Latest news with #Tone
WIRED
16-07-2025
- WIRED
This Beautiful Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth Speaker Is Also Pretty Repairable
Back in 2016, the original A1 Bluetooth speaker (8/10, WIRED Recommends) was one of the first from Bang & Olufsen under its more affordable Beoplay sub-brand. The stylish puck of brushed aluminum was a welcome antidote to all the rubberized Bluetooth boxes, and as a testament to good design, aesthetically it has changed little through three generations. The third-generation Beoplay A1 has just been launched, and while the design remains instantly recognizable and effortlessly cool, internally it has gone through a complete makeover and now sounds better and is more sustainable than ever. It is one of the finest portable speakers I've ever listened to, and remains as covetable as ever. Same Skin, New Innards Photograph: Chris Haslam So what's new? First, there are two new finishes to go along with the classic aluminium—Honey Tone (my review sample), and Eucalyptus Green. The speaker is seriously well made and flawlessly finished. It looks and feels as premium as it should for $399. There's a tweak on the design of the leather strap, but the important changes come from within. According to B&O, the A1 3rd Gen has the largest woofer in its class (3¼ inch), with a claimed bass SPL of 64 dB, which is 2 dB higher than the 2nd Gen model. Battery life has increased too, from 18 to 24 hours. Interestingly, Alexa voice assistant has been dropped, as—according to B&O directly—customers did not want it. It still has a microphone and thus still works as a speakerphone. The A1 Gen 3 is also the first Cradle to Cradle Certified (Bronze level) Bluetooth speaker in the world. In layman's terms, the speaker has a modular design that can be both upgraded and repaired, helping to extend its lifespan. Batteries can be replaced, for instance, if you take your speaker into a Bang & Olufsen store. The brand's commitment to longevity and sustainability is to be commended, and helps to justify the premium pricing. Bluetooth 5.1 seems a little dated here, and means there's no Auracast compatibility, but you do still get multipoint connectivity, stereo pairing, and aptX Adaptive compatibility. The IP67 rating ensures dust and waterproofing, plus the USB-C socket can be used for data transfer (future upgrades) as well as charging. Weighing 1.2 pounds and measuring 5.24 in diameter x 1.81 inches high, the A1 is not pocketable, but it's also not big enough to cause issues in a bag or backpack. There's no protective case, but the aluminum is tough and showed no ill effects after a few weeks being deliberately bumped and jostled about. Reviewer Parker Hall has dropped the first and second generation speakers many times and hasn't noticed any horrific wear, beyond a few small dents. The leather carry strap is elegant, with subtle but classy branding, and if you want you can use the IP67 speaker like an old-school shower radio. Generation Game Photograph: Chris Haslam Two 30-watt Class D amplifiers (60 watts total power) run the new, super-sized 3¼ inch woofer and one 0.6 inch tweeter, and together they pump out impressive 360-degree audio.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tone, the Personal Care Brand Founded by Six Twitch Streamers, Is Entering Target
Is the era of Twitch streamer-founded beauty brands upon us? If the breakout success of Tone, a unisex personal care brand launched in February by Atlanta-based content group AMP, or Any Means Possible, to the tune of near-instant seven-figure sales is any indication, yes. More from WWD Berlin Retailer Solebox Brings Zellerfeld's 3D-Printed Shoe Experience In-Store Onitsuka Tiger Opens Champs-Élysées Flagship as It Sets Its Sights on a Century More Than 30 Convicted for Roles in Organized Retail Theft Ring The line, which debuted direct-to-consumer with body lotions, deodorants and lip balms coming in four scent families and each priced under $15, is now entering retail with a nationwide Target foray. As part of the rollout, Tone will add two products — body wash and a body mist, called Cologne — to its assortment. 'Part of the Tone concept was a focus on accessibility, so being in brick-and-mortar where we can tell the story behind the brand and the product in a higher-touch way is important,' said the brand's chief executive officer Nathaniel Weiss, previously president of clean body care brand Nécessaire. Tone launched in partnership with Night, the media company and talent agency which works with many of AMP's members, who are Kai Cenat, Duke Dennis, Fannum, Agent 00, ImDaviss and ChrisNxtDoor. Best known for their gaming broadcasts and challenges, the cohort are among Twitch's most prominent content groups and collectively counts tens of millions of followers across members' respective channels. (Cenat has the largest audience with 18.1 million followers on the platform, and anywhere from 1.5 million to 11.3 million views of his most recent, hours-long broadcasts.) 'The depth of connection between the viewer and the creator on Twitch is not like that of any other platform,' Weiss said. 'Being streaming-native is, in some ways, just more intimate — there's this constant, live reaction from the audience in the chat which creates a two-way dialogue; there are also people who subscribe and pay a certain amount each month to watch ad-free — it's very different from other channels.' AMP has leveraged these strengths in promoting Tone. The brand was unveiled via a Twitch broadcast, which led to more than 100,000 users being on the Tone website at any given point during the stream, and the Target partnership will similarly be revealed via an antics-filled broadcast. 