Although Sony and Bose are presently forward of the competitors on the subject of premium wi-fi headphones with lively noise cancellation, that hasn’t stopped different headphone producers from giving the section a shot. We’ve seen high-end choices from main manufacturers together with Jabra, Skullcandy, Bowers and Wilkins, and Apple in latest months. Now, German audio specialist Sennheiser has gotten into the sport, with its newest pair of headphones, the Momentum 3 Wireless.
Also often called the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless (2019), this pair of headphones is priced at Rs. 34,990 – across the identical as what the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 goes for, and a good bit greater than the asking value of the Sony WH-1000XM3. For this a lot cash although, Sennheiser gives its traditional Momentum sequence design, and guarantees good sound with lively noise cancellation. Does this headset stay as much as these guarantees? We discover out in our overview.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless design and specs
The Momentum sub-brand has been profitable for Sennheiser, representing its top-end consumer-grade merchandise on the subject of design and performance. While the Momentum sequence cannot be labeled as audiophile-grade equipment, these fashions have been standard with customers for his or her mixture of sound, design, and performance. The Momentum 3 Wireless is the third wi-fi over-ear headset within the sequence, and sticks to the vary’s traditional styling and design.
The most distinct design characteristic is the scarf, which attaches to the ear cups in a novel approach that lets them slide and transfer round nearly independently of the scarf itself. This helped us get a safe and comfy match, which was significantly vital on condition that lively noise cancellation will depend on it. However, the scale of the headset meant that we often needed to modify our eyeglasses to make sure the seal was maintained.
There is plush padding across the ear cups in addition to on the underside of the scarf, for consolation in addition to passive noise isolation, and the general aesthetic is an fascinating mixture of retro and fashionable. We did nevertheless really feel that the headphones seemed too massive on the top, and so they undoubtedly invited a number of consideration. This pair of headphones is considerably much less discreet than the Sony WH-1000XM3 and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700.
The hinges are steel whereas the ear cups are plastic, however regardless of that, the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless undoubtedly seems and appears like a premium and fashionable pair of headphones. The ear cups are related to one another by a cable that runs by the scarf, with small elements of it uncovered close to the ends.
There are bodily buttons on the best ear cup to regulate the quantity, management playback, and set off the voice assistant in your smartphone or pill – Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri all labored for us. The USB Type-C port and a slider change are additionally on the best; the latter is used to manage the noise cancellation and clear modes.
The headset has a mechanism that lets each ear cups fold into the scarf. The left hinge additionally controls the ability; the headphones will change on when folded outwards and off when folded inwards, with no separate energy change. An indicator gentle on the best ear cup lets you already know the ability standing of the headphones, and in addition offers visible cues for pairing and charging features.
The Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless headphones even have an auto play-pause perform that pauses music when the headphones are taken off, and resumes playback when they’re put again on. This labored effectively for probably the most half, however the pause perform was sometimes triggered even when adjusting the headphones on our head or turning our head to 1 aspect. This could be disabled utilizing the companion app – extra on that a bit later.
When it involves specs, the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless headphones are on par with different high-end choices on this value vary. The headphones have a frequency response vary of 6-22,000Hz, and use Bluetooth 5 for connectivity with assist for Bluetooth codecs as much as aptX Low Latency. Sennheiser claims that the headphones can run for about 17 hours with noise cancellation on, and we had been capable of match this determine throughout our testing. The headphones additionally assist quick charging, with a ten-minute cost claimed to supply 90 minutes of listening time.
Sennheiser has developed an app for the Momentum 3 Wireless headphones, referred to as Sennheiser Smart Control. The app – accessible for iOS and Android – would not do so much, however it does have just a few helpful options. These embody displaying the precise battery stage, letting you set the kind of noise cancellation (most, anti-wind, and anti-pressure), controlling the clear listening to mode and equaliser settings, updating the firmware, linking the headphones to the Alexa app for improved voice management, and turning on or off the sensible pause perform.
We did not want to make use of the app a lot past the preliminary setup of the headset, however it did come in useful after we wanted to examine the exact battery stage on Android. Most helpful features could possibly be managed on the headset itself.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless efficiency
At Rs 34,990, the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless is the among the many most costly pairs of headphones within the section, priced at a good bit greater than choices from Sony, Bose, Jabra, and Skullcandy. While the model and styling may assist justify the value to some extent, the vital factor right here is efficiency. Sennheiser does supply a very good general expertise, however we aren’t satisfied that this makes the headphones price such a premium.
We used the headphones with a OnePlus 7T Pro (Review) for many of this overview, with the aptX Bluetooth codec. For sources, we used Spotify, YouTube Music, our assortment of high-resolution audio tracks, and Amazon Prime Video. We additionally examined the lively noise cancellation in a wide range of environments.
