To protect the world from dramatic warming, the greenhouse gas has to get out of the atmosphere. Researchers want to turn it into rock.
(Image: Project Vesta)
Of
Veronika Szentpétery-Kessler Tom Green’s name says it all: He green beaches. But not with trees, but with minerals: With the olivines, which are hardly known outside of specialist circles, he wants to capture CO2 from the air on a large scale and in this way slow down climate change.
The head of the non-profit Environmental organization Project Vesta has chosen two neighboring beaches as the first test area at an undisclosed location in the Caribbean. Ground olivine is to be applied to one of them this year. The waves rub the grains together, grinding them into small grains with a large surface. This accelerated weathering creates hydroxide ions that react with the CO2 in seawater to form hydrogen carbonate. This in turn later serves as building material for corals and shellfish. If their shell then sinks to the sea floor, it becomes limestone and other rocks, which store the CO2 for eons. It would only be free through geological activity.
“Reducing CO2 emissions will not be enough, we also have to remove the gas from the atmosphere,” says Green. Many researchers and the International Energy Agency are convinced that even if no additional CO2 were emitted into the atmosphere, global warming could no longer be stopped. Also the biologist, who after 18 years ago wanted to get involved in various tech companies for climate protection, after switching to technologies that enable such so-called negative emissions.
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Infinix today announced its latest entry-level smartphone dubbed Infinix Smart HD 2021. It is powered by the Helio A20 SoC and boots XOS 6.2, which is based on Android 10 (Go Edition).
The Infinix Smart HD 2021 has 2GB RAM and 32GB storage onboard, but it also comes with a dedicated slot for a microSD card, which allows storage expansion by up to 256GB.
The Smart HD 2021 is built around a 6.1″ HD+ screen with a notch for the 5MP selfie camera, which is accompanied by an LED flash to help you take brighter photos in dim conditions.
The back of the phone, which has a gem-cut texture design, is home to a fingerprint reader and 8MP primary camera.
The Infinix Smart HD 2021 comes with DTS Surround Sound, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and packs a 5,000 mAh battery that charges through a microUSB port.
Infinix Smart HD 2021 comes in three colors
The smartphone is priced at INR5,999 ($80/€65) and will go on sale in India starting December 24 through Flipkart with three color options – Topaz Blue, Obsidian Black, and Quartz Green.
Stepcraft 2000 introduced three new machines: The M. 500, M. 700 and M. 700, where the number stands for the rounded length of travel. In contrast to the D-series, the new milling machines no longer use simple rollers that run directly on the aluminum profiles, but high-quality linear rails made of polished steel, and ball screws can also be ordered at an additional cost.
The extensive Stepcraft system accessories can also be used with the new machines: For example, a 3D print head or an engraving laser are available that can be installed instead of the milling motor. There is an oscillating tangential knife for processing rubber and leather, a drag knife for plotting writing foils and a hot wire insert for cutting styrofoam – and much more.
Our test device, the M . 700, reached us as a kit – a carefully packaged, 40 kg heavy 3D puzzle on a pallet. So we already had the opportunity to work intensively with the machine during assembly: The assembly instructions include merciless 96 Pages with which the manufacturer’s statement “built in a few hours” as a euphemism for “4 days of work at a time” relativized.
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Due to the start of the nationwide lockdown and the associated pre-Christmas stress, also among developers, the betterCode () organizers have decided to open the early bird window further: Tickets for the online event for the new standard C ++ 20 are now a little longer, namely until January 8th 2021.
Live from Germany, Switzerland and New York At the 21. January 2021 organize heise Developer and dpunkt.verlag together with Bjarne Stroustrup, the inventor of C ++, and other experienced experts an online day on C ++ 20. All lectures will take place as a live stream in the browser, Bjarne Stroustrup is connected to the event from New York and will answer questions from the audience about C ++ in the moderated final round. This AMA (Ask Me Anything) session takes place in English, the questions can be asked in German. Bjarne Stroustrup’s keynote is in English, the rest of the conference will take place in German.
