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Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I tried Amazon's best-selling headphone sleep mask — and it's my new favorite travel companion
I've been a diehard eye mask user for over a decade now and I credit masks with transforming my sleep. I can drop off pretty much anywhere thanks to the super-cheap eye mask I take on every single trip. The humble eye mask needs no improvement in my opinion but as a sleep writer I'm always trying things to help my rest, whether that's the joy of testing the best mattress for my sleep style or the misery of taping my mouth shut. And I was intrigued by the concept of headphone sleep masks, which use Bluetooth speakers to combine light blocking with immersive sound. After several nights of testing the sleep mask I've been pleasantly surprised and I might have found a new must-have for my carry-on. Headphone sleep masks are pretty self-explanatory — this is an eye mask with integrated headphones. There are numerous options available on Amazon but MUSICOZY is by far the most popular (the eye mask I opted for has upwards of 18,000 reviews, largely positive.) From the front, the MUSICOZY looks like almost any other blackout eye mask, apart from the control panel in the middle. Tucked inside the mask are two thin speakers, designed to sit over the ear. Using a Bluetooth connection, you can pair your mask to your phone, pumping music into your ear while you sleep without disrupting your comfort. MUSICOZY Sleep Headphones Bluetooth Headband: from $29.99 Amazon US / £25.99 Amazon UKEstablished in 2012, MUSICOZY sells Bluetooth sleep masks to customers in both the US and UK. Available in a range of colors (as well as a few different styles, for different face shapes) the MUSICOZY mask uses breathable materials to prevent overheating while the adjustable strap allows you to tighten the mask to a perfect fit. My first thought after putting the MUSICOZY sleep mask was "wow, this is dark." That's a good thing. The primary goal of any eye mask is, in my opinion, to block out light. If it can't, it's not a good eye mask regardless of whatever else it has to offer. Next came the set-up. Okay, I took the MUSICOZY off my head for this but honestly? I could have done most of it in the dark. Only three buttons are needed to activate the MUSICOZY and they're intuitive to use. I paired the mask quickly to my phone and after minimal fussing, music was pumping through the speakers. Admittedly the sound quality isn't fantastic. We review the best headphones at Tom's Guide and I doubt the MUSICOZY would crack the top 100. But that's less of an issue that you might expect. For white noise, soothing sleep sounds and calming background music, the MUSICOZY's sound quality is good enough. Then it was time to go to sleep. MUSICOZY promises the headphone eye mask is designed for side sleepers. After a bit of wiggling I managed to get ear, mask and speaker into a semi-comfortable position. However, with my left ear pressed against the speaker, the music was significantly louder on one side and after a full night lying on the MUSICOZY, my left ear was sore in the morning. Which is why I probably won't be using the MUSICOZY every night. But I will be using it next time I travel — it's ideal for helping you sleep on the go. I have a multi-hour road trip coming up (as a passenger) and I can't wait to strap the MUSICOZY to my face and completely disengage from everyone else in the car. Here's why... I tried the MUSICOZY eye mask in bright sunshine and dark night and the effect was the same: pitch black. The interior of the headband features padded molding around the eye with a soft nose barrier that can be prodded into place for total blackout. At the back, a Velcro band allows you to secure the eye mask tightly around your face, for no slipping no matter how much you toss and turn. On public transport, the MUSICOZY can effectively block out other passengers (even if they are your own family). High tech sleep aids can often be needlessly complicated but the MUSICOZY is small, sleek and easy to fit in your hand luggage (it even comes with its own pouch). It also looks like any other sleep mask, meaning you won't feel self-conscious about strapping it to your face. And it charges via USB-C (cable included), which means you can power up just about anywhere. With the mask blocking out light and music playing right into your ears, the MUSICOZY is suitably enveloping. In my bedroom, it was like being tucked up in a cozy cocoon. The effect is likely to be diminished in a public place but it should still help you block out the often unwelcome presence of total strangers when traveling. And once you've reached your destination, the MUSICOZY can help a hotel feel like home. If you're someone who struggles to fall asleep in new places, the combination of blackout and surround sound will help you feel like you're tucked up in your usual bed. The biggest point in favor of the MUSICOZY is that it succeeds as an eye mask, blocking out light and staying secure on your face as you sleep. As a headphone set, the MUSICOZY isn't great. But at under $30 that's not a surprise and the sound quality is best described as fine. Admittedly I'm not much of an audio snob, but I could listen to my favorite songs happily. And as someone who used to burn through cheap earbuds, I've experienced worse. Side sleepers and back sleepers should feel comfortable in the MUSICOZY, although it's best suited for back sleepers. This is standard for almost any high-tech eye mask, however, so it's not a point against the MUSICOZY. But in my opinion, the MUSICOZY excels as a travel companion. Light, comfy and immersive, it helps you block out all the other people on your long-haul flight. It's also affordable and while some users have found the battery ages poorly, it should still get you through several holiday weekends with the family...
