‘There is no friend as loyal as a book,’ but the benefits of reading and the entire idea of owning books are taking a back seat nowadays. The shift of entertainment forms to digital speeds has made our free time busier and immersed our reading hours in reels. The biggest sufferers of this neglect and transformation are kids who remain devoid of bedtime stories and instead are fixated on the screens, swiping through reels and videos with little quality to improve concentration or cultivate the habit of reading.

Taking advantage of all the benefits of reading is essentially impossible going forward. Of course, some parents have managed to keep the routine of reading bedtime stories to their kids; it’s really not a norm anymore. Chishu audiobook player was idealized to help children relive the losing charm of someone reading stories in bed to them. And following the humble recognition of the concept, it is now reimagined with new colors and approach.

Designer: Chanie Liao

Enter Chishu 2X audiobook player, a humble, handy device that wants to improve children’s concentration and cultivate in them the habit of listening to books, at least. The pocket-sized player, equipped with a specially designed story card, is tailored for children below the age of 12. A child can insert the card in a dedicated slot, tune the player to their audio liking, and play the story content while being engrossed in some secondary activity or playing.

The curved, interactive design of the Chishu 2X shortens the distance between children and the audiobook player, making it their storyteller capable of ‘immersing them in the world of stories’ at an early age. To make it more adaptable amid the little ones, the device comes in various base colors. However, each functional area on the device – the story card slot; volume rocker; skip next knob; and the speaker grill – all come in different color options, making the entire package fun to hold and playful to interact with.

Taking of interaction; the little window display in the top right, where the story card slots in from the top, kids can keep tab on the story they’re listening to. The speaker system of the new Chishu 2X has been upgraded and embedded within a lighter and more drop-resistant molded metal body, rendering the device suitable even for older children and young adults to explore.

The post Chishu 2X is a modern granny designed to read bedtime stories to your tiny tots first appeared on Yanko Design.

There are some heated discussions right now about how a YouTuber may have single-handedly killed a startup, but big companies do that every time. In 2016, Apple may have put the audio industry on notice when it banished the headphone jack from the iPhone forever. Of course, the 3.5mm connector is used in more than just smartphones, but this change caused a ripple that pushed wireless audio technologies to innovate and improve. Although it’s becoming more common for smartphones to rely on Bluetooth headphones and speakers, many audiophiles still swear by wired equipment to deliver high-fidelity lossless sound, and it seems that there’s a growing trend of bringing the venerable headphone jack back to smartphones to satisfy these audio cravings.

MOONDROP MIAD01

It isn’t enough just to have a 3.5mm headphone jack and expect to have high-quality audio output. You still have to make sure that the digital-to-analog conversion process is just as good, usually with some help from dedicated hardware designed for that purpose. Hi-Fi audio equipment maker MOONDROP knows that only too well, which is probably why it’s making an ambitious attempt to corner a niche market with an upcoming MIAD01 smartphone made specifically for discerning audiophiles.

Designer: MOONDROP

Aside from a few teaser images, details on this “Hi-Fi” smartphone are still pretty slim other than the mention of 3.5mm+4.4mm interfaces. The latter of the two is known as “balanced” output used by high-impedance headphones and speakers, resulting in even better output quality. It’s not yet known, however, if the phone will have two headphone jacks or have a single 4.4mm port with a 3.5mm adapter. Either way, it’s something that music lovers on the Android side of the smartphone camp will want to keep an eye, or an ear, out for.

nubia Music Phone

Although technologically less ambitious, ZTE subsidiary nubia is putting a different twist on enjoying music on smartphones. The nubia Music Phone does have two headphone jacks, both 3.5mm, but their main purpose is to simply connect two wired headphones at the same time. It brings back the social aspect of listening to music by sharing your favorite tunes with a friend or loved one while still keeping it private among yourselves. Of course, the fact that you can connect high-performance headphones is definitely a plus as well.

Designer: nubia (ZTE)

The nubia Music Phone also puts a fun and quirky spin on that activity with a design that will appeal to music lovers. It has a large speaker on its back, in itself already an oddity, and it’s made to look like a turntable together with dual camera lenses. Its colorful designs just scream vibrancy and playfulness, characteristics that will pull at the heartstrings of a younger crowd.

ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro

It isn’t just audiophiles who will appreciate good sound output, however. Poor audio can also break the immersion of a mobile game, especially as these titles become more sophisticated and more resource-intensive. While most of its features naturally revolve around graphics and processing, the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro doesn’t skimp on the audio side of the equation, whether it’s the “multi-magnet” dual speakers or hi-res 3.5mm headphone jack.

Designer: ASUS ROG

More than just doing the bare minimum, the ROG Phone 8 Pro boasts 384kHz/32-bit audio quality from that wired connection. It also implements spatial sound for headphones and provides listening profiles for different situations. It’s definitely one of the very few premium smartphones these days that have a headphone jack, something that hardcore mobile gamers will surely appreciate.

