Lay the JBL Flip 5 next to last year’s Flip 4 like I did at this year’s CES in Las Vegas and you’ll notice that the Flip 5 looks pretty similar but is slightly bigger than its predecessor. That increased size has allowed JBL’s engineers to equip the Flip 5 with a larger battery and …

In advance of CES, where Shure is rolling out its new $249 MV88+ Video Kit, I’ve been playing around with an early review sample and have been pretty impressed with it. Geared toward videographers, podcasters and anyone who wants to make their smartphone videos look and sound more professional, the kit’s relatively compact and easy to assemble once you put …

Every so often someone asks me what headphones they can use while swimming. The small list of viable options is about to get bigger with the arrival here at CES of the AfterShokz Xtrainerz (pronounced cross trainers) MP3 headphones. They use bone-conduction technology to transmit sound to your ears through your cheekbones. They’ll ship this spring and will cost $150, …

In the coming weeks Bose is set to ship its Frames audio AR sunglasses, but if you’re looking for sportier spectacles that have integrated audio, you should keep your eye on the upcoming OptiShokz Revvez bone-conduction audio sunglasses from AfterShokz. Designed to allow cyclists, runners, hikers, golfers, skiers and others to listen to audio and make calls on the go …

Belkin makes an accessory called the Rockstar Lightning Audio + Charge Splitter that allows you to use your Lightning headphones while charging your Lightning-equipped Apple device. Now it’s announced a new RockStar in-ear Lightning headphone that’s due to ship this summer followed by a USB-C version of the same product. There’s no word on pricing yet but hopefully they’ll sound …

Sony has once again refreshed its line of Extra Bass portable Bluetooth speakers with several new models, including one designed for tailgaters that will hold onto your beverages. All the new speakers ship this spring, with prices ranging from $60 to $350 (no word yet on international pricing). The entry-level SRS-XB12, which succeeds the XB10 (which I liked) is a …

The fidget-spinner craze may have come and gone, but the new $30 Zenpod from Air Vinyl Design may help bring it back. Yes, this is the first-ever spinning case for your AirPods and is frankly kind of ingenious. Available in three color options, the ZenPod has precision bearings on each side of the case that give it that spin factor …

Seagate typically introduces a number of new products at CES each year and this year’s no exception. Once again it’s opened the product spigot, with a number of storage options including new drives from its premium LaCie brand. We’re still awaiting pricing on some of the new models, but here’s a quick look the new Seagate 2019 offerings: Backup Plus …

Somewhere between Apple’s AirPods and medical-grade hearing aids you have Nuheara’s new “intelligent” hearing buds. The Australian start-up has produced two earlier versions of its IQbuds, and on Sunday unveiled its IQbuds Max, which it describes as the first intelligent earbuds to feature active noise cancellation. There’s no word yet on pricing or exactly when they’re shipping, but company says they …

Last year Jabra had a major headphone hit with its Elite 65t totally wireless earphones. Now it’s going after Bose, Sony and others with its new Elite 85h over-ear premium wireless headphones that it says will deliver “best-in-class” performance when they ship in April for $299 or 299 euros (no word yet on UK or Australian pricing). I should be …