Skeptical eyes roll at iterative tech updates, but the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus make marked improvements over the original and make it easier to justify the costlier price tag. Physically, the Buds Plus are identical to the first-generation version, but there’s more than meets the eye: Spotify integration is a lovely feature for any die-hard music fan and the extended battery life is great for commuters.
Samsung Galaxy owners and Android users will benefit most from the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus.
Samsung Galaxy S20 and S10 users, you’re the target demographic for these whimsical earbuds as Wireless PowerShare is only available with compatible Samsung smartphones. Spotify integration is also included, but its availability is limited to Android devices; iPhone users will still have to open the app for music playback. However, iPhone users do get some perks like AAC support for high-quality, lag-free playback.
What are the Galaxy Buds Plus like?
SoundGuys The case’s glossy finish is one of very few physical changes to the Galaxy Buds Plus.
Anyone who’s used the original Galaxy Buds will feel at home with the Plus model; the design doesn’t deviate from the first-gen earphones, save for the carrying case that now has a glossy finish, rubberized “L R” indicator, and slightly larger earbud cutouts. All else remains the same, including the all-plastic construction and IPX2 water-resistant rating. This may read as boring to some, but it just means Samsung focused more on functional, rather than aesthetic, upgrades — something I appreciate.
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Identical touch panels adorn the outside of the earbuds and their functions may be remapped in the Galaxy Wearable app. This is an application you’ll actually want to download as it lets you assign either panel to direct Spotify access. By tapping and holding the assigned panel, you’re introduced to a random recommended playlist or radio based on the service’s algorithms. It’s a unique feature that I dearly miss after returning to standard ‘buds. Sure, I can enter the actual Spotify app but the Galaxy Buds Plus streamline this process.
Other functions are afforded by the application, like ambient sound mode. You’re given three intensity levels to choose from; I like the low or medium settings and found the highest level too loud. You can also choose between six equalizer presets; dynamic is selected by default, which slightly elevates low-end and upper-midrange frequencies to accommodate consumer audio preferences. There’s also a “Labs” tab within the app for experimental features such as Game Mode, which further reduces audio-visual latency.
Some of the best true wireless battery life around
SoundGuys Wireless PowerShare is a great trick to have up your sleeve when you’ve left the USB-C cable at home.
During SoundGuys’ Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus review, a standalone playtime of 11 hours, 44 minutes was recorded, which outperforms the beefy Beats Powerbeats Pro. Quick charging is supported, too: tossing the Buds Plus into the case for just three minutes provides an hour of listening.
Depletion is uneven, however, as the right earbud’s battery cell drained 24 minutes prior to the left. This shouldn’t pose much of an issue since most of us place the earbuds into the charging case when inactive, thereby ensuring consistently topped up battery life. Although doing so is convenient, it also contributes to true wireless earbuds’ short life cycles. The constant charge cycling takes a toll on the small battery cells, wearing them down much faster than those found in traditional; Bluetooth headphones.
The pill-shaped charging case provides just one full battery cycle. It may not seem like much, but you get almost a full day’s worth of listening before having to use the included USB-C cable. You can also charge it via Wireless PowerShare atop a compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphone such as the S10 or S20. Alternatively, the case is Qi-certified, so any Qi wireless charging mat will do as well. It takes less than two hours to fully charge the case, depending on the speed of your power source.
Connection and Bluetooth codecs
SoundGuys The Galaxy Wearable app lets user remap the touch panels for direct Spotify access.
Those with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone running Android 7.1.1 or later who also have the SmartThings app installed will see a pop-up window asking if you want to pair the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus to your device. Anyone using a different source device will have to go the old fashioned route of pairing the ‘buds by removing them from the case and selecting the Galaxy Buds Plus from the source’s Bluetooth menu.
Samsung’s earphones use Bluetooth 5.0 firmware and afford the standard 10-meter wireless tether. There’s no aptX support. Instead, we get the same high-quality Bluetooth codecs as before: AAC and the scalable Samsung codec. The latter operates similarly to aptX Adaptive by constantly optimizing connection strength and audio quality. It only works with Samsung devices, so other Android users (e.g. those with LG smartphones) are left streaming via the unstable AAC codec or default SBC codec. It’s disappointing but expected.
The Galaxy Buds Plus are the perfect AirPods alternative for Android users.