Regardless of whether or not we listened to streaming music or high-resolution tracks, the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless sounded wealthy and detailed with just about each type of style we tried. The measurement of the ear cups and the final match provides the headphones an ethereal really feel, however the soundstage wasn’t fairly as large and all-encompassing as we have skilled with different headphones on this value vary.
The interaction between the left and proper channels was spectacular although, and the headphones had been additionally very detailed and revealing; this was significantly noticeable in a high-resolution model of 9,000 Miles by Pendulum. This wealthy monitor with a full of life mixture of varied devices and digital parts sounded significantly clear and spectacular with the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless headphones.
The sonic signature is in contrast to what we’re used to with most consumer-centric headphones, however it’s additionally typical of the Sennheiser philosophy, and we have heard this sonic character from different Momentum-branded merchandise such because the Momentum True Wireless earphones as effectively. We expectedly heard a lift within the low finish, with a slight drop within the mid-range and considerably flat highs. This suited most tracks we listened to, including a little bit of punch and drive to the sound.
Listening to the bass-heavy Traffic by Thom Yorke, the digital lows and the bass hits of the beat performed collectively effectively, giving the monitor a definite rumbling character that mixed effectively with the detailed nature of the headphones. Moving on to the way more full of life Closer by Lemaitre, we favored the laid again nature of the highs and mid-range, whereas preserving issues energetic and aggressive within the dubstep-inspired bass drop.
Noise cancellation on the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless was spectacular in most environments. It was significantly efficient on flights, nearly solely shutting out the roar of the engines, and was equally helpful for lowering background sound in workplace and outside environments.
However, we felt that the silence was not fairly as stark and vacuum-like as it may be with the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700; it nearly bought there, however the Bose headphones do a barely higher job. We additionally observed a number of sound leakage at excessive volumes, which was a bit bothersome for individuals round us. Call high quality with the Sennheiser headphones was acceptable, however once more not fairly as much as the requirements set by the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700.
Verdict
Bose and Sony’s dominance over the high-end wi-fi noise cancelling headphones section is one thing we have began to take as a right, however it’s good to see different headphone makers providing a problem. The Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless headphones are the closest competitor we have seen this yr, and we really feel that this pair of headphones must be thought-about alongside the 2 present champions of the area. We fairly favored the Momentum 3 Wireless, largely for its design, consolation, and sound high quality.
While lively noise cancellation is nice, it did not fairly match as much as the profitable efficiency of the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700. Battery life, whereas acceptable, wasn’t as much as the extent we have seen with the Sony WH-1000XM3. However, in all different respects, the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless matches as much as the competitors, significantly on the subject of the punchy, detailed, and fascinating sound.
Perhaps the largest weak spot of this pair of headphones is the value tag. At Rs. 34,990, the Momentum 3 Wireless is similar value because the Bose choice, and way more costly than the Sony WH-1000XM3 (though we do anticipate to see the WH-1000XM4 launched at across the identical value quickly). Sennheiser undoubtedly has the status and legacy to again its premium pricing technique, however a decrease value would have helped on this specific case.
That stated, in the event you do desire a very handsome, well-built, feature-filled pair of premium wi-fi noise cancelling headphones that sound superb, the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless is certainly price an audition, and completely price contemplating alongside the present leaders within the section.
The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the government’s “wind up” demand Wednesday, saying it is meant to address “risks” related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.
“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” he said in a statement.
The announcement added that the government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content.
However, it urged people to “adopt good cybersecurity practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply.”
Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking details about what evidence led to the government’s dissolution demand, how long ByteDance has to comply and why the app is not being banned.
A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of well-paying local jobs.
“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said.
“The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”
The federal Liberals ordered a national security review of TikTok in September 2023, but it was not public knowledge until The Canadian Press reported in March that it was investigating the company.
At the time, it said the review was based on the expansion of a business, which it said constituted the establishment of a new Canadian entity. It declined to provide any further details about what expansion it was reviewing.
A government database showed a notification of new business from TikTok in June 2023. It said Network Sense Ventures Ltd. in Toronto and Vancouver would engage in “marketing, advertising, and content/creator development activities in relation to the use of the TikTok app in Canada.”
Even before the review, ByteDance and TikTok were lightning rod for privacy and safety concerns because Chinese national security laws compel organizations in the country to assist with intelligence gathering.
Such concerns led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill in March designed to ban TikTok unless its China-based owner sells its stake in the business.
Champagne’s office has maintained Canada’s review was not related to the U.S. bill, which has yet to pass.
Canada’s review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to might harm national security.
While cabinet can make investors sell parts of the business or shares, Champagne has said the act doesn’t allow him to disclose details of the review.
Wednesday’s dissolution order was made in accordance with the act.
The federal government banned TikTok from its mobile devices in February 2023 following the launch of an investigation into the company by federal and provincial privacy commissioners.
— With files from Anja Karadeglija in Ottawa
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.
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.
