audio performance Archives

AppWizard

December 16, 2024

Android app price drops and freebies: Dawncaster, Northgard, Planet Craft, more

Google's Pixel Tablet is available at a discounted price when bundled with the Charging Speaker Dock. Sony's XM5 ANC earbuds are marked down, known for their noise-canceling capabilities and sound quality. Bose's Diamond 60th Anniversary QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones are also seeing a price reduction, recognized for comfort and audio performance. Notable app deals include: - Dawncaster: Deckbuilding RPG - Northgard: a real-time strategy game - Planet Craft: a creative sandbox game - Water Tracker: Hydro Coach PRO, an app for monitoring hydration levels.

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Windows Central’s highest-rated laptops are already on sale ahead of Black Friday — save up to $640 with my shopping advice

As the holiday shopping season approaches, discounts on Windows laptops are becoming available, including high-end Copilot+ PCs and budget-friendly options. A curated list of the best deals for 2024 is being compiled, which will be updated as Black Friday nears. Windows laptops are categorized into three primary types: 1. Notebook: A classic clamshell design, often used for gaming. 2. Convertible: Heavier, pricier laptops with 360-degree hinges and touch displays, suitable for media and creative tasks. 3. 2-in-1: Devices with a detachable keyboard, allowing tablet-like use. AI PCs, equipped with processors that include a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), are gaining attention in 2024. Examples include Intel Core Ultra and AMD Ryzen AI 300. Microsoft's Copilot+ PC program enhances the AI experience for laptops with NPUs. However, for most users, having an NPU may not be essential, and focusing on overall performance is recommended. The evaluation process for Windows laptops includes testing hinge strength, chassis durability, port speed, camera quality, speaker performance, fan noise, display quality, and battery life. All laptops in the Black Friday collection have ratings of four stars or higher. Black Friday 2024 is scheduled for November 29, 2024, with many retailers already offering deals. Cyber Monday will follow on December 2, 2024, focusing on online shopping, with some tech deals continuing from Black Friday.

Winsage

October 24, 2024

Snapdragon X finally brings MIDI 2.0 and native ASIO to Windows 11!

The Snapdragon X platform supports ASIO and MIDI 2.0, enhancing audio performance and reducing latency for musicians using Windows 11 on ARM64 systems. It enables seamless integration of older plug-ins with digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Cubase, Nuendo, and Reaper, which have ARM64 preview versions available. Snapdragon X-based Co-Pilot PCs, starting at approximately €899, are designed for professional musicians and will feature native drivers developed by Microsoft in collaboration with Qualcomm and Yamaha, expected to be fully integrated by late 2025. Industry leaders Focusrite and Steinberg/Yamaha will launch optimized ARM64 drivers for their audio hardware in 2025. The native ASIO support allows for easier use of audio hardware and software, improving the workflow for musicians and producers on Windows systems, with future support planned for x64 systems as well.