The JBL Quantum 810 represents the latest in the LA-based electronic manufacturer’s premium wireless gaming headset line. Still, if it looks strangely familiar to you, that would be because the 810 is the direct follow-up to the JBL Quantum 800 that we featured back in July of 2021. As the name suggests, the Quantum 810 is more of an update than a completely brand-new edition, with the most notable difference from last year’s model being a dramatic improvement in battery life (up to a whopping 43 hours from 14).
Let’s first address the elephant in the room. Like the 800 models before it, the Quantum 810 is optimized for PC gaming and utilizes the JBL QuantumENGINE app to access the headset’s advanced features and settings. An apparent consequence of this is that the headset’s built-in JBL QuantumSURROUND and DTS Headphone X: v2.0 spatial sound modes are limited to PC only.
Other compatible platforms (PlayStation 4|5, Nintendo Switch and Mobile) are forced to make do with 2.0 Stereo, regardless of whether users are connecting to it via the included 2.4GHz wireless dongle, 3.5mm cable, or Bluetooth. Meanwhile, the Xbox platform is traditionally weird with standard USB dongles, so there’s no wireless support for Microsoft’s consoles whatsoever.
JBL Quantum 810
In the box, users will find the JBL Quantum 810 headset, a 1.5m JBL Orange braided USB charging cable, a 1.3m, 3.5mm audio cable of the same build with a line-in remote, a 2.4GHz Type A USB dongle, a Quick Start Guide, and a somewhat tacky, JBL-branded dustcover bag (sorry, no hard case folks).
Weighing in at 418 grams (14.7 ounces) and measuring approximately 20cm (8 inches) across without one’s head resting in between the earcups, the JBL Quantum 810 is a seriously large and weighty pair of cans that are fully intended to get the wearer noticed.
The reflective, faux-chrome finish surrounding the earcups, the shiny metallic finish of the generously thick headband and the large JBL logos emblazoned in both areas are all accents that are impossible for onlookers to miss, and that’s before engaging the built-in RGB lighting system. I already have an awkwardly large dome, so putting on the JBL Quantum 810 for the first time made me feel rather silly at first. But after allowing a minute or two of adjustment, I gradually convinced myself that I could rock the look.
Then as per the instructions, I downloaded and installed the JBL QuantumENGINE app on my PC, updated both the software and headset firmware to the latest versions and fired up the headset’s RGBs. It was at this point the real show began. I kid you not, the instant that the JBL logos and ring lights ignited on the sides of my ears in a variety of pulsing, flickering patterns, I simultaneously felt like a walking advertisement for the brand as well as the third, unknown member of Daft Punk.
For a few moments, I felt completely ridiculous. Still, once I imagined the right outfit and the appropriate scenario to go along with it (for example, livestreaming and content creation), I could at least see how useful and cool RGB lighting in a gaming headset could be.
JBL Quantum 810
QuantumENGINE software users can pick one of five different RGB pattern presets and run with them as-is, or alternatively, they can dive into an “Advanced Mode” where they can individually tweak the colour, length, tempo and desired special effect of each “beat” within that pattern, making a seemingly infinite number of lighting combinations possible.
This level of granularity seems perfect for streamers and content creators who want to match the lighting of their existing setup. Of course, users can alternatively choose to disable the RGB feature entirely when desired to conserve battery life. As mentioned earlier, the 810 can last up to 43 hours on a single, 3.5-hour charge, and it literally took me about three weeks of on-and-off casual use to fully drain it.
During those three weeks, however, I had no complaints about comfort or ergonomics of the JBL JBL Quantum 810. The plush leather memory foam of the earcups is both spacious and gentle on the ears but snug enough to create an effective seal for the headset’s Active Noise Cancelling and TalkThru features.
Similarly, the headband cushion provides plenty of clamping force on the head without getting uncomfortable, with the slight drawback that a significant amount of violent head-shaking will certainly dislodge it. So the 810 might not be the ideal headset for those that tend to throw temper tantrums. PC Gamers looking for an extremely comfortable headset that can be worn for hours at a time however need look no further, however, as the JBL Quantum 810 is easily the “cushiest” headset I’ve had the pleasure of wearing.
JBL Quantum 810
Most importantly, as a wireless surround sound gaming headset primarily targeting PC gamers, the JBL Quantum 810 solidly delivers on the essentials. I found both QuantumSURROUND and DTS Headphone:X 2.0 modes to be quite immersive when playing games or watching movies. If asked which virtualized surround solution is better, I would have to give the edge to Heaphone:X. It just sounds a tad richer and appears to take superior advantage of the 810’s Hi-Res 50mm drivers in providing positional information for immersive play. Both modes are quite good for enjoying reproductions of live musical performances as well.
As one would expect from a JBL product, the Quantum 810 is no slouch when it comes to traditional stereo, either. I spent an extensive amount of time listening to high-quality Spotify tracks on my PC and smartphone phone and was always impressed by both the sound clarity and powerful bass response, regardless of the connection method (2.5GHz, Bluetooth, or wired).
Having said all that, I think it’s criminal that the JBL Quantum 810’s Flip-to-Mute boom microphone can’t be detached and that a second, built-in internal mic wasn’t added as a backup. The aforementioned RGB lighting options of the headset are clearly meant and deserve to be seen out in the urban wild. Still, the 810’s big, plasticky mic runs completely counter to this argument in both fashion and function. It has no flexibility at all, and it can’t be discreetly tucked away. It just seems like such a waste of a $300 CAD headset not to be able to show off its dazzling RGBs on the go without the eyesore that is the boom mic.
