There are Apple products I’ve been more excited to receive, but I can’t think of any that I’ve awaited with such impatience. The reason? Curiosity about that audio quality! I wrote last time that it was Home hub and voice control of HomeKit devices for my partner that really sold it to me, and I wasn’t expecting too much from it on the audio front. Sure, it was going to beat out other smart speakers, but I didn’t see it as serious competition to proper HiFi brands. But as the reviews came in , I started to wonder … When What HiFi gave it a 5-star review, and The Verge’s Nilay Patel – a self-described speaker nerd – said that it ‘sounds incredible,’ then it did start to look like Apple might be onto something. But let’s start with the design … Look & feel This is clearly a Jony Ive design. Apple’s design head said that his ambition for the iPhone was ‘a single slab of glass,’ and it’s clear that his vision here was similar: a single speaker grille. I … [Read more...] about HomePod Diary: Hands-on, and this thing is a Sonos Play 5 killer
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Smart Home Diary: An update to our blinds revealing that Alexa is no smarter than Siri
I’ve played around a bit with Alexa, and even considered buying an Echo Dot or two before the launch of HomePod , but in the end decided to wait it out. However, while Hunter Douglas is still promising HomeKit support for our Luxaflex Duette blinds , and was expecting to get there by now, certification has been delayed until later in the year. In the meantime, it’s gone ahead with the launch of the new bridge which brings voice control to the blinds – but so far only for Alexa and Google Home … Rather than wait for HomeKit, we decided to get an Amazon Echo Dot as an interim solution – which also provided an opportunity to pit Siri against Alexa in a real-life smart speaker test. Note that I say ‘Siri versus Alexa,’ not HomePod versus Echo Dot. As speakers, the two devices aren’t even in the same league. HomePod is a $349 device which gets into what I think of as semi-HiFi territory. It doesn’t compete with traditional HiFi brands, but is definitely into Sonos territory … [Read more...] about Smart Home Diary: An update to our blinds revealing that Alexa is no smarter than Siri
The Best Bluetooth Speakers 2015: JBL Charge 2+, Bose Soundlink Mini II and UE Roll/Megaboom
L to R: UE Mini ( review ), Roll ( review ), Boom ( review ) and Megaboom ( review ), JBL Charge 2+ ( review ) and Charge 2 ( review ), Bose Soundlink III ( review ) and Soundlink Mini 2 ( prev review ) There’s nothing like having a summer moment free to listen to your favorite music with your friends. The combination of portable Bluetooth speakers and great music apps like Apple Music with Beats 1 radio can make this an instant spontaneous event as long as you’ve got the right gear. There are tons of Bluetooth speakers around but we’re cutting through the noise and signaling the best from three top brands today: Bose, UE and JBL. In last year’s exhaustive holiday season Best Bluetooth Speaker Review , I gave the title of best speaker to the JBL Charge 2 for having nearly the best sound, cylindrical portability, great looks, long battery life and the ability to charge your phone for around $120 . JBL has updated their game with the Charge … [Read more...] about The Best Bluetooth Speakers 2015: JBL Charge 2+, Bose Soundlink Mini II and UE Roll/Megaboom
How-To: Get yourself an affordable multi-room AirPlay setup
One of the downsides of being early adopters of new technology is that we tend to buy the best system available at the time, only for a better one to come along later. I’m sure we’ve all been there. That was the case for me with wireless audio. I wanted, many years ago, to be able to stream music to two other rooms in the house. I invested in a couple of Logitech Streambox Booms, which did the job. My Mac acted as a music server, and I could stream both my music library and Internet radio to the Logitech boxes. But it was a clunky setup, a scrollwheel used to select artist, album and track in much the same way as the original scrollwheel iPod – though viewing only one line at a time. AirPlay, when it came along in 2010, was a markedly better solution, but also came with a far higher price-tag. However, the upside of Apple neglecting AirPlay is that there are a lot of heavily-discounted discontinued products around. It was only when writing that opinion piece that I noticed … [Read more...] about How-To: Get yourself an affordable multi-room AirPlay setup
PM Dung’s online session a major draw
PM Dung’s online session a major draw (10-02-2007) Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung answers questions from citizens live.—VNA/VNS Photo Duc Tam Ha Noi — Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung spent two-and-a-half hours chatting with the public in a forum on the Viet Nam Communist Party website yesterday morning. The event was also broadcast on Viet Nam Television and the VietnamNet. In total, more than 20,000 questions divided into nine topics were submitted by residents and foreigners. The nine discussion topics were: Viet Nam’s 2006 socio-economic achievements; anti-corruption; administrative reform; science and technology development; employment; social policies; socio-economic solutions for 2007 and the future; housing and land policies; education policies, culture and health and disaster relief and epidemic prevention. The following is an excerpt of the dialogue: Nguyen Van Sac, HCM City, Nguyen Van Tuan, Ha Noi; Do Van Binh, Phu Tho Province; Nguyen Chi … [Read more...] about PM Dung’s online session a major draw
