Latest news with #HarrietMorphy-Morris
Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
'Apple AirTag and Samsung SmartTag drop in price - I don't go on a flight without one'
One retailer has cut the price of the Apple and Samsung tech gadgets many travellers call 'essential' - including our own editor Harriet Morphy-Morris who doesn't fly without one in her bag Bluetooth trackers have become a must-have travel essential for many as the nifty tech gadgets track items on the go, sending out alerts to nearby users if the item it's attached to goes missing. I also consider myself one shopper who deems the tiny piece of tech a must-have when travelling, so much so that I don't go on a flight without one either in my passport holder, or zipped into my luggage. There's no doubt that Apple AirTag, albeit not the first to launch, comes to mind first when speaking of these trackable gadgets, followed closely by the Galaxy SmartTag2 for Samsung users. A rare sale has dropped the price of both devices. The AirTag is now available to buy for £27, down from its usual £35 price for one, and there's even more money cut off its Samsung rival. Amazon has dropped the price of its SmartTag2 to an all-new low, now £14.51 as opposed to its usual £34.99 price, and is officially the same price as Black Friday, as CamelCameCamel data shows. It also beats Samsung's own price, as a quick look at the retailer shows that it's still selling for the usual £34. Amazon's seemingly surprise sale means there are options for both iOS iPhone users and Samsung devices. However, those with Android devices that aren't Samsung can't make use of either of the tracking gadgets - certainly a downside for many. This is where products like the Tile Life360 or the £29.99 Motorola Smart Nano Tag from Argos could be worth looking at. Both of these alternatives are more expensive than Amazon's Apple and Samsung prices. The Tile by Life360 Pro is £29, but both iPhone and Android users can use it. Making it more versatile to the devices on sale. Back to the discounted SmartTag2, it's not only the eye-catching 59% discount, but a huge perk to the feature is its battery. Unlike items, including the Tile and lesser-known Chipolo, the battery can be replaced by shoppers. The SmartTag2 battery lasts up to 500 days at first, but once it runs out, users can replace it with a CR2032 battery. This is different to some rivals, which aren't replaceable, meaning shoppers would have to ditch the tracker once it runs out of juice. This Chipolo CARD Spot, for instance, is cheaper than Apple's AirTag at £21 (and only compatible with iPhones), however, before the battery runs out, shoppers can send it back to the brand. When it comes to Bluetooth trackers, I've tested a handful of rival products, including the Chipolo Card Spot, and compared the AirTag and Tile against each other when flying. All in all the AirTag definitely has the most precise tracking, and as an iPhone user this is great, however, it's iOS only compatibility does give it a huge minus point when it comes to other mobile users. I highlighted the better tracking in my initial review. "On both the Tile app and Find My app I could see straight away where our bags were and how long ago they were in that location. One brand came out on top with its location map… the AirTag. It's a small detail but when looking for an item in what I can imagine a frantic situation (if you've lost something) you'd ideally want a tracker that shows its location on an 'easy-to-use' map, something Tile is slightly behind on. "Apple's Find My app gives off a much more generalised area than Tile, you can see nearby restaurants, shops and services as well as a small blue dot for where you are on the map in relation to the tracker. As well as an arrow pointing in the direction, all thanks to its ultrawideband tracking."
Wales Online
06-05-2025
- Wales Online
'I swapped my AirPods for a budget Amazon pair and they're still going strong two years on'
'I swapped my AirPods for a budget Amazon pair and they're still going strong two years on' I was sceptical of the Btoos True Wireless Earbuds from Amazon, but I was pleasantly surprised and even now two years on, I still find myself reaching for them over my more expensive pairs I swapped my AirPods for this budget Amazon pair (Image: Harriet Morphy-Morris ) Apple AirPods, Samsung Galaxy Buds, and Sony headphones are all pairs I've used or currently use. They're renowned for their superior sound quality, excellent transparency, noise cancelling capabilities, hands-free operation, and sleek designs, all of which justify their £100 plus price tags. However, a few years ago, I made the decision to swap my AirPods for the budget-friendly Btoos True Wireless Earbuds from Amazon, priced at just £18.99. Tech enthusiasts might scoff at the idea, but I found them to be a reliable pair for tossing in my bag, walking the dog, or any activity where there's a slight risk of losing an earbud. Two years after I endorsed this pair as a budget-friendly option, I'm back with an updated review on this more affordable alternative. With standard Bluetooth, 36 hours of playtime, and Environmental Noise Cancelling technology, there are some unexpected features packed into this inexpensive pair. READ MORE: 'Amazing' perfume with the perfect summer scent 25% off at Debenhams READ MORE: Woman lost over six stone doing at-home workouts that only needed 'a wall' I'm pleasantly surprised by how well the Btoos pair has held up over time; the audio quality remains consistent, and the connection to my iPhone is still dependable and quick. Naturally, they do lack some of the high-end features (as expected), so if you're in the market for top-tier tech like Apple's latest AirPods 4 with enhanced Active Noise Cancellation, they might be a better fit - currently priced at £129 at Currys. Earphones for budget shoppers £18.99 Amazon Buy Here Product Description The Btootos A90 True Wireless Earbuds are fitted with Bluetooth 5.3, noise reduction technology, a waterproof rating of IP7, and playtime of around 36 hours when on a full battery. The sale price of £18.99 is for Prime members only. For those who prefer headphones, the Sony ULT Wear is another viable choice, offering more pizzazz than Amazon's £18 Wireless Buds - and I say this as someone who has personally tested both. Retailing at £129.99 at Argos, the Sony ULT pair boasts superior sound quality with its deep bass mode and a powerful sound feature, essentially a button that intensifies the music in your ears, reports Chronicle Live. Both of these options provide features that Amazon's budget-friendly pair simply can't match, which isn't surprising given their sub-£20 price tag. However, I wouldn't write them off just yet. I still use this cheap pair of Amazon earphones when I don't want to risk losing my AirPods (Image: Harriet Morphy-Morris/Amazon ) Article continues below One feature I particularly appreciate is the LED display, something even AirPods don't offer. This LED display outshines Apple's offering, with a small illuminated indicator displaying battery life - a feature that sets these £20 earbuds apart from my current £100+ Apple pair. Even after two years, the light hasn't dimmed or flickered. The LED charging display allows you to keep track of the headset's charge level on the move, showing the battery status of each earbud. Years after my impulsive budget purchase, the only aspect of the Amazon pair that hasn't lived up to expectations is the battery life. Initially, the earbuds did deliver on their promised '36H playtime', but now I find myself needing to recharge them after just a few hours of use.