Tom's Guide
13-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
A whole new kind of phone case — 3 action buttons revolutionize the S25 Ultra experience
Recently, PITAKA launched the PinButton Case for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Staying true to PITAKA's signature craftsmanship, this case integrates three NFC-powered shortcut buttons on the side. These buttons allow users to customize actions for quick access to their frequently-used phone functions with just a simple press, bringing a whole new level of convenience to their smartphone experience. Searching for apps, choosing menu by menu, and repeating the same steps every day — this is how most of us use our phones. But most of the time, our usage habits of an app's core features are generally fixed. We don't need complex steps; we need the smooth "one click to access." "Tap less. Live more." — This is more than just a slogan; it's the guiding philosophy behind the PinButton Case. Because technology should adapt to you — not the other way around. PITAKA's PinButton case addresses this need. With a single click, users can launch the camera, toggle the flashlight, start recording, check emails, open maps, or play music. Even in situations like driving or meetings, where handling a phone is inconvenient, the PinButtons let users perform actions instantly, eliminating unnecessary steps and boosting efficiency. What's worth mentioning is that the PinButton case uses NFC chips to trigger commands, no extra charging is required. It converts the phone's electromagnetic waves into power, keeping the chips running. All three buttons are fully customizable, whether activating your smart home devices when you get home, starting navigation while driving, or any other quick-access function. This versatile, open-ended design offers users endless possibilities for personalization. PITAKA believes that good design should not force people to adapt to technology, but that technology should actively adapt to people. Tech innovation should be a more efficient assistant that matches users' lives seamlessly. PinButton is not just a bonus tool, but also a product that truly improves users' efficiency. During internal testing, many users initially saw the PinButton as just an extra feature. But once they started using it, they quickly became dependent on it. Some even felt they "couldn't go back." The three shortcut buttons on the case bring Samsung users features like the iPhone's Action Button, yet with three instead of just one. PinButton is not built to add functions to the phone; it makes the existing functions faster and easier to use. The return of physical buttons helps people interact with their phones more directly and instinctively in this smart era. At its core is user experience and the idea that technology serves people. This is PITAKA's commitment to design. Available on Amazon US, Amazon DE and the PITAKA website for $69.99 / €79.99 / £69.99.
Stuff.tv
06-06-2025
- Business
- Stuff.tv
I've found these amazing Prime Day deals a month early!
In case you hadn't heard, Amazon Prime Day is back! It's a day (well, more like 2-3 days now) where Prime members get exclusive access to a boatload of special deals. Amazon has confirmed it's coming back for 2025 this July – and naturally we'll be covering all the deals. We don't quite know the exact dates just yet, but expect things to kick-off mid-July based on previous years. Deals will be available on items including electronics, video games, movies, toys, clothing, sporting goods and outdoor gear for patios, gardens and the like. All items will qualify for one-day delivery. Amazon promises there will be 'hundreds of thousands' of products on offer. But while the savings event might not start for another month, there are still some Prime Day deals already live. Surprisingly, there are quite a few Apple devices already discounted. I've spotted loads more, and here are the best in both the US and UK. Apple iPad 10th-generation: $299/£310 This Touch ID iPad is designed as the new entry-level model (despite the 9th generation still being sold) and it runs on the A14 Bionic chipset from the iPhone 12 Pro series. There's a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with a 2360×1640 resolution, 500 nits of brightness, and Apple's True Tone technology. Right now, you can score the cheapest Apple tablet for even less. It's down to $299 on Amazon US – a decent saving of $50. Over on Amazon UK, it's a less impressive £19 off – down to £310 from the usual price of £329. Apple MacBook Air M4 (13-inch): $849/£899 Apple's MacBook Air has been refreshed with M4, and as a laptop, it's the complete package. In fact, I'd go as far as calling it on of the best laptops you can buy. In our review, we said 'the MacBook Air is still the everyday laptop to beat.' It scored a full five stars! Right now, you can score the M4 MacBook Air for £899 on Amazon UK – a £100 saving from the regular price of £999. Over on Amazon US, you get an even better $150 off – bringing the price down to $849 from $999. Now these might not sound like the largest savings, but they're insanely good for a laptop that barely launched 2 months ago. The M4 chip brings a 10-core CPU, an up to 10-core GPU, and support for up to 32GB of unified memory. A new 12MP Center Stage camera makes video calls look better, while the laptop now supports up to two external 6K displays. As for ports, you're getting MagSafe charging, two Thunderbolt ports, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Apple Watch Series 10: $299/£299 The Apple Watch Series 10 is Apple's latest and most current model. You get 30% more display