Sony Electronics today debuted LinkBuds, a new kind of earbud design using a ring-shaped speaker driver to enable an immersive listening experience without closing out the listener’s surrounding world. It holds great promise for safer commuting and outdoor workouts, experiencing augmented reality, playing mobile games and similar uses.
The $179.99 MSRP earbuds feature some nice high-end tricks, such as voice-powered compatibility with Amazon and Google virtual assistants; volume control that adapts to surrounding noise levels; a Speak To Chat function that temporarily halts music while in a conversation; tap-based quick access to Spotify playlists; IPX4 water resistance against sweat and splashes; and compatibility with Microsoft’s Soundscape way-finding audio beacons.
I tested a pair of the LinkBuds provided by Sony and found them to be a promising and unique new design take on the headphone/earbud experience, allowing high-quality, hours-long listening while still being able to hear and be aware of surroundings. It also suggests another step toward augmented-reality and Metaverse-style experiences that merge real-world and virtual experiences.
Getting set up is a little arcane, using the Sony Headphones Connect app and the LinkBuds in their (open) charging/storage case. Bluetooth pairing wasn’t the most intuitive process, but only took about 10 minutes, as you link the buds to the app, set up a Sony account, and more.
You can tie the app to music services such as Tidal and Sony’s own Artist Connection app that use Sony’s 360 Reality Audio, a format designed to create a more immersive and spatial listening experience. Spotify’s many users can tie their accounts through the Sony app to the LinkBuds, and use its Spotify Tap functionality to quickly access pre-selected playlists.
Given Sony’s own in-house ecosystem of music label, streaming service, gaming-oriented Experia phone, and other enabling technologies, it’s little surprise that the LinkBuds do best with an Android phone to take advantage of everything on offer, rather than playing in the Apple iOS world more deeply.
For instance, with Alphabet recently ending support for Google Assistant on iOS, the LinkBuds can only use that virtual assistant though an Android phone. Conversely, there’s no voice-activated Siri compatibility, which is built into Apple’s various audio products.
But even on an iPhone using Apple Music, the sound is excellent, with instruments and vocals distributed across an expansive, well-defined virtual listening space that can be quite entrancing.
LinkBuds side-by-side
(LinkBuds image courtesy of Sony Electronics)
The more remarkable thing about the LinkBuds, however, might be that its excellent audio quality doesn’t prevent you from generally being able to hear and respond to, say, a spouse sitting behind you talking. That alone, depending on your spouse’s temperament this late in the #WFH/pandemic-cloistered era, could be a lifesaver.
More generally, that integration between real world and virtual head space can add greatly to experiences such as using augmented reality and mobile gaming apps, which will only become more important in coming years.
As part of today’s launch, Sony reached out to Niantic, the pioneering publisher of AR mega-franchise Pokemon Go, for an endorsement of the LinkBuds’ ability to enable an immersive audio experience while protecting players from the hazards of trying to “catch ‘em all” while moving around busy streets and neighborhoods.
“Our products — Ingress, Pokémon GO and Pikmin Bloom — use augmented reality and real-world gameplay to inspire fun and wonder for our community,” said Niantic Director of Product Marketing Archit Bhargava said in a release.“Sound is an important part of any entertainment experience, especially ones where users are out exploring. That’s why we’re so excited to partner with Sony on the launch of LinkBuds to deliver immersive real-world audio experiences to our community.”
Creating an account through Sony Headphone Connect also sets up a plethora of gamified badges and “achievements” that track listening time, settings, and locations, among other details. If you’re into the Quantified Self, those badges represent another way to measure still more of Everything.
The data also can be used to optimize listening for different locations, from work, to the bus stop, to the gym. The LinkBuds feature “Adaptive Volume Control,” designed to tweak volumes based on surrounding ambient noise, according to Sony representatives.
LinkBud fitted in ear, with ring driver over ear canal
(Image courtesy of Sony Electronics)
You can change the tap-based controls on the LinkBuds themselves through the app, but the default settings are straightforward. Double-tap by your left ear to pause/play music tracks, and triple-tap to skip to the next track. Double-tap by your right ear to answer the phone.
The LinkBuds are tiny, just 4 grams, and surround the entrance to the ear canal rather than push into it. The bulk of the electronics, including Sony’s Integrated Processor V1 and Digital Sound Enhancement Engine, are contained in a half-sphere attached to the ring-driver element that tucks under the ear’s upper fold. The device is kept comfortably and snugly in place, even during workouts, with help from a tiny rubber adapter (the LinkBuds come with five sizes of those adapters for different kinds of ear shapes).
The approach reduces fatigue and discomfort for long-term listening. And to further enable longer sessions and near-day-long use, Sony promises 5.5 hours straight of listening time, and another 12 hours of capacity in the charging case. The LinkBuds can add 90 minutes of listening time with 10 minutes of recharging, the company says. As always with manufacturers’ claims of battery life, Your Mileage May Differ.
All told, the LinkBuds suggest a promising approach to the earbud universe, so promising that Sony Electronics dispensed with its usual cryptic naming conventions that string together near-random letters and numbers, and created a fluffy new brand name that’s actually memorable. The company also has put a substantial marketing push behind LinkBuds as it tries to carve out space in a booming sector of consumer audio.
The company’s enthusiasm seems justified. The LinkBuds provide excellent audio quality, at a high-end but competitive price. Its unusual design also provides lightweight, all-day access to the real world with enough additional functionality and compatibility to enable a wide range of uses for music, mobile games, augmented reality, commuting, work outs and more.
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.
