Latest news with #Powerbeats
Epoch Times
23-04-2025
- Epoch Times
3 Chinese Nationals Sentenced Over Gift Card Fraud Scheme
Three Chinese nationals who were part of a Chinese transnational criminal organization have been sentenced for their involvement in a gift card fraud scheme, with the illicit money being used to buy expensive electronic products, which were then shipped to China. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Hampshire The three individuals, who have also been sentenced to one year of supervised release, face deportation upon completing their prison sentences. 'These individuals were part of a Chinese transnational criminal organization that used a complex scheme to steal and launder millions of dollars through gift card theft,' Michael J. Krol, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations New England, said in a statement. Prosecutors said the trio's crimes were part of a bigger problem. Organized crime groups in China had acquired more than $100 million in gift cards through fraudulent means, prosecutors said. These illicit means included stealing gift card data 'by hacking U.S. companies, tampering with physical gift cards, and targeting U.S. citizens through romance and elder fraud schemes,' according to the press release. The China-based criminal groups then sent the data from the gift cards to Chinese nationals operating cells in the United States via a China-based messaging platform in exchange for cryptocurrency, prosecutors said. Related Stories 1/30/2025 4/9/2025 These cells would then use the gift card data to buy high-value electronics, particularly Apple products, prosecutors said, and ship them to China, Hong Kong, or Southeast Asian countries. Prosecutors noted that cell members typically run their operations in states with no sales tax, such as New Hampshire, to maximize their profits. Wu, Jiang, and Chen were members of a cell in New Hampshire, where Wu and Jiang were responsible for buying fraudulent gift cards at a discount rate. Together, they either used the cards or gave them to others in the scheme, with Wu responsible for $1.4 million in fraud, Jiang for $3 million, and Chen for $400,000. The three had 'The defendants played a critical role in laundering proceeds of romance and other online scams by purchasing the stolen gift cards and using them to purchase Apple products,' acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack said in a statement, according to the April 22 press release. 'While they may not have committed the initial fraud, the defendants' actions helped convert stolen funds into tangible goods, enabling a large-scale financial crimes conspiracy.' On Oct. 19, 2023, Jiang, Chen, and two other Asian males used gift card data on their cellphones to buy Apple, Bose, and Powerbeats products at a Target store in Salem, New Hampshire, totaling more than $12,356, according to a court document submitted in late March. In January last year, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at a warehouse used by the trio in Salem and found more than 7,000 Apple products, worth about $8 million, according to the court document. Following the searches, law enforcement officials arrested Wu and Jiang before they could board a flight to Shanghai at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, the court document states. Chen was identified as one of the 'runners,' who were considered 'lower-level' participants in the scheme, receiving commissions for purchasing electronic products from stores, according to the court document. The Epoch Times contacted the lawyers of Wu, Jiang, and Chen for comment, and did not receive a response by publication time. U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) currently has an initiative called HSI states on its Criminals are known to target gift cards at stores by stealing information on them before putting them back on store shelves, according to HSI. When a consumer buys a tampered gift card and loads money onto it, the criminal could immediately drain the funds. HSI's Cornerstone, a monthly newsletter, In March, a Chinese national named Liao Donghui, 32, was sentenced to 33 months in prison in Florida, after
Telegraph
08-04-2025
- Telegraph
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review: Are Apple's new running headphones worth the six-year wait?
