Accessories

Sony brings back the Walkman

There are two new models

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Sony Walkman NW-ZX707

What is a Sony Walkman? For those who don’t know, ‘Walkman’ is essentially Sony’s branding for their line of portable music players. It had versions that played cassette tapes, CDs, and mp3 files. Now, in the era of streaming, the Walkman is making a comeback.

Two new models

Sony Walkman NW-ZX707

Sony is adding two models to the lineup. These are the NW-ZX707, and the NW-A306. Yes, Sony’s robotic nomenclature is alive in well even in the Walkman line.

The NW-ZX707 has a 5-inch display, enhanced battery life, balanced connection, and Wi-Fi compatibility for downloading and streaming. Updated components from high-ends models were used on the device. This is to make sure it delivers high sound quality.

It integrates a DSD Remastering Engine where PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) audio is resampled into an 11.2 MHz DSD (Direct Stream Digital).

Then, there’s the NW-A306. It’s a much more compact modern Walkman. It has a 3.6-inch touch screen as well tactile physical music controls for those who like to feel them buttons.

This new walkman is made with premium aluminium milled frame and weighs only 7oz.

High quality sound

Sony Walkman NW-A306

Naturally, high quality sound is the name of the game for this pair of devices. Walkman’s independently developed S-Master HX digital amp technology was used to make it compatible with native DSD format.

What it does is reduce distortion and noise across a wide range of frequencies. This results in a rich and full-bodied sound, further enhanced by a new high-quality sound lead-free solder.

The NW-ZX707 and the NW-A306 both use Edge-AI (Artificial Intelligence), and DSEE Ultimate™ (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) which upscales compressed digital music files in real-time. The evolving algorithm now delivers even greater benefits for CD-quality (16-bit 44.1/48kHz) lossless codec audio.
This restores subtleties and dynamic range providing a richer and more complete listening experience.

Battery life

The NW-ZX707 has a battery life of up to 25 hours of 44.1kHz FLAC playback, up to 23 hours1 of 96 kHz FLAC High-Resolution Audio playback, or up to 22 hours2 even when streaming.

The NW-A306 has a battery life of up to 36 hours1 of 44.1kHz FLAC playback, up to 32 hours1 of 96kHz FLAC high-resolution audio playback, or even up to 26 hours with streaming service apps.

Price and availability

The NW-ZX707 retails for PhP 44,999 while the NW-A306 is priced at PhP 19,999. They will be available in select Sony Authorized Dealers nationwide starting February 10, 2023.

Accessories

Apple’s new iPhone Pocket is a stylish way to carry your iPhone

This time, woven into the fabric of a modern accessory

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Decades after dressing Steve Jobs, Issey Miyake’s legacy returns to Apple

Fashion meets tech — again.

Apple’s latest creation isn’t a new iPhone, but something to wear it in. Announced today, the iPhone Pocket is a collaboration between Apple and Japanese fashion house ISSEY MIYAKE, reimagining the way we carry one of the world’s most recognizable devices.

While this is the first official partnership between the two brands, Miyake’s influence has long been stitched into Apple’s story.

The minimalist yet iconic uniform that is Steve Jobs’ black turtlenecks were custom-made by Miyake himself.

Back in the 1980s, Jobs even approached Miyake with an idea: to design a uniform for Apple employees. That plan never took off, but decades later, the spirit of collaboration finds new form — not in a shirt, but in a beautifully woven accessory.

The iPhone Pocket draws inspiration from Miyake’s Pleats Please and Homme Plissé lines, famed for its permanently pleated, wrinkle-free designs.

Made in Japan, and co-designed with the Apple Design Studio, each bag is crafted from a single piece of innovative 3D-knit fabric that’s both stretchy and feather-light. It’s designed to fit any iPhone and, as Apple notes, “other pocketable items.”

Available in two strap lengths, it can be worn as a shoulder bag (or slung on an arm) or crossbody. The color palette is distinctly Miyake: lemon (neon yellow), mandarin (bright orange), purple, pink, peacock (turquoise), sapphire (rich blue), cinnamon (brown), and black.

Longtime fans might also feel a nostalgic nod to the iPod Socks — a whimsical early-2000s Apple accessory that turned practicality into playful design.

The iPhone Pocket launches Friday, November 14, as a limited release, available online and in select Apple Stores.

In New York, it makes its debut in SoHo which is Apple’s outpost in the city’s fashion district.  Prices start at $149.95 for the short strap and $229.95 for the long strap.

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Marshall Heston 120 TV soundbar debuts in the Philippines

1st ever TV soundbar from Marshall

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The Marshall Heston 120, the brand’s first ever TV soundbar, is now available in the Philippines for PhP 59,990.

Customers can purchase the new offering at select Digital Walker and open_source stores, as well as Marshall’s Lazada and Shopee stores.

The Heston 120 was announced in the United States last June and is priced at US$ 1,299. Delivering a colossal audio for both TV and music, the soundbar builds on Marshall’s 60 years of acoustic excellence and design.

