Amazon this week is taking $50 off Wi-Fi models of Apple's 11th generation iPad. Prices start at $299.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad, down from $349.00, a second-best price on this model.
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Additionally, Amazon has the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad for $399.00 ($50 off) and the 512GB Wi-Fi iPad for $595.92 ($53 off). Free delivery estimates are placed around September 7 for these iPad models, but Prime members should be able to get same-day delivery in many locations.
The 11th generation iPad is mainly a spec bump for the tablet line, now featuring the A16 chip and more storage, with the same design as the 10th generation iPad. The new iPad starts with 128GB of storage, and is also available in 256GB and a new 512GB configuration. The previous model was only available in 64GB and 256GB configurations.
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
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Apple plans to release a lighter weight and more affordable version of the Vision Pro in 2027, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
The upcoming device, which he refers to as the "Vision Air," will supposedly be over 40 percent lighter than the current model. The Vision Pro weighs in at round 1.375 pounds, so a version that's 40 percent lighter should come in at under a pound.
Kuo also says the Vision Air will be over 50 percent cheaper, which could make it much more attractive to prospective buyers. The Vision Pro costs $3,499, which means a half-priced version would be $1,750. That's still more expensive than an iPhone, but it is closer in price to a higher-end Mac and could be priced similarly to the upcoming foldable iPhone.
Prior rumors about the "Vision Air" suggest that it will have an internal structure made from titanium to reduce weight, along with a thinner design and a new battery enclosure.
Kuo thinks Apple could sell one million Vision Air units in 2027, up from 400,000 of the Vision Pro.
Apple plans to release a foldable iPhone in 2026, and will then follow it up with a foldable iPad in 2028, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuosaid today.
Multiple sources have now confirmed that Apple is planning to release its first foldable iPhone in 2026, with the device coming as part of the iPhone 18 lineup. Launch timing on a larger-screened foldable device has been more uncertain.
Originally, rumors indicated that the foldable iPad or MacBook would come before the iPhone, and there have been launch rumors with dates ranging from 2026 to 2028. Rumors have also varied between calling the foldable device an iPad and a MacBook, but it seems like all of the information about a larger foldable refers to the same product. The foldable iPad could have a screen between 18 and 20 inches when unfolded, with a smaller form factor when closed.
According to Kuo, Apple is using ultra-thin cover glass for both the foldable iPhone and foldable iPad, which is a rumor that we've heard before. Corning will supply the ultra-thin cover glass, but General Interface Solutions (GIS) will work with Corning on cutting, corner treatments, inspection, packaging, and shipping.
Kuo expects Apple to sell somewhere between 8 to 10 million foldable iPhones in 2026, and up to 25 million in 2027. The larger-screened foldable is not expected to sell as well because Kuo says it will be priced "considerably higher" than the foldable iPhone.
Apple today provided developers with the ninth betas of watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26 for testing purposes, with the betas coming one week after the eighth betas were released.
The software updates can be downloaded through the Settings app on each device. A developer account is required.
watchOS 26 and tvOS 26 adopt new Liquid Glass design changes inspired by visionOS, much like iOS 26 and macOS 26. watchOS has a new AI-powered Workout Buddy for motivation and the Smart Stack incorporates more personal context for better suggestions. There's also a new Notes app and support for Live Translation.
tvOS 26 supports karaoke using an iPhone as a microphone, improvements for using AirPlay speakers with a TV, new Aerial screen savers, and support for quicker logins to apps at setup thanks to Apple Account syncing.
visionOS 26 adds support for spatial widgets that can be placed anywhere in the space around you, along with refinements to make personas more lifelike and support for shared spatial experiences between two Vision Pro users.
The visionOS 26 beta is limited to developers, but developers and public beta testers can download watchOS 26 and tvOS 26. The updates will launch this fall.
Apple today provided developers with the ninth betas of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 for testing purposes, with the updates coming a week after Apple seeded the eighth betas.