Qualcomm True Wireless Stereo Plus isn’t supported, something we’ve seen from competitors like Edifier and 1More, but connection strength is reliable and latency is nearly imperceptible. The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus initially promised Bluetooth multipoint connectivity to two Bluetooth 5.0 devices, but the company covertly removed any mention of this from the official product page. When asked about future support, a Samsung representative simply iterated that it is not currently available.
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Isolation performance can be quite good so long as you’re using properly fitting ear and wing tips.
AKG tuned the Galaxy Buds Plus drivers, resulting in clear audio with just a touch of amplification in the low-end.
AKG tuned the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus drivers and slightly amplified bass reproduction, creating a more consumer-friendly sound compared to the original Galaxy Buds. Listeners who prefer pop, hip-hop, rap, and dance music will enjoy this sound signature, as it adds a greater sense of impact to your music without detrimental auditory masking. Highs and mids don’t receive much emphasis, which is fine, but certain songs may seem to lack detail — especially those with prominent female vocals.
Isolation is good so long as you use the proper ear tips to achieve a proper fit. Doing so will effectively keep environmental noise out. Not only does this optimize sound reproduction, enhancing bass specifically, but it also aids in the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss. We’re less likely to crank up our tunes when ambient noise is passively blocked out.
Microphone quality is much better than before
A three-microphone array rests inside each earbud; two outer mics and one inner mic all work together for more accurate voice transmission. The external microphones focus on your voice while also reducing external noise, which is similar to how the Apple AirPods Pro system operates. During my time with the Galaxy Buds Plus, I used them for a handful of conference calls and my co-workers stated I sounded quite clear. Listen for yourself with the demo below.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus microphone demo:
Samsung Galaxy Buds microphone demo:
How do the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus compare to the Galaxy Buds?
SoundGuys The Galaxy Buds retail for $100 and are a great deal for anyone considering top-tier true wireless earphones.
SoundGuys conducted a detailed comparison between the true wireless earbuds, but here’s a basic breakdown of the differences: you get 4.5 hours more playtime from the Plus than from the original Galaxy Buds. What’s more, quick charging efficiency is improved, and microphone quality is notably better than before. Spotify integration is a Galaxy Buds Plus exclusive, which is expected since it’s a selling point of the new earphones.
I’m disappointed that Samsung ditched the matte case for a glossy one, as 2020’s glossy case is a fingerprint hoarder, but I suppose something had to change. The company also offers different color options with the Galaxy Buds Plus: black, white, and light blue compared to last year’s silver, white, black, and yellow schemes.
SoundGuys The Galaxy Buds can be charged via the Plus’ case and vice versa.
Anyone who wants the best that Samsung has to offer should save for the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus. Although one could argue most of the improvements, better battery life and cleaner mic quality, are unexciting, the fact remains that they’re all much-needed upgrades from the original Buds. If you’re constantly scouring your favorite streaming service’s discovery page for new jams, you’ll appreciate Spotify integration. However, if these features don’t pique your interest, then the Galaxy Buds (2019) are still a great pair of true wireless earbuds and can now be had for around $100.
Although no one likes a know-it-all, they dominate the Internet.
The Internet began as a vast repository of information. It quickly became a breeding ground for self-proclaimed experts seeking what most people desire: recognition and money.
Today, anyone with an Internet connection and some typing skills can position themselves, regardless of their education or experience, as a subject matter expert (SME). From relationship advice, career coaching, and health and nutrition tips to citizen journalists practicing pseudo-journalism, the Internet is awash with individuals—Internet talking heads—sharing their “insights,” which are, in large part, essentially educated guesses without the education or experience.
The Internet has become a 24/7/365 sitcom where armchair experts think they’re the star.
Not long ago, years, sometimes decades, of dedicated work and acquiring education in one’s field was once required to be recognized as an expert. The knowledge and opinions of doctors, scientists, historians, et al. were respected due to their education and experience. Today, a social media account and a knack for hyperbole are all it takes to present oneself as an “expert” to achieve Internet fame that can be monetized.
On the Internet, nearly every piece of content is self-serving in some way.
The line between actual expertise and self-professed knowledge has become blurry as an out-of-focus selfie. Inadvertently, social media platforms have created an informal degree program where likes and shares are equivalent to degrees. After reading selective articles, they’ve found via and watching some TikTok videos, a person can post a video claiming they’re an herbal medicine expert. Their new “knowledge,” which their followers will absorb, claims that Panda dung tea—one of the most expensive teas in the world and isn’t what its name implies—cures everything from hypertension to existential crisis. Meanwhile, registered dietitians are shaking their heads, wondering how to compete against all the misinformation their clients are exposed to.