This article contains affiliate links. The products or services listed have been selected independently by journalists after hands-on testing or sourcing expert opinions. We may earn a commission when you click a link, buy a product or subscribe to a service. What are the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2? It has been six years since Beats released the original Powerbeats Pro earphones. Designed for exercise, the earhook on the buds mean they stay secure whether you're running outdoors or lifting weights in the gym. While parent company Apple has produced new generations of Airpods and other Beats buds, Powerbeats fans have waited patiently for an update ‒ and now it's here, with six years of progress across design, stamina and functionality in one go. At £249.99, they're at the more expensive end of the running headphone market. Beats' previous bestselling sports earbuds, the Beats Fit Pros, have an RRP of £219.99 (although they're often discounted to much less), while the previous iteration of the Powerbeats tended to sit around £220. Powerbeats Pro 2 may look similar to the older model but they're smaller, lighter and have more charge (up to 10 hours on the buds alone). But the new features are the headline news; spatial audio provides more immersive sound while active noise cancellation (ANC) blocks out ambient noise. A new heart-rate sensor provides limited fitness tracking for the first time and a chip upgrade makes it easier to pair with iPhones. JUMP TO: Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. From running shoes to exercise bikes, all reviews are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. How we test running headphones Sound quality is usually the most important metric for testing headphones, but when it comes to earbuds designed for exercise, this factor takes a backseat against the importance of comfort, durability, water resistance and battery life. It may sound sacrilegious to audiophiles, but when you're pounding the streets or playing sports, hearing every note of a song with perfect clarity becomes less important than knowing your earphones will stay put and go the distance with you, whatever the weather. Naturally, the best way to test these earbuds is to wear them repeatedly while exercising, ensuring they perform well over a number of long-distance runs and draining gym visits, as well as additional walks to wear the battery down. While I am, I have to concede, a slightly below-average runner, I do have persistence on my side with the 250 parkrun T-shirt to prove it. I've also been writing about technology for over a decade and have tested numerous audio products and running accessories in that time. Comfort and fit Score: 8/10 The buds use six built-in microphones to scan the fit and seal of your ears, adjusting acoustic frequencies on the fly, so it's important you choose the right ear tips to get the best sound quality. Five sizes are provided in the box and you can use the app to scan your ears to make sure you've got a good enough seal. They weigh an incredibly light 8.9g each (the originals are 11g) and the design means you just pop them into your ear canal and twist until the hook sits behind your ear, making it stay firmly in place. They stayed put no matter how much my head moved during a run, but the hook created a dull throb after extended use, making them less comfortable than plain earbuds overall. The fixed positioning means it's easier to use the on-bud controls, which include a small volume rocker and a tactile Beats logo that controls noise cancellation and playback. They can even be pressed by leaning into your shoulder in a pinch. Battery life Score: 10/10 Testing battery life on the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 proved difficult for the best possible reason: it's incredibly good. Apple claims that you can expect up to ten hours from the earbuds with noise cancellation off and up to 45 hours when you include the charging case. That made draining the battery from exercise alone tricky for someone with commitments beyond the gym, and I wore them non-stop one day to test their longevity. The left bud only gave up after playing music with a mixture of ANC and Transparency mode for nine hours and 21 minutes. The right bud lasted three minutes longer, safely proving that these heroic estimates are not mere marketing. Five minutes charging in the case got me up to 15 per cent, which hit 52 per cent after half an hour. The case has a USB-C charging port and can charge wirelessly. Sound quality Score: 9/10 Powerbeats Pro 2 provide excellent sound quality that is clear across the board, making for a good listen regardless of the music that motivates you most. Punchy bass sounds are prioritised to help you go that extra mile without overpowering the song or muddying the sound. As good as the sound quality is, however, the biggest upgrade is the addition of both Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency mode. ANC is highly effective at almost silencing the world around you and reducing road noise to a whisper, but it's the Transparency mode that's a potential literal lifesaver for runners. It lets ambient noise through the ANC so you can hear traffic and people around you without overpowering the music you're listening to. There is a trade-off, of course, and while it sounds rather natural, you will have to put up with the beat of your feet and the sounds of your breathing getting through. Water and sweat resistance Score: 7/10 Disappointingly the water resistance on the Powerbeats Pro 2 is the same level of protection as its predecessor. Both share the