Registered developers can download the new beta software using the Software Update section of the Settings app.
iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 feature Apple's new Liquid Glass design aesthetic, with a focus on translucency and glass-like interface elements. The design extends to the Lock Screen, Home Screen, and Control Center, along with menus and buttons in apps.
Apple's software includes features for apps like Messages, Phone, Shortcuts, and Apple Music, along with new Apple Intelligence features, a revamp for CarPlay, and more. In iPadOS 26, there's a whole new multitasking system that supports multiple app windows for a more Mac-like experience.
Apple today provided developers with the ninth beta of macOS Tahoe 26 for testing purposes, with the update coming a week after the eighth beta.
Registered developers can download the new beta software through the System Settings app.
macOS Tahoe features Apple's Liquid Glass redesign, which extends across all of the new updates this year. Apple also brought the Phone and Journal apps to the Mac for the first time, and introduced a new cross-platform Games app.
With the update, Apple overhauled how Spotlight works, enabling new functionality that allows it to be used to complete all kinds of actions like sending emails without having to open up an app. There are also changes to a number of apps, including Messages, Safari, and Notes.
All of the new features that are included in macOS Tahoe are outlined in our dedicated roundup. macOS Tahoe is set to launch this fall.
Samsung is hosting a new end of Summer sale, and it includes savings on monitors, TVs, Galaxy products, and more.
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One of the best overall deals during this sale is on The Frame TVs, which are available for up to $500 off, depending on the size of the model you purchase. The popular 65-inch The Frame TV available for $1,499.99, down from $1,999.99.
The best monitor deals include the entire lineup of Samsung's 2025 Smart Monitor on sale at notable low prices, including up to $300 off these monitors. All three monitors have received advanced AI features, while the flagship M9 model features a 32-inch 4K QD-OLED panel to deliver deep contrast and vibrant color.
You'll also find the popular 27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K Smart Monitor for $999.99, down from $1,599.99. At $600 off this is a solid second-best price on the display, which has a matte display, modular 4K SlimFit camera, and support for Thunderbolt 4.
Of course, there's a lot more on sale than just monitors. This sale also covers the Galaxy S25 smartphones and Samsung's line of home appliances, including refrigerators and washer/dryers. We've accumulated some of these deals in the lists below, but be sure to check out Samsung's website for the full sale.
Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
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September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. To support this important cause, well-known podcast network Relay has launched its annual fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, located in Memphis, Tennessee. Since 2019, the Relay community has raised more than $4 million for the hospital.
St. Jude promises that no child is denied treatment, with families never receiving a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food:
The mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.
St. Jude says the majority of funds that it needs to operate must be raised from generous supporters, so consider making a donation today if you are able to.
St. Jude says it has helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate in the U.S. from 20% in 1962 to more than 80% today — it is truly inspiring, life-saving work.
Relay has multiple Apple-related podcasts, such as Connected, hosted by Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley, and Federico Viticci. Hackett's son received treatment at St. Jude as an infant, so this initiative is near and dear to him and his family.
Donations can be made on the Relay for St. Jude website, with rewards such as Relay stickers, wallpapers, and a macOS screensaver available depending on how much you donate. You can also start your own fundraiser team and earn additional rewards.
If you cannot donate, consider spreading the word about the fundraiser.
Apple today announced it has teamed up with South Korean singer Jennie Kim on new limited-edition Beats Solo 4 on-ear headphones.
The special "JENNIE" edition Solo 4 headphones feature a Ruby Red finish, two attachable red bows, and a color-matched carrying case. In addition, one of the ear cushions has symbols inspired by JENNIE printed on it.
The headphones will be available on Apple.com starting this Friday, September 5, in the U.S., U.K., China, Japan, and South Korea.
The headphones will also be available at the following Apple Store locations:
In the U.S., pricing is set at $199.99, which is the same price as regular Beats Solo 4. Only the extra design elements are new, with tech specs and features unchanged.
Beats frequently releases limited-edition products in collaboration with musicians, artists, athletes, and other high-profile individuals.