'We're doing an overnight livestream inside a Target store where the guys will kind of have the run of the place while the store is closed and be able to tell people what's going on with Tone,' said Weiss, adding that 'there will be, as the brand continues to scale, a role for other social platforms, but we want to be where the core audience conversation is — and for most of the guys, that's Twitch.' The brand's four scent families are Coconut, Fresh, Citrus and Woodland, with the former two being the heroes thus far. Tone's deodorants are aluminum-free and key ingredients in the new body wash include glycerin and citric acid. 'We believe that what gets people excited about this category is how things smell, but also a focus on efficacy — marrying those two and doing it at an accessible price point, we felt, would be a powerful combination,' Weiss said. As for the core consumer: 'It's very clearly Gen Alpha through Gen Z, ethnically diverse; perhaps one of the things that has been surprising to us is that our consumer has been 35 percent to 40 percent female,' said Weiss, adding that AMP members have some minority female followings, likely contributing to this dynamic, and Tone aims to broaden its reach among consumers of all genders. The brand will double down on its fragrance-forward approach for upcoming innovations, catering to young consumers' growing interest in scent. 'We're thinking about what other form factors we could put fragrance in that are not your traditional deodorants and body washes, but also aren't eau de toilette and eau de parfum — you'll see some fun stuff from us on that in the next 12 to 18 months — as well as selectively adding to the scent portfolio,' Weiss said. Best of WWD EXCLUSIVE: Toni Braxton Releases Vegan Body Care Line at Ulta Beauty The Hut Group Beauty's IPO Planned for 2022 High-end Retailers Are Betting on the Female Orgasm
Irish Independent
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Irish language signs ‘must be a part of our future' in Northern Ireland, says Michelle O'Neill
The First Minister was speaking at Sinn Fein's annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration at Bodenstown, Co Kildare, on Sunday. Sinn Fein's Stormont leader also said work on Casement Park in west Belfast must begin 'now', despite a funding shortfall in the tens of millions remaining. There has also been much recent controversy over plans to install signage in Irish in Belfast's new transport hub, with unionists heavily opposed to the idea. Ms O'Neill told republicans gathered at the final resting place of Tone, 'the father of Irish republicanism', that she was 'honoured to serve as First Minister for all, committed to power-sharing and to progress, and committed to representing all equally'. 'Acht na Gaeilge is now a reality and in the coming months the Irish Language Commissioner will be appointed,' she said. 'And in a fair and balanced way Irish language signs such as those in Grand Central Station must be part of our future. 'Additional funding was secured for Casement Park which creates renewed momentum. The work must now begin. This is a vital project not just for west Belfast, not just for the GAA, but for sports more widely in the north and across the island. 'A top class sporting stadium is a win for all. Sinn Féin is committed to investing in all sporting codes. Casement Park will be built.' Ms O'Neill also said it was time to extend voting rights in Irish presidential elections to Irish citizens in Northern Ireland. The Assembly recently passed a Sinn Féin non-binding motion to do so, although the Aontú party in the Republic had already submitted a private member's bill on the same matter in Dublin. Ms O'Neill said the vote in Stormont to extend the vote north of the border was 'something unthinkable only a short number of years ago'. 'But it is a sign of confidence in our future. A sign of things changing for the better,' she said. 'A similar motion will be debated in the Dáil this coming week. 'It is a decade since a bill was first passed in the Dáil, but it has been blocked by successive governments. 'Now is the time to act. Now is the time to extend voting rights to Irish citizens in the north.' Ms O'Neill also condemned recent racially-motivated rioting in Ballymena, Portadown and elsewhere as 'raw, unadulterated racism, fuelled by sectarian, supremacist loyalism, involving, in many cases, paramilitary elements, much of which was mirroring ultra-right English nationalism'. She also described the Northern Ireland government's Legacy Act as 'fundamentally flawed and it is a cynical piece of legislation' and called for an immediate public inquiry into the murder of GAA official Sean Brown, who was murdered by loyalists in 1997.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Time of India
Pune: 2 men steal debit cards from parked car