Sony Xperia 1 V

Speaking of high-end phones, Sony hasn’t completely given up yet on the smartphone market, and neither is it turning back on the features that differentiate its remaining devices. It bears an unusual ultra-wide, ultra-tall screen aspect ratio which Sony claims to be the best format for watching videos. It also shows off its display-making prowess which it also uses on a bigger scale on TVs.

Designer: Sony

The entertainment and electronics company naturally also knows that video is only half the battle. The phone also has a headphone jack to support hi-fi lossless audio output through wired headphones and speakers, something you’d expect from a device designed to deliver a cinematic watching experience on mobile.

TECNO Camon 20 Pro 5G

It’s almost ironic that mid-range and lower smartphone tiers are the remaining bastions of the 3.5mm port, probably as a form of cost-savings on more expensive wireless technologies. At the same time, however, some brands continue to support the feature even on their higher-end models. That’s definitely true for last year’s TECNO Camon 20 Pro 5G, which combines stylish design with a well-balanced set of features, including that headphone jack.

Designer: TECNO

Among TECNO’s flagship Camon line, the Camon 20 Pro has the distinction of winning a few design awards, thanks to the unique geometric patterns on its back, including an uneven hexagon shape for the camera bump. Unfortunately, it will also now have the distinction of being the last TECNO Camon to include that 3.5mm port, as the brand seems to be finally shifting this family of smartphones to a wireless future.

Final Thoughts: Hear Ye, Hear Ye

Just because smartphones no longer have headphone jacks doesn’t mean that it’s obsolete technology. Many aspects of the audio industry and the wider multimedia industry still rely on wired connections, and the 3.5mm connector and those like it continue to offer a standard and space-efficient solution. At least for now, wires still have bigger bandwidth and more reliability, even with potential losses when converting between digital and analog.

Wireless audio is thankfully still improving, but it might take some time for it to be a more common technology that can deliver the needed high-fidelity lossless audio transmission. In the push for thinner phones, it’s this aspect that has unfortunately been sacrificed, even if it came at the expense of consumers as well. It’s a good thing, then, that there are still some brands that try to cater to audiophiles, music lovers, and gamers, and we might even see an uptick in these devices as more people become more aware of the critical role that good sound quality plays in an immersive experience.

The post Headphone jacks on smartphones are making a comeback for your listening pleasure first appeared on Yanko Design.

Not everyone likes listening to music, but even those will perhaps begrudgingly agree that certain kinds of music can have different effects on one’s mood or mental state. Next to entertainment or the sheer joy of listening to favorite tunes, the most common use of music is to set the right mood, whether it’s to relax, to get pumped, or to be more productive. That said, musical tastes can be quite subjective, and even the kind of harmonies that you like could be affected by your mood at any given time. It can be quite taxing to change playlists or tracks every time, so rather than relying on your fingers and your own mind, why not let your phone do the work for you? This desk speaker concept does exactly that, analyzing your mood and picking the right music to help you finish your work, studies, or any other task you need to get done.

Designer: Junyoung Lee

People who love playing music while they work most likely have a library of tunes selected to help massage their grey matter, especially during slow hours. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of music can be thwarted by moods, emotions, and physical conditions. Sometimes we’re just stuck in a slump and manually picking out a more appropriate playlist only adds to the stress and traps you in a vicious mental cycle.

MIX:X is a smart speaker system that uses the power of your smartphone and machine learning to automate that process so you won’t have to lift a finger when your brain or heart is just too tired to care. You simply dock the phone in front of the tall, boxy speaker to start the process. The large camera at the bottom keeps a constant watch on the person’s face in front of it, particularly their facial expressions, and using computer vision, machine learning, and algorithms, it tries to identify the mood that the person is in. Depending on what mood that is, it will switch to a different playlist that will help get you into a more productive working state.

Part of the MIX:X speaker’s solution is actually not the device itself but the app that comes with it. Here you select the songs that you like and associate them with certain moods. The app’s AI analyzes the music selection and uses that as a pool to choose from when your mood shifts one way or another. It doesn’t simply get music out of thin air (or the Internet), giving you some amount of control to limit the choices to your preferences.

In that sense, the MIX:X speaker is simply a box with speakers facing sideways and a camera, though it definitely has an interesting aesthetic. It has transparent panels for its sides and back, putting the sophisticated electronics inside on display. The rest of the device’s design is pretty minimal, with a single dial for the volume. If there’s one glaring flaw in its design, it’s the fact that it seems to support only a specific model or size of a specific phone, namely an iPhone, which severely limits how much this concept can be used outside of that single device.

The post Phone-powered smart speaker concept reads your mood to play the right music for work first appeared on Yanko Design.

From the moment I set my eyes on the Apple Vision Pro, the intuitive nature of its interface struck me. Controlling the device through natural gestures—like tapping fingers together for selection or pinching to zoom—felt like an extension of my own movements, creating a seamless user experience that was truly impressive. “Everything’s all eye track,” I marveled, amazed by the device’s responsiveness, which made every interaction feel intuitive and natural.