It features Dolby Atmos and DTS-X to deliver immersive and spacious sound. Engineered for powerful, deep, and rich bass, it makes special effects sound more lifelike and with bigger impact.

The inside is fitted with 11 drivers facing different directions. That’s to throw sound out onto the area for the best experience.

Moreover, soundbar integrates with TVs with HDMI eARC or external devices through the HDMI Pass-through. It can also connect to music streaming services via Wi-Fi.

Meanwhile, turning Bluetooth on gives access to the latest LE-audio technology, including Auracast. The Heston 120 is likewise equipped with analogue RCA input for external music players.

Marshall signature style

Of course, the Heston 120 also features Marshall’s signature style, bringing rock ‘n’ roll flair to the TV-sound category.

From knurled metal knobs inspired by Marshall’s amp heritage right through to the wrapped leather trims and brushed metal panel, these bold elements have been added with precision, making Heston 120 a statement in any living room.

The soundbar is also repairable with replaceable parts, including the fret, end caps, drivers and circuit boards.

Mixing the best of old with the new, the analogue control panel with tactile audio settings is a playful yet functional nod.

The bass and treble can be instantly altered through the controls and it’s easy to save presets for quick access to a favorite playlist or radio station.

Furthermore, there’s a range of different sound modes to fit the moment, including Music, Movie, Night and Voice.

Alternatively, users can adjust sound from anywhere using the Marshall app. They can customize the EQ from the app as well, and adjust its volume.

After the Heston 120, Marshall is also going to launch the Heston 60 soundbar and Heston 200 subwoofer soon.

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I was skeptical about smartphone gimbals, then I tried the DJI Osmo Mobile 8

This gear finally made sense to me and my workflow

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I never liked smartphone gimbals. I tried several over the years, from different brands and different builds, and I never felt compelled to use them in real situations.

They were either too heavy or too fiddly to set up. I also found them too demanding to use when all I wanted was to take my phone out and record. My iPhone already has excellent stabilization built in, and I have relied on it for years. The extra gear rarely felt necessary.

My perspective shifted when I tried the DJI Osmo Mobile 8. I brought it with me on a work trip in China without thinking much of it. I realized that it made sense to be part of my arsenal.

A design that feels familiar in a good way

The Osmo Mobile 8 does not reinvent the idea of a mobile gimbal. It refines the experience.

It feels lighter and folds easily. The clamp snaps on with a magnetic mount, and the grip feels secure without straining the wrist.

It feels like something I can use for a few minutes or a few hours without thinking about it. Rather than slowing me down, it felt like it supports my workflow.

There is an extension rod built in, which is helpful for group shots and for pushing perspective in movement shots. The built-in tripod legs make it easy to set down for hands-free filming.

These details may seem small, although they contribute to gear that I actually reach for.

Stabilization for better footage

To be honest, I’m still not sold in getting a mobile gimbal for myself. But what shifted my perspective (for now) was not the convenience. It was the footage.

The movement became smoother. Walked shots, pans, and follow movements looked intentional instead of constantly adjusting themselves.

The three-axis stabilization makes smartphone footage feel more deliberate. I found myself able to move more slowly and follow subjects naturally.

It didn’t make my shots steadier, but the Osmo Mobile 8 changed the way I moved while filming. I suddenly found myself planning sweeps and tracking motions that I would never attempt handheld.

Tracking that feels more intelligent

The tracking on the Osmo Mobile 8 is noticeably improved. Faces, pets, objects, and even faster subjects stay in frame more reliably.

When I stepped away to record myself, the camera followed smoothly without overshooting. It felt responsive rather than reactive. This made solo shooting feel easier.

It also made dynamic movement filming more fun. I could run with a subject or move around a space and trust the framing.

A tool that fits everyday work

I always evaluate gear based on how it blends into my workflow. If it needs too much setup or thought, I will eventually avoid it.

The Osmo Mobile 8 feels fast. I can mount my phone, open the app, and start recording in a matter of seconds. And the battery life holds up well for a full day of casual shooting.

There is also support for counterweights if you use heavier external lenses or cases. The experience is smooth whether I am at an event, outdoors, or shooting casual everyday clips.

Frankly, I never expected to find a smartphone gimbal that felt necessary, yet the Osmo Mobile 8 is worth recognizing to be part of your creator kit.

Is the DJI Osmo Mobile 8 your GadgetMatch?

The DJI Osmo Mobile 8 delivers steady footage and a filming experience that feels composed. I appreciate what it adds to my work, and I recognize that it improves my content when I need it to.

Even so, it is not my personal everyday companion. I prefer filming with my phone alone and relying on built-in stabilization. I like moving lightly and freely.

But the Osmo Mobile 8 is a strong tool to have in the kit for specific situations.

Swipe right if you want steady and controlled movement in your videos, especially when you shoot travel, sports, or even events where an extra movement is part of the story. It might help you create more cinematic clips without a full camera setup.

Swipe left if you prefer minimal gear, and if you’re someone who’s always ready for spontaneous shooting but doesn’t want any additional setup.

The DJI Osmo Mobile 8 retails for PhP 7,499. It’s available in DJI’s official website and authorized stores.

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