The lines between iPad and Mac have never been blurrier – and with iPadOS 26, currently in beta and expected later this month, Apple is leaning further into that overlap than ever before. The update brings a suite of powerful new features that elevate the iPad's utility, bridging the gap between touch-first tablet and full-fledged desktop machine.
From enhanced multitasking to advanced file management, iPadOS 26 pushes Apple's tablet deeper into Mac territory, without sacrificing the unique strengths that make the iPad so versatile. Here are just some of the ways iPadOS 26 makes the iPad feel more like a Mac than ever – coming soon to a device near you.
Menu Bar
Within any active app, swipe down from the top of the screen and you will see a new, fully functioning macOS-style menu bar. With the foremost dropdown menu being the app's name (where app settings are typically accessed), other standard menus can include File, Edit, Format, View, Window, and Help. As you'd expect, the menu bar is dynamic, and will display menus specific to the app. In Safari you get Bookmarks and History, for instance.
Windowed Apps
In Settings ➝ Multitasking & Gestures, there's a new Windowed Apps mode that essentially lets you arrange and resize multiple windows in a single space, just like on a Mac. The new mode can also be invoked from Control Center, thanks to a new button that with a long press lets you switch between Windowed Apps and Stage Manager.
You can move multiple app windows and stack them on top of each other by dragging each window from the top, and you can individually resize them by dragging the bottom-right corner. And if you quickly drag an app window to a corner of the screen, it will automatically expand to fill that half of the screen. Tapping a space on the Home Screen will also scatter all open windows to the sides of the screen, giving you space to open other apps.
Traffic Lights
In the top-left corner of every window you'll now see three familiar traffic lights, straight out of macOS. Tapping the symbol expands it into red, amber, and green buttons for closing, minimizing, and expanding the window to fullscreen.
Long-pressing the buttons also reveals the Mac-style Move & Resize and Fill & Arrange options, as well as an option to park the app off-screen to Add a New Window (if the app supports it).
App Exposé
In the new Windowed Apps mode, iPadOS 26 also includes an App Exposé-style view that's similar to the App Switcher. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to invoke the view, which shows all the open apps in the current space. You can also scroll the new interface to see your other open apps, whether they're sharing spaces or open in full-screen mode.
Preview
The iPad finally includes the Mac's long-standing Preview app, only now with Apple Pencil support, enabling you to easily open, edit, and mark up a range of images, documents, and file types. The Preview app's browsing menu is a lot like the Files interface, where you can browse your files and check out recent and shared items. You can also scan documents from right within the app.
Trackpad Pointer
If you have a Magic Keyboard trackpad or a Bluetooth mouse connected to your iPad, the cursor is now a Mac-like pointer rather than a circle. And if you shake it, the pointer will get bigger so that you can easily locate it on the screen.
Advanced File Management
In iPadOS 26, the iPad's Files app is enhanced with a new List view that features resizable columns and collapsible folders, and new filters, allowing users to see more document details at a glance and organize their files. To help you identify folders more easily, the app now supports folder customization with custom colors, icons, and emoji, all of which sync across devices.
In Files, iPadOS 26 also allows you to set a default app for opening specific files or file types, thanks to a new Open With... option in the contextual dropdown menu. You can also change the default app in the new Get Info panel.
Folders in Dock
In the Files app, long press on a folder and you'll see a new Add to Dock option in the contextual dropdown menu. So you can now park any folder in your Dock, and if you long press on its icon, you'll see Mac-style display options to view the content as a Grid or a Fan, as well as the typical sorting preferences.
In iPadOS 26, you can now fit up to 23 icons in the Dock, so there's nothing stopping you from adding multiple folders. In Settings ➝ Multitasking & Gestures, there's also a new option to Automatically Show and Hide the Dock, just like in macOS.
After more than a four-year wait, the long-awaited AirTag 2 could finally debut at Apple's annual iPhone next week, if a previous rumor is still accurate.
According to reliable 9to5Mac sources, Apple is now aiming at a Fall release, likely putting its announcement around the time of the iPhone event, which usually takes place in September.
