Latest news with #iPod
Tom's Guide
12 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
I just tested this $199 portable music player, and it blew me away with audiophile sound
Listening to music with your phone on the go is one of life's great conveniences. It's capable of playing pretty good quality streams, and connects incredibly easily to your best wireless headphones so that you can listen to The Backstreet Boys on the bus without annoying fellow passengers. But it's not without its downsides. Phone storage is often limited, file conversion tools aren't always robust, and constant notifications can pull you out of the moment. That's why I also like to carry a DAP — a digital audio player — when I head out. A DAP eliminates distractions from calls and messages, letting me immerse myself in music. The internal components are usually higher quality, allowing for better audio performance and support for high-resolution tracks. Plus, they often have enough power to drive more demanding wired headphones. The catch? They're not cheap. My current go-to, the Fiio M15S, costs around $1,000. Enter the Fiio JM21. It's a DAP that doesn't cost the earth, only coming in at $199. It's packed with loads of excellent features that mean you don't need to worry about audio shortcomings on the go, while costing less than a second hand Nintendo Switch. I've been testing it for the last couple of months, and I've discovered it's a great device for the price. If you want a way to take hi-res music with you on the go so that you can listen to your favorite wired headphones on the train, the Fiio JM21 is a great inexpensive way. It's more powerful than you might expect, and boasts excellent sound quality. It even comes with a clear case in the box to keep it scratch free when you take it out and about. Alongside a standard 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, the JM21 offers something special: a balanced connector. That might not mean much to most people — especially if you're using Bluetooth headphones — but for audio enthusiasts, it's a big deal. A balanced connector, specifically the 4.4mm type found here, is becoming increasingly common among wired headphones, and for good reason. Without diving too deep into the technical details, it separates the left and right audio channels and delivers them independently to each earcup. The result? Reduced distortion and, often, noticeably improved sound quality. It's a feature clearly aimed at audiophiles, and for anyone curious about getting into high-end wired audio, the JM21 makes for an excellent entry point. The JM21 evokes a time when phones and music players where seperate because they had to be. When you'd have an iPod in one pocket, and your phone in the other. It's like going back in time and seeing what an iPod touch might be capable of now, if Apple continued development of the idea. Everything is easy to use by virtue of a relatively un-molested version of Android. That means you can install all your favorite streaming apps, like Qobuz and Tidal, so that you can stream hi-res tracks without them taking up disc space. There are playback controls on the side so that you don't have to pull the device out of your pocket when you just want to play, pause or skip a track. There are plenty of small details that make it super simple to use — I really enjoy it. Despite it's focus on wired playback and hi-res music either from the internal storage (which can be expanded with micro-sd card slot) or streamed, there's some features so that you can jump straight in without an extra pair of headphones. There's a 5.0 Bluetooth connection, with support for LDAC and aptX of various guises. You can connect it to your laptop as a higher quality DAC so that you can play tunes to your headphones from there. You can even turn it into a Bluetooth reciever, so that you can play your music through a wireless source and listen on your favorite wired headphones. It's even Roon ready so that you can hook it up to a Roon system — it's a very modern device, despite its lower price than similar options. There are a couple of things holding the JM21 back from perfection. I understand that more power is required to run a balanced connector and the more powerful audio circuitry on board, but it would be nice to have more than 9 or so hours of use out the of the device. There are some lag problems when it comes to the Bluetooth and wireless connection (although WiFi streaming is totally fine) that takes a little off the lustre. But then the JM21 is only $199, making those problems a whole lot more palatable. Is the JM21 as good as my $1,000 daily driver DAP? No, but I'd be very worried if it was. If you're looking to get into hi-res audio or you want to step up your sound quality game, then the JM21 might just be the perfect stepping stone into audiophile-dom. Just be aware that's it's a very expensive slippery slope.
