Google Chrome extensions are expected to receive another year of support for enterprise applications following the company’s decision to postpone their removal from the Chrome Web Store until January 2024.
The announcement (opens in a new tab) The Google Chrome Developers blog offers an execution halt for the extensive changes to the Chromium engine that Privacy supporters say it will be unremarkable Web browser extensions designed to block ads.
But no such exemption is offered to personal Chrome users who, according to Google, will be subject to extensions built on top of the existing Manifest V2 (MV2) API, which will be temporarily phased out in a series of “experiments” next year.
Gradual changes to the Google Chrome API
While the new enterprise policy will allow companies more time with extensions critical to their workflow, developers of Google Chrome extensions have less time to adapt to the browser adoption of the Manifest V3 (MV3) API.
As of January 2023, Google says it will no longer highlight MV2 extensions in the Chrome Web Store as it looks like it will “raise the security bar” on the platform.
Then, from June 2023, MV2 extensions will no longer be able to be published with visibility set to public. Extensions that are already publicly available in the store will become “Non-public”. This is a particularly blatant change as it means they will be undiscovered to new users while still functional for enterprises.
Google is also warning developers that their MV2 extensions may still stop working “at any time” after new versions of Chrome are released next year.
As of January 2022, Chrome 112 will also enable the phasing out of Manifest V2 in Canary, Dev and Beta versions. And in June, Chrome 115 will allow the gradual phasing out of MV2 on stable versions of Chrome – the version with the most consumer users.
The focal point of the controversy is WebRequest, an API critical to blocking web content such as ads and which will be removed by Chrome’s MV3 implementation.
Due to the changes, the creators behind them Mozilla Firefox to have announced his intention (opens in a new tab) keep WebRequest in their MV3 implementation.
“Content blocking is one of the most important extension use cases, and we’re committed to ensuring Firefox users have access to the best privacy tools available,” said Mozilla.
Security experts once again emphasized that it is almost 2023 and we still stick to the password (opens in a new tab) as our number one cybersecurity business.
Despite the constant stream of headlines about companies suffering huge losses due to bad cyber hygiene practices, most employees still treat their sensitive data recklessly, share it with others, or simply store it for everyone to see.
A study by Yubico involving more than 16,000 employees across industries in eight countries found that more than half (59%) still rely on usernames and passwords as their primary authentication method.
Multi-factor authentication
The company’s State of Global Enterprise Authentication Survey 2022 found that people not only rely heavily on passwords, but 54% also admitted to saving or sharing their passwords.
At the same time, almost a quarter (22%) consider passwords to be the most secure authentication method. More than half (54%) said they do not need to undergo regular cybersecurity training, and 57% admitted that they use a corporate device for personal purposes.
In fact, some are aware of the dangers of over-reliance on passwords. Nearly two-thirds (61%) believe their organization should switch to multi-factor authentication, up to four out of five (79%) among vice presidents.
Many companies these days struggle with the authentication challenge when trying to send passwords to age-old hunting grounds and move on to better things. In early June this year, Apple introduced a password, a new authentication method described by Darin Adler as “a next-generation credential that is more secure, easier to use, and is designed to replace passwords for good.”
Access keys use “powerful cryptographic techniques and biometrics built into the device” to keep accounts secure, Adler explained, and users simply have to use TouchID or FaceID to authenticate to a new web app, mobile app, or service to create an access key .
Earlier this month, Microsoft introduced a new feature to Windows 11 that warns users when they type their passwords in certain applications, such as Notepad.
Google is updating its speech services with the Google Speech Engine to provide “clearer, more natural voices” for Android users using text-to-speech services.
All 421 voices in 67 languages have apparently been updated with the new voice and synthesizer model, “built using fresher speaker data”.
This update will be rolled out to all 64-bit Android devices via the Google Play Store in the next few weeks as part of Google’s APK speech services.
How can I update?
If you’re already using text-to-speech or any other speech service provided by Google’s engine, there’s nothing you need to do – everything will happen behind the scenes after you automatically download the latest update.
If you want to check out what this enhanced audio sounds like, then you are good to go here (opens in a new tab)where Google provided some samples.
The company explained that the introduction of a new 64-bit voice and synthesizer model is improving the sound quality.