Pune: The Wanowrie police are on the lookout for two individuals after they allegedly stole debit cards from a parked car and used them to withdraw Rs90,0000 from ATMs and buy goods worth Rs2.2L. The incident occurred on June 2, between 7.30 AM and 11am, in front of the digital zone at Ramtekdi. The theft came to light on Thursday when a 35-year-old man from Dhayari filed a complaint with the Wanowrie police. Sub-inspector Dhanaji Tone on Friday said the victim had parked his car outside the digital zone to take an online examination. "He had left his mobile phone, memory card, a photocopy of his Aadhar card, and the debit cards inside the vehicle. The suspects reportedly used a stolen SIM card to generate PINs for the debit cards, enabling their unauthorized transactions, which included purchasing garments and a phone from various malls," Tone said. "The suspect duo arrived at the scene and one of them opened the boot of the car by pulling a wire beneath the vehicle. After stealing the valuables, they then closed the boot and fled. They used a SIM card to generate PIN for the debit cards. They first withdrew Rs90,000 from ATMs and later used the cards to purchase things from malls," the officer added. The police are analysing the CCTV footage to establish the identity of the suspects and arrest them. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Stuff.tv
12-05-2025
- Stuff.tv
Here's why the B&O Beosound A1 3rd Gen is the new premium portable speaker to beat
Stuff Verdict Still possibly the best-looking Bluetooth travel speaker, and now with more low-end muscle. You pay a premium for the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1's signature styling, but it's brilliantly capable all t Pros Gorgeous, uses luxury yet environmentally conscious materials Wonderfully engaging audio Long-lasting battery Cons B&O name carries a significant price premium Not as future-proof as some rivals There are louder outdoor speakers Introduction Every bit of Bang and Olufsen kit sits at a crossroads between gadget and art piece, and the new Beosound A1 is no exception. This (relatively) affordable Bluetooth speaker might be a heck of a lot smaller than the firm's statement-making floor standers, but it's just as iconic. So much so, you might think little has changed for this third generation. Underneath, though, the audio engineers have been hard at work boosting bass response. It means this mini music box should have the low end oomph to rival much larger speakers. Battery life has also been extended, making it even more of an outdoor essential. One or two features from the old model have been jettisoned, though, and the $349/£299/€349 asking price puts an awful lot of room between it and the more mainstream travel speaker crowd. I took one on tour for a week to see how it performs. How we test Hi-Fi products Every speaker, amp and Hi-Fi separate reviewed on Stuff is used for a minimum of a week's worth of daily listening. We use a playlist of test tracks made up of multiple genres to assess sound, and use our years of experience to compare to other models. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products. Find out more about how we test and rate products. Design & build: pearl-blasted burger bun I'm not sure there's another portable speaker as distinctive as the Beosound A1. The puck-like unit stays true to the two previous versions, keeping the pearl-blasted aluminium top grille with 2173 holes precision-milled across its surface. The polymer underside is built to withstand more punishment, and prevents speaker vibrations passing through to whatever surface you place it on. It's plenty grippy, too. There's some serious heft here, given the whole thing fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. Yet at 576g it's not so heavy I wanted to leave it at home, instead of bringing it with me on the move. Shape-wise it's not as easy to say, shove in a bike or bag bottle holder than some rivals, but I had no qualms finding room for it in my backpack's other pockets. My Honey Tone review unit (which lands somewhere between bronze and rose gold) is one of two new colours, the other being Eucalyptus. Bang & Olufsen has also brought back Natural Aluminium. Personally I don't think you can go wrong; all would look comfortable in an interior design catalogue. Danish industrial designer Cecilie Manz was brought back in for a third time to keep the new Beosound A1 looking fresh. The only real changes are to the leather wrist strap's metal fastener, which is a little simpler this time around. It's still water resistant, just like the speaker itself: an IP67 rating means it can shrug off showers and splashes. B&O also get a thumbs up for securing 'Cradle-to-Cradle Bronze' certification – the first Bluetooth speaker to get one – meaning it uses sustainable, recyclable materials. Though with the battery now able to be replaced (by a firm-approved technician, that is), this speaker should hopefully never see the scrapheap. Features & battery: Dane kept a-rollin' The 3rd-gen Beosound A1 keeps things simple, with just a single activity LED on the top subtly integrated into the grille, and a few buttons dotted around the edge for controlling power, playback, volume, and Bluetooth pairing. There's also a microphone mute button, as it still doubles as a speakerphone; the three integrated mics had no trouble picking up my voice when taking calls via my paired smartphone. What you won't find here is any sort of Alexa integration. The outgoing Beosound A1 2nd Gen could piggyback off your phone to ask Amazon's voice assistant questions, despite not having any Wi-Fi on board. Personally I don't miss it, as I usually have my phone close by when using any kind of travel speaker, but it's something to think about if you're an