same IPX4 certification, which means they have been tested to withstand light rain and some sweat, but offer no guarantees if you're hit by a torrential downpour or they fall in a puddle. The 'X' in the Ingress Protection rating is important because it represents a device's ability to cope with dust and other small particles. The scoring is out of six and 'X' means it offers no protection or possibly hasn't been tested at all, as protection against solid objects larger than 50mm only gets a score of one. An IPX4 rating will be sufficient for most people but for those who relish running in the kind of awful conditions that would make regular mortals turn back, it could be an issue. If this applies to you, you may want to opt for a truly waterproof alternative like the JBL Reflect Aero TWS instead. Durability and performance Score: 9/10 As you'd hope for earphones that cost £250, the Powerbeats Pro 2 feel extremely well made and have shown zero signs of damage after multiple runs and walks. The ear hook design keeps the buds firmly in place, but in the unlikely event they did fall out or slip through your fingers while putting them back in their case, I am confident they would survive. I did a couple of test drops from my 6ft4 height and there was no damage at all, with the music continuing as if nothing had happened once back in my ears. And if you misplace them before putting them back in the base, you can make them play a loud sound via the iPhone's Find My tool or Android's Find My Beats app. The introduction of a heart-rate sensor is a nice addition but fitness enthusiasts who want to keep tabs on this will likely already have one of the best fitness trackers or a dedicated chest strap. If you're wearing an Apple Watch with the Powerbeats Pro 2, the former will be prioritised and the headphones only support a handful of apps, which awkwardly don't include Apple Fitness Plus or Strava. The feature worked with the Nike Run Club app however, clocking the same overall average heart rate as a dedicated MyZone chest strap. Crucially the Apple Watch got similarly close in another test, so you're unlikely to gain much by switching to Powerbeats Pro 2, unless your wrist-based wearable struggles to get an accurate read (darker skin, tattoos and hair have all been shown to potentially impact tracking in consumer wearables). Technical specifications If you're keen on the ear hook design but don't want to pay Apple prices, then the Shokz OpenFit is a good alternative and nearly half the price at £129.99. You lose noise cancellation for everything bar calls but gain dust protection on top of water resistance. Should you buy the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 headphones? The Powerbeats Pro 2 have been a long time coming, but they've most definitely been worth the wait. While Apple's other releases often offer incremental improvement thanks to an annual schedule, six years of change makes a huge difference here. The added noise cancellation and transparency mode alongside a new and improved design makes them an easy recommendation for fans of the originals. Yes, if: You want noise cancellation and transparency modes You want superior sound quality You need long battery life for longer runs You prefer over-ear headphones No, if: FAQs How do the Powerbeats Pro 2 compare to the original Powerbeats Pro? Given the six years between Powerbeats Pro and Powerbeats Pro 2, the new version has plenty of improvements. The headline upgrades include the introduction of active noise cancellation, spatial audio and a heart-rate sensor. But they're also lighter (8.7g vs 11g), packed with more microphones (six vs two), with much better battery life (up to 45 hours vs 24) and USB-C charging instead of Lightning. The 33 per cent smaller case can also be charged wirelessly for added convenience. Finally, they now have the same Apple H2 chip as AirPods Pro 2 for easy pairing with iPhones. What are the key new features of the Powerbeats Pro 2? The key new features are the introduction of active noise cancellation (ANC) and a heart-rate sensor for tracking exertion during exercise. How accurate is the heart rate monitoring feature? Compared to a dedicated chest strap, I found the Powerbeats Pro 2 heart rate sensor gave very similar readings overall, with the same average and maximum beats per minute (BPM) recorded. Over the course of the run, the two were usually within a few BPM of each other, albeit with the chest strap quicker to react to the sudden change of switching from walking to running, and vice versa. It's important to note that the Powerbeats Pro 2's heart rate sensor is only compatible with a limited number of exercise apps at launch, including Open, Nike Run Club, Peloton, Runna, Ladder and Slopers. Awkwardly, the list currently doesn't include Apple Fitness Plus, and there's another interesting quirk for those all-in on the Apple ecosystem. The company says that if you're wearing an Apple Watch and Powerbeats Pro 2, readings from the Apple Watch will be prioritised. How does the battery life compare to other wireless earbuds? The Powerbeats Pro 2's battery life is extremely impressive, with Apple claiming up to 10 hours in the buds themselves, and up to 45 hours when the case is included. Note that this drops to eight and 36 with noise cancellation and transparency disabled. Even then, Powerbeats Pro 2 compare pretty favourably to other gym-friendly buds. On our list of the best running headphones, only the Xiaomi Openwear Stereo runs that close with 7.5 hours per bud and 38.5 hours in the charging case with ANC turned off. Are the Powerbeats Pro 2 waterproof?