Google’s text-to-speech capabilities are used in a variety of tools, including Google Translation and Google Play Books.
The company was also active this year in launching accessibility updates in other contexts.
Instead of applying the same accessibility settings to different office products such as Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings, you can now set preferences for each product individually.
A representative from Google Workspace says he expects the change to help users of screen readers, Braille devices and screen magnifiers adjust their accessibility settings to their needs.
Oracle NetSuite doesn’t care about chasing pack leaders in submarkets like CRMdespite its stake in these areas, said the company’s chief strategy officer.
In an interview with TechRadar Pro in SuiteWorld 2022Jason Cowan answered questions about the company’s ability to compete with Salesforce in the CRM market, as well as with single-product suppliers in other segments covered by his platform.
“At the end of the day, the core of Salesforce is CRM and the foundation of NetSuite is ERP finance,” he told us. “I don’t think that means we have to chase Salesforce to create a best-in-class CRM. We can have a very attractive offer for many industries, not to mention we have to win in every market. “
Greatness in “adaptation”
Although NetSuite is a powerhouse in the ERP market, especially in CRM, it plays a second fiddle than Salesforce. Similarly, Salesforce is rapidly expanding beyond CRM – in areas such as e-commerceanalytics and so on – in a way that could have ramifications for NetSuite.
However, Cowan is confident that, based on his legacy in finance, his strength in Cloud and relationship with Oracle from an infrastructure point of view, NetSuite will continue to increase its market share.
At SuiteWorld, NetSuite continues to eagerly highlight its recent CRM investment. In particular, the company launched a new one CPQ service designed to simplify the configuration, pricing and pricing of products with a high degree of accuracy. But the real emphasis is on finances and bookkeeping.
“We’ve invested in our CRM, with new sales dashboards and additions like CPQ, which is probably one of the biggest CRM updates we’ve introduced. [But our primary focus] it’s about empowering finance teams by improving visibility and visibility into cash flow, expenses and profitability. ”
The same announcement was echoed earlier this week by James Chisham, vice president, International Products, who explained that NetSuite “can’t do everything”.
“We can’t be everything to everyone. It’s very difficult to achieve, ”he said TechRadar Pro. “When we look at finance as the basis of what we do for our clients, building on that is very important. It’s about streamlining these processes, removing some pain and manual effort. “
Both directors also suggested that NetSuite derives a significant advantage from the interconnectedness of its product suite, an attribute the company calls “adequacy”.
“What we have always tried to do is to combine the power of our package. And apart, we’ve always been glad to have a rich partner ecosystem that fills all the gaps for us by covering areas we don’t cover, ”added Chisham.
The key to deepening this value proposition, according to Cowan, will be to focus on topics such as data visibility, machine learning and UI enhancement in the coming months. While he wasn’t able to give us the details, the suggestion was that NetSuite still has a few tricks up its sleeve.
Only a few days have passed since then AMD introduced its Ryzen 7000 processors with up to 16 Zen 4 cores and there are already rumors of another big processor announcement.
What seems to be a continuation of the world’s fastest x86 processor – Ryzen Threadripper Pro 5995WX – appeared in a popular science computing project, einstein @ home (opens in a new tab)as reported by the prolific CPU chaser Leaks? (opens in a new tab) (via Tom’s hardware (opens in a new tab)).
The processor is listed as “AuthenticAMD AMD Eng Sample: 100-000000454-20_Y [Family 25 Model 24 Stepping 1]”Which, with 128 threads (64 cores, two threads each) and an unusual identifier, does not correspond to any current AMD processor.
Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, this upcoming Storm Peak product will likely be called the 7995WX and has four dies stuck together (possibly an overclocked 65W AMD Ryzen 9 7950X), reaching a TDP of around 260W with some overhead (I / O etc. ), which will fit nicely with the Zen 3-powered 280W TDP 5995WX. The latter had a base clock of 2.7 GHz with a maximum boost clock of 4.5 GHz, 292 MB of combined cache (L1 + L2 + L3).
Plenty of workstations
New processors will go to stationary desktop computerswhere a high CPU / thread count helps tremendously – not just higher frequencies – with many different tasks: video editing, rendering, financial analysis, GIS, AI, ML etc.
