It seems like Google Assistant is coming to everything these days. Starting in speakers, the artificial intelligence-powered assistant has made its way from everything to soundbars to an upcoming smart display. Now it’s coming to LG’s Tone series of wearable audio products in the new LG Tone Platinum SE. The company is also offering another new product, the LG Tone Ultra SE.
Both the Tone Platinum SE and Tone Ultra SE feature an around-the-neck design that keeps the weight off your ears, with earbuds that extend from the main body up to your ears. While the Tone Platinum SE keeps the standard earbuds design the Tone series is known for, the Tone Ultra SE features a mono speaker in addition to the earbuds, letting you effectively use it as a Bluetooth speaker, albeit one that probably doesn’t sound huge. This does let you hear ambient sounds around you, which can be handy if you’re out on a run.
The LG Tone Platinum SE earbuds are the first model in the Tone series to offer Google Assistant integration, as well as real-time translation with Google Translate functionality built-in. A dedicated Google Assistant button lets you activate the assistant without having to say “Hey Google.” LG says this is especially handy when using Google Translate, as communicating in another language becomes easier without the need for a trigger phrase. This model features a combination of dynamic and balanced armature drivers, which LG says makes for clear highs and robust bass.
Both new models feature dual MEMS microphones for excellent call quality, as well as support for the Talk & Tone app. The Tone Platinum SE comes in black, blue, and gold color varieties, while the Tone Ultra SE comes in black and blue options.
LG has yet to announce pricing or availability for either of the new products in the Tone series, but they will be on display at the company’s booth at IFA in Berlin, which runs from August 31 to September 5. If the around-the-neck form factor doesn’t work for you, take a look at our list of the best earbuds to find something that might suit you better.
Instagram is making its way to yet another screen, and this time, Apple TV is getting a taste of the Reels rabbit hole. The company has launched a dedicated Instagram app for Apple TV, bringing Reels, longer videos, and live shows to the big screen. So, if watching one quick clip on a phone somehow turns into an hour of scrolling, there's now a much larger screen for that.
Instagram brings Reels and more to Apple TV
Audio-Technica, a brand well known for making some of the best studio and professional headphones on the market, has just come out with the ATH-AWX7000, which the company itself claims to be its "finest headphones ever." The new flagship closed-back headphone has debuted at an eye-watering price of $3,799. It combines hand-finished Japanese woodwork with a newly developed 58mm driver.
The earcups are made from Kiso cypress, a prized wood historically used for Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Each housing is finished by hand with traditional Echizen lacquer, which brings out the grain and is expected to darken over time. The frame and sliders are finished in a deep navy kachi-iro shade traditionally associated with samurai.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
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