Bluetooth

Active noise cancellation has added another level of immersion to the relatively new true wireless earphones space, with Apple and Sony the manufacturers to beat. Now veteran UK audio brand KEF is challenging the top players with the Mu3 earphones.

Directed open audio seems to be enjoying its moment in the true wireless wearables spotlight at the moment, and JLab Audio is joining the party with connected personal audio throwers that attach to the frames of sunglasses or eyeglasses.

Sweden's Earin was the first to release a pair of true wireless earphones back in 2015, and Touch control was added in 2017. Now the company has opted for an open audio design for its third generation ear candy, the A-3.

Cardo's top-of-the-line Packtalk Black motorcycle headset brings the thunder, just like the Packtalk Bold but with extra-large JBL speakers filling out the bass. If you're a fan of riding with music, this is the Bluetooth headset for you.

Cambridge Audio has launched the next model in its excellent Melomania true wireless earphone range. As the name suggests, the Melomania Touch offer touch control as well as the promise of "stunning sound performance and world-class battery life."

These Bluetooth earbuds are also FDA-approved as hearing aids, and they claim to be able to dial down background noise and clarify conversations thanks to clever real-time audio processing in noisy environments.

Texan company Quin Design has released a remarkable flip-up, carbon fiber smart helmet for adventure and touring motorcyclists, with built-in Bluetooth communications and the ability to detect crashes and call for help when a rider's in trouble.

A new prototype Companion Collar smart collar is being developed by the CSIRO's digital specialist arm, Data61, and agtech company Ceres Tag that will allow pet owners to track their animal across both long and short distances.

Brothers Zacharias and Schuyler Ackert have developed a portable MIDI controller called the Noise Machine that has similar functionality to a full-sized MIDI keyboard, but can fit in the palm of a hand.

Around this time last year, Marshall released a new version of its Major wireless headphones that offered a ludicrous 60 hours of per charge use time. Now the brand has thrown another 20 hours into the mix with the release of the Major IV on-ears.

Although TV professionals commonly use wireless microphones when shooting on location, decent-quality units are generally too pricey for use by regular folks using smartphones. The creators of the Hooke Lav mic, however, have set out to change that.

Two weeks ago, I was ready to write a pretty negative review of Nura's personalized-audio earphones, but this week's software update has answered all my gripes. The Nuraloop is now a worthy successor to the astonishing Nuraphones.