The Guardian
12-02-2025
- The Guardian
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review: Apple's best workout buds are back with a bang
After five years, Apple is back with a full revamp of the earbuds that put its Beats headphones brand on the map for athletes and sports people: the Powerbeats Pro 2. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Designed to hook on to the ear and stay put without wires, the original Powerbeats Pro were the best earbuds for working out and were worn by sports superstars including LeBron James and Anthony Joshua. For 2025 Apple has taken all the good bits of the originals and refined the fit, slimmed down the bulk, and added noise cancelling and heart rate monitoring for £250 ($250), aiming to retake the premium workout earbuds top spot. The overall shape of the earbuds has stayed the same. A flexible silicone wire hooks over the back of the user's ear while an arm connects it to an earbud that sits in their ear. The fit is lighter but no less secure than their predecessors: comfortable for extended listening sessions on the commute while not budging at all during vigorous exercise. The earbuds last about eight hours of playback with noise cancelling (10 hours without it) and charge in a good flip-top case that contains enough juice for 3.5 full charges of the earbuds. The case is 30% smaller than before but it is still quite large, fitting easily in a bag but only in a pocket at a push. The Powerbeats Pro 2 have the same H2 chip and connectivity as Apple's AirPods Pro 2, which means a seamless connection with various Apple gear, including spatial audio for movies and music, audio sharing, Siri support and lossless audio when used with an Apple Vision Pro. But the earbuds also support advanced features on Android too, using the Beats app for one-touch pairing, customisation, updates and other functions, making them much more flexible than other Apple earbuds. The H2 chip gives the Powerbeats many of the top-class features of the AirPods. That includes active noise cancelling that is almost as effective as Apple's top buds, able to significantly reduce outside sounds and only falling slightly behind by letting a little more of higher tones break through, such as chatting or clicks. The earbuds handle wind noise well and have a best-in-class transparency mode, which is excellent while out walking or in the gym. While running it accentuates your own footsteps a little and reduced my awareness slightly compared with bone-conduction headphones, but was perfectly usable in environments such as parks and safer streets. The new Powerbeats are easily Beats' best-sounding earbuds, producing a balanced sound with great separation of tones, well-controlled punch in the low end and plenty of detail with high notes. They do justice to pop, hip-hop and big rock tracks while remaining rounded enough for more nuanced genres such as classical or jazz. They aren't quite as good as the AirPods Pro and have no ability to adjust how they sound, which can be a little too clean and controlled for some tracks, lacking a little energy in dance tracks, but they are far better than most workout buds. The Beats also have Apple's personalised spatial audio system with head-tracking for immersive movie sound with Apple devices, similar to AirPods, and excellent call quality for both ends of calls. Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, SBC, AAC, H2 chip, HR sensor Battery life: 8 hours ANC playback (36 hours with case) Water resistance: IPX4 earbuds (sweat resistant) Earbud dimensions: 45 x 41 x 24mm Earbud weight: 8.7g each Charging case dimensions: 75 x 66 x 34mm Charging case weight: 69g Case charging: USB-C, Qi wireless The Powerbeats have optical heart rate sensors that can monitor your pulse through your ears similar to Sennheiser's recent Momentum Sport earbuds. The sensors are on the part of the earbuds that touches the inside of your tragus, and in theory can match or better the accuracy of optical heart rate monitors on watches. The sensors only work when wearing both earbuds, which compare the data between your ears before sending out a reading via Bluetooth to a connected phone or device every five seconds. In testing they were similar in accuracy to a Garmin Fenix 8 smartwatch and stayed in place, but an appropriate app is needed on Android or iPhone to connect to the earbuds. Neither Beats nor Apple make a workout app for them and only a small number of apps work out of the gate on an iPhone, including the popular Runna, Peloton and Nike Run Club apps, the latter of which worked seamlessly. On