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STACK ’ s TECH tips

Keeping your headphones and earbuds clean will prolong their life. Wherever possible, follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions, but the following tips will help you keep your ear gear rocking.

Headphones Your headphones come in a case for a reason. It protects them from dust, elements, or any unwanted prying little fingers! 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 get wet, ensure they are completely dry before putting them in the case. Regularly cleaning earpads is essential, especially if more than one person wears them. Use a damp, soft cloth 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. A case will help protect and keep them safely together in one place. 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 also 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 BluTack to remove the wax. Removable ear tips can be cleaned in warm water with mild soap and left to dry.

JULY

Technology has become an integral part of Australian lifestyles and continues to advance in leaps and bounds. From smartphones to smart homes, STACK keeps you up to date on the latest consumer tech in user-friendly terms, along with key points to consider before you buy. If you love tech, you’re in the right place.

DYK?

The first pair of wearable audio headphones was invented by engineer Nathaniel Baldwin at his kitchen table in 1910.

What tech has been floating the boat of the writers at STACK recently? You can find it right here every month.

2016

What was the hottest tech in…

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Take any trip on public transport or head to the airport, and you’ll see something many people have in common: wireless earbuds. The ubiquitous devices are essential gadgets of daily life. Walk into any JB store, and you’ll be faced with scores of pairs to choose from. But true wireless earbuds have only been around for eight years. It all started with a company best known for its high-end audio and home cinema amplification, Onkyo. In 2015, several companies were striding ahead to develop and bring to market genuinely wire-free earbuds. At the crest of the wave were several crowdfunded devices and Onkyo. Announced that year, Onkyo’s proposition was the W800BT. Selling for US$300 on launch and resembling sonic cufflinks, the pioneering earbuds promoted 12 hours of play from a single charge when they beat the competition and went on sale in early 2016.

LG Cinebeam Q Portable Projector LG has packed premium features into a stylish

and compact portable projector for a big screen experience in stunning 4K Ultra HD. Sporting a striking retro look, this fully portable projector has a 360° rotating carry handle that doubles as a kickstand for flexible projection angles and ceiling cinema. It can beam a big screen size up to 120”

from a distance of around three metres, with automatic screen adjustment to properly align the picture. LG’s smart TV webOS user interface is inbuilt with preloaded apps for simple streaming, or you can plug an external device into the HDMI port. The Cinebeam Q supports 4K Ultra HD resolution and HDR10, which is a huge plus for a portable projector. We streamed Dawn of the Planet of the Apes in 4K, and the picture clarity and colour was very impressive, with deep blacks and good shadow detail. Whether you're hosting a The Lord of the Rings marathon or a gaming tournament, LG’s CineBeam Q delivers portable convenience, versatility, and top-notch picture quality.

The W800BTs proved to be a hit with both the early adopter consumer and tech journalists. However, there were teething problems - the first-generation earbuds shipped had some reported connectivity and sound quality issues, and battery life could be as low as three hours. Despite the problems, the pioneering W800BTs revealed the future, and the big audio brands were quick to follow, bringing out their own first-gen Bluetooth earbuds throughout 2016.

It’s all about home appliances in our August issue as we look at what’s hot in the kitchen and laundry space. On The Radar

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