What do the new ones bring Features? Where does the C ++ programming language come from, which design principles it follows and what C ++ is about 20, explains Bjarne Stroustrup in the keynote. Members of the ISO standard committee then present the individual features: Concepts as the next generation of templates and how developers use them themselves, explains Andreas Ready. Daniela Engert goes on the trail of the C ++ modules and provides an introduction to the new feature. Detlef Vollmann presents the coroutines: He teaches developers how to use coroutines in C ++ for multithreading. Nico Josuttis introduces C ++ libraries, especially the ranges library newly introduced in C ++ 20. Peter Sommerlad offers a practical deepening in the type system in modern C ++ with his lecture on Strong Typing. All lectures are firmly anchored in practice with concrete examples.
At the pulse of C ++ development After each lecture, the participants can talk extensively with the respective experts in a Q&A session before the program continues. There is an exchange between the participants and speakers in the chat and by direct message, in the Q&A room participants can also connect with sound and images. In addition to the conference day, Nico Josuttis and Rainer Grimm will each offer a full-day workshop in February 2021. During the practical day on best practices for C ++ and the crash course C ++ 20, C ++ developers can develop their practical skills under expert guidance.
An early bird rate applies until January 8th 2021 for tickets and combination tickets for the C ++ event. Participation in the conference costs in the early bird phase 21 euros, afterwards 199 Euro. The workshops cost individually 449 Euro (all prices plus 19% VAT), there are inexpensive combination tariffs and, on request, group tickets for teams. Schoolchildren and students receive a discount. The event team answers inquiries.
About the process On the betterCode website () C ++ 20 is the program with information on the process, the speakers and the individual lectures. Interested parties will also find further links and the current status of planning there. Afterwards, the participants will receive a video recording and the presentations.
Unity, the company behind the game engine of the same name, has released version 2020. 2. In addition to innovations for the graphic rendering, the development team behind the game engine is also updating its tools and revising the artist, team and editor workflows. The release also focuses on increasing performance.
Unity 2020 .2 is the second of the Tech Stream releases planned for this year. In January 2020 Unity announced that it would deliver two instead of three releases per year. This is associated with longer alpha and beta phases to ensure a more stable core engine. Further functions are to follow as modular packages.
New for the URP and HDRP pipelines beginning of April 2020 Unity had published a timetable for the year 2020. This included changed offers for live content as well as information on the Unite Now digital program series. The focus was on stability, performance and ensuring smooth workflows. This is where Unity 2020. 2 connects. The update extends the Universal Render Pipeline (URP) with new functions and brings it closer to parity with the built-in render pipeline. Screen Space Ambient Occlusion (SSAO) is intended to improve the quality of the ambient lighting in the scene. The development team behind the game engine is introducing a new complex lit shader that allows developers to reduce the size in build data and load time. In addition, with the update it is possible to use Clear Coat Maps to simulate materials such as car paint.
Also the High Definition Render Pipeline (HDRP) With Unity 2020. 2 new tools have been added to help developers debug the lighting. In addition, the development team worked on the decal system. Path tracking supports mist absorption and subsurface scattering for organic materials. A new mode for depth of field can generate path-traced images with high-quality defocus blur (unsharpness). Unity 2020. 2 has an HDRP sample scene in its luggage, which already contains some setups of the physically based light intensities. This should give developers a good starting point for creating realistic scenes with HDRP.
Updated tools for workflows The Current version of the game engine has been revised for all artist workflows. The updated tools give developers the ability to create cinematics and other video and film content. For example, with the revision of the performance of the graph editor, the update extends the shader graph with new functions, which in turn should improve the workflows for technical artists. The VFX has been expanded to include output events, which should enable users to synchronize lights, sound, physical reactions or gameplay based on spawn events via a delegate interface in C #.
But not only that The update focuses on optimizing artist workflows. There are also innovations for work processes in teams and in the editor of the game engine: Unity Hub version 2.4.2 brings, for example, revised workflows for managing projects, downloads, Unity editor versions and modules. Among other things, a new feature is a quick search with which developers can search through all scenes and prefabs of their projects at once without being limited to open scenes.
Unity currently recommends version 2019 Long-Term Support (LTS) for developers looking for maximum stability. Unity announces the next LTS version, Unity 2020, for spring 2021. Those interested can find more information about the current release of the game engine in the post on the Unity blog.
It’s not the first time a high-end audio brand has collaborated with an aspirational automobile manufacturer to produce audio kit not intended for use behind the wheel of your hypercar – in the past few years Porsche has teamed up with KEF to produce headphones and wireless speakers and Klipsch worked with McLaren on a set of sports in-ears to name just two. But if ever a set of monolithic floorstanders harked back to the 1930s supercar they’re named after, its the new Bugatti Royale.