Refinery29
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
I Charged My Old iPod — & Found Unexpected Comfort In The Nostalgia
Every time I board a plane and the person sitting next to me is a stranger, I notice them clock the noughties relic in my palm: my iPod Classic. Yes, I still have the same one from over 15 years ago, and I still have my even older Nano too. They both work and they both house a collection of my favourite music from way back when. Some songs are cringeworthy to scroll past using the click-wheel (does anyone remember watching 'Britannia High'? Well, I have the soundtrack), others are a nice trip down memory lane, and some are surprises — apparently I was already into Oasis and The xx while still listening to Hilary Duff and Jamelia. Who knew? It's not just me; there's a lot of people with an appetite to press rewind when it comes to our tech. Gen Z has brought back the digi camera from my youth; brick phones are cool; and there's increasingly been discourse around owning media again instead of renting or streaming it, so DVDs are no longer defunct. As for iPods, my colleague Esther Newman has purchased a secondhand one so she doesn't have to worry about seeing texts or emails come in while connecting with nature on walks and listening to The Last Dinner Party. Gadgets like iPods gave us freedom to carry lots of the music we loved around with us. The iPod is the perfect spot in history: not so far back that you have to carry bulky CDs and a Walkman, but just far enough that texts, calls and emails won't interrupt your listening. Years' worth of bangers (and memories) all on one small device — magic. Old tech is helping us disconnect from the always-on bombardment of the present, while reconnecting with our younger selves and less overwhelming pasts. I love my iPod for this reason too. It doesn't rely on the internet, I don't need to frantically download stuff for a long flight, and the cool feeling of the stainless steel in my hand is oddly comforting. Essentially it gives me a deep sense of who I was as a child. It's a reminder of a time when my biggest concern was which albums to spend my pocket money on; building a wishlist on iTunes I slowly worked through. Lady Gaga's Telephone music video? Bought it. Soundgarden's Black Hole Sun? A gateway to the dad rock I'd be hooked on for the next decade. None of the jazz-adjacent genres I listen to now feature, but my iPod is a sweet reminder of how much my tastes have evolved with my personality. When there's so much to digest and absorb constantly — be it through social media, search engines, news alerts and seemingly endless notifications — it's a luxury to be able to turn it all off for a moment. Maybe old devices are an antidote to some of the mental health problems connected with modern tech. The BBC reported that people had turned to dumbphones to lower their screentime and be more present, which contributes to improved mental health, relationships, sleep quality, and general wellbeing. Having written about how hard reducing your screen time can be with a smartphone, I can only imagine how much less stressed and time-rich I would be if I made the switch to an old-school phone. On Reddit, people have discussed how swapping has helped them enjoy activities more, like going on a hike without the internet featuring. Nostalgia helps with our wellbeing. Research from 2023, conducted by the Human Flourishing Lab at the Archbridge Institute, found that 84% of people use nostalgia to help them remember what's important in their lives, and 60% said nostalgic memories offer guidance when they feel stuck in life. 'After studying this topic for more than 20 years, I've discovered that nostalgia actually helps people move forward,' said social psychologist Clay Routledge, PhD, vice president of research and director of the Human Flourishing Lab, to the American Psychological Association. 'It makes people more optimistic about the future, it boosts wellbeing, it reduces anxiety, it increases positive mood and self-esteem and meaning in life. But more than that, it makes people thankful, and it energises them.' Using old tech isn't a meaningless decision, or a trend for trend's sake. Whether we realise it or not, we can benefit from both the nostalgia it brings and the remedy it delivers when modern tech feels too much. When I use my iPod, I get to have the decisions about what to listen to made by my younger self for present day me. I can hit 'shuffle' and avoid incoming notifications on other devices. It's just me, the music, and the inevitable memories that appear as each song begins to play. It's the soundtrack of my early teens.
Time Out
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Thailand Printmaking Festival comes to Bangkok this July
Printmaking used to be the sort of thing your art teacher loved, or that one cousin who still uses an iPod and can't shut up about 'zines'. But this year's Thailand Printmaking Festival isn't just for the print-obsessed. It's for anyone who's ever paused to admire a sticker on a lamp post or traced the grain of a paperback cover. Print is, quite literally, 'everywhere' – and that's precisely the point. Running July 4-15, from 4pm-10pm daily at Central Chidlom's Event Hall, the festival returns under the quietly radical theme: 'Printing is everywhere.' The premise is simple – print doesn't belong on a pedestal. It lives in our wardrobes, bookshelves, shopping bags, tote bags, Instagram feeds and street corners. It's daily, it's democratic and it's deliciously DIY. Organised by GroundControl and PPP Studio, this year's edition pulls Bangkok into the fold after its last showing in Chiang Mai's Dream Graff Gallery (2022). With a broader scope and louder presence, the 2025 festival aims not just to show but to 'share' – a communal invitation to press, smudge and roll ink across our daily lives. What's new to look forward to this year? In addition to a wide range of artworks – from statement pieces to pocket-sized prints – the festival presents a special exhibition uniting 10 artists with 10 distinctive print studios. Each duo brings a unique method to the mix. Weekend workshops will also be held throughout, inviting visitors to create their own prints with ease. More than just a market of towering prints and pocket-sized treasures, the festival also includes: Exhibition – 10 x 10 Artist x Studio 10 artists, 10 studios, zero rules. Think of it as speed dating with ink. Each pair has co-created pieces that blur the line between studio precision and raw, individual style. Artists: Benzilla / Kitikong / Lolay / Mamablues / / Nutkai / Pod Art / Rukkit / Sahred Toy / Yeedin Studios: Archivist / C.A.P / Kienhin / Made By Gyvendore / Mezzpress / Poom Wisidwinyoo / PPP Studio / TNT / Wisut Tae / Witti Print workshops Every weekend, the Event Hall turns into a mini factory of trial and error. Expect ink-stained fingers, good-natured swearing and something frame-worthy to take home. Live print Watch as brings fish printing (Gyotaku) to life, proving once again that dead things can be strangely beautiful. Then head over to Hello My Name is BKK for a dose of urban wheatpaste rebellion. Interactive: Rubbing art A five-metre stretch of textured surfaces begs to be felt, traced and transformed. Pencils, crayons, charcoal – no digital tools in sight. Printmaker's market Postcards, zines, shirts, notebooks – the sort of art you can carry, wear or accidentally spill coffee on. Stallholders include: Ppp Studio / Hello Print Friend / Metasit / Prawin Print / Sab / Saratta / Spacebar Zine / Young Print (University) and a delightful host of others. Because sometimes you want to know 'why' the artist glued fish to paper. Casual, curious and caffeinated conversations about process, politics and print. Free to enter, free to wander, free to touch things you're normally told not to. Bring your friends, your nan, your inner child. Leave with ink under your nails.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Written by Steve Jobs: Three 'most-important' words of Apple philosophy that define the company since almost past 50 years
The Apple Marketing Philosophy by Steve Jobs In a world where technology evolves faster than most companies can catch up, Apple's staying power isn't just impressive — it's historic. From revolutionizing personal computing to reimagining how we communicate, work, and listen to music, Apple has shaped nearly every corner of modern life. But behind every product launch, keynote, and sleek design lies a foundational philosophy that has remained unchanged for almost five decades. It all began in 1977, not with a marketing campaign or a product blueprint, but with a memo. A short, 88-word document that captured the soul of a company still finding its place in a chaotic tech landscape. Though it was penned by Apple's early investor and chairman Mike Markkula, it would come to be embraced and embodied most powerfully by co-founder Steve Jobs . These three deceptively simple words — Empathy, Focus, and Impute — have defined Apple ever since. And perhaps more remarkably, they still do. Inside 'The Apple Marketing Philosophy': The 'three words' that still shapes every big decision by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Order New Blinds Online & Get $199 Home Installation Learn More Undo The document, known as The Apple Marketing Philosophy, was not an abstract corporate vision statement. It was a hands-on guide — direct, sharp, and actionable. It didn't talk about profits, market share, or competition. Instead, it drilled into how Apple should think, behave, and communicate — both internally and with the world. It was a set of principles that Steve Jobs not only internalized but used as a compass every time Apple faced a critical decision. Let's break down the three words that have become Apple's north star. 1. Empathy Apple's first priority has never been what's trending — it's what the customer truly needs, even if they can't articulate it. That's what Empathy means in the Apple context. It's not just listening to feedback or conducting user surveys. It's putting yourself so completely in the shoes of your users that you anticipate their wants before they do. Steve Jobs was a master of this. He famously said, 'People don't know what they want until you show it to them.' That was never arrogance — it was insight. Apple's approach has always been: meet human need before technical spec. Empathy explains why the iPod wasn't just another MP3 player — it was a music revolution. Why the iPhone didn't just add a touchscreen — it redefined the phone entirely. It's why Apple software feels intuitive, even to a child, and why its hardware often 'just works.' 2. Focus One of the hardest disciplines in business is knowing what not to do. That's where Apple's second guiding word comes in. Focus has been Steve Jobs' personal mantra and a defining principle of Apple's product philosophy. Focus is why Apple never drowned itself in a dozen product lines. When Jobs returned to Apple in 1997, the company had a confusing sprawl of products. His first major act was to cut 70% of them. The result? A simplified product grid — desktop and portable, for consumers and pros — that laid the foundation for Apple's modern dominance. Focus doesn't mean limiting ambition. It means channeling it. Every ounce of Apple's creative energy is poured into a small number of products, each of which is obsessively crafted. That's why updates take longer. That's why features are rolled out only when Apple believes they're truly ready. And that's why users trust them. 3. Impute In Markkula's words: 'People DO judge a book by its cover.' And Apple has always known this better than anyone. The idea behind Impute is simple but profound — every interaction with a product, from packaging to advertising to interface design, sends a signal. That signal must always reflect care, quality, and thoughtfulness. When Steve Jobs returned to Apple, he didn't just focus on tech specs. He