Lenovo, Dell and boutique suppliers (Main gear wheel, Micro speedPuget Systems) are likely to introduce products based on the latest Threadripper, possibly in June 2023.
Intel will also be watching closely as it tries to increase the number of cores, mirroring what we have seen in the consumer market. Core i7 processors (The 13th generation launched just a few days ago) now have 16 cores, which corresponds to the AMD Ryzen 7 family.
Will Intel raise the stakes and increase the number of Xeon cores (currently reaching 40 cores)? We would not bet on it, although it may require a large drop in price to maintain a sense of competitiveness; The 40-core 8380 costs about 50% more than the 64-core 5995WX.
It will also be interesting to see if AMD is launching a new range of Threadripper processors targeting the mobile workstationsa small but still very lucrative niche, currently dominated by Intel.
After months of serious delays in gaming, one of the upcoming FPS horrors defies the trend by releasing a full week earlier than expected.
After the blatant gameplay unveiled two years ago and another reveal at the Summer Game Fest, the crazy shooter Scorn will be released on Friday, October 14th. You’ll be able to jump into his twisted world of biomechanical abominations seven days earlier than previously thought.
Developer Ebb Software hasn’t given a reason for the new release date, but has posted a (appropriately scary) new teaser announcing the change – you can check it out below. Scorn will be available exclusively on Xbox Series X | S and PC, and will be available in Xbox Game Pass on release
Change of pace
The exclusive Xbox console is inspired by the biomechanical graphics of HR Giger (who you might best know as Ridley Scott’s Alien visual designer) and Zdzisław Beksiński’s gothic surrealism (who painted many of the scary, creepy skeletons that sometimes appear on the internet). Expect to see lots of organic looking architecture and wiry weapons. This is all horrible.
Fans have waited a long time for the release of Scorn. The game began life as a Kickstarter project in 2017 and was initially scheduled to launch a year later. After that, it was designated for 2021, and then it was postponed again to that year. It seems Ebb Software is confident that another delay will not come.
The early release is new to the gaming industry today. This year saw a delayed series of major triple-A games as developers recover from a pandemic and common unexpected game development issues. Starfield was delayed until 2023, as were Forspoken and The Lord of the Rings Gollum. The Hogwarts Legacy was also set aside with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The besieged swashbuckling Ubisoft skull and bones had just been delayed.
These delays left a plethora of games released in the last few months of this year, marking a short time Scorn would fit before all of the blockbuster titles gobbled up our time. Like all the best horror movies, the creators of Scorn know that time is important.
If you’re interested in buying a Samsung phone but want to save some money, you’ve probably thought about buying a refurbished cell phone – buying refurbished technology has become an extremely popular way to save money on gadgets.
Samsung’s upgrade program, called Re-Newed, doesn’t actually sell the company’s latest gadgets, though. In the UK, only the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Note 20 series are sold, while in the US the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy Note 10 join. But if you want the latest Galaxy S22 or other devices like the Galaxy A53 or tablets, you’re out of luck.
However, that will change soon. In a statement to TechRadar, Samsung confirmed that it plans to expand its Re-Newed line-up with newer smartphones in the future so that we can see future models like the Galaxy S23, and possibly the current one, available at lower cost.
Renovated: what is it?
Refurbished or refurbished phones are used devices with one big difference. Rather than simply being resold, these devices are tested by engineers to make sure they are flammable and parts are replaced or repaired frequently to make sure the device is as good as new.
This type of phone has been sold for years, but with the global cost of living crisis in recent years, refurbished technology has become immensely popular. That’s because these gadgets generally cost a little less than their new siblings, even though they work just as well.
Third-party refurbished stores have sprung up to sell these kinds of gadgets, but many brands also sell their own refurbished tech, such as Apple. Samsung did it too, but as we said, it wasn’t up to date with the latest devices on offer.
Good news from Samsung
Due to various global factors, there is a lack of money for many people around the world, which is why refurbished gadgets are especially tempting.
As the largest phone company in the world, many people consider Samsung phones to be their first connection port for a new device, but since the company doesn’t offer its newer phones through Re-Newed, people will have to turn to a third-party brand company to receive newer devices cheaply .
