Articles by Tom Bedford, Contributor

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 on a wooden table, showing a camera viewfinder.

I've taken over 650 photos on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra, and I'd pick the 'worse' camera phone to use long-term — here's why

By Tom Bedford Published 8 August 26

I've been testing both of Samsung's new expensive folding phones, and I'm surprised to say that the lesser has become my go-to camera phone.

The Eucalyptus Green Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) on a desk, leaning on some papers.

Bose's mid-range headphones just got their first upgrade in years, adding better ANC, wired USB-C audio and a limited edition Shrek-y colorway

By Tom Bedford Published 6 August 26

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) are here — and despite boasting several upgrades over the 2023 models, they're actually cheaper.

Suno is now letting users press their AI music slop to vinyl, thus alienating streaming services, artists and audiophiles

By Tom Bedford Published 6 August 26

The new service allows users to press their prompt-generated tracks onto vinyl records and even create album artwork.

The Astell&Kern PD5 on a gray background.

Our favorite high-end music player brand just unveiled a successor to its 5-star entry-level DAP — though its definition of 'entry-level' might differ to yours

By Tom Bedford Published 4 August 26

The Astell & Kern PD5 is the brand's latest 'entry-level' digital audio player, and A&K have announced... that they're announcing it.

A collage showing three different adaptations of Spider-Man in film

Think you know the rest? Then prove it with this ultimate Spider-Man quiz about the superhero's comics, movies, TV shows, games and more

By Tom Bedford Published 4 August 26

A big fan of everything Spider-Man? Take this 30-question quiz about the superhero's comic books, movies, shows and more to prove it.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 either worn by a man standing in front of a red-brick wall, or on a table with gray twine cover

New AirPods set to arrive before the end of the year, but don't hold your breath on cameras in Apple earbuds just yet

By Tom Bedford Published 3 August 26

A fresh report points to new AirPods set to be unveiled this year, but not Apple's much-touted camera-enhanced models (yet).

Some broken speakers and radio, with a sign saying "Media testing station".

'You can literally fix anything if you watch enough YouTube': I met with tech repair experts and campaigners to learn how to fix my broken gadgets — and why it's so important

By Tom Bedford Published 2 August 26

Is fixing your tech easy? I spoke to green gadget companies, volunteer repairers and campaigners to understand your right to repair your possessions

The Line 6 Spider IV amp in front of a cabinet with some Edifier speakers.

I turned my guitar amp into a giant home speaker and it was a loud and stupid idea, but it basically worked (with some serious caveats)

By Tom Bedford Published 29 July 26

A Line 6 Spider IV, a turntable, some speakers, an iPad, an overdrive pedal, loads of cables... what could go wrong?

The Shokz OpenDots Air case and earbuds on the arm of a sofa.

Shokz' new OpenDots Air aren't flashy, but after a month of testing I can confidently say they're the best clip-style open earbuds for most people

By Tom Bedford Published 24 July 26

The Shokz OpenDots Air miss some flashy features of their flagship siblings, but the low price and reliability makes them a solid buy

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 buds and case in a man's hand.

We got two Samsung Galaxy Folds, two Watches and a Flip at Unpacked, but no Buds: here's when Samsung's mythical cuff-style open earbuds are now said to be arriving

By Tom Bedford Published 23 July 26

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Able (or just 'Galaxy Able') were a no-show, so when could the much-rumored open earbuds release?

The Motorola Pad 70 Groove on an orange background.

JBL's latest speaker comes with 9 drivers and its wildest features yet: a 12-inch touchscreen, cameras and the ability to play games....

By Tom Bedford Published 22 July 26

The ultimate tablet for music-lovers just launched, with 9 JBL speakers squirrelled away in the back

A promo image of the Deezer app open on a smartphone

Over half of all new music on streaming sites is now AI-generated, and the number is growing rapidly — but one platform is bringing the hammer down hard

By Tom Bedford Published 21 July 26

Deezer has announced that half of all new music uploaded to its site is AI slop, alongside new rule changes on how it's dealing with it

The Topping DX1 II plugged into a tablet and some earbuds.