Designer: Apple

During the initial setup, the Digital Crown—borrowed from the Apple Watch—brought up the home view with a simple press. The blend of futuristic technology with familiar elements made the icons react as I looked at them, creating a magical experience. This immediate and responsive engagement reinforced the intuitive nature of the user interface. As I explored this advanced technology, I remember thinking, “I haven’t read any reviews on the Vision Pro, and that’s a good thing.” Approaching the device without any preconceptions allowed me to truly immerse myself in the experience.

As I navigated through a demo photo library, the ambient lighting dimmed, focusing my attention on images that transported me to places like Iceland and the Oregon coast, displayed panoramically. “That was so amazing,” I exclaimed, overwhelmed by the vividness and the immersive experience the photos provided.

Viewing spatial photos and videos added incredible depth to everyday moments. Watching a family birthday party captured with the Apple Vision Pro felt as if I stood among the celebrating children, bringing these moments to life. “So no one else can see this except you and me, huh?” I remarked to Avnish, my guide through this journey, who was able to see what I saw through an iPad. This added layer of interaction enhanced my appreciation for the technology as I watched a spatial video shot with the iPhone 15 Pro, captivated by the depth and realism.

The design of the Apple Vision Pro was notably sleek and modern, with a lightweight, comfortable frame suitable for extended wear. The minimal physical buttons enhanced its streamlined appearance, highlighting its advanced gesture and eye-tracking capabilities. A dedicated button for capturing spatial photos and videos added real-world interactions into vivid digital clarity, showcasing Apple’s meticulous attention to hardware design.

Manipulating my environment with a turn of the Digital Crown was particularly impressive. I could adjust my immersion levels from partial to full, exploring digital renditions of places like Mount Hood National Forest as if I were truly there. This smooth transition back to reality, while remaining connected with those around me, showcased the device’s seamless integration into personal and social settings.

Spatial multitasking introduced a new way to interact with applications, allowing me to manipulate windows in a spatial context as if handling physical objects. This dynamic, intuitive approach transformed traditional interfaces into a vibrant, three-dimensional workspace.

The entertainment capabilities of the Apple Vision Pro were striking. Watching 3D movies like “Super Mario Bros. Movie” and “Avatar: The Way of Water” transformed any space into a personal cinema. The high-resolution display and spatial audio created a viewing experience that far surpassed traditional setups. “That’s impressive,” I remarked, blown away by the depth and immersion of the features.

The Apple Immersive Video demo was a highlight, transporting me to the center of the action—flying over landscapes, diving with sharks, and standing on a soccer field. This segment was so engaging that I was left nearly speechless, managing only to say, “That was so amazing.”

An interactive session where a butterfly landed on my hand and a close encounter with a dinosaur showcased the Apple Vision Pro’s unique capabilities, blurring the lines between digital and physical realities. These experiences felt real and tangible, enhancing my appreciation for the device’s ability to create such vivid and interactive moments.

Finally, with the Apple Vision Pro, I got the chance to rehearse—well, more like pretend—to present Apple’s infamous “one more thing” on the stage of the Steve Jobs Theater. It felt so real that I almost waved to the nonexistent crowd! I’ve been to press events there before, but never on stage. The closest I’ve gotten was the last third of the theater.

After the demo—and yes, I highly encourage anyone and everyone remotely interested in spatial computing to visit your local Apple store—I had the option to purchase a brand new Vision Pro constructed right there. The Solo Knit Band, Dual Loop Band, and importantly, the Light Seal are available in size 21W, which fits me perfectly. Apple has streamlined the sizing process in the Apple Store app, which now includes a 3D scan of the face for a customized fit, guiding you through capturing the necessary facial dimensions.

The Apple Vision Pro demo was a breathtaking introduction to futuristic technology that felt straight out of science fiction. Its intuitive interface and gesture controls impressed me immediately, making every interaction feel natural and fluid. While the immersive experience of exploring vibrant, distant locales and engaging with life-like spatial videos was captivating, the demo ended too soon, leaving me eager for a more extended, immersive exploration with the Vision Pro. I’m looking forward to delving deeper into its potential in a longer session.

The post First Time Using the Apple Vision Pro: It Blew My Mind first appeared on Yanko Design.

Jott Pro is an AI solution that processes text and audio recordings to help you transcribe information and scale your productivity up a notch.

Ça n’arrête plus ! Une faille de sécurité critique dans le protocole Bluetooth permettrait à un utilisateur tiers malveillant d’enregistrer l’audio capté par le microphone d’une enceinte Bluetooth se trouvant à proximité, même si celle-ci est déjà appairée et connectée à un autre appareil. Cette vulnérabilité peut malheureusement conduire à de l’espionnage de conversations privées que ce soit via une enceinte ou un casque. Tant que c’est bluetooth et qu’il y a un micro, ça fonctionne !

Et s’il n’y a pas de micro, cette faille permettrait également jouer ses propres fichiers audio sur vos enceintes sans votre consentement !

Ce problème de sécurité a été découvert et présenté la semaine dernière par Tarlogic lors de la conférence RootedCon 2024 avec en cadeau bonux un PoC (proof of concept) baptisé BlueSpy permettant d’exploiter la faille.