Bugatti is collaborating with premium German audio firm Tidal (no relation to the music streaming service) to create “the Bugatti of home audio,” and it’s kicking things off with this remarkable set of speakers.
Bugatti connoisseurs will almost certainly know that the French car manufacturer produced only six of its huge Type 41 motor vehicle (better known as the Royale) between 1926 and 1933, a car intended to be the biggest, most luxurious, most expensive in the world. And only four of those were actually sold. Obviously, both Tidal and Bugatti are hoping to avoid a similar situation with the new Royale speakers, but there are several more positive similarities.
Tidal is offering two limited-edition versions of the Royale speaker – Edition Blanc and Edition Noire (yes, black and white) but there will apparently be an almost limitless selection of customisation options for buyers, similar to the way that Bugatti allows its customers to personalise their hypercars in various veneers and finishes. Buy a set of Royales, and you’ll be able to pick from various materials, with carbon fibre, leather, precious metals, dark aluminium and polished stainless steel on the menu – but not cheese. The speakers are available in one of two themes – Monocoque or Duotone cabinets, and piano finishes are also available.
The Bugatti logo also adorns the speaker and ‘Tidal for Bugatti’ is branded on the back. Each Royale stands almost 1.5m tall and weighs a whopping 160kg – about as heavy as a reindeer.
(Image credit: Bugatti)
Under the bonnet, each speaker comes with four long-throw subwoofers and two front-firing woofers with aluminum diaphragms. The Royale also features one high-efficiency diamond tweeter (the same as those found in the cars) and one high-efficiency ceramic midrange driver, though customers can upgrade the latter to a diamond one.
Interestingly, the Royales are active speakers, meaning they house what Bugatti is calling “extremely powerful amplifier channels” inside the cabinets. The matching Bugatti-branded music controller (pictured) will allow you to connect to your sources, including music streaming services and TVs.
And the price? It hasn’t been disclosed; a sure sign that if you need to know, you can’t afford them. A fee involving six figures is likely…
MORE:
Want to get up to speed on in-car audio tech? Read our hands on with the Sennheiser Ambeo Mobility sound system
Prefer a Burmester and Porsche collaboration? See our Burmester High-End Surround Sound System (2020 Porsche 911) review
More high-end speakers? See 12 of the world’s most expensive loudspeakers
Seasoned players do not need to be convinced that the right sound allows them to survive in many games. In many productions, every detail matters, and JBL, the brand behind the JBL QuantumSOUND Signature technology, is aware of this, allowing you to hear enemies and other details of the surroundings accurately. The new JBL Quantum headphones 50 are equipped with this solution. And although it is a model designed mainly for mobile gaming, there is nothing to prevent it from being used with other platforms. The designs offer functional controls with a separate volume slider, microphone mute and multi-function button for calls and music.
The JBL brand has unveiled its new wired headphones for gamers – Quantum 50. A number of technologies used here are to ensure the most accurate sound reproduction in mobile games and more.
Creative Outlier Active v2 headphone test – when good gets better
The in-ear wired headphones are powered by two 8.6 mm drivers. The producer ensures that thanks to the JBL QuantumSOUND Signature technology, the player will hear the most subtle sounds, which will allow him to dominate the game. In addition, complete control is achieved through a cable-mounted control panel with a volume slider and microphone mute. The cable itself has a light, durable and fabric braid. The Voice-Focus microphone is different from the control buttons.
Great test of True Wireless in-ear and in-ear headphones
This one is closer to the mouth to record your voice as accurately as possible. Another technology used in the headphones is Twistlock, which is nothing more than a way of putting on headphones to guarantee a comfortable fit, which, combined with ultra-soft tips, is to allow for hours of ergonomic fun. The headphones are also compatible with PC and Mac computers, and with Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch consoles. The kit weighs 21, 5 grams, works in the bandwidth 20 Hz – 20 kHz, and was priced at PLN 139 PLN.
The network cable accelerates the home network the most, despite many alternatives. We show that cabling does not have to be complicated or expensive.
