide a secure fit (90 degrees rotatable cups)

Padded mesh fabric headband with adjustable mechanism

However, I find the small ear pads a little uncomfortable for long listening sessions. The clamping force is hard against my ears, more so when I’m lying on bed.

Mute all distractions

Adaptive Noise Cancelling is another great feature that lets you minimize the noise from the outside. But keep in mind that it won’t be able to totally mute everything. When the ANC is on, the sounds that are getting in are muffled and less bassy. And the small ear pads don’t seal as much as the bigger headphones or earbuds would.

If you start playing some songs, it will definitely mask the noise from the outside anyway. The good thing is that the sound quality is not affected by the ANC being turned on or off. Comprehensive button layout controls power, volume, play/pause, BT pair and Ambient Aware

Rock on outside

If you wear headphones while walking on a busy street, you need to be extra cautious. The Ambient Aware technology increases your environmental awareness by boosting ambient sounds while your music is playing.

TalkThru, on the other hand, lowers the music volume and amplifies speech so you can have a conversation while your headphones in on. Sound level on TalkThru mode is very low to the point that I can barely hear the music. But I guess that’s the whole point of it.

Listen the way you want

You can personalize how you listen with the JBL Headphones App. Thru this, you can set the ANC, TalkThru, Ambient Aware, Play & Pause Automation, Voice Assitant(OK Google and/or Alexa) and Custom EQ. You can also activate the Voice Assistant with a tap on the earcup. The Play & Pause function automatically pauses the playback once you remove it and resume playing when you put it back on.

How does it sound?

40mm drivers deliver a balanced tone and well-pronounced mid frequencies, giving emphasis on vocals and other stringed instruments. The bass is satisfying and it delivers smooth treble. If you want to make it “open up”, just add a little more treble on the EQ. That way, the drum cymbals will sound richer.

I like the EQ set to a soft V-shape when listening to rock. Most of the time, I just leave the EQ set on flat for a neutral sound. There are also some presets so you can just choose what suits your taste. Overall, it sounds good and covers a wide range of spectrum.

I listened to IU’s newest album, Lilac, with this headphones. “My Sea”, which is the 8th track, is one of my favorites. The song has a lot of different textures and her singing is very expressive.

The JBL Live460NC turned my room into a concert and I really enjoyed it. I wasn’t able to attend IU’s Love, Poem concert in Manila so I hope I don’t miss the chance to see her perform live next time. For now, the closest to the real thing is by listening to her songs through this headphones at max volume.

Comes with convenient detachable audio cable

This feature is an automatic win. If you forgot to charge your headphones, you can just attach the wire and continue rocking on. You can also plug it in to a headphone amp, DAC or digital effects processor for guitar practice. The 1/16” to 1/8” TRS cable can only transmit audio, so you can’t use the built-in mic.

My thoughts

If you want good sounding headphones that you can bring anywhere, you can’t go wrong with the JBL Live460NC. The construction feels sturdy and durable.  It is a big step-up from entry-level earbuds I’ve used.

Pricing and availability

JBL Live460NC retails at P6,999.00 and should be available in any JBL store by this time. It comes in 4 different colors; black, blue, white and pink to match your style.

Accessories

OBSBOT launches AI-powered 4K Tiny 3 series webcams

Professional-grade audiovisual features in compact bodies

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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.

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

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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.

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

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

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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.

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.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

While this isn’t the PEACEMINUSONE collab some of us have initially thought, crossing fingers that will be the next official CASETiFY collab in line.

Pricing and Availability

The brand new CHROMATIC COLLECTION is expected to hit shelves real soon with prices ranging between US$ 10 to US$ 85,

They will be available for purchase on CASETiFY.com and in select CASETiFY Studio retail stores around the world starting on January 26 (Monday).

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