Bluetooth 5 to launch on June 16 with 4x better speed, 2x more range

Bluetooth 5, the latest version of the universal wireless standard, is set to launch on June 16. The update will apparently be just called Bluetooth 5, without a point number in an effort to simplify marketing.

FINAL BLUETOOTH 5

Specifically, Bluetooth 5 will increase the range of the wireless connection standard by 4x and greatly increase transfer rates for low energy connects with a 2x boost in speed.

  • 4x speed — it promises to have more than four times the speed of the current 4.2 version with only up to 25Mbps.
  • 2x range— the upcoming Bluetooth 5 will offer a range that doubles the current maximum range, thus bringing the new version closer to the range offered by Wi-Fi Direct with up 250Mbps speed.

In a letter published in the Bluetooth newsletter, Blue News, Mark Powell says:

Bluetooth 5 will also provide significant new functionality for connectionless services like location-relevant information and navigation. By adding significantly more capacity to advertising transmissions, Bluetooth 5 will further propel the adoption and deployment of beacons and location-based services to users around the world. It’s a great story and one we’re looking forward to telling from our upcoming media event in London on 16 June.

Stay tuned for more details coming with the Bluetooth 5 announcement next week.

Source 

The post Bluetooth 5 to launch on June 16 with 4x better speed, 2x more range appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines News & Tech Reviews.

Bluetooth 5 to launch on June 16 with 4x better speed, 2x more range

Bluetooth 5, the latest version of the universal wireless standard, is set to launch on June 16. The update will apparently be just called Bluetooth 5, without a point number in an effort to simplify marketing.

FINAL BLUETOOTH 5

Specifically, Bluetooth 5 will increase the range of the wireless connection standard by 4x and greatly increase transfer rates for low energy connects with a 2x boost in speed.

  • 4x speed — it promises to have more than four times the speed of the current 4.2 version with only up to 25Mbps.
  • 2x range— the upcoming Bluetooth 5 will offer a range that doubles the current maximum range, thus bringing the new version closer to the range offered by Wi-Fi Direct with up 250Mbps speed.

In a letter published in the Bluetooth newsletter, Blue News, Mark Powell says:

Bluetooth 5 will also provide significant new functionality for connectionless services like location-relevant information and navigation. By adding significantly more capacity to advertising transmissions, Bluetooth 5 will further propel the adoption and deployment of beacons and location-based services to users around the world. It’s a great story and one we’re looking forward to telling from our upcoming media event in London on 16 June.

Stay tuned for more details coming with the Bluetooth 5 announcement next week.

Source 

The post Bluetooth 5 to launch on June 16 with 4x better speed, 2x more range appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines News & Tech Reviews.

X-mini Evolve Bluetooth Headphone Speakers Quick Review

Aside from the Click, we have another X-mini audio device in our arsenal. If the Click is an ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker, the new device we have is a fusion of a Bluetooth headphone and a portable speaker in one. This is our quick review of the X-mini Evolve.

Design and Construction

When we first find out that the Evolve is a dual-purpose device, we expected it to look different from the rest of the Bluetooth headphones but that’s not the case. When you open the packaging of the product, it’s presented in its folded state. The two ear cups can be folded when storing although there’s no included pouch or hard case for it. Its two-tone gold and black hues give it a bit of character when worn.

x-mini-evolve-4

The device is well-cushioned, both for the head and the ears. The leather material for the ear-muffs are soft and should not give much strain when used for hours. The control buttons are located on the right cup including the power/Bluetooth switch plus the volume up and down. Two ports are also situated here, one micro-USB port for charging and a 3.5mm jack for a wired connection, and the microphone pinhole. Also on the right side is the simple switch for headphone and speaker function.

x-mini-evolve-10

The overall construction of the Evolve is surprisingly great. It flexes without a hint of creak plus the arm gives satisfying clicks when adjusted. The glossy body is attractive to fingerprints and smudges but nothing unusual here.

Features and Setup

The wireless headphone slash speaker connects via Bluetooth with support for version 4.1 and the profiles that come with it. The operation is simple, just long press to turn it on and you’ll hear a prompt and the LED will blink blue, keep on pressing until you hear a second prompt which then lights up a blinking red indicating that it’s open for pairing.

x-mini-evolve-5

The Evolve supports hands-free calling thanks to the built-in microphone so you don’t have to reach out for your phone when answering or rejecting a call.

x-mini-evolve-11

As mentioned, the Evolve’s main trick is the ability to become a speaker when you want. While the inner drivers on both ear cups are for private listening, the exterior grille hides the additional drivers for it to be able to produce louder sounds. The process of switching is fast and simple. Just slide the switch to your preferred mode of use and it will instantly function.