More disturbing are individuals obsessed with evangelizing their beliefs or conspiracy theories. These people write in-depth blog posts, such as Elvis Is Alive and the Moon Landings Were Staged, with links to obscure YouTube videos, websites, social media accounts, and blogs. Regardless of your beliefs, someone or a group on the Internet shares them, thus confirming your beliefs.
Misinformation is the Internet’s currency used to get likes, shares, and engagement; thus, it often spreads like a cosmic joke. Consider the prevalence of clickbait headlines:
You Won’t Believe What Taylor Swift Says About Climate Change!
This Bedtime Drink Melts Belly Fat While You Sleep!
In One Week, I Turned $10 Into $1 Million!
Titles that make outrageous claims are how the content creator gets reads and views, which generates revenue via affiliate marketing, product placement, and pay-per-click (PPC) ads. Clickbait headlines are how you end up watching a TikTok video by a purported nutrition expert adamantly asserting you can lose belly fat while you sleep by drinking, for 14 consecutive days, a concoction of raw eggs, cinnamon, and apple cider vinegar 15 minutes before going to bed.
Our constant search for answers that’ll explain our convoluted world and our desire for shortcuts to success is how Internet talking heads achieve influencer status. Because we tend to seek low-hanging fruits, we listen to those with little experience or knowledge of the topics they discuss yet are astute enough to know what most people want to hear.
There’s a trend, more disturbing than spreading misinformation, that needs to be called out: individuals who’ve never achieved significant wealth or traded stocks giving how-to-make-easy-money advice, the appeal of which is undeniable. Several people I know have lost substantial money by following the “advice” of Internet talking heads.
Anyone on social media claiming to have a foolproof money-making strategy is lying. They wouldn’t be peddling their money-making strategy if they could make easy money.
Successful people tend to be secretive.
Social media companies design their respective algorithms to serve their advertisers—their source of revenue—interest; hence, content from Internet talking heads appears most prominent in your feeds. When a video of a self-professed expert goes viral, likely because it pressed an emotional button, the more people see it, the more engagement it receives, such as likes, shares and comments, creating a cycle akin to a tornado.
Imagine scrolling through your TikTok feed and stumbling upon a “scientist” who claims they can predict the weather using only aluminum foil, copper wire, sea salt and baking soda. You chuckle, but you notice his video got over 7,000 likes, has been shared over 600 times and received over 400 comments. You think to yourself, “Maybe this guy is onto something.” What started as a quest to achieve Internet fame evolved into an Internet-wide belief that weather forecasting can be as easy as DIY crafts.
Since anyone can call themselves “an expert,” you must cultivate critical thinking skills to distinguish genuine expertise from self-professed experts’ self-promoting nonsense. While the absurdity of the Internet can be entertaining, misinformation has serious consequences. The next time you read a headline that sounds too good to be true, it’s probably an Internet talking head making an educated guess; without the education seeking Internet fame, they can monetize.
TORONTO – A new survey says a majority of software engineers and developers feel tight project deadlines can put safety at risk.
Seventy-five per cent of the 1,000 global workers who responded to the survey released Tuesday say pressure to deliver projects on time and on budget could be compromising critical aspects like safety.
The concern is even higher among engineers and developers in North America, with 77 per cent of those surveyed on the continent reporting the urgency of projects could be straining safety.
The study was conducted between July and September by research agency Coleman Parkes and commissioned by BlackBerry Ltd.’s QNX division, which builds connected-car technology.
The results reflect a timeless tug of war engineers and developers grapple with as they balance the need to meet project deadlines with regulations and safety checks that can slow down the process.
Finding that balance is an issue that developers of even the simplest appliances face because of advancements in technology, said John Wall, a senior vice-president at BlackBerry and head of QNX.
“The software is getting more complicated and there is more software whether it’s in a vehicle, robotics, a toaster, you name it… so being able to patch vulnerabilities, to prevent bad actors from doing malicious acts is becoming more and more important,” he said.
The medical, industrial and automotive industries have standardized safety measures and anything they produce undergoes rigorous testing, but that work doesn’t happen overnight. It has to be carried out from the start and then at every step of the development process.