than the Series 6, while the wide-angle OLED display gives you better (and brighter) viewing angles. There are new colours on offer, headlined by Jet Black – just like the iPhone 7 series. The body is thinner than ever at 9.7mm, around 10% thinner than Series 9. Powering the Apple Watch Series 10 is a new chipset – the S10 processor. Sleep Apnea tracking is the flagship new health feature. Ahead of Prime Day, you can grab it for even less. In fact, it's the lowest I've seen the watch – including on Black Friday. Over on Amazon US, you'll find the smartwatch $50 off – down from $399 to $299. It's identically discounted in the UK as well – down from £399 to £299. This applies to the 42mm size without cellular connectivity. Apple AirTag 4-Pack: $75/£92 Head in hands moments don't come much bigger than realising you've lost your keys, but Apple came to save the day. AirTags are Apple's answer to 'Where did I put my [insert easily lost item here]?' Powered by the same technology that makes Apple Maps less of a nightmare, AirTags use Ultra Wideband tech. You get Precision Finding, which means your iPhone can lead you to your lost item with the accuracy of a homing pigeon. Right now, you can bag £27 off a four-pack of Apple's AirTag trackers – bringing the price from £119 to £92. Or, you can save $25 on the AirTag four-pack from Amazon US at $75. While buying in the multipack is the best value for money, even if you might not lose as many things as me. Apple AirPods Pro 2: $199/£189 After a new set of wireless earbuds? Apple's top-tier AirPods are an excellent choice. We awarded them a perfect five stars in our Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) review. We praised AirPods Pro 2 for noise cancellation, versatility, and convenient feature set – all of which saw improvements in the second-generation. Right now, you can bag the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) for $199 at Amazon US – that's an excellent saving of $50 from the regular ticket of $249. Or on Amazon UK, you can score them for an even better £189, which is a decent £40 saving. Beats Studio Pro: $250/£199 This cheaper pair of Apple over-ear headphones were launched in 2023 – two years after the AirPods Max. What's more, they're basically the same as AirPods Max inside – even capable of wired lossless audio, which AirPods Max aren't. They offer USB-C charging, 40 hours of battery, and personalised spatial audio support with head-tracking. Plus, you get improved noise cancellation (with transparency) thanks to a new custom chip and completely redesigned hardware. Right now, they're down to $250 on Amazon US – $100 off the regular price. Over on Amazon UK, they're a much better £199 – £151 off the regular price of £350. This isn't the cheapest I've soon them, so I expect they'll go down more as we approach Prime Day. Marshall Tufton Bluetooth Speaker: $315 Marshall is extremely popular for Bluetooth speakers, and the Tufton is no exception. Right now, the speaker is discounted by $135 on Amazon US – down to $315 from the regular price of $450. It comes in a moody Black and Brass colourway, which Marshall claims looks particularly fetching next to 'modern industrial interiors' and against natural textures. The brass accents are a nice change from the standard finishes on speakers. It's designed for in and outdoor use and comes with Bluetooth 5.0 and 20-plus hours of rechargeable battery life. There's even a rear-facing driver for extra oomph. Fitbit Inspire 3: $80/£69 For those seeking a dedicated fitness tracker, Fitbits still remain one of the most popular options. The Fitbit Inspire 3 is known for its simplicity, reliability, and robust suite of fitness tracking features, including sleep analysis and continuous heart rate monitoring. It's perfect for individuals looking to enhance their fitness journey without breaking the bank. And right now, it's cheaper than ever. On Amazon US, you'll find it discounted to $80 – $20 off the regular price. Meanwhile in the UK, it's down to £69 from £85 in an almost equal saving of £16. Ninja Double Stack XL: $220/£229 If you often need to prepare food quickly, then an air fryer is a must. The Ninja Double Stack XL appeals a great deal for this, letting you cook in two drawers at once. While that's nothing new, the real draw (pun fully intended) comes in the fact that the fryers are stacked – so it takes up much less room on your counter. In fact, it still manages a huge 9.5L capacity for plenty of food. The version on sale ahead of Prime Day has copper handles as opposed to the usual silver, so looks pretty smart. It's now £229, which is a great saving of £40 from the usual price of £269. Over on Amazon US, it's discounted by a slightly lower amount of $30 to $220. Reolink Argus 4 Pro: $150/£150 If you're looking for a smart security camera with all the bells and whistles (and no subscription price), Reolink's Argus 4 Pro is a top pick. It's armed with dual 4mm lenses that deliver a sprawling 180-degree view in 4K UHD. Reolink's dual-lens setup eliminates blind spots and distortion issues that have plagued other cameras. With Reolink's ColourX technology, the Argus 4 Pro captures full-colour images even in low light. Right now, it's discounted on Amazon UK – down to £150 from the regular price of £180. Plus, you can take an extra 5% off with promo code: G7FE4L72. Over on Amazon US, it's down to $150 from the regular price of $200. Some of these deals are likely to improve (go lower) as we get closer to Prime Day. But for others, this is the best price I've seen – including previous sales like Black Friday. This page will be updated as we get closer to Prime Day.