Sound Quality

Evolve’s main purpose is to be your Bluetooth headphone, understandably the quality would go to the inner drivers. When connected using Bluetooth to a Moto E (2nd Gen), the sound quality is good with decent mids and highs. Although, the bass tends to muffle and overpower at times, especially when it comes to electronic music. The main player conveniently used is Spotify with streaming settings set on Extreme — not the best benchmarking tool but it’s what’s common.

x-mini-evolve-3

As for the loudspeaker function, it’s definitely nowhere near the dedicated Bluetooth speakers, even with tiny ones like the brand’s own Click. It’s more of an additional feature for those who likes to wear headphones on their neck and listen to more audible music. It’s amazing though to have dual-purpose headphones.

Battery Life

What’s giving juice to the device is a built-in 1000mAh rechargeable battery cell with a claimed rating of up to 30 hours of listening when used as a headphone or down to 6 hours if as a speaker. While we weren’t able to affirm the exact hours of continuous playback, since its last full recharge about 5 days ago, the headphones still have juice with accumulated use of 3-4 hours per day.

Conclusion

For Php 5,490, the Xmini Evolve is a pretty decent Bluetooth headphone and a wireless speaker as well. Its dual function is a nifty feature to have and does have its perks. You can avail of this through the following stores: Electroworld, Abensons, PowerMac, Egghead Audiohub, Robinson’s Galleria, Astroplus, Takatack, Lazada, Storm Benefits, Reeco.ph, Beeper City, Odyssey, Telcom Davao City.

x-mini-evolve-2

X-mini Click specifications:
Bluetooth v4.1
Range: Up to 10 meters
Driver (internal): 40mm
Frequency Response (internal): 20Hz – 20KHz
Sensitivity (internal): 112dB/1mW
Speaker (external): Magnetically Shielded 40mm
Output (external): 3W
Frequency Response (external): 20Hz – 20KHz
Battery: 300mAh
284 g (w/o cable)

What we liked about it:

  • Acts as a headphone and a loudspeaker
  • Long battery life
  • Good sound quality for headphone

What we didn’t:

  • Loudspeaker quality could be better

The post X-mini Evolve Bluetooth Headphone Speakers Quick Review appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines News & Tech Reviews.

X-mini Evolve Bluetooth Headphone Speakers Quick Review

Aside from the Click, we have another X-mini audio device in our arsenal. If the Click is an ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker, the new device we have is a fusion of a Bluetooth headphone and a portable speaker in one. This is our quick review of the X-mini Evolve.

Design and Construction

When we first find out that the Evolve is a dual-purpose device, we expected it to look different from the rest of the Bluetooth headphones but that’s not the case. When you open the packaging of the product, it’s presented in its folded state. The two ear cups can be folded when storing although there’s no included pouch or hard case for it. Its two-tone gold and black hues give it a bit of character when worn.

x-mini-evolve-4

The device is well-cushioned, both for the head and the ears. The leather material for the ear-muffs are soft and should not give much strain when used for hours. The control buttons are located on the right cup including the power/Bluetooth switch plus the volume up and down. Two ports are also situated here, one micro-USB port for charging and a 3.5mm jack for a wired connection, and the microphone pinhole. Also on the right side is the simple switch for headphone and speaker function.

x-mini-evolve-10

The overall construction of the Evolve is surprisingly great. It flexes without a hint of creak plus the arm gives satisfying clicks when adjusted. The glossy body is attractive to fingerprints and smudges but nothing unusual here.

Features and Setup

The wireless headphone slash speaker connects via Bluetooth with support for version 4.1 and the profiles that come with it. The operation is simple, just long press to turn it on and you’ll hear a prompt and the LED will blink blue, keep on pressing until you hear a second prompt which then lights up a blinking red indicating that it’s open for pairing.

x-mini-evolve-5

The Evolve supports hands-free calling thanks to the built-in microphone so you don’t have to reach out for your phone when answering or rejecting a call.

x-mini-evolve-11

As mentioned, the Evolve’s main trick is the ability to become a speaker when you want. While the inner drivers on both ear cups are for private listening, the exterior grille hides the additional drivers for it to be able to produce louder sounds. The process of switching is fast and simple. Just slide the switch to your preferred mode of use and it will instantly function.