Apple introduced the current AirTag during its April 2021 event.
For those unfamiliar with the AirTag, it is a Bluetooth accessory that you can attach to items like a backpack and keys, and you can then track the location of those items in the Find My app across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and iCloud.com. Similar item trackers are sold by brands like Tile, Samsung, Chipolo, and Pebblebee.
Below, we have recapped some of the key rumored AirTag 2 features. Apple's event begins on Tuesday, September 9, at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.
In a November 2024 edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the AirTag 2 would "look similar to the current model." In that newsletter, he also said the AirTag 2 will "certainly not" feature a rechargeable battery, suggesting that the accessory will stick with a CR2032 aka "coin" battery that needs to be replaced every year or so.
Apple's upcoming AirPods Pro 3 will indeed feature in-ear temperature sensing as well as heart-rate sensing, but the rumored live translation feature is not ready for launch and will instead arrive in a later software update. That's according to an anonymous tip received by 9to5Mac.
Apple is known to have been working on a variety of health features for future AirPods, including heart rate monitoring and temperature sensing – Bloomberg reported as much in December 2024. Since then, heart-rate monitoring has debuted in Apple's Powerbeats Pro, making the feature a dead cert for the company's next-generation AirPods Pro earbuds. In contrast, further details about temperature sensing have been lacking.
As for AirPods live translation, we've already seen hints of its development in Apple imagery found in iOS 26 beta. The AirPods will be able to provide a simpler translation process for people who are speaking different languages, though the process will rely on the Translate app on the iPhone.
For example, if an English speaker with AirPods is talking to someone who is speaking Spanish, the iPhone will detect the audio, translate the speech, and relay it back in English to the person wearing AirPods. The person speaking English will then be able to respond and have their response translated to Spanish and spoken aloud by the iPhone. Apple's iPhone Translate app can already be used for conversations like this, but having the function included in the AirPods will streamline the exchange.
Inclusion of new health sensors makes sense – Apple has been pushing AirPods as health accessories for some time now, while iOS 18 added a suite of hearing health capabilities that test for hearing issues and allow the AirPods to be used as a hearing aid if problems are detected.
We should know if the anonymous tipster's information is accurate very soon. Apple is expected to debut AirPods Pro 3 alongside iPhone 17 models at its "Awe dropping" event scheduled for Tuesday, September 9. Other changes likely coming to the new earbuds include design and case tweaks, audio improvements, and additional new features arriving to all AirPods Pro models via a firmware update as part of iOS 26.
Apple on Monday said it will issue a software update for iPhone 12 users throughout the European Union to reduce radiation levels, bringing them in line with the bloc's health standards.
The update is equivalent to a September 2023 change Apple made in France to bring the iPhone 12 into compliance with a testing protocol used by the country's regulators.
France ordered Apple to halt iPhone 12 sales due to the model exceeding the limit for electromagnetic absorption by the body, and Apple was ordered to "fix" existing devices to bring them into electromagnetic radiation compliance with European standards.
The latest EU-wide update follows a decision published by the European Commission on Monday that endorsed France's original regulatory response as "justified." The software update will be issued across all 27 EU member states "in the coming weeks," according to Apple.
When Apple rolled out the update in France, it did so despite disputing the regulators' testing method. Apple said the country's Agence Française Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR) regulatory group made an error when doing its radiation tests.
ANFR used a testing protocol that did not account for the iPhone's off-body detection mechanism, which Apple said had been "thoroughly tested and verified internationally to be an effective mechanism to comply with SAR requirements."
Apple maintained its position Monday that the French testing methodology was flawed. "We continue to disagree with the French ANFR's testing approach, (but) respect the European Commission's decision," Apple said in a statement. "Customers can use their iPhone 12 with full confidence, just as they always have."
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Apple has significantly discounted the MLS Season Pass for the remainder of the 2025 season, offering the annual subscription at $29, or $25 for Apple TV+ subscribers, down from the regular $99 price.