Local Sweden
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Local Sweden
Swedish word of the day: nakenfis
If you take off all your clothes in Sweden, someone may call you a nakenfis. But why? Advertisement A nakenfis literally means 'naked fart' – a person who is totally nude. It's a loving, slightly tongue-in-cheek, expression, which usually refers to a child. Picture a three-year-old running around the room like an indoor mini-tornado, refusing to put their pyjamas on after their evening bath, and you might hear the parent exclaim an exasperated hörrödu din nakenfis, nu är det läggdags (hey you, naked fart, it's bedtime). But what's it got to do with flatulence? Don't miss any of The Local's Swedish words and expressions of the day by downloading our app (available on Apple and Android) and then selecting the Swedish Word of the Day in your Notification options via the User button Not much, in fact, nor is it related to the English expression 'old fart', which is often used to describe an annoying elderly person with old-fashioned views. Instead, it comes from the word askefis, which is hardly ever heard in modern Swedish. It's a word that was used to refer to the youngest child in a group of siblings, the person whose job it was to blow on the coal or embers (aska means ashes) to stoke the fire. This task was often assigned to them because they were too small for more demanding household chores. While the verb fisa these days is exclusively associated with farting, it is related to the English fizzle, and probably originally comes from spirare in Latin, to breathe or blow. Another word for fart in Swedish is prutt. Think of a fis as the quiet, smelly variant and a prutt as the noisy one. Excellent onomatopoeia. Advertisement Example sentences: Jag vill bada nakenfis i sjön I want to swim naked in the lake Får man vara nakenfis i bastun? Ibland, här är reglerna Are you allowed to be naked in the sauna? Sometimes, here are the rules Villa, Volvo, Vovve: The Local's Word Guide to Swedish Life, written by The Local's journalists, is available to order. Head to to read more about it. It is also possible to buy your copy from Amazon US, Amazon UK, Bokus or Adlibris.
Otago Daily Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Blis Technologies posts after-tax profit increase
Unexpected patent issues have taken up considerable time for Blis Technologies which has welcomed positive full-year financial results. The Dunedin-founded probiotics company posted improved after-tax net profit of $800,000 — up on the previous year's $600,000 result — for the year to March 31. Revenue of $12.6million was 10% higher on the previous year while ebitda of $1 million was a 26% improvement on FY24. Chairman Geoff Plunket and chief executive Scott Johnson said in the review that patents filed by the company's largest customer in Europe and a party associated with that customer became public in September last year. Blis maintained the patent applications contained confidential information provided under earlier agreements. Since the public release of the patent filings, Blis had been in negotiation with its customer "to reach an acceptable outcome for Blis". Both parties were working to conclude an agreement within the immediate future. An agreement would enable the parties to refocus on growing sales of Blis products in the market, they said. The increased revenue was underpinned by solid growth across the company's finished product sales and modest growth in its business-to-business revenue. Higher royalty revenue was partially offset by some softness in ingredient revenue from European customers. Growth was achieved in other ingredient markets. The company sold both probiotic ingredients and finished product into the United States. The US tariff regulations provided an exemption for bulk probiotic ingredient imports but the Blis-finished products for sale on Amazon US and US web store sales were subject to a general 10% tariff. The tariff impacts, although not material to the overall company result, had resulted in an Amazon US and US web store price increase being implemented through April this year. The company entered FY26 "with cautious optimism". While macroeconomic conditions remained mixed, demand for science-backed probiotics continued to grow, they said.