Android, any app that works with heart rate devices such as Bluetooth chest straps should work with the earbuds, including Strava when tested. Heart rate data is stored in the Health app on an iPhone or in the connected workout app for Android users. Apple does not provide an expected lifespan for the batteries, but they should last in excess of 500 full-charge cycles with at least 80% of their original capacity. The earbuds contain recycled plastic in some internal components. They are not repairable but Apple will offer individual replacements for lost or damaged parts. It does not publish environmental impact reports for accessories such as headphones. The company offers trade-in and free recycling schemes, including for non-Apple products. The Powerbeats Pro 2 cost £249.95 ($249.99). For comparison, the Beats Fit Pro cost £219.99, the Beats Studio Buds + cost £179.99, the Beats Solo Buds cost £79.99, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 cost £229 and the Sennheiser Momentum Sport cost £199. The Powerbeats Pro 2 are an upgrade to just about every aspect of the originals, making them some of the very best premium workout earbuds available. The fit is super-secure but surprisingly light, holding themselves in place for vigorous workouts without the pinching force many similar alternatives with ear hooks require. They sound great for powering through workouts but have enough nuance to be daily earbuds for all sorts of music genres too. The effective noise cancelling helps with commutes or quietening busy roads. The very good transparency mode is miles better than most competitors, but still diminishes your awareness compared with open-ear headphones so best saved for workouts in safer spaces. Built-in heart rate monitoring in earbuds is still a novelty. The sensors worked well in my ears, but they rely on third-party apps to work, which are in short supply with an iPhone. That's not a problem for Android users who can use Strava and most heart-rate compatible apps from the off. At £250, Beats is certainly asking a lot for a set of workout buds. But unlike many fitness rivals the Powerbeats Pro 2 are good enough to be the only earbuds you might need, particularly if you're an iPhone user who get on with the fit of Apple's AirPods – these are not going to fall out. The biggest disappointment is that the battery is still not replaceable, ultimately making them disposable and losing a star. Pros: great sound, very good noise cancelling and transparency modes, very long battery life, secure and comfortable fit, excellent controls, spatial audio, great call quality, cross-platform compatibility with enhanced features for iPhone and Android. Cons: expensive, case still not very pocketable, not many compatible apps for the heart rate feature on an iPhone, no multipoint connectivity, battery can't be replaced making them disposable.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Yahoo
The iOS 18.4 Beta could drop as soon as February 12
With the launch of the new Powerbeats and the iPhone SE 4, next week is a busy one for Apple fans — but even more surprises could be on the way with the release of iOS 18.4 Beta 1, according to Mark Gurman. There's a chance the launch could be pushed back until the week after, but it will most likely arrive before the end of February. The coming iOS 18.4 beta is rumored to introduce a lot of changes related to Apple Intelligence functionality and Siri, including awareness of what's on screen, personal context, and much more. If this change comes through, it would mark a turning point for Siri. The assistant has long trailed behind the competition, and an update that brings it to the same level of power as Google Assistant or Alexa would be a huge boon for Apple users. The next beta is also set to introduce new emoji characters and bring Apple Intelligence to new countries and languages. Apple has already stated it will bring Apple Intelligence to a larger global audience in April, so the iOS 18.4 Beta 1 is likely testing for that release. Mark Gurman is a proven tipster for all things Apple, but there's more evidence to support his theory than just his word. Apple tends to release a new beta version shortly after it releases a software update. The company released iOS 18.3 on January 27, so a mid-week release of iOS 18.4 Beta 1 would fit the existing pattern. It's also possible that Apple wants to release a new and improved Siri before Amazon pulls a similar stunt with Alexa at its upcoming February 26 event, where the shopping giant has indicated it would demonstrate an AI-powered Alexa.