Ce script n’utilise pas de vulnérabilité non corrigée, non, non. Il exploite tout simplement la méthode d’appairage Bluetooth non sécurisée baptisée « Just Work« . C’est d’autant plus effrayant quand on considère le nombre d’enceintes ou de casques vulnérables qui traînent dans les zones résidentielles, les espaces de travail, les salles de réunion, les lieux publics, etc.

Pour sa démonstration, Tarlogic a utilisé un Raspberry Pi 4 sous Kali Linux, contrôlé par un smartphone. Notez que pour étendre la zone de couverture, il est également possible d’utiliser un adaptateur Bluetooth externe avec une antenne externe.

Mais alors, comment se protéger ? La clé de votre tranquilité et de votre sécurité réside dans la visibilité de votre appareil Bluetooth. Si votre enceinte ou casque est visible par d’autres appareils alors qu’il est déjà connecté à votre smartphone, il est vulnérable. Par contre, s’il n’est plus visible une fois appairé, vous êtes à l’abri.

Pour vérifier facilement si vos appareils audio Bluetooth sont vulnérables, vous pouvez utiliser l’application gratuite nRF Connect for Mobile sur un smartphone Android non rooté. Lancez un scan et si l’application détecte et permet de se connecter à votre appareil audio Bluetooth LE, c’est qu’il est probablement vulnérable. À l’inverse, si votre appareil n’apparaît pas dans les résultats du scan alors qu’il est allumé et connecté, vous pouvez souffler.

Malheureusement, si votre appareil autorise une telle connexion, il n’y a pas grand-chose à faire. Certains appareils émettent cependant une notification visuelle ou sonore lorsqu’un autre appareil se connecte, comme un bip, une vibration ou un changement de couleur des LED donc ouvrez l’œil et l’oreille ! Et surtout, éteignez vos appareils Bluetooth quand vous ne les utilisez pas.

Source

Headphones, earphones, and earbuds have become a common sight wherever you go. It helps us be more immersed in our music and podcasts even when outdoors, while also respecting others around us who might not share the same preferences as us. At the same time, however, these devices are designed not only to isolate sound but also to isolate us from people, preventing us from actually sharing our favorite tunes with like-minded people. Sure, we can just turn on the loudspeaker, but that also means blasting the sound for everyone to hear, whether they like it or not, turning it into an all-or-nothing kind of deal. It shouldn’t have to be that way, though, especially not with our current technologies, and this concept tries to offer a more social earbud design that can easily share the music we love with a select number of people only.

Designer: Kusi Boateng-Arthur

Earbuds are intentionally designed to keep sound in so that you can enjoy your tunes without worrying about outside noise coming in or your music “leaking out” to others. Nowadays, there are features that do let some ambient sounds through for safety or communication reasons, but it doesn’t work the other way around. Unless you have a poor fit or extremely loud volumes, no one around you will hear what you’re playing, no matter how much you want to share your new favorite album.

“more. than a bud” is a design concept that tries to remedy this unsociable situation by providing a way for earbuds to share music with each other without having to broadcast it over a loudspeaker. We already have the technology available for this, as demonstrated by wireless speakers that support multiroom modes. The idea is the same but on a smaller and more personal scale.

Inspired by the Aslatua Ghanian percussion instrument, these earbuds simply tap each other to establish a connection. Smartphone users might be familiar with a similar gesture that existed a while back to initiate a file transfer between two phones. That’s pretty much all that’s needed to share your music with another person, letting you develop a closer relationship that goes beyond being a bud.

Aside from that special feature, the “more. than a bud” buds also have a distinctive design which is basically just two halves of a sphere. The actual speaker, however, is angled at 30 degrees in order to maximize the path that sound travels in your ear. The concept also claims that the in-ear design offers a secure fit, but some might have reservations because of its small, stemless shape. While the two halves join together to form a sphere when not in use, charging the buds requires them to attach to opposite sides of a small puck, turning the shape into a capsule. It’s definitely an interesting design, though it will probably be more noted for its ability to turn listening to music back to its original form: a social experience.

The post Wireless earbuds concept turns listening to music into a social experience first appeared on Yanko Design.

Si comme moi, vous adorez souiller les conditions générales des services de Gougleu, Twitter ou encore TikTok alors vous allez kiffer Cobalt.

Il s’agit d’un service en ligne super minimaliste qui permet de récupérer à partir d’un simple lien, au choix, la vidéo ou l’audio. Pratique pour ensuite bidouiller la vidéo d’origine ou se faire un petit MP3.

Avec son bouton « auto », vous laissez Cobalt choisir le meilleur pour vous, ou alors prenez le contrôle et ajustez les réglages comme un vrai chef.

L’interface est très simple et il n’y a pas grand chose mais si vous allez dans les paramètres (Settings), vous verrez qu’il est possible de préciser la qualité à récupérer ainsi que le format de la vidéo (h264, av1, vp9), mais également de retirer les watermarks des vidéos TikTok ou de convertir les vidéos Twitter en .gif. Fini les filigranes agaçants et bonjour les boucles parfaites pour vos memes et partages.