However, Samsung’s renewal of its own phones could be better than allowing third-party companies to do so. Since Samsung has easy access to its own components, the process could be cheaper and easier, saving the buyer money. In addition, the refurbishment engineers would be trained by the company itself, meaning refurbished phones will potentially be of a much higher standard (and buyers will have greater peace of mind).
Samsung lets you exchange older phones for money with newer ones, which means it probably has a large stock of used phones that are easy to refurbish, so hopefully there will be a large supply for buyers.
Like Apple, Samsung has many physical stores around the world – so instead of ordering a refurbished phone and having it delivered to your home, you can pick it up at a personal store and inspect it before picking up. House.
So Samsung is expanding its Re-Newed lineup with newer phones is great news, and hopefully it will encourage many more of the company’s fans to buy second-hand gadgets. Now, let’s hope the brand starts doing the same with its A-series phones and tablets.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure is definitely headed for PC, and another leak suggests Returnal will also be released on the platform.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure appeared to be headed for PC after an anonymous roster had revealed the game a few weeks ago. And it’s official now, and PlayStation Latin America is uploading a – currently unpublished – trailer for the title.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure will be released on PC on Thursday, October 27, according to the trailer. Housemarque’s spooky roguelike shooter Returnal seems to be joining it, which fits well considering Sackboy got a Returnal-themed DLC last year.
Double trouble
AND SteamDB List (opens in a new tab) spotted in May was the first announcement that Returnal would hit PC. A month later in June, Sackboy and Returnal PC menu screenshots were leaked on Reddit and posted on Twitter:
#Returnal and # SackboyABigAdventure.Credits: glockpopp (Reddit) pic.twitter.com/m900UpYdDm leaked PC screenshotsJune 2, 2022
See more
Earlier this month, during a GDC presentation (via Eurogamer (opens in a new tab)), Returnal was spotted on the PC development kit – a detail noted by Alex Battaglia of Digital Foundry:
Returnal’s presentation from GDC on VFX and Particle Effects is really cool – but I’m happy for the bonus it has of re-confirming the PC version. Debug, read! Link to the presentation: pic.twitter.com/xz4CUxqqU3September 5, 2022
See more
The latest leak is a video posted on IconEra (opens in a new tab) showing what the PC Returnal graphic menu looks like and the different options available. So we’re pretty sure that the PC version of Returnal is coming soon. There is more evidence circulating in the harbor than with Sackboy, but as always, without a word, calm your expectations. Just in case.
Plenty of PlayStation exclusive games have already been released for PC, including God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn and Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, which arrived on PS5 earlier this year and will hit PC on Wednesday, October 19.
The library of PlayStation exclusive games that are migrating to PC is growing and will only grow as long as this trend continues. As the PS5’s resupplying issues don’t allow you to let go if you have a PC, you’re in a great position to take advantage of the exclusive consoles arriving on the platform in the meantime.
Apple AirPods Pro is a higher version of Apple AirPods (2019), with better noise reduction and slightly better sound quality. They cost more, but have additional features – including adaptive equalizer, active noise cancellation, and support for surround sound.
Down
Better noise reduction
More convenient
Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio is fantastic
The Apple AirPods remain decent wireless earbuds. There is not much difference in sound performance, but they are less convenient and have no extra features. Even so, their advanced age means you can often find decent discounts, making them great value for money.
Down
Similar sound performance
Same battery life
Great value for money
Against
Less comfortable
No extra features
Are you having trouble choosing between Apple AirPods and AirPods Pro (2019)? We understand why you are attracted to these two pairs of best Apple headphones, but there are some differences you need to be aware of.
Genuine Apple AirPods are instantly recognizable and very popular. Still, the AirPods Pro (2019) are the culmination of years of work on true wireless technology, meaning they’re a higher version of Apple’s headphones – and at a higher price to match.
The AirPods Pro (201) are much more convenient and offer a host of great features, including adaptive equalizer, active noise cancellation, and support for surround sound. That’s why they’ve rounded up the best true wireless earbuds of 2022. It’s worth mentioning that there is now a newer version of the Pro headphones, the AirPods Pro 2, which brings big improvements in both functionality and audio performance.
