Technics' AZ100 Are Instant Contenders for the Best Premium Wireless Buds
Not everything feels as polished as Apple's AirPods Pro, the software leader in the space. The AZ100's call suppression feature, for instance, does a great job killing ambient noise around your voice (or even the voice on the other end), but it makes you sound a bit sterile and robotic in the process. The app itself sometimes refused to load, forcing me to refresh it, though it was otherwise stable.
Photograph: Ryan Waniata
Multitaskers will be pleased to see the return of three-device multipoint pairing, letting you easily swap between your computer, tablet, and phone over Bluetooth, with no brand loyalty required. Speaking of Bluetooth, you'll not only get support for regular codecs like AAC and LDAC over Bluetooth 5.3, but also Bluetooth LE Audio, which should futureproof the buds for next-gen wireless streaming.
The AZ100's touch controls are responsive, customizable, and comprehensive, with default options for playback, calling, volume, and ambient audio at the ready. The layout is a tad confusing at first, but I appreciate the ability to accomplish just about any task without grabbing your phone. Velvet Sparkle
I often save the sound performance for last, but the AZ100's sound is too good to hold off any longer. Like most hi-fi buds, they provide a slow and steady revelation of their skills. The further you drill down, the better they sound.
When I first fired them up, I was surprised by the sound signature's warm and almost thick flavor, seeming more reliant on the bass and lower mids than expected. That said, I generally prefer a smoother touch in my hi-fi over sharp and zingy, and it didn't take long to find that the AZ100's warm entrance acts almost like a velvet backdrop on which instrumental textures and effects glitter like jewels in the light.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Engadget
23 minutes ago
- Engadget
Everything you need to know about iOS 26 beta release: How to download it on your iPhone, new Apple features like Liquid Glass and more
Liquid Glass is a huge new change coming to iOS 26. (Apple) Waiting until the fall can feel like ages when you're ready to upgrade your iPhone to iOS 26. But there's good news: you can test out all the features now by downloading and installing Apple's public beta, which CEO Tim Cook says is (with the other current beta operating systems) "by far the most popular developer betas we've had," 9to5Mac reports. We also previewed the iOS 26 public beta release, which shows off the fresh home and lock screen redesign we've been asking to see for years. Called Liquid Glass, the new translucent look will extend across all of Apple's upcoming operating systems. The overhaul is one of several big changes coming to iOS, macOS, iPadOS and the rest of Apple's software suite, all of which were showcased during the company's WWDC keynote on June 9. After overpromising on AI plans last year, Apple kept its iOS roadmap focused more on basic quality of life improvements this year. There are multiple useful additions coming to the Phone and Messages apps on your iPhone, for instance: Apple execs outlined the ability to weed out spam texts or other unknown senders and an option to hold your spot on a phone call when you've been waiting for a representative to pick up. Plus, a treasured feature that we took for granted is coming back (hint: it's in the Photos app). Siri, meanwhile, is in a holding pattern. Apple has previously specified that its smarter voice assistant — first promised at WWDC 2024 — is delayed until some point "in the coming year," so you shouldn't expect any major changes in the current betas. But there are reports that Apple is aiming to give Siri a bigger brain transplant by basing it on third-party artificial intelligence models like OpenAI's ChatGPT or Anthropic's Claude, which could make 2026 a pivotal year. With each beta, it seems like additional new improvements are popping up, like a newly discovered FaceTime feature that'll freeze your video if it detects nudity. Most newer iPhone models are eligible to download iOS 26 (both the betas and final version). Want to see the full list of new features coming this fall? Read on. The current iPhone operating system is iOS 18, and Apple is still actively updating it — version 18.6 was just recently released. But don't expect to see iOS 19. Instead, Apple is skipping the numbering ahead to iOS 26 later this year. The company has decided to line up its iOS version numbers with a year-based system, similar to car model years. So while iOS and its sibling operating systems will be released in late 2025, they're all designated "26" to reflect the year ahead. (Meanwhile, iOS 18 is still getting new versions this summer, too.) It's official, we're moving to iOS 26. (Apple) Let's be honest. Out of everything announced at WWDC this year, the new Liquid Glass design was the star of the show. The iPhone's home and lock screens have looked pretty much the same year after year — the last exciting thing (in my opinion) was the option to add your own aesthetic to your home screen by customizing your apps and widgets. So seeing the home and lock screens' new facelift is refreshing. So what exactly is Liquid Glass? Apple calls it a "new translucent material" since, well, the apps and widgets are clear. However, the screen can still adapt to dark and light modes, depending on surroundings. You'll also notice buttons with a new floating design in several apps, like Phone and Maps. They're designed to