Audio News and Articles

Security The Web

AliExpress was silently running audio in your browser to fingerprint and track your device

A Bluetooth glitch exposed AliExpress's hidden audio fingerprinting

A hot potato: As cookies become a less reliable way to track people online, AliExpress may be showing how far companies will go to fill that gap. Researchers found code on the site's homepage that ran silent audio processes in the browser. Tied to Alibaba's security systems, the scripts tap a device's own audio hardware to generate a signal and measure the tiny, device-specific ways it comes back – producing something close to a fingerprint that doesn't need a single cookie to work. It's the kind of tracking a user would likely never notice.

Full story By Skye Jacobs, August 23, 2026, 12:37 PM

Download of the Week Software

MPC-HC is old-school software in the best possible way

Media Player Classic - Home Cinema is fast, lightweight, and plays virtually anything without unnecessary extras. Its classic interface stays out of the way, while advanced users can fine-tune playback with custom filters, shaders, and renderers such as madVR. MPC-HC is also one of our Essential Apps.

By Ivan Franco, August 18, 2026, 6:18 PM

Download of the Week Software

Audacity remains one of the best free tools for editing audio

Audacity remains one of the easiest ways to record, edit, clean up, and export audio without paying for a full production suite. It handles everything from quick trims and format conversions to podcasts, noise reduction, and basic mastering, with support for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It's also one of our Essential Apps for Windows and macOS.

By Ivan Franco, August 14, 2026, 11:23 AM

Software AI

How to use a vocal remover to strip vocals from any song for free

LALAL.AI turns any track into an instant instrumental in just a few clicks

Creative launches Sound Blaster AE-X for PC audio enthusiasts

Pump Up the Volume: Creative has added a new model to its renowned Audigy line of discrete Sound Blaster add-in cards. The Sound Blaster AE-X is a "flagship" solution for high-performance computer builds and is intended to provide a premium sound experience – so long as you are willing to pay a substantial price.

Full story By Alfonso Maruccia, May 29, 2026, 12:49 PM 26 comments

Electronics Software

Windows can now share audio to two Bluetooth headphones at once, sort of

Shared audio is live, but only on Copilot+ PCs with Bluetooth LE audio for now

By Kishalaya Kundu, May 28, 2026, 11:07 AM 7 comments

Electronics

Audiophile myth challenged as $4,000 boutique audio cable fails to beat $7 Amazon Basics in lab test

High-end RCA cable marketing falls flat under analyzer testing

By Rob Thubron, March 30, 2026, 5:19 AM 37 comments

Electronics Apple

Apple launches AirPods Max 2 with stronger ANC, lossless audio, and live translation

By Rob Thubron, March 16, 2026, 11:31 AM

Electronics

Sonos unveils two new speakers: the portable Play and cheaper Era 100 SL

The Play sits between the Roam 2 and Move 2, while the Era 100 SL drops the mic

By Rob Thubron, March 10, 2026, 10:17 AM

Software AI

Google Docs can turn long documents into audio summaries in latest Workspace update

Gemini brings short, podcast-style recaps directly into Docs for paid users

By Skye Jacobs, February 15, 2026, 7:12 AM

Download of the Week Software

Ocenaudio is an easy cross-platform editor for everyday audio tasks

Ocenaudio is a fast and lightweight audio editor for Windows, macOS, and Linux, designed for quick edits without a learning curve. It offers real-time effects preview and reliable support for all common audio formats. Recent updates have brought improved visual tools and smoother performance.

By Ivan Franco, January 9, 2026, 11:42 AM

Electronics Science

A Japanese startup built a speaker that's basically a sheet of fabric

New electrostatic design turns the entire textile surface into a sound emitter

By Skye Jacobs, December 16, 2025, 1:04 AM 13 comments

AI Industry

Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine are licensing their voices to AI

Selling your voice to AI is all right all right all right

By Cal Jeffrey, November 12, 2025, 4:57 PM 10 comments

Electronics Industry

Bluetooth Core 6.2 brings new enhancements to the ubiquitous wireless standard

The standard is now experiencing gradual improvement rather than a complete overhaul

By Alfonso Maruccia, November 6, 2025, 12:31 PM

Electronics Tech Culture

This ultimate portable CD player brings back everything we love, and more

A portable CD player this good should be illegal

By Shawn Knight, November 6, 2025, 9:41 AM 12 comments

Hardware Electronics

Creative revives iconic Sound Blaster brand with modular audio hub

A multi-purpose hub for managing all of your audio devices

By Shawn Knight, October 30, 2025, 1:59 PM 12 comments

Security Software

Cybersecurity experts warn real-time voice deepfakes are here

Open-source software and affordable hardware can produce live, convincing audio deepfakes

By Skye Jacobs, October 25, 2025, 8:51 AM 10 comments

Electronics Tech Culture

Roland returns to analog with the TR-1000 drum machine

Roland aims to reclaims its legacy and challenges rivals

By Skye Jacobs, October 2, 2025, 1:14 PM

Electronics Gaming

SteelSeries debuts Arctis Nova Elite for gamer audiophiles with deep pockets

SteelSeries' latest premium wireless gaming headset offers broad platform connectivity, Hi-Res certification, and effective active noise cancellation. However, reviewers note that many of these features are overkill if you don't own multiple consoles, and at $699, the headset is extremely expensive.

By Ivan Franco, September 30, 2025, 2:17 PM

Gaming

Sony's Pulse Elevate wireless speakers are built for PC gamers, powered by planar magnetic drivers

Coming in 2026, pricing and battery life remain a mystery for now

By Shawn Knight, September 25, 2025, 12:44 PM

Electronics

Bang & Olufsen's latest wireless earbuds come with a jaw-dropping $1,500 price tag

Luxury comes at a cost

By Shawn Knight, September 24, 2025, 1:54 PM 10 comments

Electronics Apple

AirPods Pro 3 first reviews: improved fit, sound, and a new heart rate sensor

The AirPods Pro 3 debut with a built-in heart rate sensor, "Live Translation," and a revamped ear tip system that now offers an additional XXS size. Reviewers praise the enhanced ANC, improved Transparency mode, and upgraded IP57 water and dust resistance.

By Ivan Franco, September 15, 2025, 10:50 AM