Forget Sony and Bose — Jabra's Evolve3 85 is my new meeting headset

androidcentral.com Sep 16, 2026

Forget Sony and Bose — Jabra’s Evolve3 85 is my new meeting headset

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 16, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Harish Jonnalagadda, Android Central’s Senior Editor, has spent over a decade covering Android and Chinese phone brands. Beginning his tech journey with Windows XP tweaks, he transitioned from PC hardware reviews at VR‑Zone to mobile journalism after adopting the Nexus 4. Since joining Android Central in 2014, he oversees coverage of Chinese manufacturers, audio gear, networking hardware, and storage servers, drawing on his engineering background to provide in‑depth product evaluations. Outside work, he enjoys sci‑fi reading and Arsenal fandom.

💡 Why It Matters

· Jonnalagadda’s deep expertise bridges the gap between emerging Chinese hardware and Western audiences, shaping informed consumer choices in a rapidly evolving market.

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I can buy cheap Amazon earbuds with volume controls for far less…

Apple’s fifth‑generation AirPods, announced with on‑bud volume controls, have sparked criticism for pricing a basic feature that many inexpensive earbuds already provide. In a recent podcast episode, the host highlighted the disparity, noting that dozens of Amazon‑listed wireless earbuds under $20 include volume buttons, while Apple reserves the function for its premium model. Colleagues on the show dismissed the utility of the controls, but the host argued that volume adjustment is a fundamental expectation for any earbud. The discussion also touched on broader product decisions, such as the iPhone Duo’s design and Siri Recap, framing the AirPods issue within a pattern of Apple charging premium prices for features that are commonplace elsewhere.

💡 Consumers are being asked to pay a premium for a feature that is already standard in low‑cost alternatives, challenging Apple’s value proposition.

appleinsider.com · Sep 15

AirPods 5 with wireless charging case review: Somehow both better & cheaper

Apple launched the AirPods 5 with a wireless charging case alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, offering a compact design, improved IP57 water resistance, and a new algorithm that boosts active noise cancellation by 50 %. Both base and high‑end models share identical audio quality, while the premium version adds capacitive volume controls and wireless charging compatibility. The earbuds maintain a neutral sound profile, excel in transparency mode, and provide comparable ANC to the Pro 3, though the Pro still edges out in overall noise suppression.

💡 The AirPods 5’s enhanced ANC and water‑resistant build set a new benchmark for open‑design earbuds, expanding the market for affordable, high‑performance wireless audio.

pokde.net · Sep 13

Nothing Phone (4b) And Ear (3a) Launch In Malaysia From 20 September

Nothing confirmed the Malaysian launch of its Phone (4b) smartphone and Ear (3a) earbuds, with pre‑orders now open on the company’s website, Shopee, Lazada and TikTok Shop. Official sales begin 20 September 2026 at Nothing retail stores and selected outlets nationwide. The Phone (4b) is marketed as an entry‑level model, featuring a unibody design, the signature Glyph Bar, IP64 protection, a Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 processor, a 5,200 mAh battery with 33 W fast charging and 7.5 W reverse charging, and a 50 MP main camera with OIS plus a 119.5° ultrawide lens. It ships with Nothing OS 4.1 (Android 16), integrated Google Gemini and ChatGPT, and promises three Android version upgrades and six years of security patches. The device is offered in white, black and blue, 8 GB RAM/128 GB storage for RM1,599. The Ear (3a) earbuds retain the transparent aesthetic, add a three‑LED status matrix, and introduce Audio Capture features such as Audio Snapshot and Call Recording. They house 12 mm dynamic drivers, 45 dB ANC, static spatial audio, an 8‑band EQ adjustable via the Nothing X app, and deliver up to 42 hours of playback with the case; a five‑minute charge yields one hour of use. The earbuds are sold in pink, white, yellow and black for RM399.

💡 The simultaneous rollout of a budget‑friendly smartphone and feature‑rich earbuds positions Nothing to capture price‑sensitive consumers while showcasing its ecosystem integration, a strategy that could reshape entry‑level market dynamics in Southeast Asia.

9to5mac.com · Sep 12

Indie App Spotlight: ‘Farwave’ lets you listen to radio stations around the…

Farwave, a new indie audio application for iOS 18 and later, introduces a unique 3D globe interface for exploring global radio stations. Users can rotate the virtual planet to select specific regions or utilize a random selection feature. Beyond live radio, the app organizes podcasts and local music files on separate visual planets, supporting RSS feeds, playback queues, adjustable speeds, and offline downloads. While the base app is free on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, Farwave Pro offers advanced features for $2.99 monthly or $14.99 annually. The application does not support Apple Music integration but allows users to import audio files from their computer or the Files app. Each artist’s music is represented by a distinct signal within the interface. This release is part of 9to5Mac’s weekly Indie App Spotlight series, highlighting innovative independent software. The app aims to provide an immersive, visually distinct alternative to traditional audio players, emphasizing exploration and offline accessibility for diverse content types.

💡 Farwave transforms passive audio consumption into an interactive visual experience, distinguishing itself from standard streaming services through its unique 3D globe interface. This approach appeals to users seeking novelty and discovery over algorithmic recommendations.

techradar.com · Sep 12

The JBL Live 680NC may sound good, but the battery life and…

JBL released the Live 680NC headphones on March 12, 2026, priced at $159.95 ($129.99 in the UK, AU$199.95). The mid‑range pair feature 40 mm drivers, adaptive ANC, Ambient Aware, personalized EQ, spatial audio, and Auracast support. Battery life is exceptionally long, but the headphones lack a charging cable and exert pressure on the top of the head during extended use. Sound is warm with a bass‑heavy profile and a slightly rolled‑off high end, while spatial audio feels underwhelming. The 680NC offers strong value compared to the pricier 780NC.

💡 The Live 680NC demonstrates how manufacturers can pack advanced features into a budget‑friendly package, reshaping expectations for mid‑tier audio gear.

androidcentral.com · Sep 11

Nothing’s Headphone 1 is going Pro? Rumors allege upgrades and a ‘premium’…

Rumors indicate Nothing is preparing to launch the Headphone 1 Pro in late September 2026. The device reportedly features a premium design incorporating aluminum and glass elements, distinguishing it from the base model. Expected colorways include white and black. Audio performance may improve with a triple driver setup, promising enhanced bass, sharper precision, and better treble. Active Noise Cancellation is rumored to be adaptive and superior to the original. Battery life could reach 60 hours, though it remains unclear if this figure applies with ANC enabled. The original Headphone 1 offered 35 hours with ANC on. Pricing is speculated at $399 in the U.S., a significant increase from the predecessor’s $299 launch price. The original model, released in 2025, was praised for its physical controls and KEF-tuned sound. This Pro variant aims to solidify Nothing’s position in the high-end audio market with upgraded materials and performance metrics.

💡 Nothing’s shift to a $399 price point tests whether its distinctive industrial design can justify a premium tier against established audio giants. The rumored triple-driver architecture and adaptive ANC suggest a strategic pivot from value-focused innovation to high-fidelity competition.