Qualcomm's new Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 chip integrates Wi-Fi 6E directly to enable wireless earbuds to stream high-quality lossless audio via home Wi-Fi networks. Unlike the previous 2023 S7 Pro platform that required a separate Wi-Fi chip, the Elite is more compact and power-efficient, potentially making adoption easier for device makers like HP, Bose, and Cleer.
Qualcomm unveiled the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 chip, a tiny processor enabling Wi-Fi 6E lossless audio streaming to earbuds and headphones with range throughout a home. The chip supports high-resolution audio up to 24-bit 192kHz, improved power efficiency, and AI capabilities, though consumer products remain unclear beyond a partnership with Cleer.
The ESP8266 and ESP32 microcontrollers offer built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity at lower cost than Arduino, making them ideal for IoT applications. While they provide superior performance and features, they consume more power, operate at 3.3V logic levels requiring level shifters, and have a steeper learning curve than Arduino.
RemoTune is a mobile app that remotely controls media playback on Windows and macOS computers over local Wi-Fi, supporting YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music and other players. Users can pause, skip tracks, adjust volume and seek without typing passwords or creating accounts, with automatic device discovery and simple one-time approval per phone.
Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, a chipset designed for audio wearables that delivers up to 2x better on-device AI performance at 40% lower power consumption. The SoC supports advanced features including camera-based image recognition, Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, improved noise cancellation, and can power various devices from traditional earbuds to camera-equipped audio glasses and Android XR devices.
macOS often prioritizes Wi-Fi connections over faster wired Ethernet connections, causing slow file transfers. Users can disable auto-join for Wi-Fi networks to force their Mac to use Ethernet, though this requires manual Wi-Fi reconnection when moving between locations.
Sonos released the Ace Ultra headphones ($449), an improved follow-up to its poorly-launched original Ace. The key upgrade is Wi-Fi integration that allows the headphones to function as full members of a Sonos system, enabling seamless audio switching between speakers and headphones via the Sonos app, plus enhancements to noise cancellation, sound customization, and battery life.
A traveler criticizes Philippine Airlines' Manila airport ground experience, highlighting long transit security queues with insufficient checkpoints, poor signage for the airline's lounge, crowded seating, and malfunctioning Wi-Fi that blocks international laptops.