In this comparison, it may seem like we suggest that the AirPods Pro (2019) are always a better choice than regular AirPods. But there is more to consider. They’re way more expensive than standard AirPods, which has led many people to wonder if it’s worth upgrading to the AirPods Pro (2019) or if they should stick with the cheaper AirPods Apple updated in 2019.
To learn more about both pairs of buds, take a look at our Apple AirPods (2019) review and our Apple AirPods Pro review. But if you’re short on time, see the key differences between them to find out which AirPods model is right for you.
The AirPods Pro (left) have a wider case than the AirPods (right). (Photo credit: Future)
Difference # 1: AirPods Pro (2019) have noise reduction
The most noticeable difference between the two headphones is that the AirPods Pro use active noise cancellation, rather than relying only on passive noise reduction.
The level of noise reduction with Buds Pro can be adjusted and even set to “transparent mode”, which allows you to hear what is happening around you without removing the headphones from your ears.
Unfortunately, regular AirPods don’t offer any level of active noise reduction. Instead, there is a noise reduction effect due to the seal they create in the ear canal. However, the effect is negligible as they don’t have silicone or foam ear tips.
Difference # 2: AirPods Pro (2019) are waterproof
If you want to take your Apple headphones to the gym, go for the more expensive AirPods Pro. They have an IPX4 rating which means they are sweat and water resistant compared to the non-water resistant AirPods.
This doesn’t mean you should take your new high-end AirPods Pro headphones with you to the pool – if they fall out or stay submerged for too long, they will be damaged. If you’re looking for something to take to the pool, you’ll need a pair of the best swimming headphones instead.
Here you can see the touch control panel on the AirPods Pro. (Photo credit: TechRadar)
Difference # 3: The AirPods Pro (2019) have custom earbuds
For a perfect fit, the AirPods Pro offer more personalization options than the one-size Apple AirPods. You’ll find several ear tips in the box, and if you’re not sure which one to use, Apple can even help you find the right fit with a Quick Audio Test and adjust the sound to the structure of your ear.
Since the tips of the AirPods are plastic, you’ll get stuck with them – although some find them more comfortable than the silicone ear tips you have to put in your ear.
Difference # 4: The AirPods Pro (2019) have a pressure valve inside
If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable wearing earbuds, it could be due to a slight, annoying, but not life-threatening build-up of pressure in your ear. To remedy this, the AirPods Pro uses a tiny pressure valve to relieve pressure in the ear – a feature Apple borrowed from the Powerbeats Pro.
This is a minor benefit of the Pro series headphones, but worth considering, especially if you are sensitive to pressure build-up.
Both AirPods and AirPods Pro work great with iOS devices. (Photo credit: Future)
Difference # 5: The AirPods Pro (2019) have an adaptive EQ
Inside the headphones themselves are internal microphones that can measure the volume. They are crucial for effective noise reduction, but as a bonus, they can also be used for features like Adaptive EQ, which optimizes sound quality for your physiology.
How it’s working? According to Apple, the AirPods Pro “automatically tunes low and mid frequencies” with a custom high dynamic range amplifier that “produces clean, incredibly clear sound while extending battery life.” Clever!
Difference # 6: … and they offer a wider soundstage and a slight increase in clarity
While you won’t find a huge difference in sound performance between the two AirPods, many people have noticed a slightly wider soundstage (how the individual instruments can be clearly heard) and a slight increase in overall clarity when using the AirPods Pro. That’s probably because the AirPods Pro’s buds have a slightly larger frequency range and a slightly larger chamber that allows the sound to expand more.
(Photo credit: TechRadar)
Difference # 7: AirPods Pro (2019) are shorter and more powerful than AirPods
It’s more of an aesthetic than a functional difference, but the AirPods Pro are slightly shorter and thicker than regular AirPods. The iconic tips of the headphones do not reach as far into the ear as the Pro, but will cover more of the ear due to their larger housing.
However, both have a slightly futuristic look that some find unattractive – and many others love. Either way, both models are undoubtedly “Apple”.
Difference # 8: AirPods Pro (2019) are expensive, way more expensive
Finally, a category where regular AirPods stand a chance: At $ 249 / £ 249 / $ 399, the AirPods Pro are significantly more expensive than regular AirPods.
