Winter is coming, as they say, and that means Canadians are digging out their favourite touques to keep their heads warm.
However, this year saw an influx of new, truly wireless earbuds. Tech companies like Apple, Samsung, Google, OnePlus and more offer all kinds of awesome earbuds and several different price points.
While many judge earbuds by metrics like sound quality, noise cancellation or battery life, one metric — perhaps more than any other — matters to Canadians: touque compatibility. ‘Touque-ability,’ if you will, measures how well earbuds work when you wear them with a touque.
The MobileSyrup team tested several earbuds to bring together this all-important guide to which true wireless earbuds work best with touques. Below you’ll find a short blurb describing the experience of wearing a specific pair of earbuds with a touque along with a ‘touque-ability’ score out of five points.
Surface Earbuds
When MobileSyrup reviewed Microsoft’s Surface Earbuds earlier this year, one of our favourite features was how comfortable the buds were.
Unfortunately, that praise does not extend to the touque-ability of these buds. Due to the Surface Earbuds’ design, they sit rather loose in the ear and stick out a fair bit. When I try wearing a touque, the Surface Earbuds’ edges catch on the material and they shift around in my ears. This isn’t a significant issue with a loose-fitting touque, but your mileage may vary.
Thanks to the smooth exterior, the Jabra Elite 75t earbuds didn’t snag on the touque. Despite that upside, they still weren’t comfortable with a winter had on, mostly because it pushed the buds deeper into my ears than was comfortable.
A looser-fitting touque was less problematic, but the extra pressure of the touque on the earbuds wasn’t bearable.
The AirPods are entirely plastic and therefore easily fall out of my ears. On the plus side, since they’re not in-ear earbuds, they still feel comfortable with a touque on.
Still, the fact that they feel like they’re constantly falling out of my ears in sub-zero temperatures doesn’t bode well for Apple’s lowest-end earbuds.
Echoing Apple’s AirPods in some sense, we found that the Galaxy Buds Live also constantly fall out of our ears while wearing a touque. This happens because if you have a touque over your ears, it often bends them slightly.
This curves the part of your ear where the Buds Live typically sit, unfortunately. In fact, we’d say that the Galaxy Buds Live are some of the worst earbuds available to wear with a toque on.
The AirPods Pro are one of the only pairs of earbuds we’ve encountered that actually manage to stay lodged in your ear canal while wearing a touque. This is almost entirely due to their surprisingly comfortable in-ear design and flexible rubber tip.
Regardless of how tight your winter hat is, or even if you’re running, Apple’s AirPods Pro are great for braving Canada’s cold winters.
While Google’s Pixel Buds (2020) are nearly as good as Apple’s AirPods Pro when it comes to their ability to stay firmly planted in your ears in the cold and while wearing a touque, the black rubber fin that locks them in place can, unfortunately, bend under the pressure of a winter hat.
This means that, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Live, depending on how tight your touque is, you could encounter several accidental drops.
Sitting under the biggest touque the OnePlus Buds are locked in. The earbuds’ design, which is like the AirPods, but larger, means the touque can push them in snugly.
While this snug fit was worrying when removing the hat, the Buds stayed put. Even after putting on and taking off the touque like a mad person, the earbuds never fell out.
Much like the awesome Pixel Buds, the Galaxy Buds+ do a good job of staying firm in your ear, regardless of your touque situation. That said, under MobileSyrup’s tough touque testing™, these decent earbuds from Samsung refused to fall.
Even if your touque gets caught on your ear, you shouldn’t have to worry about the Galaxy Buds+ falling out.
With files from Jon Lamont, Patrick O’Rourke and Brad Bennett.
MobileSyrup utilizes affiliate partnerships and publishes sponsored posts. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, though MobileSyrup may earn a commission on purchases made via these links.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