Basic knowledge of home network cabling: from emergency solution to professional Components & Tools Allocation Compromises Telephone cables & Co. Article in c’t 26/2020 read If your level of frustration is ma l climbs again because the film does not load, the copying process to the network storage is paralyzed, the video call mainly consists of block artifacts and the radio live stream constantly stalls, this is often not due to the sluggish internet connection, but rather to the local WLAN. The rapid development of the last 20 years has meant that not only is more bandwidth required, but more and more devices are occupying the WLAN radio spectrum at 2.4 and 5 GHz.
The solution: Wherever high bandwidth is required, the data has to be transported from the air to the wired home network (LAN) as quickly as possible, for example through cleverly positioned WLAN access points . Many repeaters with a LAN connection also offer an access point mode and can therefore be set to a different channel, increasing the overall capacity of your WLAN. Stationary devices are best connected to the LAN by cable.
But who Now think about pushing finished cables with plugs through oversized holes in the wall or laboriously pulling them through cable ducts – both nasty things that can make any network technician howl and damage the plugs while laying them – should take a moment for another moment take the basics. Sensible home network cabling is not rocket science, there are many options and with a little effort you can save yourself trouble and electricity costs for decades.
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Sign in and read Register now and read the article immediately More information about heise + Basic knowledge of home network cabling: from emergency solution to professional Components & Tools Allocation Compromises Telephone cables & Co. Article in c’t 26/2020 read
If you listen to a Vivid, you experience something new The next step towards realistic sound The difference between listening to your hi-fi equipment or listening to the music The Vivid Kaya S 12 is a mini monitor Seems innocent has a no-holds-barred charisma and a certain degree of cuddlyness Once inside, the true nature manifests itself Perhaps comparable to your mother-in-law Therefore, an introduction – Read more
Or at least, they do in Google’s latest machine learning experiment, the awe-inspiring Blob Opera, which will see a chorus of four adorable, colorful blobs serenade you with spine-tingling operatic music. Drag a blob up or down, and you’ll change what pitch they sing in; drag them from side to side, and you’ll change the vowel sound. Each blob will also harmonize with the others, in what can only be described as magical.
The Blob Opera just sounds beautiful, with soaring harmonies ringing out from each blob. Four actual opera singers — Christian Joel (tenor), Frederick Tong (bass), Joanna Gamble (mezzo‑soprano), and Olivia Doutney (soprano) — recorded 16 hours of singing (Ingunn Gyda Hrafnkelsdottir and John Holland-Avery also contributed), but it’s not their actual voices you’re hearing when the blobs sing.
Rather, the team trained a machine learning model on those voice recordings. The blobs are singing what the algorithm “thinks” opera sounds like, based on what it learned through the training. An additional model works to enable the harmonizing.
Created by David Li working in collaboration with Google’s Arts and Culture team, the Blob Opera isn’t just a cute toy — it’s a great example of how machine learning can be levered to create something new and unexpected out of existing data.
The machine learning-based nature of the opera is why the blobs are limited to vowel sounds instead of actual words, but the random noises still manage to approximate the gist of a true opera, in spirit if not lyrics.
But the best part of the Blob Opera isn’t just the lovely harmonies or adorable characters — it’s the “holiday surprise” that’s activated by clicking the Christmas tree icons, which will give you the option to let the blobs sing any number of popular Christmas carols.
With yesterday’s release of iOS 14.3, Siri got a new trick: the ability to play real-world sound samples on command. Ask “Hey Siri, what does _____ sound like?” and it will start playing the sound for you. If you ask on an iPhone or iPad, it will show you a picture as well. Google Assistant has been able to do this for a few years now, but now it’s available for the iPhone, iPad, and HomePod.
Apple hasn’t announced how many sounds it’s added, but it’s been able to handle most of the animals I asked about (except for some obscure ones that I’m not sure have a real distinctive noise, like an anteater). At the moment, it seems like the sounds are limited to animals, vehicles, and musical instruments. I tried asking for some nature-y sounds, such as thunder or a waterfall, and Siri didn’t play anything.
This feature is probably best heard, rather than read about, so I made a video in which I ask Siri to play different sounds.
I asked Siri what several things and animals sound like. (Warning: this may activate any iOS devices if they have “Hey Siri” turned on.)
Interestingly, it’s got samples for different breeds of dog, so you can hear what a mastiff sounds like compared to a Shih Tzu. There are obviously quite a few things that Siri doesn’t have sound samples for, and in some cases (like when I asked what humans sound like), it doesn’t even try. As you can tell from the end of the video, Siri is Siri — technical imperfections and all. (At one point, Siri started answering the question, stopped, said it was sorry, and restarted its answer.)