The reduced rate covers the rest of the current MLS season and playoffs, including access to every match live and on demand, with separate English and Spanish commentary, with French available for Canadian matches. Other features of the pass include "MLS 360," a whip-around show featuring highlights and commentary from every game, and "Sunday Night Soccer," a newly introduced featured match broadcast every Sunday.
This price drop is consistent with Apple's pricing strategy in previous years, gradually lowering the cost of entry as the season progresses. Monthly subscriptions remain unchanged at $14.99 per month, or $12.99 per month with Apple TV+. The discounted annual subscription is only valid through the end of the 2025 season, after which it will automatically renew at the standard $99 price unless canceled.
MLS Season Pass originally launched in 2023 as part of Apple's 10-year partnership with Major League Soccer. Subscribers who want to take advantage of the new discounted price can sign up via the Apple TV app. To prevent automatic renewal at the full price next year, users must manually cancel their subscription before the start of the 2026 season.
Apple is significantly accelerating the rollout of automation and robotics across its manufacturing supply chain, DigiTimes reports.
While Apple has advocated for increased automation in supplier facilities for over two years, sources familiar with the matter say that Apple now requires automation as a standard prerequisite for awarding manufacturing contracts. This is said to be part of a broader effort to minimize labor dependency, stabilize product quality and uniformity across different facilities, and reduce long-term production costs amid ongoing supply chain diversification away from China.
Apple's alleged automation mandate spans all major product categories, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. Apple now purportedly expects suppliers to fund their own automation upgrades rather than rely on Apple to finance or subsidize the necessary capital equipment. This policy change diverges from Apple's previous approach, where the company frequently invested in tooling and machinery for contract manufacturers to meet its specifications.
The financial burden of this new automation requirement is apparently already impacting supplier margins. High initial capital expenditure, coupled with operational disruptions during integration of robotic systems, has reportedly strained profitability for some suppliers.
Apple still continues to assist suppliers in areas related to environmental responsibility. The company's 2030 target to achieve carbon neutrality across its entire supply chain includes direct support for upgrading to energy-efficient equipment and more sustainable materials.
Apple ostensibly hopes that increased use of robotics will help standardize processes, digitize inspections, reduce the impact of labor shortages and political instability, implement consistent processes for new suppliers, and mitigate the challenges of maintaining consistent build quality when production is increasingly split across multiple countries.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
A new survey has found that nearly seven in ten iPhone owners in the United States plan to upgrade to an iPhone 17 model, signaling strong demand ahead of Apple's expected unveiling of the devices at its September 9 keynote.
Smartphone price comparison platform SellCell surveyed over 2,000 U.S.-based iPhone users in August to assess upgrade interest and brand loyalty before Apple's event. According to the data, 68.3% of current iPhone users intend to purchase an iPhone 17 model at launch, marking an increase from 61.9% recorded ahead of the iPhone 16 launch in 2024.
The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models are expected to dominate early sales, accounting for 38.1% of planned upgrades. The standard iPhone 17 is the choice for 16.7% of respondents, while 13.5% expressed interest in the all-new iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to feature an ultra-thin design. Only 3.3% of respondents indicated they are holding out specifically for a foldable iPhone, which Apple has yet to release.
The survey highlights that 72.9% of users feel more satisfied with their iPhone today than in previous years, but 27.1% said they believe Apple has "lost its edge" compared to rival smartphone makers.
Battery life emerged as the most important upgrade driver, with 53.% of respondents citing it as their top reason for upgrading. Other motivating factors included new designs and features (36.2%), display improvements (34.3%), camera upgrades (28.1%), and AI and software enhancements (7.1%).
Price remains the primary deterrent, with 68.9% of users listing cost as the main reason for not upgrading. Satisfaction with existing devices is also a significant factor, with 71.7% stating they are content with their current iPhone. A smaller share of users cited interest in foldables (7.5%), discomfort with eSIM (6.6%), or interest in switching to Android (5.3%) as reasons for holding off.