Vous avez même la possibilité de choisir entre le téléchargement progressif, qui utilise directement le CDN de Vimeo pour une qualité max de 1080p, ou l’option « dash », qui combine vidéo et audio en un seul fichier pour une qualité max de 4K. Le choix est royal : du 360p pour les connexions qui rament aux splendeurs du 8K pour les mirettes exigeantes.

Bref, c’est que du bonheur ! A mettre dans vos bookmarks de toute urgence.

Merci à Lorenper

Portable wireless speakers are becoming quite ubiquitous these days as a way to enjoy your favorite music anywhere you are, whether you’re outside or just in another room. In exchange for their portability, however, the quality of the sound these speakers produce is less impressive compared to bigger and more stationary equipment found at home. It would be nice if you could have the best of both worlds, enjoying an audio system that follows you around the house without missing a beat. You could try to buy multiple wireless speakers and hope they can be connected to each other, or you can hope that this peculiar speaker system concept becomes a reality, allowing you to pick up one or two speakers from their base as easily as you would pick up your takeout meal.

Designers: Junwoo Kim, Yoonjeong Lee, Heeyeol Yang, Jaehoon Jeong

For an audio experience to be considered truly immersive, it has to sound like it’s coming from all around you. More specifically, the right sounds have to come from the correct direction rather than equally from all directions. Making this possible with a single speaker or even a pair of headphones is possible but difficult to accomplish, requiring sophisticated algorithms and precise control to create the illusion of surround sound. Of course, you could set up a surround sound system in your entertainment den, but then that magic only takes effect in that room.

TakeOut is an LG-inspired concept for a modular speaker system that lets you design your own audio space in a snap. At its core is a 360-degree soundbar that tries to bring the sound to you wherever you are in the room by blasting it in all directions. But when you push down on one of the circles on the top of the soundbar, a short cylindrical wireless speaker pops up. It’s not a completely independent speaker and it works in tandem with the soundbar, but its most important feature is that you can take it anywhere with you in the house.

This portability means that you can set up your audio experience just the way you want it, whether you’re listening in the same room or elsewhere. Need to go to your home office for a while? Just pop out one of the speakers and let the music follow you there. You can also create your surround sound setup in a flash by positioning the four “sub-speakers” around the room, though that doesn’t necessarily mean that the system will know which sound needs to come from which speaker.

While the design of TakeOut is quite interesting, there might be some practical issues with it as well. For one, the concept doesn’t clarify if the individual speakers can be used separately from the soundbar or if they’re completely dependent on it. If it’s the latter, it also means that the speakers won’t function properly if they ever go out of range of the soundbar or if the data can’t reach them because of obstacles like walls. Those details, however, could actually be ironed out with some features that don’t take away anything from the spirit of this modular and immersive audio system.

The post Modular speaker concept creates an immersive audio experience anywhere first appeared on Yanko Design.

When companies mention the term “backward compatibility”, it seldom means revamping their products from 30 years ago… but Bang & Olufsen’s managed to pull off the unthinkable. You see, people who own B&O sound-systems do so because they’re passionate about audio quality – and if there’s one thing all audiophiles will agree to, it’s that analog sound systems from the years gone by are still the gold-standard in sound quality. The only problem is that they aren’t designed to be wireless. Not that any audiophile would dream about listening to Spotify on their state-of-the-art sound system, but there’s admittedly a certain convenience to being able to play any song directly from your phone on wireless speakers. Announced just this month, Bang & Olufsen’s latest device lets you do just that. The Beoconnect Core, priced at £999 ($1150 USD), is an intermediary wireless hub that turns all of B&O’s older speakers wireless, connecting the rich, auditory legacy of Bang & Olufsen with the convenience of today’s streaming culture.

Designer: Bang & Olufsen

Not to be confused with the BeoSound Core from 5 years ago, the Beoconnect Core is B&O’s latest accessory designed to be infinitely backward compatible with the company’s entire speaker catalog. The Beoconnect Core transforms legacy speakers, some dating back more than 30 years, into modern wireless systems capable of streaming music from any app, connecting to turntables, or even enhancing TV audio for a cinematic experience. This device is a celebration of the brand’s heritage, ensuring that the beloved sound systems can continue to create memorable moments in the digital age.

“Our aim is to build product icons that can last a lifetime, and Beoconnect Core is an important addition to our product offering, that enables us to deliver on this longevity promise. Beoconnect Core connects our past with our future and comes with our replaceable Mozart streaming module that can easily be upgraded to the newest technology”, says Michael Henriksson, Vice President of Product Marketing at Bang & Olufsen. “This means that the products that our customers love can be used for years to come and continue to provide memorable moments”.

The Beoconnect Core’s understated design complements any room’s aesthetic. Its gently curved, pearl-blasted aluminum chassis is as stylish as it is functional, efficiently dissipating heat. The non-conductive cover ensures clear and uninterrupted antenna reception. For a truly integrated experience, the Core can be seamlessly docked into a BeoSound Shape tile using a custom-designed bracket. The Core’s design prioritizes easy upgradeability too. Its functionality is future-proofed by the replaceable Mozart streaming module, ensuring your system stays compatible with the latest streaming technologies. This commitment to longevity extends to the Cradle-to-Cradle design principles used in the Core’s construction, minimizing environmental impact and maximizing serviceability.