Ever wondered whether upping the sound quality of your PS5 might improve your gaming chops? If so, Topping’s cheap new DAC is worth an audition

By Tom Bedford Published 20 July 26

Topping's new DX1 II is an affordable DAC which is targeted specifically towards Switch or PS5 gamers — but even non-gamers should take note for this price

A split screen image showing CDs in their cases on one side and in sleeves in a book on the other

You can't deny it any more: physical music is back in a big way with new sales figures proving it... and no, this time it's not vinyl

By Tom Bedford Published 17 July 26

Stats prove that nostalgic CD-buying is even bigger than nostalgic vinyl-buying, which could prompt a sea change for some music lovers.

The earbuds for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 held next to each other

The dream of AirPods with removable batteries is still seemingly out of reach, and it's all because of a new EU ruling

By Tom Bedford Published 16 July 26

Apple fans have been clamoring for AirPods with removable batteries to make them repairable, but it's likely not coming any time soon thanks to a new EU ruling.

Tony Hawk holding a pair of Skullcandy Crusher 1080, in front of some tape recording machines.

'Bose features at a non-Bose price, for the first time': Skullcandy launches its most premium headphones ever, getting by with a little help from its friend

By Tom Bedford Published 16 July 26

The Skullcandy Crusher 1080 feature three Bose-made tools in a non-Bose headphone for the first time (and without the Bose price tag)

An Android phone, being held in front of a PC screen showing Phone Link.

I tried Android's underrated desktop app, and it's transformed the way I work

By Tom Bedford Published 15 July 26

I'd never heard of Phone Link until recently, but now it's a critical part of my workflow — here's why.

'Could blow Sony's Pro IEMs out the water': Sivga's new wired earbuds look beautiful and are packed full of drivers to turn buyers' heads

By Tom Bedford Published 15 July 26

The Sivga Lyrebird combine four drivers in a svelte wooden package, one-upping Sony's recent Pro-grade IEMs.

Four different Majority Mini Shelford radios on a desk.

It’s the perfect time of year for grabbing a cheap radio for the garden, and they don’t come much cuter, more packed with features or wallet-friendly than this

By Tom Bedford Published 13 July 26

The Majority Mini Shelford is a compact, cheap, portable radio with screen that goes on sale in August.

The Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active on a sofa.

'The greatest headphone ever': Skullcandy's pulling no punches as it teases new cans for launch next week, and I think I've deduced what they are

By Tom Bedford Published 10 July 26

Skullcandy is teasing some new headphones, which are due to launch on July 15.

The Sony PS-LX310BT and Edifier M90 on a shelf.

How do I know music is more important than clothes? I just moved home and the first thing I set up was my turntable and vinyl stash

By Tom Bedford Published 9 July 26

Setting up a turntable before putting clothes in a wardrobe? Irrefutable proof that we cannot live without music

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Three pairs of Sony IER-M500 on a black background.

'Not for everyone': Sony announces its most premium wired earbuds in its current range, but their ideal use case is nothing if not niche

By Tom Bedford Published 9 July 26

The Sony IER-M500 are wired earbuds, but for most people, the brand's cheaper options will be the best buy.

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The Soundpeats H3 being held in a man's hand.

‘This is painful’: one of my favorite budget audio brands is still building elite 5-driver earbuds 6 months on, but while fans are desperate, I think Soundpeats' ongoing R&D blog is a refreshing look at audio design issues

By Tom Bedford Published 8 July 26

The Soundpeats Aura Nebula sound better and better every time we hear about them, and fans are desperate to try them out.

Marshall has redesigned its home speaker range with useful tweaks and two new options, but there's a big thing missing

By Tom Bedford Published 7 July 26

Marshall has unveiled the Acton IV and Stanmore IV speakers, with some tweaks over the old models, but there's no Woburn IV in sight.

The Noble Osprey earbuds, on a table next to the case.

I tested Noble’s new ‘budget’ earbuds and I'd love to say they'll wow audiophiles, but it’s impossible to keep them in long enough to know

By Tom Bedford Published 7 July 26

The Noble Osprey look and sound great, but fit issues result in an infuriating listening experience.

Tom Bedford

Articles by: Tom Bedford

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