I know I’m going to be asking Siri for random sounds every now and then, trying to figure out what it has sounds for and what it doesn’t. If you’re not as easily amused as I am, the feature could also be useful if you have kids, who I’ve heard are always asking what things sound like. It’s also useful for when someone in your household says that foxes sound like people screaming, and you just have to know if they’re right. (Here’s a YouTube link so you can see as well as hear it.)
Matthew Wilson 1 hour ago Featured Tech News, General Tech
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was rolled out across the EU back in 2018 and since then, we haven’t seen many major fines in the tech or social media space. That changed today, with Ireland’s Data Protection Commission officially fining Twitter €450,000 over a data breach.
The data breach was disclosed by Twitter back in January 2019. The breach exposed private tweets for Android users over the course of four years. Due to this, the Data Protection Commission is ruling that Twitter violated the EU’s GDPR rules, as disclosure of the security breach did not come within 72 hours of it first being discovered.
Ireland’s DPC initially revealed its decision earlier this year, but objections were raised by other regulators. The case then went through a dispute resolution process, which delayed the fine being issued until now.
As pointed out by The Verge, during the dispute resolution process, the DPC was told to increase the amount it was fining Twitter. Initially, they wanted to fine them less than €450,000, but this fell so short of GDPR’s maximum 2 percent annual revenue fine amount that an increase was deemed necessary.
Twitter has since issued a statement saying that due to staffing between Christmas Day 2018 and New Years Day 2019 led to a delay in disclosing the breach. The statement goes on to say “We take responsibility for this mistake and remain fully committed to protecting the privacy and data of our customers”. So with that in mind, it doesn’t sound like Twitter plans on fighting this at all and will just pay the fine.
KitGuru Says: As one of the social media giants, this won’t impact Twitter’s bottom line all that much. Still, it is interesting to see the first instance of a major tech company tripping over when it comes to GDPR rules in the EU. Hopefully this serves as a warning to companies to continue to protecting user data and that users are warned properly in the instance of a breach.
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La Mela has updated its phones with ProRAW support (on newer Pro models only) and other new features. The new Apple Fitness + app is also coming. Here are all the news
of Nino Grasso published 15 December 2020 , at 16: 41 in the Apple channel Apple iOS iPhone
More than one month after the release of iOS 14. 2 Apple released iOS 14. 3, which introduces ProRAW support on the native Camera app , changes to the TV app, the Health app, and more. Along with the iPhone software, Apple has also released iPadOS 10. 3 for proprietary tablets. The new version comes shortly after the release of the RC version of the operating system.
iOS 14. 3 is available on all compatible iPhones via an update via OTA which can be processed from the Device Settings, and includes support for the new photo format ProRAW for users iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max. Photographic side we also have further news, such as the possibility of record at 25 fps and mirroring of photos taken with the front camera on iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X The update also brings several changes to the Apple TV app, such as a new tab to search for content on Apple TV +, an advanced search that allows you to browse by category or get suggestions as you type.
iOS 14. 3 also makes it easier to set custom icons for the Home apps, since you can perform shortcuts from the Home screen without starting the dedicated app. The update introduces the ability to set Ecosia as the default search engine and support for installing software updates for third-party HomeKit accessories directly into the Home app. Finally, iOS 10. 3 introduces support for Apple Fitness +, released simultaneously with the new OS.
All the iOS news 14. 3 in the official changelog
iOS 14 .3 includes support for Apple Fitness + and AirPods Max headphones. Additionally this version adds the ability to take photos in Apple ProRAW format on iPhone 12 Pro, introduces privacy information on the App Store and includes other features and troubleshooting for iPhone.
Apple Fitness +
A new way to train using Apple Watch, with professional workouts available on iPad, iPhone and Apple TV (Apple Watch Series 3 and later).
New Fitness app on iPad, iPhone and Apple TV to discover Fitness + workouts, trainers and personalized advice.
Video workouts added every week in 10 popular types: HIIT cardio workout, indoor bike, yoga, core training, strengthening muscle, dance, rowing machine, treadmill walking, treadmill running and conscious cool down.
Playlists curated by Fitness + trainers to accompany your workout.