JBL Quantum 810
If you read my recent review of the JBL Quantum TWS earbuds, you’ll recall that I wasn’t quite sold on their Active Noise Cancelling, but there’s no questioning the feature’s effectiveness here. A more apt description of the mode would be “Active Noise Distancing,” as when the feature is active it doesn’t really eliminate background noise but instead tends to “push” noise from the surrounding environment further into the distance where it’s less distracting. I found this extremely helpful for working on writing articles at one end of the apartment while my wife watched her TV dramas at the other end.
JBL’s TalkThru feature on the other hand, behaves just as it did with the Quantum TWS, essentially muting your music, phone call or other incoming signal and allowing more sound from the environment into the headset so that you can hear and carry on conversations with those around you. I’m much less enthused by this mode though, considering the same effect can be achieved simply by pausing your game and taking the headset off for a moment.
“I’m a fan of the JBL Quantum 810, though there are some puzzling missed opportunities that I just can’t comprehend.”
Overall, I’m a fan of the JBL Quantum 810, though there are some puzzling missed opportunities that I just can’t comprehend. The biggest fumble by far has to be the Quantum 810’s complete lack of compatibility with JBL’s Headphone App for mobile, which could have allowed for more in-depth EQ tweaking or on-the-go RGB lighting options, not to mention a secondary, more visual way to enable or disable the headset’s ANC and TalkThru modes. It just seems odd that JBL chose not to leverage the versatility of its mobile app with this product as they did with the Quantum TWS.
JBL Quantum 810
Another pet peeve is the absence of any in-line Bluetooth controls on the provided 3.5mm wire’s remote, or any intermediate-level controls for Bluetooth on the headset proper. Considering that the headset’s Power On, Bluetooth ON, and Bluetooth Pairing function all share the same slider button, going an extra step by providing a full-featured multifunctional button or joystick nub that could have offered playback controls doesn’t seem like it would have been too much of an ask. You can’t even pause your music or pick up a call without using the controls on your connected device. Madness!
I also spent some time using the JBL Quantum 810 on PS4, revisiting games like Uncharted 4 andUntil Dawn, and while the audio experience via the wireless dongle was nice to have, without spatial sound it’s a markedly stripped-down experience from what JBLQuantumSURROUND offers on PC. If gaming on PlayStation, Xbox or Switch in surround sound is your aim, there are several alternative, less expensive headset options out there with equivalent feature sets to the 810 that can also deliver superior virtualized surround on consoles.
In my view, the JBL Quantum 810 is a product that speaks to a specific segment of gamers. Namely, streamers or content creators looking for a headset that won’t just enhance the immersion of their PC gaming and audio listening experiences but also provide them with yet another visual canvas through which they can literally express their colourful personalities in their setups. A number of head-scratching decisions in hardware and software design cause a few of the headset’s strengths to wither when taken beyond the studio environment. Even these flaws don’t detract from the JBL Quantum 810’s exceptional sound quality or comfort.
LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?
It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.
Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:
Apple
The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.
For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.
You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.
Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.
Google
Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.
When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.
You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.
There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.
Facebook and Instagram
Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.
When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.
The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.
You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.
TikTok
The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.
Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.
X
It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.
Passwords
Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?
Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.
But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.
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Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday it’s opening a formal investigation into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.
The Competition and Markets Authority said it has “sufficient information” to launch an initial probe after it sought input earlier this year on whether the deal would stifle competition.
The CMA has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its investigation.
“Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world,” the company said. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights.”
San Francisco-based Anthropic was founded in 2021 by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has focused on increasing the safety and reliability of AI models. Google reportedly agreed last year to make a multibillion-dollar investment in Anthropic, which has a popular chatbot named Claude.
Anthropic said it’s cooperating with the regulator and will provide “the complete picture about Google’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”
“We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” it said in a statement.
The U.K. regulator has been scrutinizing a raft of AI deals as investment money floods into the industry to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom. Last month it cleared Anthropic’s $4 billion deal with Amazon and it has also signed off on Microsoft’s deals with two other AI startups, Inflection and Mistral.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The tiny Mideast nation of Kuwait has banned the release of the video game “Call of Duty: Black Ops 6,” which features the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and is set in part in the 1990s Gulf War.
The video game, a first-person shooter, follows CIA operators fighting at times in the United States and also in the Middle East. Game-play trailers for the game show burning oilfields, a painful reminder for Kuwaitis who saw Iraqis set fire to the fields, causing vast ecological and economic damage. Iraqi troops damaged or set fire to over 700 wells.
There also are images of Saddam and Iraq’s old three-star flag in the footage released by developers ahead of the game’s launch. The game’s multiplayer section, a popular feature of the series, includes what appears to be a desert shootout in Kuwait called Scud after the Soviet missiles Saddam fired in the war. Another is called Babylon, after the ancient city in Iraq.
Activision acknowledged in a statement that the game “has not been approved for release in Kuwait,” but did not elaborate.
“All pre-orders in Kuwait will be cancelled and refunded to the original point of purchase,” the company said. “We remain hopeful that local authorities will reconsider, and allow players in Kuwait to enjoy this all-new experience in the Black Ops series.”
Kuwait’s Media Ministry did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press over the decision.
“Call of Duty,” which first began in 2003 as a first-person shooter set in World War II, has expanded into an empire worth billions of dollars now owned by Microsoft. But it also has been controversial as its gameplay entered the realm of geopolitics. China and Russia both banned chapters in the franchise. In 2009, an entry in the gaming franchise allowed players to take part in a militant attack at a Russian airport, killing civilians.
But there have been other games recently that won praise for their handling of the Mideast. Ubisoft’s “Assassin’s Creed: Mirage” published last year won praise for its portrayal of Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age in the 9th century.