Since the launch of the AirPods 3, the second-generation Apple AirPods have had a steady drop in prices and now cost $ 129 / £ 119 / $ 219.
Previously, they cost $ 159 / £ 159 / $ 249 with the standard charging case and $ 199 / £ 199 / $ 319 with the included wireless charging case. You can still buy the wireless charging case separately for $ 79 / £ 79 / $ 129.
If you’re looking to swap a regular case for a wireless charging case, the price of regular AirPods jumps to $ 199 / £ 199 / AU $ 319 putting them within reach of your AirPods Pro.
However, these prices keep dropping down regularly – especially for regular AirPods headphones. Below you can check out the best AirPods and AirPods Pro deals we found in your region:
Difference # 9: AirPods Pro (2019) support surround sound
AirPods Pro with noise reduction received an update from iOS 14, which allowed for surround sound.
This feature works on 5.1, 7.1 and Dolby Atmos systems, which position the sound around you in a virtual sphere – this means that if you are watching a Dolby Atmos movie showing an airplane flying overhead, it will sound as if the airplane is passing over you.
In addition to enabling clever virtual Dolby Atmos, AirPods Pro can track the movement of your head and device to ensure that audio always seems to come from the right position.
Read our Surround Sound Guide and Dolby Atmos Guide to learn more about these advances in audio technology.
Difference # 10: AirPods Pro (2019) come with Conversation Boost
Conversation Boost is designed to help you hear your conversations more clearly when talking to people face to face.
When this feature is turned on, the microphones in the AirPods Pro isolate voices from other ambient sounds. You can adjust the gain, transparency and tone levels of what you hear.
Apple introduced this feature with iOS 15, and your device will need to run this software in order to work. To turn on Conversation Boost, go to Settings> Accessibility and tap Audio / Video under Hearing. Then turn on the accommodation in the headphones and turn on the transparency mode. Finally, scroll down to Conversation and turn it on.
(Photo credit: TechRadar)
Apple AirPods vs AirPods Pro (2019): Are There Any Similarities?
So far we’ve focused on the differences, but two true wireless earbuds have a lot in common.
Both are true wireless earbuds with a similar-sized housing and a battery life of around 3.5 hours on a single charge and over 24 hours with the battery case.
They also have fairly similar sound quality, with slight differences in the soundstage / clarity – until surround sound is turned on. Both use the new Apple H1 Wireless chip, which enables hands-free “Hey Siri” functionality, seamless compatibility with iOS, and is integrated with the Apple Find My network.
Apple AirPods vs AirPods Pro (2019): Which AirPods Should You Buy?
If you’re bothered by outside noise while working or commuting, need a waterproof for the gym, or are sensitive to pressure build-up in your ears, it’s probably worth paying a little extra for the Apple AirPods Pro.
But if your main concern is audio quality or battery life, you can save a ton of money by sticking with the basic AirPods.
If you’re looking for a happy middle ground between the two models read our Apple AirPods 3 review. Or, if you’re convinced you want the best of the best sound, take a look at the recently launched Apple AirPods Pro 2 instead.
Apple isn’t the only audio giant promising to deliver the best noise canceling earbuds: Just a few hours after the AirPods Pro 2 launched, Bose unveiled the QuietComfort Earbuds II headphones. It’s a really big deal, as previous QuietComforts were at the top of our guide to the best noise reduction buds, taking the bar so high that not even Sony’s gorgeous WF-1000XM4 could reach it. So how do you compare these two sets of ANC flagship earbuds? Let’s find out.
AirPods Pro 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II headphones: price and release date
Bose has reduced a lot of weight from the design here, and that’s great news. (Photo credit: Simon Lucas / Future)
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II headphones are available September 29 with pre-orders starting September 8. Their price is $ 299 / £ 279 / $ 429. They will be available initially in a “triple black” finish, then in an alternative color “soapstone”.
The AirPods Pro 2 pre-order is now available, and the earbuds will be released on September 23. They cost $ 249 / £ 249 / $ 399. You can be any color as long as it’s white.