Fitness + subscriptions available in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand , UK and US.
AirPods Max
Support for the new AirPods Max hip headphones.
High fidelity audio for richer sound.
The adaptive equalizer adjusts the sound in real time based on how the pavilions fit in the ears.
Active Noise Cancellation to block out sounds environmental. Transparency mode to listen to the environment around you.
Audio space with dynamic tracking of head position to listen as if you were in the cinema.
Photo
Ability to take photos in Apple ProRAW format on iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Apple ProRAW format photos can be edited in the Photos app.
Option to record video at 25 fps.
Possibility of mirroring the front camera for still photos on iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X.
Privacy
The new section dedicated to privacy information in the App Store pages includes a summary made by the developers on the privacy protection procedures of the apps.
TV App
With the new Apple TV + panel, discovering and watching Apple Original shows and movies is easier that never.
Thanks to the improved search, you can browse by categories, such as by genre, and view recent searches and suggestions as you type.
Top Search Results Show Movies, TV Shows, Members of the cast, the most relevant channels and sports content.
App clip
Support for launching clip apps by scanning Apple-designed codes via Camera or Control Center.
Health
Possibility to indicate pregnancy, lactation or use of contraceptives in ?? Cycle monitoring ?? in the Health app to improve the management of menstruation and fertile period forecasts.
Weather
Air quality data is now available in Weather, Maps and Siri for mainland China locations.
Air quality health advice provided by Weather and Siri for US, UK, Germany, India and Mexico for some levels of air quality.
Safari
Possibility to choose the Ecosia search engine in Safari.
This version also fixes the following issues:
Some MMS messages may not be received.
Some message notifications may not be received.
Contact groups did not show members when composing a message.
Some videos were not showing correctly when shared from the Photos app.
app folders might not open.
Spotlight search results and opening apps from Spotlight may not work properly.
Bluetooth functionality may be unavailable in Settings.
The wireless charging of devices could not boot properly.
The MagSafe duo power adapter could charge iPhone wirelessly at less than maximum power.
The completion of The configuration of accessories and peripherals that use the WAC protocol could fail correctly.
The keyboard closed when adding a list in Reminders using VoiceOver.
Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple’s software updates, go to the website: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222.
I’m not sure if anyone was really asking for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2. I know I wasn’t. The series’s reputation had never been lower after Activision ran it into the ground, first through over-exposure and finally with the disastrous comeback attempt that was THPS 5. In fact, almost the exact same idea had been tried not so long ago with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD, which blended levels from 1 and 2 into a clunky, unsatisfying whole.
Turns out, it isn’t a bad idea if you nail it. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is an incredible remake that does virtually everything right and more. It might sound odd to call it the best game of 2020, but nothing else this year made me happier. It was certainly the best surprise.
THPS 1 + 2 includes all of the stages from the original games, with a unified structure that lets you bounce between progression through each. Developer Vicarious Visions re-created each environment with meticulous attention to detail, sometimes in ways that spark even more nostalgia; the mall level is all boarded up and abandoned, for instance, as if it closed after THPS was released and you’re revisiting it today.
The sense of an alternate-timeline THPS is amplified by the cast of skaters, which includes visibly aged pros who were featured in the original alongside younger current stars. I found this unexpectedly poignant. It serves as a tribute to the original pros’ legacies while lending the series’s cultural relevance with a fresh, more diverse roster. You get a sense of how skating’s popularity has grown through the decades since the original games were released and how the skaters have grown up themselves.
The same could be said of the soundtrack, which adds dozens of new artists while keeping almost every track from the originals. THPS has always had great music, but the earlier HD remake only preserved a handful of tracks; Activision deserves credit for doing the licensing legwork here. I loved hearing new additions like Skepta and Pkew Pkew Pkew, but it wouldn’t be THPS 1 + 2 without Rage Against the Machine and Millencolin.
Most important, of course, is how the game actually plays. Almost miraculously, it plays great. I don’t know exactly what Vicarious Visions did to the skating model, but THPS 1 + 2 somehow feels both perfectly authentic to the originals and as modern as you’d want it to be. One big mechanical change comes from my personal favorite in the series, THPS 3: the revert mechanic that lets you manual out of tricks and chain together huge combos across the stage. This was a transformative shift in how THPS was played, and revisiting beloved old levels with the ability in your back pocket almost feels like cheating. But it’s not cheating: it’s THPS.
