Wearables

xMEMS introduces the future of audio technology

It’s all silicon

Published

April 18, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

“Solid-state” often goes hand-in-hand with storage technology. However, the technology can go beyond hard drives. As early as now, it is readying a massive push for an unexpected industry: audio technology. Before the biggest brands adopt the new technology, check out the latest development coming to your earbuds.

Pioneered by xMEMS Labs, solid-state fidelity is slowly making its way to next-generation TWS earbuds and other personal audio devices. Compared to the coil architecture commonly used today (and has been used for a century), the new silicon membrane architecture weighs much less but performs much better.

Instead of a coil, the system melds thin-film piezo technology with silicon, much like solid-state technology today. The resulting product is only a tenth of the weight of a speaker today. Because of the reduced weight, it’s easier to produce more units at a faster clip.

Now, as for the audio quality, xMEMS Labs reports that the technology is 95 percent stiffer, allowing for better midrange and treble responses. In a personal test of the prototype, I can confirm that it does sound better. I came in with a pair of Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds, but I wanted to leave with an unbranded and 3D-printed prototype. The soundstage was much more immersive, allowing for the music to really breathe. No fiddling around with an equalizer required.

Besides audio quality, the company also worked on the technology’s ANC capabilities. With the new SkyLine DynamicVent, the silicone-based device can switch between noise-cancelling and transparent modes in an instant. The system uses a closable vent, which has been tested for durability (including in a washing machine where it went through unscathed).

The Montara Plus

Now, the silicon architecture comes in three flavors: Cowell, Montara, and Montara Plus. While the Cowell focuses more on TWS devices, the Montara series aims to deliver an audiophile-level, high-fidelity in-ear monitor experience to devices.

At the time of publication, xMEMS Labs had not announced any brand which will sport the new technology in the future. The company does state that notable names in the industry have already inked deals to incorporate the system into their own products. Plus, since the technology is easier to reproduce, it would ideally cost much less than most devices today, hopefully resulting in better savings for consumers.

Accessories

Apple Vision Pro First Impressions

Plus a dedicated YouTubers’ React segment!

Published

June 7, 2023

GadgetMatch

The WWDC 2023 Keynote was packed with incredible new updates to iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and macOS.

Apple announced new hardware including a 15-inch MacBook Air and M2 Max/Ultra-powered Mac Studio and Mac Pro.

But the most ambitious product they’ve ever created? The Apple Vision Pro.

Apple is clear that this isn’t just an AR Glasses. The Vision Pro is the company’s “first spatial computer”.

But how does it even look and feel IRL?

This is our first impressions of the new Apple Vision Pro — plus our YouTuber friends’ reactions.

Wearables

watchOS 10: Redesigned apps, new metrics

A milestone update for Apple Watch

Published

June 6, 2023

GadgetMatch

watchOS 10 is expected to bring users a fresh approach to the way information is viewed on the Apple Watch’s apps.

Apps, including Weather, Stocks, Home, Maps, Messages, World Clock, and others, utilize more of the Apple watch display for more glanceable information.

This change, as well as a new Smart Stack for relevant widgets and more watch faces are part of significant updates on the Apple Watch that will be rolled out later in the year as a free software update.

Here’s a rundown of what’s new:

New design, navigation

With watchOS 10, redesigned apps are set to provide more information at a glance, plus new ways to navigate quickly and access content.

The Activity app on Apple Watch and the Fitness app on iPhone make tracking daily movement easier with more details and improvements to sharing, as well as a redesigned trophy case.

New Smart Stack

Ann updated Smart Stack contains widgets that display timely information, adapting to a user’s context throughout the day.

For example, Weather will show the day’s forecast, Calendar and Reminders will show upcoming meetings and tasks, and Podcasts will move up so they are readily available.

This can be revealed with a simple turn of the Digital Crown from any watch face.

New Watch Faces

Meanwhile, there will be two new artistic and joyful watch faces: Palette and Snoopy.

The Palette face depicts time in a wide variety of colors, using three distinct overlapping layers; as the time changes, so do the colors on the display.

Renowned comic strip Peanuts will also come to life on an Apple Watch, featuring Snoopy and Woodstock.

The characters interact and react to weather conditions in the area, or even get active when a user works out.

Cycling workouts optimized

Apple Watch is taking cycling workouts to an even more advanced experience with the help of watchOS 10.

When a cycling workout is started from Apple Watch, it will automatically show up as a live activity on iPhone. When tapped, it will utilize the full screen.

Workout Views such as Heart Rate Zones, Elevation, Race Route, and a new Cycling Speed view, have also been optimized to fit the display size of iPhone.

Connect with advanced trackers

Additionally, the Apple Watch can now automatically connect to Bluetooth-enabled cycling accessories too, such as power meters, speed sensors, and cadence sensors.

This allows for brand-new metrics, plus additional Workout Views (Power Zone). Bluetooth connection is supported on Indoor and Outdoor cycling, as well as GymKit.