Foldables from Samsung and Google are emerging as a competitive threat. If Apple does not release a foldable iPhone by 2026, 20.1% of respondents say they would consider switching to Samsung, and 10.2% to Google. Brand loyalty remains high, with 69.6% of respondents stating they plan to stay with Apple regardless of competing products.
When asked to choose between device thinness and battery capacity, 47.5% of respondents said they would accept a shorter battery life in exchange for a thinner design. Meanwhile, 29.7% said they are not interested in ultra-thin phones at all.
44% of iPhone users said they view Apple Intelligence as a very important feature. Another 33% said AI does not matter to them. When asked which company leads in AI, 44% named Apple, while both Samsung and Google were selected by 6.6% of respondents. Ten percent of users said no brand currently leads in the AI space.
36.8% of users would delay upgrading if prices rise significantly, while 29.2% said they would decide based on the size of the increase. Only 34% said they would proceed with their purchase regardless.
The survey was conducted using an online survey platform, with responses collected in August 2025 from a sample of over 2,000 U.S. adults who currently own an iPhone. The iPhone 17 lineup is expected to be announced on Tuesday, September 9.
Bang & Olufsen recently released the third generation of its award-winning Beosound A1 portable Bluetooth speaker, and after playing with it for a good month, I'm scrambling to come up with negatives.
Sure, at $399 it's pricey, and this ultraportable unit from B&O is unashamedly pitched at the premium end of the Bluetooth speaker market, but the Danish high-end audio manufacturer's principled attention to design and craftsmanship almost justifies the price alone. Fortunately, it sounds great, too.
Design
Taking the A1 out of the box, the first thing that strikes you is the compactness of the unit relative to its weight, especially given the materials used in its construction. At about 1.27 pounds (576 grams), it's not the lightest ultraportable speaker I've held, but its beautifully minimalist 'hockey puck' design is disarmingly slight, partly thanks to designer Cecilie Manz's decision to embed the power, volume, play/pause, and pairing controls around the rim, with the attached waterproof leather strap adding a touch of surfer appeal. There's also a USB Type-C charging port on the rim alongside a charging LED.
The speaker features a pearl-blasted aluminum body with over 2,100 precision-milled holes, one of which contains an LED power indicator. It's a distinctive style whichever way you look at it, but thought has also gone into keeping it portable. The polymer base has a suede-like finish that ensures the 1.81-inch (4.6cm) tall A1 sits happily on most surfaces, and its 5.24-inch (13.3 cm) diameter means it's possible to grasp the grilled dome and pick it up with one hand. The unit sits snugly in the larger pockets of a raincoat, although trying to fit it in a light jacket pocket may present more of a challenge.
The A1's solid aluminum casing certainly feels like it could take a few knocks, but its smooth finish is bound to attract scuffing and dents if you bash it about or throw it in a backpack with other hard objects. Many customers will take pride in looking after premium gear they've paid top dollar for, so the lack of a protective pouch at this price point is the only disappointing omission.
Ease of Use
Powering on the Bluetooth 5.1 speaker and holding the pair button saw it show up instantly in both iOS and macOS. Pairing was established without a hitch – it's MFI (Made for iPhone) certified, after all – and it didn't drop out as long as the speaker remained within a reasonable range. It also happily hopped between two paired devices depending on which one was playing audio, thanks to its Multipoint feature. Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair are also supported, though I didn't have the hardware to test these.
The B&O iOS app is a free download that works with all of the company's speakers and can be used to upgrade the device's firmware. You can also use it to pair two A1 speakers with each other and enjoy true stereo separation, just bear in mind there's no facility to connect the units to a larger multi-room setup. (AirPlay isn't supported, but B&O did eventually add support in previous models, so I'm hopeful that's to come in the future.)
In addition, the app lets you switch to a handful of presets designed for the A1, titled "Ambient," "Party," "Speech," "Favorite," and "Optimal." You can also create your own by adjusting a circular interface labeled "Bright," "Energetic," "Warm," and "Relaxed." They do make an audible difference, but in the end I settled for the "Optimal" setting, preferring the A1's default sound signature.