Alexa super-fan. The single USB-C port can be used for wired playback if you're so inclined, but I'm betting most owners will stick with Bluetooth. The Beosound A1 has multipoint connectivity, Microsoft Swift Pair and Google Fast Pair, which makes getting set up a breeze. aptX Adaptive returns for high quality streaming, though because B&O has gone with Bluetooth 5.1, it rules out getting Auracast connectivity later down the line via software updates. That makes it just a little less future-proof than some rivals. Though I didn't have a second speaker to test it, the Beosound A1 3rd Gen does support stereo pairing. It can also pair with the older A1 2nd Gen if you have one of those already. I was happy to see B&O's claim of improved battery life stack up. The 3300mAh cell inside the A1 3rd Gen gives it a six hour lead over the previous generation speaker, meaning at sensible volume levels I could eke 24 hours of playback per charge. Refuelling isn't the fastest, though, needing several hours on mains power before I was fully recharged. Interface: tune it in, turn it up With those on-device controls you might not instantly reach for the Bang & Olufsen smartphone companion app, but it's worth a download. As well as handling firmware updates and setting up stereo pairing (assuming you have the funds to buy two A1s) it also lets you customise the sound. A few of the five equalizer presets are a bit nebulous (ambient, favourite) while others are a little clearer (party, speech, optimal – which the speaker defaults to). You can create your own, but B&O has rejected the usual multi-band EQ in favour of a simple circle with labels like Energetic and Relaxed. It's a great way to simplify things for owners who might not understand bass or treble frequencies. The app in general doesn't overwhelm you with options, and the layout is as minimal as the speaker itself. Integrating an internet radio player into the app was a clever move, as it means you'll never be short on something to listen to. You can access your Deezer and Tidal libraries here too. Spotify also gets a mention here, though it's a token one – you've got to open the Spotify app proper to pick playlists. Sound quality: let me entertain you B&O has managed to squeeze an 85mm mid/bass driver and 15mm tweeter inside the Beosound A1. They're powered by 30W of Class D amplification, and promise a fair bit more bass this time around. Not to say the old one sounded at all hollow, mind – but I definitely appreciated a little extra oomph when playing my Spotify 'summer dance anthems' playlist. The kicks on Phats & Small's Turn around had real punch. It's not like Bang and Olufsen has cranked the tuning dial to totally favour the low-end, though – but the A1 3rd Gen isn't an analytical listen intended to only please audiophiles, either. This listen leans a little warm, a bit more dynamic than the firm's higher-end gear, just in a way that works so well for the sort of impromptu backing tracks a Bluetooth speaker is best at. Chaism's Isolated kept its soft electronic drum track intact while outdoors, so it's not like the presence falls off once you've left four walls behind. Things are clean and contained at the top-end, with no shortage of detail for such a compact speaker. Vocals have enough presence, with Luude's Big City Life coming through clearly over the relentless snares. Every part of the frequency range is well controlled, with rumble where it's deserved and room for the rest of the mix to breathe when it isn't. There's no obvious crossover point between the two drivers, and volume can be pushed pretty high without affecting the soundstage. OK, it's not going to out-shout speakers several times its size. I've heard similarly travel-friendly speakers get louder, which might be something to consider if you were hoping to supply sound for a pool party. But will it soundtrack a yacht pleasure cruise or après ski session? Absolutely. Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd gen verdict Rugged, long-lasting portable Bluetooth speakers aren't exactly a rarity, but there are far fewer that feel as luxurious as the Beosound A1. It continues to impress in its third generation, with the sound to match its styling. That sound isn't perhaps as loud as some of the cheaper alternatives, admittedly, but the quality is really rather great. So sure, a JBL Flip 7 costs almost a third of the price and has extra goodies like Auracast – but it's nowhere near as easy on the eyes, as repairable, or as much of a style statement as this. If your outdoor speaker needs are more garden party than trail hike (and your budget stretches this far) the B&O should be a top contender. Stuff Says… Score: 5/5 Still possibly the best-looking Bluetooth travel speaker, and now with more low-end muscle. You pay a premium for the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1's signature styling, but it's brilliantly capable all the same. Pros Gorgeous, uses luxury yet environmentally conscious materials Wonderfully engaging audio Long-lasting battery Cons B&O name carries a significant price premium Not as future-proof as some rivals There are louder outdoor speakers Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd gen technical specifications Drivers 1x 3.25in woofer, 1x 0.6in tweeter Amplification 2x 30W class D Bluetooth version Bluetooth 5.1 Codecs supported aptX Adaptive, AAC Durability IP67 Battery life Up to 24 hours Dimensions 133x46x133mm, 576g