Against all odds, THPS 1 + 2 is a thing of beauty. From the creative direction to the nuts and bolts of the engine, it’s one of the most lovingly produced remakes I’ve ever seen — the rare repackaging that not only captures the spirit of the original release but manages to feel emotionally resonant in its own right decades down the line.
I often feel like a kid again when my favorite games are rereleased, but THPS 1 + 2 hits different. It places the originals firmly in context while updating them for today, reminding me that I’m not the same person I was when they first came out. Tony Hawk has changed, and so has skating, and so have video games, and so have I.
You probably already know this, but Sennheiser is a brand with a lot of prestige. Founded in 1945, it began as a manufacturer of microphones before soon expanding into other areas of audio. It claims to be the first company to have made an open-backed pair of headphones.
Today, it makes (a lot of) headphones to suit all styles and budgets – and (a lot of) very good-sounding ones at that. So good, in fact, that many pairs feature in our very best headphones for all budgets list. We’ve lost count of how many What Hi-Fi? Awards the brand has acquired over the years.
Whether you’re after sporty earbuds for running and the gym, a premium pair for travelling, or a high-end pair of headphones for home listening, you’ll find something here to satisfy you.
So, without further ado…
(Image credit: Sennheiser)
1. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
A fine addition to the world of true wireless headphones.
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2s bring a raft of improvements compared to their predecessors and one of the most refined sounds we’ve heard from a pair of wireless headphones.
The design looks much the same as the original, but there has been a slight aesthetic tweak. The earpieces are slightly slimmer, so they protrude less from your ears, and, more importantly, they’re more comfortable to have in place for long listening sessions. One of the major changes is the introduction of noise-cancelling, which works extremely well and is pretty much on par with the Sony WF-1000XM3. They’re nice to use too, with touch-sensitive pads on each earpiece which can be customised to control music playback and features.
Battery life is competitive, with a single charge giving seven hours of playback and the charging case providing an additional three charges, bringing the total battery life at your disposal to 28 hours.
It’s all positive and we haven’t even touched on the sound quality, which is extremely refined and sophisticated for the money. Highs and lows are composed and controlled but dynamics aren’t sacrificed. The Sennheisers present a detailed soundstage with impressive scale and authority. They’re a little pricier than other wireless in-ear headphones, but if your budget can stretch, your ears will be rewarded.
Read the full review: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
(Image credit: Sennheiser)
2. Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless
Superb noise-cancellers that enhance Sennheiser’s reputation
SPECIFICATIONS
Bluetooth: Yes | Noise-cancelling: Yes | Battery life: 17hr | Charging: USB-C | Built-in mic and controls: Yes
Reasons to Buy
Energetic, rhythmic presentation
Convenient usability features
Effective noise cancellation
Reasons to Avoid
Uncompetitive battery life
Sure, the 17-hour battery life can be bettered, but with these Sennheisers Momentum 3 Wireless, that’s where the gripes end. Their thick leather earpads make these headphones incredibly comfortable and even provide a good dose of noise isolation – handy if you don’t have enough juice left to power the noise-cancelling feature. The on-cup controls and their collapsible design also make them easy to use and very convenient to take with you, too. And then there’s the sound.
They’re rich and gloriously full-bodied but still maintain clarity, particularly in the midrange. It gives them a superb tonal balance alongside their depth of bass, which will reward listeners of all stripes.
Admittedly you can get some great competitors for a fair bit less. But rhythmically speaking, these Sennheisers are cohesive and consistently dynamic too, making them quite the class leaders. Proof that you get what you pay for.
Read the full review: Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless
There are actually two variants of the Momentum in-ears: the M2 IEis have the relevant in-line mic and controls for Apple phones, while the IEGs work with Android handsets. But they both share the same excellent sound quality – it’s smooth and balanced, with plenty of drive and a good sense of musicality. A fine option and among the best wireless earbuds costing less than a ton.
They may not be the newest earbuds around (they won our Product of the Year award way back in 2017), but they still remain up there in the competition – especially now they can be picked up for a lot less.
Read the full review: Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEi
4. Sennheiser CX 5.00i
A brilliant in-ear upgrade for those on a tight budget.
