STACK #201 Jul 2021

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TECH LIFE JULY

STACK ’ s Tech Tip

Keeping your headphones and earbuds clean will ensure a longer life. Wherever possible, follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions, but the following tips will help you on the road to ear gear preservation.

I f you’re presently looking to upgrade your audio options, the choices open to you in 2021 have never been better. True wireless earbuds are still a relatively new technology, and some now ship with near-perfect noise-cancelling capabilities – a feature once the preserve of over-ear headphones. And wireless speakers with impressively long battery life open up endless possibilities for music on the move. Where accessing top-level audio once came with an unpalatable price tag, you can now enter the market and achieve comparative sound quality at a price point that's

Headphones Your headphones come in a case for a reason. It protects them from dust and the elements, or any unwanted prying little fingers! If the headphones you buy don’t come in a case, you can pick one up cheaply. Humidity and moisture are the enemy of headphones that don’t have a high IPX rating. Wipe off any sweat after use, and if they do get wet, make sure they are completely dry before putting them away. Regularly cleaning earpads is essential, especially if more than one person is wearing them. Use a damp, soft cloth (or unscented baby wipes) and mild soap, towel off and leave to dry naturally. Earbuds As with headphones, keep your earbuds in the case they came in when not in use. There’s nothing worse than pulling an earbud out on a train with a big clump of wax on the end of it. A build-up of ear wax can not only damage the earbud but affect the all-important audio, so clean with a warm damp cloth regularly. You want to avoid getting to the stage where you need to use a toothpick or Blu Tack to remove the wax. Removable ear tips can be cleaned in warm water with mild soap and left to dry.

truly music to your ears. That's right, audio is our focus in July's Life Tech. If you’re shopping for new headphones or earbuds, you’ll find a buying guide with recommendations for all tastes, budgets and intended applications. Looking for wireless speakers? Again, we’ve done the hard yards, stripping back all the technobabble and providing some solid choices including a speaker that wouldn’t be out of place at a gig, to one that fits in the palm of your hand. And if vinyl is your passion, we’ve even slipped in some turntable know-how and buying suggestions. If you’re into audio, you’re in the right place.

On The Radar

What was the hottest tech in… 1999

In August, we’re kicking off with a rideables feature. You would’ve undoubtedly noticed more and more people taking to the streets on electric rideables, even out in the ‘burbs! We’re going to deep dive into the world of escooters and cover everything you need to know about this exciting mode of transport – we’ll have you mobile in no time at all. And with Father’s Day on the horizon, we’ll also be pulling together the perfect gifts for that special person in your life.

In the 10th century, a Danish king called Harald “Bluetooth” Gormsson, named after a dead tooth in his mouth, would go down in history as the ruler who united Norway and Denmark, and the fella whose name would be pinched and applied to a technology designed to kick cables. Developed in the early ‘90s by Ericsson, the idea was to use radio frequencies to connect

electronic devices, disposing of the need for wires. By the end of the decade, the first consumer product utilising the nascent technology was revealed. The award- winning device was a wireless headset and the pathway towards Bluetooth ubiquity had well and truly begun.

50 JULY 2021

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