be less distracting than the current buttons, but are still easy to see. While the design overhaul has proven to be controversial since its announcement, some — including Engadget's own Devindra Hardawar — like the new direction, even if it's somewhat reminiscent of Microsoft's translucent Windows Vista Aero designs from nearly twenty years ago. That said, as of the release of the iOS 26 beta 2, Apple has already incorporated some user feedback into the design, dialing back the transparency in at least some places. And while it will continue to evolve, Apple users won't be able to escape it: Liquid Glass was designed to make all of Apple's OSes more cohesive. Here's a look at how the translucent aesthetic will look with the new macOS Tahoe 26 on your desktop. iOS 26 has a laundry list of new features. Among the most worthwhile: Phone app redesign: You'll finally be able to scroll through contacts, recent calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. It also comes with a new feature called Hold Assist that'll notify you when an agent comes to the phone so you can avoid the elevator music and continue on with other tasks. Live Translation in Phone, FaceTime and Messages: iOS 26 is bringing the ability to have a conversation via phone call or text message with someone who speaks another language. Live Translation will translate your conversation in real time, which results in some stop-and-go interactions in the examples Apple shared during its presentation. Polls in group chats: Tired of sorting through what seems like hundreds of messages in your group chat? You and your friends will soon be able to create polls in group messages for deciding things like which brunch spot you're eating at or whose car you're taking on a road trip. Filtering unknown senders in Messages: If you haven't received spam texts about unpaid tolls or other citations, you're lucky. For those of us who have, those annoying messages will soon be filtered away in a separate folder. Visual Intelligence: Similar to a reverse Google image search, this new feature will allow you to search for anything that's on your iPhone screen. For instance, if you spot a pair of shoes someone is wearing in an Instagram photo, you can screenshot it and use Visual Intelligence to find those shoes (or similar ones) online. Photos tabs are back: For anyone who's still frustrated with the Photos changes made last year, you'll be happy to know that your tabs are coming back. Library and Collections will have their own separate spaces so you don't have to scroll to infinity to find what you're looking for. FaceTime "Communication Safety" feature: A newer addition to iOS 26 appears to be the FaceTime "Communication Safety" feature that pauses communications if and when nudity is detected. The feature appears to be a child safety feature that uses on-device detection, thus obviating any cloud-based privacy issues. Apple's Hold Assist will be nifty for those pesky services that put you on hold for 10 or more minutes. (Apple) A few iPhone models that run the current version of iOS — iPhone XR, XS and XS Max — won't be compatible with the latest upgrade. But any iPhones released in 2019 or later will be eligible for the iOS 26 update. iPhone SE (second generation or later) iPhone 11 iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 Pro Max iPhone 12 iPhone 12 mini iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 13 iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 15 iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 16e iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max Not listed here are the presumed new iPhone 17 models (or maybe iPhone 26?) that are all but certain to be announced and released in September. The iOS 26 public beta is now available to download via the Apple Beta Software Program. If you're not already a member, you'll need to sign up to try out all the latest features. Just visit and sign up with your phone number or email address. It's free. Once you're in, you can install it by going to Settings > General > Software Update and selecting iOS 26 public beta. A word of caution: Don't sign up with your main iPhone unless you're OK with any risks that occur with using an OS that isn't finalized. iOS 26 will be released to the public this fall. It usually comes in September, within a week of the Apple iPhone event. Last year, it rolled out to iPhone users on September 16 — exactly one week after the iPhone 16 lineup was announced. If you're more interested in the Apple Intelligence features coming, here's everything Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and more during WWDC. Also, check out how iOS 26 screenshots could be an intriguing preview of Apple's delayed Siri rework. Update, August 1: Added quote from Tim Cook about iOS 26. Update, July 31: Noted that iOS 18.6 is now available. Update, July 24: Noted the iOS 26 public beta is now available. Update, July 3: Noted new FaceTime feature found in the developer beta. Update, June 30: Noted ongoing iOS 18 releases, and reports that Apple is considering additional external LLMs for Siri. Update, June 25: Noted changes added in iOS 26 beta 2. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.
CNBC
24 minutes ago
- CNBC
Apple's forecast and margins were strong despite pull-forward, says Morgan Stanley's Erik Woodring
Erik Woodring, Morgan Stanley head of US technology hardware research, joins 'Power Lunch' to discuss why Apple's stock is reacting the way it is, Tim Cook's potential acquisition prospects and much more.
