Fairphone's Fairbuds 2 arrive October 14 with seven replaceable parts

androidcentral.com Sep 29, 2026

Fairphone’s Fairbuds 2 arrive October 14 with seven replaceable parts

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 29, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Fairphone will launch its second-generation wireless earbuds, the Fairbuds 2, on October 14. The new model will cost €119 in Europe and $119 in the U.S., $30 less than the original. It retains the seven modular, replaceable parts that allow users to swap batteries, earbuds, or the charging case. The earbuds now support Sony’s LDAC codec, improving audio quality over the first generation’s SBC and AAC. Leaked images suggest a stem design, though control functionality remains unconfirmed.

💡 Why It Matters

· By adding high‑resolution audio and a lower price while keeping modularity, Fairphone challenges the trade‑off between sustainability and mainstream features.
· This move could pressure other brands to integrate repairability without sacrificing performance.

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You can now watch one of this year’s best orchestral game-music performances,…

Supergiant Games has released the full “Ballads of the Underworld” concert, a live orchestral performance of music from Hades 1 and Hades 2, on YouTube for free. The London Mozart Players performed the score under the baton of co‑composer Austin Wintory, while vocalists Judy Alice Lee (Melinoë), Erin Yvette (Scylla), Colin Ryan (Apollo), Darren Korb and Ashley Barrett delivered live renditions of key tracks. The video is divided into a setlist that mirrors the original show, highlighting pieces such as “Moonlight Guide Us,” “I Am Gonna Claw,” and “Fated Glory.” The release coincides with Noclip’s debut episode of a documentary series on Hades 2’s development, as Supergiant hints at future projects beyond the sequel.

💡 Fans can now experience a critically acclaimed game‑music event without purchasing tickets, expanding the reach of interactive media soundtracks to a global online audience.

9to5google.com · Sep 29

Bose launched wired, yes, wired, earbuds with ANC for $99

Bose introduced a new pair of wired earbuds featuring active noise cancellation (ANC) priced at $99. The earbuds connect via USB‑C, using a proprietary DSP to deliver a consistent 24‑bit signal to any USB‑C device. Each earbud houses two microphones for ANC, offering Quiet and Aware modes, with the option to disable noise cancellation. The product is available for pre‑order today, with shipping slated for October 15 through Bose’s website and Best Buy.

💡 By offering ANC without a battery, Bose taps the growing demand for low‑maintenance audio, positioning itself as a viable alternative to wireless competitors.

openpr.com · Sep 29

APAC Digital Audio Platforms Market: How Localization, AI and New Monetization Models…

The Asia‑Pacific digital‑audio market is shifting from a focus on sheer listener numbers to extracting higher value per session through personalization, localized content, creator ecosystems and advanced advertising intelligence. Fragmentation across languages, cultural tastes, mobile‑first usage and diverse payment systems creates both challenges and opportunities for platforms that can serve regional language communities at scale. Growth is driven not only by smartphone penetration but also by screen‑fatigue, prompting users to consume audio while commuting, working or exercising. Integration into super‑apps—such as commerce, messaging and gaming—offers lower acquisition costs and richer behavioral data. Monetization is diversifying: mature economies favor subscriptions, while price‑sensitive markets rely on freemium and ad‑supported models, with dynamic audio ads targeting listeners by geography, content and context, all while navigating privacy and brand‑safety concerns.

💡 Platforms that master hyper‑localization and AI‑driven ad targeting can turn APAC’s linguistic diversity into a defensible moat, unlocking higher revenue per user in a rapidly expanding audio‑first ecosystem.

9to5google.com · Sep 29

Nothing Headphone (1) Pro are $399 with better hardware, ANC, and audio…

Nothing unveiled the Headphone (1) Pro, a $399 over‑ear model that refines the original Headphone (1) with lighter construction, softer ear cups, a wider headband and glass‑filled accents. The unit weighs 327 g and adds a triple‑driver array, enabling independent EQ control of each driver via an upgraded Nothing X app and a physical “Flat” switch for neutral sound. ANC performance rises to 46 dB thanks to a ten‑mic system and improved seal, while spatial‑audio presets simulate venues such as a concert hall with optional head tracking. Lossless USB‑C playback and Hi‑Res wireless support remain, and the familiar side paddle and wheel persist. The headphones launch on September 30 through Nothing’s website, Amazon and Best Buy in regions worldwide, with shipments starting next week.

💡 By bundling granular driver‑level EQ with industry‑leading ANC, Nothing gives audiophiles a desktop‑grade tuning experience in a consumer headset, pushing personalized sound control into the mainstream.

eurogamer.net · Sep 28

If you want an early taste of The Witcher 3’s Songs of…

CD Projekt Red unveiled its third Witcher 3 expansion, Songs of the Past, at Gamescom’s Opening Night Live. To preview the content, Milan Records released a five‑track EP featuring composers Magda Urbańska, Marcin Przybyłowicz, and Daniel Elms. The tracks—“Return to the Path,” “Awoken,” “Into Darkness,” “What’s Done,” and “Belleteyn Night”—blend orchestral writing with folk influences, reflecting the expansion’s new setting, Letten, and its themes of pastoral charm and hidden menace. The EP is now available worldwide.

💡 The release offers fans a tangible taste of the expansion’s atmosphere before the game launches, bridging the gap between audio and gameplay. It also showcases how the Witcher franchise continues to evolve its musical identity while honoring its Slavic roots.

newatlas.com · Sep 27

Apple’s new music venue is actually a giant high-tech recording studio

Apple has opened the Apple Music Hall at Battersea Power Station, a 600‑seat venue that doubles as a high‑tech recording studio. The space features an immersive audio speaker system and dedicated studios for recording and broadcasting, including Apple Music Radio sessions. Designed by Apple’s in‑house team, the hall blends art‑deco arches, bronze balconies, and exposed brickwork that echoes the building’s exterior. The venue offers performers and listeners a hybrid live‑performance and studio experience within one of the world’s largest brick structures.

💡 By merging a concert hall with a state‑of‑the‑art studio, Apple expands its ecosystem, enabling artists to record and broadcast live from a single location and potentially reshaping how live music is produced and consumed.