We have to give lots of credit to Apple for making truly wireless earbuds mainstream. Not only are AirPods incredibly convenient, they’re easy to pair with any iPhone. But what are Android users left with?
The closest alternative so far are Samsung’s Galaxy Buds. They’re sportier too and fit inside a wider variety of ear types.
That’s only a fragment of the whole story, however. Two of our resident music lovers gathered their thoughts after several weeks with the Galaxy Buds.
Let’s see what these two buds have to say.
Marvin: I’ve had lots of experience with Bluetooth earphones in the past, but truly wireless earbuds? Not so much. I’ve gotta say, though: The Galaxy Buds are so convenient to use.
Rodneil: I believe this is my second or third truly wireless earbuds, and I have to agree, wireless is truly convenient! What did you like best about the Galaxy Buds?
Marvin: I love how it pairs so quickly to even my non-Samsung smartphone. Its battery life is cool too — up to six hours per charge, with an additional seven from the case. What about you?
Rodneil: As superficial as this sounds, I like how it doesn’t look like I have weird stuff sticking out of my ears! Haha. I also like how your interaction with the Galaxy Buds is limited to just tapping, so there’s not a lot for someone like me to think about.
Marvin: Actually, I’m not a fan of the touch controls. They don’t always work, especially when I try to skip tracks with a double tap. Don’t even get me started with the triple tap.
Rodneil: Oh right! I actually did have that problem. To be honest, I ended up not having to tap the thing too much and just shifted to controlling everything from my phone.
Marvin: Did you have any latency issues with your Bluetooth connection? This happened to me a couple of times, even while connected to my Galaxy S10+. Software updates (which come frequently, fortunately) gradually fixed this, though.
Rodneil: Yes, I noticed that happened. For me specifically, I experienced those while I was in a moving vehicle and during the time I used it while playing basketball. I wasn’t bothered by it as much, though.
Marvin: Yup, definitely not a deal-breaker.
Rodneil: But does it have any deal-breakers for you?
Marvin: I wish I got the black one, to be honest. The white is fine at first, but after a few weeks of use, I noticed some discoloration.
Rodneil: I normally prefer black over white, but I’ve been changing things up lately and actually like the white one, discoloration and all.
Marvin: Colors aside, I like how the Buds come with different silicon adjustments. It’s something completely missing from the AirPods, which makes Samsung’s earbuds more universally compatible with ears.
Rodneil: Yep! I tried putting on each one to test which works best for me, but I ended up with the default since it fits my ears perfectly. It didn’t drop once while I was playing, which was a major concern when I first started using it.
Marvin: I actually use my Buds without wing tips, and they fit perfectly. That matters a lot, because I’m able to maximize the audio quality, which is great for truly wireless earbuds, by the way.
Rodneil: I was surprised with the audio quality actually. It was so much better than the Treblab X2 I tried a while back. I expected a similar experience but this one was better. I listened to the playlist I made for hands-on sessions like this and I was completely immersed in the sound.
Marvin: Speaking of sound quality, funny story: I didn’t realize how important the Galaxy Wear app is until I was two weeks into using the Galaxy Buds. It was there where I could adjust the equalizer and get more bass out of it, which boosted the quality tremendously.
Rodneil: I figured this out right away! I tried to play with the settings for a while but I’ve settled with increasing the bass since that’s what was most lacking when I first tried it on. On the Galaxy Wear app, you can also change the tap and hold functions to control the volume, but I opted to make it switch to ambient mode which I need more when I step out with the Galaxy Buds on.
Marvin: What’s great is that I could pair the Buds with any phone without needing to download the app first. But, well, I wish I did sooner to get the most out of the equalizer and extra settings.
Rodneil: Well, I wasn’t able to pair it right away with the Honor View 20 I’m currently using. That’s why I knew I had to get the app. After that, I had zero trouble pairing. I’m not sure how to control the pairing, though. One time I was out with a “friend” who had a Galaxy S10E and it was trying to automatically pair with her phone.
Marvin: So, would you recommend the Galaxy Buds to your friends given the price of US$ 129?
Rodneil: For anyone who wants a truly wireless experience, this ticks all of the boxes for me. The pairing convenience along with the surprising sound quality, for me, makes it a relatively easy recommendation.
Marvin: There are definitely cheaper options out there, but I feel the build quality and convenience Samsung injected into the Buds. Plus, it’s more affordable than its closest rival, the AirPods. What else is there to dislike?
Rodneil: My only concern is this pair is really easy to lose when out of its case. If you’re a klutz like me, I suggest you only put these on while in a familiar location. You should also make sure you get a pouch or have a designated spot in your bag where you can put it if you can’t reach the case right away.
Marvin: Otherwise, you’d use these over traditional wired earphones?
Rodneil: I want to permanently end my relationship with wires, so yes, I’ll choose this over traditional ones every single time.
Marvin: LOL, okay.
Accessories
Insta360 Flow 2 update improves Android support, adds new iOS features
Better Android lens support
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.
Accessories
Jabra launches PanaCast Room Kit for simpler hybrid meetings
The function room setup that doesn’t need an IT guy
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.
Accessories
Sony announces open-back INZONE H6 Air
Deeper and tighter bass, more immersive gaming soundscape
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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