Forbes
24 minutes ago
- Forbes
Apple Loop: iPhone 17 Pro Upgrades, iPadOS Success, iPhone 17 Price Shock
Taking a look back at this week's news and headlines from across the Apple world, including iPhone 17 pricing, iPhone 17 Pro's display upgrade, cheaper MacBook details, iPadOS 26 success, Tim Cook's AI shopping list, an iPhone milestone, and more... Apple Loop is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Apple in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Android news here on Forbes. iPhone 17 Price Rise The last few iPhones have resisted the price push, but with the rising cost of components and the impact of trade tariffs, Apple will be raising the price of the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max models set for release in September. 'Jefferies' analyst Edison Lee] expects a $50 price increase for iPhone 17 Slim/P/PM models to offset rising component costs and China tariffs. Other potential cost pressures from India and sector tariffs are not yet included." (Forbes). iPhone 17 Pro Display Design Leak A subtle change, but one that may be more obvious than most, looks to br coming to the iPhone 17 Pro. The iPhone 17 screen was already expected to deliver a faster refresh rate, albeit not a variable-rate Pro Motion model. Turns out the iPhoen 17 Pro displays are getting their own upgrade thanks to a new coating: "The anti-reflective display has been rumored for some months, and the latest source promises another benefit: greater scratch resistance. The display is, after all, the main way you interact with your smartphone, so the more inviting it looks, the more you'll use your phone." (Forbes). How Much For An A18-powered MacBook? Apple has traditionally kept a $999 price tag for its base MacBook Air. With an iPhone Axx chipset model rumours, will Apple take the plunge and officially drop below that price tag? "If the circumstances are right, Apple will drop under the thousand-dollar mark. The question will be how aggressive Apple wants to be. The Walmart deal will have given it significant data on consumers and their expectations of Apple at that price, which will likely inform the decision on an A18 MacBook. Apple will also want to balance its brand. Somewhere between $699 and $899 feels likely." (Forbes). iPadOS 26 Preview Finds Favor Has the balance of providing the best consumer experience possible for iPad users, while not threatening to cannibalize Mac and macBook sales finally been solved with iPadOS 26? Andrew Cunningham argues that it has, in his preview of 2025's iPadOS update: "There are still things I'd like to see improve, and iPadOS itself still isn't going to replace macOS for the class of developers and power users who want a Terminal window and less-fettered access to external accessories and filesystems and the ability to run whatever code they want. But this finally feels close to an interface that feels right for the iPad while still being consistent and familiar for people coming from macOS, Windows, ChromeOS, or any other traditional desktop operating system." (Ars Technica). Half A Billion Reasons To Love F1: The Movie The summer blockbuster rule of thumb is to pass the half-billion-dollar mark. The tentpole superhero movies of 2025 have managed that… and so has Apple's little automotive experiment: "As for Apple's 'F1,' passing the $500 million mark is just another feather in the cap for the studio. Earlier this month, the film became Apple's best film release ever, surpassing Ridley Scott's 'Napoleon,' which generated $221 million during its 2023 run, to become Apple's then-highest-grossing theatrical release." (CNBC). Apple Intelligence's Shopping List During Apple's quarterly earnings call, Tim Cook touched on the rollout of Apple Intelligence and the lead the competition has. He also acknowledged that—in a rare move—Apple would consider buying a company to boost the artificial intelligence toolbox the company has: 'We're very open to M&A that accelerates our roadmap. We're not stuck on a certain size company. (…) we basically ask ourselves whether a company can help us accelerate a roadmap. If they do, then we are interested. But we don't have anything to share specifically today.' (Apple via 9to5Mac). Special Offer For iPhone 13 Owners US carrier T-Mobile has opened up its satellite connectivity to the iPhone 13 family. It is available to all with a subscription service, and if you are on its Experience Beyond plan, you'll have to as a free addition. "When Apple made the surprise announcement that its iPhone 13 series was suddenly compatible with carrier-supported satellite connectivity, it was ushering in a new way to stay connected. The first network to support this, T-Mobile, has just gone live with its new T-Satellite service for iPhones and other handsets. And even a temporary outage hasn't stopped the new service from arriving. " (Forbes). And Finally... Also on the call was the news on a signifcaint landmark in iPhone sales. Three billion handsets sold: "Cook's comments came during Apple's Q3 2025 earnings call today, with little fanfare. 'We also recently marked a significant milestone. We shipped the 3 billionth iPhone since its launch in 2007,' Cook said during his prepared remarks. The figure is notable because Apple stopped reporting unit sales for its hardware products in November 2018. Then-Apple CFO Luca Maestri said at the time that the 'number of units sold in a quarter is not representative of underlying state of business.' (9to5Mac). Apple Loop brings you seven days worth of highlights every weekend here on Forbes. Don't forget to follow me so you don't miss any coverage in the future. Last week's Apple Loop can be read here, or this week's edition of Loop's sister column, Android Circuit, is also available on Forbes.