As far as compatibility goes, the Beoconnect Core offers a variety of options to integrate your B&O speakers seamlessly into your existing setup. Powerlink and USB connections ensure optimal performance with Beolab 50 and Beolab 90 speakers, while a line-in port allows for the connection of turntables and other audio sources. But the Core’s capabilities extend beyond pure audio. It features an HDMI eARC connection, enabling you to connect your B&O speakers to any TV and experience the immersive power of Bang & Olufsen sound with your favorite movies and shows. So if you’ve got yourself some B&O speakers from more than a decade ago (when wireless connectivity wasn’t really much of a priority for high-end audio companies), the $1150 Core is a worthwhile investment in future-proofing your sound system to be compatible with latest streaming apps while still retaining its ability to default back to the glorious analog playback whenever you want.

The post Bang & Olufsen’s wireless hub turns even their 30-year-old speakers into smart Bluetooth devices first appeared on Yanko Design.

Hé les amis, aujourd’hui laissez-moi vous présenter un outil génial qui vous facilitera la vie en vous permettant de télécharger des vidéos et d’extraire des pistes audios de différents formats à partir de centaines de sites, dont, YouTube, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitch, Twitter, Instagram et bien d’autres…

Cet outil s’appelle ytDownloader et vous l’aurez compris, c’est YoutubeDL derrière sauf que là, y’a une interface minimaliste facile à prendre en main. L’outil est bien sûr entièrement gratuit et Open Source.

Disponible sous Linux, Windows et macOS, cet utilitaire dispose de nombreuses fonctionnalités comme un mode clair/sombre, la possibilité de choisir un thème pour pas flinguer vos petits yeux, ainsi que la possibilité de télécharger une plage spécifique d’une vidéo si vous le souhaitez, ce qui est pratique pour extraire un morceau précis. Vous pouvez évidemment, après avoir entré l’URL de votre vidéo, choisir le format et la qualité de la vidéo et de l’audio que vous voulez récupérer, ce qui est super pratique pour faire par exemple des MP3 à partir de clips vidéos.

Cet outil prend également en charge le téléchargement des sous-titres et est disponible en plusieurs langues. Vous pouvez bien sûr configurer l’emplacement où enregistrer vos fichiers récupérés et il n’y a ni pubs ni traqueur dans l’application.

Pour résumer, ytDownloader est un outil super utile pour tous ceux qui ont besoin de récupérer des vidéos et/ou extraire des audios de différents formats à partir de différents sites. Je vous le conseille !

Rendez-vous sur leur site pour télécharger ytDownloader.

Merci à Lorenper pour le partage.

Headphones are a staple for modern lifestyles, whether it is about listening to your favorite music while working, plugging into your podcast list, or simply killing time gaming on the couch. You’ll find hundreds of impressive designs and virtually the best audio technology crammed into these must-have accessories.

Finding a pair of headphones that resonates with one’s audio requirements and style statement is every audiophile’s dream. Of the countless headphones we’ve come across and tested ones that we have access to, it ultimately comes down to how well they’re designed. Take for instance this CES-worthy piece that’s a concept but still keeps my hopes alive it’ll be up for pre-order someday!

Designer: Kostas Dakanalis

Bearing a form factor that’s completely unrivaled, this concept design for headphones looks inspired by the Gundam mecha. While gaming headphones from the likes of Razer, Asus, HyperX, Turtle Beach and Steel Series have tamed the conventional design norms, this pair of cans is at another level. Those winged streaks on each earcup lend the pair a distinctive personality and also have a useful function.

These wings are connected to the central rotating dial that determines the equalizer being used currently. Also, depending on the settings chosen, rotating the dial can turn them from a closed back to a semi-open or completely open configuration. Audiophiles who are in the hobby of collecting headphones of every type possible will have solace in this single pair for multiple listening moods. The cool ambient lighting of the pair complements this.

Of course, we don’t know what hardware specifications they come with, but the sci-fi design and flexible design configuration make them super lucrative. Just imagine sporting one of these in an e-sports tournament or even in your home setup. They perfectly complement your geeky desk setup if you are into bias lighting and RGB lights.

The post Gundam-inspired headphones boast flexible listening configuration first appeared on Yanko Design.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, you probably know that CDs have made a comeback the past years, thanks in part to the Japanese and Korean music industry. A lot of fans have been buying CDs (sometimes multiple copies) of their favorite artists and Gen Z in particular has a particular fondness for something they actually weren’t alive yet when it was popular. The older generations buy it for the nostalgia. Both are benefitting from the audio quality of uncompressed music. However, the quality of CD players are not on par with what we were used to back in the day.