Sound Quality

Evolve’s main purpose is to be your Bluetooth headphone, understandably the quality would go to the inner drivers. When connected using Bluetooth to a Moto E (2nd Gen), the sound quality is good with decent mids and highs. Although, the bass tends to muffle and overpower at times, especially when it comes to electronic music. The main player conveniently used is Spotify with streaming settings set on Extreme — not the best benchmarking tool but it’s what’s common.

x-mini-evolve-3

As for the loudspeaker function, it’s definitely nowhere near the dedicated Bluetooth speakers, even with tiny ones like the brand’s own Click. It’s more of an additional feature for those who likes to wear headphones on their neck and listen to more audible music. It’s amazing though to have dual-purpose headphones.

Battery Life

What’s giving juice to the device is a built-in 1000mAh rechargeable battery cell with a claimed rating of up to 30 hours of listening when used as a headphone or down to 6 hours if as a speaker. While we weren’t able to affirm the exact hours of continuous playback, since its last full recharge about 5 days ago, the headphones still have juice with accumulated use of 3-4 hours per day.

Conclusion

For Php 5,490, the Xmini Evolve is a pretty decent Bluetooth headphone and a wireless speaker as well. Its dual function is a nifty feature to have and does have its perks. You can avail of this through the following stores: Electroworld, Abensons, PowerMac, Egghead Audiohub, Robinson’s Galleria, Astroplus, Takatack, Lazada, Storm Benefits, Reeco.ph, Beeper City, Odyssey, Telcom Davao City.

x-mini-evolve-2

X-mini Click specifications:
Bluetooth v4.1
Range: Up to 10 meters
Driver (internal): 40mm
Frequency Response (internal): 20Hz – 20KHz
Sensitivity (internal): 112dB/1mW
Speaker (external): Magnetically Shielded 40mm
Output (external): 3W
Frequency Response (external): 20Hz – 20KHz
Battery: 300mAh
284 g (w/o cable)

What we liked about it:

  • Acts as a headphone and a loudspeaker
  • Long battery life
  • Good sound quality for headphone

What we didn’t:

  • Loudspeaker quality could be better

The post X-mini Evolve Bluetooth Headphone Speakers Quick Review appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines News & Tech Reviews.

Cherry Mobile Fit Hands-on, First Impressions

Apart from the Explorer 2 smart action camera, Cherry Mobile has also sent in a new device. It’s not a smartphone, not a camera, but a wearable. Looks like Cherry Mobile is serious in venturing to different markets now. This is our initial impressions of the Cherry Fit.

cherry-fit-1

The Fit is Bluetooth activity tracker. It has a near 1-inch display that recognizes simple touch and swipe gestures. There’s a single button on the side for selection and waking up the display of the device.

cherry-fit-7

The strap used is rather questionable, well at least with the unit provided to us. Its faux-leather material is not exactly the appropriate look for a fitness band but it should do well for everyday casual use. The bands don’t seem to be swappable either.

cherry-fit-4

The device also doubles as a headset, simply detach it from the wristband and voila, you can now slip it in your ear like your usual Bluetooth headset.

cherry-fit-5

When removed from the band, the Fit reveals its earpiece, which has an extra earbud included, and the micro-USB for charging. We can’t help but see an incarnation of the Huawei TalkBand B2. These two devices have so much in common.

cherry-fit-6

The Fit can show date and time, weather, and notifications on its small display. Being an activity tracker, it’s pedometer counts your steps, can time your run, and it can also calculate the calories you were able to burn.

cherry-fit-3

Interestingly, Cherry has its own app for the wearable that you can download through the Play Store. The app, when paired to the phone, compiles all the data recorded on the Fit. Here you can keep an eye on your performance and also set a goal. Tweaking the Fit is also done through the app including software updates, alarm setup, and notification settings.

cherry-fit-8

As listed by Cherry, the Fit is dust and splash proofed, although there’s no certification. So, it’s exactly a thing you should keep wearing when in the shower or swimming pool.

Cherry Mobile Fit specifications:
0.96-inch PMOLED display @ 64 x 128 pixels
G-sensor
Bluetooth 4.1
1000mAh battery
46.6 x 20 x 10.5 mm
25 g

For Php3,499, it’s one of the cheapest activity tracker and Bluetooth headset in the market. We’ll be testing out the Fit, along with the Explorer 2 smart action camera to see how the new Cherry devices fair. Check back for our full review.

The post Cherry Mobile Fit Hands-on, First Impressions appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines News & Tech Reviews.