“What makes safety and security difficult is it’s an ongoing thing,” Wall said. “It’s not something where you’ve done it, and you are finished.”
The Waterloo, Ont.-based business found 90 per cent of its survey respondents reported that organizations are prioritizing safety.
However, when asked about why safety may not be a priority for their organization, 46 per cent of those surveyed answered cost pressures and 35 per cent said a lack of resources.
That doesn’t surprise Wall. Delays have become rampant in the development of tech, and in some cases, stand to push back the launch of vehicle lines by two years, he said.
“We have to make sure that people don’t compromise on safety and security to be able to get products out quicker,” he said.
“What we don’t want to see is people cutting corners and creating unsafe situations.”
The survey also took a peek at security breaches, which have hit major companies like London Drugs, Indigo Books & Music, Giant Tiger and Ticketmaster in recent years.
About 40 per cent of the survey’s respondents said they have encountered a security breach in their employer’s operating system. Those breaches resulted in major impacts for 27 per cent of respondents, moderate impacts for 42 per cent and minor impacts for 27 per cent.
“There are vulnerabilities all the time and this is what makes the job very difficult because when you ship the software, presumably the software has no security vulnerabilities, but things get discovered after the fact,” Wall said.
Security issues, he added, have really come to the forefront of the problems developers face, so “really without security, you have no safety.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2024.
As online shoppers hunt for bargains offered by Amazon during its annual fall sale this week, cybersecurity researchers are warning Canadians to beware of an influx of scammers posing as the tech giant.
In the 30 days leading up to Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, taking place Tuesday and Wednesday, there were more than 1,000 newly registered Amazon-related web domains, according to Check Point Software Technologies, a company that offers cybersecurity solutions.
The company said it deemed 88 per cent of those domains malicious or suspicious, suggesting they could have been set up by scammers to prey on vulnerable consumers. One in every 54 newly created Amazon-related domain included the phrase “Amazon Prime.”
“They’re almost indiscernible from the real Amazon domain,” said Robert Falzon, head of engineering at Check Point in Canada.
“With all these domains registered that look so similar, it’s tricking a lot of people. And that’s the whole intent here.”
Falzon said Check Point Research sees an uptick in attempted scams around big online shopping days throughout the year, including Prime Days.
Scams often come in the form of phishing emails, which are deceptive messages that appear to be from a reputable source in attempt to steal sensitive information.
In this case, he said scammers posing as Amazon commonly offer “outrageous” deals that appear to be associated with Prime Days, in order to trick recipients into clicking on a malicious link.
The cybersecurity firm said it has identified and blocked 100 unique Amazon Prime-themed scam emails targeting organizations and consumers over the past two weeks.
Scammers also target Prime members with unsolicited calls, claiming urgent account issues and requesting payment information.
“It’s like Christmas for them,” said Falzon.
“People expect there to be significant savings on Prime Day, so they’re not shocked that they see something of significant value. Usually, the old adage applies: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
Amazon’s website lists a number of red flags that it recommends customers watch for to identify a potential impersonation scam.
Those include false urgency, requests for personal information, or indications that the sender prefers to complete the purchase outside of the Amazon website or mobile app.
Scammers may also request that customers exclusively pay with gift cards, a claim code or PIN. Any notifications about an order or delivery for an unexpected item should also raise alarm bells, the company says.
“During busy shopping moments, we tend to see a rise in impersonation scams reported by customers,” said Amazon spokeswoman Octavia Roufogalis in a statement.
“We will continue to invest in protecting consumers and educating the public on scam avoidance. We encourage consumers to report suspected scams to us so that we can protect their accounts and refer bad actors to law enforcement to help keep consumers safe.”
Falzon added that these scams are more successful than people might think.
As of June 30, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre said there had been $284 million lost to fraud so far this year, affecting 15,941 victims.
But Falzon said many incidents go unreported, as some Canadians who are targeted do not know how or where to flag a scam, or may choose not to out of embarrassment.
Check Point recommends Amazon customers take precautions while shopping on Prime Days, including by checking URLs carefully, creating strong passwords on their accounts, and avoiding personal information being shared such as their birthday or social security number.
The cybersecurity company said consumers should also look for “https” at the beginning of a website URL, which indicates a secure connection, and use credit cards rather than debit cards for online shopping, which offer better protection and less liability if stolen.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2024.