AirPods Pro 2 vs Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II: Features
The AirPods Pro 2 aren’t much different on the outside – but those feet can change the volume now (Photo credit: TechRadar)
The AirPods Pro 2 promise better battery life than before – 6 hours separate and 30 hours with the charging case, which now works with the Apple Watch charger and has a lanyard loop to make it easier to lose. The chip here is the new Apple H2 which Apple says provides better sound quality and better noise reduction. The case now has a speaker, making it easier to find, and the capacitive touch buttons on the earbuds now let you swipe up and down to adjust the volume.
QuietComfort Earbuds II in-ear headphones feature new Bose technology that calibrates both sound and noise reduction to the unique shape of each ear. This “CustomTune” audio calibration is activated each time QuietComfort Earbuds II is removed from the charging case and placed in the user’s ears. The recorded sound will be played back and the microphone inside the earbud will evaluate the acoustic response of the ear canal. The information is used to adjust sound performance and noise reduction in less than half a second. It then adjusts the frequency response to match the contours of your ears, with one internal and three external microphones listening for external sounds for ANC processing.
Another new feature is “Aware Mode with ActiveSense”, a smarter transparency mode that responds instantly to sudden sounds to protect your hearing. 48,000 readings per second.
QuietComfort Earbuds II and AirPods Pro 2 also have Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity, but no aptX or other lossless audio support. The battery life of the Bose QC Earbuds 2 headphones is six hours (again, same as the new AirPods Pro), plus another three charges via the USB-C charging case.
AirPods Pro 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II: sound
The AirPods Pro 2 now boast twice the ANC of their predecessors, which is a huge claim. (Photo credit: TechRadar)
We haven’t had a chance to test any pair of earbuds yet, so we can only follow what the manufacturers say. Apple promises better sound quality with a new H2 chip and a new low distortion driver and amplifier. There’s the same camera-based surround sound setup we’ve already seen in the AirPods Max, and this adaptive transparency mode promises to filter out invasive sounds like road exercises while reducing up to twice as much ambient noise.
The original AirPods lagged far behind last year’s QuietComfort headphones in terms of noise reduction, but the claim in the AirPods Pro 2 is double noise reduction on the inaugural AirPods Pro (yes, really), so we can’t wait to compare the two newer models.
The lack of aptX adaptation in the Bose headphones is a surprise (less in Apple products), but the previous generation are fantastic-sounding earbuds, so we don’t worry too much about sound quality. What we’re interested in is noise canceling that has already led the group – and if it’s as effective and as responsive as Bose claims, it could make these the best ANC headphones you can buy.
AirPods Pro 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II: design and fit
The AirPods Pro 2 case now has a speaker on the bottom to help you locate it if you lose it, and a lanyard clip. (Photo credit: TechRadar)
Bose has reduced the size of the QuietComfort Earbuds II by approximately one-third compared to the model it replaces, and weighing in at 6 grams each is considerably lighter. There are three different ear tips and three different stabilizer straps, providing nine different fit options for each earbud. They have IPX4 water resistance, so they should be suitable for fitness and unfavorable weather conditions.
The AirPods Pro 2 are virtually identical to their predecessors, except for a new, very small silicone tip, which should be more comfortable for people with smaller ears. Despite the supposedly design changes, the stalks remain, although they now have a volume swipe control.
AirPods Pro 2 vs Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II: conclusion
The Bose app for the new QuietComfort Earbuds II is intuitive at first glance (Photo credit: Bose)
It would be unfair to make any verdict when we haven’t had a chance to thoroughly test these earbuds yet – although we have a preliminary hands-on review of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 headphones for your enjoyment.
Based on what we know about existing models, the Bose in-ear headphones are likely to sound a bit better and have better noise canceling than Apple’s in-ear headphones, and we expect the same to be true for the second-generation QuietComforts and AirPods Pro.
The Bose earbuds are a bit more expensive, but the Bose doesn’t have the same retail iron grip as Apple, so it shouldn’t be long before we see some discounts.
With all of these things in mind, it looks like the second-gen QuietComfort earbuds will be the ones to beat, but of course we won’t know for sure until we’ve had them in our ears for a decent amount of time – and that’s Apple’s double ANC claim. is at least interesting …