If you’re looking for another cheap and cheerful headphone upgrade, these could be for you. They cost only the price of a drinks round, look pretty stylish, and sound superb for the money. They have a rich, luxurious tone that makes music seem full but never clogged up. Bass is satisfying too.
If you want a real sound upgrade but don’t have a huge budget, the Sennheiser CX 5.00is are now among the best budget wired in-ears that sporty types can buy. They look smarter than their price would suggest, too.
Read the full review: Sennheiser CX 5.00i
(Image credit: Sennheiser)
5. Sennheiser HD 450BT
Smooth, durable performers with typical Sennheiser appeal.
While they may lack the outright transparency and simplicity of the very best noise-cancelling pairs out there, there really is plenty to like in the HD 450BTs – not least in the way of top-notch features, such as excellent, 30-hour battery life and aptX Low Latency support, which are far from given in headphones of this price.
If battery and bass are up there on your list of priorities, you won’t regret making these Sennheisers yours.
Read the full review: Sennheiser HD 450BT review
6. Sennheiser HD 820
Serious closed-back headphones for serious home hi-fi systems.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Over-ear | Wireless: No | In-line mic/remote: No | 3.5mm connector: No | Weight: 360g
Reasons to Buy
Robust, full-bodied, detailed sound
Powerful, agile base
Cleverly engineered
Reasons to Avoid
Pricey
Design limits performance
These are very much high-end headphones for proper home hi-fi systems. They’re closed-backed, and use Corning Gorilla Glass which is usually found in high-end smartphones.
The tonal balance is smooth and full-bodied, while they’re sure-footed rhythmically. If your system demands premium headphones and you can stretch to the HD 820s you won’t be disappointed. They’re comfortable and engineered to last.
Read the full review: Sennheiser HD 820
7. Sennheiser HD 201
These budget over-ears are surprisingly good value for money.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Over-ear | Wireless: No | In-line mic/remote: No | 3.5mm connector: Yes | Weight: 163g
If you thought over-ear headphones had to cost the earth, check out the HD 201s. They’re a cheap, no-frills pair, about as basic as they come but surprisingly good given the price. You have to make do without any bells and whistles like noise cancelling or an in-line remote, but sound quality is decent, with highlights being insight and balance.
They paint a clear sonic picture, while the top end is never harsh. If you’re after headphones that don’t cost the earth and make you drum along on your desk, these will do nicely.
Read the full review: Sennheiser HD 201
11. Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless
A very talented pair of wireless noise-cancelling headphones.
If you fly a lot and want a pair of wireless noise-cancellers, these should be on your shortlist alongside those made by Sony and Bose. They’re discreet enough for the discerning business traveller (who they’re aimed at), and comfortable enough for all but the longest of long-haul flights.
Two levels of noise-cancellation keeps you isolated and they fold down to fit in a carry case. Sound is clear, they’re rhythmically sure-footed and they stay just the right side of overstated. A must for the business traveller.
Sporty types, these are for you, as indicated by that splash of neon. But there’s much more to these than just an eye-catching colour scheme: they’re wireless, so you won’t get tangled while working out, and they’re splash- and sweat-resistant, so should last a while. The sound is clear, with expressive mids and bass powerful enough to get you pounding the treadmill. A solid and appealing pair of sports headphones.
Read the full review: Sennheiser CX Sport
13. Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear Wireless
No wires, but excellent sound quality.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: In-ear | Wireless: Yes | In-line mic/remote: No | 3.5mm connector: No | Weight: 313g
The neckband design won’t be for everyone, but if you can get on with it there’s a lot to like about these headphones. Wireless connectivity, for starters. And less chance of losing an earbud. There’s a decent sense of space and openness, and sound is packed with detail. They’re dynamically strong too, with the Sennheisers scaling highs and lows with ease. You’re treated to an inviting presentation, with the expressive mids a particular highlight.
Read the full review: Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear Wireless
14. Sennheiser HD 2.30
No funky stand-out looks here, just a solid Sennheiser sound.
These aren’t the most stylish on-ears around, but then at this price they’re not trying to be. They do have appeal in the sound department, however – it’s a chunky, relatively smooth sound that works well across a wide range of genres and recordings. An attractive price is the icing on the cake.
Read the full review: Sennheiser HD 2.30
Best headphones 2020
Best wireless earbuds: Budget and premium
Best over-ear headphones: Wired, Bluetooth, noise-cancelling
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