Defence Minister thanks international friends
Defence Minister thanks international friends (22-04-2005) HA NOI — Defence Minister Pham Van Tra, in a recent interview, has affirmed the significance of support and assistance given to Viet Nam by socialist countries and progressive people around the world during the war against the US invasion. General Tra granted the interview on the sidelines of the symposium entitled "The 1975 Great Spring Victory – Viet Nam’s Resilience and Intelligence" held last week in approach to the 30th anniversary of the southern liberation and national reunification on April 30. Here are some of his comments: Socialist bloc: Viet Nam’s great allies during war For 20 years between 1955 and 1975, the former Soviet Union, China and socialist countries provided Viet Nam with over 2.362 million tonnes of military aid, worth a total of 7 billion Russian roubles, the Institute of Military History said at a seminar in HCM City last week. "The symposium will contribute to … [Read more...] about Defence Minister thanks international friends
Congresses mark Party milestones
National Congress elects Party Central Committee members Party Central Committee prepares for 200 members Congressional delegates discuss recommendations, draft reports Development issues take the spotlight Congratulations flow in for Party HA NOI — Since its establishment, the Communist Party of Viet Nam has held 10 Congresses. Each Congress is considered an important historical milestone in recognising the Vietnamese revolution's victories, achievements and lessons. A conference to unite Communist organisations in Viet Nam, presided over by Nguyen Ai Quoc, took place from February 3-7, 1930 in Kowloon, Hong Kong (China). This was an event of historical significance as the Congress establishing the Communist Party of Viet Nam. The conference passed the Party's Brief Political Platform, Brief Policy and Brief Statutes and outlined guidelines for national liberation and the advance towards socialism. The first plenum of the Party … [Read more...] about Congresses mark Party milestones
President reviews 60 years of building State governed by law
President reviews 60 years of building State governed by law (26-08-2005) President Tran Duc Luong delivers a speech. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Khang HA NOI — "The Vietnamese State attaches great importance to building the people’s administration and strengthening socialist legislation," said President Tran Duc Luong. Interviewed by the Viet Nam News Agency on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2), President Luong highlighted the historical stages of the Vietnamese nation since President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, founding the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam. "Major events in history that are of great significance become greater and greater, and more and more remarkable with time. This is also true of Viet Nam’s historical events because they opened up a new era in the Vietnamese nation’s history and were linked to all of mankind’s development," said President Luong. … [Read more...] about President reviews 60 years of building State governed by law
Ideological sector tasked with rallying the public
Ideological sector tasked with rallying the public (27-02-2007) General Secretary Nong Duc Manh (centre) poses with delegates attending a meeting of the ideology and culture sector in Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Xuan Tuan DONG NAI — Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh asked the ideological and cultural sector to rally the nation behind the country’s industrialisation over the next thirteen years. "More than ever, the Party, people and army must be strongly united bloc in order to fully mobilise our national strengths and internal resources during a time of international economic integration to achieve fast economic growth and to lift the country out of its current underdeveloped status," Manh said, adding that ideological and culture work done last year had contributed greatly to the country’s successes. The general secretary asked ideological and cultural staff to increase awareness among cadres, party members and the public … [Read more...] about Ideological sector tasked with rallying the public
Việt Nam optimistic about UN Security Council election
Vietnamese and foreign diplomats speak to Vietnam News Agency about opportunities and challenges ahead of the election in two days to decide whether Việt Nam will take a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2020-21 term Ambassador Đặng Đình Quý, head of Việt Nam’s permanent mission to the UN Given the level of support already expressed, Việt Nam has a big opportunity to be successful in the poll. It is essential to encourage the countries that have made vocal commitments to show their backing in writing, and to ask the 41 countries that have not responded to provide official answers on whether they will support Việt Nam. It is important to encourage all countries to join the vote and support Việt Nam at the UN General Assembly’s 73rd session on June 7. If it wins the election, Việt Nam will have six months for preparations as it would assume the position of UN Security Council Chair in January 2020. The first point of order … [Read more...] about Việt Nam optimistic about UN Security Council election