obsessed over font choices, box design, and store layouts. Because if a product looks cheap or cluttered, it will feel that way — regardless of how powerful it is inside. Impute is the reason why Apple Stores feel more like design museums than retail outlets. Why unboxing a new iPhone feels like an event. Why even the inside of a Mac is sometimes as beautiful as the outside. The message is clear: what you see is a reflection of what's underneath. Apple's secret? Three words that still run the show Nearly five decades later, Apple remains fiercely loyal to these three words. Not because of nostalgia, but because they work. When Steve Jobs passed, many wondered if Apple would drift. But the continued success of the iPhone, the rise of the Apple Watch, the evolution of Macs, and the company's growing dominance in services all suggest otherwise. Every major Apple move — from their push into custom silicon with the M-series chips to their cautious and considered rollout of Vision Pro — can be traced back to these principles. Empathy for how people really want to use technology. Focus on a narrow, high-quality product line. And Impute, ensuring that everything from keynote slides to App Store icons exudes intention and design clarity. Why these three words still matter in a noisy world In 2025, the tech industry is louder than ever. Artificial intelligence is reshaping entire sectors. Mixed reality is beginning to enter the mainstream. New gadgets appear and vanish in the blink of an eye. And yet, Apple remains not only relevant — but aspirational. That's no accident. It's because these three words are more than a philosophy. They are a filter. A way to cut through hype, avoid distractions, and deliver lasting value. For any company wondering how to endure, inspire, and lead — the answer isn't in chasing the latest trend. It's in embracing a few timeless truths. And if they're lucky, they'll write them down on one sheet of paper, just like Apple did in 1977. Also read | Steve Jobs was brilliant but don't copy this 'one habit' of him; warns Pixar's Pete Docter AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pixar exec says former boss Steve Jobs called workers anytime, even at 3 a.m. and on vacation—but it's a red flag he won't repeat
A Pixar executive said his former boss Steve Jobs would call 'at any time, day or night, three in the morning,' even if 'you're on vacation, doesn't matter.' It's a leadership trait he doesn't want to emulate at the $7.4 billion animation studio. Other CEOs like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have fostered company cultures that expected workers to be 'always on.' While Steve Jobs may be best known for revolutionizing tech with the iPhone and iPod, few people may know about his double life bringing beloved films like Finding Nemo and Toy Story to life. He was one of the three founding fathers of Pixar Animation Studios, purchasing the group from Lucasfilm in 1986. But in helping lead the iconic movie company, Jobs had a certain habit that would drive any employee up the wall. 'He would call—especially the producers—at any time, day or night, three in the morning, you're on vacation, doesn't matter,' Pete Docter, chief creative officer at Pixar who formerly worked under Jobs, said at Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Gala last week. 'He wants to talk to you about it, you're on.' Docter assumed the Apple cofounder disregarded people's downtime because he was so passionate about the work—after all, Jobs was particularly skilled at problem-solving and relinquishing authority at Pixar to let the animators really shine. But Docter said the after-hours calling is one leadership trait he doesn't want to emulate, even though he slips up sometimes. Even though the late Apple CEO did not seem to respect staffers' personal time all too much, he did hold their work in deep reverence. Docter recalled how Jobs was 'pretty amazing at saying, 'this is not my business,'' and letting the creatives have control over their projects. Docter said Jobs carried a disposition that 'I'm not going to come in here and direct this movie or tell you what to do.' If it weren't for the financial backing, supportive leadership, and animation geniuses at the helm of Pixar, it might not be the filmmaking giant it is today. The studio's first movie was Toy Story, released in 1995—one of the most beloved films to come from Pixar, launching a five-film franchise, and counting. Pixar then went on to churn out hits like The Incredibles, Cars, Ratatouille, Finding Nemo, and Up over the next 15 years. Under fierce competition to keep pace with the studio's immense popularity, Disney acquired Pixar for $7.4 billion in 2006. There were undoubtedly growing pains in scaling the studio, but Jobs had a particular talent in helping employees solve problems. Docter said he was able to understand issues quickly and provide guidance. 'He could walk into rooms where he knew nothing about what was going on…sit for about five minutes, and analyze what the conversation was really about.' the Pixar executive continued. 'I think that came from years of practicing.' The expectation that staffers should be 'always on' at the whim of their bosses is no new fad; it's often the culture of high performance, so businesses can 'move fast and break things.' Tesla leader Elon Musk is famous for sending out emails at odd hours, as early as 2:30 a.m., and expecting his staffers to match his intense work ethic. 'There are way easier places to work, but nobody ever changed the world on 40 hours a week,' Musk tweeted in 2018. Amazon is also known for fostering a pretty tough work culture. A New York Times article from 2015 reported that employees were expected to be on top of communication, even if emails came in past midnight. If staffers didn't answer promptly, they would get text messages asking why they didn't reply. Founder Jeff Bezos has since promoted work-life harmony over 'balance.' This story was originally featured on