Designer: Anthony Chupp

Most of the big name audio brands have not been producing CD players but what if someone like Bang & Olufsen comes up with one? A designer came up with a concept for the Beosound Compact after studying the design and quality principles of the brand. What he came up with is a sleek and minimalist portable CD player that seems worthy of the brand that he created this concept for. It also brings back nostalgia feels for those who brought their Sony Walkman CD player around, although this is much more classy and shiny.

To reduce the need for an LED display, the player uses turntable styles for its volume controls and actual touchable buttons for its play controls. It is also textured to highlight the touchpoints that you need to access various controls. But the player can also be connected to the Bang & Olufsen app on your smart device in case you’re away from the CD player. There is Bluetooth connection as well to your headphones or wireless earbuds of choice as well as analog and optical output.

As someone who owns several CDs but still don’t have a CD player, I wouldn’t mind having something like this if Bang & Olufsen eventually decides to produce one. Having a quality CD player is just as important as having quality music from these CDs. Hopefully brands will catch on to this “trend” as it may be here to stay, for at least a few more years.

The post Concept CD player for Bang & Olufsen brings quality design and idea first appeared on Yanko Design.

The running community is used to the regular wireless earphones with ANC and splash-proofing. For the first time, there is a company that thinks the runners – and those involved in active sports – need a specially tailored pair of earphones, which is a little more. And who better to do that than Sony!

The masters of good sound and design excellence have revealed the Float Run (available on Amazon), which forgoes the traditional in-ear design for an off-ear style that allows the earbuds to rest outside the ear while holding snug with a clip-on, over-ear extension and a flexible neckband.

Designer: Sony

Those who remember bone conducting earphones would recognize the design instantly. Sony Float Run is engineered to be worn outside the ear, somewhat like the bone conducting ones that are clipped to the ear lobe. I have used this type of earphones; the sound and efficacy are not compromised but there is a pain point, they tend to release the sound outward so people around can hear what you are listening to.

How much has Sony figured that out and plugged the pain point is going to clear up only with use – we were not able to find clear evidence to this – but what we are clear about is that the Float Run is a comfortable fit and delivers high-quality sound to the listener.

The speakers of the Sony headphones are designed to float in front of the ears so you can enjoy comfort and convenience while running. Since the ears are not stuffed with the buds, the runners or sportspersons do not feel pressure in the ear, even after prolonged usage. The interesting aspect of the Sony device is that it allows you to hear the ambient sound naturally when you are wearing them.

The sound from the outside is naturally heard, so it can be safely worn while walking on the trail, running on the road, or pumping your muscles in the gym. If the sound from the outside is allowed in, the earbuds have to maintain a good speaker standard. To that end, the Float Run come with large, 16mm driver that allows excellent sound, thick base, and treble; though slightly higher volume than usual may be necessary.

Provided with IPX4 Splash Protection, the Sony earphone, which runs for up to 10 hours on a single charge, would allow you to enjoy music when you are sweating or running in a sudden shower. The Float Run weighs only 33g and is powered through the USB Type-C connector. If you like the idea of an earphone that doesn’t make your ear feel constrained, you can think of taking these home for usage during sports, including running.

The post Sony redesigns sports earphones with an ‘off-ear’ rendition to ensure comfortable running experience first appeared on Yanko Design.

When venturing out to buy wireless headphones or earbuds, the primary consideration is their battery backup. This one feature holds high merit for those who travel a lot. A pair of cans or buds that can be free from this constraint, or at best, have limitless battery power at their disposal is the way to go and solar-powered function makes this possible.

Urbanista hooked on to this idea with their impressive Los Angeles headphones and the Phoenix TWS earbuds. Then adidas followed suit with their solar-powered RPT-02 SOL headphones. For audio lovers who want to stay away from the hassle of charging their headphones or earbuds time and again, these products make complete sense.

Designer: Urbanista

Riding on the success of the over-ear headphones and the Phoenix earbuds, the Stockholm-based company has announced the second generation of both these audio products. Just for the record, both of them are currently in development and expected to launch sometime in mid-2024. The good news is, they are going to cost slightly less than the first-generation versions. Los Angeles headphones will carry a price tag of $179 (vs $199 for the original version) and $129 for the Phoenix earbuds compared to the $149 of the earlier version. For those who are eager to have a first look, the audio accessories by Urbanista will be demonstrated at CES 2024.

Similar to the predecessors (the current versions on sale), they employ the latest version of Powerfoyle solar charging material to charge the batteries. They absorb natural sunlight as well as light from artificial sources indoors to charge the battery. The amount of charge will depend on the intensity and duration of exposure to light but it will be impressive, offering at least a week of non-stop listening to infinite music if you live in places that have a good share of sunlight all year round. In case they run out of juice, the conventional method of charging them via the USB-C ports is also there.

The Los Angeles headphones typically will give ample juice for four hours of listening daily on a 10-hour low-light charge with 50 days before another charge is needed. The second-generation Phoenix on the other hand will offer around 16 days of playtime with similar parameters.

They come with better-designed components for improved efficiency, so we can expect them to stay charged for longer. The design of both is more streamlined and the Active Noise Cancellation is now adaptive meaning it applies the ANC depending on the amount of noise in the ambient environment.

