All articles tagged with #bluetooth
This piece outlines five common AirPods problems—charging issues, pairing failures, random disconnects, a malfunctioning single earbud, and a muffled microphone—and offers practical fixes from cleaning contacts and ports and updating devices, to toggling features like Automatic Ear Detection, resetting, and, if needed, factory reset or service/replacement.
Nine Bluetooth keyboards are reviewed as tablet accessories to boost on-the-go productivity, highlighting options from slim multi-device keys (Logitech K585, K480) to foldables (iClever BK08, ProtoArc XK04/XK01) and a case-keyboard hybrid (ESR Rebound 360). Notable strengths include long battery life (Pebble Keys 2 K380s up to 36 months; K480 up to 2 years), built-in tablet stands, and bundled value (K250 with mouse). Tradeoffs involve weight, backlight presence, key feel, and whether a trackpad is built-in. Prices span about $28–$105, selected using Amazon 4.3+ star ratings plus independent reviews.
The PS5 safety guide recommends staying at least eight inches (about 0.2 meters) from the console while it’s on to meet FCC and ISED radio‑frequency exposure limits, focusing on the radiator and cooling fan. The 0.2-meter SAR threshold applies to 2.4 GHz Bluetooth energy, and Sony notes that DualSense controllers emit very low RF energy and are considered safe. You can hug the PS5 when it’s off.
UC San Diego researchers found a Bluetooth vulnerability in dealer-installed KARR and SWDS security hardware affecting about 2.2 million vehicles. An attacker within five yards could unlock doors, disable alarms, or prevent starting, though the flaw does not let the engine start. A firmware update released July 20, 2026 can fix the issue via the official KARR Security app; owners should inspect for KARR/SWDS devices or stickers, review dealership paperwork, verify VINs with dealers, and seek professional removal if the device was installed but not activated or if removal is desired.
Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag 3 reportedly adopts a squircle shape (matching One UI icons and the Galaxy Watch 9), adds a central button, but omits a built-in lanyard hole. It’s expected to include Bluetooth and UWB, IP-rated dust/water resistance, and Samsung Find integration, with button presses locating a connected phone and double-press automations via Modes & Routines. A Bluetooth 6.0 upgrade and longer battery life are possible, with a launch possibly before year-end alongside the Galaxy S26 FE and Tab S12 series.
The Apple Watch can’t measure blood pressure on its own, but it can consolidate readings from third‑party Bluetooth cuffs (such as Omron Evolv, Withings, and iHealth) in the Health app, letting you track BP between doctor visits. These wireless monitors use an arm cuff with a dedicated app and sync to your iPhone/Apple Watch via Bluetooth. The article also notes using the Watch to monitor exercise and heart rate for overall heart health, but it does not replace professional medical advice or visits.
Google has kicked off Android 17 QPR2 Beta 1 testing, delivering stability fixes for Bluetooth reconnections, lock-screen media controls, Gemini-related reboot crashes, and touch-input issues. The beta, available via the Android Beta Program and Emulator, covers Pixel 6a through Pixel 10 devices plus the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet. No new user-facing features are introduced; Pixel 6 and 6 Pro move to the final beta track due to update limits ahead of the December Feature Drop.
A tech article ranks the top Bluetooth speaker brands by sound quality, averaging reviews across multiple models rather than judging a single device. The list features Bang & Olufsen, Bowers & Wilkins, Audio Pro, JBL, Sonos, Sony, Ultimate Ears, Bose, Marshall, and Harman Kardon, highlighting each brand’s strengths (premium fidelity from B&O and B&W, powerful bass and versatility from JBL/UE, smart features from Sonos, dynamic range from Sony, rock-oriented dynamics from Marshall, and warm low-end from HK) while noting common caveats like high prices or occasional feature gaps. The methodology involved normalizing ratings from various outlets to produce a representative brand-wide ranking.
Roku can route audio to Bluetooth headphones through the Roku mobile app, letting you watch late at night at full volume without waking others; most Roku devices require the phone as a bridge, while some newer models support direct Bluetooth. Google TV and Amazon Fire TV also support direct Bluetooth connections.
DSX PC App Beta adds Bluetooth audio and haptic feedback for Sony DualSense/Edge/DS4 controllers connected wirelessly, via the DSX+ upgrade (£9.13) or as a DLC; it's a software alternative to the Pico 2W dongle and requires opting into the Steam beta. The update also includes UI redesigns, 28‑day Steam‑less run, card-based profiles, improved button remapping, and new skins; early testing shows solid DualSense support, though some users may still prefer the Pico adapter for zero-background operation.
A DSX v3.2 beta finally enables the PS5 DualSense’s full functionality over Bluetooth on PC, including advanced haptic feedback and native audio, removing the USB-only limitation—though the feature remains in beta and may need tweaks.
Boox’s Tappy is a compact, rechargeable wireless page-turner with two configurable buttons that switch between Reading, Multimedia, and Browsing modes. It pairs quickly with Boox devices (and some Android devices) via Bluetooth, supports USB-C charging, and retails for $29.99. While easier to carry than Kobo’s Remote and with satisfying button clickiness, it’s less ergonomic and lacks clear, live mode indicators on non-Boox hardware, making its cross-device usability uneven but appealing for multi-use paging and navigation.
Security researcher shows that the Sound Blaster Katana V2X can be remotely reprogrammed via USB/Bluetooth, spoof its HID to a PC, and send keystrokes to enable remote code execution, effectively turning the speaker into a PC-pwn proxy within Bluetooth range; the vendor does not view this as a vulnerability.
A Creative Sound Blaster sound bar exposes a Bluetooth Low Energy interface that requires no authentication, enabling a nearby attacker to send commands and even reflash the device’s firmware to act as a USB keyboard, potentially compromising the host system. While USB commands require authentication, the BLE path does not, making proximity access enough for exploitation. The finding highlights BLE as a common vulnerability in consumer electronics and suggests air-gapping or securing edge devices like speakers.
A United Airlines Newark-to-Palma de Mallorca flight turned back after crew flagged a Bluetooth speaker named with a four-letter word—Bomb—triggering security concerns; passengers deplaned, cargo inspected, and the plane was re-screened before a replacement flight was arranged. The incident highlights the need to disable Bluetooth devices and follows United’s move to require headphones for listening to in-flight audio or video content.