Review: IKEA Eneby Bluetooth speaker

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

IKEA is the Swedish brand that is known for making sensible and practical furniture that you have to build yourself. IKEA also makes fixtures, batteries, cookies and accessories. Did you know that IKEA makes Bluetooth speakers?

The IKEA Eneby lin of speakers are appealing retro-inspired Bluetooth speakers starting at $60.00 for the 8 x 8 Eneby 20 and $100 for the larger 12 x 12 Eneby 30. Unlike the majority of IKEA products, the Eneby speakers come assembled. You have the option of connecting an included handle (they provide the tools and there's also an optional $20 battery pack that's worth buying if the speaker is going to be moved around.

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Android P might bring the ability to remember volume levels for different Bluetooth devices

With phones losing headphone jacks, people are relying more and more on Bluetooth headsets and accessories. And it seems Google wants to make life easier for users who are reliant on the technology. An AOSP commit titled “Implement Bluetooth device volume memory” shows the possibility that the next Android version, which we call Android P, will be able to remember the volume of your Bluetooth devices. Bluetooth volume memory, as the commit describes, will be handled on a “per-device basis.” The volume profiles will be stored in shared preference and will be loaded every time the device is connected. The description adds, “Volume is persisted for devices that both do and don’t support absolute volume.”

There is currently only one master volume for Bluetooth devices but with the possible introduction of volume memory being handled individually, it takes out the hassle of having to adjust volume each time you connect your phone to your Bluetooth accessories.

Source: Android Authority

Review: Google Pixel Buds

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Few gadgets have been as anticipated as Google's Pixel Buds. These are neck buds which feature Google features and services and are Google's answer to Apple's popular and iconic AirPods.

Just like the AirPods, the Google Pixel Buds are designed to work best with the latest and greatest flagship Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, although they make pretty good Bluetooth headphones for almost any Android and iOS smartphone.

The Pixel Buds work best with Android smartphones, specifically the Pixel 2 devices, which don't just work in tandem with the headphones but also unlock all the features like the real-time language translation.

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Android’s Fast Pair feature makes it easier to pair Bluetooth accessories to your phone

Google wants to eliminate the tedious process of having to search through the settings app to pair a Bluetooth device to the phone. Google Play Series version 11.7 brings the feature called Fast Pair to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. What it does is it searches for nearby Bluetooth Low Energy broadcasts in your area. You’ll get a high-priority notification once it spots the device you want to pair it to and it’ll ask you to “tap to pair” your device with, let’s say, Bluetooth headphones. The notification will show the product name and an image of the device to make sure you pair it with the correct device. Once you’ve successfully paired, you’ll get a second notification giving you a link to companion app, if the Bluetooth device has it. The feature currently just supports Google’s Pixel Buds and Libratone Q Adapt On-Ear. The upcoming Plantronics Voyager 8200 series will support the feature, too.

Source: Android Authority