Audio

Audio and sound: headphones, earbuds, speakers, soundbars, hi-fi, music streaming, codecs and noise cancellation, portable and home listening equipment.

Audio Shokz unveils two ultra-light bone and open-air headphones under €140 Shokz expands its lineup with two affordable new models: the OpenRun Air 2 (bone conduction) at $130 and the OpenFit Air 2 (open-ear) at €139. These headphones combine lightweight design, long battery life, and durability for athletes, without compromising environmental awareness. August 29, 2026

Spotify adds notes to editorial and user playlists

Spotify now lets editors and users add explanatory notes to their playlists. Editor notes appear in six flagship playlists, while user notes are visible on their own creations in over 100 countries. August 22, 2026

Reddit tests AI-generated audio and video posts to win over social media audiences

Reddit is experimenting with a new format for its posts: AI-generated videos and audio clips that read posts and their comments aloud. The goal is to capture the audience of TikTok or YouTube channels that already monetize this content while making it more accessible. August 22, 2026

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5: premium earbuds with user-replaceable batteries

Sennheiser unveils the Momentum True Wireless 5, premium wireless earbuds with user-replaceable batteries — a first for the brand, aligning with upcoming EU durability regulations for audio devices. August 21, 2026

Sonos brings playback controls to iPhone lock screen

Sonos now offers playback controls directly on the iPhone lock screen via Apple’s Live Activities. The feature, disabled by default, lets users adjust volume or skip tracks after unlocking, but without displaying the album art. August 18, 2026

Samsung to launch wireless headphones to rival Sony and Bose

Samsung is developing a wireless over-ear headset, codenamed Galaxy H1, to compete with high-end models from Sony and Apple. A release is expected in 2027, featuring active noise cancellation and the SSC UHQ codec. August 18, 2026

Sonos Ace Ultra design revealed, ecosystem integration in focus

Sonos is preparing the successor to its Ace headphones, a commercial flop despite their quality. The Ace Ultra, spotted via an FCC filing, focuses on better Sonos ecosystem integration and advanced voice controls. Its design, very close to the first model, is already known. August 13, 2026