The last time Google released a smart speaker, the world was in the throes of a pandemic. Yes, it’s been six years since the company trotted out a dedicated speaker. However, this newest Google Home Speaker brings a big change with it: The device has been redesigned to showcase the new Gemini assistant instead of … Read more
When Dan Mackta, Qobuz’s New York–based managing director, was looking for musicians to endorse the music streaming service after its US launch in 2019, he tapped up a friend—the manager of the Flaming Lips. It was mid-pandemic levels of tricky. “I flew to Oklahoma to shoot with Wayne Coyne,” Mackta says. “He shows up wearing … Read more
The overall power output is not bad, though. On “Want Want” by Maggie Rogers, I was impressed by the grungy, guttural sound thanks to the sub. On “So Neurotic” by the band Ex-Vöid, I was expecting total mush as the guitars intersect, but it’s loud, jangly, and clear. “Spangled” by the band Fust had bone-crunching … Read more
I’m not surprised to discover that Suunto has given the Spark some protection against sweat and rain. The IP55 rating doesn’t extend to the charging case, which is reasonably compact and slim enough to slip into a pocket or running belt if you need to carry it with you. Screenshot Suunto provides two control methods, … Read more
The Song setting lets each track length work independently, and Band mode is a hybrid of Sync and Song. The final mode, Free, leaves all four tracks unsynced, which is fun if you’re inclined to crank up a ton of effects and drift into space with layered soundscapes rather than structured normie music. Three main … Read more