Sound Quality
The Beosound's three-microphone array provides excellent speakerphone quality, and had no problem picking up voices from across a room. But it's the sonics that truly impress. Hung aloft, placed on a desk or even on the floor, the A1 disperses sound in all directions with surprising confidence and ease. Its wide angle of projection is actually slightly disorienting at first – one person entered the room wondering where the audio source was hidden, when the speaker was sat in plain sight.
According to B&O, the A1 features the largest woofer in its D class, delivering deeper bass with a Bass SPL of 64dB (2dB more than its predecessor). At 60 watts of power, it effortlessly reproduced Jim Morrison's baritone wail and Krieger's expansive freeway riffs throughout The Doors' "L.A. Woman," while a few tracks from Django Django's eponymous album soon had the coffee table rattling with a clarity and detail that's rare in a speaker of this size.
Switching to some dub techno and dialing up the internal amp using the A1's onboard controls easily overrode the source device's maximum output, but it was almost impossible to induce distortion at high volume, thanks to the responsiveness of B&O's proprietary digital signal processing.
That inevitably puts a limit on the output of the A1, but it can easily exceed comfortable listening levels in a medium-sized living room, and it does sound consistently lovely, especially in the midrange. It's also compatible with SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive codecs.
Achieving decent audio separation at this scale is no easy feat, but the A1 dealt with jazz and classical genres with considerable aplomb, with only a handful of deep double bass notes going missing in instrumental tracks from time to time, which is totally forgivable for a unit of this size, with a frequency response of 54Hz - 20kHz.
I took the A1 out to the garden during a kid's birthday party and its detailed sound remained just as confident when pumping out Disney tunes and the like. It performed especially well when hung from a nearby fence via its leather strap, providing great projection across the lawn.
I used the A1 at average volume each afternoon over the course of a week, testing it in a variety of scenarios – between the shower (it has an IP67 waterproof rating), garden, the local park, and my office space. The unit's battery life was easily up to the task, which is no surprise given that it extends up to 24 hours on a single charge.
When the unit's LED light eventually flashed to indicate the battery was approaching its last 10 percent of power, it still lasted an entire afternoon, and when I charged it via the supplied cable, the A1's battery reached full capacity in around an hour. Given what I'd put it through, the advertised "up to 24 hours" charge doesn't seem far fetched at all.
It's worth noting that the A1 features modular architecture designed for a 10-year lifetime and is the first Bluetooth speaker to receive Cradle to Cradle certification. B&O says the certification "aims to support a serviceable, upgradeable, and repairable approach to product design." The company offers a replaceable battery service and up to 5 years warranty with Beocare.
Bottom Line
Overall, the A1 is an extremely impressive-sounding Bluetooth speaker that lives up to its multi-generational reputation. Its thoughtful, stylish aesthetic easily places it above other speakers in the design department, but its audio output is equally attention-grabbing, and beats most premium rivals.
Achieving bass-rich clarity and sonic detail from such a small unit is a remarkable achievement, and coupled with its balanced dispersion and excellent battery life, the A1 really does live up to the tired old adage that you get what you pay for.
Where to Buy
The Beosound A1 is available in natural aluminum, warn granite, honey tone, and eucalyptus green colors for $399 from Bang & Olufsen's website and authorized resellers.
Apple has previewed its third retail location in India, Apple Hebbal.
The new store is located at Phoenix Mall of Asia in Bengaluru. Apple Hebbal spans approximately 8,000 square feet and is staffed by 70 employees representing 15 states across India, according to Apple. It joins Apple BKC in Mumbai and Apple Saket in Delhi.
Apple Hebbal features a unified Genius Bar and Pickup counter, merging Apple's technical support and online order collection services into a single area. This two-in-one area has rolled out in a handful of new and renovated stores over the past year.
To mark the occasion, Apple released a downloadable set of exclusive wallpapers themed around the store's peacock feather-inspired design, along with a curated Apple Music playlist featuring artists from Bengaluru. The store officially opens to the public at 1 p.m. on September 2.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
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