The post Urbanista reveals second generation headphones and earbuds that solar charge for infinite playtime first appeared on Yanko Design.

Vous avez été impressionné par Whisper, cet outil d’OpenAI capable de transcrire en texte, n’importe quel enregistrement audio. Sauf que voilà, pas envie d’installer un modèle IA un peu lourd sur votre petite machine, qui de toute façon n’aurait pas assez de puissance pour faire tourner ça.

Mais ce n’est pas une raison pour passer à côté de ça. C’est pourquoi aujourd’hui, je vous propose de vous intéresser à Whisper Web. Il s’agit d’un portage de Whisper qui peut à partir d’un enregistrement de votre micro, d’une URL vers un fichier audio / vidéo ou d’un upload de fichier, décoder ce qui s’y raconter pour l’exporter ensuite au format texte.

Évidemment, vous pouvez choisir un modèle plus ou moins gros et activer le support multilingue pour décoder du français par exemple. Il est même possible de traduire à la volée un audio d’une langue de votre choix, vers de l’anglais. Impeccable pour faire des sous-titres facilement.

C’est idéal pour faire de la transcription d’interview, de podcast, de vidéo YouTube ou tout simplement écrire des documents à la voix.

Et le fait que ce soit accessible via un simple site web gratuit, en fait quelque chose de vraiment abordable.

À découvrir ici.

Les séquenceurs MIDI sont des logiciels qui, lorsqu’ils ont émergés à l’époque, nous permettaient de jouer avec des claviers électroniques pour créer grâce à notre ordinateur, des mélodies envoûtantes et parfois, avouons-le, un peu cacophoniques.

Si vous souhaitez vous y remettre, sans pour autant vous prendre la tête avec des softs complexes ou onéreux, vous êtes sur le bon article puisqu’aujourd’hui je vais vous parler d’un outil nommé Cacophony.

Cacophony est un séquenceur MIDI minimaliste et ergonomique, spécialement conçu pour vous aider à composer sans avoir besoin de vous former. L’une des choses qui m’a vraiment séduit dans Cacophony, c’est cette interface épurée, utilisable sans souris, qui ramène à l’essence même de la composition musicale.

Ce séquenceur MIDI est open source, et offre toutes les fonctionnalités de bases nécessaires aux débutants, ce qui signifie qu’il n’est pas aussi évolué que les logiciels professionnels, mais qu’il vous permettra de vous amuser et bien sûr commencer à créer de la musique.

De plus, il prend en charge l’exportation vers différents formats audio (wav, mp3, ogg, or mid) avec possibilité de séparer les pistes. Vous pourrez donc facilement sauvegarder votre œuvre d’art et la partager avec vos amis.

Il est disponible sur Linux, MacOS et Windows et sa frugalité vous permettra de le faire fonctionner sur d’anciennes machines. Par contre, c’est open source, donc gratuit si vous le compilez vous-même. Autrement, si vous voulez récupérer le binaire directement, il faudra payer un peu moins de 10$ via Itch.io.

Si ça vous intéresse, vous pouvez télécharger le logiciel en allant sur leur site officiel.

Vous êtes-vous déjà retrouvé à jongler avec une multitude de formats vidéo et audio, à vous demander comment les manipuler / modifier sans devenir complètement zinzin ? Et bien, aujourd’hui, je vais vous parler d’une plateforme qui va vous faciliter la vie : FFmpeg Explorer.

FFmpeg, pour ceux qui ne le savent pas encore, est un logiciel open source incroyablement puissant qui vous permet de manipuler des fichiers vidéo et audio de toutes sortes. Vous pouvez convertir, extraire, éditer et même diffuser en direct avec FFmpeg. Et bien sûr, la cerise sur le gâteau, c’est que c’est totalement gratuit !

Mais, comment ça marche, me direz-vous ? Et bien, FFmpeg est un outil en ligne de commande, ce qui signifie que vous devrez taper des lignes remplies de paramètres chelous pour réaliser ces merveilles. Mais ne vous inquiétez pas ! Ce n’est pas aussi effrayant que ça en a l’air, surtout si vous avez le bon guide.

C’est là que FFmpeg Explorer entre en jeu. Ce site se présente comme le guide ultime pour vous familiariser avec tous les filtres vidéo et audio de l’outil et ainsi en tirer le meilleur parti.

Via une interface très facile à comprendre, vous pouvez ajouter avec votre souris, plusieurs filtres bout à bout et voir le résultat sur la vidéo de preview. Cela vous permettra ensuite de récupérer la bonne ligne de commande qui va bien pour l’intégrer dans vos process ou la lancer sur votre ordinateur.

Chaque filtre présenté dispose d’une petite explication et surtout d’un tas de paramètres réglables directement sur le site en mode clickodrome. Comme ça, plus d’excuses pour automatiser vos traitements vidéos et encore perdre du temps dans Final Cut ou Adobe Premiere.

C’est open source et vous pouvez également l’installer sur votre propre serveur / machine si ça vous saoule de passer par la démo en ligne.

À vous de jouer maintenant !